The legendary British drama gay series “Queer as folk” is officially making its grand return to the small screen! NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service announced recently that a reboot of the iconic TV programme was given a straight-to-series order.
The original “Queer as Folk” created by Russell T. Davies, also the brilliant mind behind the acclaimed “It’s a Sin” and “Years and Years”, debuted on Britain’s Channel 4 in 1999, and ran for 10 episodes, following the lives of a group of gay friends living in Manchester, England. Months after it ended, Showtime and Showcase released a Canadian-American version of the series, which ran for five seasons between 2000 and 2005, centred on five gay pals in Pittsburgh.
Described as a “vibrant reimagining” of Russell T. Davies’ seminal British series, the new “Queer as Folk” will centre on a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy. Stephen Dunn, known for the film “Closet Monster” and series “Little America”, serves as creator, writer and executive producer. He will also direct several episodes. Davies will also be part of the new production as well.
“Queer as Folk” was more than just a show, it was a ground-breaking and necessary voice for so many people. Stephen’s new version for Peacock arrives at yet another pivotal moment in our culture,” Lisa Katz, the president of scripted content at NBCUniversal Television, said in a press release. “Alex Sepiol, EVP of drama programming, and his team have championed this project from the first moment it landed on their desks, working to ensure the script became the series we’re announcing today. The entire team is so excited to be a part of introducing a new generation to this type of authentic and affirming storytelling.”
Dunn, for his part, also expressed his excitement about bringing his reiteration of the popular show to life. “It is a surreal honour to adapt the notoriously groundbreaking series by Russell T. Davies,” he said in a statement. “When the show originally aired, the idea of unapologetic queer stories on TV was so provocative that I felt I could only watch “Queer as Folk” in secret.”
Dunn, who wrote and plans to direct the first episode, continued, “But so much has changed in the last 20 years and how wonderful would it be if the next generation didn’t have to watch “Queer as Folk” alone in their dank basements with the sound muted, but with their family and friends and the volume cranked to the max.”
A premiere date and casting for the show has yet to be revealed.
