War of Worlds coming to TV
HG Wells’ alien-invasion novel The War Of The Worlds is being turned into a British TV drama.
The three-part BBC One drama, following one man’s attempt to escape ruthless Martians, is being made by the producers of TV hits Poldark and Victoria.
It is being billed as the first British TV adaptation of Wells’ famous novel, in which the inhabitants of Earth fall victim to a violent invasion, and will be set in Surrey, the book’s original location.
Writer Peter Harness, whose credits include Doctor Who, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Wallander, said: “I’m feeling phenomenally lucky to be writing The War Of The Worlds, and blowing up gigantic swathes of the Home Counties at the dawn of the 20th century.
“Wells’ book is ground zero for all modern science fiction, and, like all the best sci-fi, manages to sneak in some pretty astonishing comments on what it is to be a human being, too.
“I’m hoping to follow in the great man’s footsteps by making a terrifying, Martianpacked series which manages to be emotional, characterful, and – deep breath, dare I say it – even political at the same time.”
Damien Timmer, managing director of producer Mammoth Screen, said: “It’s a great honour to bring HG Wells’ masterpiece to BBC One.
“This huge title – the original alien invasion story – has been loosely adapted and riffed on countless times, but no-one has ever attempted to follow Wells and locate the story in Dorking at the turn of the last century.
“We hope Peter’s adaptation will be the definitive adaptation of one of the great classic novels – and a visceral, thought-provoking thrill ride.” Filming will begin early next year.
The announcement was made as part of 47 hours of new drama commissions. They include A Very English Scandal, directed by Stephen Frears, about the trial of the Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe.
The series will be penned by Russell T Davies, the former executive producer of Doctor Who, from a book by journalist John Preston.
Swansea-born Davies said: “I’ve wanted to write this story for years, ever since I was 16 and saw it unfold on the news. It’s probably the first gay story I ever heard.”