Join me on Saturday at 2pm for more Hannah’s Bookshelf on North Manchester FM. This week, I’ll be talking to the fabulous Hopwood DePree.

Hopwood lives in Middleton, working on his 600-year-old ancestral home, Hopwood Hall, which he discovered while surfing ancestry sites one night when he lived in Los Angeles. Hopwood was born and raised in Michigan and graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He began his career as an independent filmmaker, winning awards and critical acclaim. He has worked with top Hollywood studios and production companies including Warner Bros, MGM and Lionsgate, among others. He has financed and produced projects in collaboration with multiple Emmy and Academy Award winning and nominated artists.

As a performer, Hopwood has received admirable reviews, including Variety stating, “DePree exudes an amiable, shuffle-footed charm… his good looks and excellent comic timing should serve him well.” He has appeared at many notable stand-up comedy venues including LA Improv, The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, as well as being invited to perform in an HBO Comedy Showcase. He recently completed a UK stand-up comedy tour that culminated at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. BBC Entertainment & Arts called his show “Excellent… Very funny.” Hopwood also makes guest appearances on BBC Radio Manchester.

In addition, Hopwood consults on entertainment and media ventures for celebrities and brands and has been recognized for his accomplishments by USA Today, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Variety, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Good Morning Britain and BBC among many others. Hopwood was named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of ’20 People to Know’, and he was appointed by two consecutive Governors of The State of Michigan as an Advisor to help build the State’s film, digital media and technology industries.

I’ll be talking to Hopwood about his new book Downton Shabby: One American’s Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family’s English Castle (out now from HarperCollins), as well as his varied and fascinating career. And, of course, he’ll be sharing his selections for this week’s Apocalypse Books.

Catch the show on Saturday at 2pm on 106.6FM (if you’re in the North Manchester area) or listen online (if you’re further afield).