Rumor: Microsoft to Remake Hit UK TV Show 'Blake's 7'

When Microsoft announced the Xbox One this past May, the company talked a lot about entertainment outside of gaming. The company really wants the Xbox One to be your all-in-one entertainment solution. As a result, it's beefing up the TV, music, and streaming side of Xbox Live, and the company earlier this year expressed a desire to produce original content. According to the latest rumors, that original content could include a remake of Blake's 7.

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Blake's 7 was a BBC production that aired on BBC1 in the 1970s and early 1980s. Created by Terry Nation, creator of Doctor Who's Daleks, the series ran from 1978 to 1981 and was comprised of four seasons with a total of 52 episodes. It follows the exploits of a group of rebels led by Roj Blake as they fight against the tyrannical Terran Federation in space. Microsoft hasn't commented on rumors that it plans to remake the show, but given Netflix's success with Arrested Development, House of Cards, and Orange is the New Black, we wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft wanted to revive this cult classic. The company also already has plans to make a Halo TV series with Steven Spielberg.

Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

4 Comments Comment from the forums

jhansonxi

I liked the original series but I have doubts about this. Having Metro on every screen and WinRT tablets in abundance would ruin it for me.
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back_by_demand

I rewatched the original series recently and before watching I remembered it fondly, afterwards I thought it was crap - if they remake it please do as good a job as BSG or the ghost of shitty BBC will ruin it
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rodbowler

While a modern remake of Blakes 7 has potential, I'm not sure the Microsoft execs could resist shoving nasty Metro on every surface of the spacecraft (see what I did there?). Zen would offer to download Microsoft Apps, etc.
I liked the original when I was a child; going back and looking at it now is a horrid experience.
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IndignantSkeptic

It's great if Microsoft funds TV series, except if Microsoft attempts to make them Xbox exclusive then I hope we will all be united in bankrupting Microsoft once and for all.
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