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Andy Harries
The Queen - a hit for one of our 'Friendly Producers', Andy Harries
Andy Harries is one of The Script Factory's 'Friendly Producers'.
Andy Harries was appointed Controller of Drama and Comedy at ITV in 2000 having spent seven years creating and running Granada’s acclaimed Comedy Department. In his capacity as Controller of Comedy, he oversaw the production of numerous multi-award winning programmes including five series of Cold Feet (Bafta, Best Drama 2002); The Mrs Merton Show (1997 Bafta Best Talk Show) and The Royle Family for BBC1 (2000 Bafta Situation Comedy).
As Controller of Drama, Comedy and Factual Drama, Andy’s departmental output has been prolific. Productions range from singles such as My Beautiful Son (2002 BAFTA Best Actress for Julie Walters) to the adaptations of Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga and Pasternak’s epic love story Dr Zhivago, starring Keira Knightley and Sam Neill.
In 2003, Andy Executive Produced The Deal (BAFTA, Best Single 2003), which was directed by Oscar nominated Stephen Frears for Channel 4, Henry VIII by Peter Morgan starring Ray Winstone and Helena Bonham Carter, the critically acclaimed factual dramas Wall Of Silence and Danielle Cable: Eyewitness and the award-winning Prime Suspect 6 starring Helen Mirren.
In 2004, both Life Begins, written by Mike Bullen and starring Caroline Quentin, and Murder City, starring Amanda Donohoe and Kris Marshall, were re-commissioned after successful first series. Andy also Executive Produced historical mini-series Islands At War; two-part thriller Lie With Me; single dramas Dirty Filthy Love; The Walk and Whose Baby and factual dramas Planespotting and Colditz.
In 2005-6, Andy launched four successful original series. Vincent starring Ray Winstone; comedy drama Northern Lights; Eleventh Hour starring Patrick Stewart and Ashley Jensen and The Street written by Jimmy McGovern and showcasing a sterling cast including Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall and Jane Horrocks. Life Begins also returned for a third series and Vincent was immediately re-commissioned winning Ray Winstone an International Emmy.
Andy’s impressive 2006 Autumn/Winter slate brought both major critical and ratings success with big hitters including Prime Suspect: The Final Act starring Helen Mirren and nominated for two Golden Globes and four BAFTAs and Cracker starring Robbie Coltrane and written by Jimmy McGovern as well as factual dramas See No Evil: The Moors Murders and a one off special of the much loved The Royle Family nominated for three BAFTAs.
Four singles followed: a one off drama What We Did On Our Holiday starring Shane Ritchie; Perfect Parents written and directed by Joe Aherne and starring Christopher Ecclestone; Murder In The Outback and Longford a single film for Channel 4 and HBO. This film stars Jim Broadbent and Samantha Morton, was directed by Tom Hooper, and was penned by award winning screenwriter Peter Morgan. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is nominated for a total of 13 BAFTAs.
Andy has recently brought two features to the big screen – Pierrepoint and The Queen. Pierrepoint starring Timothy Spall, directed by Adrian Shergold and written by Jeff Pope and Bob Mills premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2005, was released in April 2006 and went on to win the audience award and the Kodak photography prize at the British Film Festival in Dinard.
The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears and written by Peter Morgan stars Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen and James Cromwell in a dramatic recreation of the week that Princess Diana died. The film opened the New York Film Festival in September 2006 and has enjoyed both critical and commercial success. Accolades include Best Actress, Best Screenplay and The Fipresci Award at the Venice Film Festival 2006, Best Actress, Best Score and Best Screenplay at the recent 64th Golden Globes and Best British Film, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Director at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards. Recognition in the UK was sealed with two BAFTA award wins; Best Film and Best Actress and in the US - six Academy Awards nominations, Helen Mirren of course winning Best Actress.
In 2007, Andy left ITV/Granada and established is own independent production company Left Bank Pictures Projects in development include a range of TV films and mini series for broadcasters both in the UK and worldwide and theatrical releases in conjunction with international film partners.
With a creative board made up of key players from across the film and television industries Left Bank Pictures which plans to exploit its board’s recognised strengths in quality drama, film and comedy, while also looking to develop projects in arts and documentary films.
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