BBC Drama Publicity held the first major press promotion for series two of Survivors in central London today (22 October 2009). Feature writers for both print and online publications were invited to interview Survivors cast members and key creative and production staff. Material from the day will not be published until closer to the transmission date for episode one of series two – a date that has not yet been confirmed by the BBC.

Both Play.com and HMV are listing the series two Survivors DVD for pre-order with a scheduled release date of Monday 8 February 2010.

Series one of Survivors was released on DVD on Monday 26 January 2009, less than a month after the transmission of series one concluded on BBC One and BBC HD. However, the 8 February 2010 release date for the series two DVD must surely remain provisional, pending the confimation of the transmission dates for the new series.

Thanks to Adrian H and David C for alerting the blog to this news

The BBC has yet to confirm the transmission dates for the second series of Survivors.

Series one of Survivors was shown in November and December of 2008, and it is likely that series two will appear on BBC One screens either late in 2009 or early in 2010 – although the BBC has still to go public with its decision.

As soon as the BBC has announced the transmission slot for Survivors series two, details will be posted on this blog.

The Italian TV network RAI-TRE has suspended transmission of series one of Survivors after three episodes.

The network premiered episode one on 3 September, with episode two following on 10 September. After a fortnight gap, episode three was shown on 24 September, but RAI-TRE has yet to schedule transmission of the remaining three installments of series one.

Thanks to Luca for alerting the blog to this news.

The BBC News site reports that Survivors‘ creator Adrian Hodges ITV dino-drama Primeval has been resurrected by ITV three months after being unexpectedly cancelled.

Primeval has been recommissioned for a total of 13 new episodes which will be “split over the two series, with series four going out in early 2011″, as part of a complex co-production deal (involving ITV, UKTV, Watch, BBC Worldwide and German station Pro7).

Digital Spy adds that: “ITV1 will premiere series four in early 2011, while Watch will have the first run of series five later that year. ITV1 will then broadcast series five.”

Series one of Survivors began transmission on BBC South Africa on Tuesday 15 September at 20:30. The show will transmit in the same slot across a six-week run. The BBC Entertainment site, describes the show as: “A thrilling new interpretation of the classic drama which follows the fortunes of a group of survivors in a world devastated by a mystery virus.”

The BBC Entertainment sites offers a brief episode guide, as well as a ‘key facts’ introduction to the series.

The site also contains an extended trailer for series one (see below):

Small-screen stalwart Iain Cuthbertson, who memorably appeared in the role of Laird McAlister in the final episode of the original Survivors, has died aged 79.

Probably best known for his roles in Sutherland’s Law and Budgie, Cuthbertson’s numerous genre credits include ITV children’s supernatural drama Children of the Stones, the adapted M R James’ chiller Casting the Runes, and the Doctor Who story The Ribos Operation.

In the finale of series three of the original Survivors, Cuthbertson’s Laird was determined to assert the interests of Scottish survivors and challenge any plans that Agnes’ new ruling council might have to take the country’s resources for granted.

Obituaries appeared in The Times, The Guardian, The Independent and The Scotsman.

The first series of Survivors (2008) will be shown on the RAI-TRE station in Italy, beginning with a broadcast of the 90-minute opening episode at 21:10 on Thursday 3 September 2009.

The first and second series of the original Survivors were extremely popular when shown in Italy by RAI (1979-1982) and TMC (1983). Transmission of the new series is certain to encourage renewed interest in the original Survivors – all three series of which have been released on DVD in Italy (as both a series of box-sets and a multi-part serial) for the first time.

Many thanks to Luca and Riccardo for alerting the blog to this news.

The 2 August edition of the Birmingham Post provides an update on the filming of Survivors series two in the city.

An interview with producer Hugh Warren reveals that locations in and around Sutton Park have been used, including “Newhall Street, Edmund Street, Brindleyplace and the Old Fire Station at Lancaster Circus”.

Warren adds: “Ironically, we used the old Central Studios, a big derelict building, with a storyline that involved a collapsed building.”

In an interview on the Digital Spy site, Survivors actress Zoë Tapper suggests that series two of the show is starker and bleaker than its predecessor.

Says Tapper: “I think – if this is possible – that this series is much darker than the last… There’s a lot of action and high emotion. I think people are going to be left on the edge of their seats because there’s some brilliant cliffhangers and some great writing.”

In the interview, Tapper refutes the rumour that the spectre of Swine Flu will have the effect of delaying the scheduling of Survivors series two.

Tapper is interviewed to promote her new series Desperate Romantics which begins on BBC2 on 21 July.