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#REDIRECT ]
{{About|the science fiction TV series|other uses|Primeval (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}} {{uncategorized|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Primeval
| image = Primeval Titles Series 4.JPG
| image_alt = Primeval title over an anomaly
| image_size = 250
| caption = Series 4 & 5 title card
| genre = Science fiction, drama
| creator = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* Ruth Kearney
* ]
}}
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* Angus Moncrieff
* Evan Jolly
* ]
}}
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| company = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* Impossible Pictures
* ]
* ]
}}
| num_series = 5
| num_episodes = 36<!--as of 28 June 2011-->
| list_episodes = List of Primeval episodes
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* Paul Frift
* Tim Bradley <small>Series 3–5</small>
}}
| runtime = 45 minutes
| network = ] (2007–2011)<br />] (2011)
| first_aired = {{Start date|2007|2|10|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2011|6|28|df=y}}<!--This reference confirms the finality of the latest episode.--><ref name="DS-ITVFinal">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/s48/primeval/news/a394700/primeval-sinks-to-17-million-for-final-ever-itv-episode.html|title='Primeval' sinks to 1.7 million for final ever ITV episode|last=Millar|first=Paul|date=23 July 2012|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref>
| followed_by = '']''
| website = http://www.itv.com/primeval
| production_website = http://www.primeval.tv
}}
'''''Primeval''''' is a British science fiction drama television programme produced for ] by ]. Created by ] and ], who previously created the '']'' documentary series, ''Primeval'' follows a team of scientists tasked with investigating the appearance of ] across Great Britain through which ] enter the present, as well as trying to stop the ].

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 to date. Before it was broadcast on 9 August 2008 on ], the programme received generally positive reaction from American critics as well. The third series, which ITV announced on 30 January 2008, began on 28 March 2009. In the US, series 3 premiered on 16 May 2009 on BBC America.

On 29 September 2009, it was announced that a deal had been struck between ITV, ], ], Impossible Pictures and the German broadcaster ] to produce two new series of the show for transmission in 2011.<ref>http://www.itv.com/drama/cult/primeval/newseriesfor2011/default.html{{dead link|date=February 2011}}</ref>

Five webisodes<ref> DigitalSpy.com.au, 15 December 2010</ref> were announced prior to the fourth series of seven episodes, which started airing on New Year's Day 2011 on ], ], and ] in the UK and on ] in the US.<ref name="series4premiere">, TV By the Numbers, 2 December 2010.</ref> The fifth series of six episodes aired on ] in May 2011 and was repeated on ] from 16 June 2012.<ref>. Retrieved 10 June 2012</ref><ref> Cultfix. 4 June 2012</ref> Tim Haines has stated that one day, the story will be continued, they only need commitment from a major broadcaster.<ref>.</ref> A British-Canadian co-production spin-off, titled '']'', was announced on 15 September 2011, to premiere on 29 October 2012 on Space.<ref>: "New Original Series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD Hatches Monday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. ET on SPACE".</ref> On 21 February 2013, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' reported that ''Primeval: New World'' had been cancelled after a single season. Low ratings for the series caused Space and Bell Media to decide against renewing the show for a second season.<ref name="cancel">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadas-space-channel-cancels-primeval-423025 |title=Canada's Space Channel Cancels 'Primeval: New World' |work=] |first=Etan |last=Vlessing |date=21 February 2013 |accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref>

==Premise==
===Series 1 (2007)===
] followed the efforts of ] (]) and his associates, a friend and colleague ] (]), a student ] (]) and a ] ] (]) as they investigate the appearance of ] (called "earthquakes in time") that allow the passage to other times and places, allowing often-dangerous creatures from the distant past or future to threaten the lives of citizens. The ] ], under the supervision of ] (]) and ] (]), becomes involved after a '']'' travels through one such anomaly and wreaks havoc in the ]. Professor Cutter's wife, ] (]), presumed dead for eight years, was revealed to have been travelling in time through the anomalies. Cutter was unable to convince her to help as she had changed much from the woman he had once known, and he began to fall in love with Claudia. Meanwhile, Abby began to take care of a '']'' she named Rex after he was left behind in the present, and was attracted to Stephen, who didn't completely reciprocate her feelings, despite Connor's attempts to get with her. The final episode of the first series sees the team deal with the consequences of an anomaly to the future opening in the ], allowing ] from the future to access the past, and then follow Helen Cutter to the present. After the team secure the offspring of the ''Future Predator'', killing an adult in the process, Cutter and Helen lead a group of soldiers into the Permian to secure the future anomaly and the ]. However, an attack by a second adult ''Future Predator'' left Cutter and Helen as the only survivors. This disaster was predicted by Cutter seconds before it happened, as he realised that the camp he and the now dead Captain Ryan discovered on their first visit was in fact the remains of this expedition. Upon returning Cutter discovered Stephen had once had an affair with Helen before she had disappeared, and then learned that Claudia Brown no longer exists as the time-line had changed very slightly after their trip, and only he and Helen were aware of it.

