View Full Version : Red Dwarf voyages back to Earth
Cult comedy Red Dwarf is returning to TV, 21 years after its initial launch.
The show has been resurrected by digital channel Dave for a two-part Easter weekend special, which sees the cast finally return to Earth.
Written and directed by Red Dwarf co-creator Doug Naylor, the new show reunites the line-up, including Coronation Street's Craig Charles.
The hit show, which ran for eight series on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999, won an International Emmy award.
'No holds barred'
Set three million years into the future, the show followed the exploits of Dave Lister, slovenly crew member of the mining ship Red Dwarf - and the last man in the universe.
He was joined in his weekly attempts to make it back to Earth by a cast of oddballs including human hologram Arnold Rimmer, sanitation mechanoid Kryton and Cat - a preening half-man, half-animal who evolved from the ship's cat.
At its peak, Red Dwarf pulled in around eight million viewers and was broadcast in more than 25 countries.
It has sold more than seven million DVDs and videos.
The new two-part series Red Dwarf: Back to Earth will be followed by a "no holds barred" episode without sets, special effects or autocue.
The weekend will climax with Red Dwarf: the Making of Back to Earth, a behind-the-scenes special from the new episodes.
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Omg how excited am i :D :D :D :D :D
I don't have dave :crying::crying::crying: I love Red dwarf...
Chloe O'brien
31-01-2009, 00:26
I loved Kryton he was the best.
CrazyLea
31-01-2009, 00:29
Ah love this show! My fave was Cat! But loved them all! Didn't really like that woman Holly though..
Spoliers!!!!!!!!
Filming of two new episodes of cult TV series Red Dwarf began filming over the weekend on the set of Coronation Street.
The two-part special, entitled Red Dwarf: Return To Earth, will see Dave Lister - played by Craig Charles - finally succeed in his desire to make a comeback to his home planet.
As part of the plot, Lister's crew, made up of Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) and Cat (Danny John-Jules), go in search of him and instead bump into Charles's Corrie character Lloyd Mullaney in The Rovers Return.
As part of the filming, Weatherfield's Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) also made an appearance.
In an exclusive interview with DS at the end of last year, Charles teased: "I can't really give the storyline away but it's a fantastic one. It's really quite weird and sees me playing quite a few characters, some of them I've already played on television. That's all I can say."
A special Red Dwarf weekend has been scheduled to broadcast at Easter on digital channel Dave, which commissioned four 30-minute specials, including two documentaries.
According to the show's official site, filming of the episodes is due to officially commence at Shepperton Studios on Monday, February 16.
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:eek: I have no idea what this is!
annette_tr9
03-02-2009, 07:52
haha look at starbug!!!!
i can't wait for it....it's probably going to be rubbish but i will have to see it...it's red dwarf!!!
NNNNNNNNNoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :crying::crying::crying:
I want DAVE!!! someone will have to record this for me...
di marco
04-02-2009, 19:52
:eek: I have no idea what this is!
ive heard of it, never seen it before though
di marco
04-02-2009, 19:52
NNNNNNNNNoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :crying::crying::crying:
I want DAVE!!! someone will have to record this for me...
someone might upload it onto youtube!
:eek: I have no idea what this is!
ive heard of it, never seen it before though
Red Dwarf is classic comedy. I'd rather they didn't bring it back as I thought the last couple of series were of a low standard.
However, I shall be tuned in. Even a crap episode of Red Dwarf beats most shows hands down
Even a crap episode of Red Dwarf beats most shows hands down
:clap::clap: couldn't have said it better
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Red Dwarf stars Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), Lister (Craig Charles) and Cat (Danny John-Jules) visit the set of ITV soap Coronation Street as part of a two-part Easter weekend special. Red Dwarf: Back to Earth will be broadcast on digital channel Dave on 10 April.
Comic actress Sophie Winkleman has joined the Red Dwarf cast on set for the filming of a key role in Back to Earth. Shooting began on D stage of the Shepperton studios on Monday, with the full cast in attendance for a shoot of just over two weeks.
A former writer/performer with the Cambridge Footlights, Sophie is perhaps most familiar to TV comedy fans as Jeremy's sometime squeeze Big Suze in Channel 4’s award-winning series Peep Show. As you can imagine, we're jolly excited.
Not only has Sophie played Big Suze in Peep Show she has also appeared as the older sister Susan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. As such William Hill have given odds of 2:1 that she will be called Sue in our new Red Dwarf episodes. Of course that's not true.
However, something that is true is that news that Sophie just became engaged to Lord Frederick Windsor – son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent – following a proposal on Valentine’s Day. He's 32nd in line to the throne don't you know.
We're hoping to get the Royal Seal of approval for our premiere in Easter.
