WITH outrageous bridal gowns, controversial dating rituals and strict moral codes, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding captivated viewers when it first aired on Channel 4 in 2010.
Since then, interest in the traveller community has seen a resurgence thanks to Netflix show At Home With The Furys, plus another favourite, .
Now, I can reveal Netflix are bringing us a new offering about gypsy weddings called My Big Day — and it’s made by Optomen, the same production company behind the streamer’s fly-on-the-wall hit about the Furys.
A TV insider said: “This is a one-off doc, but then so was My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding when it debuted on C4 in 2010, and that proved so popular that they turned it into a series the following year.
“Although they’re very much following in the footsteps of similar, successful shows, Netflix are also keen to stress that My Big Day is notably different to its C4 forebear.”
The streaming giant says their show doesn’t just focus on the celebration that a wedding day represents, but also the “rite of passage marking a young woman’s transition into adulthood”.
And it will look at how social media is magnifying the experience of these weddings, with adding that the new documentary “explores the bride and groom’s hopes and dreams, whilst battling prejudices and pressures in the build up to their big day”.
Fresh interest in travellers’ weddings was piqued by media coverage of and his wife Paris watching daughter Venezuela tie the knot with Noah Price in May this year.
The nuptials are expected to feature on in future.
The newlyweds had signed up for challenge show — but pulled out just days into filming.
I’m guessing this new doc will prove similarly eventful.
SHEEN IS FRONT OF HOUSE
QUIZ giant hosts one final week of House Of Games before Michael Sheen takes the reins.
Here’s a first-look at actor Michael getting some pointers from game show supremo Richard, who has decided to step down after nine years fronting the BBC Two show.
Michael, who is presenting his first quiz show, will host 100 episodes, beginning next Monday at 6pm.
Comedians Miles Jupp, Cariad Lloyd, Lucy Porter and Kiell Smith-Bynoe will test their general knowledge skills in some fun challenges.
Michael said: “Quite literally very large shoes to fill but as a huge fan of the show I’m incredibly excited to be able to move into The House and at long last see my silhouette on a fondue set.”
Hopefully fans will be very fondue of you, too, Michael.
SKY has commissioned a documentary about Tupac Shakur’s murder trial .
From Passion Pictures and BAFTA-winning director Marian Mohamed, it follows the trial and conviction of Duane “Keffe D” Davis for the rapper’s killing 30 years ago, after he was killed in Las Vegas.
LOOK AT PUGH’S TALKING
NETFLIX has teamed up with the British Library to help people discover the books behind their favourite shows and films.
To mark the National Year of Reading, the streamer is donating the books which inspired hits like One Day, Heartstopper and The Thursday Murder Club to 100 libraries across the UK.
The partnership will also include a series of events exploring how the stories made it on to the screen.
On Monday Florence Pugh spoke about her upcoming TV series East Of Eden, based on John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel.
Netflix’s Anne Mensah said: “We are proud to bring these stories to audiences all over the world, but we also know the experience does not have to end when the credits roll.”
MICHAEL BIGGS will tell the story of what it was like growing up as the son of notorious Great Train robber .
I can reveal he has teamed up with NBCUniversal for a special docuseries.
The Great Train Robbery is still regarded as one of Britain’s most audacious heists, when a gang stole £2.61million from a Roya Mail train 63 years ago.
Ronnie Biggs, who died in 2013 , hit the headlines in 1965 by escaping from prison.
He spent most of his 36 years on the run living in Brazil before The Sun helped him return to the UK in 2001.
I’m told Mike has sat down with cameras for a string of interviews and the special, which also includes other close friends of Ronnie, is due for release in November.
A source said: “Mike has teamed up with Universal on the project, which sees him recall a number of private moments between him and his father.”
DARKER SHADE OF BLUE
BELFAST police drama Blue Lights returns later this month and it’s actually about to get a lot darker.
Promising their most ambitious series yet, creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson aren’t shying away from the tough stuff.
“We tackle some of the biggest issues facing Northern Ireland today, including racism, attacks on migrant communities and pressures in the criminal justice system,” says Declan. “It’s probably our boldest yet.”
Lifting the mood for the cast this series is the return of Gerry, played by Richard Dormer, who rises from the ashes in flashback scenes after his heartbreaking death in series one.
“Enough time has passed for the criminal case to reach its conclusion, and it felt important to give that story proper closure,” explained Adam. “Plus, it meant people might stop shouting at us in the street for killing him off!”
Martin McCann, who plays Stevie, added: “It was just like the old days again. Having him back brought a real buzz to the set.”
