Red Dwarf Gets a New Series!
Red Dwarf files again!... again!
I know i’m a little behind with this news, but really i still thought it deserved to be mentioned…
Robert Llewellyn recently confirmed rumors that UKTV have commisioned 6 new episodes of the cult scifi show Red Dwarf at Dimension Jump XV (via twitter). Admittedly… given the ‘Back to Earth’ episodes (which ran on UKTV channel Dave earlier this year), I’m not sure whether this is a good or bad thing… I love early Red Dwarf, but it started to lose its way towards the end. Series 8 was a step in the right direction, but Back to Earth was 3 steps back again. While there were some glimmers of classic Dwarfness in ‘Back to Earth’, the story overall was pretty bad. On the plus side, the cast seem to slip back into their characters with ease, and it’s now possible to get some pretty decent effects with a small budget.
Still, I think it’s good they’re getting another shot at it (and ‘Back to Earth’ wasn’t it’s end point). I’d like to see Doug Naylor bring in some other writers to tackle some of the episodes, just to bring a fresh perspective. Hopefully, with the big comeback out of the way, this new series can go back to being more like the classic Red Dwarf we knew and loved.
Red Dwarf Series 10 scripts have been commissioned but filming isn’t due to start filming till 2010.
Red Dwarf Heads Back to Earth
Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), Cat (Danny John-Jules), Lister (Craig Charles), & Rimmer (Chris Barrie) return in Red Dwarf: Back to Earth
Red Dwarf is back!! I’d been hearing rumblings for a couple of months that ‘something’ was possibly going to happen, but I always take these things with a pinch of salt, as they often never amount to anything.
However, this is confirmed. Digital channel ‘Dave’ is going back to the Dwarf for a two-part Easter weekend special which see Rimmer, Lister, Cat, Kryten, and Holly finally make it back to Earth… but what will they find there?..
Seeing as the BBC totally ignored the 20th aniversary (20yrs… man, i’m old!) of Red Dwarf last year, i’m really happy Dave has picked up the show, even if it is only for a one off special!
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth will be written and directed by Red Dwarf co-creator Doug Naylor.
BBC Going Back To The Dwarf?
Well this is an interesting development… During a Pledge Drive on Seattle’s KCTS, it’s rumoured Robert Llewellyn (aka Kryten) announced that BBC Worldwide has commissioned a 1hr Red Dwarf special to be filmed in October 2008! It’ll star the original cast and Doug Naylor is currently finalizing the script.
Hour special filming in October, sounds like they’re aiming to use it as a Christmas Special for 2008. It’s an interesting turnaround, given BBC2 pretty firm rejection about doing anything new with Red Dwarf late last year. I’m glad the Beeb have finally decided to do something for Red Dwarf 20th (albeit a bit late!), rather than skipping the anniversary year altogether.
I Met Chris Barrie!
We had a corporate event at work today, and none other than Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie had been asked to speak… As you can probably tell by the way i’m in jeans and a tshirt (everyone was in suits), i wasn’t really expecting to blag my way into the event. However, my lovely boss was kind enough to let me crash the party and hear him do the after dinner talk (plus a bunch of impressions), the q&a, and get a photo… I had to bring Mr. Flibble along of course!
Chris was very funny, with stories about life on Red Dwarf, The Brittas Empire, and working with Angelina Jolie on Tomb Raider. Had a chat with him afterwards, and he is a thoroughly nice guy (with a slightly dubious choice in ties!). 
