‘Slow Horses’ Maker See-Saw Adapting ‘Lovejoy’ Novels For TV 30 Years After Popular BBC Series Starring Ian McShane
#See-Saw Films#Lovejoy#Ian McShane#BBC series#Slow Horses#detective novels#television adaptation#British television
📌 Key Takeaways
See-Saw Films acquired rights to adapt Lovejoy novels for TV
Original BBC series aired from 1986-1994 with 70 episodes starring Ian McShane
See-Saw won rights in competitive bidding war
No casting or network announced yet for new adaptation
📖 Full Retelling
British production company See-Saw Films, the team behind the hit series 'Slow Horses,' has acquired the rights to adapt the popular Lovejoy detective novels for television thirty years after the original BBC series starring Ian McShane captivated audiences. The company, which has recently made Jackson Lamb a household name through its critically acclaimed espionage series, is now turning its attention to the rogueish antiques dealer character in a move that could potentially revive another iconic British detective franchise. The Lovejoy novels, which were previously adapted into a beloved BBC series that ran for eight years from 1986 to 1994, totaling 70 episodes, made a significant star of Ian McShane in the titular role. See-Saw Films secured the adaptation rights following a competitive bidding war, indicating strong industry confidence in the potential of a modern Lovejoy revival. While the project is still in early development stages with no network or streaming platform attached, there is currently no information regarding whether Ian McShane might reprise his iconic role in the new adaptation.
🏷️ Themes
Television adaptation, British detective fiction, Revival of classic series
Television broadcasts in the United Kingdom began in 1932, however, regular broadcasts would only begin four years later. Television began as a public service which was free of advertising, which followed the first demonstration of a transmitted moving image in 1926. Currently, the United Kingdom ha...
Ian David McShane (born 29 September 1942) is an English actor. His television performances include the title role in the BBC series Lovejoy (1986, 1991–1994), Al Swearengen in Deadwood (2004–2006) and its 2019 film continuation, and Mr. Wednesday in American Gods (2017–2021).
Slow Horses is a British spy thriller television series based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron, created for television by Will Smith. It follows an MI5 unit where disgraced or failed agents are consigned, under the supervision of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). It also stars Jack Lowd...
British television comedy drama series (1986–1994)
Lovejoy is a British television comedy-drama mystery series, based on the novels by John Grant under the pen name Jonathan Gash. The show, which ran to 71 episodes over six series, was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 10 January 1986 and 4 December 1994, though there was a five-year gap between ...
EXCLUSIVE: The production outfit behind Slow Horses has made Jackson Lamb a household name and now it is seeking to do the same for rogueish antiques dealer Lovejoy . Following a bidding war, See-Saw Films has landed the rights to adapt the Lovejoy detective novels for TV, which were made into a popular BBC series in the late 1980s and early 1990s starring Ian McShane . Lovejoy will be more than familiar to fans of British detective television. Adapted by Ian La Frenais, the BBC show ran for eight years, totaling 70 episodes, and made a star of McShane, who played the eponymous lead. No word yet on whether McShane is returning for the remake, which isn’t yet attached to a network or streamer. The show also starred Chris Jury, Dudley Sutton, Phyllis Logan and Celia Imrie. Related Stories News BBC COO Leigh Tavaziva To Exit As Leadership Upheaval Continues
