BBC Working On A Revival Of ‘Gladiators’ For 2023
The BBC is working on a revival of the physical challenge game show ‘Gladiators’ to return in 2023 according to reports.
For those of you who missed the 90s phenomenon which was ‘Gladiators’, the series pitted members of the public against a team of “professional gladiators”, in a series of physical challenges such as “Duel”, which involved trying to knock each other off podiums with “pugil sticks” (aka giant cotton buds); “The Wall”, where they raced to the top of a climbing wall in 60 seconds; And “Gauntlet”, which saw the contender having to get past five of the gladiators in 20 seconds. This all culminated in “The Eliminator”, a brutal run through a variety of challenges where two contenders faced off against each other.
BBC One is in talks with rights holders MGM Studios to revive the series, which would be produced by Hungry Bear Media, the people behind Michael McIntyre’s ‘The Wheel’ and ‘Big Show’. Kate Phillips, BBC Director Of Unscripted Series, would oversee the project if it moves forward, and it would be a “major fixture” for the Kalpna Patel-Knight, who was appointed BBC’s Head Of Entertainment earlier this month.
“It’s exactly the kind of Saturday night family entertainment show that BBC One needs,” commented a source to Broadcast Magazine who broke the news.
The show originally ran for 8 Seasons from 1992-2000 presented by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu on ITV, and spawn multiple versions around the world. There was also a revival series which ran for 2 Seasons on Sky 1 from 2008-2009.
The potential new series has been in development for some time, and they even have some preliminary gladiators selected for a trial run-through before a final green light is given to produce a full series. If it does get the go-ahead, they are looking to film at Sheffield Arena in 2023, with the show being broadcast later in the year.
The ‘Gladiators’ revival is still classed as “in development” at the moment, but we’ll let you know if it goes to series.
