Both leads, Kate Phillips, who plays Victorian London’s first female detective Eliza Scarlet, and Stuart Martin, who plays family friend and “potential love interest” William “The Duke” Wellington, are both confirmed to reprise their roles. Andrew Gower will also return as Rupert Parker as Eliza’s best friend and investor in her private detective agency.
“Miss Scarlet and The Duke has built a massive following since it first aired on Alibi last year, so we are thrilled to have it back for another series. Rachael New has created a wonderful range of characters and mixes the gritty scenes of Victorian London with a brilliant light-hearted side, making it a firm favourite for our viewers.”
Congratulations to Scarleteers for this shout out! Scarleteers are the original fan page for Miss Scarlet & The Duke, established in September 2019. You can now find them on Facebook (Page & Group), Instagram and Twitter.
Following the US release of Running Naked, we reached out to Michael Knowles, one of the producers and writers of the comedy drama about two cancer survivors starring Matthew McNulty, Andrew Gower, Tamzin Merchant and Rakhee Thakrar. We’re extremely grateful he took the time to answer a couple of our questions while wrapping up his latest filming project in Mexico.
Michael Knowles is an English film producer, writer and musician. Having been mentored by Andrew Eaton through the UK’s Guiding Lights scheme, he has produced several full feature length films including the award winning drama Best Laid Plans and mystery horror film The Messengerstarring Robert Sheehan and Tamzin Merchant. He’s also produced a series of short films, among them one of British acting legends Pete Postlethwaite’s last films Waving at Trains. In 2004 he received a BAFTA nomination for his short film Talking with Angels.
He’s also the lead vocalist of the Manchester based band WinterGreen who recently released their 4th album Framed.
Ben (Andrew Gower) & Mark (Matthew McNulty)
First of all, congratulations to a truly beautiful and heartfelt film! I really enjoyed attending the virtual screening of Running Naked on World Cancer Day. For touching on such serious subjects like cancer and mental health, it is a surprisingly uplifting film.
Many thanks that’s very much appreciated.
You recently mentioned in an interview that “life is about living, not dying” and that it would be a great slogan for Running Naked. Could you explain how it relates to the film?
We are all dying at different rates. The film touches how reflecting on this can positively affect how we live our lives. We need to be present in the moment and sometimes bad thing happening make you focus on this. I know when my wife went through this, we really focused on what was important to us and what was a stressful time became strangely a positive one.
My friend is a survivor of teenage cancer. I know she would love to watch Running Naked but she’s hesitant it might trigger some unwanted memories. What would you tell her?
We were keen that the presentation of cancer was both true but also positive. With that in mind we screened the film to young cancer patients through the teenage cancer trust. Their feedback was both moving and overwhelmingly positive. See below:
Firstly, when I found out it was a movie about two young lads going through treatment. Straightaway I thought “oh no” this might be too close to home and thought I might need to keep tissues ready for the emotional scenes. However, with that being said, my reaction was actually quite the opposite. This movie highlighted friendship during tough times and how they had each other to support but also how important it is to be there for one another.
For me personally, I never thought you could put comedy and cancer in the same genre, but the Running Naked team made it happen. Keeping it light-hearted and making me grin rather than cry just shows it was well put together. From the script, the cast, the whole movie storyline was brilliant. I laughed throughout because I could relate to the scenes.
I always avoided cringe cancer type of movies only because it was emotionally distressing but this movie I highly recommend, it’s a good watch. The writer’s message was to highlight friendship aspects during tough times and how the main characters Ben and Mark are just trying to live their lives to the fullest which as a viewer was so inspiring. They do things out of the ordinary especially for Ben because he has OCD. Highly recommend this movie and I’m sure you’ll reach out to your friends after watching if you haven’t in a while, especially during the current situation, as this movie just give you a pure warm fuzzy feeling inside. I know I’ll be recommending this movie to my friends.
Director Victor Buhler on the set of Running Naked
Let’s go back to the beginning: the script for Running Naked was developed over a longer period of time until you and Victor Buhler decided to finally make it into a film. You called it a “leap of faith”. Are you glad you took it or would you have hoped for different circumstances?
