Possibly the most well-done sci-fi series until the remake of Battlestar Galactica, Blake’s 7 ran from 1978-1981, gathering a cult following that is almost as surprising as the concept; a group of freedom fighters plotting the destruction of the universal government. Virtually unknown in the US, Blake’s 7 maintained a strong viewer base until it’s surprise ending in ‘81 that even shocked series creator Terry Nation (who had since distanced himself from the project).
There have been numerous rubmlings of a return for the series and this may only be the newest… but it could also be true.
Inspired by the successful revivals of DOCTOR WHO and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (and because there are, evidently, no new concepts to be found in the tens-of-thousands of pitches conducted every year), Sky One is dusting off BLAKE’S 7 for a relaunch.
The original series (created by Terry Nation) ran on BBC for four seasons between 1978 and 1981.
Sky has commissioned two 60-minute scripts with the intention of creating a new sci-fi series of the hugely popular show, which followed the intergalactic tales of a small band of rebel fighters struggling to evade the dark forces of the Federation.
With so many failed re-imaginings of classic concepts, this ‘new Blake’s 7‘ could very well happen and fail all at once… or it could be incredible. Living in a world where global terrorism is in the daily press, I wonder where the audience for Blake’s 7 would be. I mean paint it however you like but… they are ’space terrorists.’
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that if it happens, the right people are involved in steering the good ship Liberator and it doesn’t turn into an ‘ironic’ program lampooning the more camp aspects of the show.
