BBC hopes to revive Survivors

[Theta Sigma]

Found this out yesterday:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1816472,00.html
"BBC set to revive 70s sci-fi show

Ben Dowell
Monday July 10, 2006
MediaGuardian.co.uk

The Daleks: following Doctor Who's success, the BBC is pursuing another of Terry Nation's creations.

First came Doctor Who, now the BBC is considering reviving another cult science fiction show from the man who invented the Daleks: Terry Nation's Survivors.
The BBC has confirmed it is in talks with the estate of Mr Nation, a co-creator of Doctor Who, about buying the rights to his 1975 series centred on a post-apocalyptic world peopled by survivors from a devastating plague.

The BBC is understood to be hoping to make a new series of six 60- minute episodes.

The project is being overseen by inhouse BBC executive producer Sue Hogg and is one of a handful of Doctor Who-related dramas being
planned by the corporation.

One imminent drama is Torchwood, based on the fictional alien research centre in Doctor Who, which is currently being filmed.

The BBC is not yet at the casting stage for the Survivors series, which would be dependent on the agreement of the Terry Nation estate.

The original drama was seen through the eyes of two characters - Jenny Richards, a young working woman, and Abby Grant, a middle-class corporate wife living a privileged existence in a nearby commuter village. The women were played by Lucy Fleming and Carolyn Seymour respectively.

The original programme ran for three series and 38 episodes, although Mr Nation left after the first series.

He followed up Survivors with his next BBC sci-fi creation, Blake's 7, about a ragtag group of criminals on the run from the sinister Terran Federation in a stolen alien spaceship.

Mr Nation, who also invented the Daleks, is regarded as one of the creators of Doctor Who in the early 60s alongside then BBC head of drama Sydney Newman.

The estate of Mr Nation, who died from emphysema in 1997, also jointly owns the copyright to the likeness and characters of the Daleks with the BBC."

I have not seen any of the original series but is definitely one I like to see one day since being a Doctor Who fan it is one that I am eager to watch. The original show has already released on DVD in the UK for a couple of years now. Still hoping for a local Australian release sometime in the future or the very least for it to be shown again on UKTV. It was last shown on UKTV years ago however given the fact the ABC could not show certain Dalek stories during the Doctor Who rerun due to issues with the Terry Nation estate, it could be possible that UKTV would have problems trying to show Survivors again.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The BBC has finally acquired the rights to remake the show:
BBC - Press Office - Survivors for BBC One
"BBC Drama Productions has acquired the rights from the Terry Nation Estate to develop the Seventies drama series Survivors, it was announced today by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller, Fiction.

Set in the present day, the new series will be written by Adrian Hodges (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval) for transmission on BBC One.

Launched in April 1975 on BBC One, Survivors ran for 38 episodes over three series.

The cult series focussed on a post-apocalyptic world, in the aftermath of a devastating plague which wipes out over 99% of the world's population, and how a group of individuals grappled with the trials of day-to-day survival.

Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, BBC Drama Production, says: "The opportunity to remake Survivors for a modern generation proved irresistible.

"After months of negotiations, I am delighted that one of British television's great cult series will return with original stories packed with adventure and spirit set against the backdrop of our own recognisable world."

Adrian Hodges says: "Survivors was one of the bravest and most exciting programmes of its time and I'm thrilled to be involved with re-imagining it for a new audience.

"I remember its original impact vividly and I hope we can make a similar impression with the new version.

"Its themes remain as relevant as ever and while we will be staying faithful to many aspects of the original, we will also be bringing the story into the 21st Century and make it accessible to contemporary audiences."

A BBC Drama Production for BBC One, the executive producer of Survivors is Susan Hogg."

I still have not seen the original series. The original series have been released on DVD in the UK but not yet here in Australia. Hopefully this will be rectified soon.

Today's audiences will find the description of Survivors similiar to that of US TV series Jericho.

 

[Paulhanselluk]

The only thing that could spoil this is the fact that the BBC is PC there will be nothing "good" in it,

 

[Theta Sigma]

I have now seen all of the original series and I thought it had a very good premise. Of the three seasons the first was the best. The other two seasons were also enjoyable although I was somewhat unsure about the third season at first before getting used to the season's storyline.

Here are a couple of remarks at the Doctor Who Forum about the latest from the new series-
jangomac, March 2 2008:
"Just checked, in an interview with the producer Kate Harwood in SFX last month she stated Hodges was writing four of them."

PMount, March 9 2008:
"A feature in the recent issue of 'Death Ray' magazine states that 13 episodes have been commissioned."

 

[Theta Sigma]

By coincidence not long after I finished seeing all the episodes of the original series, this morning I saw the Survivors title sequence briefly in the Are Friends Electric documentary on the Doctor Who: Robot DVD.

