CI5: The New Professionals
Encyclopedia
CI5: The New Professionals is a British
crime drama
that aired on the Sky1 satellite channel from 19 September to 19 December 1999. An updating of the late 1970s television series The Professionals
, the series is set in a fictional government agency CI5 (Civilian Intelligence department 5 as opposed to MI5
, Military Intelligence).
The team were responsible to a Minister, played by Charlotte Cornwell
.
In a similar manner to the original series the show included impressive action sequences, often in a James Bond
style. However, the show was not a ratings success and only lasted one season. It did not transfer to terrestrial television in the UK.
alumnus Lewis Collins
as Police Sergeant Godley) approached original series creator Brian Clemens
in the early 1990s after realizing how perpetually popular the original series remained through repeats, video and DVD sales, etc.
He spent the 1990s devising the production of an updated show, based on Clemens' original intentions. Clemens intended for the original series to be an "ensemble" group, not just focusing on the three main characters it in fact did. (This was largely because Clemens semi-retired from writing the show halfway through Season 1, exhausted after working non-stop for several years on one show after another). The new show was intended to return to this intended ideal, with the new 4.5 (originally Doyle) and 3.7 (Bodie) as part of a team effort.
having died of cancer some years before, allegedly (though not verified) Wickes "never even thought" of approaching Martin Shaw
. Since some of the co-financing for the show was derived from his association with American TV networks, he did however approach Lewis Collins to see if he would reprise his role of Bodie as the Comptroller of CI5. This was because Collins had based himself almost exclusively in America since the mid-1990s, having finally married in early middle-age in that country. However, in the end, Collins declined to reprise the role, and so instead Edward Woodward, famous for his roles in Callan
and The Equalizer
came on board as CI5 Head, Harry Malone.
Actors Colin Wells
and Kal Weber became Sam Curtis and Chris Keel respectively, whilst Lexa Doig
was Tina Backus. Though the main "trio" along with Harry Malone carried the show, several other recurring/secondary roles such as Corrigan, Mills, Richards and Spencer were cast to ensure Clemens' original ideal was adhered to. However, unlike the original show, where the initial hostility between actors Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins is now universally known, Colin Wells and Kal Weber were claimed to get along with each other very well, and this purportedly encouraged Brian Clemens to continue writing for the new series - of the 13-episode run, Clemens solely is credited with writing 7 and co-writing 2 more.
in the 1980s. The show thus suffered low ratings that were in inverse proportion to the number of viewers who potentially would have watched it had it been broadcast on terrestrial Television, where a large proportion of the British public had very fond memories of the show, as evinced by the enduring popularity of reruns that made Wickes decide to revive it in the first place.
In addition to this, Sky One didn't promote the show pre-broadcast or publicise it during the run, with a considerable number of ardent The Professionals fans - allegedly - having had no idea the revival existed until after the transmission run was over. In addition to this, SKy One blatantly cut scenes from virtually every episode (in some cases to the point where the plot made no sense) in order to fit in more adverts. At the time, several fan sites for the show had many complaints because viewers who video-taped each episode could see when they checked their tape-counters that some episodes were not even 35 minutes long in terms of programme time (excluding opening/closing credits), whereas DVDs of the original series showed those episodes to be fully 45 minutes of actual programme time excluding opening/closing credits.
vehicle Andromeda. Whilst making that show, Stargate SG-1 cast member Michael Shanks
guest-starred as another ship's avatar, leading to the couple's eventual marriage and Lexa Doig being cast as Dr Lam, estranged daughter of General Hank Landry (Beau Bridges
) in Seasons 9 and 10 of Stargate SG-1 alongside her husband.
In the early 2000s, the David Wickes Television website indicated a DVD release of the 13-episode half-season was "imminent", but again this never happened, lending credence to the claim of some legal copyright problem preventing transmission/continuation/release of the show. Such a DVD release was and remains eagerly anticipated by fans of the show as the severe cuts made by Sky One (in some episodes over 10 minutes of programme were removed to make longer advert breaks) would be reversed and the full uncut episodes would be included, plus, presumably assorted extras.
Many fans consider the crux of the show's failure to be renewed to have been the decision to show it first on satellite rather than terrestrial television, thus severely restricting its potential audience. They also point to the almost total lack of publicity for the show and the severe scene-cuts made by Sky One to each episode as other reasons for failure. As of 2009, the David Wickes Television website continues to state the series is coming to DVD.
As of January 2010 the satellite broadcaster Film24 are preparing to show the series in the near future. This however did not happen either, as the channel went into liquidation in mid-2010.
The series will be starting its run on GBC TV (Gibraltar) on Sunday 6th November 2011, airing every Sunday at 9pm CET.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
crime drama
Police procedural
The police procedural is a subgenre of detective fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes. While traditional detective novels usually concentrate on a single crime, police procedurals frequently depict investigations into several...
that aired on the Sky1 satellite channel from 19 September to 19 December 1999. An updating of the late 1970s television series The Professionals
The Professionals (TV series)
The Professionals was a British crime-action television drama series produced by Avengers Mk1 Productions and London Weekend Television that aired on the ITV network from 1977 to 1983. In all, 57 episodes were produced, filmed between 1977 and 1981. It starred Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins and Gordon...
