Blake's 7 Returns: Sci-Fi Classic Reimagined by Top TV Creators
After more than four decades, the iconic British sci-fi series Blake's 7 is set for a bold revival. Acclaimed director Peter Hoar and producer Matthew Bouch are breathing new life into the cult favorite for a fresh audience.
More than forty years after its original run, the legendary British science fiction series Blake's 7 is making a comeback. Peter Hoar, known for his work on The Last of Us, is joining forces with Matthew Bouch, producer of The Witcher, to reintroduce the beloved show to a new generation. The original series, which aired from 1978 to 1981, followed a group of renegades as they fought against the oppressive Terran Federation, drawing comparisons to Star Trek for its ambitious storytelling and ensemble cast.
At the heart of the story was the Liberator, a powerful spaceship captained first by the determined Roj Blake, played by Gareth Thomas. As the series progressed, Paul Darrow's character, the brilliant and calculating Kerr Avon, took center stage, especially in the later seasons. The show was the brainchild of Terry Nation, who also created the iconic Daleks for Doctor Who, cementing his legacy in British science fiction.
Behind the Scenes: A Passion Project
Peter Hoar reflected on the show's unique place in television history, recalling,
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. 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.
Despite its modest production values, the series captivated audiences with its bold ideas and memorable characters.
For the reboot, Hoar will direct every episode, with Jason Haigh-Ellery joining as a producer and Lizzie Worsdell from Multitude serving as executive producer. The creative team is actively seeking partners to bring the project to screens in the near future, aiming to capture both the nostalgia of longtime fans and the curiosity of new viewers.
Reviving a Genre for a New Era
Matthew Bouch highlighted the current landscape for British genre television, noting,
We're driven by our passions but also seeing that there is a gap in the market in the UK – particularly with the well-publicized dropping off of Doctor Who – for genre-based British IP. 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 US there's a big contraction and we all need to think about finding ways to make things more economical.
The team is determined to blend the original's resourceful spirit with modern production techniques, hoping to appeal to audiences both in the UK and abroad. With the shifting landscape of streaming and the recent changes in Doctor Who's distribution, the timing seems right for a fresh take on a classic story of rebellion and hope.