And aren’t they lovely?

To mark Red Dwarf's 21st anniversary, the cast and celebrities arrive for the World Premiere Screening of Red Dwarf: Back to Earth to be shown on Friday at 9pm on Dave.

“…Nine years later” is how Red Dwarf: Back to Earth opens. And that’s the only specific detail I’m going to give from the three new RD episodes, which were screened back-to-back to press, celebs and general telly nabobs at London’s May Fair (I know, it doesn’t look right, but it is two words) hotel this evening.

“Unfortunately Craig’s not able to be with us tonight,” said Doug Naylor to the assembled. “He’s very disappointed. We’re just going to play a short film that he recorded earlier today on the Coronation Street set. And I just want you to compare the way this is shot with… [drowns in laughter]. Pay attention to the lip-sync! Never mind the quality! This is Coronation Street! It’s, what, number one in the ratings?!”

And then Craig, from the Kabin: “Hi everyone. I’m really gutted I won’t be getting to see Back to Earth with you all tonight, but unfortunately I’ve got a Coronation Street night shoot. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, maybe it’ll lead to more shows. But tonight it should make you laugh, gasp and maybe even shed a little tear – and not just at the bit where Chris gets his nackers slammed into a desk.”

Okay, so let’s talk in general terms about the three-parter…

Bingo jingo!

I’ve got to be honest and say I have conflicting feelings. I’d never call myself a Red Dwarf fan, but I guess I’m enough of a fan to hold an opinion on when I think the original series stopped being truly great. Many of the problems that dogged its latter years are gone, here. There’s a cohesive story, for one, and the characters are allowed once more to do – well – just what we want to see them doing. Hey, even the original font is back!

And, yet, with that comes a sense this was almost written as a tribute to Red Dwarf, and not a new episode. As though Doug Naylor couldn’t give himself license to do anything other than repeat familiar tropes.

That plot, then. Just when it feels as though it’s about to twist into something quite ingenous it throws in a disappointing final loop that I was sure had to be a bluff… but wasn’t. Suddenly, and inelegantly, it stops.

It’s a shame, because everything else about the production is tops. It looks brilliant; this is Red Dwarf: The Movie. And the cast effortlessly reprise their roles, delivering the material with real zing.

So I’m a bit disappointed. But I think this is a fine commission for Dave – it’s the kind of thing digital channels should be doing; showing faith in much-loved franchises that people actually want to see on television. I applaud them for that. And, actually I’d would like to see more Red Dwarf. Despite my horrible grumbling, there’s still something there…

Welcome home

Tonight it’s the press launch for Dave’s Red Dwarf: Back to Earth. Expect (a non-spoilery) preview on OTT later on…

The latest iteration of that logo

A two-parter, Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, is set to premiere on Friday 10 April at 9pm on Dave. Written and directed by Doug Naylor, it reunites RD cast members Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn (nothing has yet been confirmed regarding Norman Lovett or Hattie Haybridge). Shooting starts on Monday 16 February.

The two episodes will be joined by a couple of one-offs: Red Dwarf: Unplugged (“A no holds barred episode that delivers the cast as they’ve never been seen before – no sets, no effects… and no autocue!) and Red Dwarf: The Making of Back to Earth.

Dave promises it’ll have regular updates for RD fans on its website, joindave.co.uk, with a new piece of production gossip revealed every Wednesday.

It was confirmed this afternoon at UKTV’s press launch for new channels Watch, Alibi, GOLD and the autumn season of shows on Dave (where RD will screen).

Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) told assembled journalists: “It’s very new news to me. I really only fully heard the details yesterday. We’re doing four new shows – two of them are going to be proper new episodes of Red Dwarf. [The third programme] is so exciting I’ve been asked not to say anything because other people will steal the idea. And it is a great idea, quite challenging for us as performers. The [final programme] is a kind of behind-the-scenes… the truth… there’s been so many rumours and gossip about Red Dwarf, so all those things.”

He also let slip Doug Naylor will be writing. Expect blast off some time next year.