Jekyll and Hyde (TV series)

Last updated

Jekyll and Hyde
Jekyll and Hyde TV series titlecard.jpg
Genre Fantasy
Action
Drama
Thriller
Horror
Created by Charlie Higson
Based on Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1886 novella
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Directed byStewart Svaasand
Colin Teague
Starring
Composers David Arnold
Michael Price
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producersCharlie Higson
Francis Hopkinson
Producer Foz Allan
CinematographySimon Dennis
Suzie Lavelle
Running time45–46 minutes
Production company ITV Studios
Original release
Network ITV
Release25 October (2015-10-25) 
27 December 2015 (2015-12-27)

Jekyll and Hyde is a British TV fantasy drama based loosely on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde . Set in 1930s London and Ceylon, it follows the character of Dr. Robert Jekyll, a grandson of the Victorian Dr. Henry Jekyll, who has inherited his grandfather's split personality and violent alter-ego.

Contents

The series aired on ITV in the United Kingdom from 25 October to 27 December 2015 and it consisted of ten episodes. On 5 January 2016, creator Charlie Higson announced on Twitter that ITV had decided to pass on a second series. [1]

Plot

Cast

Production

The series was based at 3 Mills Studios and also filmed in Kent – Rochester High Street doubles as the exterior of the Empire music hall and The Guildhall Museum features as the hotel where Dr. Jekyll (Tom Bateman) first lodges when arriving in England. The Historic Dockyard Chatham was used as location for the scenes used for Gravesend Docks, Tenebrae offices and factory and various areas of the site feature as London Streets and markets. Elmley Nature Reserve features in episode three as the setting for Maggie's (Niamh Walsh) country house and the Fort Amherst tunnels are used in episodes 9 and 10 where Jekyll finds out about the powers of The Incubus.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
1"The Harbinger" Colin Teague Charlie Higson 25 October 2015 (2015-10-25)2-2650-0001
After his name appears in a local paper, Robert Jekyll is contacted by his biological grandfather's lawyer in London about the family estate.
2"Mr. Hyde"Colin TeagueCharlie Higson1 November 2015 (2015-11-01)2-2650-0002
Confused at events since arriving in London, Robert attempts to carry out further research in his grandfather's laboratory.
3"The Cutter"Colin TeagueCharlie Higson8 November 2015 (2015-11-08)2-2650-0003
The arrival of the mysterious Captain Dance in London incites further activity from MIO's captives, while Robert attempts to control his transformation using his grandfather's serum.
4"The Calyx"Joss AgnewCharlie Higson22 November 2015 (2015-11-22) [3] 2-2650-0004
While trying to harness his abilities as Hyde to save his long-lost grandmother, Robert finds himself caught between Tenebrae and MIO as he is tempted to open an ancient container.
5"Black Dog"Robert Quinn Guy Burt 29 November 2015 (2015-11-29) [4] 2-2650-0005
When Robert and Utterson investigate another branch of the Jekyll family tree, they find themselves facing an unexpected new threat.
6"Spring-Heeled Jack"Steward SvaasandJason Sutton6 December 2015 (2015-12-06)2-2650-0006
The return of an old serial killer prompts MIO to 'ask' Robert for help.
7"The Reaper"Steward SvaasandSimon J. Ashford13 December 2015 (2015-12-13)2-2650-0007
When his brother is taken as the new 'host' for the Reaper, Robert must resort to unconventional methods to save his life.
8"Moroii"Robert Quinn Sophie Petzal 23 December 2015 (2015-12-23) [5] 2-2650-0008
When he is asked to investigate an apparent vampire attack, Robert is shocked to learn that the true culprit is his previously-unknown sister.
9"The Incubus"Joss Agnew Gareth Roberts 27 December 2015 (2015-12-27)2-2650-0009
Hiding out in the country, Robert and his family face an unanticipated new threat in the form of an incubus.
10"The Heart of Lord Trash"Steward SvaasandCharlie Higson27 December 2015 (2015-12-27)2-2650-0010
Various secrets come to light, culminating in a final confrontation between Robert and Dance over the Calyx.

