Cult show Survivors to be remade

The original starred Ian McCulloch, Lucy Fleming and Carolyn Seymour

The BBC is to remake cult 1970s series Survivors, it has announced.

The original series centred on a post- apocalyptic world in the aftermath of a plague which killed more than 99% of the global population.

The remake will be set in the present day and follow a group of individuals as they fight for day-to-day survival.

Sci-fi writer Terry Nation created the original series. He also wrote Blakes 7, and created the Daleks - Doctor Who's arch enemy.

The BBC secured the rights to The Survivors after months of negotiations with Nation's estate.

Launched in April 1975 on BBC One, Survivors ran for 38 episodes over three series.

'Brave' programme

Kate Harwood, head of series and serials at BBC Drama Production, said: "The opportunity to remake Survivors for a modern generation proved irresistible.

"After months of negotiations, I am delighted that one of British television's great cult series will return with original stories packed with adventure and spirit set against the backdrop of our own recognisable world."

The new series will be written by Adrian Hodges, who also wrote Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval, and will be broadcast on BBC One.

He said: "Survivors was one of the bravest and most exciting programmes of its time and I'm thrilled to be involved with re-imagining it for a new audience.

"I remember its original impact vividly and I hope we can make a similar impression with the new version.

"Its themes remain as relevant as ever and while we will be staying faithful to many aspects of the original, we will also be bringing the story into the 21st Century and making it accessible to contemporary audiences."