Blake’s 7 reborn on audio…

LONDON, December 11, 2006: UK-based independent media production company  B7 Productions has announced the return of the cult television classic BLAKE’S 7 as a series of original audio dramas.

Taking full advantage of the cult status of BLAKE’S 7 (circa 1978-1981) and its enduring popularity, B7 Productions has produced a series of original audio adventures based on the format and characters created by the late Terry Nation. The broadcast platform is currently under negotiation.

In what the producers promise to be a radical new re-interpretation of Terry Nation’s original series, DEREK RIDDELL (No Angels, Doctor Who) heads an all new cast as the eponymous rebel leader, Roj Blake. COLIN SALMON (best known for his film roles in James Bond, Alien vs. Predator and Resident Evil), assumes the iconic role of Kerr Avon with DANIELA NARDINI (This Life) as the rebel’s arch nemesis Supreme Commander Servalan.

Other cast members include CRAIG KELLY (Queer as Folk), CARRIE DOBRO (Babylon 5); MICHAEL PRAED (Robin of Sherwood), DOUG BRADLEY (Hellraiser) and INDIA FISHER (Doctor Who).

BLAKE’S 7 will be produced as a series of all new 36 x 5-minute audio dramas based on the original cult series broadcast on the BBC in the 1970’s. The audio adventures were recorded last week and will debut in spring 2007. A special ‘extended’ CD edition will be released for retail the month following broadcast.

Ben Aaronovitch, Marc Platt and James Swallow wrote the audio plays based on the format and characters created by the late Terry Nation, one of Britain’s foremost television writers of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Audio Director, Andrew Mark Sewell comments: “Representing the best traditions of the original television series these all-new audio adventures will be a fresh and dramatic interpretation of this much loved cult classic. Whilst they are intended to appeal to fans of the original series, equally we hope they’ll capture the imagination of the next generation of fans who love science fiction and enjoy compelling radio drama”

Sewell adds: “In the 1970’s, BLAKE’S 7 heralded a new creed of television science fiction. Radio represents the ideal medium to re-introduce BLAKE’S 7 and to remind people what a rich and imaginative world Terry Nation created.”

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