‘Epic, Family Adventure’: THE FAMOUS FIVE Creators Share Goal for New Show
By Movieguide® Contributor
Nicolas Winding Refn is excited his upcoming THE FAMOUS FIVE adaptation will be “something that my kids would actually watch.”
Refn and his longtime creative partner Matthew Read created the TV series based on the beloved children’s book series written by Enid Blyton.
The books were so popular that it was rumored Warner Brothers tried to secure the rights to the property. When they couldn’t, they supposedly put their own spin on it, and SCOOBY-DOO was born.
“I didn’t read until I was 13, so TV was a big thing for me as an eight-year-old coming to the States,” Refn explained. “SCOOBY-DOO had something that just magically transported me into this adventure land, so this feels like a very full circle that’s coming to completion. And I’m finally making something that my kids would actually watch.”
He continued, “I’ve always liked the concept of not really wanting to be an adult; staying in ‘adventure land’ forever. THE FAMOUS FIVE feels like one of the very few things that you literally hand down the generations.”
Read added that, when adapting the show for a modern audience, he knew he needed someone “with real vision.”
“I knew from my friendship with Nicolas that there was an opportunity to do something in this space and create something for a broad audience that retains the ‘fantastique,’ the adventure, the uniqueness of the vision that’s in his work,” he continued. “It was always in the back of my mind, but I didn’t want to talk about it until we had the rights.”
Refn spoke further about his excitement for THE FAMOUS FIVE in a press release about the show’s production, saying, “All my life I’ve fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure. By reimagining THE FAMOUS FIVE, I am preserving that notion by bringing these iconic stories to life for a progressive new audience, instilling the undefinable allure and enchantment of childhood for current and future generations to come.”
Filming for THE FAMOUS FIVE began this summer, taking place across the UK.
The cast includes Diaana Babnicova as George, Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne.
Tim Kirby, executive producer and the director of the first episodes, praised the “brilliant” and “mind-blowingly talented” young cast.
“They are already bringing these gorgeous characters to life in a fresh and modern way,” he said. “We can’t wait to bring these glorious, action-filled, epic, family adventures to the screen.”
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