Triffids remake cast and poster

01 April 2009

John Howell

It’s not long now before we see the second BBC remake of John Wyndham’s iconic post-apocalyptic science fiction novel, The Day of the Triffids, first published in 1951. They’ve selected an excellent cast that includes UK comedian Eddie Izzard, veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave, Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, and Jason Priestley.

Izzard will play Torrence, the leader of a squad of soldiers who rounds up survivors after the Triffids take over Britain. He was last seen in a non-comic role (which I’m assuming this is too?) in Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie as General Erich Fellgiebel.

Scottish actor, Dougray Scott, will play the lead, Dr Bill Masen. Scott’s credits include Mission Impossible II and False Witness. Brian Cox, who appeared in the first two Bourne movies, plays Dennis Masen, his father.

Nip/Tuck actor, Joely Richardson, will appear as Jo Playton and Vanessa Redgrave will play Durrant. Interestingly, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson are mother and daughter in real life.

Jason Priestley of Beverley Hills 90210 fame will star as Coker.

You can see the new cast below in a production poster recently revealed by Broadcast Now, complete with tentacles and well known London landmarks. The poster includes, from left to right, Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, Joely Richardson, and Eddie Izzard holding a gun. I like the clever tag line: “The human race has had its day”.

This new adaptation has been written by Patrick Harbinson, best known as a writer on the US TV series’ ER and Law & Order.

"The incredible cast lined-up for The Day of the Triffids is testament to the quality of Patrick Harbinson's script,” said Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. “We hope audiences, both old and new, will be captivated by this modern take of John Wyndham's classic best-selling novel."

Read more about the new plot and how it differs from John Wyndham’s original Day of the Triffids novel here. This is the second time the BBC has adapted The Day of the Triffids. A longer BBC TV mini series starring John Duttine was broadcast in 1981.

Executive producer Justin Bodle claims the new series will feature "amazing effects and iconic locations" and would be the "drama mini-series event of 2009". Let’s hope the new adaptation lives up to his hype. As a long time John Wyndham fan, any type of adaptation of his novels or short stories, is enough to peak my interest.

The BBC1’s two part TV remake of The Day of the Triffids will be broadcast at the end of this year. Filming was completed in the south-east of England in March.

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