Deadline Midnight

Deadline Midnight

1960 - United Kingdom

Years before Lou Grant became a massive hit in the US, British series Deadline Midnight focused on the investigative reporting team of fictitious Fleet Street newspaper The Daily Globe. The series featured the usual suspects of editors, senior reporters, the hard-bitten veteran and the less than efficient junior. 

To give the series credit it brought in former Daily Express editor Arthur Christiansen, who was been employed by ATV as Editorial Advisor, to oversee the series authenticity. It also gave an early TV outing to Peter Vaughan who went on to appear in 1969's The Gold Robbers, Wolfie Smith's prospective father-in-law in Citizen Smith and the less-than-genial Harry Grout in Porridge. When he left the series he was replaced by Glyn Houston. 

Published on December 7th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Season's Greetings

Alan Ayckbourn's dark, often farcical comedy about nine people who spend four days together over the Christmas period in the hope of having a pleasant family celebration together, only to find they fail dismally...

Also starring Peter Vaughan

Peter Vaughan

From his early beginnings to his illustrious career, Peter Vaughan proved time and time again that he was a force to be reckoned with

Also starring Peter Vaughan

Thirteen-part series centred on the lives of the titular Fox family, who live in Clapham in South London and have gangland connections.

Also starring Peter Vaughan

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also released in 1960

Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years

BAFTA nominated eight-part drama series based on Winston Churchill's enforced political exile during the 1920s and 1930s, starring Robert Hardy and an all-star cast

Also starring Peter Vaughan

All Summer Long

Willie has tried to make his father aware of the danger to their house from flood water, but Dad thinks that Willie's fears are excessive. Willie decides to spend all summer long building a wall to keep out the river, but his efforts are in vain.

Also released in 1960

The Move After Checkmate

Michael Crawford is caught between two long-time adversaries who use him as a pawn in their grudge fight.

Also starring Peter Vaughan

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also released in 1960

Citizen James

Sid James in his first TV series after Hancock. Written by Galton and Simpson.

Also released in 1960