I had a very high opinion of my father’s judgement of things and he said, “You better get a job that pays the bills because a writer doesn’t make any money. If possible, get a job that allows you to write in your spare time.”
I got quite cross when I heard about Emma Thompson adapting ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ It was absolutely childish of me, but I thought, ‘I should be doing that. They didn’t even ask me.’ Some mistake, surely.
I had a mother who was very emotionally demanding, wanting to be the centre of attention. As they say in EastEnders, she thought it was all about ’er. I spent a lot of time trying to work out what was going on.
I’d love to adapt more contemporary novels. But there isn’t really enough story and character to make a really satisfying serial, so they tend to be single dramas.
The older I get, the more fun it is to write young people. It’s just a holiday from what is becoming old age, really.
I’m glad nobody has asked me to adapt ‘Wuthering Heights’ because I think I would make a mess of it. Everybody makes a mess of it. I think the Bronte Sisters are mad.
I’m not one of these people who say how much better American drama is than English. I find it mostly too American, except for The Sopranos, which I think is the best thing.
People like bonnets. I don’t think you can under-estimate that.
People in the BBC are always dying to get out of their open-plan offices.
A distinguished producer called Kenith Trodd actually lived in his office for over a year – the cleaners refused to go in because it was such a tip.
The most moving scene for me in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is the Pemberley music room scene: Elizabeth has just saved Darcy’s sister from embarrassment and confusion, and as the music plays on, Darcy’s look of gratitude becomes a look of love, which we see reciprocated in Elizabeth’s eyes.
Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.
I adore doing classic adaptations, but I also feel their frustrations and their limitations.
I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.
I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I’d like to have another unusual, beautiful car.
I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapting ‘The Great Gatsby,’ but nobody ever does.
I’m absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.
Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.
My wife likes history and documentaries, but I’m not so keen on them. I generally go and do some work if there’s one of those on.
Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.
One of the things I’ve always thought is a drag in so many period adaptations is that they are always buttoned up to the neck in so many clothes all the time. I’m always looking for excuses to get them out of their clothes.