Fawlty Towers is set for a reboot after four decades, and the show’s original lead John Cleese is set to star alongside his daughter.
It’s been a long time coming, but after more than 40 years off air, production company Castle Rock Entertainment has announced this week that it has closed a deal with John Cleese to bring Fawlty Towers back to our screens.
The show originally ran from 1975-1979 on BBC Two, and is widely regard by fans and critics as being one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
Written by and starring John Cleese and Connie Booth, in case you’re unfamiliar with the show, or haven’t gotten around to giving it a watch, Fawlty Towers is set inside a fictional hotel of the same name in the seaside town of Torquay, and follows the working lives of rude hotel owner Basil Fawlty played by Cleese, his bossy wife Sybil played by Prunella Scales, the sensible chambermaid and peacemaker Polly played by Booth, and the hapless and English-challenged Spanish waiter Manuel played Andrew Sachs.
Storylines usually follow the team’s attempts to run the hotel while a bunch of farcical situations and an ever-changing lineup of demanding guests and tradespeople run a muck.
ADVERTISEMENT
A Fawlty Towers reboot is on the way after 40 years / Credit: BBC
Cleese told The Independent in 2018 that “there’s not much point” in a Fawlty Towers remake, and had even hinted that reboot probably wouldn’t work nowadays – but it seems he’s now changed his tune on the idea.
The 83-year-old comedian, actor, and screenwriter – who has in recent years been vocal against what he calls “wokeness” and “cancel culture”, and is soon set to present a show on right-wing news channel GB News as he wants to “promote proper argument” – will reprise his role as Basil Fawlty in the reboot.
ADVERTISEMENT
His real-life daughter, Camilla Cleese, will star alongside him as the hotelier’s long-lost daughter who has recently returned.
According to the show’s directors Matthew George and Derrick Rossi – who are also producing alongside Cleese, and Rob and Michele Reiner – the reboot will explore how the dramatic and cynical Basil navigates the modern world, while running a boutique hotel.
The reboot will see John Cleese reprise his role as hotelier Basil Fawlty / Credit: BBC
Speaking on the upcoming reboot, Cleese said: “When we first met, he [Matthew George] offered an excellent first idea, and then Matt, my daughter Camilla, and I had one of the best creative sessions I can remember. By dessert, we had an overall concept so good that, a few days later, it won the approval of Rob and Michele Reiner.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Camilla and I look forward enormously to expanding it into a series.”
Executive producer Rob Reiner called Cleese a “comedy legend” and that even just “the idea of working with him makes me laugh”.
Expected filming and air dates of the Fawlty Towers reboot are yet to be revealed.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Trailer for Clayface gives closer look at Batman villain in new DC film shot in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
DC have dropped a brand-new trailer for the upcoming Clayface film: a new ‘body horror’ movie by the Hollywood studio and superhero franchise.
Giving the first extended look at the cult favourite Batman villain, it’s set to be one of the darkest and most disturbing big-budget DC projects for some time.
Set to release on 23 October, it drops in just time for ‘spooky season’, and judging by this latest trailer, they’re certainly doubling down on the creepiest sides of the character. If you’re a bit squeamish, we’d say proceed with caution:
It’s certainly a striking reveal and has some of the most mature themes we’ve seen from DC over the years; that’s what you get when you park a supervillain like this.
For anyone who hasn’t come across Clayface before, it is an alias used by multiple individuals in the comics, including Basil Karlo and Preston Payne.
However, this version of the alter ego follows the story of Matt Hagen, a struggling actor who suffers serious disfiguration and experiments with experimental science before embarking on a tale of revenge.
While this differs somewhat from Hagen’s original backstory, without straying into spoiler territory, there’s plenty to be made from the trailer, as you can see.
If you’re wondering what kind of film to expect beyond what you’re now already aware of, it’s worth noting that James Watkins is known for films such as The Woman In Black (2012), Bastille Day (2016), and the heavily nominated James McAvoy-led movie, Speak No Evil (2024).
We were lucky enough to walk past their other major period of filming over in Manchester city centre last September, where the often-used Castlefield doubled as Gotham.
Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? named biggest UK studio album EVER by Official Charts
Danny Jones
You’re damn right: Oasis continue to be MASSIVE as new figures from the Official Charts Company have confirmed that (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? has clocked in as the biggest UK studio album of all time.
The Britpop icons and history go hand in hand.
Yes, according to the latest numbers by our domestic chart-crunchers, only two other albums surpassed Oasis‘ second LP – and they’re both greatest hits collections.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 22 July, just over a whole year on from those reunion world tour shows at Heaton Park. How fitting.
Starting off by channelling Liam Gallagher energy and quipping that “Oasis vibes are in the area”, they go on to explain the colossal cumulative record.
“Oasis claim one of the biggest honours in British music history, they write, “as (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is named the UK’s Official biggest studio album of all time, according to new Official Charts Company data.”
Combining UK sales of the record – both physical and digital over the years – along with modern streaming statistics, the sophomore outing from the Britpop giants has amassed approximately 6.2 million UK chart units. Staggering stuff.
Last year’s Live ’25 shows have no doubt helped give an added boost to their metrics, but it’s still gargantuan stuff from the local band.
Yet another incredible stat not just for the Burnage boys but the Manchester music scene as a whole.
2026 looks to be just as big a comeback, by the looks of things.
In case you were wondering who beat them out in the race for the top spot, they were pipped to the post by Queen’s Greatest Hits and the same again from ABBA, two worthy opponents to take third place after.
You can see the rest of the list in full right HERE.
Oh, and Definitely Maybe also made the list, too, coming in at number 39 – making that two in the top 50 even amongst all the compilations.
It feels like last July all over again, doesn’t it? And if now isn’t the perfect time to stick on the title track, we don’t know what is.
Actually, sod it – we’re sticking the full thing on…
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2023 
