Masterpiece Contemporary 2010 Schedule

Well, PBS has finally released the Masterpiece Contemporary schedule for this year. With the extra long Mystery season we've had this year, I was beginning to wonder if they'd have time to show any contemporary dramas - and they've come through with three - two new films and one encore. Here are the details:


November 21:

Lennon Naked

Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) channels John Lennon in this acclaimed recreation of Lennon's last turbulent years with the Beatles, co- starring Naoko Mori (Torchwood) as Yoko Ono, the woman blamed for breaking up the band, and Christopher Fairbank (Tess of the D'Urbervilles) as Freddie Lennon, John's absentee father. (90 minutes)

December 19:

Endgame (Encore Presentation)

A nation teeters on the brink of civil war in this real-life political thriller about the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid in South Africa. Seemingly doomed to failure, the secret talks were held against a backdrop of terrorism, spying, blackmail, and escalating unrest. The international cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor (American Gangster, Kinky Boots) as President Thabo Mbeki; William Hurt (Damages) as Professor Will Esterhuyse; Jonny Lee Miller (Eli Stone) as British businessman and negotiator Michael Young, Derek Jacobi (Gosford Park) as Young’s boss, and Clarke Peters (The Wire) as Nelson Mandela. (120 minutes)

December 26:

Framed

An eccentric Welsh village learns that London's National Gallery is storing its entire art collection in a nearby mine during the museum's renovations—leading to curious encounters between the village locals and the gallery's urbane, lovelorn curator. Trevor Eve (David Copperfield) and Eve Myles (Little Dorrit) star in this gentle comedy, based on Frank Cottrell Boyce's best-selling novel. (90 minutes)

Generally, I'm all about the Classic and Mystery seasons and can take or leave the Contemporary shows - however, I'm quite intrigued by the description of Framed. It sounds like a sweet, fun story - and it'll be great to see Eve Myles on-screen again. Since Torchwood: Children of Earth she's been AWOL from TV screens. (Actually, this Contemporary season is so sci-fi heavy it's kind of funny. We have two Torchwood team members - Myles and Naoko Mori - and the ninth Doctor Who - Christopher Eccleston!)


You can download a .pdf copy of the schedule here.