BBC Three picks up Harper's Island

[Bob The Skutter]

From BBC Press Office
New 13-part murder mystery event, Harper's Island, lands on BBC Three in 2009



Brand new drama Harper's Island arrives on BBC Three later this year bringing murder mystery to the channel.
Licensed by the BBC from CBS Paramount International Television, Harper's Island will push the boundaries of traditional television with frightening, tense and exciting drama that will keep audiences riveted.
A group of family and friends travel to a secluded island off the coast of Seattle to attend a week-long wedding celebration. As the festivities begin, friendships are tested and secrets exposed, as a murderer claims victims one by one, transforming the week into a terrifying struggle for survival.
Over 13 episodes, Harper's Island will unravel a twisted tale of murder and revenge as these wedding guests – each with their own motives, fears and desires – must find the killer (or killers) before they strike again.
By the end of the 13 episodes all questions will be answered, the killer will be revealed and there will be few survivors.

BBC Three could be a very bad sign for the quality of the show, but after Being Human I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Isn't this just Ten Little Niggers/Indians/whatever Agatha Christie's famous story is currently allowed to be called?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Isn't this just Ten Little Niggers/Indians/whatever Agatha Christie's famous story is currently allowed to be called?

Let's all use And Then There Were None as the more PC title. It's basically that crossed with a slasher flick (and muted to be suitable for network TV - not that I mind restricting the blood & gore as long as it forces them to be more creative).

It's actually a pretty good idea. I wonder why nobody has tried it before. I have a feeling CBS might have yet another hit on their hands (like they need one, but at least this isn't yet another dumbass cop show).

This is unusually creative and daring by CBS's standards. No doubt they will manage to make it somewhat mainstream and pedestrian, at least compared with what we might see from a cable network that tried the same idea, but the upside is that it has a greater chance of survival.

The most daring thing about it is their commitment to

Spoiler: it's the premise, but just in case...

kill off the entire cast (except I guess the killer?) Shows are generally assumed to survive based on the audience liking specific characters - they are really going against the grain.

Good for them. But I wonder if they'll stick to that plan or chicken out if the ratings are strong.

Because this is CBS, I'm expecting something along the lines of Jericho - strong premise, mixed bag of characters (some will be great, others will make us root for their early demise), but the execution will be frustrating and tending towards the most mainstream appeal.

It's debuting on CBS on April 9 and I'm certainly going to give it a shot.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I'll definitely check it out. Just given BBC Three's rather poor track record I'm not expecting good things.