Tag: Ellis

Collider’s Exclusive Interview with Andrew Gower

Collider did a wonderful interview with Andrew Gower in which he got to talk about Gustaffson and their newest release “Flowers” but also his past and present acting work.

“Flowers” is also first time Gustaffson collaborated with composer Bear McCreary who Andrew met back in 2015 when he played Bonnie Prince Charlie on Outlander.

He’d seen a live version of “Flowers” that we recorded at St. Oswald’s Church, and he said, “Who’s on “Flowers”?” I said, “Well, no one.” I was in Manchester, he was in LA, and he said, “I want “Flowers.” We all celebrated in the studio across the pond.

Frankenstein’s Wedding

Frankenstein’s Wedding was only Andrew’s second acting job – and it also combined music in front of a live audience of 12,000 at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds (UK).

Frankenstein’s Wedding, it felt magic. […] The beauty of imperfection.

You can still find videos of it on YouTube (you can find all links here).

Being Human

Andrew played vampire solicitor Nick Cutler in BBC Three’s supernatural comedy drama Being Human.

Being Human was really the thing that was a breakout role for you […]. I often cite Nick Cutler as being one of the best characters that came out of that series. It was such a fun series, and a lot of that is to the credit of how you were able to make this character so human and so relatable, and you sympathize with him and want the best for him.

Murdoch Mysteries

In his first “detecting” job, Andrew played none other than the Great Detective himself, Sherlock Holmes, on Canadian hit crime series Murdoch Mysteries. Or did he?

It was my first time in Toronto, Canada, and it was such a joy. […] And again, I went back, which I think means they liked me. [Laughs] It’s such an interesting character to play. I’ve always wanted to play Sherlock Holmes.

(Inspector) Ellis

My character just goes on this amazing journey in [episode 1]. It sets up a really exciting palette for the season. I’ve always wanted to create my own version of a detective. I’ve seen so many of them and l love so many of them, but I think there’s an amazing scope in that sort of drama.

Ellis (or Inspector Ellis as it is called overseas) is available to stream in the UK on My5 and in the USA on Acorn TV.

Please read this really wonderful interview, source of all our quotes in this article, in full:

Collider website

‘An Absolute Joy’ to Work with Andrew

In another recent interview Sharon D. Clarke, lead of new crime drama Ellis, spoke about filming the series in Belfast (Northern Ireland) and alongside his co-star Andrew Gower.

We had a lot of fun. It was an absolute pleasure, and a joy and a privilege to work with Andrew.

So on this beautiful sunny day, the scenes would go down, and Andy and I would turn the radio on and we’d sing at the top of our voices. 

And you had the radios in the car, and the crew who were in the other car could hear it. So there was like this big singalong going along the street.  

She added:

For me, the real gift of a job is when you take someone with you for life and Andrew is with me for life. That’s the gift of Ellis for me, that I’ve come away with that friendship.

Ellis is currently available to stream in the UK on My5 and in the USA on Acorn TV.

Read the full interview here!

Sharon D. Clarke Talks “Ellis”

The fabulous Sharon D. Clarke MBE, actres, singer and 3 times Olivier award winner, talked to The Black List about her role in the brand new Channel 5 / Acorn TV crime drama Ellis.

Tell us about ‘Ellis’ from your perspective …

Ellis is an exceptional DCI. She is by the book, determined, stubborn and compassionate. A transient officer, who is parachuted in to stalled/failed investigations. Used to her presence being resented, being underestimated, unseen, she uses that as a superpower. She digs beneath the surface, her keen mind uncovering what others have overlooked or not seen. In episode 1 she works closely with DS Harper. (the wonderful Andrew Gower).

Their relationship doesn’t get off to a good start, but over the episodes their partnership grows. Harper has much to learn from Ellis and Ellis has someone she can trust and bounce ideas off. They make a great team. If you love a good cop drama, Ellis will be up your street.

(Source: The Blacklist)

Read the full interview where she talks Ellis in more detail as well as her role in BBC series Mr Loverman and the upcoming theatre production of The Importance of being Earnest at the National Theatre London – alongside Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa – which opens on 21 November 2024.

Read the full interview here

Release Date Revealed for ‘Ellis’ on Channel 5 (UK)

Mark your calendars: We have a release date for Ellis in the UK!

