The Prisoner to return to TV

Lady Rose

The Prisoner is set to return to our television screens in Spring 2007 on Sky One.

A new series has been commissioned and it looks like former Dr Who, Christopher Eccelston, is poised over Patrick McGoohan's role as No 6.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2164214,00.html

or

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4972194.stm

RogueAgent

Who was in the running to play me beside Eccleston?

I pray that this show comes across the pond...

Lady Rose

I haven't heard any other names mentioned actually. I looks like Eccelston is in the frame.It's been all over the news.

They are probably hoping he does for The Prisoner what he did for Dr Who.

FelixLeiter ♀

I've been reminded of something I should have done a while ago: by the original box set. I keep forgetting about saving for it. X-(

emtiem

Lady Rose wrote:

I haven't heard any other names mentioned actually. I looks like Eccelston is in the frame.It's been all over the news.

They are probably hoping he does for The Prisoner what he did for Dr Who.

I'm not convinced at all by the Eccleston rumours- it's very easy to think up, isn't it? Of course, the joke on the Dr Who forums is 'who's going to play No.6 in the second series?'

RogueAgent

Being such a huge fan of this show, I'm not really sold on this guy. Just doesn't look right to me.

I'm mean afterall he is Dr. Who; isn't that enough? ?:)

Nightshooter

I don't see a reason to have another Prisoner. The first was perfect- why do another? Just air the original episodes on TV!

If we have to have a new series, let's not have this guy do it. He does NOT look No. 6 enough to me. I'd prefer someone who looked more like Patrick, thank you very much.

SpectreIsland

My brother and I are huge Prisoner fans and we had always hoped that Patrick McGoohan would be involved in any remake in some capacity. I just can't see a remake or sequel without him, the heart, soul and the brains behind it all and I also see no need to remake it. The original is still relevant today as it was when it was made. It's perfect just the way it is - please let's not tinker with it like Bond!!!

RogueAgent

I really like to know the reaction of the viewing Brits about this. Surely their concerns can't be much different from ours on this...

emtiem

RogueAgent wrote:

I really like to know the reaction of the viewing Brits about this. Surely their concerns can't be much different from ours on this...

I'm a viewing Brit and although I'm not sure I trust Sky One to do it very well they do have some good writing talent on board. As long as it's different enough from the original (no Portmeirion please) then I look forward to it. And Eccleston would be excellent in it- he could play that high tension paranoia incredibly well; better than Pat, actually. He'd be the perfect choice- you people really need to get over looks being so important to you.

emtiem

emtiem wrote:

Of course, the joke on the Dr Who forums is 'who's going to play No.6 in the second series?'

Oh, and: 'Why did you resign?!'

Lady Rose

emtiem wrote:

emtiem wrote:

Of course, the joke on the Dr Who forums is 'who's going to play No.6 in the second series?'

Oh, and: 'Why did you resign?!'

Well, I'd thought of that when I saw it yesterday. He left Dr Who because of the level of committment required for a series didn't he?

Maybe Sky One just pays a lot better than the BBC

RogueAgent

emtiem wrote:

And Eccleston would be excellent in it- he could play that high tension paranoia incredibly well; better than Pat, actually.

Making a statement like that is sacriligeous in itself. McGoohan is the mold and the standard that is set by such a cult show like this like Connery is to Bond. I think that he should have some say-so about who should portray the role he made famous.

you people really need to get over looks being so important to you.

This is the entertainment business. Of course looks are important. So I guess Lenny Henry in the role would be just as magnetic as Pat? As I've said before, this is an opinion that many like myself are concerned about; so there's nothing to get over. Do I expect everyone to agree with me? No...and I'm fine with that.

TonyDP

For me a new Prisoner series would be a tough sell because the original series was so...original. The characters were all wonderfully eccentric and easily memorable, the location was unique and visually interesting, and the stories pretty much covered everything.

I just can't see what a new version could bring to the table and I think it would suffer from the inevitable comparisons to the original series.

