Interview with Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines

Apologies about the lack of updates for some time, but we're back!

First of all, here's the new trailer for Series 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce6FXdqC48w&feature=fvst

Second, Tim and Adrian have just done a massive interview for the Livejournal website "Primeval Denial". Here it is, in six parts, with some spoilers for Series 4/5.

http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1757980.html
http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1759845.html
http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1762788.html
http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1764455.html
http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1766327.html
http://community.livejournal.com/primeval_denial/1767972.html


And finally, a bunch of high-quality pictures for Series 4:

http://www.farfarawaysite.com/section/primeval/photo1.htm

Series 4 Synopsis

Taken from http://itvprimeval.proboards.com/index.cgi


Series four picks up approx 12 months after the end of series 3. One year after the death of Johnson and the disappearance of three key ARC personnel (Danny, Connor and Abby), the government lost faith in Lester’s abilities to run such a dangerous and expensive operation on his own. They placed the ARC in the hands of a public/private partnership, part-owned by the government, and partly by entrepreneurial scientist Philip Burton (think Richard Branson with a microscope). The ARC now operates from the industrial complex which houses Philip’s scientific empire; an estate of buildings with all the hustle and bustle of a thriving scientific community.
As with any public/private partnership, there’s tension over who’s really in charge; Lester still runs the day-to-day operation but begrudgingly, he realizes that Philip will want involvement in the operation when it suits him. Following Connor, Abby and Danny’s departure, the ARC found new recruits to take their place: Matt, new field leader, now handles the incursions. He’s more than just an ex-soldier; he’s a zoologist, with an uncanny ability to understand animals. A private man, Matt carefully guards the secrets of his past - and the real reason he has joined the ARC team. Unconventional Jess now runs operations from the ARC Control Centre – highly efficient and organized, her work ethic is second to none, though she is human enough to nurse an unrequited crush on Captain Becker.
Becker reigned from the military when the ARC was destroyed, and has lived with a sense of responsibility for the original team going missing. He now works as Head of Security for the ARC. They come complete with new uniforms, and most importantly to Matt, new taser guns which avoid killing the creatures.During the year they spent stranded in the Cretaceous, Connor and Abby eeked out an existence by eating roots and grubs and learning when to run fast from the creatures that threaten their lives.
It’s an experience that has brought them closer together, in every sense. But their time there has taken its toll…both emotionally and physically. Abby, always the most practical one of the two, has adapted to her new surroundings slightly better than Connor, who was always happier around technological comforts than out in the wild. But neither are prepared for the changes that have happened to the ARC since they left in search of Helen one year ago…Danny, the only outstanding member of the original team, returns in episode 7, where his revelations will have a profound effect on the ARC and its team. He has struggled through life in the Rift Valley and several other eras, and has fought to find a way back after discovering a secret the team needs to know. His return is greeted with shock and happiness, but he soon makes the decision to return to the wilderness of the anomalies, in search of his lost brother.

RIP Donal Gilligan

http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283374&tpl=archnews&force=1

Irish cinematographer Donal Gilligan passed away last Sunday, aged 46. Gilligan had worked on numerous Irish productions, including the fourth series of Primeval. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.

Videos of Series 5 filming [Minor spoilers]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEFs7OxlfLs&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV3JTsAL7Ao&feature=channel

News courtesy of squat.


Also: Our first Series 5 tag!

Canadian Spin-Off in the works

Chris here with some interesting news. It seems Primeval is going the way of CSI...

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/canada/primeval-set-for-csi-style-franchise-deal/5017423.article

Impossible Pictures is set to build on sci-fi drama Primeval with an innovative CSI-style franchise deal with Canadian indie Omni Film Productions.

Following a co-production deal agreed last week, Omni Film will try to line up a broadcaster to partfund a Canadian version of the show, which is likely to cost about $2m per episode.

The yet-to-be-named Primeval franchise will extend the format with new characters, locations and storylines, rather than replicating the existing UK series.

Star Trek: Enterprise writers Judy and Garfield Reeves-Stevens have been earmarked to work on the scripts, which will be distributed to broadcasters.

Impossible has already begun early discussions with a range of UK, US and German broadcasters and distributors to gauge interest, and is hopeful of bringing in further investment with a view to starting production next summer.