British Channel 5 have confirmed that they will begin airing the episodes of Andrew Gower‘s new crime drama on 31 October 2024 at 8:00 pm.

The series stars Sharon D Clarke as the titular detective, whose job is a bit like an itinerant freelancer. She travels from county to county where unsolved murders have the local station stumped, witnesses are too scared to talk, or the station is simply too understaffed to handle, and tease out the truth from those who would prefer it stay buried. Clarke will be joined by co-star Andrew Gower, who plays her bagman and fellow traveling bobby, DS Chet Harper. Ellis’ loyal second in command, his duties range from buttering up the right people to smoothing the feathers ruffled by Ellis’ arrival. 

(Source: Telly Visions)

The series will consist of three feature-length instalments and is written by Paul Logue (known for his work on Shetland and Vera) and Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, who most recently adapted Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy for the BBC.

A three-time Olivier Award winner, Clarke is known to TV audiences for her longstanding role in Holby City and parts in Doctor Who, where she played Ryan’s grandmother Grace, plus Showtrial, Informer, and the Prime Video film Red, White & Royal Blue.

Release Date for ‘Ellis’: Andrew Gower’s New Detective Drama

We’re getting closer to the release of Andrew Gower‘s new detective drama Ellis in which he’ll play DS Harper, right-hand man to the titular DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke).

The first of the 3 two-hour episodes will premiere on 4 November 2024 on Acorn (in the USA). The series’ British home Channel 5 hasn’t announced an air date for Ellis yet but they teased it’s going to be 2024, so British audiences won’t have to wait too long either.

#WatchThisSpace for more news as soon and when we get them!

DCI Ellis is a tenacious cop who is parachuted into failing investigations. Each episode sees her and Harper arrive at a different police station, where she will have to win over the local detectives and immerse herself in the cases she has come to solve. As a black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective, with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.

Harper marks one of Andrew’s biggest roles to date and we couldn’t be more excited to meet him!

Andrew Gower’s New Crime Drama: What to Expect from ‘Ellis’

Andrew Gower recently talked to Express.co.uk about his upcoming crime drama Ellis, which will come to Channel 5 in the UK soon as well as Acorn TV in the USA.

Ellis will consist of three two-hour episodes which is one of the things that sparked Andrew’s interest as it allows the audience to “sit” with the characters. He also named Sharon D. Clarke, who plays the titular DCI Ellis, as one of the things that drew him to this project:

When you talk about somebody attracting you to a project, Sharon [D. Clarke] is an icon of theatre and on TV and musically. The music conversations we had during that job were just incredible. So I’ve admired her work from afar.

A Female-led Story

Growing up in a female household I’m always attracted to those stories, telling tales of strong females. If females led the world, we’d be in a much better place.

Partners in Crime

Ellis and her partner DS Harper (played by Andrew Gower) are parachuted into failing cases and often find themselves facing hostile local law enforcement as they investigate a fresh crime. Although Ellis and Harper are drafted in to work together, Gower teased a tricky dynamic between them.

It gets off to a disastrous beginning. Their meet cute is disastrous, which is a great way to kick off a relationship. Even in episode one, the journey that Harper goes on in Ellis is the best rollercoaster – round and round, side to side.

Fundamentally, I think they’re both outsiders, whether Harper wants to say he is or not. Like the best partners in life, they compliment each other, whether they want to say that or not. From the outside, hopefully the audience will see it.

Crime Drama

Andrew recently portrayed a different sleuth in Netflix’s hit drama YOU opposite Penn Badgley:

In You, I kinda of scratched the surface with the detective role but this is the first time I guess I’ve been able to make my own stamp on what is a real institution, especially over in Britain and the US – detective shows there are so many of them you could list them.

Maybe there are too many to list but we can give you the ones that Andrew appeared in! This year he made guest appearances in popular British crime dramas Sherwood and Van der Valk.

He played a man who believed himself to be the great detective Sherlock Holmes in Canadian Murdoch Mysteries, gave an unforgettable performance as Nicholas Myers in the Season 2 finale of Endeavour and won everyone’s heart as Eliza’s clumsy sidekick Rupert Parker in Miss Scarlet & The Duke.

