Porridge, The New Series, 2017
Back in 2015 as part of BBC’s Landmark comedy season a number of classic sitcoms were re-made as one off pilot episodes.
From these, an updated version of Porridge was commissioned for a full series. However, it has to be said that it looked as though this was always going to be the case as clearly it had proper sets and production values that some of the others did not.
Clearly most of the original cast have now passed on so a whole new cast take their places.
The series tries to stand alone but the gags, and manorisms will be familiar to fans of the original. The three main characters all bear a striking similarity to their original counterparts. There’s Mr Meekie (Mr Mc Kay), Mr Braithwaite who again is strikingly similar to Mr Barraclough. The star of course is Nigel Fletcher who is strikingly similar to his Grandfather Norman Fletcher.
There’s even a modern prison
To date one series of six episodes has been produced.
Summary
Nigel Norman Fletcher has been sentenced to five years for cyber crimes. The comedy follows Fletcher as he manipulates his way through the system in much the same way as his Grandfather.
There’s the run ins with Mr Meekie, friendly advice for Mr Braithwaite and a cellmate who remembers the original Fletch.
Clips
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Cast
Kevin Bishop – Nigel Norman Fletcher
Dave Hill – Joe Lotterby
Mark Bonnar – Officer Meekie
Dominic Coleman – Officer Braithwaite
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written By: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais
Original Transmission Dates: 28th August 2016 – present