Writers (TV series)
| Writers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| Written by | Adam T Cottle |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Bristol |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 13-43 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
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| Distributor | CCE Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network |
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| Picture format | 1080i50 16:9 (HDTV) |
| Original release | 22 June 2014 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Writers is a British comedy-drama web and television series produced and created by Adam T Cottle, from characters created by himself, Leah Sperring and David Thompson
The show originally premiered on YouTube, before later airing on the Made Television network. It tells the story of Jess Spencer (Sperring) and Emmett Shelby (Thompson), two struggling writers who, after meeting through coincidence, are reunited a year later through Emmett's successful sister and her extended circle of friends.
The first season premiered on YouTube on 24 January 2015 and ran until 14 March, consisting of six episodes. The series was later picked up by Made Television, with the first season debuting on 28 July. On 18 March 2015 the series was renewed for a second season of seven episodes, which premiered on YouTube on 6 February 2016. On March 18, 2016, the series was renewed for a third season, which was confirmed to be the last.
Plot
Emmett Shelby is a struggling young writer who, during a bout of Writer's block, encounters fellow writer Jess Spencer who is suffering from the same condition. The two spend a day together, subsequently inspiring Emmett to continue writing. A year later, Emmett's successful twin sister Daisy is promoting her latest children's book when she runs into Jess, who happens to be an old school friend of hers. Daisy invites Jess to move in with her, setting the events of the series in motion.
Daisy shares her home with two others - her boyfriend Barney Fields, and flamboyant landlord Hugh Darvill. Barney is an illustrator, providing the artwork to Daisy's bestselling children's novels. Hugh, on the other hand, is a failed erotic novelist, specialising in gay erotica aimed at children. Emmett still lives with his wealthy, controlling parents - whose grasp Daisy was able to escape some years prior - but ends up moving in with the others when they throw him out in the second episode of season one. Outside of the central group is Jenny Sinclair, Daisy's eccentric agent who bares an intense unrequited attraction towards Emmett. In the second season, Parker James III is introduced as an old friend of Daisy and Emmett's, and a new romantic interest for Jenny. Although the group are different, they quickly become close friends, and something akin to a family.
The central arc of the series revolves around the budding romantic relationship between Jess and Emmett, which is hindered both by the arrival of Emmett's irritating girlfriend Clarice and Emmett's own cluelessness to his feelings. After sleeping together in the season one finale, Jess and Emmett finally begin a relationship together.
Production
The series began life as a short film, starring David Thompson and Leah Sperring, which was released on the CCE Entertainment YouTube channel in 2014. Due to the positive reaction to the short, it was quickly announced that it would be expanded into a full series for a 2015 premiere date. Originally, the series was envisioned as a standard web-series, with six episodes each running at 15 minutes in length; however, as the scripts developed, the episodes reached the standard length for broadcast television.[1] The first season premiered on January 24, 2015.
When writing the series, creator Adam T Cottle was initially inspired by classic sitcoms such as Friends and How I Met Your Mother, although as the scripts developed they quickly moved away from these original inspirations into new territory. Another core inspiration was the music of indie-band Of Monsters and Men.[2]
In July 2015, it was announced that Writers would make its television debut on the Made Television channel. The series would begin with an hour-long premiere episode, made up of the original short film and the first episode of season one.[3] The series debuted on Made in Bristol on July 28, 2015, and concluded on August 25.
