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| [[Episode 23 (Primeval)|3.10]]
| [[Episode 23 (Primeval)|3.10]]

Revision as of 18:15, 3 June 2009

This article is about the science fiction TV series. For the 2007 film of the same name, see Primeval (film). For other uses, see Primeval (disambiguation).
Primeval
File:Primeval - intro.jpg
Primeval title sequence
GenreScience fiction cult drama
Created byAdrian Hodges
Tim Haines
StarringSeries 3 Cast:
Jason Flemyng
Andrew-Lee Potts
Hannah Spearritt
Laila Rouass
Ben Mansfield
with Juliet Aubrey
and Ben Miller
Opening themePrimeval theme music
Ending theme"All Sparks" (1st series only)
Primeval theme music (DVD and second season)
ComposersDominik Scherrer, James Hannigan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerTim Bradley Series 3, Paul Frift Series 2, Cameron McAllister Series 1
Running timeapprox. 45 minutes
Original release
NetworkITV
ReleaseFebruary 10, 2007 (2007-02-10) –
present

Primeval is a British science fiction television programme produced for ITV by Impossible Pictures. Created by Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines, who previously created the Walking with... documentary series, Primeval follows a team of five scientists tasked with investigating the appearance of temporal anomalies across Great Britain and containing prehistoric and futuristic creatures which enter the present.

First broadcast in the UK on 10 February, 2007, it has since expanded to an international audience. Overall reception of the programme was positive during the first and second series, maintaining a 25 percent audience share in the United Kingdom during both series to date.[1] Prior to its 9 August 2008 broadcast on BBC America, the programme received generally positive reaction from American critics as well.[2] The third series, which ITV announced on 30 January 2008,[3] began on 28 March 2009. In the US, series 3 premièred on 16 May 2009 on BBC America.

Development

Production

The first series was filmed partly at Pinewood Studios, the Forest of Dean, London Underground, New Den Stadium (home of Millwall FC, although apparently the Matchroom Stadium, home of Leyton Orient F.C. according to the official website) and CEME (the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence near Ford's Dagenham[4]),[5] Whipsnade Zoo, London Zoo, the Canary Islands, Thorpe Park and Bournemouth beach.[6]

The Duke of Kent building at The University of Surrey, Guildford is used as the back-drop for the team's HQ, the ARC (Anomaly Research Centre).

Filming of the second series completed on 1 October 2007, and was broadcast in early[5] 2008.[7] Caroline Steel and Oliver Leek, portrayed by Naomi Bentley and Karl Theobald respectively, were two new characters for the second series, both of whom conspired with Helen Cutter.[7]

The penultimate episode of the second series was written by Doctor Who scriptwriter Paul Cornell.[8]

In May 2009, The Sun had reported that Primeval was to be axed owing to ITV's recent admission of a £2.7 billion loss (though not solely as a result of Primeval's budget). ITV strongly denied this claim, with a spokesperson stating "It's not true, it's not going to be axed, it just hasn't been recommissioned and it is not unusual to wait for a series to run before considering recommission." It is highly unlikely that Primeval will be axed, as it is one of ITV`s most successful programmes.[9]

Advertising

Primeval billboards and banners are often erected around London shortly before the airdate. Series 1 has several posters, most of which had exaggerated creatures from the show (the Arthropleura was depicted as being roughly human-sized in the show but was shown as being as large as a house in the billboards). Series 2 and 3 have also had prominent advertising campaigns.

Episodes

Main article: List of Primeval episodes

Primeval's first series in 2007 comprised six episodes. Each instalment contributed to a story arc which continued into the second series. The following series in 2008 was slightly longer – seven episodes – and has finished broadcasting.[10] The third season began broadcasting on 28 March 2009, and had ten episodes.[11]

Behind the Scenes

Main article: Through the Anomaly (Primeval)

After the end of the each series a behind-the-scenes documentary, Through the Anomaly, was released.

Cast

Initial Third series cast: (left to right:) Hannah Spearritt, Andrew-Lee Potts, Lucy Brown, Douglas Henshall, Ben Mansfield and Laila Rouass (not including Ben Miller, Jason Flemyng and Juliet Aubrey).

The series originally featured a cast of five main characters plus supporting cast who investigate time anomalies for the British government:

Current cast


Former cast

The series also uses several minor characters, some of whom appear in several episodes.

