N.Z. producer of TV “Edward” series

Press, 28 May 1979, Page 15

N.Z. producer of TV “Edward” series

A New Zealander, Andrew Brown, is a 8.8. C. television producer. He is the one responsible for such series as “Jennie. ' “Lady Randolph Churchill” and "Rock Follies.” His latest production, “Edward and Mrs Simpson,” will begin on TVI tomorrow night.

It all began when Brown bought a paper-back for reading on a flight to California — Frances Donaldson’s biography about Edward VIII, He found it absorbing, and realised then that it would make ideal televisio i material. As soon as he arrived in the States he made a phone call and so it all began. Now the series has been completed and has screened in Britain. Andrew Brown said: “I see it as the story of the greatest constitutional crisis that Britain has had to face this century — a crisis which was a direct result of two people falling in love. That’s what makes it so .nteresting.”

The series was scrupulously researched; it was rital that the story be presented as accurately as possible. The official “bones” of the story were filled out with authentic warm and personal glimpses of the couple by those in high places who know them well, and by those in not so high places who came into contact with them quite by chance.

The £IM series shows the i luxury and glamour of the ! Royal romance being played out against the terrible ;social contrast of unemployment, the Means Test and the hunger marches of the 19305. ,

! A love story it is. but (viewers will have to decide for themselves whether Edward should be admired for giving up e-erything for the woman he loved, or whether what he did was an abject dereliction of duty.