Andrew Davies Quotes

Powerful Andrew Davies for Daily Growth

About Andrew Davies

Andrew Davies is a renowned British novelist and screenwriter, best known for his adaptations of classic literature for television. Born on June 16, 1946, in Swansea, Wales, Davies' passion for storytelling was fostered from an early age. He attended Swansea University, where he studied English and Drama, setting the stage for his future career. After graduating, Davies worked as a teacher before turning to writing full-time. His breakthrough came in the 1980s with adaptations of Jane Austen's novels, including "Pride and Prejudice" (1985) and "Sense and Sensibility" (1995). These adaptations brought Austen's works to a wider audience and established Davies as a master of adapting classic literature. Davies continued to adapt literary classics, including Charles Dickens' "Bleak House" (2005) and Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" (1997). His work on the television series "House of Cards" (1990) also garnered international acclaim. In addition to his adaptations, Davies has written original novels, including "Family Money" (1986) and "The Betrayal" (2004). His writing is characterized by its richly detailed prose, complex characters, and intricate plots. Davies' works have been translated into numerous languages and have won numerous awards, including BAFTAs for his adaptations of "Pride and Prejudice" and "House of Cards." His enduring contribution to literature and television continues to captivate audiences around the world. As a testament to his influence, in 2018, the British Film Institute ranked Davies among the top ten writers in UK television history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more deeply we love our work, the more perfectly we do it."

This quote by Andrew Davies suggests that a strong emotional connection to one's work fosters greater mastery and excellence in its execution. When we are passionately invested in what we do, we tend to focus more, strive for continuous improvement, and put forth our best effort. Thus, the love we have for our work is reflected in the quality of our results.


"Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments."

This quote suggests that the important aspects of life are not significant achievements or milestones, but rather the everyday moments that make up our lives. It encourages us to appreciate each moment as it comes instead of always focusing on reaching the next goal or accomplishment. Life is a journey, and every experience - good or bad - contributes to our personal growth and overall well-being. The true richness of life lies in cherishing these small, fleeting moments that often go unnoticed but can have lasting impacts on us.


"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master."

This quote implies that lifelong learning is an inherent aspect of the human experience, as no one has complete knowledge or mastery over everything. Instead, we are continuously learning and refining our skills throughout our lives, which allows for personal growth and evolution. The idea encourages humility and a willingness to learn from others, fostering a culture of shared wisdom and improvement in all aspects of life.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote suggests that success should not be considered as the ultimate destination or achievement, but rather a step in a continuous journey. Failure is also seen as a transient event, not a definitive end point. The true measure of one's character lies in their resilience - their courage to persist and continue despite setbacks or obstacles encountered along the way. It emphasizes that perseverance and determination are more important than temporary achievements or disappointments.


"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - This quote is often misattributed to Andrew Davies, but it was actually said by Daniel Quinn. However, the sentiment resonates with many of Davies' works and beliefs.

The quote emphasizes that rather than expending energy in resisting or dismantling existing systems, one should focus on constructing new, more favorable alternatives. This implies a proactive approach to change and growth, as well as the understanding that progress is not achieved by solely criticizing what's wrong but by creatively building something better. The quote aligns with Andrew Davies' works and beliefs because he often explores themes of transformation and adaptation in his writing.


I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.

- Andrew Davies

Someone, Teaches, Provinces, Tastes

I'm not one of these people who say how much better American drama is than English. I find it mostly too American, except for The Sopranos, which I think is the best thing.

- Andrew Davies

American, I Think, Mostly, Sopranos

I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapting 'The Great Gatsby,' but nobody ever does.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Great, Great Gatsby, Adapting

I got quite cross when I heard about Emma Thompson adapting 'Sense and Sensibility.' It was absolutely childish of me, but I thought, 'I should be doing that. They didn't even ask me.' Some mistake, surely.

- Andrew Davies

Mistake, Some, Surely, Adapting

From time to time there is a move to do a little less in the way of period dramas, but people rebel. Audiences say we want them. There is a big hunger for them. I don't think it's sentimentality or nostalgia, it's often that they are simply the best stories.