SPECTREagent-1

This is one of my dad's favorite shows. I didn't see it until it was in syndication but I see why he loved it so much. I've watched some of the Prisoner episodes so I can understand why the lot of you here rather it stay unfettered.

And I agree that looks do matter in the filming industry. Some actors/actresses just have to have "it".

emtiem

RogueAgent wrote:

emtiem wrote:

And Eccleston would be excellent in it- he could play that high tension paranoia incredibly well; better than Pat, actually.

Making a statement like that is sacriligeous in itself. McGoohan is the mold and the standard that is set by such a cult show like this like Connery is to Bond. I think that he should have some say-so about who should portray the role he made famous.

Not really- Eccleston is a better actor and McGoohan could occasionally lapse into squeaking. He was very good, but I don't think that means no-one else can play it. And the idea of getting a great actor like Eccleston is far from a bad one (although his agent has since denied it).

RogueAgent wrote:

emtiem wrote:

you people really need to get over looks being so important to you.

This is the entertainment business. Of course looks are important. So I guess Lenny Henry in the role would be just as magnetic as Pat?

Because it was his looks that made him magnetic? I'm baffled. Of course Lenny Henry could play it as magnetic as Pat if he had the same ability in that role. It's not a role which requires any specific looks- the idea that the new Number Six should look like McGoohan is ridiculous.

TonyDP wrote:

I just can't see what a new version could bring to the table and I think it would suffer from the inevitable comparisons to the original series.

No offence, but that's why you're not making it. Would you have thought a new 'Battlestar Galactica' remake would have been a good idea? Presumably the makers have an idea of what they could bring to it in a new version and that's why they're doing it. The ideas are still relevant and with the threat of identity cards around the corner for the UK and other new social issues there's a lot more to explore. Just look at 'Lost'- it could be looked at as a Prisoner remake in a way and there's plenty of fresh stuff in there. Bill Gallagher is a talented writer and should be able to handle this. It might be a total crash, but I don't think you can write it off yet because you can't see what they would do- that's rather the point of getting other people to write entertainment for you!

RogueAgent

emtiem...let's just agree to disagree on this.

It's hardly worth you and I, or any other member here going back and forth especially since none of us will receive any specific gratuities from said project.

I do not like the idea but let's hope for the sake of argument that they at least come in the ballpark of getting it right...and for me, that's stretching it.

TonyDP

emtiem wrote:

No offence, but that's why you're not making it.

None taken. Just try to remember us insignificant folk when you become a big TV producer.

emtiem wrote:

Would you have thought a new 'Battlestar Galactica' remake would have been a good idea? Presumably the makers have an idea of what they could bring to it in a new version and that's why they're doing it. The ideas are still relevant and with the threat of identity cards around the corner for the UK and other new social issues there's a lot more to explore. Just look at 'Lost'- it could be looked at as a Prisoner remake in a way and there's plenty of fresh stuff in there. Bill Gallagher is a talented writer and should be able to handle this. It might be a total crash, but I don't think you can write it off yet because you can't see what they would do- that's rather the point of getting other people to write entertainment for you!

I smell bait to another long, drawn out debate. I will not bite.

All I will say is that the original Battlestar Galactica was a bunch of rubbish, a Star Wars wannabe with some of the most atrociously written stories and every patheic schtick from 70's and 80's television (right down to the annoyingly cute kid and his pet dog who alway gets into trouble). An organ grinder and two chimpanzees could have put out a better show. You should wash your mouth out with soap for even mentioning it in the same breath as a masterpiece like The Prisoner.

As for the new incarnation, meh, I got tired of it after the first season; about the only thing that still interests me there is Tricia Helfer (who I must admit is a much more attractive Number 6 than either McGoohan or Eccleston).

emtiem

TonyDP wrote:

emtiem wrote:

No offence, but that's why you're not making it.

None taken. Just try to remember us insignificant folk when you become a big TV producer.

Hmm.. sounds like you're taking offence and I really didn't mean any! I'm not for a second saying I could write or produce this, just that it's very easy to say something's a bad idea without knowing what the producers' idea even is.

TonyDP wrote:

emtiem wrote:

Would you have thought a new 'Battlestar Galactica' remake would have been a good idea?