Jonathan Drake, managing director of Impossible Pictures, said franchising the brand created opportunities both to distribute the Primeval back catalogue and to help secure its future.

“We won’t be replacing the UK show in the international market but complementing it. It will provide a positive glow for our catalogue of existing Primeval shows,” said Drake. “And if something were to happen to the UK version, the brand still survives.”

The Primeval spin-off will be produced in Canada with Impossible maintaining close control as co-exec producer. Drama and factual producer Omni Film worked with Impossible on ABC’s US drama Defying Gravity last year.

ITV decommissioned the original Primeval but it was rescued last year after Impossible struck a complex co-production deal involving ITV, UKTV, ProSieben in Germany and BBC Worldwide. ITV and Watch will get the first run of series four and five respectively next year. Both are currently being shot in Dublin, with a revamped cast.

Separately, Warner Bros picked up the rights to make a Primeval film in May last year.

This could mean that Series 4 or 5 could bridge the Canadian spin-off.

Chris.

Premiere in January?

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s48/primeval/news/a257042/primeval-star-loves-sci-fi-shows.html

This DS article refers to an interview with Alexander Siddig (a new cast-member for Series 4) where he makes fleeting reference to Primeval, in the first page of that interview. At the end of the DS article, it is mentioned that:

The new [series] of Primeval will premiere in January on ITV1.

I may have missed something before, but I'm pretty sure that's the first real word on Series 4's premiere date. I mean, we shouldn't really set our hopes on that - remember last series? Plus, we don't know where this info is coming from. But, it is promising, that they're confident enough to put a month on the article.

New series info in SFX

Forum member xhannahandandrewx has kindly transcribed a short article in the latest SFX magazine:

[I think I may finally be getting to grips with the blog formating...]

Lovestruck
It seems 'what happens in the Cretaceous, stays in the Cretaceous' because when Connor and Abby return to the present after a year stuck in the past they're a bona fide couple - about bloody time. Then again, surviving by eating grubs and running away from dinos will do that to folk. Finding themselves back in the present working and living together puts a strain on their romance, but at least there'll be plenty of creatures on hand in case they want to vent their frustrations with a tranquiliser gun. Who needs relationship counsellors anyway?

Soldier, Soldier
New boy Matt Anderson (Ciaran McMenamin) will have his work cut out filling the ample shoes of Cutter and Danny, but as the new ARC field leader his mix of brains, brawn, charisma and sense of adventure should see him quickly win over the team. We're told he's joined the ARC operation for his own purposes, and with a bit of mystery surrounding his past - not to mention an innate understanding of animal psychology - its unlikey he's there just to make up the numbers.

New Girl In Town
Newbie Jess (Ruth Kearney) runs operations from the ARC control centre, and her skill set includes computer wizadry, coming at problems from unusual angles, winding up Lester and flirting. The (unrequited, alas) object of her affections is the ARC head of security Becker, whos still nursing emotional scars about the loss of team members last year. Will she be able to break down his armour, we wonder?

Home Is Where The ARC Is
Its not only the team thats had a bit of a makeover. With the new-look facility now operating from within Burton's empire - an estate housing some of the greatest minds in the scientific world - its no surprise that theres plenty of tension with Lester as the pair tussle over whos really in charge.

Details of new minor character, and new creature

The below article contains minor spoilers:

http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/robs-girl-susie-is-looking-serious-with-irish-audition-2259633.html

ROB Kearney's girlfriend, Susie Amy (29), is trying to score acting jobs in Dublin, the Herald can reveal.

In the clearest sign yet that she is serious about the strapping Ireland rugby player (24) and wants to make a new life here, the actress was spotted going into an audition recently.

And she had to shed her usual fashion-forward look for the acting role -- which was to play a geeky investigator for cult ITV series Primeval.

"The actresses were all asked to dress down and try to look like real geeks with nerdy clothes, big glasses and minimal make-up for the role," said an insider.

"Everyone was kind of surprised to see Susie there as she has never worked in Ireland before and has obviously worked on some really big shows like Footballers' Wives and so has a load of TV experience.

"It also shows that she's serious about possibly re-locating to Ireland and trying to make a proper go of things with Rob. Once the season starts up again, it's going to be really hard to spend quality time with each other as his schedule is so tightly packed."

