McKellen Is Number Two

Sir Ian cast in The Prisoner remake

McKellen Is Number Two

by Glen Ferris |
Published on

Now here’s a story that has come right out of left-field… ITV is remaking cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner and Sir Ian “Gandalf” McKellen and Jim “Jesus Christ” Caviezel are set to star.

In the six-part series, which is due to premiere in 2009, McKellen will play the sinister Number Two, a shadowy fella who controls a mysterious place known as The Village. Caviezel will play Number Six, a recently retired spy who finds himself trapped inside the bizarre prison with no memory of how he arrived and no recollection of his previous life.

The original series was a psychedelic weird-fest which combined trippy visuals with satirical storylines riffing on cold war politics. The remake, according to the BBC News website, will concentrate more on modern-day concerns such as liberty, security and surveillance.

"(It will be) an enthralling commentary on modern culture,” said Sir Ian. "It is witty, intelligent and disturbing. I am very excited to be involved.”

For more on the reimagining, click here.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us