Michael Kitchen as Christopher Foyle in Foyle's War. Photo copyright of Eleventh Hour Films and ITV.
Earlier this week, Acorn Media, ITV, and Eleventh Hour Films confirmed a new series of Foyle’s War starring Michael Kitchen (My Week with Marilyn, Out of Africa) as Christopher Foyle and created by celebrated novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz (The new Sherlock Holmes novel House of Silk, Alex Rider novels, Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie’s Poirot).
Called “Like a gift from the gods” (The New York Times) and “A triumph from start to finish” (The Wall Street Journal), Foyle’s War last aired on PBS’s Mystery! in May 2010. The return of the universally acclaimed, hit WWII detective series has been in development since Acorn Media, a leading distributor of British television in the U.S., acquired permanent ownership of the series in November 2010.
Series 8 will be set during the early period after World War II with Foyle focusing his attention on the world of espionage as he gathers secret intelligence in support of Britain’s security, defence and the Government’s foreign and economic policies. The stories will range from Foyle identifying highly placed atomic spies to a true story of government corruption. A world of transition where the values and certainties of the war have given way to austerity, exhaustion and doubts about the direction the new government is taking.
In his new role as a Senior Intelligence Officer, Foyle discovers that the British establishment is rife with communist sympathizers and traitors. In this delicately balanced period in history, 1946-47, Foyle will use all his intelligence, guile and intuition to keep the country safe.
Said Michael Kitchen: “It’s great to be wanted and a pleasure to be back.”
Three two-hour films have been ordered from Eleventh Hour Films, the production company founded by producer Jill Green. Eleventh Hour Films takes pride in the research work undertaken for each story as all three episodes are firmly based on true stories from 1946 onwards. “It is great that both Anthony and Michael wanted to continue with this jewel in the crown and create a new role for Foyle in a part of history less familiar on TV,” said Jill.
Foyle’s War will go into production in London in September, and the new episodes will air in the U.S. and U.K. in 2013. The U.S. broadcaster is still being finalized. Anthony will write films 1 and 3 with David Kane responsible for episode 2. Speaking about Foyle’s new role, creator and lead writer Anthony Horowitz said, “I have returned to Foyle’s War because there are still some amazing stories I want to tell. The war may be over but Foyle’s career goes on,” said Anthony.
Honeysuckle Weeks is expected to return to the drama playing the established character of Samantha Stewart, a role she has portrayed since 2002. Post-war, Samantha is now married and relishing domesticity. Her character also enters a fresh era as she delights in a surprising new working role!
In the U.K., Series 8 was commissioned for ITV by Drama Commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes. Jill Green will produce Foyle’s War and further casting details will be announced later this year. A director is yet to be appointed.
Acorn Media U.S. President Mark Stevens said, “Since acquiring the series, it’s been Acorn Media’s top priority to work closely with Jill Green and Anthony Horowitz to develop new episodes. We’re excited to bring back one of Acorn’s most successful series and move Foyle in a new direction.”
Acorn Media has been releasing Foyle’s War on home video in North America since 2003. The DVDs presenting Seasons One and Two of the series are Acorn Media U.S.’s top two best selling DVDs of all time. For a full selection of DVDs check out - www.acornmedia.com
As noted above, photo copyright of Eleventh Hour Films & ITV, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
Love Foyle's War on dvd...Michael, Anthony and of course the charming Honeysuckle Weeks! So very glad that someone out there has had the intelligence to realize how well received and loved this series has become! So very glad to know we will be joining our old friends again on some very exciting adventures! Thanks for doing this!
Posted by: Bonnie Howell | 09/14/2012 at 02:31 AM
Wow! I just finished watching all the episodes of this fantastic series. Unfamiliar with British actors or their television series, I stumbled on this through Netflix. I grew up watching Lt. Frank Columbo in the television series Columbo.
Foyle’s War has surpassed Colombo in many ways. I wish this series was publicized more here in the USA. There is not much selection on television or the movies with the quality of great acting and believability. This series has to be one of the best television series of all time. Maybe that is why they took it off the air. It seems all great shows are subject to advertising and executives who really do not know what the public craves for entertainment. It is a shame they took it off the air.
Michael Kitchen has to be the coolest actor of our days. He is superb, eloquent and so believable I actually googled his character to see if he really existed. He reminds me of Colombo in many ways, especially how clam he portrays Christian Foyle.
I cannot wait to view the next episode
Posted by: stephen | 09/23/2012 at 01:37 PM
Oh my gosh! We love this series! It is the best! Great that Kitchen and Weeks will be back!
Posted by: Linda McNeley | 09/23/2012 at 11:38 PM
Some of series 8 which was filmed in Trinity College Dublin
Posted by: Peter Poulton | 11/08/2012 at 04:13 AM
I am beyond thrilled to learn of the return of "Foyle's War" !! When I first heard about it, I was holding my breath,afraid that the role of Christopher Foyle might be filled by someone other than Michael Kitchen,which as we all know would be absurd and impossible. I am such a fan of Mr Kitchen and am so happily looking forward to seeing this fabulous talent return! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Posted by: Diane Burke | 11/09/2012 at 08:22 AM
Fabulous. I agree.
Posted by: Devin | 12/31/2012 at 01:04 AM
Awesome!! So very happy that Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks will be a part of this series. Nice to have something to look forward to in 2013, since we just finished the last of Foyle's War series on Netflix. Thanks to all who make this series the success it is.
Posted by: Patricia Scott | 01/22/2013 at 01:12 PM
Wonderful! love Michael Kitchen and his excellent subtle acting style....he is fantastic.... so glad Foyle returns - after the war years... Will his son be back also I wonder.....
.Thank you Anthony Horowitz - for your brilliant writing skills Keep on..please :) xo....
:)
Posted by: Annie Blue | 03/04/2013 at 02:03 AM
Foyle's War is my favorite series. I'm so happy that it is making a comeback and I'm looking forward to seeing it soon. I love Michael Kitchen and think he's excellent in the role of Christopher Foyle!
Posted by: Lynn Hill | 04/05/2013 at 01:34 PM