Susie, who has been dating Kearney since last December, was asked to try out for a coveted part in the ITV science fiction series.

It was shelved after three series but has now been brought back after receiving substantial funding.

A source has revealed that part of the new series -- which includes creatures from the future attacking a seaside town -- is filmed in Wicklow and inside Luttrelstown Castle in Dublin.

Susie's former Footballers' Wives co-star Laila Rouass played an Egyptologist named Sarah Page in the third series of the cult show but will not be returning.

Starring Douglas Henshall as a biology professor, Primeval follows a team of five scientists tasked with investigating holes in time through which prehistoric and futuristic creatures can enter the present.

ITV announced earlier this year it would be back for a fourth series, filmed largely in Ireland.

The first block of filming for the 13 new episodes has started in locations around Powerscourt estate, The O2, Grand Canal Dock and Park West Business Park.

The UK/Ireland/Germany co-production will avail of Ireland's attractive incentives with support from the Irish Film Board.

Not sure if I like the sound of that characterization, but time will tell.

Hannah Spearitt confirmed for SFX Weekender and Andrew-Lee Potts teases us with S4 info

Chris here,

Andrew-Lee Potts interview.

Nothing too big with this one, it's pretty much like when they got some of the cast to tease us with Series 3 info.

Hannah Spearitt attending SFX Weekender2.

I think we can be expecting an interview (or two) and some new information on Series 4 and 5.

Chris.

Primeval cast and creatives at SFX weekender

http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/06/25/sfx-weekender-2011-blasts-off-with-star-trek-legend/

With further star guests to be announced over coming months, next year visitors can expect to see stage appearances by important contributors to sci-fi such as Pat Mills (one of the founders of 2000 AD, known as the “godfather of British comics”), authors Stephen Baxter, Mike Carey and Gary Gibson, plus cast and creatives from Primeval, ITV’s hit show which is returning to TV in 2011.

Thanks to forum-member "xxbagpussxx".

Filming finishes; First promo pic

Behold the first promo pic for the new series:

...showing the new team, in what looks like the new ARC.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s48/primeval/tubetalk/a233175/first-look-at-the-new-primeval-cast.html

Also, filming on Primeval's fourth has finished, according to Digital Spy. That same article features a statement from Tim Haines on the new series:

The cast and crew have been brilliant and they have put in a huge effort over the past four months to deliver some amazing work. We have also been very lucky in that Dublin has afforded us some fantastic new locations and the fact that we've filmed in HD for the first time means that the production values are higher than ever.

The rough cuts I've seen are very exciting and I think we are going to deliver a show that will really please and delight the fans.

The following article also contains some new information on the new and returning cast, including something rather important. Spoilers for the new series ahoy.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s48/primeval/news/a233178/primeval-series-four-filming-finishes.html

"Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee-Potts, Ben Miller, Jason Flemyng, Lucy Brown and Ben Mansfield have all returned to the show."

Directions courtesy of forum member rex.

Interview with new director, Robert Quinn

http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283124&tpl=archnews&force=1

Andrew here. IFTN have done an interview with new Irish director, Robert Quinn. The interview tells us about three more Irish actors he's been working with: Peter Hanley, Rory Keenan, and Briain Gleeson. However, it doesn't say how big their part is in the episodes he's doing. Also, there's a bit of information about certain creature attacks down the page, but it doesn't say what creature.

Robert Quinn, the only Irish director involved with the fourth season of the sci-fi caper, ‘Primeval’ currently in production in Ireland recently spoke with IFTN from the set of the popular sci-fi series. Award winning director of programmes such as ‘Na Cloigne’, ‘Seacht’ and ‘Rasai na Gaillimhe’, Robert is currently in the process of shooting the 5th and 6th episode of the show’s fourth series.

Robert is one of the large Irish crew working on the series alongside new Irish cast members including IFTA nominee Ciarán McMenamin (Any Time Now, Hunger), Ruth Kearney (Shark City, Hard Boiled Eggs), Peter Hanley (Braveheart), Rory Keenan (The Guard) and Briain Gleeson (Single Handed).

