More unique genre series are definitely on the rise, and Emmy-nominee Peter Hoar (“Last of Us”) is getting in on the action. His newly launched company, Multitude Productions, is doing a reboot of the British cult classic “Blake’s 7.” Hoar will also direct what we’re assuming will be a series.
“Blake’s 7” was created by Terry Nation, who also created the Daleks on the sci-fi series “Doctor Who.” It ran for 4 seasons on the BBC from 1978 to 1981. The series takes place in a future where the totalitarian Terran Federation rules Earth, and several colonized planets. Its story follows political dissident Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas), as he leads a small group of radicals into battle against this regime.
Multitude was co-founded by Hoar, Matthew Bouch, and Jason Haigh-Ellery. They were able to come to an agreement with Nation’s estate to reboot the series.
“Blake’s 7”
“The Blake’s 7 story is legendary because they were given the [British police show] Softly, Softly slot that was intended for police drama with a budget intended for one big set and a few location shoots,” Hoar said. “At the time it felt like it meant something. Those shows got into my veins. I could tell they didn’t have money but I was able to compartmentalize and enjoy the ride knowing that the sets wobbled.”
At this time, the project hasn’t even been put in front of buyers so no writers or cast are attached, just yet.
In terms of buyers, Bouch would “love it to go to the BBC.”
“We look back at when we were young with a degree of nostalgia but also thinking about the 70s and 80s as we were growing up and the amount of genre material that was available, whether it was Blake’s 7 or the Narnia adaptation. We are looking to the international market and seeing if there is a way of dovetailing that British low-budget sensibility with international markets. We know in the U.S. there’s a big contraction and we all need to think about finding ways to make things more economical,” Bouch added.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about the “Blake’s 7” reboot as the project develops.
