Michael Aitkens

Michael Aitkens (born 1947) is a British actor and writer of drama scripts for movies, television and stage. His BBC situation comedy Waiting for God, first shown in 1990, was BAFTA nominated.

Michael Aitkens
Born1947
United Kingdom
OccupationActor / Writer
Years active1971 to present
Known forThe Henderson Kids

Early life

Michael Aitkens was educated at Haileybury in England. He then lived in Australia for ten years and Los Angeles, United States, for two years, graduating from the AFI Conservatory (Los Angeles) in 1981.

Career

In the mid-1980s, Aitkens featured in the Australian children's television series The Henderson Kids as Walter Mullens, the long lost father of Tam and Steve Henderson.

More than 150 of his scripts have been produced in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. He now lives in London, where he works as a writer/producer, mainly of his own original series, and formed an independent production company, DAISYLU. He is also an occasional humorous newspaper columnist.

He was a core writer for Midsomer Murders from 2006–2014.

Acting credits

Film
Year Title Role Type
1971DemonstratorHaler - YouthFeature film
1972The Man Who Shot the AlbatrossTV movie
1973The Affray at Fogg's HumpyTrooper HosieShort film
1975Armchair Cinema: TullyBarmanTV movie
1976DeathcheatersPolice Car DriverFeature film
1978Long WeekendBartenderFeature film
1979The MismatchTV movie
1979Harvest of HateDavidTV movie
1980A Toast to MelbaCharles ArmstrongTV movie
1981AirhawkThe CowboyTV movie
1982The Highest HonorMajor R.M. IngletonTV movie
1982Runaway IslandJoe DunnTV movie
1984RelativesPeter PetersonFeature film
1984Run Chrissie Run!RileyFeature film
1985Time's RagingCamTV movie
1985Slip-UpHinchTV movie
1988BackstageRobert LandauFeature film

Television
Year Title Role Type
1971The Comedy GameTV series, 1 episode: "Arthur"
1972–73Division 4Andy Hill / Les Williams / Dave Ross / Harry Roberts / Chopper HughesTV series, 5 episodes
1974RyanBernie WoodTV series, 1 episode: "A Deep Dark Place"
1972–74HomicideAlan 'Chick' Palmer / Jack Devine / Charlie BennettTV series, 3 episodes
1972–75Behind the LegendTV series, 2 episodes
1972–75Matlock PoliceRod Clark / Hank Anderson / Ralph Peterson / MaxTV series, 4 episodes
1975Ben HallTroyTV miniseries, 2 episodes
1976Shannon's MobTV series, 1 episode: "You've Got to Have Credentials"
1976RushCharlie CluneTV series, 1 episode: "Farrar's Pride"
1976Luke's KingdomBrashTV miniseries, 1 episode: "The Adam and the Damned"
1976Power Without GloryPiggy LewisTV series, 12 episodes
1976The Lost IslandsTV series, 2 episodes
1977BlueyMike ScottTV series, 1 episode: "It's Worth the Risk"
1978The TruckiesChrisTV series, 12 episodes
1978Run From the MorningHarry BlakeTV miniseries, 6 episodes
1979SkywaysFrank HarperTV series, 2 episodes
1979Ride on StrangerJohn TerryTV miniseries, 2 episodes
1979One Day MillerTV series, 7 episodes
1980Trial By MarriageVarious charactersTV series, 7 episodes
1980Secret ValleyTV series, 1 episode: "Big City"
1981Daily at DawnTV series, 1 episode: "My Favourite Nightmares"
1979–81Cop ShopDavid Hurley / Kevin Dalton / Craig Latimer / Paul RankinTV series, 8 episodes
1984Five Mile CreekMcStayTV series, 1 episode: "The Hangman's Noose"
1984Carson’s LawDet. Sgt. Cam NeilTV series, 4 episodes
1984–85Runaway IslandJoe DunnTV series, 4 episodes
1982–85A Country PracticeJonathan Hawthorn / Eric BrewerTV series, 10 episodes
1985The Henderson KidsWalter 'Wal' MullensTV series, 8 episodes
1986Screen TwoRod BlueTV series, 1 episode: "The McGuffin"
1987The Henderson Kids IIWalter 'Wal' MullensTV series, 6 episodes
1988The Return of Sherlock HolmesReverend RoundhayTV series, 1 episode: "The Devil's Foot"
1988Rumpole of the BaileyThomas CampionTV series, 1 episode: "Rumpole and the Age of Miracles"
1989StoryboardForeign Office MoleTV series, 1 episode: "Making News"
1991Roy's RaidersTheatre DirectorTV series, 1 episode
1992Moon and SunRoger StacpooleTV series: "Crystal Clear it's Murder"