The Irish cast members have joined the show’s established staff members Hannah Spearritt (Seed of Chucky), Ben Miller (Johnny English), Andrew Lee-Potts (1408), and Ben Mansfield (Mr. Nobody) alongside fellow newcomer Alexander Siddig (Clash of the Titans).

The new series will return to the ARC after the government loses faith in Lester’s (Ben Miller) ability to run such a dangerous and expensive operation on his own. The anomaly operation is now a public/private partnership, part-owned by the government, and partly by charismatic scientist Philip Burton, played by Alexander Siddig.

IFTN caught up with Robert Quinn to talk about becoming involved with a show that comes hand-in-hand with diehard fans, prehistoric creatures and the terrorism of seaside towns.

IFTN: Hi Robert, when did you start shooting your episodes?

Robert Quinn (RQ): We started shooting two weeks ago. Altogether this block is going to take about six months to shoot.

IFTN: How long do you have left in your block?

RQ: I’m shooting for another four weeks. And then we continue on until September with post.

IFTN: Were you a big fan of the series prior to becoming involved with the production?

RQ: I was actually, yes. I’d only seen a bit of it – I wasn’t the kind of person who would watch it religiously every week but I certainly tuned-in every now and then. I was delighted when I heard it was coming here, it’s great to get shows like this which have a track record.

IFTN: ‘Primeval’ has such a cult following, was that daunting at all?

RQ: Yes, it has a very broad range. It appeals to seven year olds and 47 year olds. And I think that’s down to the storylines and the scientific aspects of it – they mix up the science with good quality entertainment which is a good formula.

I try not to feel pressure doing any show because you’d just drive yourself mad. When I was meeting with the producers in London the walls of the office were covered with fan mail from people of all ages – children, teenagers and adults all loving the show and I realised that this is something with a reputation that I need to maintain.

IFTN: Your involvement with the series marks a very different project to what you usually work on . . .

RQ: This is true. There were very few prehistoric creatures running around in ‘The Clinic’ for instance. It was a thrill to be asked to be involved because I’ve always wanted to be involved with a big CGI shoot and lots of other things that you just don’t get the opportunity to do over here really. And there’s a huge Irish contingent involved here which is fantastic and very exciting!

IFTN: And are the British cast and crew members having a good time here?

RQ: Of course, sure why wouldn’t they – the sun is shining! We were on silver strand the other day with the sun out and I thought to myself ‘This is a good a place to be working as any!’ They’re a very nice and professional cast and crew and the cast know their characters inside out – they know definitively what their respective characters would do in any given situation so all I have to do is work with that and around that. There’s very little that I can tell them about their roles that they don’t already know so you move into nuance then.

IFTN: Is it proving difficult to put your own individual stamp on your episodes whilst also respecting the established format of the show?

RQ: You try and bring something of yourself to everything that you do. That said there is, I wouldn’t say formulaic, but a Primeval promise that you have to adhere to. The formula has been set up by the opening key director, Mark Everest and he set up the style of the show. DOP Donal Gilligan has a specific style of shooting as well which I feed into too. It would look very odd if I tried to set a new style or approach to telling the story, so you keep to the set style but you try to make your scenes as fun as possible too - there’s a great deal of humour in this show, it’s not just about creatures running around biting the heads of various people, there’s a brilliant tongue-in-cheek element to it. And if there’s an Irish humour or sensibility that I can bring to it, I will.

We’ve got great actors here like Ben [Miller], Andrew [Lee-Potts] and Hannah [Spearritt] – and they know comedy and how best to use it in their parts. And then of course we have brilliant Irish actors involved too like Ruth Kearney and Ciaran McMenamin and we’re going to be working with Peter Hanley who’s a great comic. And of course Rory Keenan is coming on board and Briain Gleeson so I’m really pleased that the Irish crew, and particularly the Irish cast members, can feed into this predominantly English production and make it work as best as they possibly can – and I don’t think the audiences will skip a beat when they see the Irish actors working within it.

IFTN: Can you let us know what’s happening in you episodes at all, without giving anything too major away?

RQ: Well, without wanting to give the show’s away I can tell you that in one episode the creatures terrorises a lovely seaside village and in the other one they attack a beautiful castle which means, of course, that there’s lots of fun to be had in both those episodes. We’ll be using Luttrelstown castle and we’ve been shooting in Wicklow for the seaside-town episode.

