Latest news with #MarkHerbert
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Adolescence executive producer shares excitement for Threads reboot
The head of a production company behind hit TV show Adolescence says remaking a 1980s nuclear war film will be the culmination of a 20-year dream. Sheffield-based Warp Films, which produced Netflix's hard-hitting drama, is to film a contemporary version of Threads - a "groundbreaking" portrayal of a post-apocalyptic South Yorkshire. Chief executive officer Mark Herbert says "nothing is off the table" for the reboot, which he says could include a mix of old and new characters."At the moment it's about finding the best writer and the best director and people to help us adapt it - that's what we are doing at the moment," he says. Threads, released in 1984 and written by Kes author Barry Hines, tracks the aftermath of an attack on Sheffield and had a profound effect on many who watched by documentary maker Mick Jackson, it was only broadcast a handful of times between its original transmission and its 40th anniversary last year."I watched Threads when I was a teenager, everybody was terrified by it," Herbert, who grew up in Doncaster, says."It was so well made and so real and so raw - when something has that much of an impact on you, you remember it forever." Herbert says Warp Films, creators of This is England and new BBC One drama Reunion, has been waiting for "the right time" to create a new version."When we started Warp over 20 years ago, I always had a thing that if there was anything I'd like to tackle as a remake, it would be Threads," he says."In the original there was no internet, no mobile phones, it was a different city. "I think we will have to reflect what the city is like now."While he remains tight-lipped about the potential cast, he says the TV series could stretch over four to six hopes it would "delved deeper" into some of the characters, but stresses he wants it to stay true to the original."Threads terrified me, so it won't be an easy watch, but at the same time I want it to have more hope and humanity."Discussing the time frame, Herbert says the new version was "a while away"."Even with a gust of wind, we'd be lucky to be shooting in two years from now," he says. He says the daunting prospect of remaking Threads has parallels with the challenges of capturing Adolescence. "Adolescence terrified me because it was [filmed in] one shot and I was so worried - if something goes wrong at 50 minutes, you start again."It's scary and it's a challenge, but I think that's the best way to start something."Since its release on 13 March, the acclaimed drama has become the most talked-about show of the year so far."You have no idea when you are making something like Adolescence that it would have such an impact globally," he says."I'm overwhelmed but really happy." Herbert says the show "hit a nerve" as a parent, adding: "When I was a kid, my mum and dad worried about where I was going and who I was hanging out with."Now they can be in their bedrooms and looking at content that's really bad."Among the millions of viewers were Herbert's own three children, who have known Adolescence actor Stephen Graham since they were toddlers."One of my daughters sent me pictures of her in tears after the first and the fourth episode," Herbert says."I think they are really pleased and proud of it and it's amazing for them to know that all their mates are talking about it."Asked if the Threads remake would also be shot in one continuous take, he replies: "Absolutely no chance."Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Adolescence team to remake Threads nuclear attack epic
Warp Films, the maker of worldwide hit TV show Adolescence, is to develop a series based on 1980s nuclear war film Threads, it has Sheffield-based firm plans to turn the 1984 movie, which tracks the aftermath of an attack on the city, into a TV film, written by Kes author Barry Hines, has gathered a cult following for its bleak storyline and vivid portrayal of a post-apocalyptic South Yorkshire.A spokesperson for Warp described the 112-minute original as "groundbreaking" and added: "This adaptation will explore prescient issues through rich, character-driven storytelling." Warp founder and chief executive Mark Herbert confirmed to BBC Sheffield that the firm had obtained the rights to Threads for a new version."Threads was, and remains, an unflinchingly honest drama that imagines the devastating effects of nuclear conflict on ordinary people. This story aligns perfectly with our ethos of telling powerful, grounded narratives that deeply connect with audiences," he told the Radio on a low budget and directed by documentary maker Mick Jackson, who would later go on to helm Hollywood blockbuster The Bodyguard, Threads managed to horrify people at a time when nuclear war seemed a very real a kitchen sink drama focused around a young couple in Sheffield, the film showed society breaking down as nuclear winter sets was only shown a handful of times between its original transmission and its 40th anniversary. It is now available on to the BBC in 2023, actor Reece Dinsdale, who played the film's central character Jimmy, said the film had a special screening in Sheffield in front of 500 people before it was shown on TV."There was complete silence and all you could hear was various people sobbing around the room," the actor recalled."People blame me to this day for scarring them for life."People say it is the most scary thing they've ever seen in their life and remains so to this day." Warp, which also created the This is England film and TV series, is also behind the BBC One drama Reunion, which began on has become the most talked-about show of the year so far after it launched on 13 first episode was watched by 6.45 million people in its first week, according to ratings body is the biggest audience for any streaming TV show in the UK in a single week, beating the 6.3 million who watched Fool Me Once on Netflix in January won praise from critics, viewers and politicians for its hard-hitting story of a 13-year-old boy who is arrested on suspicion of murdering a girl from his school, with the drama made more intense by filming each episode in a single cast, including newcomer Owen Cooper as young Jamie, and Stephen Graham as his dad, have received plaudits for their performances. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
