The Stage

Sky One’s Prisoner remake to air in 2008

Published Wednesday 20 December 2006 at 11:20 by Liz Thomas

Sky One will broadcast its revamped version of cult drama The Prisoner in 2008 it has been revealed, a move which ends months of speculation that the project had been shelved.

The show, which has yet to hire a director or confirm casting, is planned to go into production next spring. It is being made by Granada and is being co-produced in conjunction with US movie network AMC. The series is one of Sky One’s biggest commissions to date and fits into the broadcaster’s new strategy to invest in more original drama. While director of programmes Richard Woolfe had axed long-running hits including Dream Team and Hex, he pledged a greater commitment to high end productions, most recently its adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather, which pulled in audiences close to 2.5 million.

Elaine Pyke, commissioning editor at Sky One commented: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting international co-production and delighted that AMC has come on board. The Prisoner is one of the UK’s most talked about series and we know this new series will attract a great deal of attention from around the world.”

The series is being penned by Bill Gallagher, who created award-winning series Conviction. The original programme starring Patrick McGoohan achieved cult status. When it first appeared on UK television in The Prisoner was one of the most expensive series made. Then it was produced by Lew Grade and ITC.