- Andrew Davies

Best, Rebel, Big, Dramas

I'd love to adapt more contemporary novels. But there isn't really enough story and character to make a really satisfying serial, so they tend to be single dramas.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Adapt, More, Dramas

You're stuck with being yourself, so the important thing is to find people who like that.

- Andrew Davies

Like, Being, Important Thing, Stuck

An adaptation I was working on of Trollope's 'The Pallisers' has been axed by the BBC... I was also going to do Dickens' 'Dombey and Son' but they've asked me to do 'David Copperfield' instead.

- Andrew Davies

Going, Been, BBC, Dickens

Taking the humour out of Dickens, it's not Dickens any more.

- Andrew Davies

More, Humour, Any, Dickens

The most moving scene for me in 'Pride and Prejudice' is the Pemberley music room scene: Elizabeth has just saved Darcy's sister from embarrassment and confusion, and as the music plays on, Darcy's look of gratitude becomes a look of love, which we see reciprocated in Elizabeth's eyes.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Eyes, Saved, Confusion

Plan for each episode to be a satisfying experience, but still leave the audience thinking, 'Oh, my God! Now what?'

- Andrew Davies

Audience, Still, Oh My God, Satisfying

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

- Andrew Davies

Drama, Needs, TV, Novels

I adore doing classic adaptations, but I also feel their frustrations and their limitations.

- Andrew Davies

Doing, Classic, Adore, Frustrations

Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.

- Andrew Davies

Line, Straight Line, Derive

Most actors hate readthroughs - they're exposing themselves before they're ready to, and before they've bonded. But I love them because they give us all the first inkling of what the whole show is going to be like, how each part affects every other part, and we won't see that again until it's all edited together.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Other, Before, Bonded

One of the things I've always thought is a drag in so many period adaptations is that they are always buttoned up to the neck in so many clothes all the time. I'm always looking for excuses to get them out of their clothes.

- Andrew Davies

Thought, One Of The Things, Drag

I always do like to write love stories, even if they end tragically.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Always, Stories, Love Stories

A distinguished producer called Kenith Trodd actually lived in his office for over a year - the cleaners refused to go in because it was such a tip.

- Andrew Davies

Year, Over, Refused, Distinguished

The writer in movies is about as low as you can get and you really are a hired hand. You are paid a lot of money to be treated like dirt.

- Andrew Davies

Like, Treated, About, Hired

'Affinity' is beautiful and intense, with no laughs. It's a rather delicate and emotional love story, with a spooky element.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Rather, Delicate, Element

My wife likes history and documentaries, but I'm not so keen on them. I generally go and do some work if there's one of those on.

- Andrew Davies

Work, Wife, Some, Documentaries

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

- Andrew Davies

Like, Another, Which, Unusual

I know that a ridiculous number of classic serials have been commissioned, and that reviews show a reaction against them. The critics seem fed up.

- Andrew Davies

Reaction, Been, Fed, Fed Up

I'm glad nobody has asked me to adapt 'Wuthering Heights' because I think I would make a mess of it. Everybody makes a mess of it. I think the Bronte Sisters are mad.

- Andrew Davies

Think, Everybody, I Think, Wuthering

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.

- Andrew Davies

Think, Reliable, Period, Delighted

'Othello' is the most domestic of Shakespeare's tragedies and the one that's likely to strike a personal note with a lot of people watching it.

- Andrew Davies

Note, Likely, Othello, Shakespeare

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

- Andrew Davies

Love, Otherwise, Prefer, Scenes

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.

- Andrew Davies

Some, Movie, Named, Drafts

I had a mother who was very emotionally demanding, wanting to be the centre of attention. As they say in EastEnders, she thought it was all about 'er. I spent a lot of time trying to work out what was going on.

- Andrew Davies

Thought, Wanting, Very, They Say

People in the BBC are always dying to get out of their open-plan offices.

- Andrew Davies

Dying, Always, BBC, Offices

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