Public Enemies is a three-part drama created by multi-award-winning writer Tony Marchant for BBC One, which explores the relationship between a recently released prisoner and his probation officer. After serving ten years of his sentence, 28 year old Eddie has to report to his probation officer, who herself is returning from suspension following a serious crime committed by an offender under her supervision.

The Program examines the probation service from the conflicting points of view of the ‘offender’ and the ‘gatekeeper’, and focuses on the theme of disgraced individuals trying to reclaim their lives and their reputations.

This post-screening Q&A was hosted by Paul Appleby (Bristol Media) and featured director Dearbhla Walsh, writer Tony Marchant, and actor Daniel Mays, discussing the themes of the program, their experiences behind the scenes, and working with the BBC.

Dearbhla Walsh is an Irish film and television director who has worked on several television programs including Shameless, Eastenders, and The Tudors. She won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Mini-series, Movie or Dramatic Special for Part I of the serial Little Dorrit.

Tony Marchant is a British playwright and television writer whose work includes Holding On, Never, Never, and Take Me Home. Tony won the British Academy Television Awards Dennis Potter Award for services to television.

Daniel Mays is a British actor who has appeared in films such as Pearl Harbour, All Or Nothing, and Vera Drake. He also appeared as the lead character in the cult BBC3 black comedy, Funland.

Paul Appleby is chair of Bristol Media, and is a BAFTA-winning producer who worked at BBC Bristol for 30 years. During his time at the BBC, Paul worked as a series producer of TV and multi-platform projects in the Natural History Unit.

Related Links:
BAFTA
Guardian article on Tony Marchant and Public Enemies

 

Posted on Tue 1 Nov 2011.

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