Sky 1 HD have commissioned a new fantasy drama series based on the iconic adventurer
Sinbad and will broadcast 13 hour-long episodes next year. Straight out of drama school 20 year old newcomer
Elliot Knight has nabbed the title role with recognisable faces cast around him including; Lost's
Naveen Andrews as baddie Lord Akbari, Oscar nominated Hotel Rwanda actress
Sophie Okonedo as the love interest, Queen of the Water-Thieves and
Timothy Spall as Anicetus, The Old Man of Sea. I believe the image above of Knight is our first look at him as the fabled sailor who weekly will be fighting monsters, goblins and other devilish creatures and is it just me or does he the eyes of a villain and Naveen Andrews, long-touted as a good potential to play Sinbad in a big-screen movie, would have been a more inspired choice to play the titled hero in a new series? The show is currently being filmed out in Malta under the direction of Andy Wilson (credits include Wallander, Hotel Babylon) and as someone who has seen The 7th Voyage of Sinbad way too many times, I have a vested interest in this and Sky better not screw it up!
Surviving a violent and magical storm, both SINBAD and his fellow ship-mates are forced to band together to face their inner demons, hopes, loves and fears. Our flawed hero embarks on an epic and emotional quest to rid himself of the curse and embrace his destiny. When mystical meets muscle anything can happen.
On the run from his home town of Basra and under a curse from his grandmother (Dame Janet Suzman) for a killing that led to the death of his much-loved brother, the streetwise SINBAD finds himself cast out to sea. On board The Providence an intriguing band of travellers is thrown together, including taciturn Norwegian sailor Gunnar (Elliot Cowan - Marchlands), the lithe and agile jewel-thief Rina (Marama Corlett The Devils Double), and haughty and aristocratic Nala (Estella Daniels Thorne). Completing the ships complement is the Cook (Junix Inocian The 51st State), an odd-ball and eccentric character and the ships cerebral doctor Anwar (Dimitri Leonidas Grange Hill).
Sky recently announced their commitment to increase investment in more original British made content by over 50% (an estimated total of £600 million a year!) in the next three years (seriously, if you have an idea for a t.v. show those are the guys to speak too) and we almost can't get through a day without a new show announcement.
Huw Kennair-Jones, Skys Drama Commissioning Editor, commented:
As our biggest original drama commission to date SINBAD is a hugely exciting project for Sky 1 HD, and the casting of the lead role was always going to be crucial. But from the first moment we saw Elliot we knew that wed found someone really special who sums up everything that our SINBAD should be contemporary, spirited, full of life, wit and charm - hes a truly exciting new talent for the channel.
Impossible Pictures Executive Producer Sophie Gardiner added:
We are really excited to be getting underway with principle photography in Malta. The cast is sexy, the boat looks fantastic and the sets and costumes are very impressive. I believe we have a real hit on our hands with SINBAD.