Dennis Potter

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.

Dennis Potter is known for work in writing across film and television. New Release currently presents 26 verified screen credits connected to this profile. Selected work includes Television (1985), Between Two Rivers (1960), Play for Today (1970), The South Bank Show (1978), The Wednesday Play (1964), ITV Playhouse (1967), Screen Two (1985), Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965). The recorded credits span 1960 to 1996, including 4 movies and 22 TV shows. The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.