They don’t make em like they used to. The 1960’s British TV series The Prisoner has to be one of the best shows ever created. Originally envisaged as a spy romp, the show became a very surreal series (in which a spy who quits is placed in an inescapable Village and given the options of either confessing or conforming, neither of which the spy, known as Number 6, agrees to), that explored the avenues of conditioning those in power attempt to enforce upon the individual. Its cult status was solidified by a remarkable final episode rich in symbolism and sparse in explanation, leaving viewers to argue over its meaning for decades.

But the news today is that British broadcaster ITV are all set to make a revived mini-series. Now, news of this has been trickling through the grapevine for a while, but it seems its main cast has been confirmed. Number 6 is going to be played by Jim Caviezel, who hasn’t really made waves since he played the brutalised Jesus in Mel Gibson’s torture-porn The Passion of Christ. And the real joy is the news that Ian McKellen will play the seemingly manager of the Village, Number 2. McKellen has called the new series “witty, intelligent, and disturbing”.

At first I was very dubious about a remake of The Prisoner. Firstly there were rumours that a US feature film was planned, with Christopher Nolan set to direct. While there has been no further news, that project is still in development. And even this new series could be a dilution of what made the original so great: its political and sociological awareness, its rich symbolism and narrative risk-taking, and its sense of action that was never excessive enough to be sensational. Yet, things are looking good so far. McKellen has confirmed that the show will reflect anxiety towards modern times, and act as “an enthralling commentary on modern culture”. Now, Caviezel wouldn’t be my first choice for Number 6. I would have liked to have seen Gary Oldman or David Thewlis play the lead role, as I felt they could recreate the intelligent rage that original actor/producer Patrick McGoohan had in spades. Or even Clive Owen, who was rumoured as Chris Nolan’s top choice, would have been good. However, Caviezel isn’t a bad choice. But McKellen is a perfect choice. He will certainly be able to manage the theatrical, manical laughter of the previous Number 2’s. What remains to be seen is…. who is Number 1?

The Prisoner will air in the UK in 2009. Be seeing you.