Directing

John Alexander

Born October 18, 1961 · Peterlee, County Durham, England (age 64)

John Alexander is an award winning British director of television drama who grew up in the East Durham Coal Field and joined the BBC as a post-graduate trainee. He produced a number of documentaries before directing drama. His works include Quirke, The 7.39, Sense and Sensibility, Small Island, Exile, One Child and Belgravia. Small Island won an International Emmy for Best Mini-Series, and Sense …

Known For

The Shadow in the NorthThe Shadow in the North · 2007
The Shadow in the North
6.62007
MovieCrimeDrama
Sally Lockhart crosses paths with the nefarious industrialist Axel Bellman, the richest and most powerful man in Europe. She's determined to prove him guilty of corruption and fraud, whilst Bellman will stop at nothing to destroy her case.
Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than MeFrankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me · 2008
Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me
2.32008
MovieDramaComedy
Candid and poignant drama about the comedian Frankie Howerd and the relationship with his long-term, long-suffering manager, and gay partner, Dennis Heymer. Despite his overtly camp persona, Howerd kept his companionship with Heymer under wraps for 35 years, until his death in 1992. Yet through career disaster, social stigma, illegality, numerous infidelities and Howerd's own deep-seated issues about his homosexuality, their love endured.
Kate Bush: The Sensual World - The VideoKate Bush: The Sensual World - The Video · 1990
Kate Bush: The Sensual World - The Video
8.01990
Movie
The Wuthering Heights singer gives a rare interview in 1989, in which she talks about her album The Sensual World and the influence of Alfred Hitchcock on her music videos.
MosleyMosley · 1998
Mosley
6.01998
MovieDramaHistory
Jonathan Cake, Jemma Redgrave and Hugh Bonneville lead an outstanding cast in this mini-series tracing the turbulent political career and tempestuous private life of Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists during the 1930s. The mini series charts Mosley's rise to political notoriety through his personal life – from youthful rising star of the Conservative Party to potential leader of the Labour Party, and later abandonment of conventional party politics to become a figurehead of burgeoning fascism.
Get Out!Get Out! · 1992
Get Out!
1992
MovieDocumentary
A look behind the scenes of a London borough's controversial anti-squatter initiative. In order to move as many rent-paying tenants as possible into empty properties, Hackney claim they must first clear their borough of more than 1,000 squatters. John Alexander 's film follows the tense countdown to eviction, examining the pressures on the council that force them into confrontation and questioning existing assumptions about squatters.
The Mighty LeekThe Mighty Leek · 1987
The Mighty Leek
1987
MovieDocumentary
An epic tale of pride and passion following competitive leek growers in the north east of England and the event they all dream of winning, the World Open Leek Championships.
Me and My BikeMe and My Bike · 1989
Me and My Bike
1989
Movie
An affectionate look at a long-standing love affair with the bicycle.
Holby CityHolby City · 1999
Holby City
5.81999
SeriesSoapDrama
Drama series about life on the wards of Holby City Hospital, following the highs and lows of the staff and patients.

Filmography

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Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility · 2008
Sense and Sensibility
7.52008
SeriesDrama
Sense and Sensibility is a 2008 British television drama, based on Jane Austen's 1811 novel of the same name. The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who said that the aim of the series was to make viewers forget Ang Lee's 1995 film version. As such, this series was more overtly sexual than previous Austen adaptations, and Davies included scenes featuring a seduction and a duel that are suggested in Austen's novel but absent from the feature film. A story of two sisters attempting to find happiness in the tightly structured society of 18th century England. Elinor, disciplined, restrained and very conscious of the manners of the day, represents sense. Outspoken, impetuous, emotional Marianne represents sensibility.

Director

ExileExile · 2011
Exile
7.22011
SeriesMysteryDrama
Exile is a British psychological thriller television series created by Paul Abbott and Danny Brocklehurst for BBC One. The three-part serial stars John Simm as London journalist Tom Ronstadt, whose world falls apart as a result of his own actions. Upon returning to his Lancashire hometown after 18 years, he finds his father, Sam, in the grips of Alzheimer's disease. During the course of the series, Tom begins to unravel the mystery of his childhood that drove him away many years earlier. Trying to extract information from Sam causes Tom to grow frustrated with his father's inability to remember. Tom continues on his quest for the truth, unaware he is unearthing a devastating crime that will reveal unimaginable secrets. The series received varying reviews, with praise for the script and performances but criticism for the clichés. Simm received a BAFTA nomination for his lead role, as did director John Alexander.

Director

OutlawsOutlaws · 2004
Outlaws
7.02004
SeriesComedyCrime
Outlaws is a new half-hour black comedy series starring Phil Daniels set in the world of duty solicitors. But Kavanagh QC it ain't. If solicitors are in the front line of the legal service, duty briefs are the advance patrols: the poor bloody infantry foraging ahead in unfamiliar territory, gleaning intelligence, securing the beachhead and digging in until morning when the top brass arrive to take the salute. There are few victories, no medals, and like any dirty job you'd prefer someone else to do it. But above all, life in the trenches is a tight round. A duty brief's horizon rarely extends beyond the arenas of the police station and the Magistrate's Court. We'll never see a jury or a wig. Just interviews, bail hearings, committals, sentencing etc. It's not life in the fast lane, more like being stuck on the hard shoulder. But that's when things pass you by quickest.

Director