Person
Dennis Potter
Berry Hill, UK
Dennis Christopher George Potter (17 May 1935 – 7 June 1994) was an English television dramatist, screenwriter and journalist. He is best known for his BBC TV serials Pennies from…
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Dennis Christopher George Potter (17 May 1935 – 7 June 1994) was an English television dramatist, screenwriter and journalist. He is best known for his BBC TV serials Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Singing Detective (1986), and the television plays Blue Remembered Hills (1979) and Brimstone and Treacle (1976). His television dramas mixed fantasy and reality, the personal and the social, and often used themes and images from popular culture. Potter is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative dramatists to have worked in British television. Born in Gloucestershire and graduating from Oxford University, Potter initially worked in journalism. After standing for parliament as a Labour candidate at the 1964 general election, his health was affected by the onset of psoriatic arthropathy which necessitated Potter changing careers and led to him becoming a television dramatist. His new career began with contributions to the BBC's Wednesday Play anthology series in 1965, and he continued to work in the medium for the rest of his life. He also wrote screenplay adaptations for the Hollywood studios. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1994.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2020
Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today
Movie Self – Writer (archive footage, 1973 & 1977)
-
2003
The Mayor of Casterbridge
TV show Creator
-
2003
The Singing Detective
Movie Screenplay
-
2000
The Bittersweet
Movie Theatre Play
-
1996
Cold Lazarus
TV show Writer
-
1996
Karaoke
TV show Writer
-
1994
Midnight Movie
Movie Writer
-
1994
An Interview with Dennis Potter
Movie Himself
-
1994
Message for Posterity
Movie Writer
-
1994
Mesmer
Movie Writer
-
1994
Visions of Heaven and Hell
Movie Self
-
1993
Lipstick on Your Collar
TV show Writer
-
1991
Performance
TV show Writer
-
1991
Secret Friends
Movie Director
-
1991
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Movie Writer
-
1989
Blackeyes
TV show Narrator (voice, uncredited)
More credits
-
1988
Christabel
TV show Writer
-
1988
Track 29
Movie Writer
-
1987
Visitors
Movie Writer
-
1986
The Singing Detective
TV show Writer
-
1985
Dreamchild
Movie Writer
-
1985
Tender Is the Night
TV show Writer
-
1985
Television
TV show
-
1985
Screen Two
TV show Writer
-
1983
Gorky Park
Movie Screenplay
-
1982
Brimstone & Treacle
Movie Screenplay
-
1981
Pennies from Heaven
Movie Writer
-
1980
Cream in My Coffee
Movie Writer
-
1980
Rain on the Roof
Movie Writer
-
1980
Blade on the Feather
Movie Writer
-
1979
Blue Remembered Hills
Movie Narrator (voice, uncredited)
-
1978
Pennies from Heaven
TV show Writer
-
1978
The Mayor of Casterbridge
TV show Writer
-
1976
Where Adam Stood
Movie Writer
-
1976
Brimstone and Treacle
Movie Writer
-
1976
Double Dare
Movie Writer
-
1975
Late Call
TV show Writer
-
1974
Schmoedipus
Movie Writer
-
1974
Joe's Ark
Movie Writer
-
1973
Wessex Tales
TV show Writer
