Dirk Gently - Pilot (TV)

You might have seen this on Chortle.

The BBC is developing a TV comedy-drama based on Douglas Adams's Dirk Gently detective novels.

Literary agent Ed Victor, who represents the author's estate revealed the news at a Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy celebration in central London.

He said he had seen 'a great script - not just a good script' for the planned adaptation, but warned: 'With the BBC, it can take forever'.

He said the producer attached to the project - thought to be former Cosby Show executive Caryn Mandabach - described the novels as 'the greatest storytelling opportunity for television since Star Trek'.

However, Victor revealed that Adams' estate had cancelled plans for a radio series based on the unfinished third Dirk Gently novel, A Salmon Of Doubt, saying 'there was not enough of Douglas' in the project to make it worthwhile.

Victor also raised the possibility of a remake of the original Hitchhikers TV series, saying the BBC had 'made noises' about returning to the successful franchise, but 'glaciers move faster'.

Any remake would require a licence from Disney, who brought the rights to the Hitchhikers 'brand' for the 2005 film.

Victor previously sold rights to the film three times - to American sitcom guru Don Tafner, Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, and Monkee Mike Nesmith - although none came to fruition, despite Adams' contributions. Only posthumously did a movie get off the ground.

'The movie wouldn't have got made if Douglas was still here,' Victor added.

Referring to Adams's constant tinkering with scripts, he added: 'He just could couldn't stop stirring the pot.'

The news came at the Hitchcon convention at London's Royal Festival Hall, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first Hitchhikers novel and launching the sixth book in the series, And Another Thing..., written by Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series of children's books.

The day also included Colfer reading from the new volume, a read-though of extracts from the original radio series by some of the cast, and a photocall of fans in dressing gowns and carrying towels, in homage to Hitchhikers hero Arthur Dent.

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/10/11/9767/bbc_plans_dirk_gently_tv_series

I'm really looking forward to this. The first book was, and probably still is, one of my all-time favourites.

They dramatized extracts from it during a Douglas Adams-centric South Bank Show about 15 or more years ago, and I've been wanting to see more ever since.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ October 11 2009, 8:47 PM BST

They dramatized extracts from it during a Douglas Adams-centric South Bank Show about 15 or more years ago, and I've been wanting to see more ever since.

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They also serialised it for radio 4, starring harry Enfield.

I've always thought his work was better suited to radio, but it'll be interesting to see if it comes off.

Quote: chipolata @ October 12 2009, 11:32 AM BST

I've always thought his work was better suited to radio, but it'll be interesting to see if it comes off.

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His Doctor Who stuff was good on TV.

So, they're making a pilot. A pilot of Douglas f**king Adams. How insulting.

Having said that, the glory of H2G2 was shat upon by a dodgy film adaptation, so maybe his work isn't a guarantee of success.

https://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/00000359/dirk_gently_bbc4_pilot/

Stephen Mangan is to play Douglas Adams's 'holistic detective' Dirk Gently on screen, the BBC has announced.

Darren Boyd - who co-starred with Mangan in Channel 4's Green Wing - will play Gently's sidekick Richard Macduff in the new BBC Four adaptation.

Filming began in Bristol this week on the hour-long one-off, which will also star Cold Feet's Helen Baxendale as Richard's girlfriend Susan

Mangan said: 'I've been a fan of Douglas Adams ever since the Hitchhiker's radio series which I used to record as a child and listen to over and over again in my bedroom. It's such a thrill to now be playing one of his brilliant characters.

'Dirk is a chaotic, anarchic force of nature with a totally unique take on the world. He is described as "lazy, untidy, dismissive and unreliable". I've absolutely no idea why they thought I'd be right for the role.'

Ed Victor, Douglas Adams' agent, added: 'For all the years I represented the late, great Douglas Adams, the most substantial frustration for both of us was that we couldn't get films made either of Hitchhiker or Dirk.

'Douglas once said, memorably, that "getting a film made in Hollywood was like trying to cook a steak by having a bunch of people come into the room and breathe on it"! Well, we did eventually get a film made in Hollywood of Hitchhiker and, tragically, Douglas didn't live to see it. Nor will he see this adaptation of Dirk - but it's worth bearing in mind that Douglas always thought Dirk would make a better film than Hitchhiker and I feel sure that this new TV drama will prove his point!'

Bafta-winning writer Howard Overman, whose credits include Misfits and Merlin, is producing the script. The comedy-drama will air late next year or early in 2011.

Adams' fantasy detective novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and its follow-up The Long Dark Tea-Time Of The Soul have previously been adapted for Radio 4 with Harry Enfield playing Dirk Gentl

Chortle first broke the news that the BBC Four show was in the works in November last year.

Read more: http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/10/05/11871/shooting_starts_on_dirk_gently?rss#ixzz11UgstUux

I think they mean early 2012.

This will be a case of a very good book (the 1st one, not the follow-up, which was only so-so) turned into awful television.

Decent cast though, right?

Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 5 2010, 11:05 PM BST

Decent cast though, right?

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I do like a bit of Mangan, I can't deny... The show will still be a damp squib I'm afraid, Nat. And I've never been wrong before, just ask anyone round here...

I might have a go at being optimistic. I also like abit o' Mangan.