The Prisoner is being remade!

Filed in archive Announcements on December 31, 2006

I recall from the 1980's watching a revival on PBS of a 1967 CBS series called "The Prisoner." The series was only shown once on CBS and had a total of 17 episodes (a few of which that should not have been made). The show, a sequel of sorts to the spy series, "Secret Agent," also starring McGoohan, follows the exploits of a nameless resigned British government agent who is gassed and taken to an isolated isle called "The Village," where occupants are given numbers instead of names. He is Number Six, often in a mental duel with the evil Number Two, and desperately trying to figure out who is Number One.

You either loved it or hated it. As a result, it developed a cult following. Count me in the 'loved it' camp which is probably why I'm writing about it now.

I recently read that the cult TV series has finally escaped from development limbo and will be remade for a simultaneous U.S. and UK debut in January 2008. I suppose we cannot program our DVR's that far in advance. AMC, Granada, and Sky One have partnered up to produce the new series.

Supposedly, the first season of "The Prisoner" remake will run for a minimum of six to eight episodes and not be a limited series. That means it could return for a second season if the first is a success. No star has been cast, and no director has been tapped. The series will be written by UK screenwriter Bill Gallagher, who has scripted several BBC TV programs.