===Series 2 (2008)===
The full circumstances behind the disappearance of Claudia Brown are never explained, with Cutter only knowing that it was the result of the visit to the Permian changing something in the present. In Claudia's place an assertive and quite different ] agent named ] joined the team in the Anomaly Research Centre or ARC, a building in the new time-line that deals with researching the anomalies. Having fallen for Claudia, a distraught Cutter was forced to start again with her look alike while Connor gained a girlfriend, ] (]), a woman with a hidden agenda whom Abby despised, but the two were drawn closer by an encounter with '']'' (seal-like animals from the future). As Stephen and Cutter tried to repair their friendship, Helen also returned and began rekindling her friendship with Stephen, and eventually their affair. Taking Claudia's previous position was a man named ] (]), who secretly worked with Helen to use the anomalies to gain political power by gathering some of the creatures the team had encountered, and also controlling the future predators, using an unwitting Caroline to steal Rex for him. The team were also faced with an unusual man (Tim Faraday) whom they first encountered as a cleaner and who worked against the team before he was killed in the ] by a '']''. The final conflict of the season resulted in the deaths of Stephen, who died to save the lives of the rest of the team, and Leek, who was torn apart when he lost control of his creatures.

===Series 3 (2009)===
] found Cutter continuing to investigate anomalies and attempted to find ways of predicting them with the help of Stephen's replacement on the team, ] (]). Meanwhile, Lester had to deal with an old rival ] (]), an unscrupulous government official who hoped to obtain the power of the anomalies and the Future Predators for military uses. With the assistance of ] (]), a professor employed at the ], Cutter begins to piece together a map of all anomalies, based on folklore, and begins using them to make predictions about where anomalies will occur next. Helen tries to invade the ARC with a group of clones of the mysterious cleaner, with the intention of killing Cutter to stop his research causing the downfall of life on Earth. Cutter takes an artefact from Helen, and is shot and killed by her in the process, with his "prediction map" being completely destroyed. Connor obtains the artefact and discovers that it was in fact a map similar to the one devised by Cutter to predict anomalies. However, they are not able to get it to work, but they do manage to create a device to lock anomalies and prevent creatures coming through. ] (]), a former police detective who became involved after discovering his brother had been killed by a creature from the future, becomes the team leader following Cutter's death, while Jenny departs after having nearly died, and realising that Cutter's talk of Claudia Brown was in fact all true after seeing his photo of her. Connor and Abby's relationship grows, despite her brother ] moving into her flat and going through an anomaly to the future. Helen returns near the season's end, with a device that opens anomalies at will, revealing that she will go back to eradicate the human race by killing the first ], in a second attempt to stop the future the team had seen coming to pass. She kills Christine and travels back to the future, followed by Danny, Connor and Abby. While Abby and an injured Connor are forced to remain in the late ] Danny catches up with Helen in the prehistoric past and Helen is killed by a ] that had followed Danny into the Pliocene. The anomaly closes on him, leaving him trapped in the ] and Abby and Connor trapped in the Cretaceous.

===Series 4 (2011)===
] was preceded by five webisodes that partially bridge the year that has passed.<ref>, Blastr.com, 29 December 2010</ref> New team members are introduced, and intrigues are set up, with Sarah having been killed in one of several attempted rescue missions led by Captain Becker. The ARC has been updated and restructured with a new team leader ] (]), a man with a hidden agenda with the ARC and the anomalies, ] (Ruth Kearney), a coordinator for the field team and ] (]) an entrepreneur funding the ARC in a public/private partnership with the government.

Connor and Abby returned from the Cretaceous after finding Helen's dropped anomaly device, which was later eaten by a '']'' that followed them. They were forced to earn their old jobs back by ending the reign of a '']'' living in the docks, following a new policy established during their disappearance where only people with a military background could work in the field. Later a group of time travellers arrived, including the mysterious ] (Jonathon Byrne), and ] (]), who is from the Victorian era. Matt took pity on Emily and kept her in his flat so they could find Ethan together, only for her to be kidnapped by him first, tied up, gagged and placed in a coffin, before being rescued. Meanwhile, Abby and Connor's new relationship, formed during their time in the Cretaceous, became strained under their jobs, particularly when Philip threatened to put Rex down and Abby going against him without Connor's support, and Connor agreeing to work for Philip on his own research team. The finale found Danny returning from the Pliocene, and it was revealed that Ethan was in fact his brother Patrick, who had been changed by his experiences through the anomalies. Patrick escaped into the Pliocene with Danny pursuing him, but not before telling Matt that Philip had known Helen. Matt admitted to a departing Emily that he was from the future, sent back to prevent someone interfering with the anomalies and causing the Earth to become uninhabitable along with his father, ] (]), who had just died. Meanwhile, Connor had done research into anomaly patterns and told Philip that he has discovered the anomalies will grow more frequent until they cause a catastrophe. Philip agreed to help find a solution, but asked that they keep the looming disaster to themselves for the time being.

