Primeval is a British science-fiction drama television programme produced for ITV by Impossible Pictures. Created by Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines, who previously created the Walking with... documentary series, Primeval follows a team of scientists tasked with investigating the appearance of temporal anomalies across the United Kingdom through which prehistoric and futuristic creatures enter the present, as well as trying to stop the end of the world.
First broadcast in the UK on 10 February 2007, it has since expanded to an international audience. Overall reception of the programme was positive during the first and second series, maintaining a 25% audience share in the United Kingdom during both series. It also received a generally positive reaction from American critics prior to its broadcast on BBC America from 9 August 2008. The third series was broadcast from 28 March 2009 in the UK and 16 May 2009 in the US.
Series four and five were produced in collaboration between ITV, BBC Worldwide, Watch, Impossible Pictures and the German broadcaster ProSieben.[2] Five webisodes were released from 22 December 2010[3] in the run-up to the fourth series, which began airing on New Year's Day 2011 in both the UK and US.[4] The fifth series aired on Watch in May 2011 and was repeated on ITV from 16 June 2012.[5][6] BBC Worldwide handles worldwide distribution through conventional and digital channels.[7]
A Canadian-British co-production spin-off, titled Primeval: New World, was announced on 15 September 2011, to premiere on 29 October 2012 on Space.[8] On 21 February 2013 it was announced that Primeval: New World had been cancelled after a single season; low ratings led Space and Bell Media to decide against renewing the show for a second season.[9]
