Sky One is planning a new series inspired by the original which had Patrick McGoohan as a former secret agent and Prisoner Number 6 trapped in an isolated town.

The show will not take place in the North Wales village of Portmerion, the famous setting of the original. However, the themes of paranoia, conspiracy and identity crisis will remain.

Damien Timmer, who has been lined up to executive produce the show said the new series would take “liberties with the original” but would not retain its arty feel. “Although it will be a radical reinvention, it will still be a heightened show,” he added.

The original Prisoner ran for 17 episodes on ITV from 1967. Bill Gallagher, the writer of the BBC’s crime drama Conviction, is reported to be writing the new version.

Source: BBC TV