All I will say is that the original Battlestar Galactica was a bunch of rubbish, a Star Wars wannabe with some of the most atrociously written stories and every patheic schtick from 70's and 80's television (right down to the annoyingly cute kid and his pet dog who alway gets into trouble). An organ grinder and two chimpanzees could have put out a better show. You should wash your mouth out with soap for even mentioning it in the same breath as a masterpiece like The Prisoner.

That's rather the point though- it always seemed like a bad idea to remake it (for a different reason to The Prisoner- why remake a show no-one really liked? What brand power does that have apart from to tell people its rubbish?) but the execution was the part that made it very successful. Let's see how they handle The Prisoner before saying 'there's nothing that can be done with it' or complain that a man who isn't playing Number Six isn't the dead spitting image of a character we don't even know the name of.

TonyDP

AICN, by way of Six of One, is reporting that a new Prisoner six part miniseries will be going into production this August. According to the story, Jim Caviezel will be No. 6, Ian McKellan will be No. 2 and the show, an AMC/ITV co-production, will film in Namibia and South Africa.

Some very interesting casting decisions (assuming they're true of course). Caviezel looks like he could channel the brooding swagger that McGoohan brought to the part and McKellan is a solid actor who's shown that he can do just about anything.

I wonder if McKellan will be the only No. 2 and if there will be any mention of either the original show or the Portmeirion resort. It'll also be interesting to see if the show mimics the quirky and offbeat atmosphere of the original or decides to go in a different direction altogether. The Six of One article describes it as a "Pacy, radical reinvention", whatever that means.

Here's the link to the AICN article:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37025

And a link to the original Six of One story:

http://www.sixofone.org.uk/Prisoner-Remake.htm

John Drake

{[] Tony. It sounds intriguing. But I can remember a similar story about a remake of The Saint last year, that came to nothing. But if it is happening, kudos to the producers for getting Caviezel. Brilliant actor. I hope there is some truth in this.

TonyDP

John Drake wrote:

{[] Tony. It sounds intriguing. But I can remember a similar story about a remake of The Saint last year, that came to nothing. But if it is happening, kudos to the producers for getting Caviezel. Brilliant actor. I hope there is some truth in this.

That was my initial reaction as well JD, but the amount of detailed info in the stories - and the fact that it isn't April 1 - make me think this could be legit, as does the fact that Six of One is about as close as you can get to an official fan club for the show. If filming does indeed start in August, then more info should be forthcoming. That "pacy, radical reinvention" quote is the only thing that gives me pause.

RogueAgent

TonyDP wrote:

That "pacy, radical reinvention" quote is the only thing that gives me pause.

Me too. Being a huge fan of the series as I am and despite Caviezel's great range as an actor, I doubt that he could recapture Magoohan's little quirks and mannerisms that made the character so signature & endearing to me in the first place.

We'll see I hope.

emtiem

John Drake wrote:

{[] Tony. It sounds intriguing. But I can remember a similar story about a remake of The Saint last year, that came to nothing.

No it didn't; there's a synopsis and poster artwork even: http://lesliecharteris.com/
They're trying to get it off the ground- perhaps even shooting now, it just happens to sound terrible.

This Prisoner series sounds much more hopeful; a good cast (which hopefully says something about the script quality) and some actual broadcasters which makes it sound more likely to succeed. Interesting that ITV are involved rather than Sky now; they've got more clout.

emtiem

TonyDP wrote:

That "pacy, radical reinvention" quote is the only thing that gives me pause.

Better than 'plodding retread' isn't it? I don't want an impersonation of McGoohan walking around in deckshoes and driving Mini Mokes; the concept of the series was much more than that and strong enough to survive without them: a new series should put some distance between itself and the original.

Tracy

There have been so many rumors of a Prisoner revival for years now that until I see a trailer I'm skeptical that the project will even get off the ground. It doesn't sound like McGoohan's involved much in this project, which worries me.

One friend of mine pointed out the interesting connection between McGoohan and Cavaziel - they're both fairly well known Catholic actors.