===Series 5 (2011)===
] took place almost immediately after, with Philip recruiting Connor to help in his secret project called New Dawn, which would take energy from the anomalies and use it to solve the world's ]. Matt, now aware Philip was responsible for the end of the world, asked for Abby's help after she figured out he was from the future due to his knowledge of ] during an incursion. As they attempted to find out what Connor was researching with his assistant ] (Janice Byrne), the team continued to deal with the anomalies. When Matt ended up in 1868 while trying to recapture a raptor, he encountered Emily and convinced her to return after finding out she would be committed to an asylum by her husband. Soon Connor created the first man-made anomaly in the ARC, however it caused a swarm of ] to invade the ARC, during which Matt and Abby revealed they were investigating Philip. In the aftermath of the crisis Connor went through Philip's files and discovered he had actually known Helen and had created a larger version of Connor's anomaly machine. Later several anomalies began opening at once as part of ], a natural phenomenon that would change the Earth's magnetic pole from the north to the South, and a''' '''] rampage made the anomalies public. Philip abandoned Connor to activate New Dawn's anomaly as it required absorbing the energy from open anomalies, and Connor and Abby repaired their fractured relationship. Matt failed to stop Philip as he activated New Dawn and Connor, attempting sabotage, fell through the large anomaly and ended up in the desolate future Matt had lived in. While being rescued, the ARC was invaded by mutated versions of Future Predators, resulting in Lester becoming injured. Philip's anomaly became unstable, and Philip realised Helen had tricked him into wiping out humanity and tried to set things right by imploding the facility with him inside. Connor came up with a plan to use his anomaly to make the larger one unstable, and Matt drove it into the New Dawn anomaly with the intention of fulfiling his mission while sacrificing his own life. The plan worked and Matt somehow managed to survive, with the future changing once again. Abby, having whispered it earlier to Connor during the rescue, proposed to Connor and they became engaged. While the team is alerted to a new anomaly and prepare to head out, Matt encounters another version of himself, warning him to return home.

==Cast==
{{Main|List of Primeval characters}}
], Ruth Kearney, ], ] and ]]]
* ] as Nick Cutter (series 1–3) Team Leader
* ] as Stephen Hart (series 1–2)
* ] as Connor Temple (series 1–5)
* ] as Claudia Brown/Jenny Lewis (series 1–3, guest in series 4)
* ] as Abby Maitland (series 1–5)
* ] as Helen Cutter (series 1–3)
* ] as James Lester (series 1–5)
* ] as Sarah Page (series 3)
* ] as Danny Quinn (series 3, guest in series 4) Team Leader
* ] as Captain Hilary Becker (series 3–5)
* ] as Matt Anderson (series 4–5) Team Leader
* Ruth Kearney as Jess Parker (series 4–5)
* ] as Philip Burton (series 4–5)

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Primeval episodes}}
{{:List of Primeval episodes}}
<!-- To edit the table in this section you need to edit the "Series overview" table in List of Primeval episodes -->

==Production==

===Filming===
The series was filmed at ], Black Park, Buckinghamshire, ], ] and CEME (the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence near ])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceme.co.uk/|title=Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence – Main Website|publisher=CEME|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="ITV.com: Primeval">{{cite web|url=http://itv.com/primeval|title=Primeval|publisher=ITV.com|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref> ], ], the ], ], ], ] beach<ref>{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref> the Alexandra Road estate, Camden and the ].

The Duke of Kent building at the ], Guildford is used as the back-drop for the team's HQ, the ARC (Anomaly Research Centre).

Filming of the second series completed on 1 October 2007, and was broadcast in early<ref name="ITV.com: Primeval"/> 2008.<ref name="2nd series">. ].</ref> ] and ], portrayed by Naomi Bentley and ] respectively, were two new characters for the second series, both of whom conspired with ].<ref name="2nd series"/>

In an effort to cut costs and use generous Irish Tax incentives for television production, filming for series 4 and 5 moved to Ireland, starting on 22 March 2010, at locations around Dublin and Wicklow. Locations Manager Dermot Cleary confirmed the first block was to be filmed in ], The O2, Dublin port, Grand Canal Dock and Park West Business Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282953&tpl=archnewshome&only=1&force=1 |title=‘Primeval’ Begins Production in Ireland &#124; The Irish Film & Television Network |publisher=Iftn.ie |date= |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="cinemablend1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Primeval-Filming-Begins-On-Seasons-4-And-5-23718.html|title=Primeval Filming Begins on Seasons 4 And 5|publisher=Cinemablend.com|date=31 March 2010|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref>

===Advertising===
''Primeval'' billboards and banners were erected around London shortly before the airdate. Series 1 had several posters, most of which had exaggerated creatures from the show (the '']'' was depicted as being roughly human-sized in the show but was shown as being as large as a house in the billboards). Series 2 and 3 have also had prominent advertising campaigns.

