NEW PRISONER TV SERIES PROPOSED

For the last 20 years or so there has been much talk of a re-make of "The Prisoner" series, in either movie or serial form, and it looks like it might now be about to happen.

According to "Broadcast", Granada is in talks with Sky One commissioner Elaine Pyke (pictured left) about airing an initial eight-part series next year, to be written by Bill Gallagher. It is also approaching European and US networks about a co-production deal.

Gallagher, in addition to writing the series, will co-produce the show alongside Michele Buck and Damien Timmer of Granada. Timmer stated that the series would be a "radical reinvention" of the original, and would not be set in Portmeirion or have the arty feel of the original series. He admits that the series will "take liberties with the original" and be aimed at fans of series such as "24" and "Spooks". "This is a unique opportunity in British TV," said Gallagher. "It's conceptually daring."

Whilst it seems from this that the new series need not be entitled "The Prisoner", due to it seemingly being more based on the original series than an actual re-make, the pedigree is promising. Bill Gallagher wrote the series "Conviction", and Elaine Pyke has been responsible for commissioning several excellent dramas for Sky One. Regarding the commissioning of new shows, she has stated: "We want to have fun making shows and ensure that our audience have fun watching them. The strategy is to make Sky One the home of aspirational and inventive quality drama that will stand proudly alongside some of our superior imports such as 'Nip/Tuck', 'Deadwood', 'Rescue Me' and '24'."

UPDATE: Executive Producer Damien Timmer: "It will still be set in a village - not a real place in Britain, but somewhere unique - with a Number 6 and a Number 2, but we will turn the original on its head."

The Unmutual Website will, of course, be first to bring you more details if and when they become available.

With thanks to Johnny Law, Dave Jones, Adam Newell, and Eric Mival for this news item. News announced 17/11/2005 14:00.

News Announced 17/11/2005, Archived 5/3/2006

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