Image Credit: Sky
Cinemax is getting deeper into the drama game with a new action series reminiscent of Fox’s 24 along with a dash of Call of Duty.
The network has ordered Strike Back, following a charismatic former U.S. Special Forces operative who teams up with a British military unit to stop an international terrorist group. The show is inspired by an acclaimed UK series and a book by author and former special forces officer Chris Ryan. Philip Winchester (Fringe) and Sullivan Stapleton (Animal Kingdom) will star (the UK original co-starred Walking Dead lead Andrew Lincoln — trailer below).
The programming model is similar to how Starz is handling Torchwood — taking an existing Brit series, then expanding it into a big budget “international” version that will air stateside and in the UK.
For fans of the original Strike Back, Cinemax’s 10-part series will introduce new characters and a globe-spanning setting. Production will start in February, shooting in South Africa and Hungary, and the show will debut this summer.
Andy Harries and Elaine Pyke are executive producers, with Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) and Richard Zadjlic (EastEnders) writing. Cinemax, Left Bank Pictures and Sky will produce.
Here’s what the UK version looked like:
Hm.. a 100 quatloos says the charismatic operative has all the charisma of Ikea furniture.
I would prefer to see a Skinemax series starring the two Shannons (Tweed and Whirry) team up to fight crime, with sex and bad acting as their main weapons.
OMG! OMG! OMG! Richard Armitage was the main character in the UK version. Hopefully they’ll play this version also to gain viewers. I love Richard Armitage!
The UK version has already aired in Canada on Showcase. Richard Armitage was indeed the man. The production values may have been lower by US standards, but RA frequently went without his shirt. S’all good.
Hate to say this but they’ve already tried to get other shows to be as epic as LOST and 24 before and failed miserably. Those two said shows were the best of their kind and nothing else can get up to the bar.
I tried to find this on Netflix but couldn’t. Is there another way I can watch the UK version?
You can buy the uk series off ebay for your appropriate region. I did and have just about worn it out. Best show ever with superb acting…despite what that pommy Ian said.
Chris that is what I want to watch also
This will be interesting considering when the BBC or Sky etc need to film abroad they tend to go to those countries to actually film (or it’s nearest neighbour). In the states most shows that are supposed to be american based are actually filmed in Canada to save money. How do they plan on getting Montreal or Quebec to double for Libya or Syria? lol
The British version was amazing. I loved it and was really looking forward to seeing more with Richard Armitage, guess that won’t happen now. Thanks crappy U.S. t.v.
I’m bummed that Richard Armitage will probably not be in the new show much — if at all. He’s the reason I watched.
I echo Nathan’s comment, “crappy U.S. tv.” Glad I’m not holding my breath for U.S. producers to figure out who Armitage is and put him in something great.
Are you kidding? The trailer I just saw looked like utter rubbish, as the Brits would say. Generic evil Middle Eastern terrorists and a cliche hero with a tortured past. Bleh. I’ve seen more original writing in a Simpsons episode. No wonder Andrew Lincoln dumped it in order to do one of our “crappy U.S. tv”, right Nathan and Lisa? LMAO.
When was this show ever ‘acclaimed’. It was absolutely terrible, as an Englishman I can’t help but feel embarrassed by it.
Certainly was terrible.It reflected badly on all concerned.Racist, misogynistic and badly acted
Richard Armitage will forever be Mr. Thorntorn.
I first saw him in the North and South miniseries DVD and have loved him since then. 
Watched the first episode and it is utterly horrible…don’t waste your time.
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