On March 18, Writers was renewed for a second season of seven episodes to premiere in 2016.[4] The second season premiered on February 6, 2016. On March 18, 2016, the series was renewed for a third and final season. Due to cast scheduling conflicts, no premiere date for the third season was given. Along with the announcement of the third season, it was confirmed that Writers would return for a one-off Christmas special, which would see the departure of Grace Martinson from the series.[5]
Cast
Main Cast
- Leah Sperring as Jess Spencer, an aimless and directionless young writer struggling to find her way in the world. Jess is a wannabe author, who continues to struggle with writer's block despite her best efforts. She also bears a self-centred streak, something which is often picked upon by Daisy. Prior to the events of the series, Jess was a "wild-child", known for her dyed hair, goth make-up and promiscuity. In the season two episode Breakfast at Daisy's, she is shown to be deeply regretful of these aspect of her past.[6] In the same episode, it is revealed that Jess once had a sexual experience with Daisy. Leah Sperring describes Jess as "very naive. She doesn't really understand the adult world, like she thinks she's a lot more grown-up than she actually is." Describing Jess' relationship with Emmett, she added "it is like a will-they-won't-they-story... but it seems like they're both really emotionally immature."[7]
- David Thompson as Emmett Shelby, a budding young fantasy writer living off his parent's fortune as he struggles with continuing bouts of writer's block. Like Jess, Emmett is a wannabe writer - unlike Jess, however, Emmett has successfully written a short story, which he aspires to adapt into a novel. At the outset of the series, Emmett still lives with his wealthy parents. However, due to Daisy's success at making it on her own, Emmett's father decides to throw him out of the house along with his pet dog, Ripley. Emmett quickly worms his way into the main household, and proceeds to annoy everyone else for weeks until they stage an intervention. Emmett is known for displaying selfish and rude character traits, as shown in his handling of the knowledge of Jess' past. He is also quite dim, unable to see Jess' obvious feelings for him throughout most of the first season, even though it is obvious to all those around him, including his then-girlfriend Clarice.
- Isabella Cosh as Daisy Shelby, a successful and popular children's author who turned down her wealthy family's inheritance in favour of making something for herself. Daisy is largely responsible for bringing the central characters together, and for setting the series' events in motion by inviting Jess to move in. She acts as a maternal figure to the others, and is the most successful of the group, with three published novels under her belt. However, she has also been shown to be quite fragile when things go wrong, such as when a spelling error turns the title of her third novel, "George and the Smelly Old Shirt", into inappropriate language. Daisy is very dependent on her live-in Barney, and their relationship provides much of the emotional backbone to the series. Although not particularly close with her twin brother, Daisy is shown to be very protective of Emmett, such as in the season one episode A Tale of Two Scarves, where she defends him from an attack by Clarice. Isabella Cosh has described Daisy as "the mother hen of the group... she's been brought up quite well, which shows through her maturity and her understanding of life". Talking of Daisy's relationship with Barney, she added "they're closer than close, which shows through in the arguments they have sometimes."[8]
- Jack Stringer as Barney Fields, an illustrator with dreams of comic book stardom. Barney is portrayed as the most youthful member of the group, displaying typical geeky traits, such as an adoration of cult films and television. In comparison to Jess, Emmett and Daisy, very little has been revealed regarding Barney's background, with there being no mention of his parents or family in the series to date. Barney is dedicated to his girlfriend Daisy, a dedication displayed in his regret at keeping her in the dark over his choice to attempt going to university. Jack Stringer described Barney as "the geek of the group... very passionate about what he likes... he thinks he's a bit of a lad."[9] Barney also has a "bromance" with Hugh Darvill, his landlord, with the pair of them enjoying geeky pleasures together, such as debating over films and their shared admiration for actor Hugh Jackman. A running gag throughout the series is a suggested sexual attraction of Hugh's part towards Barney, which Barney consistently rebuffs.
- Jordan Cottle as Hugh Darvill, a gay, narcissistic erotic novelist with a career that never quite made it off the ground. Hugh specialises in writing gay erotica for children, which has made him a wildly-unsuccessful writer. As such, he bears a distinct jealously for Daisy, whose career has taken a very different trajectory. Hugh is typically portrayed as rude, selfish, and vain with a narcissistic streak - however, he has also been known to display a softer side, often being the voice of reason for his friends in their time of need. Hugh is particularly close with Jess, who he believes to be just as "strange" as he is, and also has a close friendship with Barney (Hugh is the only person Barney trusts with the information of his university audition). Outwardly, Hugh has shown an adoration for scarves, wearing a variety of them over the course of the first season before finally settling on a single, red scarf in the season one finale. Of Hugh, Jordan Cottle said "he's sarcastic, he's a narcissist, he's quite vain... he's a bit socially detached. He doesn't really understand people and it has some hilarious consequences." He added: "[He] isn't a very nice guy. I mean, he can be, when he has to be. But it's usually for his own selfish needs that he's nice to other people."[10] Jordan Cottle also directed the season two episode Jenny's Version, and will direct the upcoming Christmas Special.
