© (C) 2009 AMC Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel in THE PRISONER Mini-Series

Television:

Exclusive TCA 2009 News: LENNIE JAMES TALK 'THE PRISONER' MINI-SERIES AND PATRICK McGOOHAN'S PASSING

The six-hour mini-series airs on AMC in November

By CHARLENE CHENG, News Editor
Published 7/30/2009

LOCATION: Pasadena, CA

THE SKINNY: Lennie James is no stranger to cult TV. Having been one of the stars on CBS’ critically loved, but ratings challenged JERICHO for two seasons, he’s had a taste of fan fervor not seen in some time.

Which makes his latest role in THE PRISONER mini-series on AMC even cooler. Set to debut in November, the six-part mini-series is based on the cult hit 1967 BBC series of the same name which starred Patrick McGoohan who played a secret agent dropped into a strange colony where he tries to find a way to escape. The new incarnation stars Jim Caviezel in the role of “Six,” Ian McKellen as “Two” and James as “147”

“One of the things I'm most pleased about is that we shot it on a very big scope," says James. "We took our time with the shots. We shot 35mm film and wide screen. There were big images that are going to come to the small screen, a lot in the way that AMC does when they're shooting movies. We shot a six-hour movie and it was fantastic. I'm really glad that scope and vision made it to the final cut.”

Sadly, shortly after filming commenced, actor and creator McGoohan, who wanted to be involved in the production, passed away.

“It was impossible not to see some kind of serendipity with the fact that we just shot the show and then Patrick sadly died,” says James. “As far as the project was concerned, he had given us his blessing. When the guys first talked to him about THE PRISONER, he said that he wanted to play #2. That wasn't possible because he really wasn't well enough to travel, but we did write a role for him in the beginning of the first episode to bring it from the original series to this one. When Jim's character arrives in the Village, he meets a guy that would be played by Patrick that’s trying to escape.”

2059-2079

Reader Comments

Amanda Russo from Port Monmouth, NJ sez....
I feel terrible was wondering why i haven't seen it airing for up coming shows only to find out that it was canceled. 2008' was not a very good year for my family i lost four important people. My father in August and my moms mother the day after Christmas. He would be crushed if he was here. He loved this series and wanted to see it succeed. If i would have known i would have done more like the rest of the fans. Jericho was the best TV series I've ever seen in a long time. Hope to see more i just bought the DVD of season one and season two. Wish i could know if Jake got Hawkins out of that bed. Looking into ordering the comics next. Would love to see season three. Way to go to great writers and a great cast and crew. Nuts that they took it off the air. Peter A. Russo (Decanted fan that still lives on just in another place.) Amanda A. Russo (Daughter) Salvatore Vaticano (Daughters Boyfriend) Salvatore P. Russo (Brother) Thank you for a great two season. Hope to see more.
1/16/2010 2:42:02 PM

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