===Cancellation and revival===
In May 2009, '']'' had reported that Primeval was to be axed owing to ITV's recent admission of a £2.7 billion loss (though not solely as a result of Primeval's budget). ITV strongly denied this claim, with a spokesperson stating "It's not true, it's not going to be axed, it just hasn't been recommissioned and it is not unusual to wait for a series to run before considering recommission".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/news/primeval-axe-claims-denied-by-itv-14398/|title=Primeval axe claims denied by ITV|publisher=TV.com|accessdate=5 December 2011}}</ref> However, by June 2009, ITV confirmed the show was axed.<ref name="digitalspy-20090615" /> On 15 June 2009, ITV announced that they had cancelled the show and that there would not be a fourth series.<ref name="digitalspy-20090615">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a160001/itv-cancels-primeval.html|title=ITV cancels 'Primeval'?|publisher=Digitalspy.co.uk|date=15 June 2009|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref> At the same time, it was suggested that the production team would attempt to keep "Primeval alive in other ways".<ref> – BBC</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jun/15/primeval-itv-cancelled|work=The Guardian|location=London|title=Primeval dropped by ITV|first=Mark|last=Sweney|date=15 June 2009|accessdate=22 May 2010}}</ref> An ITV spokesman is quoted as saying: <blockquote>
"After three very successful series of Primeval there are no plans at the present time for it to return to ITV. High-quality drama remains a key part of the ITV schedule although our current focus is on post-watershed productions."
</blockquote>

A likely contributing factor to the show's cancellation was ITV's suffering severe financial troubles during 2009, reporting a £105 million half-year loss. As a result, some of its other popular shows including '']'' were axed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a169668/itv-posts-gbp105m-half-year-loss-for-2009.html|title=Digital TV – News – ITV posts £105m half-year loss for 2009|publisher=Digital Spy|date=6 August 2009|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref> On 29 September 2009, it was announced that two new series of the show would be produced for transmission in 2011, retaining most of the Series 3 cast;<ref>{{cite web|last=McMahon|first=Kate|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/primeval-resurrected-on-itv1-with-uktv-deal/5006180.article|title=Primeval resurrected on ITV1 with UKTV deal – Broadcast|publisher=Broadcastnow.co.uk|date=29 September 2009|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref> Laila Rouass<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/cult/s48/primeval/news/a219453/laila-rouass-explains-primeval-exit.html|title=Laila Rouass explains Primeval exit|publisher=DigitalSpy|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=12 May 2010}}</ref> stated that she will not be returning. The new deal meant the seven-part series four aired on ITV in early 2011, before being repeated on UKTV's Watch channel, while the six-part series five will get its debut on Watch before showing on ITV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=the_return_of_primeval |title=SFX’s Comic-Con Highlights |publisher=SFX |date=19 July 2010 |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref> Filming for series 4 and 5 of Primeval started on 22 March 2010 and finished in November 2010,<ref name="cinemablend1"/> with January 2011 set as the new series 4 airdate. Filming for series 4 was confirmed to have finished on 25 June, with filming for series 5 starting immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s48/primeval/news/a233178/primeval-series-four-filming-finishes.html|title=Cult – News – 'Primeval' series four filming finishes|publisher=Digital Spy|date=25 June 2010|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref>

On 7 April 2010, three new regular characters were announced for series four and five. These were scientist Philip Burton, to be played by ], Matt, the new field leader, to be played by ] and Jess, played by Ruth Kearney, who will run operations from the ARC Control Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/04/07/star-trek-ds9-star-joins-primeval-cast/|title=Star Trek DS9 Star Joins Primeval Cast|publisher=Sfx.co.uk|date=7 April 2010|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref>

===Spin-offs===
Plans for a feature film version of Primeval were announced in May 2009 by ] with ], having acquired the screen rights, with ] and Kerry Foster named as the producers.<ref>{{cite web|last=French|first=Dan|title='Primeval' movie confirmed|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a156009/primeval-movie-confirmed.html|publisher=]|date=15 May 2009|accessdate=17 May 2009}}</ref>

On 15 September 2011, '']'', a Canadian spin-off of the ''Primeval'' series, was announced as being in development for the Canadian television channel ]. It is a co-production between Omni Film productions, Impossible Pictures, and ]. Production began in ], British Columbia, in the winter of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bellmediapr.ca/space/releases/release.asp?id=14201&yyyy=2011 |title=SPACE Orders New Original One-Hour Drama Series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD |publisher=] |date=15 September 2011 |accessdate=15 September 2011}}</ref> The show was cancelled after running for one season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadas-space-channel-cancels-primeval-423025 |title=Canada's Space Channel Cancels 'Primeval: New World' |work=] |first=Etan |last=Vlessing |date=21 February 2013 |accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref>