I think films have a moment when they will or won’t happen. I am glad we took the leap of faith when we did as otherwise it wouldn’t have happened. I know when people find the film, they generally love it. Particularly if they have been through any of the experiences related in the film. My hope is over the years people will discover it and it will gain a following.
The script for Running Naked draws on some very personal experiences dealing with your wife’s own battle with cancer. Would you say it made it easier or more difficult to write?
Whilst the film doesn’t directly touch on the same experiences, having a pool of emotions and reflections based upon similar events did help. Particularly at a distance from those events.
Can you talk us through the casting process a little? How did Andrew (and the rest of the talented cast) become a part of Running Naked?
Andrew Gower came through an introduction from Tamzin Merchant (who I had worked with previously and who was cast as Sara) who was working with Andrew on Carnival Row. Matthew McNulty came through Andrew’s agent. Emma Stansfield and Sacha Parkinson I had both worked with before. Rahkee Thakrar also came through Tamzin (thank you Tamzin).
The young Ben (James Senneck) and Mark (Samuel Bottomley) came through contacts with Matthew McNulty. Andrew and Matthew cast their youngers selves effectively.
Ben (Andrew Gower) and Sara (Tamzin Merchant)
This needs to be followed by the unfortunately inevitable question: how was working with Andrew Gower?
He was great and gave so much to the role of Ben. He is a fab actor and we are looking to work together in the future.
Running Naked was filmed in summer 2018. Since then the world has changed quite fundamentally and in quite an unpredictable way. Do you think this has also changed people’s reception of the film?
It’s strange in the film the character of Ben washes his hands a lot with gel. This was meant to be unusual but now is the new norm!
Hopefully the hope and positivity in the film chimes even more now.
Stoke-on-Trent seems an unusual choice for a filming location. Why did you choose it? I personally liked the contrast between the more “clinical” look of the city and the lush English countryside, just like the film itself balances a very serious matter with heart and humour.
We shot there because it hadn’t been seen on screen before but also because I teach film at the university of Staffordshire and the university (and the students there) helped in the making of the film.
What would you say was the biggest challenge in making Running Naked?
I would say making what is such an ambitious film on a pretty micro budget.
Do you have a favourite scene?
There is a scene towards the end of the film when the two leads reflect on their friendship that I love and that echoes what I feel about friendship. However lots of great scenes and special moments in the film.
Running Naked is now available in the UK and in the USA digitally and as VOD. Are there any plans for releases in more countries, more theatrical screenings? I’m quite old fashioned and like physical copies of my favourite films. Any plans for a DVD release maybe?
No plans for DVD but looking at potential cinema screenings post covid. Working through sales agents to release in other territories.
You’re currently filming in Mexico. Is there anything you can share about your new project? Or any other projects we should look out for?
Thank you so very much again, Mr Knowles, for your time and patience. Hopefully many people will have the chance to experience Running Naked soon, on the big or small screen, and we’re looking forward to seeing your future work, especially if it involves our Andrew Gower!
According to The Prague Reporter, the production team of Carnival Row is headed back to Prague (Czech Republic) later this month to finish filming its second season.
The Amazon fantasy series is currently slated to begin production from late May, with filming scheduled to run through September.
Production of season 2 had been halted amid the on-going Covid-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020. Later that year, the decision was made to split season 2 which was explained by Orlando Bloom, lead actor and executive producer on the show, in an interview with entertainment website Collider:
“To keep the momentum of the show moving forward […] they are going to release the first half of the season and add one [episode].”
“We would like to go back and polish it off a little bit. I managed to get in and out and get some stuff done so we could close out that first half of the second season…”
In recent days Czech production service company Stillking Films had already shared some images on their Instagram account teasing a return of Carnival Row and confirming the presence of director Andy Goddard and make-up/special effects designer Nick Dudman at Barrandov Studios, where the popular Amazon Prime series is filmed.
Hair designer Francesco Pegoretti, who received an Oscar nomination for his work on Pinocchio this year, also shared a photo of himself on a plane heading to the Czech capital.
Following up on this article, we had it confirmed by show creator Rachael New that Miss Scarlet & The Duke will start filming its second season in Belgrade (Serbia) in August 2021. The change had become necessary due to a scheduling conflict with the locations in Ireland.
