Michael Aitkens

Writing

Michael Aitkens

Born January 1, 1947 · UK (age 79)

Michael Aitkens (born 1947) is a British actor and writer of drama scripts for movies, television and stage. His BBC situation comedy Waiting for God, first shown in 1990, was BAFTA nominated. Michael Aitkens was educated at Haileybury.

Known For

RelativesRelatives · 1985
Relatives
9.01985
Movie
A family reunion among the squattocracy leads to conflict as various members assert their egos.
Long WeekendLong Weekend · 1979
Long Weekend
6.11979
MovieHorrorMystery
When a suburban couple goes camping for the weekend at a remote beach, they discover that nature isn't in an accommodating mood.
Time's RagingTime's Raging · 1985
Time's Raging
1985
MovieTV MovieDrama
A 38-year-old woman feels her biological clock is ticking and is torn between her ex and a younger lover.
The HeroThe Hero · 1979
The Hero
10.01979
MovieTV MovieDrama
Australian ABC TV children's educational program shows how a TV show actor is cast and works to create an episode of a TV program.
BackstageBackstage · 1988
Backstage
8.01988
Movie
The plot centred on American pop singer Kate Lawrence (Branigan) wanting to embark on a career as an actress. The only job she can find is playing the lead role in an Australian theatre production of The Green Year Passes. The hiring of an American causes conflict with her Australian cast and crew, and the chagrin of theatre critic Robert Landau with whom she has an affair.
The Highest HonourThe Highest Honour · 1982
The Highest Honour
6.61982
MovieDramaWar
After a highly successful raid on Singapore Harbour, soldiers of Z Special Unit lead a new expedition in Singapore, with disastrous results.
Run Chrissie Run!Run Chrissie Run! · 1986
Run Chrissie Run!
5.01986
MovieActionCrime
The action moves along quickly, jumping over holes in the script, in this made-for-television drama about Eve, an ex-terrorist from Germany who is forced to escape to Australia with her teenage daughter Chrissie when she is sought by Riley, a lover from 17 years in the past. In turn, the IRA has sent two members after Riley because he shot an IRA soldier and must pay the consequences. The two IRA operatives looking for Riley come across a really nasty biker who wants vengeance on Eve for setting his car on fire -- and the three men finally track her and Chrissie to the wine-growing country of Barossa Valley. The final denouement is about to explode, as Riley also arrives on the scene. With under-par acting and a patchy plot, this film was never released theatrically.
DeathcheatersDeathcheaters · 1976
Deathcheaters
5.61976
MovieAdventureAction
Two best friends, Vietnam War veterans-turned-stuntmen, are sent as spies to the Philippines on a top secret mission for the Australian government.

