Perdita
14-12-2009, 13:17
With a compelling story and copious amounts of brutality, crime drama Whitechapel was undoubtedly one of the TV highlights of the year. Although the premise - a serial killer replicating the Jack The Ripper murders - seemed to suggest it would be limited to a one series show, high ratings and critical acclaim led to ITV commissioning a second run for 2010. But what horrors will the team have to contend with next time around? We called up executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle to find out more.
Did you ever imagine Whitechapel would be as successful as it was and could warrant a second series?
"You never know how an audience will react, but I did know that we had something very special with the story, the cast, the performances and the look of the show. I am just thrilled that the public agreed."
What's the story thread of the new run?
"Well, this series Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Davis and Steve Pemberton will reprise their roles as Chandler, Miles and Buchan to solve a series of copycat murders reminiscent of crimes committed by the infamous Krays. While Whitechapel I was gothic and bloody, Whitechapel II will be brutal and oozing paranoia. It will be full of the history, texture and detail that gave the first series its distinctive personality, but for Chandler, Miles, Buchan and the team this time it gets personal and takes them to some very dark places."
So all of the old team are returning. How does Steve Pemberton's character, a Ripper expert, come back?
"Yes, we have the core of our original team with one or two new faces. In the first series Steve Pemberton’s character was an expert on Jack the Ripper however, his knowledge of Whitechapel doesn’t stop there. As a local historian he has made it his life’s work to become an expert on Whitechapel and its rich history. The Krays are legends in the East End and Buchan is reverential about their place in Whitechapel lore, only this time he may have taken on more than even his research would have suggested."
How has Chandler's relationship with the team developed?
"Chandler has worked hard to become part of the team, but he is still struggling to be accepted by the 'lads'. His relationship with Miles is becoming stronger as the pair find that they have more in common than they first thought - although neither one would ever want to admit that. Chandler came into Whitechapel I with a naivity and arrogance - in Whitechapel II he is a far more humbled and complex character."
Is he still suffering anxiety attacks / from his OCD?
"I don't think his experiences with the Ripper would have made them any better and it will be interesting to see how he holds up under the brutality of new villains."
Are there any references/allusions to Barbara Windsor's relationship
with the Krays?
"Hahaha - No!"
Is the first series referenced much? Has that particular story run its course?
"We will reference the first series in the sense of how the case affected the team and how they have moved on (or not). The Ripper story has however run its course."
Where are you at with production at the moment?
"We are casting, location scouting and so on at the moment, ready to start filming in the New Year."
Is there a potential for a third series?
"Given Whitechapel’s history there are many more stories we could explore. Also as the relationships between the team deepens and we fall in love with them all, it would be a shame to think that they could not ride again! That is, if they make it through Whitechapel II."
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a191027/2010-tv-preview-whitechapel-series-2.html
Did you ever imagine Whitechapel would be as successful as it was and could warrant a second series?
"You never know how an audience will react, but I did know that we had something very special with the story, the cast, the performances and the look of the show. I am just thrilled that the public agreed."
What's the story thread of the new run?
"Well, this series Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Davis and Steve Pemberton will reprise their roles as Chandler, Miles and Buchan to solve a series of copycat murders reminiscent of crimes committed by the infamous Krays. While Whitechapel I was gothic and bloody, Whitechapel II will be brutal and oozing paranoia. It will be full of the history, texture and detail that gave the first series its distinctive personality, but for Chandler, Miles, Buchan and the team this time it gets personal and takes them to some very dark places."
So all of the old team are returning. How does Steve Pemberton's character, a Ripper expert, come back?
"Yes, we have the core of our original team with one or two new faces. In the first series Steve Pemberton’s character was an expert on Jack the Ripper however, his knowledge of Whitechapel doesn’t stop there. As a local historian he has made it his life’s work to become an expert on Whitechapel and its rich history. The Krays are legends in the East End and Buchan is reverential about their place in Whitechapel lore, only this time he may have taken on more than even his research would have suggested."
How has Chandler's relationship with the team developed?
"Chandler has worked hard to become part of the team, but he is still struggling to be accepted by the 'lads'. His relationship with Miles is becoming stronger as the pair find that they have more in common than they first thought - although neither one would ever want to admit that. Chandler came into Whitechapel I with a naivity and arrogance - in Whitechapel II he is a far more humbled and complex character."
Is he still suffering anxiety attacks / from his OCD?
"I don't think his experiences with the Ripper would have made them any better and it will be interesting to see how he holds up under the brutality of new villains."
Are there any references/allusions to Barbara Windsor's relationship
with the Krays?
"Hahaha - No!"
Is the first series referenced much? Has that particular story run its course?
"We will reference the first series in the sense of how the case affected the team and how they have moved on (or not). The Ripper story has however run its course."
Where are you at with production at the moment?
"We are casting, location scouting and so on at the moment, ready to start filming in the New Year."
Is there a potential for a third series?
"Given Whitechapel’s history there are many more stories we could explore. Also as the relationships between the team deepens and we fall in love with them all, it would be a shame to think that they could not ride again! That is, if they make it through Whitechapel II."
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a191027/2010-tv-preview-whitechapel-series-2.html