Shakespeare

STAR Wars legend Michael Pennington has died aged 82.

The veteran stage and screen actor, who is best known for his role as Moff Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi, is thought to have passed away, according to The Telegraph.

The cause of death is currently unknown.

Pennington’s other film credits include as Laertes in Hamlet (1969), alongside Anthony Hopkins, and as former Labour Party leader Michael Foot in The Iron Lady (2011), alongside Meryl Streep.

He also appeared in TV shows The Bill, The Tudors and Father Brown, as well as TV movie The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

His agent Lesley Duff told The Sun he had been living at Denville Hall, a care home for retired actors, in his later years.

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His good friend and fellow screen veteran Miriam Margolyes confirmed news of his passing in a post uploaded to her social media.

The Harry Potter actress emotionally penned: “Michael Pennington has died.

“An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear. I am sad beyond measure.

“Bless your dear memory. Old chum.”

Replying to a comment underneath her post, the actress said: “It happened v recently at Denville Hall. I am sad to confirm.”

Tributes soon poured in following the sad news.

One devastated fan wrote: “May the force be with you brother.”

Another called the actor a “legend”, writing: “May he rest in peace.”

Pennington’s death comes just a year after his partner Author Prue Skene passed away aged 81.

As well as his screen work, Michael was an acclaimed figure in the theatre world, having appeared in scores of Shakespeare productions.

In 1986, Michael co-founded the English Shakespeare Company and was the joint artistic director until 1992.

He was also an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Pennington married actress Katharine Barker in 1964, and they welcomed a son, Mark, before they divorced in 1967.

The acclaimed crime drama starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman won three BAFTAs and has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers comparing it to ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’

One of Britain’s most beloved drama series of all time has just landed on Netflix. This gripping crime show scooped three Baftas and has been celebrated as one of the finest productions ever to grace our television screens. The iconic 2013 series Broadchurch has finally made its way to the streaming giant.

The show is a police drama which opens with the murder of 11 year old Danny Latimer, whose body is discovered at the foot of the cliffs.

The tragedy tears apart the tight-knit Dorset community, forcing DS Ellie Miller ( Olivia Colman ) to join forces with newcomer Alec Hardy ( David Tennant ) – despite him having stolen the DI role that was rightfully hers – as they attempt to crack the heartbreaking case.

What follows is a twisting tale of betrayal, suspicion and the dark underbelly of a small coastal town. Unlike conventional cop dramas, this isn’t about high-speed car chases and gun-wielding heroes sprinting through tower blocks.

Rather, it delves into the profound flaws we all harbour, the quiet moments of anguish that accompany unimaginable grief, and the perils of public opinion.

It features one of the most stunning plot twists I’ve ever encountered – and I watch an enormous amount of television. The series is truly an extraordinary experience, with performances that are nothing short of outstanding, reports the Express.

There isn’t a single weak link in the entire cast, and despite being over a decade old, it remains as compelling as ever.

And I’m far from alone in my admiration. Broadchurch boasts a remarkable 94% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating alongside an 8.3 out of 10 on IMDB.

One viewer posted on IMDB: “This is ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’. It was beautifully done. In no way has he [writer Chris Chibnall] broken the cardinal rule of show, don’t tell.

“Nor has he made the horrible mistake of creating any perfect character. All of them, from youngest to oldest, are wonderfully imperfect human beings.”

A second remarked: “The locations are gorgeous and so atmospheric, and the series is beautifully photographed, fluid and brooding. The music is both haunting and tragic.”

A third added: “Standing out also is the writing. It’s rare to find on television recently to have a series so intelligently written and be so layered and meaty.

“While the pacing is deliberate in places, a lot happens to keep one gripped and ensure that the tension and mystery never slips.”