We are filming in Serbia in August because Ireland schedules didn’t work out. We’re super excited. Belgrade is beautiful and the crews are fabulous. Can’t wait to get cracking!
(Quote: Rachael New)
Regarding to release date, there can be only speculation at this point. Season 1 of the Victorian mystery show began filming in early July 2019 and wrapped 2 months later in early September. The episodes premiered on Alibi channel (UK) on 31 March 2020. If Season 2 follows a similar path, we might be looking at a release date in April or May 2022. With PBS now helming productions, it is possible that the episodes will be shown on the American network first, or at least simultaneously to the UK and other countries.
The good news for Andrew Gower fans is that 4 months should be enough time to wrap filming on Carnival Row‘s Season 2.2. Czech production service company Stillking Films currently seems to be preparing for a Covid-safe return to the set of the Victorian noir series. The first half of Carnival Row Season 2 is scheduled to be released on Amazon Prime later this year and the second half can probably be expected in 2022.
There is a lot of Ezra Spurnrose and Rupert Parker to look forward to in the next 1 1/2 years!
The radio play is the “first family friendly piece (and trans-Atlantic collaboration)” and penultimate audio play of the eight part series Written in the Waves. Andrew Gower plays a character named Guy, with the rest of the cast including Adjoa Andoh (Emma), Sam Crerar (Ilya), Amita Suman (Priya) and Manjinder Virk (Seema).
Andrew Gower and Manjinder Virk have previously worked together on Andrew’s acting debut Monroe and short film Out of Darkness, which was written and directed by Manjinder Virk.
The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School is available on the 45North website for free on Monday, 12 April 2021. If you liked the programme, please consider making a donation to this small, independent company.
Running Naked, the “feel good buddy dramedy” starring Andrew Gower and Matthew McNulty as cancer survivors Ben and Mark, is available to rent or buy digitally or as VOD on several streaming sites in the UK and the USA.
Please consider leaving a positive review if you liked the film to support this micro-budget independent production!
Emmy-winning director Victor Buhler’s feelgood comedy Running Naked is released [in the USA digitally and as VOD] this coming week, and we have an exclusive clip from the film for you below courtesy of distributor Trinity Creative Partnership.
Scarleteers are celebrating the first anniversary of Miss Scarlet & The Duke by sharing their favourite moments from the show or pictures of their own private viewing parties on social media by using the following hashtags:
Gesa Power House Theatre released this new poster art for Running Naked, “the feel-good indie movie that’ll restore your faith in just about everything” (Buzz Feed) which they will screen on Friday, 2 April 2021 and Wednesday, 7 April 2021 at 7:00pm. You can buy tickets for each screening, which will be followed by an exclusive pre-recorded interview between Director of Film Programming Warren Etheredge and filmmakers Victor Buhler and Michael Knowles.
“I’m absolutely thrilled at the news that Miss Scarlet & The Duke will be back for a season two. I have so much in store for Duke, Eliza and her crew. With even more action, adventure and of course a nice big dollop of romance, it’s going to be a cracking season. The fans are going to love it.”
In a recent interview with Salon, show creator further added about her plans for Season 2: “I would have lots of things in store for Rupert and how he’d navigate his domineering mother, and try and have some semblance of a happy life.”
We are happy to say that Andrew Gower will reprise his role as Rupert Parker in Season 2!
However, the news come with a bittersweet tang as it was also confirmed that fan favourite Declan O’Dwyer (who directed Season 1) had to leave the project due to a scheduling conflict. He will be replaced by Steve Hughes.
Also dropping out are A&E International, which launched the series as its first global scripted co-production in 2019. Season will be co-produced by Element 8 Entertainment and PBS Masterpiece with PBS overseeing international distributions.
“Miss Scarlet & The Duke was an instant fan favorite. Our audience couldn’t resist its light-hearted tone and the appealing characters so wonderfully portrayed by Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin. We’re delighted the show will return for a second season.”
Andrew Gower as Rupert Parker, Miss Scarlet’s friend and investor
Andrew Gower Online 