- Grace Martinson as Jennifer "Jenny" Sinclair, an excitable literary agent with a connection to the various writers, as well as an unrequited attraction towards Emmett. Initially a small, recurring role in the first season, Jenny's presence was expanded in the second, with the character's personality fleshed out in the second season episode Jenny's Version. Jenny is a small-time literary agent, operating out of "Sinclair Talent", a company founded by her father. Although good-intentioned, Jenny's attempts to boost or preserve her client's reputations often backfire, as seen in the season one episode One Flew Over the Sparrow's Nest. In the first season, Jenny is presented as almost a caricature, known for her signature uses of the words "fabulous" and "darling". In season two, the character's backstory and personality was expanded on, revealing a troubled individual who masked her true emotions behind an eccentric facade of glamorous behaviour, fur coats and sunglasses. Jenny's troubles often stem from her unrequited adoration of Emmett, which Emmett mistakes for simple lust. Grace Martinson described Jenny's views of Emmett as "she's really quite in love with him. But no-one knows. Just her..."[11] In season two, Jenny finally confesses her feelings for Emmett to Daisy, allowing herself to move on and pursue an interest in Parker James instead.
- Joseph Dowling as Parker James III (Season 2-) - A wealthy playboy philanthropist and childhood friend of the Shelby siblings. Parker is introduced in the second season as a counterbalance to Jenny's feelings for Emmett, serving as the antagonist of the episode Jenny's Version. An arrogant millionaire philanthropist, he shares similar character traits with Hugh, but is also shown to be a womaniser, attracting the attentions of both Jess and Daisy (with the latter there is implied to be a past romantic connection between them). Parker was described by Joseph Dowling as "a bit of an ass, honestly... he's quite arrogant, which doesn't go down well some times." Of Parker and Jenny's relationship, he added "it's a personality clash. They don't get on to start with. She's so strong-willed and slightly eccentric... I think [she] sort of intrigues him a little bit."[12] Initially a recurring guest star, Dowling was upgraded to main cast in March 2016.
Recurring Cast
- Liz Stewart as Clarice Sparrow (Seasons 1-2) - Emmett's first serious girlfriend, and Jess' main rival to his affections. After breaking up with Emmett in the season one finale, she returns in the second season premiere, where she is revealed to be a psychotic manipulator who had been intentionally making Jess unhappy throughout the events of season one out of jealousy.
- Ben Walker as Chauncey (Season 1) - Hugh's psychopath boyfriend. Although he doesn't physically appear in season two, he is referenced several times, particularly by Barney.
Episodes
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | Finale | |||
| 1 | 6 | 24 January 2015 | 14 March 2015 | |
| 2 | 7 | 6 February 2016 | TBC | |
Season One (2015)
A first season of six episodes was announced on July 2, 2014, and premiered on January 24, 2015.
| № | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | "The Prologue" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 22 June 2014 |
| Writer Emmett Shelby is struck with writer's block. Finding no inspiration at home, he ventures outside, exploring in the hopes of finding something to inspire him. At a local pond, he meets Jess Spencer, another writer afflicted with the same issue. After an awkward start, the two are soon deep in conversation, before parting as Jess returns home. Emmett returns home and, now inspired, begins to write. | |||||
| 1 | 1 | "Interview with the Writer" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 24 January 2015 |
| A year on from the prologue, Daisy, Emmett's twin sister, is promoting the release of her third book when she runs into Jess by coincidence. Daisy and Jess used to go to school together and were childhood friends, before parting when Jess went to university. Jess, who wishes to leave home, is invited by Daisy to move in with her. Jess does so, and is reunited with Emmett who, it turns out, she knew from her childhood days with Daisy, but did not recognise when they met a year previously. Jess and Emmett's established relationship irritates the other house members, such as Barney - Daisy's live-in boyfriend and illustrator - and Hugh - Daisy's landlord and Barney's best friend. Daisy is informed by her agent, Jenny, that the footage from an interview she conducted a few days prior as been misplaced, meaning reshoots will be required. Daisy invites Jess along to attend the filming. Jess and Hugh bond over their mutual "strangeness" (as perceived by Hugh). Each of the housemates goes to be interviewed one by one, leaving Jess to last. When asked about her inspiration, Jess struggles due to her problems with writers block. However, when she sees Emmett smiling supportively at her from the back of the room, she responds that is inspired by the people around her, calling it "the best inspiration a girl could get". With the interviews concluded, Jess returns home with the others an integrates into part of the household. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "A Game of Homes" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 31 January 2015 |
| Emmett introduces a new face to the group - Ripley, a chocolate labrador he rescued from the pound. Jenny brings a preview copy of Daisy's latest book around for her to see; however, the book's cover features a typo that has given the book an inappropriate title. As Daisy struggles with her book problem, Jess bonds with Hugh and Barney over their love of movies. Emmett is kicked out his parent's house, and is invited to move in by Daisy, despite Hugh's objections. A week and a half later, Emmett is shown to be a nuisance within the household, noisily cleaning at early hours in the morning and annoying the others with his obsessive habits. The others stage an intervention to set Emmett straight, leading Emmett to cave and have an emotional breakdown, before being comforted by Jess and Daisy. Later that night, Emmett reveals to Jess he wrote a short story after their day together the previous year. He reads the story to Jess, and she realises that it is an unconscious confession of his love for her - something Emmett doesn't seem to realise. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "One Flew Over the Sparrow's Nest" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | Part One: 14 February 2015, Part Two: 21 February 2015 |
|
Part One: Out shopping, Emmett bumps into Clarice Sparrow, who he instantly finds attractive. He promptly asks her on a date. Meanwhile, Jess reveals the contents of Emmett's short story to Daisy, both agreeing that the story appears to be about Jess, but the pair are interrupted by Emmett and Clarice's arrival. When Jess questions Emmett about the story's inspiration, he claims that it's about his parents and how they met. Before Jess can question further, Hugh introduces his new boyfriend, Chauncey, to the others. However, Chauncey reveals his true, darker colours when he violently threatens Barney when he mistakenly perceives him as a romantic threat. Part Two: Chaunceykidnaps Barney as a way to show his love for Hugh, but Hugh rejects the gift and punches Chauncey, leaving with Barney. Back at home, Daisy plays some old home videos, revealing Jess, Emmett and Daisy from their school years. However, Clarice uses the opportunity to make a move on Emmett, kissing him in front of a visibly upset Jess. Jess later goes to question Emmett about his story, but changes her mind at the last minute. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "An Emotion Named Desire" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 28 February 2015 |
