BBC lines up swashbuckling shows
Leigh Holmwood
Tuesday September 11, 2007
MediaGuardian.co.uk
The BBC is developing two new family dramas featuring pirates and the Three Musketeers that could replace Doctor Who in the BBC1 Saturday teatime slot when the sci-fi series takes a "gap year" in 2009.
Sources have told MediaGuardian.co.uk that the BBC's in-house drama department is developing a modern take on the classic French novel by Alexandre Dumas about the adventures of D'Artagnan and his musketeer friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
The story has been made into many television series, films and animations over the years with the most recent adaptation, a Danish movie, appearing in 2005.
Meanwhile, independent production company Kudos, maker of BBC1 hits Life on Mars, Spooks and Hustle, is developing a swashbuckling drama about pirates - a genre that has enjoyed renewed popularity following the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
However, it could be a race to the screen as sources say ITV is also developing a pirate drama.
Previously, the BBC1 controller, Peter Fincham, said the corporation was developing a fantasy drama based on the legend of Merlin for Saturday teatimes.
All of the dramas are currently in the early stages of development, but could be made in time for Doctor Who's hiatus in 2009.
The BBC controller of fiction, Jane Tranter, revealed last week that the popular sci-fi drama would take a year off in 2009, when only three specials will air, before returning for a full fifth series in 2010.
The move will leave BBC1 with a big gap to fill in its Saturday teatime schedule in 2009.
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed the dramas were in development. "We are always looking for exciting new projects to add to the mix of dramas on BBC1," she said.
"The Three Musketeers and Pirates are in the early stages of development. It is therefore too early to confirm further details at this stage."
Doctor Who currently shares the Saturday slot with drama Robin Hood. The sci-fi drama is usually broadcast in spring and early summer, while a second series of Robin Hood will air this autumn.