He gained first experience as a member of the police force as DC Jared Ansell in Black Work alongside Sheridan Smith and Matthew McNulty. We are sure all this preparation will make him an excellent Detective Sergeant on Ellis!

Trailer

Watch this trailer for new and returning series coming to Channel 5 this fall including scenes from Ellis:

“Ellis” First Teaser Trailer

Only days after we’ve been treated with the first images from upcoming detective series Ellis, Acorn TV are now debuting a first teaser trailer.

It’s not the physical evidence that makes a story. It’s the people in between and the things that join those people together. Hate, love, and fear. Their lives are never the same again.

You can watch the trailer below:

DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke) is a formidable cop who takes over the most challenging unsolved cases across Northwest England. Armed with integrity and razor-sharp instincts, Ellis steps in with unyielding determination as the last hope for failing investigations. Her unflappable demeanor disguises a deep-seated compassion for the victims, fueled by her complicated past. Amidst lies, secrets, and neglect, Ellis seeks justice for victims and truth for survivors.

In her endeavours DCI Ellis is accompanied by her right-hand man DS Chet Harper, played by Andrew Gower.

Ellis is set to be released later this year on Channel 5 in the UK and on Acorn TV in the USA. We’ll let you know as soon as we find out more!

“Ellis” First Images

After filming wrapped on new detective drama Ellis earlier this year, we are finally treated with some first images from the series.

DCI Ellis is a tenacious cop who is parachuted into failing investigations. Each two-hour episode sees Ellis—accompanied by her right-hand man, DS Harper—arrive at a different police station, where she must win over the local detectives and immerse herself in the cases she has come to solve. As a Black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.

Ellis is played by Sharon D. Clarke (best known for her work on Holby City, Doctor Who and Red, White and Royal Blue) while her right-hand man Harper is played by Andrew Gower.

The series will consist of three feature-length episodes and is expected to be released on Channel 5 (UK) in autumn 2024. It will cross the pond to debut on Acorn TV (US), probably in early 2025.

Tellyvisions called Ellis “a mashup of Line of Duty and D.I. Ray” and added “that’s a compliment”:

Line of Duty would send a team into a different precinct every season to find out why investigations were not going as they were supposed to, with a writ to find the bad apple undermining police efforts. Ellis’ pacing is slightly different — each feature-length episode will move from precinct to precinct instead of each season, and investigations won’t always fail due to someone undermining things — but the setup and rotating guest cast remain the same. Meanwhile, Ellis, a Black British police inspector, will have to deal with constantly sexist and racist microaggressions from the different staff she encounters, much like D.I. Ray does, with the same drive to see justice done instead of blaming the nearest person of color.

While the images don’t give away much, we can anticipate that the new series will be a gritty turn towards the detective genre for Channel 5.

It’s a Wrap on “Ellis”

Source: Andrew Gower (Instagram)

It’s a wrap on Ellis, a new feature-length detective drama series coming to Channel 5 in the UK later this year. After a 4 months shoot in Belfast (Northern Ireland), the series is now ready to go into post-production.

Starring Sharon D. Clarke) as Ellis, a tenacious cop who is parachuted into failing investigations. As a black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective, with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.

Accompanied by her right-hand man DS Harper, played by Andrew Gower, she arrives at a different police station each week, where she will have to win over the local detectives and immerse herself in the cases she has come to solve.

As a black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective, with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.

Sharon D. Clarke & Andrew Gower

Andrew Gower in new Detective Drama “Ellis”

AMC Networks’ streaming platform Acorn TV and Channel 5 (UK) announced today the commission of new, feature-length detective drama series Ellis.

The three-part series will follow DCI Ellis (played by Sharon D. Clarke), a tenacious cop who is parachuted into failing investigations. Each two-hour episode sees Ellis – accompanied by her right-hand man DS Harper, played by Andrew Gower – arrive at a different police station, where she will have to win over the local detectives and immerse herself in the cases she has come to solve. As a black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective, with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.

Ellis is set to begin filming this spring in Northern Ireland and will air on Acorn TV and Channel 5 later this year.

We could not be more excited about these news and cannot wait to find out more about this series and Andrew’s role!

Sources: