ELEVENTH HOUR (US) (Jerry Bruckheimer/Warner Bros Television) - 2008/9
US remake of the British TV series starring Rufus Sewell as Jacob Hood and Marley Shelton as Rachel Young. The first season of 18 episodes features two stories adapted from Gallagher scripts (RESURRECTION, CONTAINMENT) and two further originals written for the US version (SUBWAY, featuring Mariel Hemingway, and MEDEA, featuring Melissa Sagemiller).
"When I sold Eleventh Hour I pushed it as a pro-science procedural grounded entirely in the current state of technology. So no, it was never meant to be science fiction. Although I’d have been happy to see sf writers involved, because they tend to know where the line between actual science and speculation lies. Most arts-background people are far more ignorant of science than professional scientists are of culture. What I wanted for Eleventh Hour was the same kind of probity that you’d apply without question in a legal drama or a medical show. The last thing I wanted was a pasting from the Government’s chief scientific advisor."
The pilot episode, adapted by Mick Davis and directed by Danny Cannon, won an ASC Outstanding Achievement Award for cinematographer David Stockton.
CRUSOE (Power TV/NBC Universal) - 2008
Thirteen-part action-adventure series made by London-based Power TV for America's NBC network. Starred Philip Winchester as Crusoe and Tongayi Chirisa as Friday, with Anna Walton, Mia Maestro, Sean Bean, and Sam Neill as series bad guy Jeremiah Blackthorn.
SG served as series developer and lead writer on the show, creating the arc and writing all the UK flashback material as well as the feature-length pilot, RUM AND GUNPOWDER, and the two-part series finale THE TRAVELER and THE RETURN.
"I grew up on great filmed adventure series that took characters from history and literature, created a world out of the source material, and then revisited that world on a weekly basis – Ivanhoe, Robin Hood, The Last of the Mohicans, Wyatt Earp, Long John Silver. I haven’t seen a show like that in years, and I really miss them.
"So let's take that slice of the novel between Friday’s arrival and Crusoe’s escape from the island, and anchor our series arc to its two major incidents – the rescue of an un-named Spanish captain, and the arrival of a shipload of mutineers whose imprisoned crew offer Crusoe his best chance of escape. In amongst those unfolding stories we develop further tales of Crusoe and Friday on their island. For Crusoe’s life and loves in England, rather than add to his life with pure invention I looked to Daniel Defoe himself.
"As a child, Defoe lived through the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. As a young man he dabbled in dissenter politics, lost fortunes in business, and got swept up in rebellion that had him hiding in fear of his life. It reads like something out of a Rafael Sabatini novel, and it’s in a blend of the creator and his creation that I found the engine for our show."
LIFE LINE (Carnival Films, BBC Scotland) - 2007
Standalone supernatural drama, in two one-hour episodes for BBC1. Stars Joanne Whalley (Scandal, The Singing Detective), Ray Stevenson (Rome), and Jemima Rooper (Hex, The Black Dahlia).
When an international high-flyer and eligible bachelor takes some time out to rethink his life's goals, a glimpse of an old flame on the streets of London prompts him to try her name in an internet search engine. One tantalising hint of her whereabouts is enough to send him looking, and what he tries to call mere curiosity begins to feel like the drive of destiny when, within twenty-four hours of their "chance" encounter, both have become convinced that their future lies together. Total certainty, total commitment, and the most momentous sex ever.
He may be free, but she isn't. The step's an enormous one and she moves to take it without any hesitation. She breaks up with Jack, her long-time partner, and runs back to meet him. She never even sees the vehicle that kills her.
Our man is devastated. He's gained and lost everything in the space of a couple of days, and his life can never be the same. But he'd made no place in her life, nor she in his. He even has to watch her funeral from afar.
He goes into a downward spiral. Drinks, sleeps in his half-finished flat, finds himself an easy target for street people. In this susceptible state, he finds himself haunted by her elusive presence. When he finds himself at rock bottom, he rings Life Line.