Test your knowledge of Red Dwarf's resident feline in our Cat Quiz
Read our feature on the love lives of Red Dwarf crew in Love in Space
The return of Red Dwarf this year could spark a full comeback for the programme, it has been claimed.
Last month, it emerged that the first new episodes of the cult show since 1999 were being filmed and would air on Dave over Easter.
Red Dwarf: Back To Earth will consist of three parts written and directed by Doug Naylor.
Chris Barrie, who played Arnold Rimmer on the show, told The Sun that the programme's comeback could last beyond these episodes.
Barrie said: "We all think this could be the start of something big - perhaps a new mini-series, a film or just a series.
"None of us has ever closed the door on Red Dwarf."
It's been a staggering 10 years since Red Dwarf last graced our scenes, but Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John Jules and Robert Llewellyn are finally back. Red Dwarf: Back To Earth lands on Dave this Easter weekend, so we got Robert 'Kryten' Llewellyn on the two-way to find out what we could about the iconic show's return.
How did the special come about?
"Basically, Doug Naylor has been trying to make a Red Dwarf movie for the past 10 years and then decided that we might as well try for a series. It was a lovely convergence of events - the Red Dwarf repeats had been doing well, and then people talked to Doug and that's how it came about. It was all set up before we knew about it."
There were rumours about a comeback for many years - why didn't it happen sooner?
"I think Doug has been very involved, but it's been a 10 year gap and we'd all moved on and done other things. From our point of view, it came around as a surprise. It wasn't like two years ago we heard rumours - the first phone call I got was when we were doing it! It was a big surprise for us."
What can you tell us about the plot? Things have been kept quite quiet...
"We don't want to give it away, but the title gives you something. We do come back to Earth and try to find out why people have heard of us and know who we are - and there's twist that I don't want to give away. Obviously it leaked to the press that we'd filmed on the Coronation Street set."
Does the story follow on from the end of the last series back in 1999?
"Well, it is referred to that it has been nine or 10 years since the last moments. We've had a huge amount of adventures and we've learnt nothing - we're still the same bunch of useless, half-baked space bums that we always were!"
So what has changed?
"The visual effects are brilliant now. It's all breath-taking and we can't believe it's us on it - it looks extraordinary! It's all state of the art CGI stuff. Five years ago it was rubbish, but now it's remarkable. It looks like we're in a nine-mile-long spaceship! There have been big changes in terms of production."
How hard was it to slip back into character after so many years?
"It was absurdly easy! We all said we feel like we've had a 10 week holiday, not a 10 year break. When we did the read-through I felt a bit wobbly, but as soon as we got into the studio and into costume, it was automatic. We had a brilliant time and I hope it comes across on screen."
Were there any downsides to returning to the show?
"It's a hard show to make. I've done ones that involve danger and hardship, but nothing remotely as tough as Red Dwarf. It's the toughest gig I've ever had, and the crew and production said the same. It's a very ambitious show to make on a relatively small budget. The money definitely goes on the screen - there's no luxury behind the scenes!"
Do you think this wraps up the series nicely or is there scope for more?
"I think the simple truth is that it's a self-contained trilogy, but it doesn't end abruptly. If it's well received, there's a possibility we could do more. The difficulty is that we're all busy doing other things, so we have to plan quite carefully. We've all really enjoyed doing it - there were moments where it was a nightmare, but we had a great time working together."
Have you heard anything about a film or a full series?
"No - it's all up for discussion. There are no plans that we're aware of, but I'd be interested. I had genuinely forgotten what a great time we all had. I've seen the guys regularly over the years but I don't think we'd been together like that for 10 years. It was brilliant fun - more than we'd ever had. We get on really well and it's like hanging out with your best mates."
Red Dwarf: Back To Earth begins tonight at 9pm on Dave.
megan999
21-04-2009, 17:56
I did enjoy this 3 parter, but I thought it was going to be funnier.
Where did Katerina the hologram come from??:searchme:
i was rather disappointed with it to be honest
the storyline had far too many holes in it
parkerman
21-04-2009, 19:09
Yes, I agree. But I did think the Coronation Street episode was quite amusing - well, Steve was in it, so it was bound to be!
Sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf will return for two new series, it has been confirmed.
While standing in for Janice Long on BBC Radio 2, Craig Charles revealed that he will return as lead character David Lister.
He said: "I can now announce we are going to be doing two more series of it starting in January next year... I got the call today. They said 'Craig, can you do it?', I said 'I'll sort it out'. So I will be able to do it in January."
Meanwhile, Chris Barrie, who plays Arnold Rimmer, told the Coventry Telegraph: "There are plans afoot to have a tenth series.
"I find it very hard to call it a tenth series, because that obviously means we're calling the Easter special from last year the ninth series. But yes, certainly, I would say some more new Red Dwarf product. There are plans afoot to get that into gear."
