Primeval is facing extinction

[Perdita]

ITV hit Primeval is on the brink of being axed — because it’s too costly.
The Saturday night sci-fi drama has a big fan base, kicking off its third series with 5.3million viewers.

But it is packed with expensive special effects and ITV is slashing spending after last month reporting a loss of £2.7billion.

An ITV source said: “The problem is that we’ve lost a huge amount of money in advertising because of the credit crunch.

“So while programmes may be rating well, if they cost too much then we have no way to recoup our expenses. Primeval is a prime example of this.”

Former S Club star Hannah Spearritt appears in the show about scientists investigating prehistoric and futuristic creatures which enter the present.

It has been such a success US movie bosses are working on a film version of the drama.

ITV also looked at axing family drama Wild at Heart, starring Stephen Tompkinson as a vet, because it is filmed in South Africa. But it looks like it has won a reprieve.

ITV last month announced it was cutting 600 jobs on top of 1,000 shed last year.

TV Biz has already revealed how stars Ant and Dec and Simon Cowell face a drop in their multi-million deals when they come up for renegotiation later this year.

Last night an ITV spokeswoman said: “We would not make a decision about a recommission this early.”

Noo, they can't axe it :crying:

[DaVeyWaVey]

Even though I'm not a fan of this programme... can't they just reduce the costs of special effects?

[Perdita]

Why are you not a fan, Davey? :eek: I think it is one of the best dramas around. What do you not like about this programme?

[Perdita]

ITV has denied reports that Primeval has been axed.

Earlier today, The Sun reported that the sci-fi drama series would not return for a fourth series.

However, an ITV spokesperson claimed that there is no truth in the story.

"It's not true - it's not going to be axed," said the rep. "It just hasn't been recommissioned and it is not unusual to wait for a series to run before considering recommission."

Earlier this week, ITV confirmed that discussions are underway for a Primeval film.

We will have to wait and see then whether it will be back on our screens or not

[DaVeyWaVey]

Why are you not a fan, Davey? :eek: I think it is one of the best dramas around. What do you not like about this programme?

I couldn't take to the characters at all and I found the plots quite weak. I watched the first two episodes of this series and they just didn't grab me at all. I think the special effects are impressive, but that's about it. My younger sister enjoys it though.

[Perdita]

Perhaps it is a female thing, I find all characters very interesting and am gutted that Cutter has been killed. :hmm:

[Chloe O'brien]

I never really took to the first series either it just lacked something but it shouldn't be axed when there are worse programmes on itv.

[moonstorm]

ITV confirms new 'Primeval' cast
Thursday, April 8 2010, 09:29 BST


Ciarán McMenamin, Alexander Siddig, and Ruth Kearney are among the new faces joining the cast of Primeval, ITV has announced.

Last year, the Saturday night show was recommissioned for a seven-episode fourth run and a six-episode fifth under a new co-production deal between ITV and UKTV.

Hannah Spearritt (Abby Maitland), Andrew-Lee Potts (Connor Temple), Ben Miller (James Lester) and Ben Mansfield (Captain Becker) will be reprising their roles but the story sees the ARC recruiting new members to take the place of their alter egos after they became trapped in the past at the end of series three.

The premieres of Series 4 and series 5 of Primeval will be split between ITV1 and UKTV’s new entertainment pay TV channel, Watch. ITV1 will be the first to broadcast series 4 in early 2011, while Watch will premiere series 5 later that year. ITV1 will then broadcast season 5.

ITV's Laura Mackie said of the recommission: "We're delighted to have agreed this new deal with Impossible to return Primeval to ITV1. The innovative nature of this partnership will allow the show to maintain its high production values and deliver the fantastic programme that our viewers know and love."

Paul Moreton, Channel Head of Watch, added: "We are really excited to be part of this truly innovative deal that guarantees the continuation of this fantastically entertaining series.

"I know Primeval is going to be a massive hit with Watch viewers and the perfect complement to other popular sci-fi dramas such as Doctor Who and Torchwood."

[ajay10]

Laila Rouass Explains Primeval Exit

Laila Rouass has revealed that she quit Primeval for the sake of her 3-year-old daughter Inez.

The actress played Egyptologist Sarah Page in the last run of the ITV1 sci-fi show, but is not involved in the current filming of series four and five in Ireland.

Speaking to The Mirror, Rouass explained: "I'm a single parent and it just wouldn't have been possible for me to carry on in Primeval once filming of the show switched to Dublin for ten months.

"It's a great shame because I enjoyed making the programme. Shooting a lot of my scenes at the British Museum in London, from six in the evening until the following morning, was magical."

Primeval was recommissioned in September last year under a co-production deal between ITV, UKTV and international broadcasters.

Rouass has since joined the cast of Spooks, which is filmed in London.