| As his relationship with Clarice begins to get serious, Emmett goes to Jess for advice on how to "seduce" her. Jess grudgingly teaches him basic dating etiquette; however, when she begins to teach him through the actual seduction itself, the pair almost kiss, only to be interrupted by Clarice on the phone. After Emmett leaves, Jess goes to speak with Hugh and Barney, who make her realise that she's fallen in love with Emmett. After Jess reveals that she's spent the day teaching Emmett how to seduce Clarice, Hugh urges her to go stop him from doing so, only for Jess to arrive at Clarice's house too late. Heartbroken, Jess is consoled by Hugh. Meanwhile, Hugh and Barney become addicted to a new video game. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "On The Road" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 7 March 2015 |
| Barney and Hugh travel to Bournemouth for Barney's university interview, but Barney runs away after Hugh unintentionally instigates a panic attack. Lost in the middle of nowhere, the pair initially take out their frustrations of each-other, before Barney finally breaks and reveals the truth behind his panic attack - he hasn't told Daisy about the interview, and is terrified that they'll have to break up if he gets the place. Hugh assures him that if he does get the place, Barney's relationship with Daisy would be strong enough to survive long-distance. After the interview, Barney returns home and speaks to Daisy in private, revealing the truth and explaining their options; split up, move to Bournemouth together, or try a long-distance relationship. Daisy, furious about being forced into a position she doesn't want to be in angrily throws Barney out of the room, before crying in silence. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "A Tale of Two Scarves" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 14 March 2015 |
| The gang gather for Hugh's 19th birthday party. Things are hostile between Daisy and Barney following his university revelation, and Jess is struggling with the knowledge of her feelings for Emmett. Tensions rise further when both Daisy and Clarice each buy Hugh a new scarf for his birthday, with Hugh showing preference for Clarice's scarf over Daisy's. In the midst of the party, Jess and Emmett share a romantic dance, spectated by the others, and almost kiss. Immediately after, Clarice reveals her dislike for Doctor Who, Emmett's favourite television show, prompting him to break up with her. She reacts by attacking him with her handbag, leading Daisy to kick her out of the house in retaliation. Clarice leaves, taking her scarf with her, forcing Hugh to settle with the scarf Daisy bought him. Daisy decides to move to Bournemouth with Barney, and the two deliberate how to break the news to the others. In a closing montage, Hugh throws away his other scarves, deciding to use solely Daisy's scarf as his clothing of choice; Daisy sleeps peacefully as a happy and contented Barney looks on; Jess subtly reveals her feelings to Emmett, leading the pair to lean in to kiss each-other as the screen cuts to black. In a post-credits scene, a drunken Jenny is seen dancing in front of Hugh's mute sister. | |||||
Season Two (2016)
A second season of seven episodes was confirmed on March 18, 2015, and premiered on February 6, 2016.
| № | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "FlashForward" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 6 February 2016 |
| In the future, a wedding is shown to be taking place. The groom - Emmett - is having an existential crisis, much to Hugh's chagrin. In the present, Emmett awakens next to Jess. Realising they've slept together, he begins to panic, only to discover the entire house overheard them. When Jess tries to reassure him by confessing her feelings, he quickly flees in fear, running back to Clarice. However, he quickly learns that Clarice has been manipulating him through-out their entire relationship in a twisted big to make Jess jealous. Realising her true nature, Emmett dumps her for good. Meanwhile Jess, confused over Emmett's rejection, calls her father Patrick (Tom Turner) for advice. Jenny confides in Daisy that she is in love with Emmett, hoping to make a move now that Clarice is out of the picture. Daisy, however, lies and tells Jenny that Emmett isn't ready for a new relationship. Daisy later meets with Emmett in a nearby field, just as Jess arrives. Jess and Emmett patch things up and kiss, not realising that Jenny is watching on. Jenny returns home and has an emotional breakdown at Daisy's betrayal and her heartbreak for Emmett. In a post-credits scene, a man (Joseph Dowling) is shown arriving at an airport. | |||||
| 8 | 2 | "Breakfast at Daisy's" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | 13 February 2016 |
