Blake's 7 Returns: BBC Sci-Fi Classic Set for Bold Reboot
A legendary British sci-fi series is making a comeback, with acclaimed creatives at the helm. Discover what’s in store for the new era of Blake’s 7 and why it’s capturing attention once again.
After more than four decades, a much-loved British science fiction series is being revived for a fresh audience. The creative force behind The Last of Us, Peter Hoar, is joining up with Matthew Bouch, known for his work on The Witcher, to breathe new life into Blake’s 7. The original programme, which aired from 1978 to 1981, quickly became a cult favourite, offering a distinctly British take on space adventure. It followed a ragtag group of rebels as they challenged the oppressive Terran Federation, with the story initially revolving around the determined Roj Blake, played by Gareth Thomas. As the series progressed, Paul Darrow’s Kerr Avon, a sharp-witted computer expert, took centre stage in later episodes. The show’s creator, Terry Nation, also gave the world the Daleks of Doctor Who fame.
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 compartmentalise and enjoy the ride knowing that the sets wobbled.’
New Faces Behind the Scenes
Jason Haigh-Ellery is set to produce alongside Hoar and Bouch, while Lizzie Worsdell from Multitude will serve as executive producer. Hoar is expected to direct every episode, with the team preparing to present the reboot to potential partners in the near future. The project is already generating a fair bit of buzz, not least because of the creative pedigree involved.
Matthew Bouch commented on 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-publicised 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.’
Reviving a Cult Favourite for a New Generation
The timing of this reboot is notable, as the British television landscape is shifting. With Doctor Who’s future on Disney Plus uncertain, there’s a clear appetite for homegrown science fiction. The team behind the new Blake’s 7 is keen to tap into both nostalgia and the practical realities of modern production, aiming to blend the charm of the original with a sensibility that appeals to today’s global audiences.
As plans move forward, fans of the original and newcomers alike will be watching closely to see how this iconic series is reimagined. The combination of experienced hands and a beloved property suggests that Blake’s 7 could once again become a staple of British science fiction, this time with a fresh twist for the streaming era.