'Primeval' post-watershed spinoff to film in Canada
Published Sep 15 2011, 10:49 BST | By Ryan Love
© ITV
The sci-fi drama began on ITV1 in 2007 and was recommissioned for a fourth and fifth series as part of a co-production deal between ITV and UKTV. While the fifth series was shown on Watch earlier this year, no details of its ITV1 broadcast have been confirmed.
Broadcast reports that Indie production company Impossible Pictures has secured an order for the "older, darker and scarier" Primeval: New Order from Canadian sci-fi broadcaster Space, which previously acquired the UK series.
The 13, one-hour episodes - said to have a budget of $2.5 (£1.6m) per episode - will follow a group of North American scientists and animal experts who investigate the arrival of prehistoric and futuristic creatures in the modern day world. The show will feature a "younger, sexier" cast, while storylines will also explore characters' relationships.
Production will begin in Vancouver in the winter, with the show expected to air in a 9pm slot during autumn next year. "This will be a bigger, better, badder re-imagining of the show, rather than a continuation," said Impossible managing director Jonathan Drake.
"We are really looking forward to working with [production company] Omni to help make a series that can exceed even the huge success of the original Primeval in international markets and with viewers across the world."
UKTV is said to be involved in talks to arrange a co-production deal for Primeval: New Order.
> 'Primeval' star: 'Film is still happening'
> 'Primeval' Q&A: Series five preview
Watch a feature on the fifth series of Primeval below:
When Impossible Pictures Managing Director is happy with a North American version of "younger, more sexier" and "Older, darker and scarier" version: the Primeval fans would have told him to make this an adult show in the first place! ITV1/Watch TV should not have been so keen for peak-time high viewing scores and focus only for an adult-only sci-fi/fantasy tv series. Strictly Late nights Only In The UK, Jonathan Drake!
November 29th 2011 at 1:33am
Oh dear.. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE BEN MANSFIELD IN THEN IT ISN'T PRIMEVAL. *cries* They're strealing the best thing England has! :(
October 26th 2011 at 10:46pm
well, the shows are as terrible as each other.
October 14th 2011 at 3:22pm
Sounds like they're turning it into a steaming pile of crap. It was watchable by the whole family which is very rare these days and now the Canadians want to cut out half the audience. Said it before and I'll say it again, TV execs are complete and utter morons.
October 5th 2011 at 12:16am
it will never work. primeval is its characters. the current UK cast are brilliant and was left open to a new series. I hope the production people realise the big mistake they will make if they don't do a series 6 to at least finish the series properly. the matt from the futue, jess and becker...best couple ever and connor and abby getting married. they could go so far with it. and plus danny is still alive he could make a return. I hop;e they don't waste a brilliant show.
September 24th 2011 at 3:18pm