Down the Tubes with Dark Knight

Last Updated: 4 May 2005 -- Compiled by John Freeman

Dark Knight - Photos © Jon Paske and used with permission

Information on This Page:
• General News • Production Information • Screening Information • Cast Information • Licensed Merchandise • Web Resources

Other Dark Knight Pages:
• Episode Guide • Production Credits • Dark Knight: A Personal Tribute by Andrew Cartmel

General News:

DK III DVD
28 June 2004: A third Dark Knight DVD and Video was released earlier this month for Region One. I'm trying to get episode details. (Thanks to Gordon)
Buy it from Amazon.com: Go

DK Official Site resurfaces
May 2005: The official DK web site is now hosted here: www.dark-knight-dvd.com

Dark Knight on DVD
January 2004: I've belatedly discovered that some episodes of Dark Knight have been released on Region 1 DVD and NTSC Video by MTI Video. Here are the details, I've since unearthed, though there is no information on which episodes are featured on these DVDs. The VHS is available in both English and English with Spanish Subtitles.

Darkest Knight
Released: 16 December 2003
Running Time: 91 mins
Buy it from Amazon.com: Go

Synopsis: Nightmare creatures and flesh eating dragons roam the kingdom of the wicked Prince John, destroying all those who cross their path. Tyranny and aggression rule, and ancient evil reigns over the helpless people of the towns and villages. Only the glint of fire on the sword of the Chosen One can overthrow the deadly ruler and restore the the throne to its rightful owner.

Darkest Knight 2
Released: September 2003 (No, I don't understand this, either)
Running Time: 95 mins
Buy it from Amazon.com: Go

Synopsis: In a kingdom ruled by spell books and wicked spirits, King John reigns while England's true leader, King Richard is held prisoner. Richard's only hope is the return of the Darkest Knight -- the chosen warrior in the battle against evil. Together with Rebecca the healer and Odo the magical wizard's apprentice, he braves all of ancient England's perils to bring the rightful King back to the throne.

(Thanks to Jon Paske for tipping me off about this)

Dark Knight on Showtime
November 2003: Dark Kinight screened earlier this year on Showtime Extreme in the United States.
Palana Productions are still working on ideas for a number of new projects. More news as we get it.

Comer on Stage
Charlotte Comer, who played Rebecca in Dark Knight, appeared in a play currently called End of the Night written by Andrew Cartmel, at the White Bear, a fringe theatre in a pub located opposite Kennington tube, London. The play ran from 15 July - 3 August 2003.

Dark Knight Cancelled!
March 2001: Season Two script editor Andrew Cartmel has very kindly written an epitaph to Dark Knight for this web site. My thanks to him for taking time out of his busy schedule to write this piece. Click here for his tribute: Go

The Official Dark Knight web site posted the following appeal to DK fans:

"How do you feel about leaving Rebecca and Odo in the Vortex?

Do you want them back in a 3rd Series?

Make your opinion heard by contacting Channel 5 and tell them you love the show!

Channel 5 welcomes all comments from viewers about its programmes. If you have a specific enquiry about a Channel 5 programme or wish to make a comment about Channel 5 in general, please call the -
Duty Office on: 08457 050505 (calls are charged at local rate)

Email them at dutyoffice@channel5.co.uk

Alternatively, write to them at: Duty Office Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd. 22 Long Acre London WC2E 9LY
The Duty Office is open between 09.00 and 21.00 Monday to Friday, and between 10.30 and 19.00 Saturday and Sunday. A detailed summary of telephone calls and all correspondence is distributed to Channel 5 staff members each day and is regularly monitored by our governing body, the ITC."

Andrew Cartmel did write a script resolving the season two cliffhanger. Perhaps it will one day see the light of day.

Portman Productions are working on a new adventure series, but there's no news yet on when (or if it will get a green light. This show is an action drama set in the middle ages. More about this when we can post it.

February 2001: Insiders have reported that Dark Knight has been cancelled, despite good ratings on Channel 5 in the UK. There's been no offcial confirmation or statement as yet.
Channel 5 have been realigning their programming in recent weeks, with several of their shows, such as Fort Boyard, already chopped.
The last episode broadcast to date was on Sunday 10 February, the cliff-hanging Shameer written by Andrew Cartmel.