Shooting of the new series began on March 22nd in Dublin and Wicklow and will continue until November 2010. Robert is joined by Mark Everest (Torchwood) and Cilla Ware (Double Act) in directing the work. Production design is by Michael Ralph (Silent Witness) with costumes designed by Irish designer Gaby Rooney (Wardrobe Assistant, My Boy Jack). The show’s Irish director of photography is Donal Gilligan (Omagh, Dead Bodies) and CFC will continue their collaboration on special effects with Richard Cox editing the series in-house.

’Primeval’ will return to television screens for two new series from 2011, as a result of a ground-breaking deal between ITV, multichannel broadcaster, UKTV, and producers Impossible Pictures.

More Set Pics from Series 4!

http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/05/19/primeval-series-four-set-pics/

We finally get to see two of the new characters, with the new team leader with the yet unexplained weapon.

Chris.

Laila Rouass explains 'Primeval' exit

Laila Rouass just informed The Mirror that her character, Sarah Page, will no longer be appearing on Primeval.

Rouass explained: "I'm a single parent and it just wouldn't have been possible for me to carry on in Primeval once filming of the show switched to Dublin for ten months.

You can read more about it here.

Chris.

Andrew Lee-Potts Interview with Chicago Now

Andrew here. Yet more thanks to the eagle-eyed Luckyhannah25, who spotted this recent ALP interview. Not much new is revealed, apart from "there are definitely going to be more nods toward Connor becoming more like Cutter." Here's the whole thing:

Tell me some secrets.
[Laughs.] I can't tell you anything. Obviously, they're going to keep pushing--a lot of things happened in the last series; i.e., losing our lead character. You've got to be a bit clever to survive in 'Primeval' because they like killing people off quite a lot. But that's their way of keeping it really super fresh, and you actually never know. And nobody's really safe. But yeah, I will--can I say--will I--no, I can't.

Well, we know that you have to come back from the past. Last we saw Connor, Abby and you guys were all stuck in the past.
Yeah, but when do we come back from the past? That's the only thing I'll say.

All right. That works.
You don't know how long we've been there, and that might be a key thing.

Ahh. OK. Fans are genuinely excited to hear the good news.
It's like it is what it is, and yeah, it's a family show and stuff, but I genuinely think ... it's actually really entertaining. It's got a lot for everybody in there, and I think it doesn't patronize. We have a bit of fun. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but just seriously enough. I think the balance of things in the show, I think they always get right. Well, obviously I'm going to say that, because I'm a big "Primeval" fan. So yeah, it's all about making it better every time, and that's what we keep trying to do.

In the three seasons so far, Connor's gone from sort of being a goofball nerdy guy to a hero.
An accidental hero, I suppose, yeah.

Andrew-Lee Potts credits his former co-star, Douglas Henshall (right), with making "Primeval" a success.

The last season, when team leader Cutter died and Connor's reaction was very cool. Was it hard to film that knowing that actor Douglas Henshall was leaving the show?
Yeah, it was really hard to film. Yeah, it was really hard to film, because me and Dougie were really close. I've said this before, he was very similar to Cutter off-screen as well. It's just the respect--I really respect his work and his opinions and the way he goes about his life.

And in my opinion, if it wasn't for Dougie, the show would have been nowhere near as good. God, it's funny, because they talk about Abby [being] people's favorite character--all this, that and the other. People might not realize how much Dougie, I think, anchored the entire show, because it was his belief in it, his belief in coming from the serious actor side, and the professor side of the story line. I think that made the show somewhat plausible in the ridiculousness of the "Primeval" world. I really respected that.

I suppose, in a way, I am the character to carry that on now, so there are definitely going to be more nods toward Connor becoming more like Cutter.

Everybody else is back, right, who we ended up seeing at the end?
I can only confirm that Hannah is coming back as Abby and Jason is coming back as Danny. Those are the only people I can confirm.

And you.
And I'm coming back. I'm there. They can't get rid of me.

Pictures from Series 4 film set.

Chris here, again!

More thanks to Primeval forum member "Luckyhannah25" for providing us with a link with set pictures from an episode of Primeval.
They all feature three of the main actors/characters; Andrew-Lee Potts (Connor Temple), Hannah Spearitt(Abby Maitland) and Ben Mansfield (Captain Becker). Also Abby seems to be carrying a bag with the handle of a big knife(?) sticking out.

