While best known these days for a filmography that includes Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo, the truth is that Alfred Hitchcock also ruled the television airwaves from 1955-65 with his hit anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which morphed into The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Now it seems the Master Of Suspense is coming back to primetime, not allowing a little thing like his passing some thirty-six years ago to be a hindrance.
Welcome To Hitchcock is the title of a new television series that is promising to keep the tradition alive, though, taking a cue from a growing trend, this anthology will feature a single story spread out over the course of a season (ala American Horror Story and American Crime Story). Notes Universal Cable Productions Executive Vice President Of Development Dawn Olmstead, "Long after his death, Alfred Hitchcock continues to be one of the most celebrated directors and visionaries in the world, a master manipulator of the macabre. We're honored that the Hitchcock Estate has put its trust in our studio to pay homage to his work."
Also collaborating on the series is Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures and the Hitchcock Trust and MTK Corporation. Kattie O'Connell-Fiala of the latter comments, "Our grandfather always collaborated with the best and the brightest to help shape his vision. We're confident that Universal Cable Productions will take care in helping us to continue preserving his legacy." Columbus is expected to direct the pilot and, much like the original, the intention is to go after the best filmmakers available for subsequent episodes.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents was resurrected as a 1985-86 series for NBC in America, and then from 1987-1989 for the USA Network. That show featured a combination of original and reimagined stories in a half-hour format. Colorized footage of Hitchcock from the original series was used as wraparounds for each episode.