After what seems like the longest time (well, 30 years to be precise) all of a sudden Lovejoy is back in the news, and it’s getting the press (and us fans) pretty excited…

First was the story last month of priceless plaques stolen from Emperor Napoleon’s tomb which were recovered after an antique dealer recognised the crest from an episode of Lovejoy he had seen (most likely “The Napoleonic Commode” in Series 4). While one of these plaques is still missing, the story behind it is classic Lovejoy and reminds us of the long shadow the show continues to cast on nostalgia-obsessed Britain. 

Now the excitement levels are raised further with the announcement in top TV news source Hollywood Deadline that Lovejoy is set to return! 

It seems there was a bidding war to “option” Lovejoy (when a 12- or 24- month right is granted to a production team to get a show together) which has been won by See-Saw films. This is the company behind the widely successful Slow Horses show, which won the approval of author Jonathan Gash (real name Dr John Grant) as shared by his agent. 

Now this isn’t the first time a reboot for our favourite antiques rogue has been planned – there were a number of attempts by Sky and others since the early 2000’s, but they always came back to the question of the hook, who would star and the supporting cast.  

The brief this time is to reimagine the books for a modern audience, and playing Lovejoy as the anti-hero may be the perfect challenge for the team who masterminded Gary Oldman’s triumphant rebirth as grumpy old man. 

So who should be the star this time? Ian McShane gives us perhaps the best steer – he has repeatedly gone on the record saying he’d love to see a reboot, that having his (fictional) daughter as the lead would be a great structure and he’d be happy to do a cameo or two, “even if I have to appear on a walker”. 

This endorsement carries some weight; this is not the opinion of a hired star, mere ‘talent’ for the original series. McShane worked hard for the return of the series nearly 5 years after the first run, later produced the show and directed some of the classic episodes, most notably Eric of Arabia. 

Since the end of the original series, notwithstanding a glittering film and TV career on the other side of the Atlantic it’s obvious McShane still has affection for Lovejoy, recording interview content for the DVD reissues and patiently fielding repeated questions on daytime TV:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1112986657520309 

We’ve discussed this at length here in the Lounge since the news broke, and agree a female Lovejoy Jr could be perfect for a reboot which has staying power. His daughter was intro’d in a couple of original episodes as a teenager but not too much given away, and with McShane as doting Dad you have OG endorsement. While East Anglia will never look the same as it did back in 1987 the needs and fears which drive Lovejoy, his/her friends, lovers and rivals are real as ever. Watch this space for more news…