Finally I would like to draw your attention to the new ARC symbol(bottom right) as seen in Episode 3.9 in the future ARC.

You can see more of the pictures here.

Primeval Series 4 film crew in Dublin.

Chris here.

Thanks to our Primeval forum member "luckyhannah25" for finding these.
Parts 1 and 2 of the video are here for your viewing pleasure, although there is not much to it, apart from a big creature being imagined. Possibly another one of the ARC's rare dinosaur encounters?

It shouldn't too be long before Impossible Pictures or ITV pull these down, I assume.

Primeval Evolved game Wins Emmy

Hi, Stacey here

News has just reached me that the primeval evolved game has won the international digital emmy award. I saw the news on Twitter of all places from the itvprimeval twitter http://twitter.com/itvprimeval

So, congrats to the team behind primeval evolved!

But what do you think about it winning over the other nominees, which i think can be found on the previous blog entry, worthy winner?

All the best
Stacey

Primeval Evolved up for an Emmy digital award

Hi, Christian here!

Primeval: Evolved, is an interactive game taking place "behind-the-scenes" of Series 3 of Primeval. You play the role of a lab technician who has started roughly before the events of episode 3.1 (Series 3 Episode 1) and is forced to help a mysterious woman called Eve (who we later see in episode 3.9). As of now the game (and the set of mini-games called Connor's Games) haven't been pulled down, so try it out and see what you think and comment if it deserves an Emmy.

Fiction

Final Punishment: BeActive Entertainment/Altec do Brasil/Canal Oi/Milagro

Pietshow II: Grundy UFA TV Produktions GmbH, Germany

Primeval Evolved: ITV1/itv.com/Hoodlum/Impossible Pictures, UK

Print Friends: FremantleMedia/FMX, UK

Read more here.

Chris

More on the Cast

Adrian Hodges has talked to TotalSciFiOnline following the Primeval press release, giving further details on the new cast members, including the full name of the new team leader, and a few more tidbits.

http://totalscifionline.com/news/4862-filming-begins-on-new-series-of-primeval

Speaking exclusively to Total Sci-Fi, co-creator Adrian Hodges said he was delighted with the additions to the cast, including Ciarin McMenamin, who played the older David Copperfield in Hodges’ adaptation of the Dickens novel for BBC Classics, as new leading man Matt Anderson.

“He is a wonderful actor with an enigmatic, heroic quality that fits his character really well,” Hodges said. “Matt is a man with a lot of secrets and I think Ciarin is terrific at being both heroic, accessible but also just a little bit mysterious.”

Former Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star Alexander Siddig joins as Philip Burton, the co-runner of the ARC with Ben Miller’s James Lester. “It's a real coup for us to get such a fine actor in this important part and I think he's going to bring a lot of quality to the show. It's a joy to be working with him,” Hodges notes.

Playing Jess, the new head of operations at the ARC, is Irish actress Ruth Kearney. “She is a new face – Primeval is her first TV job – and as the character of Jess I think she's gong to be a lot of fun. She has a fresh, lively quality which is lovely and she's also very funny.”

Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee-Potts and Ben Mansfield will be reprising their roles as Abby, Connor and Becker, with Hodges telling us that he’s “also really glad that one or two important faces from the past are going to be returning during the series. Stand by for surprises...!"

So, to sum up what we know about the new characters:

• Ciarán McMenamin is to play Matt Anderson, the new field leader. He's an ex-soldier and zoologist, with "an uncanny ability to understand animals." He is "a man with a lot of secrets", and there is a "real reason" why he joined the ARC.
• Ruth Kearney will play Jess, an "unconventional", "highly efficient and organised" woman who now runs operations from the ARC control centre, and has an unrequited crush on Captain Becker.
• The ARC is now jointly run by Lester and charismatic scientist Philip Burton, played by Alexander Siddig.
• Ben Miller, Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee-Potts and Ben Mansfield are all confirmed to return as regulars, and Jason Flemyng for a few episodes. Still no mention of Laila Rouass, though.
• "One or two important faces from the past" are to return to the show. We already know that James Bradshaw (Duncan) is to return, but who else?

