Dennis Potter
Writing
Dennis Christopher George Potter (17 May 1935 – 7 June 1994) was an English television dramatist, screenwriter and journalist. He is best known for his BBC TV serials Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Singing Detective (1986), and the television plays Blue Remembered Hills (1979) and Brimstone and Treacle (1976). His television dramas mixed fantasy and reality, the personal and the social, and often used themes and images from popular culture. Potter is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative dramatists to have worked in British television. Born in Gloucestershire and graduating from Oxford University, Potter initially worked in journalism. After standing for parliament as a Labour candidate at the 1964 general election, his health was affected by the onset of psoriatic arthropathy which necessitated Potter changing careers and led to him becoming a television dramatist. His new career began with contributions to the BBC's Wednesday Play anthology series in 1965, and he continued to work in the medium for the rest of his life. He also wrote screenplay adaptations for the Hollywood studios. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1994.
Known for
Writing62
movieThe Singing Detective
2003
Screenplay
The Bittersweet
2000
Theatre Play, Writer
tvCold Lazarus
1996
Writer
tvKaraoke
1996
Writer
movieMidnight Movie
1994
Writer
movieMesmer
1994
Writer
tvPerformance
1991
Writer
movieSecret Friends
1991
Novel, Screenplay
tvBlackeyes
1989
Novel, Writer
movieTrack 29
1988
Writer
movieVisitors
1987
Writer
movieDreamchild
1985
Writer
tvScreen Two
1985
Writer
movieGorky Park
1983
Screenplay
movieBrimstone & Treacle
1982
Screenplay, Original Story
tvThe Mayor of Casterbridge
1978
Writer, Screenplay
movieDouble Dare
1976
Writer
tvLate Call
1975
Writer
movieSchmoedipus
1974
Writer
movieJoe's Ark
1974
Writer
tvWessex Tales
1973
Writer
tvThe Sextet
1972
Writer
tvCasanova
1971
Writer
Traitor
1971
Writer
moviePaper Roses
1971
Writer
tvPlay for Today
1970
Writer
movieSon of Man
1969
Writer
movieShaggy Dog
1968
Writer
tvITV Playhouse
1967
Writer
movieAlice
1965
Screenplay
tvThe Wednesday Play
1964
Writer
Creator12
tvCold Lazarus
1996
Creator
tvKaraoke
1996
Creator
tvBlackeyes
1989
Creator
Christabel
1988
Creator
tvThe Singing Detective
1986
Creator
tvTender Is the Night
1985
Creator
tvPennies from Heaven
1978
Creator
tvLate Call
1975
Creator
tvCasanova
1971
Creator
Acting7
movieDrama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today
2020
Self – Writer (archive footage, 1973 & 1977)
tvBlackeyes
1989
Narrator (voice, uncredited)
movieBlue Remembered Hills
1979
Narrator (voice, uncredited)
movieBetween Two Rivers
1960
Narrator
Directing3
Production3
movieMidnight Movie
1994
Producer
tvLipstick on Your Collar
1993
Executive Producer
movieDreamchild
1985
Executive Producer