The landmark World War II drama Tenko is returning to television. Two Brothers Pictures, the production house behind global hits like Fleabag and The Tourist, has confirmed it is developing a reboot of the series that originally captivated audiences in the early 1980s.
The development was officially verified by Sarah Hammond, Chief Creative Officer of Two Brothers Pictures, in early November 2026. According to reporting from Radio Times, the project has secured Anna Symon as its writer. Symon is known for her work on prestige period pieces such as The Essex Serpent and Mrs. Wilson, signaling a move toward a high-production-value retelling of the harrowing survival story.
The original series, which ran for three seasons and a finale special between 1981 and 1985, followed a group of British, Australian, and Dutch women held in a Japanese internment camp after the fall of Singapore in 1942. The revival arrives as the franchise marks its 45th anniversary, as the original Tenko first premiered in October 1981.
Collaborating with the Original Creator
In an effort to maintain the authenticity of the source material while updating it for modern television, the producers are working in close collaboration with the original series creator, Lavinia Warner. This partnership aims to preserve the grounded, often brutal realism that defined the original show, which was noted for its unflinching depiction of sisterhood and resilience under extreme deprivation.
The announcement follows a period of renewed public reflection on the series’ legacy. In September 2026, Stephanie Cole, one of the original show’s lead actors who portrayed the formidable Dr. Beatrice Mason, passed away at the age of 84. Her performance was a cornerstone of the 1980s production, and her death has brought the cultural impact of the original series back into focus just as the new iteration begins its journey through development.
While the project is in the early stages, industry reports indicate it will be a “modern-day” television version of the wartime drama. This phrasing suggests the production will utilize contemporary filming techniques and narrative structures rather than moving the setting away from the 1942 conflict. The original Tenko was a significant co-production between the BBC and Australia’s ABC, though it has not yet been confirmed if a similar international partnership will be sought for the reboot.
According to AVS Forum, the reboot is expected to delve back into the specific interpersonal dynamics and survival strategies of the internees, a premise that broke ground in the 1980s for its female-led ensemble cast and lack of traditional battlefield heroics. No specific release date or casting decisions have been announced at this time.