Primeval Press Release

Andrew here.

http://itvprimeval.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=s4gd&action=display&thread=2170

ITV have released a brand new press release for Primeval, detailing the three new main characters. Thanks to Admin Jon at the Primeval forum, who got the release direct from ITV.

A NEW TEAM IS ON THE MENU AS FRESH DANGER ERUPTS ON TO ITV1

6 April 2010

ITV is proud to announce the return of the critically acclaimed, smash hit adventure series Primeval. Returning to the action and facing an increasing menagerie of terrors from the past and future. Hannah Spearritt, Ben Miller, Andrew Lee-Potts, and Ben Mansfield will be stepping beyond the anomalies to keep the world safe from unimaginable dangers – aided by the surprise return of some notable guest stars from earlier series. In addition, the new series sees the arrival of new faces and a new ARC…

Ciarán McMenamin (Silent Witness, Jericho), Alexander Siddig (Clash of the Titans, 24, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Ruth Kearney (Gracie) join the team at the ARC after the government loses faith in Lester’s (Ben Miller) ability to run such a dangerous and expensive operation on his own. The anomaly operation is now a public/private partnership, part-owned by the government, and partly by charismatic scientist Philip Burton (Alexander Siddig).

With Connor, Abby and Danny trapped in the past at the end of series three, the ARC has found new recruits to take their place: Matt (Ciarán McMenamin), new field leader, is more than just an ex-soldier; he’s an zoologist, with an uncanny ability to understand animals. A private man, Matt carefully guards the secrets of his past - and the real reason he has joined the ARC team. Unconventional Jess (Ruth Kearney) now runs operations from the ARC Control Centre – highly efficient and organised, her work ethic is second to none, though she is human enough to nurse an unrequited crush on Captain Becker (Ben Mansfield).

Primeval will return to UK television screens for two new series from 2011, thanks to a ground-breaking deal between ITV, multichannel broadcaster, UKTV, and producers Impossible Pictures.

The premieres of Series 4 and series 5 of Primeval will be split between ITV1 and UKTV’s new entertainment pay TV channel, Watch. ITV1 will be the first to broadcast series 4 (in early 2011), while Watch will premiere series 5 later that year. ITV1 will then broadcast season 5.

Impossible Pictures has worked closely with BBC Worldwide to implement a new funding strategy for the series, in which BBC America, which has acquired previous series for broadcast in the US, joins Germany’s Pro7 as a co-production partner for the new episodes.

Tim Haines, Creative Director of Impossible Pictures Ltd, said: “I am thrilled that ITV has agreed to this new deal which will allow Impossible Pictures to produce another 13 episodes of Primeval. The confidence demonstrated in the programme's continued success here and abroad will help us bring more big screen action and a whole host of new creatures roaring back into people's living rooms.”

Laura Mackie, Director of ITV Drama Commissioning, said: “We’re delighted to have agreed this new deal with Impossible to return Primeval to ITV1. The innovative nature of this partnership will allow the show to maintain its high production values and deliver the fantastic programme that our viewers know and love.”

Paul Moreton, Channel Head of Watch, said: “We are really excited to be part of this truly innovative deal that guarantees the continuation of this fantastically entertaining series. I know Primeval is going to be a massive hit with Watch viewers and the perfect complement to other popular sci-fi dramas such as Doctor Who and Torchwood.”

The press release confirms the return of Connor, Abby, Lester and Becker, and we already know that Danny will be back for at least a few episodes, and Duncan for at least one.

A Whole Set of Youtube Interviews!

Hey, Andrew here.

The Youtube channel 'YouMaketheMovies' have conducted and uploaded a series of interviews with several members of the Primeval crew - co-creator Adrian Hodges, director Cilla Ware, Composer Dominic Scherrer, Runner Alana Hurd and Casting Director Gill Travellick.

Adrian Hodges: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRboIhTAw-o

Gill Travellick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG5IXRl5Oa0

Dominic Scherrer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdM4KOMXaYg

Cilla Ware:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZt99HLF-Q

Alana Hurd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH0K6-lBNoY

It's nice to finally put a face to the names we see in the credits all the time!

