American MISFITS remake still possible...

The possibility of a US remake of E4's fantastic superhero drama Misfits has never been popular with fans of the show. While the USA is the birthplace of the comic-book superhero, Misfits was by its very nature a fresh spin on the American tropes of the genre. A raucous, violent, profane, anarchic take on the simple premise of young offenders being given super-powers after a freak storm.

However, the likelihood of a US remake took a step forward today, according to Misfits' executive producer Murray Ferguson:

"There has been interest in America about making an American version. We so far haven't made any decisions on that. We're obviously interested but if we do do that we want to make sure that we retain all the essential, key ingredients of the show that make it successful over here while recognizing that if it's for an American audience it might have to be slightly different culturally."

"We are going to go and talk next month in LA to a couple of key people that we think would be good partners and who are very keen to do it with us. Hopefully it will work out. I'm optimistic -- we'll see. I think [MTV's remake of] Skins had very specific issues in America which relate to that show and not to ours. I think we just have to be aware of the cultural differences and make sure we can make a show that we're happy with."

Is it possible that America could make a good Misfits remake? Actually, I think it is. It just might depend where it's aired. If a cable network (HBO, Showtime, AMC, Starz) bought the remake rights, we could at least be somewhat assured it would keep its tone and raw sensibility. Although it would still be American at heart, and what's refreshing about Misfits is how un-American it is. You can't help thinking that even a 13-episode US cable version of Misfits would still have that indefinable weakness, rather like how Syfy's Being Human remake was perfectly enjoyable, but comparatively shallow and dull.

Sometimes it's the comparatively minuscule budget of UK shows that aides the writing and creates a show's uniqueness, because there's no way you can rely on special effects to cover any problems. It all has to come from the plots and the characters, there's no escaping that focus because of a production's limitations. I'm not saying American writers don't write with plot and character central in their mind, but they're also aware there's a budget available to do big action set-pieces, and many network's demand that kind of thing so it's easier to promote.

But does anyone disagree and think, quite understandably, that a US version could be brilliant because the characters would be given things the UK version doesn't bother with: like families to interact with, more visually-stimulating powers (flying?), or the ability to leave the immediate neighbourhood and venture into the big wide world? All are valid reasons why I could understand someone being excited about the possibilities of a US version.

What do you think? Is this still a bad idea, or are you warming to the prospect of an American Misfits?

P.S. The original E4 show is apparently going to be made available in the US for the first time, legally, via Hulu. Stay tuned to hear if that happens, and when the episodes will be available to watch Stateside. Update: Misfits is being released as a Hulu exclusive on 20 June.

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Interview: Robert Sheehan, 'Misfits'

Digital Spy have a great interview with Misfits' Robert Sheehan, ahead of his arrival at the BAFTA Television Awards tonight (22 May), where the E4 superhero series is nominated for Best Drama again.

The interview touches on everything fans would want to ask Sheehan, particularly concerning his decision to leave the popular show, his thoughts on incoming replacement Joe Gilgun, and some information about the online special he's filmed to explain his character's exit from Misfits ahead of series 3...

"[I decided to leave] well before we finished series two. There's a strange kind of a theme of... There's a few articles I've seen on the internet or whatever about how I've left Misfits to go off and do films and that's all so bulls**t, that's complete nonsense. I left Misfits to go off and do other stuff, completely unspecific. I just left because a rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say, and I just wanted to p*ss off and do other things, you know? It's nice that the show's successful but it doesn't mean complete blind and unadmonished loyalty -- 'If something is very successful you should stick to it like a barnacle!' That's definitely not my thinking." Continue reading...

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Joe Gilgun joins 'Misfits' as Rudy

It's been revealed that actor Joe Gilgun (This Is England '86) is joining E4's hit superhero drama Misfits as new character Rudy, brought in to replace Nathan in light of Robert Sheehan's decision to quit the BAFTA-winning show.

Gilgun will be a familiar face to many as Woody from the Shane Meadows film This Is England and its TV sequel This Is England '86. He also appeared alongside Michael Caine in Harry Brown, but is probably best-known for playing rascally Eli Dingle on ITV soap Emmerdale. The actor tends to play lovable rogues, so I wouldn't be surprised if Rudy is another example of that archetype.

Is Gilgun a worthy replacement for breakout star Robert Sheehan? Who knows. He's unlikely to get as many teenage hearts fluttering, but Gilgun should bring a more relaxed, fun energy to things. He's a good actor, if typecast as a working class scamp. He's also 4 years older than Sheehan, at 27, making him the oldest member of the cast -- but, to be fair, most of them are in their late-20s now.

What do you think? Are you happy to see someone like Gilgun in Misfits, provided he shakes things up? At least Gilgun will have an instant connection with co-star Lauren Socha, having appeared alongside her brother Michael Socha in This Is England '86.

Misfits is expected to return later this year on E4 with an extended eight-episode run, following an online special set in Las Vegas to explain Nathan's departure and Rudy's introduction.

