The Professionals are heading to the big screen

the professionals

British TV crime drama The Professionals hasn’t been on screens since the ‘80s (except, alright, on ITV4), but that’s all set to change.

The ITV drama, which debuted on British telly in 1977 and ran for five series, is set for a modern day movie make-over courtesy of one of the more recent Bond producers.

Callum McDougall, who exec produced Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace , has teamed up with fellow producer Richard Whelan and Lionsgate UK to bring a new version of the story to screens.

The Professionals was such an iconic British crime series that it’s a fantastic opportunity for Lionsgate to be able to bring it to the big screen for the first time,” said Zygi Kamasa, Lionsgate UK's chief exec.

“This production will combine the wit and fast paced action of the original TV series but also completely reinvent it for a new, modern audience and we’re really looking forward to working with talented producers Callum and Richard on the film.”

The original Professionals TV series starred Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins as counter terrorism detective Doyle and ex-special ops mercenary Bodie.

They're recruited by Criminal Intelligence 5 to pick up the tricky jobs that the police aren’t able to. Expect Shaw to pitch up in a hilarious cameo as a judge.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.