HE’S turned a scarecrow and an odd bunch of treasure hunters into TV gold — now MACKENZIE CROOK wants to put highwayman Dick Turpin centre stage.
The actor’s had recent success rebooting Worzel Gummidge for the BBC, and with Detectorists.
But he doesn’t plan to stop there and has written a new script based on the 18th-century robber and killer.
Mackenzie told me: “I’d love to tell the real story of a man whose reputation has been somewhat romanticised.
“The truth is, Dick Turpin was a vicious robber and a drama about him would give me the chance to set the record straight.”
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Turpin, who was hanged in 1739, is famed for exploits including riding his horse Black Bess from London to York in a single night, so will offer plenty of fodder for the script.
Mackenzie admitted he could also take the lead role, as they were both “thin, wiry men”.
But he said that acting has become less of a pull in recent years, and added: “I’m heading more in the direction of writing at the moment, rather than performing.
"Acting can be frustrating because of the time involved just waiting around to film one’s scenes.
"Being creative as a writer, whether it’s on Worzel Gummidge, Detectorists or one of the new projects I am working on, has given me more satisfaction in recent years.”
It comes after fans were delighted by the return of Dectorists for a Christmas special.
After three series, it looked as though the gentle BBC series about a group of treasure hunters had drawn to a close in 2017.
Mackenzie added: “I tentatively said that was it because we left them in such a lovely place, and I thought I wouldn’t disturb them again unless I thought of a good story. And one occurred to me."