Crime drama written by Glasgow doorman to screen at TV festival
It aims to spotlight Glasgow's TV talent while driving change to help the crisis-hit Scottish TV industry.
Now, a new event has been added to the festival line-up.
On Saturday, May 31, there will be a Q&A and special screening event of the Glasgow crime drama Concrete Jungle.
The drama, which has attracted a large audience on STV Player since its release, was written by former Glasgow doorman Anton O'Donnell.
Anton will appear at the special Glasgow screening to discuss the creation of his hit show.
Some of the cast of Concrete Jungle, including writer Anton O'Donnell (Image: Supplied)
Read more: Gritty Glasgow gangland film available to watch for free on STV Player
This adds to the long list of events planned for the festival, including the Glasgow Telly Legends Pick of the Pilots Event on Thursday, May 29, from 7.30pm to 9pm at Maison by Glaschu.
A host of Scottish TV talent, including actors Colin McCredie, Blythe Duff, Sanjeev Kohli, Jordan Young, Karen Bartke, Chris Forbes, Siobhan Redmond, and Maureen Beattie, are involved in the festival activities and events.
The festival will feature a series of events across the city, spotlighting Glasgow's writers, producers, directors, and actors.
The Glasgow public, known for its direct feedback, will be key to spotting potential TV hits through an innovative audience feedback app.
The festival opens with a panel discussion from stars and creators of some of the most iconic Glasgow series.
The final cast has also been revealed for the TV Pilot Open Mic Night, taking place at BAAD on Sunday, June 1, from 2pm to 4pm.
Read more: Scottish TV stars back first-ever Glasgow Telly Festival
Claire Duffy, founder and organiser of the festival, said: "The level of interest in the festival has been incredible, and quite overwhelming.
"From TV talent who want to be involved, to people supporting from behind the scenes, it's been wonderful to see the strength of community that exists within the Scottish TV industry.
"The whole idea behind all of the events is to give actors, directors, and writers - all at any stage of their career - the chance to showcase their work, and to really bring audiences into the fold to share their views.
"I have no doubt that, collectively over time, we can bring creativity, opportunity, and prosperity back into the Scottish TV industry, and the Glasgow Telly Festival is just the start of what will be a very exciting journey."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Children's TV icon announces return to series reboot after 20 years
A legend of British children's TV has confirmed that he'll be reprising his iconic role from one of the best-loved kids shows of the last 20 years. Andrew Agnew, who played PC Plum in Balamory between 2002 and 2005, will be stepping back into his old costume for the planned reboot, coming in 2026. Balamory, which ran for four seasons and more than 200 episodes, was the Scottish kids' TV show that defined a generation with its memorable 'What's the Story?' theme tune and picturesque setting. Filmed in the town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – one of the largest of the Inner Hebrides islands in Scotland – Balamory followed the lives of the small fictional island community who lived in the titular village. In September 2024, it was confirmed that Balamory would be returning with brand new episodes in 2026, with BBC bosses setting the official revival date. Ever since, speculation has been rife as to whether its lead stars Andrew, Julie Wilson Nimmo, and Miles Jupp, among others, would be coming back for another go. Now Andrew has confirmed that he'd be well up for producing more stories from Balamory, returning to the role of Balamory's local police officer PC Plum. He told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live that he'd be more than eager to get back to Tobermory for more filming when production resumes in the near future. 'If they ask me to go back then I'll absolutely be there with bells on, I'm sure. But at the moment we're all just getting excited at the fact that it's happening. I don't think it would be same if we weren't involved in it.' Andrew's recent comments echo those of Julie's too, who simply said 'Yup' when asked by a fan of the show if she'd be coming back as Miss Hoolie, Balamory's nursery teacher. Joking that Balamory's anticipated return was 'bigger than the Oasis reunion', Julie made it clear that any future episodes of the children's show would involve her. Head of children's TV at the BBC, Kate Morton, revealed the news in 2024: 'A whole new generation will discover and enjoy Balamory as we bring families together with this new update for CBeebies. 'It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly coloured world getting to know a host of old and new characters together.' More Trending While some of the old cast appear to be returning, there's also the question of whether a reboot calls for some original and newly developed characters. And while many fans would love of whether production will return to the beautiful Isle of Mull, which has a population of approximately 3,000 people. View More » Watch episodes of Balamory on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Toby Jones reveals disappointing update for BBC series hailed 'one of the best' MORE: BBC addresses fury after legendary band's final ever show wasn't filmed at Glastonbury MORE: BBC Play School presenter Donald Macdonald dies aged 86
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Camilla laments library closures in visit to Edinburgh community hub
