The Last Of Us inspires bonkers new show for Channel 4 following success of Squid Game: The Challenge
IN dystopian TV series The Last Of US, an infectious killer fungus takes over society – now it seems to have spread even further.
I can reveal that Channel 4 is developing a challenge show called Apocalypse where contestants have to try to survive a similar hostile environment.
Though it isn’t a direct spin-off of the Sky/HBO drama starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, which has just started its second series, it sounds eerily similar.
Apocalypse is being produced by The Garden, which has already performed a similar adaptation by turning Netflix mega hit Squid Game into its game show spin-off.
A TV insider said: “Squid Game proved you can take a concept and move it into a different genre.
“And, of course, The Last Of Us actually started out life as a video game and then became a drama.
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“So this is a tried and tested path.”
The Garden also gave us 10,000 BC for Channel 5 in 2015, which saw contestants taken back to the Stone Age where they had to survive for two months in a remote forested wilderness without modern amenities.
Similarly, the advert for Apocalypse applicants, published this week, asks the question: “Could you cope in an abandoned urban environment, stripped of modern comforts?”
The description continues: “A new series for a major broadcaster wants to know if you have what it takes to survive the end of civilisation as we know it.
“If you are willing to put yourself forward for the ultimate test, apply now.”
Go on, I dare you.
Easy does it for dancers
STRICTLY’S famous faces were out in force on Tuesday night to celebrate the finale of Karen Hauer and Gorkja Marquez’s Speakeasy Tour.
The show’s professional dancers headed to London’s Adelphi Theatre to watch the performance, which featured dance routines from Karen and Gorka.
Towie star Pete Wicks was re-united with TV dance partner Jowita Przystal at the event, after shutting down rumours of a romance last month following their time on the BBC One show.
The duo posed on the red carpet, joining other former Strictly stars, including Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri and ex-East Enders actor Jamie Borthwick, in the auditorium.
Pro dancers Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu, Nancy Xu, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nikita Kuzmin and Amy Dowden were also there, cheering on their co-stars.
An insider said: “The Strictly family gathered to watch Karen and Gorka’s final show after months on the road before they all headed off to a glamorous wrap party.
“The group made sure to get stuck in by clapping and whooping along to the music during the show, showing the team spirit between the dancers is still strong, despite recent controversies involving former show dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.”
BGT GOLDEN RULES
BRITAIN’S Got Talent’s semi-finals will now include the Golden Buzzer.
In a twist ahead of the upcoming live shows, judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli, as well as hosts Ant and Dec, will be able to send an act straight through to the final.
CBB is a ratings smash
WHEN I unveiled this year’s Celebrity Big Brother line-up, I harboured hopes that it could become one of the show’s best series ever.
With the likes of Mickey Rourke, Trisha Goddard and madcap popstar Jojo Siwa on the books, they had all the ingredients for a REAL ratings smash.
And, seven days on from the live launch, it looks like ITV has managed just that.
After adding on all the viewers who watched via the ITVX app, a whopping 4.2million tuned in.
So far the series has been streamed an impressive eight million times.
If you’re loving CBB as much as me, you can also join us on The Sun’s YouTube channel for The Celebrity Big Brother Breakdown show.
NETFLIX GOES WEST
NETFLIX is working on a true-crime documentary about serial killers Fred and Rose West.
Mini series A British Horror Story will feature family members of some of the couple’s victims alongside previously unseen police footage and audio recordings.
The three episodes drop on May 14.
Carrie on just like that
CARRIE Bradshaw and pals will soon be back on screens as And Just That . . . returns for a third series.
A first-look trailer for Sky’s Sex In The City spin-off sees Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, move on from her heavy memoir to try her hand at writing a novel, while also navigating her romance with John Corbett’s Aidan.
She will be rejoined by Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda and Kristin Davis’ Charlotte for a hot summer in New York.
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Also back as the trio navigate life and love in their 50s will be Sarita Choudhury as Seema Patel and Nicole Ari Parker as Lisa Todd Wexley.
The third series will air on Sky and streaming service NOW from May 30, with new episodes debuting weekly.