Classic British drama Lovejoy, which starred American Gods’ Ian McShane, is set for another remake attempt after fledgling indie Blue Sky Pictures acquired the rights to the original novels.
The company, run by Nick Witkowski, has acquired the rights to the books, written by John Grant, under the pen name Jonathan Gash, from agent Lisa Moylett at Cmm Literary Agency. Grant wrote over 20 Lovejoy novels including The Judas Pair and The Vatican Rip.
Witkowski said that he planned to “update it for the 21st century for both the millions who followed the original and a whole new generation of viewers”.
The series ran for 71 episodes over six seasons on BBC One between 1986 and 1994. Originally adapted for television by Ian La Frenais and distributed by Fremantle, the show followed roguish antiques dealer Lovejoy, played by McShane, who had a reputation for recognizing exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antiques from fakes.
The company, run by Nick Witkowski, has acquired the rights to the books, written by John Grant, under the pen name Jonathan Gash, from agent Lisa Moylett at Cmm Literary Agency. Grant wrote over 20 Lovejoy novels including The Judas Pair and The Vatican Rip.
Witkowski said that he planned to “update it for the 21st century for both the millions who followed the original and a whole new generation of viewers”.
The series ran for 71 episodes over six seasons on BBC One between 1986 and 1994. Originally adapted for television by Ian La Frenais and distributed by Fremantle, the show followed roguish antiques dealer Lovejoy, played by McShane, who had a reputation for recognizing exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antiques from fakes.
- 7/2/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Long before Ian McShane gave Us audiences a profanity laden acting masterclass as the magnificently layered saloon owner Al Swearengen in HBO’s Deadwood, he was giving aging housewives weekly groin twinges as charismatic antiques dealer Lovejoy. If you want to know why the BBC suddenly went nuts to recapture the youth audience with shows like Dr. Who, Torchwood and the revamped Top Gear, it’s because it realized it had driven them all away to rival network ITV with shows like Lovejoy, a piece of bourgeois-centric fluff so light it has to be weighted down to keep from floating away.
Based on a series of picturesque novels by the unfortunately named Jonathan Gash (a pen name he chose no less) the character of Lovejoy is depicted as a loveable rogue who navigates the high seas of regional antiques dealing by his wits! Lovejoy doesn’t have a first name...
Based on a series of picturesque novels by the unfortunately named Jonathan Gash (a pen name he chose no less) the character of Lovejoy is depicted as a loveable rogue who navigates the high seas of regional antiques dealing by his wits! Lovejoy doesn’t have a first name...
- 5/12/2009
- by Neil Pedley
- JustPressPlay.net
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