Very good timing.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The following BBC Press release on Merlin includes mentioning the new series of Survivors as part of the BBC's autumn (in the UK) 2008 lineup:
BBC - Press Office - Richard Wilson and Anthony Head lead cast in Merlin for BBC One
"Merlin joins an impressive stable of diverse and exciting BBC One drama commissions for autumn 2008 including Little Dorrit starring Matthew MacFadyen, Apparitions starring Martin Shaw, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Survivors and Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Received clarification about the new series which I now fully understand.

The new series of Survivors is actually a reimagining of Terry Nation's novelisation of season 1 rather than on the original TV series itself.

The following link includes details of what was in the book which may or may not make it in the new TV series (please note the book itself has long been out of print):
Survivors: Surviving the 21st Century Interview - Total Sci Fi

Adrian Hodges says that the novel is used as a starting point and the reason why it is not actually a remake of the TV series itself is because of complications with the rights situation.

Filming on the 90-minute pilot and the five succeeding episodes is expected to begin in May (rather than 13 episodes as was posted earlier on).

 

[Theta Sigma]

Terry Nation (website) has reported that Terry Nation's novelisation of Survivors which the new TV series is based on will be reprinted by Orion Books.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The cast for the new version of Survivors has been announced.

In alphabetical order they include the following (as I picked up at the Doctor Who Forum): Freema Agyeman (Martha in Doctor Who and Torchwood) as Jenny; Nikki Amuka–Bird as Samantha Willis; Max Beesley Tom Price; Shaun Dingwall (Pete in Doctor Who) as David; Julie Graham as Abby Grant; Paterson Joseph as Greg; Phillip Rhys as Al; Zoe Tapper as Anya and newcomer Chahak Patel as 11-year-old Najid.

Here is an article about it:
http://www.denofgeek.com/television/61889/freema_agyeman_in_new_survivors_in_bbc_reboot.html

 

[Theta Sigma]

Almost 24 hours after I first learnt that Julie Graham was going to be Abby in the new Survivors I saw her in the Afterlife episode Your Hand In Mine. Her character here goes through a terrible illness just as Abby did.
In retrospect this could easily be the test piece for Julie becoming the new Abby. Remarkable timing.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Andrew Mercado in yesterday's Sydney Sunday Telegraph mentioned new episodes coming up for Jonathan Creek & Blake's 7 as well as Torchwood season 3.

Funnily enough he did not mentioned the Survivors remake considering the fact that casting for the series was announced shortly before it became known that Torchwood was getting a third season.

 

[Theta Sigma]

First glimpse of Freema Agyeman in the new series:
Television - Tube Talk - Pics: Freema Agyeman filming new role - Digital Spy

 

[Theta Sigma]

It is with sadness that I report on the death of Celia Gregory. She played Ruth in season 2 of the original series of Survivors. She had replaced Annie Irving in the part. Ms Irving had played Ruth once in the final episode of season 1, A Beginning.
Ruth was not seen at all in the third and final season.

Celia Gregory passed away on September 8 at the age of 56.

Meanwhile I read at the Doctor Who Forum that the new series may start by the end of October.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The new series of Survivors will start (in the UK) in the week of 22-28 November:
BBC - Press Office - Network TV Programme Information Week 48

 

[Theta Sigma]

New image from the new series:
http://survivorsbbctv.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/scifinow-21-1.jpg

 

[Theta Sigma]

Apparently the new series will start (in the UK) on November 22.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The official website for the new series:
BBC - Survivors

The start date is on November 23 (which is the 45th anniversary of Doctor Who) not November 22 as I have previously posted.

Unfortunately we can't view the trailer that is available there as it only available in the UK.

 

[Theta Sigma]

As I am in Australia, I have not been able to see the TV trailer but I have just listened to the radio trailer which was on after the Doctor Who audio episode Grand Theft Cosmos on BBC7. It sounded good.

 

[Theta Sigma]

TV trailer:
YouTube - BBC One - Survivors

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
Andrew Mercado in yesterday's Sydney Sunday Telegraph reports that the current Survivors series has been bought by 9. It is from him that I found out that it has been given a second season as a result of being a ratings hit in the UK.

In his description of the series he took the opportunity to have a swipe at 10 for showing the Law and Order shows:
"leaving survivors to cope with a world with no law and order. (Hear that, Ten? No Law and Order!)"

Incidentally an episode of the original Survivors series from its first season is called Law and Order. That is an excellent episode, perhaps the best from the original show.

 

[phase5]

I've seen the first 5 episodes; and while it's a big hit in the UK, (reportedly), I persoanally found it extremely dull. Five episodes was enough. I won't be tuning in again.

That's not to say that you dear reader shouldn't. You may find it more enjoyable than I did. I just can't get interested in yet another ongoing sf/soap/drama/serial about the end of the world. Seen more than enough for my taste.

On the other hand, did enjoy Channel 4s (in the UK), extremely graphic and disturbing "Dead Set" mini-series. In a nutshell, ZOMBIE's taker over the planet, and the only survivors are the housemates of ther current BIG BROTHER. It's an extremely dark and witty comedy/horror/gore epic that had me on the edge of my sit until the very last frame. And it runs for about 4 hours.

