From Caroline Frost at the Huffington Post UK, March 25, 2013:
Much-loved spy drama ‘Spooks’ could make the move to the big screen, with one of its stars revealing that there is a script in the works, being penned by the original writers of the hit series.
“There is a script kind of in the machine,” HuffPostUK has learned from actor Peter Firth, who played MI5 chief Harry Pearce throughout the ten series of the popular drama.
“They should make it,” he adds. “It’s not like it’s a gamble with this one. But it costs a lot, and there’s not a lot of money to go round at the moment.”
This would suit Firth, who previously told HuffPostUK that he wished for a happier ending for his character with longtime colleague and barely-expressed love – Ruth Evershed, played by Nicola Walker. Viewers of the series finale in October 2011 watched goggle-eyed, as Ruth became one of Spooks’ huge number of agents to fall for her country, or in the actors’ case, the dramatic storyline.
This article has been buzzing around on Twitter for a couple of days and been blogged about on a few occasions, too. But the more I think about it, the less I get excited about it. Hasn’t this rumor been floating around for quite a while?
Saying “there is a script kind of in the machine” doesn’t exactly equate to “yes, we ARE making a Spooks movie.” And considering the continuing economic woes, the likelihood of more money to go around for such a film seems unlikely. Do we want to see something done on the super-cheap?
Would I love to see my favorite spy Lucas North in a film? Sure I would. But we have no idea who would be included in the cast if and when the film was made. While Richard has expressed some enthusiasm for returning to the role, is he genuinely interested at this stage of the game or simply being polite, agreeable RA?
Since Firth is talking about wanting a “happier ending” for Harry and Ruth–who died in the final ep of the series–that can only happen if they do some sort of flashback. That, or have this become Spooks: The Zombie Files. Or possibly Spooks: The Vampire Chronicles. All the dead spooks are really undead, you see . . .
Perhaps die-hard Spooks fans will be pleased to see any combination of cast members (dead or undead) come together for a film version. Truthfully, being more of Richard Armitage/Lucas aficionado than a Spooks fan (although I have seen almost the entire series, sans some of the earlier eps and series 10), I am not one of them.
And a lot depends on the storyline. Naturally, IF RA was involved, I’d want a lot of Lucas. Frankly, if I had to sit through much more UST between Ruth and Harry, I would feel like doing dire things to myself, as much as I like Nicola Walker as an actress.
Now, as I have mentioned elsewhere, Lucas, alive and well and appearing in a shower scene, scrubbing up to “Love in an Elevator,” would definitely draw me into the audience. 😀
Anyway, while it’s a fun idea to toss around, I just can’t take Spooks: The Movie seriously for now.
What I would like to see is Black Sky get finished and distributed. We know that one will feature our Richard! And if not in a shower, then wet. 😉
the armitage effect 