Spin-offs

Plans for a feature film version of Primeval have been revealed by ITV with Warner Bros. reportedly having acquired the screen rights with Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster named as the producers.[13] In addition to the movie, Jonathan Drake and Tim Haines are rumoured to be working on plans for a spin-off series, possibly based in the US.[14]

Plot

Universe

Main article: Primeverse

The series takes place in, and is just a small section of an extensive alternate universe, nicknamed the Primeverse by fans. The in-universe concepts and the majority of worlds featured are taken from pre-existing works, and are difficult to appreciate without some prior knowledge of real life palaeontology and other Impossible Pictures shows such as Prehistoric Park and the Walking with... series. Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges have added places and characters not covered there.

There is also the possibility that the Primeverse will be featured in future Impossible Pictures productions as writer Adrian Hodges has stated that he'd like to take the Primeverse "in another direction one day".[15]

Timeline

This is a chronological list of the events and episodes of the show, although due to the time travel element of the show, many events take place on dates across a wide-spanning timeline. Not all of these events have a definite date, however, and as such there is some noted controversy over their placement; testament to the significance of the series' continuity and the chronology within its fandom. Similarly, Helen Cutter's stories, set during her eight subjective years of travelling through time, have no distinctly recognisable chronological place within the series' timeline.

Creatures

File:Prim predator.jpg
Primeval's most recurring monsters, known only as future predators, are a future evolution of a bat.
Main article: List of creatures in Primeval

This is a list of species featured in Primeval. The list includes some imaginary species which are not prehistoric, but are nonetheless not native to the present era. For the first series, various creatures were re-imagined by the producers for dramatic effect.[16] However there is one exception in season 1, the Dodo. The series also features creatures from the future.

Merchandise

Toys And Action Figures

The master toy licence for Primeval was given to Character Options, the same company that created the Doctor Who toy line. Jon Diver, joint MD at Character Group, stated that the series one toy line will be "extensive" and was scheduled for release in October 2007, followed by a series two toy line released in January 2008 to correspond with the second series. The toy line includes all of the main characters and a few of the creatures.[17] A large plush toy version of Rex was also put into production. It is unknown if the toys will be shipped over to America. The Primeval Toy line includes:

  • Main Characters (Nick Cutter, Helen Cutter, Stephen Hart, Connor Temple, Abby Maitland, James Lester, Claudia Brown, Jenny Lewis, Captain Ryan)
  • Creatures (Rex, Giant Arachnids, Hesperonis, Dodos & Parasite, Agnurognathus, Future Predator, Raptor, Saber-Tooth, Mer-Creature, Scorpion)
  • Sets ( Anomaly Incrusion Set, Creature Incursion Set, Anomaly Detector in 3 parts)
  • Plush Rex with sound
  • Flying Rex & Agnurognathus
  • Handheld Anomaly Detector with lights & sound

Books

Main article: List of Primeval books and novelisations

Ladybird Books has so far published 2 sticker books (one of which is a glow in the dark sticker book) a poster book, a tattoo activity title, a wipe-clean activity book, and a summer annual for children from 5–8 years old. They will also publish additional activity titles for February 2009.[18]

Puffin Books are also publishing four Primeval paperback books named A Rip in Time, Dangerous Dimension, The Lost Predator and Fight for Survival.[18]

Several original novels have also been published by Titan Books, to behave more like extra episodes than novelizations. The first is Shadow of the Jaguar by Steven Savile, which revealed that anomalies do appear overseas. A second novel, written by acclaimed fantasy writer Paul Kearney, is entitled The Lost Island.[19]

DVD Releases

Warner Home Video, on 4 November, 2008, released both Series 1 and 2 as a box set in Region 1 (USA and Canada). This box set is comprised of four DVDs with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. A Region 2 (UK, Japan, Europe etc) box set for Series 1 and 2 was released on 17 March, 2008. Series 1 and 2 are also available separately. Series 3 is currently scheduled to be release in the UK on 1 June, 2009. A release date for series 3 has not been announced for the US, but is expected to be released sometime in the autumn.

Viewing statistics

The first episode gained a final viewing figure of 7.09 million people. The series averaged 6.39 million viewers.[20] When shown in Germany it gained a total audience of 2.78 million viewers. These figures do not take into account the viewing figures for repeats of the programme.[21] After all 7 episodes, series 2 averaged 6.29 million viewers making a very slight drop of 100,000 from the series 1 average.

