Primeval's Revival Welcomes New On-Screen Team

They'll be a new man in charge when Primeval returns next year, ITV has confirmed.

It's all change for dinosaur drama Primeval. When the sci-fi show returns early next year it will not only be broadcast across two channels (ITV and Watch), but will also welcome a brand new on-screen team.

Star Trek actor Alexander Siddig (who you may more recently recognise from 3D movie Clash of the Titans) joins the cast as charismatic scientist Philip Burton. He'll oversee the ARC department's investigations, under the government's instructions, after James Lester's (Ben Miller) abilities to run the operation are questioned.

Series regulars Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee-Potts and Ben Mansfield will also be back, joined by newcomers Ciaran McMenamin (Silent Witness) and Ruth Kearney (Shark City). It's yet to be confirmed whether Jason Flemyng or Laila Rouass' characters Danny and Sarah will also be returning, however. An ITV spokesperson today teased TV.com, saying: "Don't count either of them out yet... expect one or both of them to re-appear during the series." Flemyng is currently working on a host of new movies, while Rouass is to star in the new series of Spooks.

ITV suggests the show's upcoming seasons will continue to feature both romance and mystery. McMenamin's character, a zoologist called Matt, is said to be harbouring dark secrets; Kearney's character, a hard-working agent called Jess, has "an unrequited crush on Captain Becker (Ben Mansfield)". There will, no doubt, be some dinosaur chasing too.

Primeval's fourth season debuts on ITV1 early next year, and the fifth follows soon after on UKTV's pay channel Watch. The decision to air the show on two channels is part of a deal--between ITV, Watch, and producers Impossible Pictures--made to save the show after ITV budget cuts resulted in its initial cancellation.