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Fremantle, Henson reboot Storyteller

John Hurt and Jim Henson (right) working on the original The Storyteller

Production giant Fremantle is partnering with The Jim Henson Company and author Neil Gaiman on a reboot of 1980s anthology series The Storyteller.

Inspired by his daughter Lisa’s university studies in folklore and mythology, Jim Henson created the original version of The Storyteller in 1987 and directed multiple episodes.

Oscar winner Anthony Minghella wrote all the episodes and the live-action television series featured creatures brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, providing a re-telling of various European folk tales, with a mysterious storyteller played by the late John Hurt.

Now Fremantle is working with Henson’s firm on a television reboot with Gaiman, who is known for his work popularising folklore and mythology through his bestselling novel American Gods and other works.

Dante Di Loreto, president of scripted entertainment at Fremantle North America, said: “There is currently nothing like The Storyteller in the television landscape and the themes these stories will explore are even more critically important today.

“We are honoured to be working with Lisa Henson and her illustrious company to bring their esteemed property back to television, and to be yet again partnering with Neil on another project that will further showcase his brilliant narrative power.”

The Storyteller will be produced by Fremantle in association with The Jim Henson Company, with Lisa Henson serving as executive producer and Blanca Lista as co-executive producer.

Gaiman, who has a long-standing relationship with Fremantle, will also serve as executive producer. He is currently in post-production with Fremantle on the second season of American Gods for Starz and will also executive produce the company’s forthcoming project Gormenghast, an episodic series based on the fantasy book series by Mervyn Peake.

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