Primeval (TV series)
A British sci-fi series about temporal anomalies and creatures.
Primeval is a British science fiction television series produced for ITV by Impossible Pictures. It follows a team of scientists tasked with investigating temporal anomalies through which prehistoric and futuristic creatures enter the present, while also trying to stop a terrorist plot to bring about the end of the world. Created by Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges, the series originally broadcast from 2007 to 2011 across five series.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction / Drama
- Creator
- Tim Haines / Adrian Hodges
- Composer
- Dominik Scherrer / Series 1–3 · James Hannigan / Series 3 · Angus Moncrieff / Series 3 · Stephen McKeon / Series 4–5
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Company
- Impossible Pictures / ITV Studios / ProSieben / Treasure Entertainment / M6 Films
- Num Series
- 5
- Num Episodes
- 36
- List Episodes
- List of Primeval episodes
- Producer
- Adrian Hodges / Series 1 · Cameron McAllister / Series 1 · Paul Frift / Series 2 · Tim Bradley / Series 3–5 · Katie Newman / Series 4–5 · Donal Geraghty / Series 4–5 · Rebecca O'Flanagan / Series 4–5
- Executive Producer
- Tim Haines / Adrian Hodges / Series 2–5 · Cameron McAllister / Series 2
- Runtime
- 45 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The idea for Primeval was originally devised by Tim Haines in the early 2000s after the production of Walking with Dinosaurs. Initially intended for the BBC, it was turned down in 2005 because executives deemed it too similar to the revived Doctor Who. Haines and Adrian Hodges then approached ITV, who were enthusiastic. Before its initial broadcast, many early commentators dismissed Primeval as a Doctor Who ripoff, but the first series became both a critical and audience hit. The third series received high praise as its strongest outing, but ITV cancelled the show after the third series due to financial issues. After a hiatus, a co-production deal with UKTV allowed for a fourth and fifth series. The fifth series was a success on the channel Watch in 2011, but a combination of high production costs and ITV's strategic decisions led to another cancellation.
Reader's Guide
Primeval overcame early dismissals as a Doctor Who clone to become recognised by critics as something unique in its own right. Its success spawned a franchise of merchandise, including novels, games, and toy lines. An American film adaptation was announced in 2009 but languished in development and was never made. A Canadian spinoff, Primeval: New World, aired in 2013 but was cancelled after one 13-episode season. The series is noted for its family-friendly tone, 'monster-of-the-week' format, and themes of environmental preservation and ecological disaster. Its visual style drew inspiration from Errol Flynn films, and the production team deliberately set episodes in familiar environments to make viewers feel they could find 'dinosaurs in their kitchen.'
Did You Know?
- The original title was Cutter's Bestiary, which Adrian Hodges thought was 'terrible'.
- The first series was initially spelled Primaeval during production.
- Tim Haines studied zoology and had a background in science journalism before creating the series.
- The series was partly inspired by the old science fiction films of Ray Harryhausen and by fossil ghost lineages.
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