DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS

LINKS: IMDB LISTING BBC ONE INFO PHOTOS Day of the Triffids Interview

DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS Order the DVD! UK Only CAST: Brian Cox ... Dennis Masen Dougray Scott ... Bill Masen Joely Richardson ... Jo Playton Jason Priestley ... Major Coker Vanessa Redgrave ... Durrant Eddie Izzard ... Torrance NOTES: Torrence played by Eddie Izzard A sinister and obsessive man who retains his sight after the solar flare and sees this as an opportunity to step into the power vacuum that has resulted in Downing Street. A stickler for rules and authority, when Bill and Jo are held captive by his new "army", Torrence becomes obsessed with Jo and plans to use her celebrity to draw more people to the cities who can fight for his cause. Determined to rule over the remaining sighted population, and keep the blind away from the centre of London, Torrence cannot foresee the approach of the Triffids towards the capital and soon comes to realise that he will need Bill's help to fight them off once and for all. The BBC's second attempt at adapting John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel The Day of the Triffids, a co-production between Power and Prodigy, comes with the tagline "The human race has had its day". Against a backdrop of London landmarks, Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, Joely Richardson and Eddie Izzard – with gun – look on as tentacles threaten to spread across the capital.The producers of the drama are showcasing the series to potential international buyers at MipTV in Cannes this week. Shooting in the Southeast of England until April 2009 Scheduled for airing in the UK December 28-29, 2009. From Eddie's twitter: Also will be shown in "Germany, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia and others"

SUMMARY:
BBC Drama and BBC One present a modern, gripping adaptation of the best selling post-apocalyptic novel The Day Of The Triffids.

The two-part 90-minute drama will be produced by Power to transmit in 2009.

Originally written in 1951 by the English science fiction author John Wyndham, The Day Of The Triffids will be adapted by Patrick Harbinson (ER, Law & Order), who will create a fast paced, futuristic and electrifying take on John Wyndham's most penetrating novel, creating an unmissable television event.

The year is 2011 and man has finally depleted the world's fossil fuel supply. In the hunt for alternative sources they uncover the ominous Triffid, a crop now cultivated for its fuel that seems to have a life of its own.

When spectators gather globally for a much anticipated solar storm – billions of awestruck victims are left blinded in its wake.

As the few sighted survivors watch as society falls to lawlessness, the Triffids find their way out of captivity.

Roaming the planet with a fatal sting and a retributive taste for human flesh, the Triffids begin to breed rapidly.

Now, Dr Bill Masen must lead the brave in their epic battle against the Triffids' reign of terror, while avoiding the maniacal opportunism of other sighted survivors, to prevent these being the last days of mankind.

LONGER SYNOPSIS:

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (2x2 hours), is an epic and apocalyptic adaptation of John Wyndham’s best-selling novel; with an all-star cast including Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, Eddie Izzard,Vanessa Redgrave and Jason Priestley.

Scientist Bill Masen (DOUGRAY SCOTT), has dedicated his life’s work to the study of the complex plant species called Triffids, Genetically modified, they are mass-produced for their ‘Triffoil’, a vital source of renewable fuel. Bill has noticed an unnerving change in their behavioural patterns. The Triffids are starting to communicate.

Meanwhile, crowds gather across the globe to witness a much-anticipated solar storm. But the spectacle blinds all those who watch it and the world goes into free fall. In London, fear and panic rage as the blind desperately depend for survival on the few remaining sighted.

An even greater nightmare awaits. The Triffids are hungry and moving toward the cities for the most abundant source of their prey - mankind.

Having narrowly escaped blindness, Bill forms an instant attraction with a fellow sighted survivor – the outspoken journalist, Jo Playton (JOELY RICHARDSON). They meet Torrence (EDDIE IZZARD), a flagrantly amoral opportunist, who delights in his new appointment: presiding over the weak and the blind - laying down the foundations for his autocratic government. The Triffid invasion is the perfect crisis for Torrence to work to his own spurious agenda.

Despite his feelings for Jo, Bill knows he must leave London. Their one chance of survival lies in reaching the only man who knows more about the Triffids than he does - his estranged father, Dennis (BRIAN COX). On his perilous mission, Bill breaks free of Torrence and his henchmen, is offered as a sacrifice to the Triffids by the maniacal, messianic community leader Durrant (VANESSA REDGRAVE) and rescues two sisters, Imogen and Susan. These children have lost everything and seek his protection in the final leg of an extraordinary journey.

Jo finally finds her way to Bill and the children but their happy reunion is short lived. The desperate efforts of Bill and Dennis to stop the Triffids’ pollination are interrupted by Torrence and his army who surround their house. Caught in the crossfire between the bullets of Torrence’s subordinates and a fast approaching horde of Triffids, Bill’s hopes of saving his newfound family seem doomed to fail. With insurmountable odds against them - how will they make it out alive?

NEWS:

"Eddie Izzard is to star in a new BBC adaptation of The Day Of The Triffids. The comic will play Torrence, the leader of a squad of soldiers who tries to round up survivors after the killer plants take over Britain. Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, Vanessa Redgrave, and Jason Priestley will also be appearing in the two-part drama, now being filmed in the south-east of England. The high-definition filming is due to end in April, and the show will air later this year. Executive producer Justin Bodle said: ‘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 Day Of The Triffids attracts all-star cast to BBC One
Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, Vanessa Redgrave, Eddie Izzard and Jason Priestley star in The Day Of The Triffids, written by Patrick Harbinson (ER, Law & Order).

This epic, apocalyptic and futuristic two-part drama is a co-production between Power and Canadian producer Prodigy Pictures for BBC One.

Currently in production for transmission later this year, this exciting, fast-paced drama is based on John Wyndham's best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, The Day Of The Triffids, published in 1951.

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 rapid breeding.

Now Dr Bill Masen (Dougray Scott) must lead the brave in their epic battle against the Triffids' reign of terror in what could be the last days of mankind.