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ITV Commissions The Oaks

Bob The Skutter

Bob The Skutter

Complete Arse Cleft
In Memoriam
I seem to remember posting about this being a possible new show a few months ago and there's finally news.
ITV have commissioned their first collaboration between ITV Studios and Fox in the form of The Oaks, a failed Fox pilot from a few years ago.

From ITV Press Centre
Alex Kingston and Jodie Whittaker lead the cast of ITV Studios' brand new supernatural drama The Oaks (working title).

The Oaks is the gripping story of three different families living in the same house in the 1960’s, 1980’s and present day. The families are linked by the spirit of a young girl – the 1960’s family’s daughter who died in mysterious circumstances.

Ten weeks of principal photography have begun on The Oaks (working title) a brand new five-part drama from ITV Studios.

This is the first commission to come from the creative collaboration between ITVS and Fox. The new series is written for ITV by Stephen Greenhorn (Glasgow Kiss, Doctor Who) and is based on an original US pilot from David Schulner.

ITVS Creative Director of Drama, Kate Bartlett and Senior Executive Kate Lewis are the executive producers, along with Stephen Greenhorn. The 5 x 60 min series is directed by James Kent (The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister, Margaret) is produced by Chrissy Skinns (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Auf Wiedersehen Pet) and is filming on location around London.

Kingston (Doctor Who, Hope Springs, ER) and Whittaker (Cranford, Wired, Venus) will star alongside DEAN ANDREWS (Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars), SHELLEY CONN (Strike Back, Mistresses), ANNE REID (Ladies of Letters, Five Days), ELLIOT COWAN (The Fixer, Lost in Austen), DENIS LAWSON (Criminal Justice, The Passion), JAMIE THOMAS KING (Mad Men, The Tudors) and TESSA PEAKE-JONES (Only Fools and Horses).

The drama has been commissioned by ITV’s drama commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes.

“The Oaks is a really original concept that blends relationship drama with an atmospheric ghost story,” said Laura. “Stephen’s scripts are compellingly written and this is a very distinctive drama to add to our slate.”

“This is a strongly authored, ambitious piece and we’re thrilled to have such an exciting and talented cast on board,” said Kate Lewis, Executive Producer.
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I've read the script for the pilot. It's an interesting concept and I was left wanting more.

I look forward to checking out the finished product.
 
Vendikarr said:
I've read the script for the pilot. It's an interesting concept and I was left wanting more.

I look forward to checking out the finished product.
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lets hope they dont ruin an intersting idea like they did "Last of the Van Helsings"
 
Of all the defunct Hollywood scripts, why choose that one? Doesn't sound very promising. Pick up Revolution or Beyond instead.
 
Temis the Vorta said:
Of all the defunct Hollywood scripts, why choose that one? Doesn't sound very promising. Pick up Revolution or Beyond instead.
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:lol: *starts to think about his reply, but realises he used the wrong smilie* :guffaw:

Let me explain why this decesion was made, ITV is basically the UK equalivant of NBC, for example both networks aired Baywatch, and both recently axed a long running cop show.

the point is that we cant expect a comany run by the guy who sold ASDA to Wal*Mart, to be good at picking TV shows.
 
Temis the Vorta said:
ITV is basically the UK equalivant of NBC
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Oh okay, ITV is run by idiots. Gotcha. :rommie:
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Yes, ITV is run by idiots. They used to be good then they decided focusing on reality TV and light entertainment shows was the best idea, then wondered why their audience figures and advertising revenue dropped and decided more light entertainment was the key and cancelled some of their highest rated and longest running shows.
 
Deckerd said:
ITV resembles more a freeview channel now than a big gun.
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Which is funny, considering they're actually still the highest rated commercial network and they were talking about dumping their PSB licence and becoming a digital only channel. Also Archie Norman was talking about launching a premium service... Is there anything on ITV anyone in their right mind would pay for?
 
Nope

They have one or two decent productions that actually fulfil their remit per year and that's it. They should give up the PSB to channel 5.
 
I would have agreed until Richard 'Dirty Des' Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express and OK magazine just bought out Five yesterday. :eek:

The concept sounds a bit dull but it could potentially be the most interesting thing shown on ITV for a long time. Which doesn't say a lot - ITV shows barf 24/7. :barf:
 
Deckerd said:
Now I just know Bob's gonna tell me channel 5 have a PSB remit...
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Yep, all terrestrial broadcasters do. Five's is they have to broadcast a certain number of hours of News and current affairs per year. I think both ITV and Channel 5 have said they would like to drop their PSB remits so they can chase ratings more and it's likely they will when they're up in 2014. and they want OFCOMs regulations loosened so I don't think Channel 5 would be any better choice really.
 
Is it right that I'm tempted to give this a go purely for the reason it isn't another crime drama or talent show by ITV? :p

I know this is social suicide but my shameful indulgence of choice that saves me from abandoning ITV altogether is Emmerdale and TV Burp. Two of the greatest comedy shows we have (one is admittedly unintentional... I'll let you decide which one).
 
Is it right that I'm tempted to give this a go purely for the reason it isn't another crime drama or talent show by ITV? :p

Why not? Every time I get fed up with crap like Haven, Persons Unknown or The Gates, I remember that my only other alternatives are cop shows and reality TV. I think all our standards are suffering as a result. Where have all the space operas gone? :(
 
^ I'm glad to know I'm not alone! I'm so desperate to see something set in space, I'm actually considering Babylon 5 as a suitable alternative :p It's been enough time since I last saw it to give it a proper chance now and appreciate it for what it is, and I did quite like Crusade when I saw it.

I've also got Farscape on my list, which I enjoyed despite only seeing a handful of episodes and SeaQuest DSV, which I remember being like Star Trek but with more water.

Having said that, the BBC advertised a submarine show called The Deep which I'm quite looking forward to watching.

As for Persons Unknown, I have to admit I am rather enjoying it. It's not mindblowing like season 1 of Lost, but it's keeping me interested enough to see it through to the end. As far as I'm aware it's only a one season affair.
 
Farscape is much wilder and weirder than Star Trek! The way it's most like TOS is in the wide swings in quality. But it's worth slogging through the wretched episodes for the really good stuff.

Persons Unknown is just a summer miniseries. Are you up to date on the eps?
I hope they're not really going for the hokey One World Conspiracy angle as the big secret - that trope is way overused. Could be just a red herring.
 
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