Biography
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.
Wrote 55
2000s
- 2003
The Singing Detective
Screenplay
1990s
- 1996
Cold Lazarus
Writer
Karaoke
Writer
- 1994
Midnight Movie
Writer
Message for Posterity
Writer
Mesmer
Writer
- 1993
Lipstick on Your Collar
Writer
- 1991
Secret Friends
Novel, Screenplay
1980s
- 1989
Blackeyes
Novel, Writer
- 1988
- 1987
Visitors
Writer
- 1986
- 1985
Tender Is the Night
Writer
- 1983
- 1982
Brimstone & Treacle
Screenplay, Original Story
- 1981
- 1980
Cream in My Coffee
Writer
Rain on the Roof
Writer
Blade on the Feather
Writer
1970s
- 1979
Blue Remembered Hills
Writer
- 1978
Pennies from Heaven
Writer
The Mayor of Casterbridge
Writer, Screenplay
- 1976
Where Adam Stood
Writer
Brimstone and Treacle
Writer
Double Dare
Writer
- 1975
Late Call
Writer
- 1974
Schmoedipus
Writer
Joe's Ark
Writer
- 1973
Wessex Tales
Writer
Only Make Believe
Writer
- 1972
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Writer
The Sextet
Writer
- 1971
Casanova
Writer
Paper Roses
Writer
- 1970
Angels Are So Few
Writer
Lay Down Your Arms
Writer
1960s
- 1969
Son of Man
Writer
Moonlight on the Highway
Writer
- 1968
A Beast with Two Backs
Writer
Shaggy Dog
Writer
The Company of Five
Writer
The Bone Grinder
Writer
- 1967
- 1965
VOTE, VOTE, VOTE for Nigel Barton
Writer
Stand Up, Nigel Barton
Writer
Alice
Screenplay
- 1964
- 1962
- 1960
Between Two Rivers
Writer
Created 10
1990s
- 1996
Cold Lazarus
Creator
Karaoke
Creator
- 1993
Lipstick on Your Collar
Creator
1980s
- 1989
Blackeyes
Creator
- 1986
- 1985
Tender Is the Night
Creator
1970s
- 1978
Pennies from Heaven
Creator
The Mayor of Casterbridge
Creator
- 1975
Late Call
Creator
- 1971
Casanova
Creator
Directed 3
1990s
- 1991
Secret Friends
Director
1980s
- 1989
Blackeyes
Director
1960s
- 1960
Between Two Rivers
Director
Produced 3
1990s
- 1994
Midnight Movie
Producer
- 1993
Lipstick on Your Collar
Executive Producer
1980s
- 1985
Acted in 2
1980s
- 1985
Television
TV
Appearances6
2020s
- 2020
Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today
Self – Writer (archive footage, 1973 & 1977)
1990s
- 1994
An Interview with Dennis Potter
Himself
Visions of Heaven and Hell
Self
1980s
- 1989
Blackeyes
Narrator (voice, uncredited) · 4 episodes
1970s
- 1979
Blue Remembered Hills
Narrator (voice, uncredited)
1960s
- 1960
Between Two Rivers
Narrator