Broadcast

Network(s)/Station(s)Series premiereAiring datesTitle
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada CBC TV 11 January 2016 on CBC. [6] [7] Jekyll and Hyde (; lit: )
Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Channel 3 Family (13)June 4, 2018 – July 8, 2018 (Monday - Thursday 22:30)หมอวิปริตจิตหลุดโลก (Jekyll and Hyde; lit: )
5HD1 November 23, 2019 – December 22, 2019 (Every Saturday and Sunday from 20.20 - 21.20)หมอวิปริตจิตหลุดโลก (Jekyll and Hyde; lit: )

Controversies

The opening episode attracted 459 complaints to the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom in regard to the level of violence contained within a programme shown at 6.30pm. Ofcom subsequently announced that it had launched an investigation, [8] which ultimately ruled that the show had breached the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, as children were not "protected from unsuitable material by appropriate scheduling." [9]

After the November 2015 Paris attacks, episode 4 was delayed for a week as it was felt that the subject matter would be upsetting with the fresh memories of the experience.

Cancellation

On 5 January 2016, ITV confirmed that it would not be renewing Jekyll and Hyde for a second series. Reasons included poor and decreasing viewing figures, [10] unfavourable comparisons to Doctor Who [11] and public backlash following "hundreds of complaints" regarding the appropriateness of the content for a teatime family show. [12]

Unmade second series

On 8 July 2016, Higson explained in a tweets thread what would have happened in Series 2: "We had lots of great stories already written for series 2 of Jekyll & Hyde. Robert was going to find out a lot more about his mother and find his father. He was going to reluctantly work for MIO. Robert & Ravi were going to return to Sri Lanka & uncover some buried secrets. Bella’s family history was going to come into play. There were going to be some shocking deaths and reversals. And we were going to find out a lot more about Lord Trash... Instead, since ITV didn't want to make any more, they’re all dead!" [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (1931 film) 1931 film by Rouben Mamoulian

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1931 American pre-Code horror film, directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Fredric March, who plays a possessed doctor who tests his new formula that can unleash people's inner demons. The film is an adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the 1886 Robert Louis Stevenson tale of a man who takes a potion which turns him from a mild-mannered man of science into a homicidal maniac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (character)</span> Fictional character by Robert Louis Stevenson

Dr. Henry Jekyll, nicknamed in some copies of the story as Harry Jekyll, and his alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde, is the central character of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In the story, he is a good friend of main protagonist Gabriel John Utterson.

<i>Jekyll & Hyde</i> (musical) Musical

Jekyll & Hyde is a 1990 musical loosely based on the 1886 novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Originally conceived for the stage by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, it features music by Frank Wildhorn, a book by Leslie Bricusse and lyrics by all of them. After a world premiere run in Houston, Texas, the musical embarked on a national tour of the United States prior to its Broadway debut in 1997. Many international productions in various languages have since been staged including two subsequent North American tours, two tours in the United Kingdom, a concert version, a revamped US tour in 2012, a 2013 Broadway revival featuring Constantine Maroulis, and an Australian concert version in 2019 starring Anthony Warlow.

<i>The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (2006 film) 2006 American film

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 2006 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella. It was directed by John Carl Buechler, and produced by Peter Davy, British American film producer. The film is set in modern times instead of Victorian England.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, is a 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson.

<i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (1920 Paramount film) 1920 film, directed by John S. Robertson

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1920 American silent horror film produced by Famous Players–Lasky and released through Paramount/Artcraft. The film, which stars John Barrymore, is an adaptation of the 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. John S. Robertson directed the production, and Clara Beranger wrote the screenplay, based on the 1887 stage play by Thomas Russell Sullivan that in turn was based on the novel.

<i>I, Monster</i> 1971 horror film

I, Monster is a 1971 British horror film directed by Stephen Weeks for Amicus Productions. It is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with the main characters' names changed to Dr. Charles Marlowe and Mr. Edward Blake.

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Jekyll is a British television drama serial produced by Hartswood Films and Stagescreen Productions for BBC One. The series also received funding from BBC America. Steven Moffat wrote all six episodes, with Douglas Mackinnon and Matt Lipsey each directing three episodes.

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<i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (1913 film) 1913 film

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1913 horror film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 gothic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Directed by Herbert Brenon for producer Carl Laemmle's company IMP, the production stars King Baggot in the dual role of Jekyll and Hyde. The film was re-released in the United States in August 1927.

