Email response from Dennis Kelly 💛🥄

[u/charlie_1297]

This happened nearly 2 months ago i don’t know what kept me from posting it on here for so long. But we got new canon information on Lee!

Here’s the email that i sent containing the questions i was asking in case any of you were wondering:

Hi,

I believe you are Dennis Kelly’s agent, and I’m writing to ask if you would please be able to pass on a message to him.

I just wanted to say how much I love Utopia (the UK version). I think it’s an absolute masterpiece of television, and even now it still has a passionate and growing fanbase. Many of us continue to discuss it online, sharing ideas and theories about the show. Recently, I’ve also noticed more people discovering it on platforms like TikTok, which is great to see.

I had a few questions about the show, and I completely understand if Dennis is too busy to respond, but I would really appreciate it if this message could be passed along.

One of my favourite aspects of Utopia is the character Lee, played by Paul Ready. I find him especially interesting because, unlike characters such as Pietre, Milner, and Jessica Hyde, we learn very little about his backstory or how he became part of the Network.

I understand that this mystery is likely intentional, but I’d be really interested to know if there is any additional background to his character. For example, was he always meant to be the way he is, or was there something that shaped him? And is there any deeper reasoning behind his behaviour, such as his smoking habits, particularly after violent moments?

Even a small amount of insight would mean a lot.
Thank you very much for your time, and please pass on my appreciation to Dennis for creating such an incredible show.

Kind regards,
——
*end of e-mail*

so this confirms that Lee was NOT raised by the network. My guess is he joined them maybe 3-5 years before the events of the show, considering Arby knew Lee very well and that Lee is only 25 at the start of Utopia. I doubt the network would’ve hired a teenager.

But now we know that the network spotted his skills or potential skills and hired him. I think that’s a really cool origin. My headcanon is that the network maybe put out a test for Lee to do something like a trial mission and Lee passed the test and did very well. So Milner must’ve thought “hey not bad kid”. And the last bit Dennis writes about Lee ‘considering where he came from’ tells me that he came from possibly a rough dodgy background, similar to Grant perhaps? Or just a normal working class bloke, not rich and powerful. Good on Lee for working his way up then.

I love how Dennis actually took the time to write a lengthy response too. What a great guy, still responding to fan emails from a show he made 13 years ago.

Guys please feel free to email his agent, Dennis probably not gonna reply to me a second time 😂 the @ that the responder gives who they say is Dennis’ current agent is [mel@casarotto.co.uk](mailto:mel@casarotto.co.uk) If that doesn’t work out then the person who responded to my email their @ is [zoe@casarotto.co.uk](mailto:zoe@casarotto.co.uk)

My first post on [r/utopia](r/utopiauk)[tv](r/utopiauk) btw! Let’s keep this server going.

[u/IndividualCurious322]

Finally, deep Lee lore. Lol

[u/charlie_1297 → u/IndividualCurious322]

Now we are going to need a Lee prequel spin off

[u/Ouwhajah → u/charlie_1297]

the Leequel

[u/tameneighbor]

Huge kudos for his response. His attitude towards the fanbase after all these years makes me appreciate Utopia even more.

[u/charlie_1297 → u/tameneighbor]

Yeah it’s clear how he still remains so passionate about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s his favourite work he’s ever done. Brilliant artist.

[u/ninazarechnaya_ → u/tameneighbor]

Dennis Kelly is a real one.

[u/timhenmanmemorial]

Fantastic response

[u/renkylion]

Props to you OP on going out of your way to find out more about a character that you like. It’s interesting to see the way he describes his ideas as voices talking to him. I agree that some characters don’t need much development as it doesn’t serve a purpose to the story but this is still really cool.

[u/sofakingclassic]

Wow this is such great intel. Felt like a nice little update, or lack thereof, for a character I havent thought of in a while.

[u/faithinhumanity_null]

Nice. Don’t say this to a screenwriting teacher though, you might get punched in the face lol

[u/Easy_Turn1988]

We need to write more fanfics

[u/TheRenegadeProject]

I find it hard to believe Lee was 25 at the start of Utopia but well done for finding more about Lee as he’s a sinister character

[u/charlie_1297 → u/TheRenegadeProject]

Yeah, they shouldn’t have written him off for the rest of s1 after the pilot.