Dennis Potter
Writing

Dennis Potter

Born 17 May 1935 · Berry Hill, UK · Died 7 June 1994

Dennis Christopher George Potter (17 May 1935 – 7 June 1994) was an English television dramatist, screenwriter and journalist. He is best known for his BBC TV serials Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Singing Detective (1986), and the television plays Blue Remembered Hills (1979) and Brimstone and Treacle (1976). His television dramas mixed fantasy and reality, the personal and the social, and often used themes and images from popular culture. Potter is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative dramatists to have worked in British television. Born in Gloucestershire and graduating from Oxford University, Potter initially worked in journalism. After standing for parliament as a Labour candidate at the 1964 general election, his health was affected by the onset of psoriatic arthropathy which necessitated Potter changing careers and led to him becoming a television dramatist. His new career began with contributions to the BBC's Wednesday Play anthology series in 1965, and he continued to work in the medium for the rest of his life. He also wrote screenplay adaptations for the Hollywood studios. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1994.

Known for

Gorky Park
The Singing Detective
Pennies from Heaven
Track 29
The Singing Detective
Dreamchild
Brimstone & Treacle
Lipstick on Your Collar
Karaoke
Cold Lazarus
Mesmer
Pennies from Heaven
The Singing Detective
Midnight Movie
Mesmer
Message for Posterity
Secret Friends
Track 29
Visitors
Dreamchild
Gorky Park
Brimstone & Treacle
Pennies from Heaven
Blade on the Feather
Rain on the Roof
Cream in My Coffee
Blue Remembered Hills
Brimstone and Treacle
Where Adam Stood
Double Dare
Schmoedipus
Joe's Ark
Only Make Believe
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Paper Roses
Lay Down Your Arms
Angels Are So Few
Moonlight on the Highway
Son of Man
A Beast with Two Backs
The Bone Grinder
Shaggy Dog
VOTE, VOTE, VOTE for Nigel Barton
Stand Up, Nigel Barton
Alice
Between Two Rivers
Dennis Potter · Midrow