November 2001: The second season of Dark Knight began broadcasting in the UK on Channel 5 at 4.55 on Saturday 17 November. The first episode gained 800,000 viewers, rising to one million by the end.

Unfortunately, Channel 5 seems to be giving the show very little publicity, which is a shame, and now the show has been moved to 1.30pm, Sundays -- not a good sign?

July 2001: Check out my interview with script editor Andrew Cartmel in Dreamwatch #83. It's not (legally) available online, but you can buy back issues from Titan.

May 2001: Former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel has assumed that role on Dark Knight. He's also penned two episodes, and Ben Aaronovitch has also written an upcoming show, The Stone God.

Production Information

Adapted from Official Production Information: Dark Knight was a co-production between Palana Productions (NZ) Ltd and Dark Knight Production (UK) Ltd in conjunction with TVNZ (Avalon) and Channel 5 as the UK broadcaster.
Dark Knight is a multi-million pound sword and sorcery adventure series of one-hour episodes, using extensive CGI to create a magical world filled with elves and goblins, as well as monsters from the underworld. The series follows Ivanhoe's epic quest to restore King Richard to the throne and bring peace to England. Aimed at family audiences around the world, it stars Ben Pullen as Ivanhoe, Charlotte Comer as Rebecca, Peter O'Farrell as Odo and featuring Cameron Rhodes as Prince John, Todd Rippon as Falco.
Dark Knight is action packed, dark and brooding but with lashings of humour, created by Terry Marcel who, together with Phil Wallbank of Palana Productions produced the series in Wellington, New Zealand.
Shot on super 16mm in exotic and spectacular locations in New Zealand, the production team touted Dark Knight as "the first of a new screen genre spearheaded by the international success of Hercules and Xena." Filmed in the grand style usually only captured in feature films the show featured brilliant sets, lavish costumes and much special effects wizardry. The recreated castle interiors and exteriors, medieval villages and authentic costume design establish a look true to England's Dark Ages.
The Dark Knight special effects team brings to life a variety of mythical creatures, which are interwoven with classic action-adventure storytelling. "The demons are terrifying" says series creator Terry Marcel, "There's sligs and shades, shrakes and dragons, the amount and quality of the CGI we're using is groundbreaking for a television series."
The production was further enhanced by the quality work of a New Zealand production crew that boasts such credits as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Series Overview - Official Series Outline: Exotic locations, spectacular scenery, startling special effects and the highest artistic and production standards. A new multi-million dollar sword and sorcery television drama series in the same current popular genre as Lord of the Rings.
From one of the most experienced and innovative production teams ever assembled in New Zealand comes a unique and powerful new version of the timeless classic: Ivanhoe. But this is no mere adaptation of the tale, Dark Knight breaks new ground in television adventure drama. Utilising the latest computer graphic technology, brilliant design and art direction and an international cast and crew, this Anglo-NZ co-production creates an unforgettable viewing experience for all the family.
Dark Knight is a radical new look at the Ivanhoe legend, an Ivanhoe for the 21st Century, battling not only tyranny and oppression but a Pandora's Box of strange, terrifying and magical creatures. An epic journey into the Dark Ages; a time of fear, magic and mystery, of action and exciting adventure where the only light in a dangerous land is the glint of fire on the sword blade of the "Chosen One" - the Dark Knight.

Produced by: Terry Marcel (Creator & producer); Phil Wallbank (Producer); Tim Buxton, David Wright, Joseph D'Morais and Harley Cokeliss (Executive producers); Clive Waldron (Line producer)
Creator: Terry Marcel
Copyright Holder: Dark Knight created by Terry Marcel. © Palana Productions (NZ) Ltd and Dark Knight Production (UK) Ltd.
Number of Episodes shot: 26
Number of episodes available: 26 (ends on cliffhanger)
Initial Broadcaster: Channel 5 UK, TVNZ New Zealand
Initial US Broadcaster: Showtime Extreme
Production Company: Palana Productions (NZ) Ltd and Dark Knight Production (UK) Ltd in conjunction with TVNZ (Avalon) and Channel 5 as the UK broadcaster. Also Blue Dolphin.
Also Portman Entertainment, owned by PrimeEnt plc, the long-established UK independent film and television producer acquired in November four new feature films, one television film and two series now in production. It's expecting to produce between 15 and 20 hours of new content a year.
Film highlights of Portman also include Saving Grace, the international hit film and television shows such as Urban Gothic, Channel 5's top rated series of modern horror tales.

