Nobody would ever confuse Rufus Sewell for Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation), right? Well, super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer has chosen Sewell for the lead in the $4 million pilot of the British drama series Eleventh Hour. Presumably, Rufus will be playing the same role Patrick played, that is Professor Ian Hood, Special Advisor to the government's Joint Sciences Committee, enlisted to tackle all kinds of dangerous threats stemming from science gone awry.CBS greenlit the production last September, no doubt based on the network's track record of success with Bruckheimer. Currently, JB is producing The Amazing Race, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Cold Case and Without a Trace on CBS.
Eleventh Hour was a hit in England, but was not without controversy. Stephen Gallagher, who'd written for Doctor Who, intended for this series to be based on science fact, not science fiction. When the producers altered his scripts early in production, contrary to Gallagher's wishes, he bolted. Despite his exit, the ITV show had a successful run.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-22-2008 @ 2:59PM
C C said...
Cool. I really like Rufus Sewell and I'm surprised he hasn't become a bigger star. I know that partly has to do with his "choosiness" concerning roles. He won't take just any old part in any movie. It's interesting that he's exploring the possibility of an American tv series (although it IS based on a brit show).
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2-22-2008 @ 3:15PM
Joey Geraci said...
Given JB's amazingly bad record (in quality, which unfortunately has not corresponded to viewership), I'm certainly not expecting much.
I'm expecting "National Treasure: Bad Science". I think I'll sit this one out.
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2-22-2008 @ 3:48PM
Avi said...
Oh well, I was hoping Patrick Stewart might have been convinced to return to the roll.
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2-22-2008 @ 4:13PM
Everyone Agrees said...
If Patrick Stewart was going to be in it, this would be worth a look. Jerry Bruckheimer can take his 4 million and stick it.
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2-22-2008 @ 4:51PM
Jon said...
this show sucked. why are they making an American version?
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2-22-2008 @ 7:03PM
Lenny said...
Some of these comments are a lot like the things said about the new Battlestar Galactica when that project was announced. I'm guilty of saying some of them. I think I'll give this project the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best. It's probably a long shot, but it's worth looking at before condemning it.
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2-22-2008 @ 7:30PM
mj said...
I loved the show on BBCA. Patrick Stewart was very good. I'm sure that if it is coming to this country, it will not be as good.
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2-22-2008 @ 8:01PM
dj said...
don't forget that on the BBC sereies, Patrick Stewart's "bodyguard" was played by the amazing Ashley Jensen from "Extras" and "Ugly Betty".
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2-22-2008 @ 10:09PM
Anita said...
"When the producers altered his scripts early in production" - OK, that makes sense. I liked the show. Although it was considered pretty big budget for the BBC (or so I read), it didn't make sense to me when a lot of the 'science' or the 'math' catalyzing various events seemed way too simplistic (the formula to predict global warming was a hs calc derivative) - I like Rufus Sewell and I loved the basic idea of the show, so I'll probably watch it -
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3-07-2008 @ 11:38PM
Insert Name said...
Yeah, I'll probably watch it too. I love Patrick Stewart...oh wait...he's not in this one, nevermind.
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