David Leland Dies: ‘Wish You Were Here’ Director & ‘The Borgias’ Co-Showrunner Was 82
deadline.comBritish director and actor David Leland has died aged 82, according to his long-time agency, Cassaroto Ramsay & Associates The theater, film and TV star passed away on Christmas Eve (December 24), surrounded by his family.
Leland’s career spanned over five decades. He is known for writing two films about British suburban madam Cynthia Payne, the BAFTA-nominated Personal Services in 1987 and the Cannes Film Festival hit Wish You Were Here.
The former was directed by Terry Jones and starred Julie Walters, while Leland directed the latter himself, with Emily Lloyd starring.
Leland won the BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay for Wish You Were Here and the film won the FIPRESCI prize at Cannes. He is also noted for serving as co-showrunner of Showtime series The Borgias and for giving Pierce Brosnan his first stage opportunity in the British premiere of Tennessee Williams’ The Red Devil Battery Sign at The Round House, which Leland directed. “David Leland holds a mighty place in my heart,” said Brosnan in a tribute. “I was just out of Drama Centre where David was also an alumni.
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