Update: actress Lauren Socha has posted a behind-the-scenes photo of the new-look cast to her Twitter account, with Gilgun in the centre:

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Viva Las Vegas! Viva 'Misfits'!

Following the weekend's shock announcement that Robert Sheehan won't be part of Misfits' third series, some details on the "online film" has come to light. The webisode will apparently involve the gang going on a trip to Las Vegas, where the new character Rudy is introduced as Nathan's departure is explained.

Howard Overman:

It's great to be launching the third series of Misfits with an online film which introduces our new character Rudy, as well as saying goodbye to Nathan.

Robert Wulff-Cochrane, Channel 4's Drama Commissioning Editor:

We're all very excited about the return for a third series, as well as kicking off with a groundbreaking online film. Howard Overman has created some more brilliantly surprising and original storylines and fans can rest assured that series three will begin in a way no-one else could possibly imagine.

Hilary Perkins, Multi-platform Commissioning Editor:

This exclusive piece of online content is set to confound expectations. It will be essential viewing for any fan and a real event for E4.com"

The eight-part third series will return in late-2011, with Matt Stevens (Skins) joining the crew as a producer, and new directors in Alex Garcia and Wayne Yip (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl). Howard Overman will write five of the eight episodes.

The Vegas-set special will debut online, just prior to series 3's return. I'd be surprised if it doesn't air on E4, but nothing's been confirmed. Of course, fans already know that a trip to Las Vegas was foreshadowed in series 2 (in the photo taken of Alisha and Simon together, see above), so there's nice cohesion there. And it seems that Sheehan will actually appear in this special episode, so we'll get some on-screen closure, although I very much doubt they'll be filming overseas like Doctor Who have. Knowing Misfits, expect stock footage of the Vegas strip and some interior casino/hotel scenes.

Does any of this make you feel better about Sheehan's loss?

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Robert Sheehan leaves 'Misfits'

Hugely disappointing news has arrived from the Kapow convention, taking place in London this weekend. Robert Sheehan, who plays Nathan Young in E4's BAFTA-winning superhero drama Misfits, will not be returning for the third series. His position on the show will be taken by a new character called Rudy, and the replacement dealt with in a webseries just prior to Misfits' return.

This is definitely a worrying change for the show. It was obvious from the start that Sheehan had enormous charisma, so I've been worried the show would struggle to keep him around. Sheehan's already appeared in some movies (Season Of The Witch, Killing Bono) and has more projects in the pipeline, so I don't blame him wanting to chase the opportunities that are arising. But from the perspective of Misfits fans -- how key was Nathan's character to its success? He was undoubtedly a big part of the show and many people's favourite character, but can he be replaced? Might it be good for the show to change the cast like his?

And, frankly, don't fans deserve a televised episode as Nathan's swansong? I'd rather he go out in a blaze of glory, rather than have his absence explained in a silly webseries (that may not even feature Robert Sheehan himself.) Hopefully we'll get more details about how writer Howard Overman's going to deal with Sheehan's departure soon.

Update: @C4Insider are saying that Nathan's exit will be shown in an "exclusive online film" written by Howard Overman, which sounds slightly more promising.

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Howard Overman plans 'Misfits' changes

Spoilers for series 2 of Misfits ahead. You have been warned! The Christmas special of E4's teen superhero drama Misfits ended with a scene that appeared to promise new super-powers for the five young characters. In a recent interview with creator Howard Overman by SFX, this was confirmed...

Howard Overman:

"American shows like Lost are prepared to end their series' on huge, game-changing cliffhangers, which make the audience desperate for the new series. Too often on British TV we tie things up in a neat package, because quite often you don't know whether you're getting another series before you finish filming, but we were lucky that Channel Four had already commissioned the third series while I was writing the second."

On giving the characters brand new abilities:

"They're all going to have brand new powers. Nobody will have the same powers as in the second series. It's quite daunting because they've had their powers for two series, and you've got to come up with a whole new set of powers. We're very much constrained with the type of powers we can do because you have to think about what works in terms of the character and story, as well as what's achievable on our budget. We set up the idea that the powers are always linked to personality, so even now the characters' choices are influenced and reflect the characters' personalities, or else it just feels a bit arbitrary."

On the likelihood of the characters returning to community service:

That's the look of the show. They're on community service and their jumpsuits are their de facto superhero costumes, so I will be finding a way to get them back in the jumpsuits fairly quickly."

On series 3's basic structure:

"There's one slightly bigger storyline towards the end of series three. I think there are two big stories in all because we've got eight episodes this year. One is a sort of mid-season break. It won't become like other shows where they're saving the world, although in one episode they kind of do save the world."

Overman also confirmed that he won't be writing every single episode of series 3. Misfits hasn't been scheduled yet, but considering the previous two series have aired around October/November, that's a safe bet. Can anyone predict what the gang's new powers will be, considering they still have to be an extension of their personalities? It seems more than likely Simon will be given time-travel, if he's destined to become Superhoodie -- right?

READ MORE - Howard Overman plans 'Misfits' changes