Squee! Thanks for sharing the link to the Naxos interview. It was interesting to read about the preparation and the execution of an audiobook . . . while the abridged editions are over much too quickly, I can understand time being an impediment to Richard being able to record lengthier works like LOTN these days. He IS a busy boy, after all. And I'll be he is one of their "star" readers . . .
And hooray it sounds like there will be more delicious RA audio coming down the pike . . . *sigh* What a talent!

This is fabulous, girls!
You simply will LOVE it! I could just picture Uther when I listened to Richard's reading: a Guy of Gisbourne but a bit rougher, a touch of "hard bolster but soft heart underneath"! Also different costume, of course!
Another proof of Richard's huge talent!

What a fab idea for a poll! I often wondered the same thing. But I'm surprised to see that outside of the UK/ireland the next most common region people are from is N. America (myself included, LOL!) I assumed it had to be Europe. Shows what I know

Also, I'm not surprised that the vote was pretty close between Guy and Thornton. They are very similar yet distinct characters.

And Ali, love the pic of the day! Didn't realize there were screen caps from Hood academy. I must check them out!

Just had a thought. If SB is to air at the end of 2011 then I guess it will most likely be filmed early 2011..........which means the end of Lucas

Ok ok - I guess we always suspected S9 would be his last.......but there was always hope.

Consolation - 10 episode of JP to look forward to

I really grant him his success (money), but I so wished for better roles. I never would have watched something like "Strike back" if it wasn't for him and I hoped, that now he is through with Lucas too (isn't he?), he would have time and energy for something that's more of my taste though admittedly I'm not exactly sure what that might be.

Neat idea to send birthday wishes to RA, Ali

I always wonder why in interviews people (including RA himself) have referred to him turning 40 months before his 39th birthday. I've always been very puzzled by that

@Anonymous, yep! We need to rally the troops to introduce RA to more of the US population. His swoonworthiness is definitely a sell-able asset here

Ali and Hedgey, thank you, thank you---I've been waiting for this news and you were the first to give it to me!!
I've been grinning for hours now.
So thrilled to know we'll be getting more of the wonderful John Porter - and ten eps, too, hooray! - and, yes, Twink, I'm hoping at least a couple of those eps will be filmed right here in the USA. And maybe some small project along the way? More of our fellow Americans need to get a taste of the fantastic actor we all love.
All in all, this is a great Monday!!

Ali, you rock! I so appreciate your up to date posts on RA's projects. I know I can always count on you to bring me up to speed, Thanks!

The article mentions the US as a possible location to film S2. Maybe RA knew that SB2 was in the works and that the US might be one of the locations, that's why he suggested he might be exploring opportunities in America. Who knows

I know today's pic is from the 2009 promo gallery, but I have a dumb question. Does that mean the pic is from 2009 too? It's just that he looks so young to me in this pic. I've seen it on other sites as well and always assumed it was an older pic from when he first hit the screen. Anyone know?

Reply from Ali: yes this picture first appeared in 2009 on his agent's page and on his IMDB page. I think you'll find that the picture has been 'photoshopped' slightly to smooth out his skin hence why it looks so perfect. Not that he doesn't look good already...

Ah, they smoothed out the lines on his face, duh I feel so silly now. I knew there was something about that pic that was just different to me somehow and I couldn't figure it out. Thanks for answering

First, thank you so much for the link to the SB viral on Vimeo. I now have it downloaded to watch to my heart's content.

Second, thank you for the awesome screencaps, Ali. So very - inspiring.

In fact, I can't get it out of my mind!

Ali, I'm so glad you couldn't resist taking caps from that latest Strike Back promotional video. They are (he is)gorgeous! I just love the gritty thing. And as always you spoil us with all these great pics. Thank you

Ali, I appreciate the info on Captain America. I had read that he was to be involved in filming, but not about where they were filming. Thanks for that additional info.

Also, I don't really know anything about CA. Is this suppose to be some sort of Hollywood blockbuster about a superhero or something? If so, I wonder if RA will get a decent part with a good number of lines, or will it be more like a small background character like in Star Wars?

Reply from Ali: Here's the details of the film and casting so far on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458339/

There's no other information at the moment and although I understand a Spooks crew member has mentioned this on 2 occasions it is still unconfirmed from official sources.

Thanks for info Ali! I should have IMDBed it myself. Also, I have noticed that for some reason I'm not getting notified via email when a reply is posted to my comment, even though I click "notify." I used to, but don't now. Any ideas why that might be the case? It could very well be something dopey at my end, but as I am not techno savvy, I have no idea how to go about figuring this out. Any tips are appreciated, thanks!

Reply from Ali: It all looks fine this end but I'll check the help forums for the software I'm using to see if there's any known issue. You should also make sure that the emails aren't going into your Junk folder in your email. Cheers

Thanks Ali! I'll double check to make sure that the emails aren't piling up in the junk folder

Wow! That's a great find Ali - pity they didn't use that one to promote the show.

I just voted in the new poll.
John Thornton is and will always be my favourite Richard character but I very much loved John Porter too!
It was abundantly clear he again put so much of his talent into this tortured yet strong character. However, Thornton's deep emotional struggles are difficult to be bested.
Thanks , Ali, for keeping us alive during those agonizing months of waiting.

Just voted in the new poll. Thanks for that, Ali.

John Thornton is still my favourite character. However, John Porter has crept up to second place in my favourite character list, overtaking poor John Standring.

It's a bit Weird how my two favourite characters are so vastly different. I blame RA and his excellent acting skills!

And now, I'll be shutting up.

JT will always be my favourite character. He is my first love and will remain so. Three cheers for JT.

I have to agree with a fellow RA fan, after looking over these Sun Online pix . . . Richard often looks yummy in spite of what he's wearing, bless him.
He has said he has no fashion sense or if he ever had it, it's gone . . . and I am inclined to agree. However, the costumers at Spooks (and Strike Back, judging by that handsome black leather jacket he did interviews in that also showed up on John Porter's back)do a marvelous job playing up his many attributes and it's nice he gets to take advantage of their sharp eyes.

Thanks Ali for finding those - I hadn't seen the 2005 promo one before. Cheesy (but typical Sun) captions!

RA always makes my heart go all aflutter as Harry *swoon.*

Thanks again for another great pic Ali!

Aw, how nice to put a BBCA pic for the Fourth!

I must say, I've seen that interview via Youtube, and that pic you have up brings a smile to my face because I remember thinking when I saw the interview "this poor guy must think we Americans are pretty ridiculous because some of these questions are just silly. But here the guy is, trying really hard not to show a "reaction" to some of these questions. What a nice man!" Or as RA would say "just being polite."

Thanks Ali for the photo