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Blake's 7 Revival On Track For A Rebellion Reborn Paul Darrow inks
a rights deal with the estate of the late Terry Nation to bring back Blake's 7
to the TV screens.
Producers Andrew Mark Sewell, formally Creative Director at BBC Worldwide, film producer, Simon Moorhead; along with actor Paul Darrow, have inked a rights deal with the estate of the late Terry Nation who created the series, which gives the go-ahead for a revived format designed to breathe new life into this popular cult science fiction series.
The deal was brokered by agent Roger Hancock of
Roger Hancock Limited who represents the Nation Estate and comes
as a result of lengthy negotiations, which now make Sewell, Moorhead
and Darrow the creative and commercial custodians of the property. Commenting on the latest developments, Sewell said: "We've had select rights for some time now, but to move things forward and establish what we hope will become a credible franchise we needed the full suite. Fortunately Terry's widow, Kate Nation bought into
our vision for reviving the show one hundred per cent. She trusts
us as producers to guide this property from a creative and commercial
standpoint. British science fiction has remained in the doldrums
far too long and we believe that our plans will deliver a compelling
SF drama that appeals to the sensibilities of today's audience both
domestically and internationally." The deal covers two major areas: A production agreement to revive "Blake's
7" as a telemovie(s) or series but also covers potential feature
films, merchandising and licensing. The assignment of character, format, title and
script rights of the original BBC Series of "Blake's 7"
that ran on BBC Television from 1978-1981. Already in the works is a four-hour mini-series based on an original idea by the late Terry Nation. The new take on "Blake's 7" is set twenty-five years on from where the original ended and will introduce a new generation of characters that will "take on the might of the Federation". It also promises the return of the seminal anti-hero Avon for a
final showdown. Paul Darrow who for many played the most memorable and popular
character in the series, Avon, says, "This is clearly tremendous
news especially for those who have been loyal to the series over
more than two decades! The programme had such a gritty and dramatic
style that was every bit as great an influence on the SF genre as
the original 'Star Trek'. Terry and I were close friends and we
will produce a worthy tribute to his creative legacy taking his
original concept into an entirely new and exciting realm that will
win a whole new audience." The new logo for the series is also being unveiled today. Designed by Vincent Lewis of Ignite New Media, Lewis knew that the logo had to have a discernible parity with the designs in the collective consciousness, whilst being original. "We didn't want it to look derivative. There's potentially
too much cryptology," explains Lewis. "Andrew and I agreed
that we needed to move the design on, ensuring that it had immediate
impact when first viewed. It was certainly one of the hardest designs
I've ever done." Sewell believes that a revival of "Blake's 7" is extremely timely and one that today's audience will relish, especially with so many of the classic cult shows from the 60s and 70s soon to enjoy a reappearance on our screens there's no questioning the interest in revitalising hits from our television past. "Curiously this is the SF project that everyone had overlooked and yet is the one that everyone should have produced in the first place," says Sewell.
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OTHER CONTENT - September 2003
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In
its 25th anniversary year since the original series first aired
on the BBC the TV revival of "Blake's 7" took a step closer
to being realised today as a series of announcements - including
the unveiling of a new logo and official website - gave the green
light to a project that has been hugely anticipated by fans.
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