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Filming is due to commence this spring, with 49-year-old Jez hurriedly finishing the scripts. The writer won the Best New Play Olivier Award for The Ferryman at the weekend, picking up the gong at the Royal Albert Hall ceremony on Sunday night. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk backstage after picking up his award, Jez revealed that he is halfway through writing the next series of Britannia. He said: “Yeah, we’re halfway through writing it. Yeah, it’s been re-commissioned!” Jez also explained the differences between writing for theatre and television.

He said: “The approach isn’t actually that different. The approach to film is vastly different. The approach to TV isn’t that different. “You sit down with a blank page. Television has lots of curtains and entrances and exits and beginnings and ends. “You have advert breaks with what we do. You write little vignettes which are a little bit like plays.” Picking up his award was “a real honour” for the playwright. He continued: “It’s a real thrill and an honour. I always check in on The Ferryman every now and again and go and see it as often as I can.

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“It’s extraordinary that we’re on our third cast. To be recognised at The Olivier Awards is humbling and a bit surreal.” Giving advice to the next generation of actors and playwrights, Jez stressed to “not let anything stop you”. He added: “If you really want to do it, like really, really want to do it - don’t let anything at all stand in your way. If you feel like you wouldn’t be able to get by without it, then do it.” It comes as Britannia star Mackenzie Crook revealed exactly what went into his radical costume and prosthetic makeup transformation to play Veran on the show. Discussing the makeover, Mackenzie explained: “That was quite an experience. I loved it. We’re hoping that a second series of that is going to be announced any day.

GETTY The Ferryman: Jez Butterworth at The Olivier Awards 2018