Andrew Davies Quotes

Andrew Davies is a British screenwriter and television producer known for his adaptations of classic literary works. He has adapted numerous novels for television, including "Pride and Prejudice," "Bleak House," and "War & Peace." Davies' adaptations have been praised for their faithfulness to the source material and their ability to bring classic stories to a modern audience. He is regarded as one of the foremost screenwriters in British television.

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

From time to time there is a move to do a little less in the way of period dramas, but people rebel. Audiences say we want them. There is a big hunger for them. I don't think it's sentimentality or nostalgia, it's often that they are simply the best stories.

I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapt... -Andrew Davies

I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapting 'The Great Gatsby,' but nobody ever does.

Rebecca Eaton has made an enormous contribution to the cultural life of America, and, more than that, she is one of the most fun people I know.

I'd love to adapt more contemporary novels. But there isn't really enough story and character to make a really satisfying serial, so they tend to be single dramas.

Most actors hate readthroughs - they're exposing themselves before they're ready to, and before they've bonded. But I love them because they give us all the first inkling of what the whole show is going to be like, how each part affects every other part, and we won't see that again until it's all edited together.

I remain, however, fairly optimistic for the future of period drama because it's just such a popular thing.

The BBC fulfils a wonderful cultural function. Maybe the problem is that it feels it needs to be everything to everybody.

I'm glad nobody has asked me to adapt 'Wuthering Heights' because I think I would make a mess of it. Everybody makes a mess of it. I think the Bronte Sisters are mad.

People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-e... -Andrew Davies

People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-estimate that.

'Affinity' is beautiful and intense, with no laughs. It's a rather delicate and emotional love story, with a spooky element.

I know that a ridiculous number of classic serials have been commissioned, and that reviews show a reaction against them. The critics seem fed up.

One of the things I've always thought is a drag in so many period adaptations is that they are always buttoned up to the neck in so many clothes all the time. I'm always looking for excuses to get them out of their clothes.

The most moving scene for me in 'Pride and Prejudice' is the Pemberley music room scene: Elizabeth has just saved Darcy's sister from embarrassment and confusion, and as the music plays on, Darcy's look of gratitude becomes a look of love, which we see reciprocated in Elizabeth's eyes.

A distinguished producer called Kenith Trodd actually lived in his office for over a year - the cleaners refused to go in because it was such a tip.

I got quite cross when I heard about Emma Thompson adapting 'Sense and Sensibility.' It was absolutely childish of me, but I thought, 'I should be doing that. They didn't even ask me.' Some mistake, surely.

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama n... -Andrew Davies

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

My wife likes history and documentaries, but I'm not so keen on them. I generally go and do some work if there's one of those on.

Be careful about the advice you give, especially t... -Andrew Davies

Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches... -Andrew Davies

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.

Taking the humour out of Dickens, it's not Dickens... -Andrew Davies

Taking the humour out of Dickens, it's not Dickens any more.

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of ... -Andrew Davies

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as ... -Andrew Davies

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.

I'm not one of these people who say how much better American drama is than English. I find it mostly too American, except for The Sopranos, which I think is the best thing.

The writer in movies is about as low as you can get and you really are a hired hand. You are paid a lot of money to be treated like dirt.

People in the BBC are always dying to get out of t... -Andrew Davies

People in the BBC are always dying to get out of their open-plan offices.

An adaptation I was working on of Trollope's 'The Pallisers' has been axed by the BBC... I was also going to do Dickens' 'Dombey and Son' but they've asked me to do 'David Copperfield' instead.

'Othello' is the most domestic of Shakespeare's tragedies and the one that's likely to strike a personal note with a lot of people watching it.

I always do like to write love stories, even if th... -Andrew Davies

I always do like to write love stories, even if they end tragically.

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