HE Turned a scarecrow and a bizarre group of treasure hunters into TV golds – now MACKENZIE CROOK wants to put bandit Dick Turpin center stage.
The actor recently managed to reboot Worzel Gummidge for the BBC and with Detectorists.
Crook had a lot of success with his reboot of Worzel Gummidge[/caption]
Mackenzie said he would suit Dick Turpin as they are both ‘thin, wiry men’[/caption]
Fans were delighted with the return of Decorists for a Christmas special[/caption]
But he does not intend to stop there and has written a new screenplay based on the 18th century thief and killer.
Mackenzie told me, “I would love to tell the true story of a man whose reputation has been somewhat romanticized.
“The truth is that Dick Turpin was a vicious thief and a drama about him would give me the chance to set the record straight.”
Turpin, who was hanged in 1739, is famous for his exploits including riding his horse Black Bess from London to York in a single night, so he will provide plenty of story material.
Mackenzie admitted he could also play the lead role, as they were both “thin, wiry men”.
But he said acting has become less attractive in recent years and added, “I’m leaning more towards writing at the moment, rather than performing.
“Acting can be frustrating because of the time it takes to film your scenes.
“Being creative as a writer, whether on Worzel Gummidge, Detectorists or one of the new projects I’m working on, has given me more satisfaction in recent years.”
It comes after fans were thrilled with the return of The Dectorists for a Christmas special.
After three series, it looked like the BBC’s sweet series about a group of treasure hunters had come to an end in 2017.
Mackenzie added: “I said on a trial basis that it was because we left them in such a lovely place, and I thought I wouldn’t bother them again unless I thought of a good story. And one came to mind.
