9:00am Wednesday 30th September 2009
By David Barnett
Bradford actor Andrew-Lee Potts will be rescued from his dilemma at the dawn of time, TV bosses have vowed.
After cancelling Wibsey-born Andrew’s mega-monster smash hit Primeval earlier this year because of the cost of producing the effects-heavy series, ITV yesterday struck a deal with another broadcaster to bring it back.
It means Connor Temple, the character played by Andrew, will fight on after being stranded in the far flung past alongside co-star and real-life fiancee Hannah Spearritt.
From 2011 the series – which sees a squad of experts battling against incursions of deadly beasties from across time – will return for another 13 episodes thanks to a partnership between ITV, digital channel UKTV and series creators Impossible Pictures.
The premieres of season four and season five of Primeval will be split between ITV1 and UKTV’s new entertainment pay TV channel, Watch.
ITV1 will be the first to broadcast series four (in early 2011), while Watch will premiere series five later that year. ITV1 will then broadcast season five.
Impossible Pictures has worked closely with BBC Worldwide to implement a new funding strategy for the series, in which BBC America, which has acquired previous series for the US, joins Germany’s Pro7 as a co-production partner.
Tim Haines, creative director at Impossible Pictures, said: “I am thrilled ITV has agreed to this deal which will allow us to produce another 13 episodes.
“The confidence demonstrated in the programme’s continued success here and abroad will help us bring more big screen action and a whole host of new creatures roaring back into people’s living rooms.”
Laura Mackie, director of ITV Drama Commissioning, said: “We’re delighted to have agreed this new deal.
“The innovative nature of this partnership will allow the show to maintain its high production values and deliver the fantastic programme our viewers know and love.”
Paul Moreton, Channel Head at Watch, said: “We are really excited to be part of this innovative deal that guarantees the continuation of this series. “I know Primeval is going to be a massive hit with Watch viewers and the perfect complement to other sci-fi dramas such as Doctor Who and Torchwood.”
e-mail: david.barnett@telegraphandargus.co.uk
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