Warner Sisters
is a UK Based
Independent Production Company
Our library includes...
| Drama Productions |
THE JUMP
4 part thriller for ITV
adapted from Martina Cole’s best-selling novel by Adrian Hodges,
aired to critical acclaim and high ratings. Stars Susan Vidler as the
wife who ‘jumps’ her husband from prison, with Sue Johnstone,
Adrian Dunbar and Jonathan Cake.
A VILLAGE AFFAIR
2-hour prime-time movie for ITV.
Alma Cullen’s adaptation of Joanna Trollope’s best seller
about an illicit love affair stars Sophie Ward, Claire Bloom, Nat Parker,
Kerry Fox & Jeremy Northam.
THE BITE
International drug trafficking forms the background
to this original mini-series starring Hugo Weaving, Lesley Manville and
Keith Allen. Written by Terry Johnson for the BBC/ABC(Australia),
this was Warner Sisters’ first big-budget international co-production.
LADY AUDLEY’S SECRET
Lavish 2-hour period adaptation of the scandalous Victorian
novel by Elizabeth Mary Braddon, for ITV/WGBH
(USA). Stars Neve McIntosh, Ken Cranham and Steven Mackintosh.
DANGEROUS LADY
ITV Network’s first ever prime-time
drama commission direct to an independent company. 4-part series set in
the ‘60s about a family in London’s gangland adapted from
another Martina Cole novel. A big ratings winner, it stars Sheila Hancock,
Jason Isaacs, Susan Lynch, John Thompson and was nominated for Writers
Guild and RTS awards.
SELLING HITLER
ITV series based on the infamous Hitler
Diaries publishing scandal. Star-studded cast includes Barry Humphries,
Jonathan Pryce, Alexei Sayle, Alison Steadman and Alan Bennett. Warner
Sisters optioned the book by Robert Harris and made the series with Euston
Films to critical acclaim and an RTS nomination.
DO OR DIE
2-part thriller for SKY/NETWORK
7 (Aust) about a young mother who risks life and love to save her
son. This big co-production stars Hugo Speer, Kate Ashfield and Patsy
Palmer and won the AFI Award in Australia.
RIDES
2 x 6-part Series for prime-time BBC 1 about
a mini-cab firm run by women. Written by Carole Hayman and starring Louise
Jameson, James Purefoy, Jill Baker, Jesse Birdsall and Caroline Blakiston.
Entertaining, varied and uncompromisingly honest storylines gained 10
million viewers and a second series.
CAPITAL LIVES
Series of 6 half-hour dramas for ITV exploring
the darker side of life in and around London. For Carlton TV’s showcase
for writers new to tv, and featuring many well-known actors.
SHE-PLAY
Series of 6 fifteen-minute plays showcasing new writers for C4.
The writers included, for example, Donna Franceschild, who went on to
write successful series such as Taking Over The Asylum and A Mug’s
Game for the BBC.
| Feature Films |
JILTING JOE
“Does first love get a second chance….?”
- this engaging romantic comedy for BBC Films/British
Screen stars Tom Wilkinson, Geraldine Somerville, Patricia
Hodge and James Purefoy. Produced by Anne Marie Casey and directed by
Dan Zeff.
LIFE’S A GAS
35mm ‘Short’ for C4/British
Screen. Directed by Phil Davis, produced by Jane Wellesley and
written by Vince O’Connell.
THE SPY WHO CAUGHT A COLD
35mm short feature for C4
about a young girl’s sexual awakening. Directed by Phillipa Lowthorpe
and produced by Anne Marie Casey.
| and... |
TENKO
3 series, 2 TV films
BBC Production
Created by Lavinia Warner, and a ground-breaking global success. It is
available to buy on DVD/Video.
(Please see TENKO page for background
etc.)
WISH ME LUCK
3 series
ITV Production
Created by Lavinia Warner (together with writer, Jill Hyem), she also
co-produced Series 1.
Another huge ratings success (14 million at one point), this series went undercover with wartime SOE agents and revealed the secret lives of female spies. Series stars Jane Asher, Julian Glover, Kate Buffery, Suzanna Hamilton, and Warren Clarke. The woman’s eye view gave the series its fresh approach.
All 3 series are released on DVD/Video by DD Home Entertainment.
| Comedy |
DRESSING FOR BREAKFAST
3 series for C4 starring Beatie Edney, Holly
Aird, James Purefoy. Highly popular, ground-breaking comedy by Stephanie
Calman about life, love, sex and the search for ‘Mr Reasonably OK’.
Produced by Jane Wellesley.
| Factual/Documentary |
GI BRIDES
Documentary for C4 on the
WW2 brides swept off their feet by the Yanks.
Produced/directed by Lavinia Warner, narrated by Maureen Lipman.
BPG Award / BAFTA nomination.
JAILED BY THE BRITISH
2 revelatory films for C4 on the treatment
of German refugees and POW’s by the British during WW2. Von Rundstedt
in a Welsh shed. Narrated by the late, great John Thaw.
RAISING THE CURTAIN
Film for C4 charting the exploits of a volatile
group of young Russian actors put through their paces by the RSC, and
leading actor Brian Cox.
TRISTAN DA CUNHA
This film launched ITV’s ‘Compass’
series (Granada), co-funded by WNET (USA)
for their ‘Travels’ series. Charts the long journey to, and
exploration of, the world’s most isolated island.
DANCING WITH THE DEAD
Again for ITV/WNET
‘Travels’, the writer Helena Drysdale makes the journey to
Madagascar inspired by stories of her trading ancestors. She discovers
an island with its own diverse and absorbing ancestry.
IN SEARCH OF THE WHITE RAJAHS
A BBC special feature, co-funded by WNET.
Joanna Lumley meets descendants of Dyak headhunters as she explores the
fascinating legend of the Brooke family in the jungles of Borneo.
THAT’S ENTERTAINING
2 series of 6 programmes for C4 on the art
of home entertainment, presented by unconventional chef, Richard Cawley.
All text copyright Warner Sisters Productions Ltd. 2009 ©