Although episode 3.3 received low viewer ratings in the UK, the second half of the show was aired during the opposing BBC transmission of a special edition of Doctor Who.[22][23] Season 3 was also broadcast much later in the year than previous seasons so warmer weather could be a factor to explain a small decrease in viewership but little change in the percentage of audience share. Nevertheless, Primeval remains in the Top 30 most viewed programmes for ITV per week, beating many of the Top 30 for other stations as well.[24]

Series 1

Episode Overnight rating
(audience share)[1] 		Final Rating[25]
1.1 6.7 million (29%) 7.09 million
1.2 6.0 million (28%) 6.29 million
1.3 5.8 million (25%) 6.17 million
1.4 5.6 million (24%) 5.81 million
1.5 6.2 million (28%) 6.46 million
1.6 6.1 million (27%) 6.52 million
Average:
6.39 million

Series 2

Episode Overnight rating
(audience share)[1] 		Final Rating[26]
2.1 5.8 million (26%) 6.32 million
2.2 5.6 million (25%) 6.05 million
2.3 5.7 million (26%) 6.27 million
2.4 5.7 million (24%) 6.39 million
2.5 5.8 million (26%) 6.33 million
2.6 6.0 million (27%) 6.44 million
2.7 5.6 million (26%) 6.20 million
Average:
6.28 million

Series 3

Episode Overnight rating
(audience share)[1] 		Final Rating[27]
3.1 5.3 million (24%) 5.89 million
3.2 4.4 million (23%) 4.94 million
3.3 2.7 million (14%) 3.28 million
3.4 4.5 million (23%) 4.97 million
3.5 4.9 million (26%) 5.20 million
3.6 4.7 million (25%) 5.27 million
3.7 4.9 million (25%) 5.34 million
3.8 4.6 million (22%) 5.13 million
3.9 4.6 million (25%) 5.21 million
3.10
Average:
5.00 million

Reception

TV critic Charlie Brooker reviewed Primeval in the final episode of his BBC Four show Screenwipe, and gave it a rave review saying that it was "far better than Torchwood for instance" commenting "I hope you're listening, Russell T Davies". "Unashamedly Saturday night populist viewing for the masses" with "some of the best special effects I've ever seen... in a British TV show" he went on.[28][dead link]

First broadcast on BBC America on August 9, 2008, Primeval met with generally favourable reviews among American critics, earning 73 out of 100 on the aggregate review site Metacritic.[2] Calling the show both child-friendly and entertaining for adults, Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune noted the unusual date of the American première, stating that "most networks...have shied away from launching shows during August, when the Beijing Olympics are expected to dominate the TV landscape."[29] Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised Primeval's special effects and sense of humor.[30] Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times criticized the music and emotional direction of the narrative, saying of protagonist Nick Cutter "I know your wife has been missing for years, but ye gods, man, that's a bloody dinosaur."[31]

Comparisons have been made between Primeval and the popular BBC series Doctor Who, which is famous for its use of time travel. The producers of Primeval have consistently resisted comparison of the series with Doctor Who, calling Primeval more "reality-based." Actor Douglas Henshall instead compared the series to The A-Team, calling Primeval an ensemble piece featuring characters with different backgrounds who must work together.[32] Torchwood creator and Doctor Who head writer Russell T Davies commented on the show in 2007, criticizing Primeval's lack of ethnic casting as "shameful," but then adding "apart from that, I think it's excellent".[33] The show has since introduced Sarah Page, played by the Moroccan-Indian actress Laila Rouass, as a permanent member of the team.

International broadcasts

Country Network First broadcast
 UK ITV 10 February 2007 [34]
 Australia Nine Network 29 April 2007
 Belgium één 7 September 2007
 Canada Space 4 April 2007 [35]
 South Korea KBS2 15 April 2007 [36]
 Germany ProSieben 4 June 2007
 Hong Kong TVB Pearl 14 February 2007 [37]
 New Zealand TV2 11 July 2007 [38]
 Norway NRK 3 December 2008
 Spain Canal+ & Cuatro 2007 [39]
 Sweden Kanal 9 3 September 2007 [40]
 Islamic Republic of Iran irib 4 2009
 Italy Jimmy 28 December 2007 [41]
 France M6 29 December 2007 [42]
 France NRJ12 2 December 2008 [43]
 Romania TVR2 2008
 Mexico HBO Latin America 2008 [44]
 Hungary RTL Klub 6 January 2008 [45]
 Taiwan Public Television Service 6 February 2008 [46]
 Denmark Danmarks Radio 21 February 2008
 Bulgaria Kanal 1 10 March 2008
 Malaysia
 Thailand
 Philippines 		BBC Entertainment 15 May 2008 [47]
 Croatia HRT 7 July 2008 [48]
 USA BBC America
SciFi 		9 August 2008
10 April 2009 (HD) 		[49]
[50]
 Slovakia Slovenská televízia 6 May 2008 [51]
 Portugal RTP1 2 August 2008
 Russia TV-3 Russia 15 November 2008
 South Africa BBC Entertainment 14 October 2008
 Quebec Z Tele December 2008
 Japan NHK 2 January 2009
 Slovenia POP TV 19 January 2009
 Greece ΣΚΑΪ 2009

