Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss wants to reinvent James Bond franchise
HE’S already reinvented Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century and brought Dracula swooping into the modern age.
Now Mark Gatiss fancies having a go at rebooting 007 James Bond too.
But this time, the writer and actor wants to revisit the superspy by going back in time to the original novels of creator Ian Fleming.
Mark, who shot to fame on dark comedy series A League Of Gentleman in the Late-Nineties, was asked which classic character he had considered working his magic on next, and why.
On the Distraction Pieces Podcast, he said: “It’s obviously James Bond.
“It may look like it but I’m not set on remaking everything from my childhood, it’s just the way it’s fallen. The truth is it’s very hard to get things commissioned and inevitably if something has an existing ‘intellectual property’ it makes people sit up.
“It’s really a battle between trying to get things off the ground which are less familiar and sometimes people going: ‘Well would you like to have a go at this?’” Mark certainly has a pedigree when it comes to reworking classics.
In 2010, along with Steven Moffat he produced Sherlock, a reimagining of Sherlock Holmes starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
Then both writers teamed up again in 2020 for the rather sexy version of Dracula starring hunky Dane Claes Bang as the bloodsucking count.
And Mark would use the same formula of blending old and new to pique the interest of big studio producers looking to revamp Bond after the Daniel Craig era ends.
He said: “When we pitched Dracula to various American networks, absolutely every single one of them perked up when we got to the end of episode two and said, ‘The sound of helicopters.’
“Because what they were interested in was: ‘Oh, that feels different.’”
I’d love to see what he’d do with 007.
Masked back for final
A BIRD crooning with a fungi, a giant insect all abuzz with a killer rabbit and a cuddly bear getting to grips with a seriously prickly partner.
These are the pairings for tomorrow night’s finale of The Masked Singer which sees three former stars come back to duet with the trio of remaining competitors.
Returning to the ITV show are comedian Jason Manford as Hedgehog, Aston Merrygold as Robin and series one winner Nicola Roberts as Queen Bee.
They’ll all be joined by Joss Stone, who won last year’s show, as she joins the judging panel for one night only alongside Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall.
The gang of five will oversee the closing show of this year’s series which sees Panda, Robobunny and Mushroom battle it out.
The only sad news is that Joss won’t be wearing her sausage outfit on the judging panel.
Street’s Kym hits the road
AS Michelle Connor she was glamour queen of Coronation Street – but Kym Marsh’s new role is more canteen than cobbles.
She will be joining school drama Waterloo Road as dinner lady Nicky Walters.
Announcing her new gig online, she said: “I’m thrilled to bits. I play mum to Preston and Tonya and you might find me in the canteen.”
New faces Jo Coffey (EastEnders), Vincent Jerome (Wonder Woman 1984) and James Baxter (Still Open All Hours) will join Kym and the cast on set in Greater Manchester as filming for the new series starts.
The school drama is back after a seven-year break, with Adam Thomas returning as reformed bad boy Donte Charles and Angela Griffin as Kim Campbell – now the headteacher.
It will be on air later this year, and I can’t wait.
FUTURAMA is being revived. The Matt Groening and David X. COHEN animated sci-fi comedy is due to make a return on Disney+ and Hulu in 2023, after a ten-year hiatus. Original cast members including Billy West, Katey Sagal and Tress MacNeille return.
Younger Masters on menu
KEEN foodies who are more tuned into fine dining than fish fingers will have the chance to show off their culinary skills in a new TV contest.
BBC Three is launching Young MasterChef, a competition for kitchen whizzes aged between 18 and 25. The channel says there is no need for professional experience.
Instead, it is looking for raw talent, enthusiasm and dedication.
Bright young things who are handy with a frying pan can apply at .
AMAZON’S revealed more stars appearing in its UK comedy drama Ten Percent, inspired by hit French show Call My Agent. Emma Corrin, David Harewood and Himesh Patel will make cameos. It’s based on a showbiz agency struggling to satisfy clients.
Em’s hots for lads of North
EMILY ATACK has been in the news for snogging Strictly’s Sicilian dancer Giovanni Pernice at The Brits.
But I’m afraid I’ve got bad news for you, Gio . . . you’re about 2,000 miles away from being Emily’s type.
She said on the new series of Sky Max and NOW’s Dating No Filter: “God I’m a sucker for a Northerner.”
The former I’m A Celebrity campmate is back ogling contestants alongside her pal Joel Dommett for the latest run of the show about blind dates, which returns tonight.
She added: “If you don’t fancy each other, what’s the point?
“You don’t go on dates to be friends.”