Movies

RelativesRelatives · 1985
Relatives
9.01985
Movie
A family reunion among the squattocracy leads to conflict as various members assert their egos.
Long WeekendLong Weekend · 1979
Long Weekend
6.11979
MovieHorrorMystery
When a suburban couple goes camping for the weekend at a remote beach, they discover that nature isn't in an accommodating mood.
Time's RagingTime's Raging · 1985
Time's Raging
1985
MovieTV MovieDrama
A 38-year-old woman feels her biological clock is ticking and is torn between her ex and a younger lover.
The HeroThe Hero · 1979
The Hero
10.01979
MovieTV MovieDrama
Australian ABC TV children's educational program shows how a TV show actor is cast and works to create an episode of a TV program.
BackstageBackstage · 1988
Backstage
8.01988
Movie
The plot centred on American pop singer Kate Lawrence (Branigan) wanting to embark on a career as an actress. The only job she can find is playing the lead role in an Australian theatre production of The Green Year Passes. The hiring of an American causes conflict with her Australian cast and crew, and the chagrin of theatre critic Robert Landau with whom she has an affair.
The Highest HonourThe Highest Honour · 1982
The Highest Honour
6.61982
MovieDramaWar
After a highly successful raid on Singapore Harbour, soldiers of Z Special Unit lead a new expedition in Singapore, with disastrous results.
Run Chrissie Run!Run Chrissie Run! · 1986
Run Chrissie Run!
5.01986
MovieActionCrime
The action moves along quickly, jumping over holes in the script, in this made-for-television drama about Eve, an ex-terrorist from Germany who is forced to escape to Australia with her teenage daughter Chrissie when she is sought by Riley, a lover from 17 years in the past. In turn, the IRA has sent two members after Riley because he shot an IRA soldier and must pay the consequences. The two IRA operatives looking for Riley come across a really nasty biker who wants vengeance on Eve for setting his car on fire -- and the three men finally track her and Chrissie to the wine-growing country of Barossa Valley. The final denouement is about to explode, as Riley also arrives on the scene. With under-par acting and a patchy plot, this film was never released theatrically.
DeathcheatersDeathcheaters · 1976
Deathcheaters
5.61976
MovieAdventureAction
Two best friends, Vietnam War veterans-turned-stuntmen, are sent as spies to the Philippines on a top secret mission for the Australian government.
Touch the Sun: Top EndersTouch the Sun: Top Enders · 1988
Touch the Sun: Top Enders
10.01988
MovieTV MovieFamily
Two children get stranded in the desert in Australia's Top End.
Air HawkAir Hawk · 1985
Air Hawk
9.01985
MovieDramaTV Movie
Outback pilot Jim Hawk investigates the murder of his brother, who had been involved in diamond mining in Queensland. He uncovers a plan to flood the market with diamonds.
Harvest of HateHarvest of Hate · 1979
Harvest of Hate
10.01979
MovieTV MovieThriller
A rich winemaker dispatches a woman lawyer and male surveyor-geologist to assess a farm property whereby it is discovered that terrorists are preparing to invade a middle east country.

