Carry On Doctors to go into production

The Carry On film franchise is to be revived after 25 years.

Carry On Doctors is the first of what is expected to be a fresh series, to be followed up with Carry On Campus.

The first script will be written Susan Nickson, who created BBC Three sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and Tim Dawson, who wrote on the show.

Nickson said: ‘I’m thrilled to be involved in perhaps the biggest comedy franchise in Britain. I grew up watching these films and to be working on this project feels like coming home. 

‘They’re peculiarly British but the appeal of the humour and the ever-present message that good people always win is absolutely global.’

The cast has yet to be announced,  but producer Jonathan Sothcott said the new addition would be in the spirit of the original franchise with ‘no stunt casting; no big American stars’.

And he insisted the new cast would not be trying to ape the stars of the original 31-movie series such as Kenneth Williams and Sid James, saying: ‘We are making a new entry in the series with love and care: it isn’t a remake or an attempt to reinvent the wheel. We won’t be trying to find new Sids or Kenneths — we’re looking to create a whole new ensemble of brilliant British comedic actors.'

It is reported that the new film will go into production this year for a release as early as 2017.

The series is being made by Hereford Films, whose slate includes horror films Memorial Day and Night Hag.

The original franchise ran from Carry On Sergeant in 1958 with at least one film a year up to Carry On Emmanuelle in 1978. It was revived with a new generation of comedy stars, including Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall and Julian Clary for Carry On Columbus in 1992 – but it was widely panned by critics.

Published: 17 May 2016