Norman Beaton

rappers used to watch Desmond in the States on BET.

Norman Beaton, the legendary actor who played Desmond, who was also known for starring in other pioneering Black British shows such as Empire Road and The Fosters, tragically passed away on the 13th of December 1994 at the age of 60.

It was Norman's decline in health and untimely death that ultimately resulted in the end of the show.

This is Crix reflecting on what it was like to work with the iconic actor and how he brought the character Desmond to life.

So when you think back to writing for Desmond's and writing for Norman Beaton, what was it like to write for him and what did he bring to the character that you hadn't actually put on the page?

When I first started to write Desmond's, Humphrey Barclay, the producer, and Charlie Hansen, the author, the other producer, said to me at the time, at the beginning, so who do you see playing Desmond's? And I said to them, I never ever envisage an actor in the role when I'm writing it.

because ultimately that would then influence how I write it because I'll hear their voice.

And the pluses were they were laughing, and it's a comedy, so that's always a good plus, isn't it? So when they came, they ushered me into the room and they were still smiling and said, yeah, that's a great episode, that's fantastic.

When I first started to write Desmond's, Humphrey Barclay, the producer, and Charlie Hansen, the author, the other producer, said to me at the time, at the beginning, so who do you see playing Desmond's? And they were still smiling and said, yeah, that's a great episode, that's fantastic, so who do you see? I said, well, there's only one man that could play this.

And all three of us went, Norman Beaton.

So make sure you come back for the next episode where you'll hear all about how Desmond's went from an idea to the TV screen.

Thank you for listening to Then, Now, Next.