[1]

Stage
Year Title Role Type
1971The Man Who Shot the AlbatrossPrincess Theatre for MTC
1971The Night Thoreau Spent in JailJohnEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
1971Madly in LoveAMP Theatrette, Sydney
1971Land of DreamingUNSW, Parade Theatre, Sydney
1971The National Health or Nurse Norton’s AffairUNSW, Parade Theatre, Sydney
1971LasseterUNSW, Parade Theatre, Sydney
1974Gordon Chater's Scandals of '74Macleay Theatre, Sydney
Trial by MarriageJDC
1976The GiftStables Theatre, Sydney, Victorian College of the Arts
1976The Shoemaker’s HolidayHammonSydney Opera House
1977Son of Naked VicarThe Speakeasy, Sydney
1979Roots IIIThe Speakeasy, Sydney

[2]

Radio
Year Title Role Type
1979Laura and the AngelCapt ThistlewaiteABC Radio Sydney
1979The Moth AffairKate's LoverABC Radio Sydney
1979Episode on a Thursday EveningJerryABC Radio Sydney
1979A Night with HamletOrpheus / MennippusABC Radio Sydney
1979The Fire on the SnowBowersABC Radio Sydney

[3]

Writing credits

Television
Year Title Credit Type
1971The Comedy GameWriterTV series, 1 episode
1973Matlock PoliceWriterTV series, 1 episode
1978The TruckiesWriterTV series, 1 episode
1978Tickled PinkWriterTV series, 1 episode
1980–82Trial by MarriageWriterTV series, 13 episodes
1984SinglesWriterTV miniseries, 1 episode
1984Matthew and SonStoryTV movie
1982–85A Country PracticeWriterTV series, 7 episodes
1985Special SquadWriterTV series, 1 episode
1986Call Me MisterWriterTV series, S1 E2: "Tour de Force"
1988Touch the Sun: Top EndersWriterTV movie
1987–88BustWriterTV series, 8 episodes
1988The RiverCreatorTV series, 6 episodes
1989KnastmusikWriterTV series, 2 episodes
1989A Fine RomanceWriterTV series, 1 episode
1989StoryboardWriterTV series, 1 episode
1989The Paradise ClubWriterTV series, 1 episode
1990Making NewsWriterTV series, 2 episodes
1991Roy's RaidersWriterTV series, 6 episodes
1990–91Stay LuckyWriterTV series, 5 episodes
1992Moon and SonWriterTV series, 2 episodes
1990–94Waiting for GodWriterTV series, 47 episodes
1994Honey for TeaWriterTV series, 7 episodes
1994–95Class ActWriterTV series, 12 episodes
1997A Perfect StateWriterTV series, 7 episodes
1998MintyWriterTV series, 3 episodes
2001Life as We Know ItWriterTV series, 7 episodes
2000–02Harry and the WrinkliesWriterTV series, 21 episodes
2003Sweet MedicineWriterTV series, 1 episode
2004The Last DetectiveWriterTV series, 1 episode
2004Murder in SuburbiaWriterTV series, S1 E2: "Stag Night"
2006–14Midsomer MurdersWriter (screenplay)TV series, 9 episodes
2007Fear, Stress & AngerWriterTV series, 6 episodes

Stage
Year Title Credit Type
1975Bloody HarryPlaywrightIndependent Theatre Sydney, Canberra
2017Waiting for GodPlaywrightBroadway Theatre, Letchworth, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, Theatre Royal, Bath, Festival Theatre, Malvern, Lighthouse, Poole, Theatre Royal, Windsor, Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Oxford Playhouse, The Lowry, Salford Quays (UK tour) with Seabright Productions[4]
2019–20Waiting for GodPlaywrightUnicorn Theatre, Melbourne, Titirangi Theatre, Auckland, Hutt Repertory Theatre
2022–23Waiting for GodPlaywrightBrighton Open Air Theatre with Sarah Mann Company, St. Johns Hall Berkshire with Mortimer Dramatic Society, Rotorua Little Theatre, 1812 Theatre, Victoria[5]
2024Waiting for GodPlaywrightGuide Bridge Theatre, Manchester, New Norfolk Memorial Hall, Tasmania

References
  1. https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/michael-aitkens
  2. https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/230666
  3. https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/230666
  4. https://www.seabright.org/waitingforgod/
  5. https://www.1812theatre.com.au/whats-on/2023-season/waiting-for-god/
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