Here’s a TV programme I’m sure my dad watched religiously which I know next to nothing about other than the crazy haircuts!
The Professionals was a TV series which spanned for five seasons between the years 1977 and 1983. It starred Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins and at its peak, pulled in millions of viewers with even the re-runs in the late 90s attracting over over million views on the now deceased TV channel, Granada. The show was created to mimic US rivals like Starkey and Hutch and had a rather memorable opening soundtrack which I’ve placed below in a clip.
This press release announces the news that Lionsgate UK and Eight Wonder pictures will produce the cinematic version and we’ll obviously keep you up to date with casting and release dates etc.
Here’s a clip from the original series… you’ll see what I mean about the haircuts!
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFVEvZvo3g’]
Lionsgate UK and Eighth Wonder Pictures to produce big screen adaptation of cult British TV crime series “The Professionals”.
Iconic characters Bodie and Doyle to hit the big screen
LONDON, U.K., March 28, 2011 – Lionsgate UK has acquired the rights to produce a feature film version of era-defining British crime action series The Professionals.
The project is expected to start shooting on location in the UK later this year.
Lionsgate UK partnered with Callum McDougall and Richard Whelan to produce the feature film via their production company Eighth Wonder.
McDougall and Whelan have been producers on a number of films, with McDougall executive producing the last two James Bond films “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” and currently the “Clash of the Titans” sequel, and Whelan having recently completed producing duties on “Captain America” for Marvel.
Reinventing the TV series for the big screen, The Professionals will be an exhilarating, emotionally-charged action-thriller that re-forges the seminal TV series for a new generation.
The Professionals will see ex-Spec Ops Mercenary Bodie and Counter Terrorism Detective Doyle burst back onto screens in this blistering origin story that sees the iconic characters unite in their first mission for covert British Security Unit CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5).
“The Professionals was such an iconic British crime series that it’s a fantastic opportunity for Lionsgate to be able to bring it to the big screen for the first time,” said Zygi Kamasa, Chief Executive, Lionsgate UK. “This production will combine the wit and fast paced action of the original TV series but also completely reinvent it for a new, modern audience and we’re really looking forward to working with talented producers Callum and Richard on the film.”
Said Whelan: “To take this 70’s TV classic and launch it onto the big screen, is a dream come true.”
Added McDougall: “We are delighted to be partnering with Lionsgate UK on this exciting project, and we look forward to working with them closely in the future”.
Originally created by Brian Clemens, the TV series of The Professionals became a cult hit in the UK in the late 1970s and its central characters Bodie and Doyle household names on London Weekend Television when the first series first aired in 1977.