References

  1. ^ a b c d TV ratings | Media | guardian.co.uk
  2. ^ a b Primeval on Metacritic. Retrieved 8-10-2008.
  3. ^ ITV commissions third series of Primeval | Media | guardian.co.uk
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ a b ITV.com: Primeval
  6. ^ Dorset Echo: Dinosaurs on the beach!
  7. ^ a b "ITV goes for more 'Benidorm' and 'Primeval'". Digital Spy.
  8. ^ Cornell, Paul (2007-04-24). "Primeval". Paul Cornell's House of Awkwardness. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  9. ^ http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/showbiz/Primeval-axe-claims-denied-ITV/article-953057-detail/article.html
  10. ^ a b c Television - Tube Talk - You look... different - Digital Spy
  11. ^ a b Primeval Roundtable with Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges
  12. ^ a b Primeval - Tube Talk - 2009 TV Preview: :Primeval' series three - Digital Spy
  13. ^ French, Dan (2009-05-15). "'Primeval' movie confirmed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  14. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (2009-05-16). "Reports: 'Primeval' spinoff in the pipeline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  15. ^ "Welcome to the Evolution", SFX Magazine, August 2007
  16. ^ Milne, Mike. "Primeval sees Framestore CFC's Creatures Leap into the 21st Century".
  17. ^ Douglas Henshall Website Updates
  18. ^ a b Primeval and Primeval 2 ITV series: News page and development
  19. ^ Titan Books category listing for "Primeval"
  20. ^ Average calculated from BARB figures for week ending 11/02/07 and all subsequent weeks until 18/03/07.
  21. ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammesOverview/?Requesttimeout=500&report=weeklyterrestrial
  22. ^ http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/listings/itv1/2009-04-11/
  23. ^ http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/listings/bbc-1/2009-04-11/
  24. ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammesOverview/?Requesttimeout=500&report=weeklyterrestrial
  25. ^ BARB
  26. ^ BARB
  27. ^ BARB
  28. ^ ITV's Primeval Fan Site - By Jon Donni - BBC4 Screenwipe - Charlie Brooker - Spoof/Parody - News
  29. ^ Ryan, Maureen (August 2008). Dino might: 'Primeval' brings ancient beasts to modern-day England. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 8-10-2008.
  30. ^ Owen, Robert (August 2008). TV Review: BBC America imports sci-fi adventure with 'Primeval' jurassic journey. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 8-10-2008.
  31. ^ McNamara, Mary (August 2008). Primeval. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8-10-2008.
  32. ^ Szymanski, Mike (August 2008). Sci Fi Weekly. Scifi.com. Retrieved 8-11-2008.
  33. ^ (March 2007). Dr. Who writer - Primeval 'too white'. What's On TV. Retrieved 8-11-2008.
  34. ^ ITV (2007). "ITV - Cult - Primeval". itv.com.
  35. ^ MISSLACE (March 16, 2007). "Primeval premieres on SPACE this April". SPACECAST / SpaceBlog. Space. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  36. ^ ITV (2007). "Primeval - Assult of Origin". kbs.com.
  37. ^ "Pearl Schedule". TVB Pearl. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
  38. ^ "BBC Drama and Factual Titles Head to TVNZ". Scoop.co.nz. 10 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ De Pablos, Emiliano (January 16, 2007). "Cuatro stocks up on U.S. fare". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  40. ^ Kanal 9: 48 Hours
  41. ^ Jimmy (2007). "Jimmy – 1/Primeval". Jimmy.
  42. ^ M6 (2007). "Nick Cutter et les portes du temps". M6.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ NRJ12 (2007). "Nick Cutter et les portes du temps, Saison 2". NRJ12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "HBO Latin America Takes BBC Titles". World Screen. May 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  45. ^ "New premier dates of RTL Klub". Sorozatjunkie.hu. December 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  46. ^ PTS (2008). "Primeval". Public Television Service.
  47. ^ Astro (2008). "Astro :: Making Your Life Richer". Astro.
  48. ^ ITV (2007). "Praskozorje". itv.com.
  49. ^ DigitalSpy (2008). "Primeval bought by BBC America". DigitalSPy.
  50. ^ Primeval - Season 1 Premieres SciFi Channel Apr 10 '09
  51. ^ STV (2008). "Slovenská televízia". stv.sk.
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