<i>The Son of Dr. Jekyll</i> 1951 American film by Seymour Friedman

The Son of Dr. Jekyll is a 1951 American horror film directed by Seymour Friedman and starring Louis Hayward, Jody Lawrance and Alexander Knox. The film is a continuation of Robert Louis Stevenson's original classic 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Adaptations of <i>Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> Adaptations of 1886 novella

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an 1886 novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It is about a London lawyer, Gabriel John Utterson, who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and the misanthropic Mr. Hyde. In a twist ending, it is revealed that Jekyll and Hyde were the same person, and that Jekyll had regularly transformed himself into Hyde by drinking a serum.

Jekyll is a 2007 American horror film starring Matt Keeslar, Jonathan Silverman, Desmond Askew, Alanna Ubach, Siena Goines, Abigail Spencer, John Rubinstein, Josh Stewart and Roger Rose and written and directed by Scott Zakarin. It is a film adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

<i>Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway</i> American TV series or program

Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway is a 2001 television film of the Broadway production of the 1990 musical Jekyll & Hyde as captured live in performance on Broadway featuring the show's final Broadway cast. The show was captured at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre in New York City December 2000 utilizing multiple high-definition cameras by Broadway Worldwide.

<i>Docteur Jekyll et les femmes</i> 1981 film

Docteur Jekyll et les femmes is a 1981 horror film directed by Walerian Borowczyk. The film is a variation on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and stars Udo Kier, Marina Pierro, Patrick Magee, Howard Vernon, and Gérard Zalcberg.

<i>Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde</i> 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an 1886 Gothic novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It follows Gabriel John Utterson, a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde.

<i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (1887 play) Stage play by Thomas Russell Sullivan

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a four-act play written by Thomas Russell Sullivan in collaboration with the actor Richard Mansfield. It is an adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, an 1886 novella by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The story focuses on the respected London doctor Henry Jekyll and his involvement with Edward Hyde, a loathsome criminal. After Hyde murders the father of Jekyll's fiancée, Jekyll's friends discover that he and Jekyll are the same person; Jekyll has developed a potion that allows him to transform himself into Hyde and back again. When he runs out of the potion, he is trapped as Hyde and commits suicide before he can be arrested.

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<i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Or a Mis-Spent Life</i> Play by Luella Forepaugh and George F. Fish

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Or a Mis-Spent Life is a four-act play written in 1897 by Luella Forepaugh and George F. Fish. It is an adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, an 1886 novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The story focuses on Henry Jekyll, a respected London doctor, and his involvement with Edward Hyde, a loathsome criminal. After Hyde murders a vicar, Jekyll's friends suspect he is helping the killer, but the truth is that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person. Jekyll has developed a potion that allows him to transform himself into Hyde and back again. When he runs out of the potion, he is trapped in his Hyde form and commits suicide.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a British film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella, directed by Maurice Phillips and starring John Hannah. Set in Victorian England, it was filmed in 2002 and released in Britain in that year. As the result of its release in the US in 2003, that date is sometimes attached to it.

References

  1. Higson, Charlie. "Sad day today as ITV announce they don't want any more #JekyllandHyde Ah well, I tried. It was a grand adventure while it lasted".
  2. Robinson, Dom (25 October 2015). "Jekyll and Hyde Episode 1 – The DVDfever Review". DVDfever. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. Postponed from 15 November 2015 due to the November 2015 Paris attacks.
  4. Rescheduled from 22 November 2015 due to the November 2015 Paris attacks.
  5. Rescheduled from 20 December 2015.
  6. "CBC-TV stacks fall and winter lineups with British, Aussie fare". CFTR (AM). 28 May 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  7. "Jekyll and Hyde, TV revamp of Robert Louis Stevenson classic, debuts on CBC-TV". CBC. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  8. "Jekyll and Hyde 'scary' probe launched". BBC. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  9. "Jekyll and Hyde WAS broadcast too early according to Ofcom". Radio Times . 25 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  10. Jackson, Jasper (6 January 2016). "ITV axes Jekyll and Hyde following poor ratings figures". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  11. "Jekyll and Hyde and the elusive Doctor Who effect". Radio Times. 25 October 2015. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  12. "Jekyll and Hyde axed by ITV after one series following hundreds of complaints". Daily Express . 6 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  13. "Charlie Higson Twitter". Twitter . 8 July 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2022.