, the series is set in a fictional government agency CI5 (Civilian Intelligence department 5 as opposed to MI5
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
, Military Intelligence).
Synopsis
The original group of three men (Doyle, Bodie and their boss Cowley) were replaced by a new group of three men and a woman:- Harry Malone (played by (Edward WoodwardEdward WoodwardEdward Albert Arthur Woodward, OBE was an English stage and screen actor and singer. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art , Woodward began his career on stage, and throughout his career he appeared in productions in both the West End in London and on Broadway in New York...
) - Sam Curtis (played by Colin WellsColin Wells (actor)Colin Wells, born 11 September 1963, is an English actor best known for his role as Johnno Dean in the long-running television drama series, Hollyoaks....
) - Chris Keel (Kal Weber)
- Tina Backus (Lexa DoigLexa DoigAlexandra L. "Lexa" Doig is a Canadian actress. She portrayed the role of Rommie in the science fiction TV series Andromeda, and had a recurring character on Stargate SG-1.-Career:...
)
The team were responsible to a Minister, played by Charlotte Cornwell
Charlotte Cornwell
-Life and career:Cornwell was born in Marylebone, London, England, the daughter of Ronald Cornwell. She is the half-sister of spy novelist John le Carré . She describes him as "the best brother a girl could have"...
.
In a similar manner to the original series the show included impressive action sequences, often in a James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
style. However, the show was not a ratings success and only lasted one season. It did not transfer to terrestrial television in the UK.
Origin
David Wickes, episode director for the original series, having formed David Wickes Television and produced/created several lucrative and award-winning productions, such as Jack The Ripper (co-starring The ProfessionalsThe Professionals (TV series)
The Professionals was a British crime-action television drama series produced by Avengers Mk1 Productions and London Weekend Television that aired on the ITV network from 1977 to 1983. In all, 57 episodes were produced, filmed between 1977 and 1981. It starred Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins and Gordon...
alumnus Lewis Collins
Lewis Collins
Lewis Collins is an English actor best known for his tough-guy role as Bodie in The Professionals. He was educated at Bidston Primary and Grange School in Birkenhead. He started out as a ladies' hairdresser before playing drums and guitar in pop groups. He had a number of other jobs before...
as Police Sergeant Godley) approached original series creator Brian Clemens
Brian Clemens
Brian Horace Clemens OBE is a British screenwriter and television producer, possibly best known for his work on The Avengers and The Professionals...
in the early 1990s after realizing how perpetually popular the original series remained through repeats, video and DVD sales, etc.
He spent the 1990s devising the production of an updated show, based on Clemens' original intentions. Clemens intended for the original series to be an "ensemble" group, not just focusing on the three main characters it in fact did. (This was largely because Clemens semi-retired from writing the show halfway through Season 1, exhausted after working non-stop for several years on one show after another). The new show was intended to return to this intended ideal, with the new 4.5 (originally Doyle) and 3.7 (Bodie) as part of a team effort.
Development
The actor Gordon JacksonGordon Jackson (actor)
Gordon Cameron Jackson, OBE was a Scottish Emmy Award-winning actor best remembered for his roles as the butler Angus Hudson in Upstairs, Downstairs and George Cowley, the head of CI5, in The Professionals....
having died of cancer some years before, allegedly (though not verified) Wickes "never even thought" of approaching Martin Shaw
Martin Shaw
Martin Shaw is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in shows such as The Professionals, The Chief, Judge John Deed and Inspector George Gently.-Theatrical background:...
. Since some of the co-financing for the show was derived from his association with American TV networks, he did however approach Lewis Collins to see if he would reprise his role of Bodie as the Comptroller of CI5. This was because Collins had based himself almost exclusively in America since the mid-1990s, having finally married in early middle-age in that country. However, in the end, Collins declined to reprise the role, and so instead Edward Woodward, famous for his roles in Callan
Callan (TV series)
Callan is the title of a British television series set in the murky world of espionage. Originally produced by ABC Weekend Television and later Thames Television, it was aired on the ITV network over four seasons spread out between 1967 and 1972...
and The Equalizer
The Equalizer
The Equalizer is an American television series that ran for four seasons, initially on CBS, between 1985 and 1989. It starred Edward Woodward as an aging New York vigilante with a mysterious past...
came on board as CI5 Head, Harry Malone.
Actors Colin Wells
Colin Wells (actor)
Colin Wells, born 11 September 1963, is an English actor best known for his role as Johnno Dean in the long-running television drama series, Hollyoaks....
and Kal Weber became Sam Curtis and Chris Keel respectively, whilst Lexa Doig
Lexa Doig
Alexandra L. "Lexa" Doig is a Canadian actress. She portrayed the role of Rommie in the science fiction TV series Andromeda, and had a recurring character on Stargate SG-1.-Career:...
was Tina Backus. Though the main "trio" along with Harry Malone carried the show, several other recurring/secondary roles such as Corrigan, Mills, Richards and Spencer were cast to ensure Clemens' original ideal was adhered to. However, unlike the original show, where the initial hostility between actors Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins is now universally known, Colin Wells and Kal Weber were claimed to get along with each other very well, and this purportedly encouraged Brian Clemens to continue writing for the new series - of the 13-episode run, Clemens solely is credited with writing 7 and co-writing 2 more.
