Blakes 7 reboot

[Austin Prefect]

Yes, I know we've this all before. But suppose this one gets going, who should the cast be?

I'd suggest.

Blake - Steven Graham.
Avon - Benedict Cumberbatch.
Vila - Marc Warren.


Servalan - Rosamund Pike, or maybe Elizabeth Debicki.


Can't think of anyone for Jena . unfortunately.

[pteron]

Jena - Sydney Sweeney

[DeejRC]

I thought that was what Stephen from Traitors was promoting…?

[eps]

pteron said:

Jena - Sydney Sweeney

Soolin surely

[eps]

From here https://www.geektown.co.uk/2026/01/19/blakes-7-reb...

Classic British sci-fi ‘Blake’s 7’ looks set for a potential return, with a reboot now in development from Peter Hoar, the Emmy-nominated director behind ‘The Last of Us’, and executive producer Matthew Bouch.

The project is one of the first out of Multitude Productions, a newly launched indie set up by Hoar, Bouch and theatre producer Jason Haigh-Ellery. The company is focused squarely on genre storytelling, and they have secured the rights to revive ‘Blake’s 7’, the cult sci-fi series that originally aired on the BBC from 1978 to 1981.

Hoar is attached to direct the reboot, which is expected to be taken out to buyers in the near future. Bouch has said he would love the series to return to the BBC, although the plan is likely to involve international co-production funding, potentially from US streamers and European broadcasters.

Created by Terry Nation, the mind behind the Daleks, ‘Blake’s 7’ followed political dissident Roj Blake and a small band of rebels fighting the authoritarian Terran Federation. Despite its famously limited budget and occasionally wobbly sets, the show became a defining piece of British sci-fi, remembered for its ambition, moral ambiguity and willingness to take big narrative swings.

Speaking about the appeal of the series, Hoar described ‘Blake’s 7’ as a show that mattered in its time, arguing that its impact came from storytelling integrity rather than scale. He drew comparisons to ‘Andor’, pointing out that strong writing and thematic confidence can outweigh massive budgets, something he believes modern genre television has sometimes forgotten.

The new company is launching at a moment of upheaval for big genre drama, with Hoar and Bouch openly referencing the challenges facing ‘Doctor Who’ and the shrinking budgets for high-end scripted TV. Their argument is that there is space again for smart, character-driven British genre series with international appeal, made more economically but without creative compromise.

Alongside ‘Blake’s 7’, Multitude Productions is developing several other projects, including a TV adaptation of The Search for the Dice Man, a thriller series based on Patrick Carman’s Skeleton Creek, and further sci-fi and video game adaptations currently under wraps. The company is also championing a more collaborative, multi-writer approach, pushing back against the traditional UK showrunner model.

For ‘Blake’s 7’ fans, this is not the first time a reboot has been attempted, but the involvement of Hoar, fresh off some of the most acclaimed TV of recent years, gives this version a different kind of credibility. Whether it lands at the BBC or elsewhere, it is clearly being pitched as a modern reimagining that respects the original’s rebellious DNA rather than simply polishing its aesthetics.

[Madness60]

It'll be great if it happens and its good!

Asked chatgpt to recast and got this, some interesting ideas, sod the budget!

Full Updated Line-Up (for clarity)

Blake – Idris Elba
Avon – Tom Hiddleston
Jenna – Hayley Atwell
Vila – Daniel Rigby
Cally – Anya Chalotra
Zen (voice) – Chiwetel Ejiofor
Soolin – Stephanie Corneliussen
Dayna – Letitia Wright
Tarrant – Joseph Quinn
Servalan / Sleer – Ruth Wilson

But rather than a rehash I'd like to see some bigger changes and I'd do a Battlestar Galactica style gender change. Swop Avon and Servalan as will be unlikely to match Paul Darrow and Jacqueline Pearce. So swopping them I'd go for Eva Green as Avon and Cillian Murphy as Servalan!!!

[Austin Prefect]

Madness60 said:

It'll be great if it happens and its good!

Asked chatgpt to recast and got this, some interesting ideas, sod the budget!

Full Updated Line-Up (for clarity)

Blake Idris Elba
Avon Tom Hiddleston
Jenna Hayley Atwell
Vila Daniel Rigby
Cally Anya Chalotra
Zen (voice) Chiwetel Ejiofor
Soolin Stephanie Corneliussen
Dayna Letitia Wright
Tarrant Joseph Quinn
Servalan / Sleer Ruth Wilson

But rather than a rehash I'd like to see some bigger changes and I'd do a Battlestar Galactica style gender change. Swop Avon and Servalan as will be unlikely to match Paul Darrow and Jacqueline Pearce. So swopping them I'd go for Eva Green as Avon and Cillian Murphy as Servalan!!!