==Merchandise==

===Toys and action figures===
The master toy licence for ''Primeval'' was given to ], the same company that created the '']'' toy line. Jon Diver, joint MD at Character Group, stated that the series one toy line will be "extensive" and was scheduled for release in October 2007, followed by a series two toy line released in January 2008 to correspond with the second series. The toy line includes all of the main characters and a few of the creatures.<ref>{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref> A large plush toy version of Rex was also put into production. It is unknown if the toys will be shipped over to America. The Primeval Toy line includes:

* Main Characters (Nick Cutter, Helen Cutter, Stephen Hart, Connor Temple, Abby Maitland, James Lester, Claudia Brown, Jenny Lewis, Captain Tom Ryan)
* Creatures (Rex, Giant Arachnids, Hesperornis, Dodo & Parasite, Anurognathus, Future Predator, Raptor, Sabre-Toothed Cat, Mer-Creature, Giant Scorpion)
* Sets (Anomaly Incursion Set, Creature Incursion Set, Anomaly Detector Build-A-Figure)
* Plush Rex with sound
* Flying Rex & Anurognathus
* Handheld Anomaly Detector with lights & sound

===Books===
{{Main|List of Primeval books and novelisations}}
] have published two sticker books (one of which is a glow in the dark sticker book) a poster book, a tattoo activity title, a wipe-clean activity book, and a summer annual for children from five to eight years old.<ref name=s2dougie>{{cite web|url=http://www.douglashenshall.com/Primeval_News.html|title=Primeval and Primeval 2 ITV series: News page and development|publisher=Douglashenshall.com|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref>

] have published four ''Primeval'' paperback books named ''A Rip in Time'', ''Dangerous Dimension'', ''The Lost Predator'', and ''Fight for Survival'', based on the episodes in Series 1.<ref name=s2dougie/>

Four original novels have also been published by ], to behave more like extra episodes than novelisations. The first is ''Shadow of the Jaguar'' by ], which revealed that anomalies appear overseas. The second novel, written by acclaimed fantasy writer ], is entitled ''The Lost Island''. The third, ''Extinction Event'' is by ] who has also written "]" and "]" books. The fourth and thus far final novel, entitled ''Fire and Water'', is by ] and features Danny Quinn as lead character.<ref name=titanbooks>{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref>

===DVD releases===
Series 1 was released on a two disc DVD by ] on 19 March 2007 in ]; a specially created "Making of Primeval" documentary was included in the volume. Series 2 was released on 17 March 2008, also containing two discs and a new documentary. In North America, series 1 and 2 were combined into a Region 1 four disc box set titled "''Primeval'': Volume One", which was released on 4 November 2008. Series 1 and 2 were not released individually in North America. Series 3 was released on a three disc set in Region 2 on 1 June 2009, with the finale included before it was aired on television due to its broadcast being postponed by a week; like the previous sets it contained a new documentary. It was released in Region 1 on 15 September 2009 under the name "''Primeval'': Volume Two". Series 4 was released on 21 February 2011 on DVD in Region 2 and on Blu-ray in Region B.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00462QY4Y|title=Primeval – Series 4 ] on DVD and Blu-ray in Regions 2 and 4 on 4 July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2entertainvideo.co.uk/2evideo/product.php?dbID=587|title=2entertain – Primeval Series 5|work=2entertainvideo.co.uk|accessdate=8 June 2011|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110810193510/http://2entertainvideo.co.uk/2evideo/product.php?dbID=587|archivedate=10 August 2011}}</ref> Series 4 and 5 were released on Blu-ray and DVD in Region 1 on 10 January 2012.

===Music===
{{Infobox album <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = PRIMEVAL<br />(Original Television Soundtrack)
| Type = soundtrack
| Artist = Dominik Sherrer
| Cover = Primeval soundtrack.jpg
| Released = {{Start date|2011|9|20|df=y}}
| Recorded = 2007–2009 at ], Hear No Evil Studios, Crimson Noise Studios
| Genre =
| Length = {{Duration|m=75|s=45}}
| Label = ]
| Producer = Mikael Carlsson, Dominik Scherrer
}}
Music for the first three seasons was composed by Dominik Scherrer. He spent ten days composing tracks and an additional three days to record and mix them for each episode.<ref name="OST">{{cite AV media notes |title=Primeval: Original Television Soundtrack |others=Dominik Scherrer |year=2011 |publisher=] |type=CD |id=MMS-11016 |location=United Kingdom}}</ref> He opted to create music that was a hybrid between ] and traditional orchestra, noting that the urban nature of the setting and the attitudes of the characters were an influence. Scherrer said that the CGI nature of the show was a creative challenge, as the themes he scored for the creatures were often based on incomplete images. He noted "sometimes a drawing of the creature, or just a description from the director may help me get a feel for the creature. The final look and texture can be very influential on the music".<ref name="OST" />