Broadcasting issues
The initial thirteen episode half-season was shown on Sky One, a UK satellite channel, in 1999, to its detriment. In 1999, satellite TV ownership was still very much in its infancy amongst the UK public, so the show was accessible to barely a fraction of the massive audience the original series had enjoyed being shown on London Weekend TelevisionLondon Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
in the 1980s. The show thus suffered low ratings that were in inverse proportion to the number of viewers who potentially would have watched it had it been broadcast on terrestrial Television, where a large proportion of the British public had very fond memories of the show, as evinced by the enduring popularity of reruns that made Wickes decide to revive it in the first place.
In addition to this, Sky One didn't promote the show pre-broadcast or publicise it during the run, with a considerable number of ardent The Professionals fans - allegedly - having had no idea the revival existed until after the transmission run was over. In addition to this, SKy One blatantly cut scenes from virtually every episode (in some cases to the point where the plot made no sense) in order to fit in more adverts. At the time, several fan sites for the show had many complaints because viewers who video-taped each episode could see when they checked their tape-counters that some episodes were not even 35 minutes long in terms of programme time (excluding opening/closing credits), whereas DVDs of the original series showed those episodes to be fully 45 minutes of actual programme time excluding opening/closing credits.
Continuation/DVD Release
Despite the problems caused by the show initially being shown on a satellite channel few UK viewers had access to, it was sold to over 50 countries and was hugely popular in Europe. Allegedly, the show was originally going to continue into a full second season, with possibly a "cameo" appearance by Lewis Collins as Bodie, but this never came about and as 2000 progressed various rumours alleged why the show had not been continued. The most persistent rumour seemed to indicate there was a legal copyright wrangle over the series' theme music, but again this was never confirmed or verified. Whatever the case, the show never returned to the screen. Of the cast, Lexa Doig did particularly well, being cast as the AI spaceship Andromeda Ascendant in the Kevin SorboKevin Sorbo
Kevin David Sorbo is an American actor best known for the roles of Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda and Kull in Kull the Conqueror.-Early life:...
vehicle Andromeda. Whilst making that show, Stargate SG-1 cast member Michael Shanks
Michael Shanks
Michael Garrett Shanks is a Canadian actor who achieved fame for his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson in the long-running Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1.-Early life:...
guest-starred as another ship's avatar, leading to the couple's eventual marriage and Lexa Doig being cast as Dr Lam, estranged daughter of General Hank Landry (Beau Bridges
Beau Bridges
Lloyd Vernet "Beau" Bridges III is an American actor and director.- Early life :Bridges was born in Los Angeles, the son of actor Lloyd Bridges and his college sweetheart, Dorothy Bridges . He was nicknamed "Beau" by his mother and father after Ashley Wilkes's son in Gone with the Wind, the book...
) in Seasons 9 and 10 of Stargate SG-1 alongside her husband.
In the early 2000s, the David Wickes Television website indicated a DVD release of the 13-episode half-season was "imminent", but again this never happened, lending credence to the claim of some legal copyright problem preventing transmission/continuation/release of the show. Such a DVD release was and remains eagerly anticipated by fans of the show as the severe cuts made by Sky One (in some episodes over 10 minutes of programme were removed to make longer advert breaks) would be reversed and the full uncut episodes would be included, plus, presumably assorted extras.
Many fans consider the crux of the show's failure to be renewed to have been the decision to show it first on satellite rather than terrestrial television, thus severely restricting its potential audience. They also point to the almost total lack of publicity for the show and the severe scene-cuts made by Sky One to each episode as other reasons for failure. As of 2009, the David Wickes Television website continues to state the series is coming to DVD.
As of January 2010 the satellite broadcaster Film24 are preparing to show the series in the near future. This however did not happen either, as the channel went into liquidation in mid-2010.
The series will be starting its run on GBC TV (Gibraltar) on Sunday 6th November 2011, airing every Sunday at 9pm CET.
Episode guide
| Episode # | Transmission Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1-01 | 19 September 1999 | "Back in Business" |
| 1-02 | 26 September 1999 | Phoenix |
| 1-03 | 3 October 1999 | "Tusk Force" |
| 1-04 | 10 October 1999 | "Hostage" |
| 1-05 | 17 October 1999 | "First Strike" |
| 1-06 | 24 October 1999 | "Samurai Wind" |
| 1-07 | 7 November 1999 | "Skorpion" |
| 1-08 | 14 November 1999 | "Choice Cuts" |
| 1-09 | 21 November 1999 | "Miss Hit" |
| 1-10 | 28 November 1999 | "Orbit" |
| 1-11 | 5 December 1999 | "High Speed" |
| 1-12 | 12 December 1999 | "Souvenir" |
| 1-13 | 19 December 1999 | "Glory Days" |