TV Shows

Midsomer MurdersMidsomer Murders · 1997
Midsomer Murders
7.51997
SeriesCrimeDrama
The peacefulness of the Midsomer community is shattered by violent crimes, suspects are placed under suspicion, and it is up to a veteran DCI and his young sergeant to calmly and diligently eliminate the innocent and ruthlessly pursue the guilty.
Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes · 1984
Sherlock Holmes
8.21984
SeriesCrimeDrama
Sherlock Holmes uses his abilities to take on cases by private clients and those that the Scotland Yard are unable to solve, along with his friend Dr. Watson.
Rumpole of the BaileyRumpole of the Bailey · 1975
Rumpole of the Bailey
7.11975
SeriesDramaComedy
Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
Murder in SuburbiaMurder in Suburbia · 2004
Murder in Suburbia
7.62004
SeriesDramaMystery
Murder in Suburbia was a British detective drama that ran for two series in 2004 and 2005. Detective Inspector Kate Ashurst, a graduate of a posh girls' academy, has a sharp, analytical mind; her working-class partner, Detective Sergeant Emma Scribbins, relies on her instincts. Together this sassy, sexy investigative team uncovers the dark urges behind suburban Middleford's placid façade.
Waiting for GodWaiting for God · 1990
Waiting for God
7.41990
SeriesComedy
Refusing to succumb to old age, Tom Ballard and Diana Trent are a pair of seasoned delinquents that cause many headaches. Their uneasy alliance is destined to make life difficult at the Bayview Retirement Village.
The Paradise ClubThe Paradise Club · 1989
The Paradise Club
6.21989
SeriesDramaCrime
Focuses on brothers Frank and Danny Kane. Their mother is the matriarch of a South London criminal gang, assisted by Danny. Frank has become a priest but leaves the church; he inherits The Paradise Club following the death of their mother and returns to London to try and steer Danny away from crime.
Stay LuckyStay Lucky · 1989
Stay Lucky
7.01989
SeriesDramaComedy
Drama about a small-time gangster Thomas Gynn (Dennis Waterman) from London who discovers a new life up north in Yorkshire. Helping widowed, self-sufficient businesswoman Sally Hardcastle (Jan Francis) when her car breaks down on the motorway, Thomas reluctantly accepts an offer of a lift to Leeds. Over the coming months, the two become involved in a series of misadventures that soon find them being drawn closer together.
The Return of Sherlock HolmesThe Return of Sherlock Holmes · 1986
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
8.41986
SeriesMysteryCrime
In the second series of the widely celebrated ITV detective programme, Dr John Watson finds a mystery in an empty house, while Holmes and he later solve the mysteries of an abbey grange, the Musgrave ritual, a second stain, a man with a twisted lip, the priory school, and a half-dozen plaster busts of Bonaparte.
The Henderson KidsThe Henderson Kids · 1985
The Henderson Kids
5.21985
SeriesDrama
The Henderson Kids is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for Network Ten between 1985 and 1987. It was created and storylined by Roger Moulton, who also wrote 5 episodes in the first series and 2 episodes in the second series.
The Last DetectiveThe Last Detective · 2003
The Last Detective
7.82003
SeriesCrimeDrama
"Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants, and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans.
Moon and SonMoon and Son · 1992
Moon and Son
1992
SeriesMystery
Astrologer Gladys Moon and her psychic son, Trevor, travel between Folkestone and Calais, conducting readings, selling occult wares and getting involved in various crimes and mysteries. Despite reports that the BBC had already commissioned a second series prior to the first series' broadcast, only thirteen episodes were produced and it was swiftly axed due to poor ratings, despite a primetime Saturday evening timeslot.
RushRush · 1974
Rush
6.01974
SeriesDrama
Rush was an Australian television series produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation between 1974 and 1976. The first 13 episodes were produced in 1974 and filmed in black and white. In 1976, 13 more episodes were produced, in colour, in conjunction with French production company Antenne 2. Each series featured a different cast with the exception of John Waters.
The RiverThe River · 1988
The River
6.01988
SeriesComedy
The River follows the tranquil life of lovable, Cockney, ex-convict Davey Jackson who is lock keeper on the canal near the village of Chumley-on-the-Water.
Power Without GloryPower Without Glory · 1976
Power Without Glory
6.01976
SeriesDrama
Award-winning historical drama series which traces the life of John West from his impoverished youth in the depression of the 1890s, to his death as a multi-millionaire some sixty years later.
BustBust · 1987
Bust
5.51987
SeriesDrama
Unsuccessful businessman, Neil Walsh, tries to rebuild his life after being made bankrupt.
A Fine RomanceA Fine Romance · 1989
A Fine Romance
6.51989
SeriesMysteryComedy
Louisa Phillips and Michael Trent are a once-married couple who are still tied together by their job of co-hosting a travel show.
Call Me MisterCall Me Mister · 1986
Call Me Mister
6.01986
SeriesCrimeDrama
Australian ex-cop Jack Bartholomew goes to Britain when he discovers he's heir to a family title; when he doesn't get on with his new family, he starts working as a private detective.
StoryboardStoryboard · 1983
Storyboard
8.01983
SeriesDrama
Highly regarded anthology from the 1980s presenting a diverse range of high-quality single dramas that would serve as pilots for possible future series.
The Henderson Kids IIThe Henderson Kids II · 1987
The Henderson Kids II
10.01987
SeriesDramaFamily
A family relocates to the harbourside suburb of Westport after years of traveling in search of the perfect business and environment. However, the children's newfound stability may be short-lived. When Tamara and Steve Henderson left Haven Bay, they came to the city with their father, Wal. For the last two years they've been travelling, settling for a short time and moving on. Wal's been looking for the right business to buy into, and the right environment to live in. He's found it in Westport, a tough yet picturesque harbourside suburb. The Henderson kids have found a more settled life - or have they?
Class ActClass Act · 1994
Class Act
1994
SeriesComedyDrama
Class Act is a British comedy-drama series produced by Verity Lambert, and starring Joanna Lumley, Nadine Garner, and John Bowe. The series ran for two seasons of seven episodes each. Broadcast on ITV1, the first premiered on 7 April 1994, until 19 May. The second ran from 7 September to 19 October 1995. Desperate times call for desperate measures when aristocratic Kate Swift's rich husband disappears and she is forced to give up her champagne lifestyle.
Fear, Stress & AngerFear, Stress & Anger · 2007
Fear, Stress & Anger
7.02007
SeriesComedy
Fear, Stress & Anger is a British sitcom that aired on BBC Two in 2007. Starring Peter Davison and Pippa Haywood, it was written by Michael Aitkens. There is no studio audience or laugh track.