Spiffy news for fans of the old British TV show 'The Prisoner' - it's coming back with Jim Caviezel in the role of Number Six. The original show, starring Patrick McGoohan, was about one man's struggle against an unseen authority which held him captive in The Village.
The sci fi cult classic has been the subject of books, documentaries, college courses and even featured in an episode of 'The Simpsons'. The new show will be a “re-versioning” of the original and will also star Sir Ian McKellen in the role of the jailer, Number Two.
Six Of One, which bills itself as the official appreciation society for “The Prisoner,” says it broke the exclusive details of the new AMC/ITV “Prisoner” miniseries. The six episodes will be produced and directed by John Jones. Filming is [rumored] to begin in August.
Robin Llywelyn, the managing director of Portmeirion in Wales where the original series was based, said that the village's association with a hit TV show brings positive publicity it was impossible to buy.
He said: “'I am delighted to hear The Prisoner is being revived. The fact it still enjoys a cult following after 40 years suggests this is long overdue. Portmeirion was used as the location for the first series and would be honored to be part of the second series. Time may have taken its toll on the human cast but the 40-year interval has not changed the village in any way.”
The Village was an important part of the original series as Number Six arrives with no memory of how he got there. And as he frantically explores his environment, he discovers that its inhabitants are identified by number instead of by name, and have no memory of a prior existence or outside civilization. They are under constant surveillance by a repressive authority.
Patrick McGoohan created, produced, wrote, directed and starred in the title role, and the series became one of televisions most acclaimed and influential programs.
Caviezel is best known for his work in "Passion of the Christ", "The Count of Monte Cristo," and "The Thin Red Line."
