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James Strong is a British television and film director and writer, best known for his work on Broadchurch for which he was BAFTA-nominated for Best Director Fiction 2015. He trained at Granada TV and has directed episodes of the shows Holby City and Doctors, as well as seven episodes of Doctor Who and two episodes of its spin-off series Torchwood. His work on the Doctor Who episode "Voyage of the Damned" won him a BAFTA Cymru award for Best Director in 2008. In 2007, he directed the autobiographical documentary Elton John: Me, Myself & I and in 2008 he directed three episodes of Bonekickers. He then directed Hunted and Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story and Silent Witness in 2010 followed by the feature film United and Downton Abbey in 2011. He was lead director and associate producer on Broadchurch, which won six BAFTAs including Best Drama and for which he was nominated for BAFTA Best Director Fiction. Strong followed this with work on Series 2 of Broadchurch, the US remake Gracepoint in 2013 and other US pilots, including Kingmakers for ABC in 2015 and Drew in 2016. He also directed episodes of the Stephen King adaptation and J. J. Abrams produced 11.22.63. In 2017 he directed and executive produced "Liar" for ITV and AMC. He recently directed the critically acclaimed mini-series “Vanity Fair “ for ITV and Amazon Studios. He is then set to direct a J.R.R. Tolkien biopic entitled 'Middle Earth'.

James Strong

Directors
for Directors in UNITED: Youth, Courage, Success (2028-)
Suggested by bencasting

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal with North American production company Lionsgate for the creation of a drama series based on the history of the club. Here's my take on what it could look like: Series 1: The origins of a club with working-class roots, from Newton Heath’s survival, the birth of Manchester United and the move to old trafford, through the World Wars ars and relegation and financial struggles to stay afloat. Matt Busby and the Busby Babes setting the standard in English football until the shocking tragedy of the Munich air disaster. Series 2: Busby rebuilds a grieving club almost from scratch, culminating in European glory. When he finally retires, United drift through a series of managers, trapped between past expectations and present failures, culminating in a shocking relegation. Series 3: Ron Atkinson restores some success. Alex Ferguson arrives from Aberdeen, imposing discipline and authority. A faltering start nearly costs him his job, but an FA Cup win gives the him a lifeline. Series 4: A young generation emerges, reshaping the club’s future. By the mid-90s, Ferguson’s team dominate England again, building toward one extraordinary night in Barcelona in 1999. Series 5: United are a British football institution, but off the pitch turbulence mounts. Ferguson contemplates retirement, legal battles and boardroom disputes erupt, a racehorse conspiracy causes chaos, and high-profile fallouts shake the squad. The Glazer familys’ leveraged takeover causes mass fan protests. Series 6: United remain a global powerhouse. Ferguson battles rivals Wenger and Mourinho while rebuilding the squad. European glory returns in 2008, City’s rise challenges the football established order, and Ferguson claims a final Premier League title in 2013 before preparing his successor, David Moyes. Series 7: The post-Ferguson era begins.