On 25 August 2011, ] announced that the ''Primeval'' soundtrack, containing songs from the first three seasons, would be released on 20 September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moviescoremedia.com/primeval.html|title=Dominik Scherrer: PRIMEVAL Original Television Soundtrack|publisher=MovieScore Media|accessdate=9 October 2011}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| all_music = Dominik Scherrer except "Dracorex", composed by Dominik Scherrer and Angus Moncrieff
| title1 = Primeval Theme
| length1 = 3:21
| title2 = Rex
| length2 = 2:12
| title3 = Cretaceous Sea
| length3 = 1:50
| title4 = Silurian Scorpions
| length4 = 2:06
| title5 = Into the Late Permian
| length5 = 2:01
| title6 = Columbian Mammoth
| length6 = 2:32
| title7 = The Mystery of the Anomalies
| length7 = 1:30
| title8 = Chasing a Silurian Millipede
| length8 = 1:51
| title9 = Coming Home
| length9 = 2:00
| title10 = Connor and Abby at the Hospital
| length10 = 1:38
| title11 = Gorgonopsid vs Future Predator
| length11 = 3:17
| title12 = Stay with Me
| length12 = 2:34
| title13 = Pteranodon
| length13 = 4:03
| title14 = Tom Dies
| length14 = 3:29
| title15 = Infected
| length15 = 2:51
| title16 = Smilodon Attack
| length16 = 2:09
| title17 = Raptors at the Shopping Mall
| length17 = 3:40
| title18 = Firechief
| length18 = 1:32
| title19 = Taylor
| length19 = 2:01
| title20 = Carnivorous Worms
| length20 = 4:36
| title21 = Val Revealed
| length21 = 3:27
| title22 = Back to the Cretaceous
| length22 = 4:10
| title23 = Sabretooth Battle
| length23 = 3:21
| title24 = Jenny Lewis
| length24 = 2:19
| title25 = Contaminated
| length25 = 3:23
| title26 = Dracorex
| length26 = 2:16
| title27 = Helen, Where are You?
| length27 = 1:19
| title28 = The Merqueen
| length28 = 3:38
| title29 = Primeval Titles
| length29 = 0:39
}}

==Viewing statistics==
The first episode gained a final viewing figure of 7.09&nbsp;million people. The series averaged 6.39&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>Average calculated from for week ending 11 February 2007 and all subsequent weeks until 18 March 2007.</ref> When shown in Germany it gained a total audience of 2.78&nbsp;million viewers. These figures do not take into account the viewing figures for repeats of the programme.<ref name="barb.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30/?Requesttimeout=500&report=weeklyterrestrial|title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes|publisher=Barb.co.uk|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=1 January 2011}}</ref> After all seven episodes, series two averaged 6.29 million viewers making a very slight drop of 100,000 from the series 1 average.

Although episode 3.3 received low viewer ratings in the UK, the second half of the show was aired during the opposing BBC transmission of a special edition of ].<ref>{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref> Series 3 was also broadcast much later in the year than previous seasons so warmer weather could be a factor to explain a small decrease in viewership but little change in the percentage of audience share. Nevertheless, Primeval remains in the Top 30 most viewed programmes for ITV per week, beating many of the Top 30 for other stations as well.<ref name="barb.co.uk"/>

===Series 1===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Episode
! Overnight rating (share)<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/tvratings| work=The Guardian| location=London| title=TV ratings (Media)| date=25 October 2007| accessdate=22 May 2010}}</ref>
! Final rating<ref name="BARB"></ref>
|-
| ]
| 6.7 million (29%)
| 7.09 million
|-
| 1.2
| 6.0 million (28%)
| 6.29 million
|-
| 1.3
| 5.8 million (25%)
| 6.17 million
|-
|1.4
| 5.6 million (24%)
| 5.81 million
|-
| 1.5
| 6.2 million (28%)
| 6.46 million
|-
| ]
| 6.1 million (27%)
| 6.52 million
|-
| Average:
| colspan="2" | <center>6.39 million</center>
|}

===Series 2===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Episode
! Overnight rating (share)<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
! Final rating<ref name="BARB"/>
|-
| 2.1
| 5.8 million (26%)
| 6.32 million
|-
| 2.2
| 5.6 million (25%)
| 6.05 million
|-
| 2.3
| 5.7 million (26%)
| 6.27 million
|-
| 2.4
| 5.7 million (24%)
| 6.39 million
|-
| 2.5
| 5.8 million (26%)
| 6.33 million
|-
| 2.6
| 6.0 million (27%)
| 6.45 million
|-
| 2.7
| 5.6 million (26%)
| 6.20 million
|-
| Average:
| colspan="2" | <center>6.28 million</center>
|}