Very much worth tracking down a copy if you can. It's shere "in your face/cutting edge" attitude means while it gets broadcast in the UK; the rest of the world is unlikely to see it. Defeinitely for mature audiences only.

And yes, Channel NEIN here in australia has purchased the broadcast rights. Which means if the first two (or one) episodes don't rate through the roof, most australian viewers will see less of it than I have. TV in australia is the pits these days. And they wonder why australians download more programmes than any other country in the world. (Well, last I heard).

 

[Theta Sigma]

A fellow Doctor Who fan has given me the first season of the Survivors remake. Looks like this saves me from watching it on 9 on Australian TV.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Season 1, Episode 1:
First of all it is remarkable to note that other than Doctor Who, this is probably the only current TV series in which Terry Nation's name has appeared in the credits.

Spoiler

Among the differences with the original series I was surprised that Jenny (notwithstanding that she has a different surname) is among the victims of the virus. This is in contrast to the fact that Jenny was in all three seasons of the original series. However it is notable to point out that for the original show Jenny had been intended to be killed off in the first season but the character was kept because producer Terence Dudley had got to like Lucy Fleming who had played her.
The Jenny in the current series played by Freema Agyeman was not so lucky.
The performances from the cast are good. I think I give special mention to Nikki Amuka Bird who as junior government minister Samantha Willis tries to keep things together just as a functioning government ceases to exist.
In the original series the virus that was unleashed was an accident. Here however it looks deliberate and look interesting to see where this goes next.

If there is a quibble I can make of this first episode is its length. Being 90 minutes I am not too sure that it needed this amount of time to introduce the series. Could have been told in a shorter time.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Terry Nation (website) has reported that Terry Nation's novelisation of Survivors which the new TV series is based on will be reprinted by Orion Books.

To Australian viewers:
Found out from the latest Galaxy catalogue that the book is now available there.

 

[Theta Sigma]

I recently bought and currently reading the Survivors book.

Season 1, Episode 2:

Spoiler

Here we meet Bob and Sarah who are obviously Vic and Anne by another name. Only this time we get to see how Bob (Vic) got to lose the use of his legs.
Sooner or later someone was going to get Lord of the Rings confused with Lord of the Flies and it happens here from Al.
Al accidentally kills an old man. It is definitely well played here of Al coming to terms of what he has done.
It is amazing that Abby and co got three warnings from the leader of the thugs and they are left unharmed. That is not much of a threat if all they are going to get are warnings and not the real thing.

Overall a pretty good second episode.

I also noticed that when Najid was in the shop there are issues of Radio Times with Davros on the cover!

 

[Theta Sigma]

Season 1, Episode 3:
I found Sacha Parkinson playing Kate to be amazing. An absolute marvellous performance from her as Kate became distraught on being forced to leave her father and brother, as a result of coming into contact with Greg and Tom. Not to mention she is very beautiful young woman.
Also very good is Abby having a little adventure on her own when meeting Samantha Willis and shows that the society that Samantha is trying to maintain is not very easy in a post-apocalyptic world. This is especially demonstrated in the trial of the two intruders.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Season 1, Episode 4:
This was shown on December 9 2008 which incidentally is my birthday.

Spoiler

This episode is this series' introduction to Jimmy Garland (played by Sarah Jane Adventures' Joseph Millson). Unlike in the original series which had Jimmy Garland fighting against armed men for his property, the Jimmy Garland here is fighting off kids instead.
Early on in the episode we see the kids playing around by breaking china. This looked rather silly but seems to foreshadow the need for Jimmy as the adult supervisor rather than as an enemy. Jimmy becoming their adult guardian was made possible due to Abby's timely arrival.
This episode has essentially been about Abby affecting things. With her absence due to her finding Peter it has led most of her fellow survivors to join Samantha Willis' community thinking things would be better there despite her having told them what happened in the previous episode.
Abby after all had been the one who convinced them to be together rather than going their separate ways in the first episode.
So it seemed only right that just as things fell apart with her absence that they go back the way they were with her return.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Found out that before they became Survivors, Max Beesley and Nikki Amuka-Bird had appeared together in the mini-series The Last Enemy and it was directed by Survivors director Iain B McDonald.

A plot element of The Last Enemy involves a virus and a virus had wiped out most of the world in Survivors.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
A disappointment that during the latest screening of Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 AD, 9 did not show an ad for the current series of Survivors. I thought it was an ideal opportunity to do so because as well as Terry Nation both the Dalek movie and Survivors showed a post-apocalyptic world.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Season 1, Episode 5:
Penultimate episode of season 1.

Spoiler

A group of other survivors led by John who talks to God arrived at our survivors' place. Among them is a pregnant woman and this eventually led Anya to reveal that she is a doctor.
Zoe Tapper portrayed really well as Anya here as she struggled in becoming a physician again.
Not to sure what to make about John talking to God especially the revelation about him towards the end of the episode.