‘Sherwood’ Writer James Graham Wanted to ‘Protect’ Show’s ‘Twists and Turns’ by Dropping Episodes Weekly Instead of All at Once

As someone who grew up in the heart of a working-class neighborhood, I wholeheartedly agree with James Graham‘s sentiments at the Edinburgh TV Festival. His fight for “Sherwood” to be released weekly instead of all at once resonates deeply with me.

James Graham, the author behind “Sherwood”, has disclosed that he advocated for the BBC drama to be broadcasted weekly instead of being released as a whole on the streaming platform iPlayer.

At the Edinburgh TV Festival on a Wednesday, during which Graham was giving the McTaggart lecture, he disclosed that BBC’s Chief Content Officer, Charlotte Moore, had discussed with him the method of making the series accessible for viewers.

He clarified that there was a debate about whether to release the entire series on iPlayer at once instead of weekly. He’s not opposed to giving viewers the option to binge-watch, but he also values the television experiences that unfold gradually, encouraging us to wait and engage in real-world discussions about the work. He fondly recalled the ‘watercooler conversations’ that used to take place the day after an episode aired.

“It was crucial for me to carefully reveal the intricate plot twists in ‘Sherwood’, ensuring a large portion of our viewers could keep up together. This wasn’t just about maintaining suspense, but also because the story carries important social and political messages that were strategically unfolded at key moments.”

In recent times, Edinburgh’s yearly McTaggart lecture has gained recognition as a venue for advocacy. Following this tradition, Graham delivered his speech, predominantly focusing on the issue of social class, and more specifically, the underrepresentation of working-class individuals. He referenced a study revealing that just 8% of television workers originate from a working-class background, despite making up as much as 49% of the population. Furthermore, he underscored the fact that it’s working-class people who constitute the majority of TV viewers.

I find myself imploring the industry and the newly established Labour government to take decisive action in enhancing our current state of affairs. In my opinion, what we truly require is a well-structured, cross-industry standard and blueprint that prioritizes monitoring diversity in classes and award ceremonies on productions.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase that statement like this: “The new administration should integrate ‘culture’ into the core of their ‘national revitalization’ plans, rather than keeping it isolated in its own realm, only occasionally consulted on policy decisions.”

Besides Graham’s comments, he emphasized the need for a unified strategy across the industry, expressing his openness to collaborate with professionals from television and film. He suggested that this partnership could facilitate the acquisition of necessary funds to construct and maintain the project. This collaboration, according to him, serves not only as a symbol of commitment towards change but also as a valuable resource in itself.

Kick-starting efforts to bring about the desired change, the charitable division of Edinburgh TV Festival, known as The TV Foundation, introduced an innovative project titled the Impact Unit with the goal of fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment within the industry.

Under the guidance of Gemma Bradshaw from The TV Foundation, the Impact Unit will take shape. Some of its key actions include establishing a collaborative team spanning various sectors, instituting a social mobility scholarship for the festival, and aiding in the creation of tools for measurement and monitoring.

2024-08-21 21:17

‘Sherwood’ Writer James Graham Wanted to ‘Protect’ Show’s ‘Twists and Turns’ by Dropping Episodes Weekly Instead of All at Once

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