Arguably one of the most debated and puzzling television programmes of all time, The Prisoner first appeared on screen in October 1967 with Patrick McGoohan playing the unnamed Prisoner. The start of most episodes showed him resigning from his job before being gassed and subsequently waking up in a mysterious Village — a picturesque dumping ground for people who may just know too much for comfort.

Re-named Number 6, he found himself facing constant questions as to the reason for his sudden resignation — usually from Number 2, the person in charge of goings-on in the Village. It should be said that Number 2 was merely a designation, as the actor playing the part was changed for most episodes.

As to who Number 1 was, well that was one of the great mysteries of the programme.

Other notable aspects of the show included the Village itself (actually Portmeirion in North Wales), the sinister, white Rover that acted as a guard and the fact that it's just so damn different from anything else!

The final episode saw the Number 6 finally obtaining his freedom from the Village in an anarchic hour of television. The closing scene saw him entering his own home, and as the door closed behind him it was to the same sound as the doors in the Village, leaving viewers to wonder if he really was free.

After several years of rumours, ITV formally announced in June 2008 that they would be filming a brand-new six-part series for transmission in 2009. American actor Jim Caviezel has been cast in the role of Number 6, while Sir Ian McKellen will play the part of Number 2.

A DVD box set containing restored versions of all seventeen episodes from the original series was released on in the UK in 2008, with a Blu-Ray release also rumoured to be forthcoming.