It has been revealed that TNT, the American cable channel, has ordered a fifth series of the space opera - ending months of speculation that the fourth series would be the last. TNT had already ordered two TV movies to complement their upcoming repeats of the first four series.
This new order will mean that creator, writer, and producer J.Michael Straczynski will have the chance to complete his planned five year story arc in full. Babylon 5 is the first space series, other than the Star Trek spin offs, to enjoy a five year run.
The show is expected to be screened by TNT on Monday nights at 10pm and the complete run maybe shown with out a break, unlike previous years when new episodes have been interspersed with repeats. It also means that Babylon 5 will have one time slot through out the states as opposed to being shown at wildly varying times by the local stations that showed it previously. It is believed that TNT may also have ordered a third TV movie.
It was revealed at a recent convention that
Claudia Christian, alias Ivanova, will not be returning for the shows fifth season. Christian has been one of the shows most popular stars and many fans will be shocked to hear of her departure. She is leaving inspite of an initial agreement to appear in the fifth season. It is believed that disagreement with producers over time off to appear in a film are behind her decision. Ms Christian is said to be very unhappy that the situation was not more amicably resolved. A new character will be introduced to replace her, following some slight alterations to the last episode of season four.
A budget cut may mean that several other regular cast members may have to leave the show (many have already resigned themselves to pay cuts) and there will be inevitable limitations on sets and special effects. The possibility of an unbroken run of episodes will also mean that production will have to proceed at a much faster pace, leading to fears the series may seem rushed.
Sliders is also back from the brink, after being cancelled by Fox the show has been picked up for a further 22 episode run by the Sci-Fi Channel. The channel has also bought the rights to repeat the previous 48 episodes.
As with Babylon 5, the show will face substantial budget cuts, bringing the cost per episode down to around $1 million. Creator Tracey Torme, who was previously removed from the show by Fox, a move blamed for a downturn in the shows ratings, will return. Former star John Rhys Davies, who departed mid-way through the third season, has said that he will consider returning if the show returns to its original premise
The BBC time travel fantasy Crime Traveller has been cancelled after just one season following falling ratings. The show was universally panned by critics and fans and audiences fell from a high of 11 million for the first episode to 7 million by episode eight. The BBC's other Saturday night fantasy, Bugs is expected to mirror Crime Travellers fate. Few are expecting it to last beyond the end of this season. Stateside, Nickelodeon has cancelled the SF comedy Space Cases.
Adrian Paul, lead in the TV version of Highlander, is to star in the fourth episode of the movie franchise. Producers have denied that they are currently in negotiations for Sean Connery to make a come back appearance, but have said they are in discussions with Christopher Lambert.
Craig Charles (Lister in the show) has added crednece to rumours that plans are in place for a movie based on the cult hit. Charles says that filming is due to start in October with a budget of £20 million and an international distribution in the offing.
Shooting has started on a new sci-fi drama, entitled Space Island One. Two seasons of thirteen each have been commissioned and the show stars Ace Of Wands' Judy Loe. Writers include the novelist John Brosnan and the writer of the abandoned Doctor Who TV movie The Dark Dimension, Adrian Rigglesford.
The series concerns the adventures of seven space pros on board the European space station Unity. In cramped conditions they have find ways of surviving in outer space and completing their work. The show debuts on Sky later in the year.
The Vanishing Man, starring Men Behaving Badly's Neil Morrisey, has been picked up for a series of 6 episodes by ITV. The decision follows a successful pilot transmitted in the Spring. Backing has also been secured for a seven part series entitled Tales Of The Legion, based on an ultra low budget pilot shot two years ago, and a 4 part mini-series based on the adventures of seventies Doctor Who star K9. All three series are expected to appear sometime next year. Brookside and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond is penning a new six part series. Very little is known about the project other than it is set in 2020AD.
Also upcoming is a 90 minute radio revival of Blakes 7 from the BBC. The new play will be the first time the cast have been back in their original roles since the show was cancelled in 1981. The story will be set sometime during season 4 and will be written by Veteran Doctor Who producer Barry Letts. Radio 2 have apparently dropped plans for any future Doctor Who radio adventures.