80. Britain vs France: Writer and Director John Morton on Tackling Call my Agent For a British Audience
This week we talk to John Morton, the writer famous for classic TV hits like WIA, Twenty Twelve and People Like Us. He’s been brave enough to take on our favourite show, the much-loved French series Call My Agent and create and direct the British version, Ten Per Cent. He talks to us about why agents are so fascinating and the complicated business of writing tightly scripted comedy. With eight episodes available to view on Amazon Prime, John tells us about the lead cast members, how and why he made the main characters so different to suit a British audience. We explore the gaping differences between British and French culture: Are we simply much less glamorous? Or, unlike the French, are we just unable to say what we really mean? The critics were uncertain and divided to start with but became lured in and are looking forward to Series Two – if it happens. We very much hope so, and John talks openly about the challenges of taking on such a project. Stars playing cameos of themselves include Dominic West, Helena Bonham Carter, Kelly Macdonald and David Harewood.