===Series 3===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Episode
! Overnight rating (share)<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
! Final rating<ref name="BARB"/>
|-
| ]
| 5.3 million (24%)
| 5.89 million
|-
| 3.2
| 4.4 million (23%)
| 4.94 million
|-
|3.3
| 2.7 million (14%)
| 3.28 million
|-
| 3.4
| 4.5 million (23%)
| 4.97 million
|-
| 3.5
| 4.9 million (26%)
| 5.20 million
|-
| 3.6
| 4.7 million (25%)
| 5.27 million
|-
| 3.7
| 4.9 million (25%)
| 5.34 million
|-
| 3.8
| 4.6 million (22%)
| 5.13 million
|-
| 3.9
| 4.6 million (25%)
| 5.06 million
|-
| ]
| 3.9 million (20%)
| 5.01 million
|-
| Average:
| colspan="2" | <center>4.99 million</center>
|}

===Series 4===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Episode
! Overnight rating (share)<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
! colspan="3" | Final rating<ref name=BARBS4>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4|title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes|publisher=]|accessdate=8 February 2011}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" | Total viewers
|-
! ] (including ])
! ]
! ]
! ITV1 +1
|-
| 4.1
| 4.45 million (17%)
| 4.94 million
| 0.39 million
| TBA
| 5.33 million
|-
| 4.2
| 3.30 million (13%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a295682/famous-and-fearless-launches-with-2m.html |title='Famous And Fearless' launches with 2m – TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=3 January 2011 |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref>
| 3.88 million
| 0.39 million
| TBA
| 4.27 million
|-
| 4.3
| 3.74 million (16%)
| 4.17 million
| 0.32 million
| TBA
| 4.49 million
|-
| 4.4
| 3.85 million (16%)
| 4.15 million
| 0.42 million
| 0.19 million
| 4.76 million
|-
| 4.5
| 3.93 million (17%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a299643/comedy-awards-draw-25m-for-c4.html |title='Comedy Awards' draw 2.5m for C4 – TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=23 January 2011 |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref>
| 4.21 million
| 0.43 million
| 0.13 million
| 4.77 million
|-
| 4.6
| 3.39 million (15%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s18/casualty/news/a301025/casualty-stays-above-6m-viewers.html |title='Casualty' stays above 6m viewers – Casualty News – TV |publisher=Digital Spy |date=30 January 2011 |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref>
| 3.83 million
| 0.45 million
| 0.15 million
| 4.43 million
|-
| 4.7
| 3.60 million (15%)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a302317/match-of-the-day-soars-to-season-high.html |title='Match Of The Day' soars to season high – TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=6 February 2011 |accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref>
| 4.09 million
| 0.36 million
| 0.17 million
| 4.62 million
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center" | Average:
| 4.67 million
|}

===Series 5===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Episode
! colspan="2" | ]<ref name=BARBS6>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=]|accessdate=14 June 2011}}</ref>
! colspan="2" | ]<ref name="BARBS6" />
! rowspan="2" | Total viewers
! colspan="3" | Overnight rating (share)
! rowspan="2" | Final rating
|-
! Viewers
! Rank
! Viewers
! Rank
! ]
! ]
! ITV1 +1
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.1
| style="text-align:center" | 618,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 76,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 694,000
| style="text-align:center" | 2.55 million (14.1%)
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 394,000 (2.0%)
| style="text-align:center" | 2.97 million
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.2
| style="text-align:center" | 523,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 65,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 588,000
| style="text-align:center" | 1.77 million (10.9%)
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 400,000 (2.2%)
| style="text-align:center" | 2.17 million
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.3
| style="text-align:center" | 525,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 67,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 592,000
| style="text-align:center" | 1.85 million (11.6%)
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 345,000 (1.9%)
| style="text-align:center" | 2.20 million
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.4
| style="text-align:center" | 438,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 109,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 547,000
| style="text-align:center" | 1.59 million (9.7%)
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 275,000 (1.5%)
| style="text-align:center" | 1.87 million
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.5
| style="text-align:center" | 477,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 71,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 548,000
| style="text-align:center" | 1.79 million (12%)
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 184,000 (1.1%)
| style="text-align:center" | 1.97 million
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 5.6
| style="text-align:center" | 496,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 77,000
| style="text-align:center" | No. 1
| style="text-align:center" | 573,000
| style="text-align:center" | 1.38 million (10.2%)<ref name="DS-ITVFinal" />
| style="text-align:center" | TBA
| style="text-align:center" | 327,000 (2.1%)
| style="text-align:center" | 1.71 million
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center" | Average:
| style="text-align:center" | 590,000
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | Average:
| style="text-align:center" | 2.14 million
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Work !! Result !!class="unsortable" |Ref.
|-
| 2008
| ]
| Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program <small>(for Mathieu Vig, Antoine Birot, Simon Thistlethwaite and Kevin O'Sullivan)</small>
| ''Primeval''
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldserv.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/6th-annual|title=6th Annual VES Awards|accessdate=28 September 2014|work=Visual Effects Society}}</ref>
|}

