'The Prisoner' Returns

GL Schmitt

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'The prisoner' set for TV return in new version
Nov. 17, 2005

Cult classic The Prisoner is set to return almost 40 years after it first hit TV screens.



Sky One is in talks to bring back the adventure series, which starred Patrick McGoohan as Prisoner Number 6.

The series, which made its debut 1967, is today credited by its fans as being ahead of its time.

Featuring McGoohan as a former secret agent trapped in an isolated seaside village, it was shown in more than 60 countries.

The new version will not be placed in the original setting, the north Wales village of Portmeirion, or have the arty, "pop" feel of the original, according to the magazine Broadcast.

Damien Timmer, who has been lined up to executive produce the show, told the television and radio industry magazine that the new series "takes liberties with the original".

He said: "Although it will be a radical reinvention, it will still be a heightened show with themes such as paranoia, conspiracy and identity crisis."

The original show, which ran on ITV for 17 episodes, has been the subject of university courses.

American-born McGoohan, who was also its co-creator, denied that it contained any hidden meanings.

The new version will be remade by Granada and is currently being written by Bill Gallagher, the writer of Conviction.

Sky One is in talks about an initial eight-part series next year.

European and US networks could also be involved in a co-production deal.
 

#juan

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I enjoyed both "Secret Agent", and "The Prisoner" which I think was a spinoff. I'll be interested to see what kind of a job the do with the re-make.
 

missile

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The prisoner was one of the best series of all time,so the new series has a lot to shoot for. I'd settle for it being even half as well done :)
 

GL Schmitt

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(Executive Producer) Damien Timmer claims the new series "takes liberties with the original" . . . "a radical reinvention . . . with themes such as paranoia, conspiracy and identity crisis."
If they lose the claustrophobic starkness of the original show, trying to reproduce X Files, or utilize too many CGI creatures, they will probably lose the show.

Then again, this is television. They probably don't care about the original. They just want to use the title as a come-on to capture the old show's audience.