Branagh 'Stages' Return, But Remains On Screen

As Northern Ireland actor Kenneth Branagh returns to the stage in London's West End after a significant break from 'treading the boards', it has emerged that the Belfast-born star will soon be on the small screen, as an unorthodox sleuth in a new short TV series for the BBC.
Also, in the film world, Branagh has also been linked to some high profile projects, including the controversial Tom Cruise vehicle 'Valkyrie' - with filming on this project controversially hampered after German authorities intervened on the issue of Cruise's scientology beliefs.
He is also rumoured to be involved with 1950s mystery, 'The Yellow Mark', directed by Alex de la Iglesias, which is expected to in production next year.
Currently though, the north Belfast man is in London taking the title role in Chekov's first play, 'Ivanov', and has been receiving warm reviews after his extended break from theatre to focus on his career in films.
Starring alongside Gina McKee at the Wyndham Theatre, Branagh plays a Russian landowner drowning in debts and trapped in a loveless marriage in a new version of the play, which has been updated by Tom Stoppard.
This production launches the year-long Donmar season at the Wyndham. It ends in June when Branagh returns to direct Hollywood star Jude Law in a new production of 'Hamlet'.
It's a play he knows well, having directed and starred in a lavish uncut version of the bard's Danish play in 1996. Branagh also directed Law last year in a remake of 'Sleuth', in a role originally played by Michael Caine.
Caine also starred, taking on the role played by Laurence Olivier in the original.
Keeping himself busy, Branagh is also involved in the big budget BBC series 'Wallander'. This detective yarn is an attempt to rival the success of previous series such as 'Morse'.
The series is adapted from the novels by Swedish author Henning Mankell. Branagh, who is also executive producer, will play Kurt Wallander, a heavy drinking and unorthodox detective.
Three episodes of the series are planned with a £2m per episode budget.
(BMcC)