Richard Armitage was undoubtedly one of the best things about the BBC's fun-but-flawed Robin Hood, and now the actor has agreed to star in Sky1's Strike Back, a six-part drama adapted from the novel by ex-SAS soldier Chris Ryan. The series will co-star Andrew Lincoln, Jodhi May, Orla Brady, Laura Greenwood and Nicola Stephenson.
Strike Back will follow the lives of two former soldiers, Major Hugh Collinson (Lincoln) and discharged veteran John Porter (Armitage), who meet for the first time during a Middle East hostage crisis.
Elaine Pyke, Sky1's Comissioning Editor of Drama:
"As with all Sky1 dramas, not only will it feature a gifted cast with a large popular following, but working with Andy Harries and Left Bank Pictures means an already crackling script will jump out of the screen. Shot in South Africa with stunning locations and high octane HD action sequences on a grand scale, Chris Ryan's bestselling novel will be a truly uncompromising, compelling, action drama."The series is scheduled to premiere next spring on Sky1 and Sky1 HD.
In other news, MTV are planning to create a US version of E4's award-winning teen drama Skins. The channel will apparently honour the British model of hiring tenagers to help write the scripts and cast unknowns in the lead roles. Skins creator Brian Elsey will executive-produce the US remake, which is likely to be set in Baltimore, Maryland.
Liz Gateley, executive-producer:
"Skins is one of those rare shows that cuts through to its core audience with unusually authentic stories due to the unique writing and casting process that Bryan [Esley] pioneered. Having personally pursued the UK project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the US. We intend to preserve the authenticity of the British version and are excited to collaborate with the original team to develop stories that will speak to American youth."
