|
|
ITV Christmas Television Schedule ITV has announced what it describes as a “bumper Christmas schedule”. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much to appeal to SF and fantasy fans. The announcement is packed with the usual celebs, soaps and reality shows. There are a few new dramas but the only thing I could see with definite genre appeal is a screening of Tim Burton’s movie The Corpse Bride. Guess I’ll be sharing my turkey sandwiches with Auntie Beeb this Xmas. Primeval Back From The Dead It seems that ITV has listened to all the Primeval fans who complained – on this site and elsewhere – about the series being cancelled. A deal has now been struck to allow series four and five to go ahead with the return of cast members Andrew Lee Potts, Jason Fleming and Hannah Spearritt. Primeval has been rescued thanks to a co-production deal with BBC Worldwide (BBCW) and ProSeiben of Germany. Helen Jackson of BBCW said:
Series 4 of Primeval is now due to air on ITV1 in early 2011. Series 5 will be shown first on digital channel Watch then later on ITV1. There will be a total of 13 new episodes split between the two seasons. RIP Primeval – Series 4 Cancelled
ITV has cancelled one of its most successful drama series – Primeval. The explanation for this bizarre move appears to be money. Although hugely popular, Primeval was also extremely expensive to make with lots of model work and CGI. ITV has been busily slashing budgets and Primeval has caught the axe. According to the official itvprimeval Twitter account:
The cancellation came as a surprise to those involved on the show, hence the cliff-hanger ending to series three. James Moran, one of the Primeval writers, said on Twitter:
and:
There had previously been reports of series four becoming a co-production, hopefully the powers that be will continue to explore that avenue. Update: Primeval Back From The Dead Primeval Four Going Digital?
Series four has yet to be confirmed and there’s speculation that ITV might be looking for ways to reduce the cost of the CGI laden show. One possibility might be a joint production venture with someone else, perhaps a digital broadcaster. According to the Guardian report Primeval’s production company, Impossible Pictures, have suggested that a digital channel might help finance the show in exchange for first broadcast rights. Of the possible digital partners, Sky One has been ruled out as too much of a competitor to ITV. Instead attention is focussing on Sci Fi. ITV refused to comment on the rumours, saying only that no decision as to the future of Primeval would be taken until after the current run ends. Werewolves on ITV Global
The new show is a 90 minute special, though there’s always a chance of a series later. It’s to be filmed in the faux documentary style made famous (or infamous) by The Blair Witch Project. It’s described as a “What If…” fantasy – what if there really were werewolf packs living in the US today? It’s a theme that’s been used very successfully by a number of writers of contemporary fantasy novels and has a lot of potential. We’rewolves will air in the US at Halloween this year, no news yet on a UK broadcast date. It’s produced by Wide Eyed Entertainment and written by Jasper James who wrote Walking With Dinosaurs. James said:
Oh dear, that last comment really is tempting fate… |
|
|
WordPress theme modified from an adaptation by Tara Aukerman of an original design by Andreas Viklund | ||
In their latest move into the SF/fantasy/horror genre, ITV Global has bought the non-US rights to a new drama property called We’rewolves. Note that apostrophe – it’s not a typo!