Prisoner remake 'set to go ahead'

Portmeirion Village became the iconic home of The Prisoner

After years of speculation and false starts, 1960s TV cult show The Prisoner finally looks set to be remade.

The original sci-fi drama was filmed in the stunning surroundings of the Italianate village of Portmeirion on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd.

Portmeirion's owners say it now seems certain a new series will be made by ITV, but where remains uncertain.

ITV has confirmed it is developing a remake of The Prisoner, but there is no decision on location or casting.

There are reports that the original Prisoner Patrick McGoohan could make a cameo appearance.

McGoohan played the role of Number Six, who was held captive in the mysterious village after he quit as a secret service agent.

The series not only confirmed McGoohan's star status, but also made Portmeirion a leading visitor attraction.

The TV episodes forever imprinted viewers with the image of Number Six's escape attempts, chased down by giant "rover" balloons along the beaches that surround the village.

Patrick McGoohan could have a cameo in the new drama (Pic by Heulwen Vaughan-Hatcher. Copyright: Catherine Frumerman)

Writing on the Portmeirion website, managing director Robin Llywelyn said: "We have heard about a Prisoner remake off and on for the past 10 or 12 years but nothing has come of it to date.

"In 1997 things seemed to be progressing and we had some correspondence with Mr McGoohan about a Hollywood blockbuster.

"Two years ago there was again speculation that Sky TV was working on a remake, but this again came to nothing.

"This time, however, it does sound more positive."

The Prisoner series remains cult viewing, and episodes were recently aired as the show marked its 40th anniversary.

It has fan clubs and is the subject of countless books, documentaries, magazines and even university courses, and every year hundreds flock to Portmeirion to take part in a Prisoner convention.

Internet forums dedicated to the series are hotbeds of discussion on who might play the role of a new Number Six, with US actor Jim Caviezel named by some sources.

But while there is no official confirmation from ITV about who will play the lead roles, or when it likely to make it to the screen, Mr Llywelyn said: "As far as Portmeirion is concerned it is very good news.

"The Prisoner is an important part of Portmeirion's heritage and we are proud to be associated with the series.

"It brought the village to a wider audience and has brought people to Portmeirion who would never otherwise have heard of the place."