Main Cast
For cast biographies visit the official Dark Knight web site: Go

Ben Pullen (Sir Ivanhoe of Rotherwood)
• Further information welcome!

Adapted from the official Bio: The "Dark Knight" - Ivanhoe is played by English actor Ben Pullen. Aged 28 when the show was made, Ben is the young, handsome Ivanhoe Sir Walter Scott envisaged in his 1891 novel.
With a natural aptitude for the physical demands of the role, Ben combines elegance on horseback with brutal swordplay and daring stunt work. Away from the fray, Ben's classical training at the Bristol Old Vic brings strength to the complex character of Ivanhoe. He leads the fight against evil and yet there are sensitive elements to the character, which Ben describes as "a mix of hard man and vulnerability".
Ben was born in Switzerland and grew up in Hong Kong and the United States. Since studying film at the University of Warwick and training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Ben has landed an array of film and television roles. Feature film roles include Prince Arn in the 1997 of Prince Valiant, and The Ideal Husband where Ben worked with Cate Blanchett and Rupert Everett. Ben played Tommy Trafford, Minnie Driver's love interest.
Ben also appears in L'Intern (The Intern) playing the romantic lead opposite Dominique Swain of Lolita fame. The young actor will also be familiar to audiences from his starring television roles including Robin in The Last Salute, and Nick in the ITV comedy series Faith in the Future. His British televsion appearances also include Robert Brown in Just William and guest roles in Hetty Winthropp Investigates and the medieval deteictive series starring Derek Jacobi, Cadfael. He's also had some film roles: and also appeared in The Intern, before starring in Dark Knight.
Now living in London, Ben recently married a stockbroker called Sarah, and the couple have a son called Oscar.
(Thanks to Grace White for some of this).

Charlotte Comer (Rebecca)
From the offical DK bio: Charlotte Comer is a stunning new actress perfectly cast to play Rebecca, Ivanhoe'sbeautiful companion. Rebecca is a complex character, by turns a gentle healer and fierce fighter who sees Ivanhoe as her destiny. Blessed with a dancer's grace and statuesque figure, Charlotte stands out in her first major television role.
Charlotte describes her character as "a strong person with ideals who hates the idea of killing, yet she can handle herself in a fight". A modern character in a medieval setting, Rebecca could well become the new century's feminine hero.A talented dancer, Charlotte has also studied yoga, Pilates, fencing and, more unusually, boxing. With an appearance in the BBC's The Wyvern Mysteries.
Charlotte is a relative newcomer to television, but she has years of performance experience behind her. Charlotte was born in Cheshire then grew up and went to school in the village of Sale. She spent three years with Manchester Youth Dance theatre, until at 13 she was snapped up by a Manchester Model Agency, and moved to London to be with Models One.
Charlotte's work took her all over the world living and working in Vienna, Milan, Germany, Switzerland and Australia. At 21, realising that modeling wasn't specifically what she wanted to do, she auditioned and was excepted at the Drama Center London, three years later, she graduated and was whisked off to New Zealand for her part in Dark Knight.
• Further information welcome!

• Read an interview with Charlotte Comer: www.chatshow.net/charlotteComer

Peter Farrell as Odo, from the season two episode Shameer. Photo © Jon Paske and used with permission.