"Life Line isn't a straight adaptation of the short story first published in Chris Morgan's Dark Fantasies anthology and subsequently adapted for BBC Radio's FEAR ON FOUR, but is a completely new story spun from the same basic premise.
"That's because there was talk in the early stages of developing an entire series of stories, all of them taking an encounter with the haunted chat line as their starting-point.
"I've no idea if that will still happen, but I'll be happy to see it thrown open to other writers if it does. For this outing, I'm putting everything I have to say on the subject into these two hours of film."
Directed by Jamie Payne. Producer Tim Bradley, Executive Producer Gareth Neame.
MAN WITHOUT A SHADOW (Eleventh Hour, Granada Television) - 2006
Feature-length pilot and series opener for the ITV series of science-based thrillers. Starred Patrick Stewart and Ashley Jensen. Retitled Resurrection on transmission.
Read the original pitch document here.
Click here for an article on cloning in contemporary drama.
THE SENTINEL CASE (Eleventh Hour, Granada Television) - 2006
Second episode of the series. Retitled Containment on transmission
Full synopses and background on the series, with links to reviews, can be found here.
THE CUP OF SILENCE (Rosemary & Thyme, Carnival Films) - 2005
Feature-length Christmas special.
THE MEMORY OF WATER (Rosemary & Thyme, Carnival Films) - 2004
Two-hour series opener for the second season of light-touch detective stories.
"I went out for the last couple of days to visit the set. I hadn't been able to get down to Oxfordshire for the main part of the shoot, but it turned out that there were certain scenes which could only be staged in one of two places in the UK.
"The scenes called for a fast-flowing river and involved stunt work. At this time of year, most rivers are running low. But at Washbourne the water level is controlled by a dam upstream, and First AD Roger Simons could literally pick up his radio and call for the torrent to be turned on. All this was less than an hour's drive away for me, so out I went."
What's the show about? And isn't it an unusual addition to the CV?
"I don't know about an unusual addition. I will say that I never saw myself as a natural candidate for writing a show that combines gardening and detection but (producer) Brian Eastman was keen to get me involved and encouraged me to do something a bit different with it. And you've got two rather good, in fact iconic actresses, the opportunity to play comedy and tension at the same time, and a remit to entertain... when a delay on the ELEVENTH HOUR decision created a window in my schedule, I thought what the hell and went for it.
"Something seemed to go right. I didn't feel that I was bending my style to the show. Quite the reverse."
THE KINGDOM OF BONES (Murder Rooms, BBC Films) - 2001
A feature-length film in a short series of fictionalised dramas based on the relationship of Arthur Conan Doyle and Doctor Joseph Bell, the Edinburgh lecturer who was to be Doyle's 'model' for Sherlock Holmes. "I loved the idea of doing Holmesian stories without all the added baggage that Sherlock Holmes has picked up over the years, but out of Conan Doyle's work I love The Lost World even more. So the underlying scheme of The Kingdom of Bones was to deconstruct The Lost World and scatter its elements in Doyle's imagination so that they could re-emerge as the completed work a dozen or so years later. Rather than do Holmes pastiche, I followed Doyle in adopting the more fast-moving, action-driven style of Rider Haggard in the plotting. In the course of this I brought in Professor William Rutherford, another of Doyle's real-life teachers who was to serve as his inspiration for Professor Challenger. Rutherford was brilliantly played by John Sessions - as I've said a number of times now, if I'd known how good he was going to be I'd have made the part a lot bigger!"
As writer and director:
OKTOBER (Carnival/LWT) - 1998
Adaptation of the novel, in three one-hour episodes for ITV. Starring Stephen Tompkinson, Maria Lennon and Lydzia Englert. Initially developed for BBC Drama, the proposal was greenlit one year later by the ITV Network Centre. Filmed entirely on location in London, Broadstairs, Geneva, and Chamonix.