Now, in the Adrian Hodges video, we get flashes from the script of an unknown episode. The script pieces are quite legible. This may not be an actual script, but if it is, then it's obviously a spoiler. These particular pages don't give away much about the ongoing plot, though. Don't expect to see what happened to Connor and Abby, for example.

If you don't want to hear any more about the script extracts, stop reading...

...here.

OK, so the script extract describes an early creature attack... on a submarine! And the creatures are... pliosaurs! A whole pod of pliosaurs. As for the regular characters, we get a couple of lines from Danny, but they reveal very little about his situation. So that's our first creature confirmed!

Andrew

Le Connor Temple

Yesterday another connor picture was brought to our attention, but since we dont want to post every thing every day, we thought it best we leave it for another day...well, its better to have something everyday then a handfull of things in one day. Unless its extremely important of course!



So below you will find a new connor temple picture!



There we have it!

Leave those comments!

Stacey
x

An advance on the filming info...

Hey, Andrew here.

As reported yesterday, filming on Primeval's Series 4 is now underway in Ireland. Today, the guys over at Geek Syndicate have got an exclusive statement from Primeval co-creator Adrian Hodges confirming this:

Yes, I’m delighted to say we started shooting last Monday and the other details as reported on digital spy are pretty much right so far as casting and timing goes. Needless to say I’m delighted we’re back in production – it’s been a hard and bumpy road to these new series but we’re glad we got there, as the show is doing better than ever worldwide and in my opinion has a long way to run. I can’t say too much about the new series yet, but I can say that while we’ll be retaining our “creature of the week” series format, we’ll also have a strong serialised element that will run right through both series 4 and 5 with a major revelation about the mystery behind the anomalies coming in episode 7 – which will be the climax of series 4.

I'm personally excited about the whole "serialised element" that'll be showing through in the new series. I'm not sure enough to guess at it yet, but if you have any ideas, feel free to suggest them in the comments!

Also, for those fans of Doctor Who, Geek Syndicate have posted pictures of the interior of the new TARDIS, as well as linking the Radio Times page with the full set.

Andrew

What a difference a day makes!

Well, we have barely had this blog up 24 hours when not one but TWO bits of primeval news emerge!


To begin with we have an article here
http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282953&tpl=archnewshome&force=1

Which includes NEW cast members and the RETURN of someone, a male someone....read and ye shall find out!

Then onto something a little more...a possible CONNOR picture, yes....CONNOR. Now, we cant say for sure this is actually connor but, you never know. But please people, i do beg of you not to go hounding andrew! He has as much right to his privacy as we all do, this is not gotten through people snooping around and prying.

Ok, so the pro connor points: The outfit....check end of series 3. Its the same!
Connors ring necklace, Check!
The area he's pictured in, not exactly normal is it?
Facial hair. If we're to take info from the above article, it states how the series catches up on the team several months after they went missing, well it stands to reason that connor wouldnt shave, so....facial hair!

Con Connor points [i like that haha]: They only started filming 22nd march, could this be to soon to have a picture? or would he even be allowed to post it up where it can be found?

Please leave your thoughts on the above two items!

Article thanks too: http://itvprimeval.proboards.com/index.cgi
Picture thanks to: http://community.livejournal.com/andrewleepotts/237016.html

Welcome to The Primeverse

Hello and welcome to the world known as the Primeverse Blog.

If your here it means one thing, you like primeval and what better place to be then here? This blog is just your first taster of whats to come, there will be another bigger and better project coming in the summer....It will go hand in hand with this blog, so you'll need to stick here for updates on that

I guess you may be wondering why theres a blog now, well if your not then you should be. Its just a place to get primeval back into peoples minds, to the forefront of peoples minds! Myself and a few other bloggers will post every so often about this and that, it may just be chat or a rant about a previous episode....or, news about series 4 or 5!

Of course in the meantime if you have anything you want us mad primeval lot to rattle on about then you can comment below, any questions for us just ask away.

Well, i guess thats the introductions done, no heavy posting today about primeval as this is just the first post, but as said above, you can comment us with anything, any ideas maybe for what we could talk about, maybe you even have a question or have heard a rumor? Well we'd be happy to find out for you if its true or false, any previous episode queries welcome too.....just anything primeval related!

Thats me over and out for today
Stacey
x

P.S. Make sure you join http://itvprimeval.proboards.com/index.cgi