Blakes 7 and the return of the original Vila
Published by on April 22nd, 2008
I was a Blakes 7 fan when the show ran on the BBC between 1978 and 1981. It presented television sc-fi with more edge, more grit, and some genuinely mean characters. Wobbly sets aside, this was great characterization and dramatic writing.
Last year, Blakes 7 was reborn in audio form. B7 Media, an independent production company in the UK, created a series of audio dramas revisiting the Blakes7 story and characters and bringing the whole concept up to date - currently available on audio CD. I liken it to the way Battlestar Galactica was recent de-camped and re-visioned.
Their latest offering brings a very special treat for Blakes7 fans with Michael Keating reprising his distinctive role as the not entirely competent thief, Vila. This is the first in several planned “The Early Years” prequel stories, each one featuring one of the primary characters from the Blakes7 universe. I wonder whether any other original cast members will appear in the other stories.
I haven’t managed to have a listen to this audio as yet - it’s still in the latter stages of post-production, but I am really looking forward to it. Expect a review once I do get my hands on it.
Read the official press release:
LONDON, April 22, 2008: UK-based independent media production company, B7 Productions, has announced a series of prequel audio adventures based on the cult television classic, BLAKE’S 7.
Following the success of last years audio re-imagining of BLAKE’S 7 (broadcast on BBC7 over Christmas) and thirty years since the dramatic and shocking finale of the original series, MICHAEL KEATING (Blake’s 7, EastEnders) will reprise his most popular role as the cowardly thief, Vila Restal, the only character to appear in all 52 episodes of the original series. The new audio incarnation of Olag Gan played by OWEN AARONOVITCH (Coronation Street) also stars.
BLAKE’S 7 – THE EARLY YEARS will be a prequel series of stories exploring the origins of key BLAKE’S 7 characters prior to them meeting rebel leader, Roj Blake. The first of these prequel stories “When Vila met Gan” has been written by lead writer, Ben Aaronovitch (‘Classic’ Doctor Who, Jupiter Moon) and explores the history and enduring friendship between Gan and Vila, two of the most unlikely rebels to take up arms against the Federation.
Future episodes will feature the characters of Avon (written by Ben Aaronovitch), Jenna (written by Simon Guerrier), Travis (written by James Swallow), Cally (written by Marc Platt) and of course the series wouldn’t be complete without a story exploring the origins of the rebel’s arch nemesis Supreme Commander Servalan who we meet as a young, ambitious, cadet officer with ‘family connections’
One Response to “Blakes 7 and the return of the original Vila”
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April 23rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Niel, I was a die heart fan of Blakes then.