"Directed at breakneck pace, there is never a dull moment. The plot is beautifully paced to keep the viewer's attention throughout, a testament to the ability of Gallagher to rework his story for a very different medium. It's not often something of this quality comes along. If you missed it first time round, find someone who videoed it, or wait for a repeat. This is definitely one that deserves to be seen."
Click here to read the full SFSite review."A rare successful foray into SF for the ITV network, this is a cracking paranoid thriller with a top notch central performance from Stephen Tompkinson as the bewildered hero. The reality bending plot demands attention and rewards it with a well structured narrative that never fails to grip."
...from the Oktober entry in The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television, which also carries a full list of cast and crew along with comprehensive background data.
"It's been a ride and I've learned a lot. Like: even the most experienced advice can be wrong. You'll take the blame for all mistakes, so make sure they're your own. Stick to your guns about eyelines and how they'll cut together - others may know the rules but they don't know what you're working towards. The director's chair is where you leave your coat. Just because your camera operator thinks a scene is boring, that doesn't mean it is. If he thinks it's interesting, that probably means you'll have to cut the camera move off the head of the shot. On-set morale is as good as your caterers. The Arriflex camera is a lousy design for handheld work. The moment you say Steadicam, you lose an hour while they set it up. The first assistant director is your life-support. Buy new thermal underwear and wear your oldest clothes - the set may be pristine but lunch will be on the far side of a muddy field. Animals and children are a doddle to work with compared to anything that floats. There's no such thing as a simple little scene inside a car - they're bastards to light and shoot."
For the complete account of the filming see The Oktober E-mails.
Go to the Articles menu for a piece on the adaptation of novels into film.
BLAZE OF GLORY (Carnival/BBC) - 1997
Opening episode of the third season (for details of seasons one and two, see below). Guest starring Lesley Ash.
"Craig McClachlan was planning to leave the show in this season and I was given the job of writing him out and introducing his replacement. BLAZE OF GLORY was designed both to give him a spectacular exit and to set up an emotional reverberation that would set the tone for the rest of the series..."
THE REVENGE EFFECT (Carnival/BBC) - 1997
Conclusion of Blaze of Glory.
"...but then at the last minute Craig decided that he'd stay on. So Ed survived."
RENEGADES (Carnival/BBC) - 1997
Concluding the Cyberax story, as former Bureau of Weapons head Roland Blatty rises from his coma to become a walking vehicle for the manufactured intelligence. Can the Bugs team prevent him from reassembling the four parts of the Cyberax program?
SCHRODINGER'S BOMB (Carnival/BBC) - 1996
Is there a bomb in the vault? The only way to find out is to open it. But if the vault is opened, the bomb will explode...
THE BUREAU OF WEAPONS (Carnival/BBC) - 1996
The team are pitted against Cyberax, "the first computer virus to cross the species barrier."
A CAGE FOR SATAN (Carnival/BBC) - 1996
Second part of the Cyberax story. Somewhere in Central Europe stands Technopolis, the biggest concentration of high-powered computing facilities in the world. It stands empty... and offers a perfect environment in which the virtual entity can grow.
ASSASSINS, INC (Carnival/BBC) - 1995
The author's debut episode for the BBC's ground-breaking Saturday-night family show, basically fantasy adventures with a high-tech, near-future gloss. Assassins, Inc was directed by Ken Grieve. "I never thought I'd get asked to write more than one, so I threw everything I could think of into this one story. Then when they asked me for more, I had to try to match the pace of it. The Bugs shows weren't deep but they were great fun to write and make, probably the closest I'll ever get to working on one of those old Republic Saturday-matinee serials. I wound up writing ten out of the first thirty shows, spread over three seasons. I was co-consultant along with Brian Clemens on seasons two and three, but I wasn't involved with season four at all."
The series starred Jaye Griffiths, Jesse Birdsall and Craig McClachlan.
DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN (Carnival/BBC) - 1995
Beckett, Ros and Ed tackle a couple of embittered would-be yuppies who missed the boom years of the 'eighties and hatch a scheme to tap into international banking transfers with the help of a second-hand Russian submarine.
STEALTH (Carnival/BBC) - 1995
A driverless nuclear-powered vehicle heads back toward its base with a bomb on board, following a homing program that can't be disrupted. Features Sarita and Davina, a pair of untrustworthy femmes fatale.
PULSE (Carnival/BBC) - 1995
Introduces Jean Daniel (Gareth Marks), the Bugs team's recurring nemesis, a bazooka-toting ex-Legionnaire with an inclination toward world domination.
CHILLERS: HERE COMES THE MIRROR MAN (YTV) - 1995
Starred Phyllis Logan and John Simm. Written as the pilot episode for an anthology series in further collaboration with Lawrence Gordon Clark, director of CHIMERA and of the BBC's classic Ghost Stories for Christmas. Chillers achieved high ratings with its debut episode, Prophecy (see below) but fell victim to the scheduling practice of regularly postponing episodes to make way for sports fixtures.
HERE COMES THE MIRROR MAN was based on Gallagher's BBC Radio Four play THE KINGSTON FILE. Other writers in the series were Glenn Chandler and Anthony Horowitz. Scripts for a second series were commissioned, including an adaptation of the novella TO DANCE BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON.
CHILLERS: PROPHECY (YTV) - 1995
A one-hour adaptation based on the novel by Peter James. Starred Nigel Havers and Sophie Ward.
CHIMERA (Zenith/Anglia) - 1991
Adaptation of the novel in four one-hour episodes, starring John Lynch, Emer Gillespie, Kenneth Cranham, and George Costigan.
Studio filming took place at Shepperton, and the Cumbria locations were transplanted to North Yorkshire. Malham House became the Jenner Clinic, and the finale was shot on the streets of Kettlewell. Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, with animatronic effects by Image Animation. First screened at the National Film Theatre.
From Videoscope: The Phantom of the Movies, reviewing the US video release of the feature cut under the title MONKEY BOY:
"The title and video box make it look like a simian variation on Child's Play, but this Brit import is closer in spirit to a vintage Professor Quatermass caper. Though not quite in the latter's class, the movie, based on Stephen Gallagher's Chimera (also the film's original title) is a bloody but earnest sci-fi thriller that effectively mixes pathos with chills. Monkey Boy begins with a lab massacre that rapidly runs the body count to an impressive nine as the genetically engineered title mutant, earmarked for live vivisection, flees his cell with vengeance in mind. Like Watchers and sequels (see index), the plot follows several factions as they pursue the mutant, including its creators, the police, and the conscience-stricken scientist who arranged for the creature's escape. Lynch, as the boyfriend of a lab victim, is equally determined to expose the unnatural experiments that hatched the monster. While MB's components may be familiar, director Clark and scripter Gallagher keep the film consistently engrossing."
MOVING TARGETS (BBC) - 1988
Single one-hour episode for the police series ROCKLIFFE'S FOLLY, starring Ian Hogg as an inner-city police officer relocated to a rural police force. The series was a six-part follow-up to ROCKLIFFE'S BABIES and was filmed on location in Dorset.
DOCTOR WHO: TERMINUS (BBC) - 1984
A four-part story for season 19. Set on a quarantine ship, the storyline was the subject of a protest from the British Leprosy Association. Tom Baker had by now left the series, and the Doctor was played by Peter Davison.
DOCTOR WHO: WARRIORS' GATE (BBC) - 1981
A story in four thirty-minute episodes for season 18 of the classic British science fiction/adventure drama. Tom Baker played The Doctor. Warriors' Gate was the writer's first TV sale, and was later released on video by the BBC in a boxed set with two other adventures, known collectively as The E-Space Trilogy.