ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
#1
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ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/abc-...py-drama-mi-5/
An adaptation of the hit British series Spooks aka MI-5 is headed to American television via ABC. ABC Studios has closed a deal for the rights to Spooks, known in the U.S. as MI-5, with Kudos Rights LTD, a division of the Shine Group-owned British production company Kudos Film and Television which produces the BAFTA-winning original series. Michael Seitzman has been tapped to write and executive produce the adaptation, which has received a script order from ABC. But I hear it's still to be determined if the spooks will be American or British.
Spooks, created by David Wolstencroft, follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters in highly secure offices known as The Grid. The spy drama, one of the U.K.’s top series of this decade, launched in 2002, with a new season scheduled to premiere this fall. Spooks also has become one of the most recognizable British series in the U.S. in a long while. Under the title MI-5, it has aired in the U.S. on A&E, BBC America and PBS. Another top British drama series, which is well known in the U.S., Torchwood, is getting a U.S. reboot at Starz, which is co-producing the upcoming installment of the Doctor Who spinoff.
MI-5 does not fall under Seitzman's overall deal at ABC Studios. He had 2 projects for the studio that went to pilot last year, Empire State and House Rules. On the feature side, the WME-repped Seitzman penned the 2005 film North Country.
Before you start cursing and calling this the worst idea ever, they only ordered a script. The guy ABC hired to write it unfortunately has a lousy resume. His best known credits are North Country and Here on Earth.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0782739/
An adaptation of the hit British series Spooks aka MI-5 is headed to American television via ABC. ABC Studios has closed a deal for the rights to Spooks, known in the U.S. as MI-5, with Kudos Rights LTD, a division of the Shine Group-owned British production company Kudos Film and Television which produces the BAFTA-winning original series. Michael Seitzman has been tapped to write and executive produce the adaptation, which has received a script order from ABC. But I hear it's still to be determined if the spooks will be American or British.
Spooks, created by David Wolstencroft, follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters in highly secure offices known as The Grid. The spy drama, one of the U.K.’s top series of this decade, launched in 2002, with a new season scheduled to premiere this fall. Spooks also has become one of the most recognizable British series in the U.S. in a long while. Under the title MI-5, it has aired in the U.S. on A&E, BBC America and PBS. Another top British drama series, which is well known in the U.S., Torchwood, is getting a U.S. reboot at Starz, which is co-producing the upcoming installment of the Doctor Who spinoff.
MI-5 does not fall under Seitzman's overall deal at ABC Studios. He had 2 projects for the studio that went to pilot last year, Empire State and House Rules. On the feature side, the WME-repped Seitzman penned the 2005 film North Country.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0782739/
#2
Moderator
Re: ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
They should hire a primarily black cast, return to the original title, and throw up posters and ads everywhere with no explanation.
#6
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
Sorry, but they failed miserability with something so brilliant as Life on Mars. No way I trust them with this either.
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#9
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Thread Starter
Re: ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
Keep in mind, this hasn't even been greenlighted as a Pilot yet. The guy mentioned in the OP was just hired by ABC to write the 1st draft of a script. For all we know it could suck ass and they may turn it over to another writer/producer.
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
Love the BBC series, so I'll give it a look. Enjoyed both versions of Life on Mars as well, but the BBC was definitely superior, and I still rank it as one of my favorites shows ever.
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Re: ABC to adapt British Series "Spooks" aka "MI-5"
I agree, however technically that was NBC.
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