He added: "I think of 'Back To Earth' as a sort of 21-year celebration, really, as a proper three-part special. But yes, it would be nice to do, and hopefully we will, another six half hours.
"I don't really know anything more than I'm saying, believe me. I do know plans are afoot, but that's all I can say. In terms of the direction of the show, I don't really want to see it change that much. I just want more strong storylines, probably in a half-hour format."
Fantastic.. even if it is on Dave.. I have that channel now so I can watch..
Fantastic.. even if it is on Dave.. I have that channel now so I can watch..
I dont think the new series will be on Dave.
megan999
07-06-2010, 17:12
I didn't think their 3 part special was very funny - not as good as before anyway. Maybe they'll show the new series on BBC2?
The producer of Red Dwarf: Back to Earth has confirmed that a new series of the sci-fi sitcom is currently in development.
Series star Craig Charles (Dave Lister) previously announced that two more series would begin filming in January 2011.
However, Andrew Ellard told Last Broadcast: "Latest word is that the deals are being done and... they’ll be in a position to start prepping before the end of the year. But I think it's just one series of six episodes… right now."
Responding to the earlier comment by Charles, Ellard said: "He didn’t confirm [the revival] so much as mention the call he'd had... regarding his availability!"
He also dismissed rumours that a Red Dwarf movie was still in development.
"The TV revival on Dave seems to be the new life for the show now," he suggested. "The film script was great, though, and I really hope it gets released one day. It was a reboot... so most of what was great about it wouldn't adapt easily to the TV series. But it’d make a knockout graphic novel."
CULT comedy Red Dwarf will blast back on screen next year.
TV channel Dave is planning a new series of the 90s sci-fi show.
Corrie star Craig Charles as curry-loving slob Dave Lister will return, along with Chris Barrie as Rimmer and Danny John-Jules, who played Cat.
Filming starts in the autumn.
Bosses at Dave were impressed in 2009 when a three-part special Red Dwarf: Back to Earth drew over three million viewers.
Scouser Craig, 46 - cabbie Lloyd Mullaney in Coronation Street - said: "It got more viewers than BBC2 and Channel 4 combined on the night, which is really good.
"So they've just commissioned another series of Red Dwarf."
The BBC2 show ran for eight series over 11 years until it was axed in 1999.
Craig added: "We're all quite like our characters - we're caricatures of ourselves.
"We've got to recapture the highlights, like series five or six.
"If we can hit that mark, then brilliant. There's no point doing it if it's so-so."
That is brilliant - got to love Red Dwarf.
I didn't realise that Dave commisions new shows, I have never really watched it - thought it was all repeats.
That is brilliant - got to love Red Dwarf.
I didn't realise that Dave commisions new shows, I have never really watched it - thought it was all repeats.
I have Dave now so this is definitely something I will be watching.. I love Red Dwarf
moonstorm
21-01-2011, 11:06
Whoppee, I've got Dave, just hope it is as good as the original!
Chloe O'brien
22-01-2011, 16:25
I have Dave :D Hope it's as good as the original show.
Red Dwarf X has received a new trailer.
The video includes footage of Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) giving Lister (Craig Charles) the opposite of a pep talk, and Lister managing to lose Rimmer (Chris Barrie) in a poker game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3znmqS5rzI
Charles, Barrie, Llewellyn and Danny John-Jules are all on board for the much-anticipated return of the sci-fi series.
Six episodes of the show are to air on Dave later this year. The channel was previously behind a three-part special called 'Back to Earth'.
A behind-the-scenes promo shot at Shepperton Studios and a video showing cast members having a make-up test have previously been released.
Last year John-Jules criticised the BBC for its treatment of Red Dwarf, saying: "[They] never really pushed Red Dwarf as one of their flagship shows, even though it was so successful."
Red Dwarf X will premiere on Thursday, October 4 on Dave, it has been confirmed.
The launch date was revealed via a live stream on the Dave Red Dwarf website yesterday, which was triggered by fans posting hashtags about the show on Twitter.
Red Dwarf X is the series' first instalment for three years, following on from the 2009 specials Back to Earth.
Cast member Robert Llewellyn revealed the new episode titles earlier this month, confirming that they would be 'Trojan', 'Fathers and Suns', 'Lemons', 'Entangles', 'Dear Dave' and 'The Beginning'.
The final episode's title mirrors the long-running sitcom's first ever episode 'The End', hinting that the programme may be heading for some form of rounded climax.
Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Llewellyn and Danny John-Jules have all returned for the show's latest series, which for the first time since series six has been filmed in front of a live studio audience.
Speaking about the new series in a recent interview, Charles said: "We've stopped being an action adventure series and gone back to being more of a sitcom. We're now back to being four clowns in a room, each trying to be funnier than the next man."
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