Servalan could not be a man. The character is scary because she triggers male paranoia. The 'V' reboot did have a dead ringer for Servalan, almost too much like the original.

[Madness60]

Austin Prefect said:

Servalan could not be a man. The character is scary because she triggers male paranoia. The 'V' reboot did have a dead ringer for Servalan, almost too much like the original.

Disagree politely, Servalan was a classic femme fatale especially in the 3rd and 4th series. I think depending on who it was they admired (Avon, Cally, Tarrant, Soolin), feared (Vila, Blake, Dayna) or were attracted to (Avon, Tarrant)

[anonymoususer]

Jack Davenport as Avon. He can portray sneaky intelligence well. Probably too old though
I used to love Blakes 7 I dunno how many of you have seen the promotional video for the season 2 remastered blu ray but it looks marvellous. I have popped a link below. There is a shot of the Liberator dropping into orbit thats stunning.
It's at around 4 minutes in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhkHQk33YCo

[carl_w]

Austin Prefect said:

Servalan could not be a man. The character is scary because she triggers male paranoia. The 'V' reboot did have a dead ringer for Servalan, almost too much like the original.

Morena Baccarin, would make a perfect Servalan

[quigonjay]

Although the original show wasn't a kids show, The Liberator was one of my favourite toys as a kid so would be very interested in this if it happens

[droopsnoot]

anonymoususer said:

I used to love Blakes 7 I dunno how many of you have seen the promotional video for the season 2 remastered blu ray but it looks marvellous. I have popped a link below. There is a shot of the Liberator dropping into orbit thats stunning.
It's at around 4 minutes in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhkHQk33YCo

I hadn't realised they were doing this, and as this is the second series, presumably they've already done the first. I've already bought it all on VHS, then again on DVD, now I have to think about buying it on Blu-Ray as well. The interviews in there look interesting, though it took me a while to recognise some of them.

[anonymoususer]

droopsnoot said:

I hadn't realised they were doing this, and as this is the second series, presumably they've already done the first. I've already bought it all on VHS, then again on DVD, now I have to think about buying it on Blu-Ray as well. The interviews in there look interesting, though it took me a while to recognise some of them.

I believe one of the women interviewed is Nicola Bryant who played Perri in Peter Davidsons/ Colin Bakers Dr Who era.
I'm pretty sure she wasnt in Blakes 7.
I thought the clips of Jacqueline Pearce being interviewed were a bit manic. Unfortunately I think she had some issues.
I had the DVD's but ripped them to a drive and gave the whole 4 series to someone some years ago.

[Frimley111R]

I LOVED Blakes 7 as a kid but those actors/actresses, after so long, feel irreplaceable to me. As much as I am excited for a reboot I also worry that it was of its time and it should be left alone.

[eps]

Frimley111R said:

I LOVED Blakes 7 as a kid but those actors/actresses, after so long, feel irreplaceable to me. As much as I am excited for a reboot I also worry that it was of its time and it should be left alone.

I know what you mean - interesting that both Gareth Thomas and Paul Darrow had theatrical training. They all embodied the part they played.

It would be difficult for a reboot to contend with the timeline as well and some of what made Blakes 7 what it was. The enhanced special effects are good, but also jarring - what they did back then is quite astounding. The effects, the set design and the music score... Hopefully the reboot will understand and follow some of that.

[Frimley111R]

Well there's 20 mins gone watching B7 on YT

[eps]

Full Updated Line-Up (for clarity)

Blake Idris Elba
Avon Tom Hiddleston
Jenna Hayley Atwell maybe Katee Sackhoff
Vila Daniel Rigby
Cally Anya Chalotra
Zen (voice) Chiwetel Ejiofor
Soolin Stephanie Corneliussen or Sydney Sweeney
Dayna Letitia Wright
Tarrant Joseph Quinn
Servalan / Sleer Morena Baccarin

Cilian Murphy, Jack Gleeson and a couple of others as the henchmen.

Maybe even wait until season 2 to reveal Servalan

[Gary C]

BUT !

far far more important than that lot

who will play orac ?

[Slow.Patrol]

Gary C said:

BUT !

far far more important than that lot

who will play orac ?

Alan Carr?

[AlexC1981]

Is the original Blakes 7 worth watching to someone who has never seen it? I like most sci fi, though I could never get into Space 1999 or the old Dr Who episodes.