==Reception==
TV critic ] reviewed ''Primeval'' in the final episode of his ] show '']'', and gave it a rave review saying that it was "far better than '']'' for instance" commenting "I hope you're listening, ]". "Unashamedly Saturday night populist viewing for the masses" with "some of the best special effects ever seen... in a British TV show" he went on.<ref> {{Dead link|date=August 2008}}</ref>

First broadcast on ] on 9 August 2008, ''Primeval'' met with generally favourable reviews among American critics, earning 73 out of 100 on the aggregate review site ].<ref name="Primeval"> on ]. Retrieved 8 October 2008.</ref> Calling the show both child-friendly and entertaining for adults, Maureen Ryan of the ] noted the unusual date of the American première, stating that "most networks...have shied away from launching shows during August, when the ] are expected to dominate the TV landscape."<ref>Ryan, Maureen (August 2008). . ]. Retrieved 8 October 2008.</ref> Rob Owen of the ] praised ''Primeval'''s special effects and sense of humour.<ref>Owen, Robert (August 2008). . ]. Retrieved 8 October 2008.</ref> Mary McNamara of the ] criticised the music and emotional direction of the narrative, saying of protagonist Nick Cutter "I know your wife has been missing for years, but ye gods, man, that's a bloody ''dinosaur''."<ref>McNamara, Mary (August 2008). . ]. Retrieved 8 October 2008.</ref>

Comparisons have been made between ''Primeval'' and the popular BBC series '']'', which is famous for its use of ]. The producers of ''Primeval'' have consistently resisted comparison of the series with ''Doctor Who'', calling ''Primeval'' more "reality-based." Actor ] instead compared the series to '']'', calling ''Primeval'' an ensemble piece featuring characters with different backgrounds who must work together.<ref>Szymanski, Mike (August 2008). . ]. Retrieved 8 November 2008.</ref> ''Torchwood'' creator and former ''Doctor Who'' head writer ] commented on the show in 2007, criticising ''Primeval'''s lack of ethnic casting as "shameful," but then adding "apart from that, I think it's excellent".<ref>(March 2007). . ]. Retrieved 8 November 2008.</ref> Sarah Page, played by the Moroccan-Indian actress ], joined the show temporarily as a member of the main team for Series 3.

== International broadcast ==
{{Cleanup|section|reason=Simply listing international channels is discouraged by the ]. Editors are encouraged to instead detail English-speaking countries that the series appears through prose form.|date=June 2013}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Country / region
! scope="col" | Network
! scope="col" | Premiere date
! scope="col" | source(s)
|-
| scope="row" | Australia
| ]
| {{start date|2007|4|28|df=y}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=First Review: Primeval|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/04/first-review-primeval.html|accessdate=3 January 2011}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | Canada
| ]
| {{start date|2007|4|4|df=y}}
| <ref name="SPACEget">{{cite web|author=Misslace|title=Primeval premieres on SPACE this April|work=SPACECAST / SpaceBlog|publisher=]|date=16 March 2007|url=http://www.spacecast.com/spaceblog_3633.aspx|accessdate=4 March 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070831163527/http://www.spacecast.com/spaceblog_3633.aspx|archivedate=31 August 2007}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | New Zealand
| ]
| {{start date|2007|7|11|df=y}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=BBC Drama and Factual Titles Head to TVNZ|publisher=Scoop.co.nz|date=10 January 2007|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0701/S00047.htm|accessdate=10 January 2007}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United Kingdom
| ]
| {{start date|2007|2|10|df=y}}
| <ref>{{cite web|author=ITV|title=ITV – Cult – Primeval|publisher=]|year=2007|url=http://www.itv.com/primeval}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| {{start date|2011|5|24|df=y}}
|<ref name="2011return">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s48/primeval/news/a311694/primeval-return-date-confirmed-by-watch.html|title='Primeval' return date confirmed by Watch|work=digitalspy.co.uk|accessdate=29 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | United States
| ]
| {{start date|2008|8|9|df=y}}
| <ref>{{cite web|author=DigitalSpy|title=Primeval bought by BBC America|publisher=DigitalSPy|year=2008|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a90283/primeval-bought-by-bbc-america.html}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| {{start date|2009|4|10|df=y}} (])
| <ref></ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wiktionary|primeval}}
{{wikiquotepar}}
* at ]

* {{itv.com|id=primeval|title=''Primeval''}}
* {{stv.tv|id=primeval|title=''Primeval''}}
* {{amg title|467585}}
* {{IMDb title|0808096}}
* {{tv.com show|primeval}}

{{Primeval|state=expanded}}
{{Impossible Pictures}}

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