Cast assembles for new version of The Day of the Triffids

Day of the Triffids movie poster
Day of the Triffids movie poster

The evil flowers are at it again.

The BBC announced and THR reported that Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, Vanessa Redgrave, Eddie Izzard and Jason Priestley are attached to star in The Day Of The Triffids, written by Patrick Harbinson (ER, Law & Order).

The two-part apocalyptic sci-fi epic drama is a co-production between Power and Canadian producer Prodigy Pictures for BBC One. It’s based on the 1951 John Wyndham classic novel. Currently in production and scheduled to air later this year, the fast-paced drama is based on John Wyndham’s best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, The Day Of The Triffids, published in 1951. The project is being shot in the South-East of England until April of this year.

The Day Of The Triffids is part of the broad mix of dramas commissioned for BBC One for transmission in 2009 which includes Occupation, Small Island, Emma and Sherlock.

In the not too distant future, man’s search for an alternative fuel supply leads him to uncover the ominous Triffid, a crop now cultivated for its fuel that seems to have a life of its own. But when spectators gather worldwide for a much anticipated solar storm, billions are left blinded and the few sighted survivors watch as society collapses into chaos.

The Triffids, meanwhile, find their way out of captivity. Free to roam the planet with a fatal sting, and a retributive taste for human flesh, the Triffids begin rapidly breeding.

Now Dr Bill Masen (Dougray Scott) must lead a brave group of survivors in an epic battle against the Triffids’ reign of terror in what could be the last days of mankind.

Justin Bodle, Executive Producer, Power says: “We are enormously excited to have secured this stellar cast for The Day Of The Triffids. Together with its amazing effects and iconic locations, it will deliver the drama mini-series event of 2009.”

The confirmed cast includes Dougray Scott as Bill Masen; Joely Richardson as Jo Playton; Brian Cox as Dennis Masen; Vanessa Redgrave as Durrant; Eddie Izzard as Torrence and Jason Priestley as Coker.

Nick Copus (The Summit, EastEnders) is handling directing duties on the re-imagining.

The Day Of The Triffids is also being shown on BBC HD – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make The Day Of The Triffids a truly cinematic TV experience.

The BBC reports that The Day of The Triffids is apparently a popular story in the U.K. It was previously adapted by BBC Radio in 1953, 1957 and 1968. A BBC Television production followed in 1981, starring John Duttine as Bill Masen, then repeated on BBC Four in 2006 and 2007. Finally, in 2001 writer Lance Dann adapted the story into two hour-long episodes for the BBC World Service.

Below is a trailer for the 1962 version of The Day of the Triffids.