Camilla told a group of librarians, figures from the city's annual literary festival and leading writers that she 'wished' more people would open such facilities as she officially launched Ratho Library in Newbridge. Her words were echoed by celebrated Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, who praised the resources his local centre provided when he was growing up, saying: 'Without libraries I wouldn't be here.' The Queen officially opened Ratho Library in Newbridge, Edinburgh (Lesley Martin/PA) The Queen, who has a passion for reading and officially supports a number of literary organisations, also chatted to Paula Hawkins, The Girl On The Train author, and told her: 'I'm very partial to crime novels.' In an impromptu speech, she said her visit 'has just reinforced my belief in what wonderful places libraries are, literally from toddlers to pensioners – they manage to inspire a love of reading of books'. She added: 'To actually see a new library like this… I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country, because I think, sadly, a lot of them have been closing down. The facility is a partnership with Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh City Libraries (Lesley Martin/PA) 'So to see something as wonderful as this being reopened is all to the credit to all of you who've made it happen.' The BBC reported in September that more than 180 council-run libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteer groups in the UK since 2016 after the corporation submitted freedom of information requests. In contrast, City of Edinburgh Council has made a commitment to its 28 public libraries to continue developing the resources as thriving community spaces. Sir Ian, famed for his series of Inspector Rebus books, is also Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh, and said following the royal visit: 'Libraries are an easy cut and I can understand why councils do it – it's an invisible cut, almost. Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries (Lesley Martin/PA) 'But it's such a crucial thing – libraries are crucial for every generation, from the very beginning to the very end.'Sir Ian added that to 'be a reader is to be a citizen of the world as fully as you can be'. Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries. Called Paper Trails, the project supported by Sir Ian will operate in five local libraries, including Ratho Library, to promote literature in local communities, including using the mobile library service to bring authors and artists into care homes. The director of the Edinburgh Book Festival Jenny Niven was also part of the event, alongside Sir Ian Rankin (Lesley Martin/PA) The community of Ratho was served by a mobile library while the permanent facility was rebuilt, opening in the spring, and Camilla toured a similar mobile unit and joked with Sir Ian when she spotted some of his novels on the shelves. She quipped 'I'm sure they go down very well with the readers,' before donating a collection of books. During her visit, the Queen also sat down with a group of children from a nursery which shares its premises with the library and also met a group of budding authors and poets from the Citizen Collective Young People's Writers Programme. She told them: 'I can see I've met you at very early stages in your career – good luck.'
STV News
5 hours ago
- STV News
Queen laments library closures during visit to community hub
The Queen has lamented library closures across the country as she celebrated a thriving example in Edinburgh. Camilla told a group of librarians, figures from the city's annual literary festival and leading writers that she 'wished' more people would open such facilities as she officially launched Ratho Library in Newbridge. Her words were echoed by celebrated Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, who praised the resources his local centre provided when he was growing up, saying: 'Without libraries I wouldn't be here.' The Queen, who has a passion for reading and officially supports a number of literary organisations, also chatted to Paula Hawkins, The Girl On The Train author, and told her: 'I'm very partial to crime novels.' PA Media The Queen officially opened Ratho Library in Newbridge, Edinburgh (Lesley Martin/PA) In an impromptu speech, she said her visit 'has just reinforced my belief in what wonderful places libraries are, literally from toddlers to pensioners – they manage to inspire a love of reading of books'. She added: 'To actually see a new library like this… I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country, because I think, sadly, a lot of them have been closing down. 'So to see something as wonderful as this being reopened is all to the credit to all of you who've made it happen.' The BBC reported in September that more than 180 council-run libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteer groups in the UK since 2016 after the corporation submitted freedom of information requests. PA Media The facility is a partnership with Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh City Libraries (Lesley Martin/PA) In contrast, City of Edinburgh Council has made a commitment to its 28 public libraries to continue developing the resources as thriving community spaces. Sir Ian, famed for his series of Inspector Rebus books, is also Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh, and said following the royal visit: 'Libraries are an easy cut and I can understand why councils do it – it's an invisible cut, almost. 'But it's such a crucial thing – libraries are crucial for every generation, from the very beginning to the very end.'Sir Ian added that to 'be a reader is to be a citizen of the world as fully as you can be'. Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries. PA Media Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries (Lesley Martin/PA) Called Paper Trails, the project supported by Sir Ian will operate in five local libraries, including Ratho Library, to promote literature in local communities, including using the mobile library service to bring authors and artists into care homes. The community of Ratho was served by a mobile library while the permanent facility was rebuilt, opening in the spring, and Camilla toured a similar mobile unit and joked with Sir Ian when she spotted some of his novels on the shelves. PA Media The director of the Edinburgh Book Festival Jenny Niven was also part of the event, alongside Sir Ian Rankin (Lesley Martin/PA) She quipped 'I'm sure they go down very well with the readers,' before donating a collection of books. During her visit, the Queen also sat down with a group of children from a nursery which shares its premises with the library and also met a group of budding authors and poets from the Citizen Collective Young People's Writers Programme. She told them: 'I can see I've met you at very early stages in your career – good luck.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