| Daisy and Barney decide to announce the news of their move over a breakfast with the entire group. However, the mood is tense, with Jenny jealous of Jess and Emmett. Jess and Emmett get into an argument when Emmett learns that Jess, during her years at high school, has lost count of her number of sexual partners, which is suggested to be a large amount. As Emmett presses her for information, he shockingly discovers that Daisy and Jess had a one-night-stand in High School. Meanwhile, Jenny - after realising the others don't believe her capable of having a boyfriend - creates a fictional lover named Bert, but repeatedly forgets his name, much to the humour of the others. Daisy and Barney announce their news, and the group wish them luck. That night, Barney receives final conformation from the university. Daisy is happy for Barney, but is later shown to be saddened by the news. | |||||
| 9 | 3 | "Jenny's Version" | Jordan Cottle | Adam T Cottle & Jordan Cottle | 20 February 2016 |
| Four months after Daisy's betrayal, Jenny is pestered by a strange man who appears to be following her around. Jenny and the Man clash, with each viewing the other as egotistical. The following day, Jenny learns the man is Parker James III, an old friend of Daisy and Emmett's, who is in town briefly on a fly-by to Moscow. Parker is revealed to be a humanitarian aid worker, and head of the charitable organisation "The Will to Grow Foundation". Everyone seems to be besotted with Parker, much to Jenny's annoyance. Over coffee, Jenny finally confronts Daisy over her lies, vocally ending their friendship. Later that day, after bumping into Parker once again, Jenny is persuaded to talk things out with her friend. Daisy apologises for lying, but explains that Emmett would never love Jenny, and that she needs to move on and find someone more worth her time. Jess is shown to have overheard the conversation from the kitchen. Later on, Parker and Jenny watch the sunset together, as Jenny rests her head on Parker's shoulder peacefully. | |||||
| 10 | 4 | "Father's Day" | Adam T Cottle | Adam T Cottle | Part One: 27 February 2016, Part Two: 5 March 2016 |
|
Part One: Patrick gets in contact with Jess, asking to meet Emmett. The young couple go to meet him, but Patrick accidentally puts things on edge when he unintentionally points out how Jess and Emmett have never been on a date. Meanwhile, Daisy pitches a new book to Jenny. However, Daisy's planned schedule would conflict with her plans to move to Bournemouth. When confronted, Daisy breaks down, and reveals that she doesn't want to go to Bournemouth now that it's really happening. Part Two: After their disastrous lunch with Patrick, Jess and Emmett return home disheartened, before Emmett quickly leaves. Later, Emmett returns and leads her to the bench and pond where they first met, calling it their "first date". Elsewhere, at Jenny's urging, Daisy goes to tell Barney the truth, but is interrupted by the phone before she can. When Jess and Emmett return home later that night, Jess is informed by Daisy that Patrick has passed away due to an aneurism. A devastated Jess is comforted by the rest of the group. | |||||
| 11 | 5 | "TBA" | TBA | TBA | July 9th 2016 |
| 12 | 6 | "TBA" | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 13 | 7 | "TBA" | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Christmas Special & Future
On March 18, 2016, it was announced that Writers will return for a one-off Christmas Special in Christmas 2016. Jordan Cottle will direct the special from a script by himself and Adam T Cottle. Grace Martinson announced that she would leave the series during the special. It was also announced that the series had been renewed for a third and final season, although due to cast scheduling conflicts, no production or premiere date for the third season was given.
References
- ↑ "From YouTube To TV: How 'Writers' Made The Jump". Rife Magazine. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ LTD, Made Television. "Home - Made in Bristol". Made in Bristol. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ LTD, Made Television. "Home - Made in Bristol". Made in Bristol. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ "WRITERS RENEWED FOR SECOND SEASON". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ ""WRITERS" RENEWED FOR THIRD AND FINAL SEASON". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2016-02-13), Writers | S2 Ep2 | Breakfast at Daisy's, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2014-10-18), Writers | Introducing Jess, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2014-11-01), Writers | Introducing Daisy, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2014-11-08), Writers | Introducing Barney, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2014-11-15), Writers | Introducing Hugh, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2014-11-22), Writers | Introducing Jenny, retrieved 2016-04-12
- ↑ CCE Entertainment (2016-01-08), Writers | Introducing Parker, retrieved 2016-04-12
External links
Official Website: http://cceentertainment.wix.com/writers
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5168952/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
CCE Entertainment channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CCEEntertainmentUK
Made In Television page: http://www.madeinbristol.tv/programme/writers/