Peter O'Farrell (Odo)
Veteran actor Peter O'Farrell plays Odo, the comic dwarf and friend to Ivanhoe and Rebecca. Peter's excellent feel for humour brings an air of humanity to the heroic quest. With film credits which include An Awfully Big Adventure, Santa Claus and Prisoners of the Lost Universe, Peter is no stranger to the world of fantasy and adventure.
A one time jockey, Peter has no problem controlling his donkey although he admits it is more cantankerous than most horses. Peter has enjoyed his role as Odo, especially the fight scenes where he often has the last word with his trusty warhammer "Toecracker".
Peter began his acting career at the age of 11, and was performing stand-up comedy by the time he turned 20. His career changed direction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played everyone from Tom Thumb to Tranio and gathered a wealth of acting experience. Peter has since been in demand for a variety of film and television roles, including television parts in Alas Smith and Jones, van Gogh and the title role in Dr Zargle.
Peter likes to sing and play the guitar for relaxation and enjoyment.
• Further information welcome!

Recurring characters

Desmond Kelly (Fingal)
Information welcome!
A powerful and friendly druid.
Read Desmond's full bio on the Dark Knight Official site (still active as of 15/7/02): Go

Jeffrey Thomas (Mordour)
Black magician and nemesis to Prince John. Jeffrey enjoys the charge he gets from playing Mordour who is, he says "totally fearless, he has nothing to fear from anybody.It's quite a strong position to be in".
Jeffrey has played leading roles in series such as the BBC's Bowen A'i Bartner, TVNZ's Shark In the Park and the mini-series The Sound and the Silence for which he was nominated best supporting actor.
An accomplished writer for theatre, film and television Jeffrey has written for several New Zealand TV series, including Gloss, Marlin Bay and Plainclothes. His stage play Playing the Game was first performed in New Zealand before being produced in the UK at Theatr Clwyd and The King's Head, London.
In the Welsh language he devised and wrote many episodes of the successful TV drama series Mwy Na Phapur Newydd, in addition to writing and directing a short film, Making Money. More recently he has appeared regularly in Hercules playing Jason the legendary leader of the Argonauts.
Jeffrey's recent stage appearances include Closer and the Pulitzer prize winning How I Learned to Drive.
Note: Christopher Neame played this character in the pilot.
Information welcome!

Cameron Rhodes (Prince John)
Cameron Rhodes had a fabulous time playing Prince John, usurper to the throne and Ivanhoe's nemesis. With an impish grin and wicked sense of humour, Rhodes has a lot of fun with the spoilt behaviour and nasty lines he gets in what he described as "the best role I've ever had". Cameron is relishing the opportunity to explore different aspects of his role, which he sees as "a lot like a spoilt brat, he's often drunk or over-excited. But he's scared inside".
An accomplished performer, is also a drama teacher and director. Cameron has appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, Swiss Family Robinson and more recently in William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale. Cameron has also acted in several New Zealand films (he recently played Farmer Maggot, a Hobbit who lives near Buckland in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) and has an impressive list of theatre credits including The Herbal Bed, Cyrano de Bergerac and Beauty and the Beast. He has also sung in a number of musicals including Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd. Cameron is also a drama teacher and director. He enjoys running, swimming and mountain biking near his Wellington home. Cameron has appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, Swiss Family Robinson and more recently in William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale. He's also acted in several New Zealand films.
His theatre credits include The Herbal Bed, Cyrano de Bergerac and Beauty and the Beast. He has also sung in a number of musicals including Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd.
Rhodes enjoys running, swimming and mountain biking near his Wellington home.

Todd Rippon (Falco)
Official web site: http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/toddripp
Includes full details to date of Todd's tv and film career

At six feet tall and bald with piercing blue eyes, Todd Rippon is perfectly cast as the brutish Norman knight, Falco. Always at odds with Ivanhoe and frequently berated by Prince John, Falco is a seething pool of resentment- an emotion that Todd conveys chillingly. Todd believes a strength in this role is "the devil in my eye".
No stranger to television (or to baddie roles), Todd first caught the imagination of viewers with his portrayal of Macon the murderer in Xena: Warrior Princess, in an episode titled Tsunami. (Thanks to Natanya Groen). Prior to that he had appeared in numerous films, including Castaway directed by Nicholas Roeg. His television credits include roles in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, The Legends of William Tell, Shortland Street and The Enid Blyton Adventure Series.
Todd grew up and was educated in Wellington, New Zealand. He developed an early interest in acting and began appearing in numerous plays. Following high school graduation at 17, Todd had 15 different jobs in his first year of work, and he now describes himself as "a jack of all trades".
After a stint in Australia where he gained a great deal of classical theatre experience, Todd returned to a busy career in New Zealand. Between appearances on local comedy shows, soap operas and longer series he teaches guitar at a local college. Todd continues to live in Wellington with his wife Pippa and their two young sons.
• Information welcome!

