COUNTERSTRIKE

[16.59 - French Time] The Guardian reports that Sky1 has ordered a second series of Chris Ryan's Strike Back.

Richard Armitage (Spooks, Robin Hood) will return as former SAS operative John Porter. Strike Back is adapted from the novel by Chris Ryan, former SAS Soldier, best-selling author and co-creator of ITV's hit action/drama series Ultimate Force.

Chris Ryan's Strike Back is produced by Left Bank Pictures (Wallander, Zen) for Sky1 HD and Sky1. Left Bank also produces Mad Dogs, a 4 x 60-minute murder drama commissioned by Sky and starring John Simm and Philip Glenister (Life on Mars).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/02/sky1-strike-back

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2010/04/empire-strikes-back.html
http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2010/05/mad-dogs-and-glories.html

MAD DOGS AND GLORIES

[13.15] Broadcast reports today that John Simm and Philip Glenister, who first appeared together in Life on Mars, are to star in a 4 x 60-minute murder drama called Mad Dogs for Sky1.

Mad Dogs follows a group of school friends who go to Majorca for a retirement party but the holiday rapidly turns into a game of intrigue, deception and murder. It is produced by Left Bank Pictures (Wallander, Zen) and according to Broadcast filming begins this week in Majorca. The series, which also stars Max Beesley (Survivors) and Marc Warren (Hustle), is due to air on Sky1 HD and Sky1 in spring 2011.

Rupert Murdoch's Sky ambitions to be a major player on the British drama front. This evening Sky1 HD and Sky1 air Episodes 1 & 2 of Chris Ryan's Strike Back, starring Richard Armitage and also produced by Left Bank.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/commissioning/life-on-mars-duo-reunite-for-sky-1-drama/5013424.article?referrer=RSS
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/may/05/john-simm-philip-glenister-mad-dogs
http://www.leftbankpictures.co.uk/

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2010/04/empire-strikes-back.html