Tonight's telly: Jekyll (BBC 1, 9pm) - with video

By Remote Control on Jun 16, 07 02:30 AM

Barking drama of the year begins tonight - and it's going to be an absolute hoot.

Jekyll. is, you'll be shocked to discover, based on the old chestnut that is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Only it is set in 2007 and stars James Nesbitt.

Yet the same rule about having two lives but sharing the same body goes on.

This one is set to run for six weeks and will be cracking throughout, a real thriller also starring
Denis Lawson, Gina Bellman, Michelle Ryan and Meera Syal.

Here's the twist for the 21st century: Hyde doesn't know that Jekyll is married. There's a wife and two children he'll do anything to protect from his dark side.

With all the resources of modern technology, and the best surveillance hardware, he's determined to keep his dark side in line. He's done a deal with his own devil.

What neither of them knows: an ancient organisation, with limitless wealth and power, is monitoring their every move, and a plan over a century in the making is coming to fruition.

The return of Dr Jekyll is no accident.

Writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) describes his new work as "somewhere between a modern horror story and The Odd Couple."

I'd settle for something less random: Great new drama that makes you glad you pay the licence fee.