Desmond Kelly (Fingal)
The last of the druids, keeper of Druid Runes and Artefacts and last practitioner of Druid Magic. Fingal is a spiritual guide to Ivanhoe in his quest to destroy the dark forces.
"I've waited all my life for one who would stand against evil when it came" is the line that, for Desmond, sums up Fingal. Fingal uses what Desmond calls his "applied magic" to keep the young Ivanhoe and Rebecca out of trouble. Nevertheless Desmond sees Fingal as "tetchy and a bit crusty" in that he doubts the ability of youth to succeed in a quest where experience counts. Fingal's constant companion is Beggar the hooded rat, which forced Desmond to overcome his "healthy revulsion" of rats to play the part.
Desmond Kelly began his working life as a geologist before becoming a teacher. After teaching in New Zealand and Fiji Des returned to lecture at Wellington Teachers College. A growing unease with the education establishment followed by a chance conversation with the College drama lecturer led to his third career switch. In 1976 a very nervous Desmond Kelly made his debut in an amateur dramatic production at the age of 48. After a stint with the Karori Dramatic Society Desmond landed a job at Wellington's Downstage Theatre where he gained vital professional experience.
From there Desmond went on to appear in many New Zealand films, including Roger Donaldson's Smash Palace, Vincent Ward's The Navigator and Peter Jackson's Frighteners among others. Desmond's extensive television credits include guest roles in Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street, Bread and Roses, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series and continuing character roles in several well known New Zealand series, as well as over 20 years of theatre work. Desmond has been nominated for more than one best actor award.
Desmond lives with his wife Elizabeth on a large, idyllic property near Wellington.

Michael Wilson (Friar Bacon)
Michael Wilson has clocked up many hours on the big and small screens. He has had feature roles in six films, including Heart of the Stag and Pallet on the Floor. His innumerable television roles included fronting his own children's television programme (five days a week for a year) to being stunt double for Worzel Gummidge. Michael has enjoyed stunt work on a few feature films and TV programmes, though he has a tendency to be spectacularly accident-prone.
Michael performed as an acrobat with the New Zealand Ballet in 1976. Most of his acting career has been spent as a comedian working throughout New Zealand and Australia. He was voted "Best of the Fringe" at Sydney Festival in 1981.
Michael played Dog in a stage play of the Footrot Flats cartoon. His many radio plays and theatre work included a large amount of Shakepearean work, with his comic and acrobatic skills suited to parts such as Puck, Moth, Feste, Flute and Autolycus. Michael also toured New Zealand as Harpo Marx in "Full Marx!" a musical about the Marx brothers. He had no lines to remember, but he got to jump around a lot.
Michael's character was killed by a giant on Hercules but he reappeared as another character bad-mouthing a centaur a few episodes later.
Other recent TV credits include A Twist in the Tale, William Tell and Enid Blyton Adventure Series the latter of which had Michael playing a Gestapo-like villain which was "a great change from the skinny weaklings I usually get to play" he laughs.
Friar Bacon is also a tough character in his own quiet way. A man of God but also a man of science, Bacon takes great delight in manufacturing gunpowder. Friar Bacon is Ivanhoe's intellectual weapon in his battle to combat evil forces. Michael's own approach to challenging evil is slightly less conventional, "Just once I'd like to lift up my cassock and do a flying karate leap at them".

Licensed Merchandise
Information welcome!

• Shoes!
Jim Mcintosh (interviewed by Ringstyle here). Jim supplied all the footwear to Lord of the Rings, also shot in New Zealand, and plans to sell replica footwear on that film's release. No word on whether he'll also sell DK garb!

• Hawks!
Link: www.kesterfordham.co.nz
This site has a little information about the person who was the hawk handler and also an extra in Dark Knight. Also a picture of the hawk!