Original Blake’s 7 star reveals her biggest hopes and fears for reboot – from female representation to politics

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Just a few days after the announcement of a Blake’s 7 reboot, original cast member Sally Knyvette enthusiastically stated, “It’s about time!”

The actress played Flight Officer Jenna Stannis in the popular science fiction series that ran from 1978 to 1981. The show centered on Roj Blake (played by Gareth Thomas) and his team of rebels fighting against the oppressive Terran Federation.

Although actress Shelley Knyvette left the show after its second season, partly because she wasn’t happy with the direction of her character, the series has remained a significant part of her life for nearly 50 years.

She’s heard rumors of the show being revived several times since it ended, but she’s optimistic that this attempt, led by director Peter Hoar, executive producer Matthew Bouch, and producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, will finally succeed.

But what exactly does the reboot need to do to succeed? Knyvette has a few key requirements…

Keep it political – but “focused”

After the announcement that the show was being revived, some viewers worried it would become overly focused on social issues – even though the series has always included political themes.

Knyvette advises against making the story overly focused on current social issues, saying he strongly agrees it should remain centered on the conflict with the Federation’s villains.

She also notes that looking at governments globally, it often feels like people need to challenge what’s happening. She adds this as a broad observation, without getting into specifics.

We saw ourselves as space-based heroes, fighting for the underdog and protecting those being harmed by powerful, negative forces. We hope to continue that tradition, because anything that brings a little joy to a world facing so many challenges would be wonderful.

The term ‘woke’ feels overly broad and covers a lot of ground. I’m generally fine with how things are changing, actually, but I’d really like to see people develop more strength and emotional toughness, instead of getting upset over minor issues.

Sometimes, as women, we need to be strong and resilient. Getting overly upset about things can actually make us feel less powerful, instead of more. I’d love to see the new version of the show portray female empowerment in a positive and healthy way.

I don’t want this to turn into a platform for every kind of opinion. I’d prefer it stay focused on its original purpose – battling the Federation, the villainous Servalan, and Travis.

Give us better female representation – and even make the Blake figure a woman

Knyvette has been open about her disappointment with the direction her character, Jenna, took in the original show, feeling she went from a strong, independent figure – a ‘space pirate’ – to a more stereotypical and passive ‘dolly bird’. She’s particularly keen to ensure actresses in the upcoming reboot don’t experience the same fate.

Knyvette remembers facing significant sexism in the 1970s, a stark contrast to today’s environment. She says this discrimination was a key factor in her decision to leave her previous position, though the reasons weren’t openly stated at the time.

Things are much better for women now, though there’s still progress to be made. It would be wonderful to see more strong, dynamic female characters on screen, of all ages. However, older actresses, especially those from Hollywood, face a particularly difficult situation. It’s a widespread problem – once you turn 50, you’re often overlooked, despite having a wealth of experience to offer.

When asked about the possibility of reimagining the Blake character as a woman in the reboot, Knyvette enthusiastically agreed, stating that women are equally capable leaders, and might even be better than men.

If you’re cast in a role like mine – an intergalactic space pirate – let the character truly be a pirate, not just someone who looks the part. I enjoy looking good, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I want to actually do the things pirates do – the action, the decision-making, everything.

I used to always defer to Blake whenever trouble appeared – like someone saying, ‘Oh dear, a storm’s brewing, Blake, handle it.’ That became a habit, and it’s ultimately why I decided to leave. I needed to find my own voice, because I felt silenced and unable to express myself.

I believe it’s important for women to be heard, but not at the expense of excluding men. I’d like to see a collaborative environment where everyone can share their perspectives and contribute their talents, working together as equals.

Keep a few key characters around – and honour the original cast

Knyvette feels certain characters were essential to the show’s unique atmosphere, particularly the computers, Zen and ORAC. She fondly remembers them as having wonderful quirks and praises Peter Tuddenham, describing him as a kind and talented operator who brought them to life.

Fans of Blake’s 7 are already wondering who could play the iconic villain Servalan, following Jacqueline Pearce’s fantastic portrayal of the character, as well as Travis, played by Stephen Greif.

Knyvette remembers her as a strong, captivating woman with a commanding presence. She also speaks fondly of the late Stephen, describing him as a wonderful actor and friend whom she greatly admired, and says his recent passing was a shock to everyone. She considers them both to have been an exceptional team.

I’m hoping the new version will feel similar to the original, and that the team working on it will have the same great chemistry we did – it was a really special group. We faced a lot of challenges, but we always used humor to get through it, because the work was demanding and the conditions were tough back then.

Knyvette hopes fans will request that the reboot acknowledge the original actors, saying, “I think they will.”

Stay true to the original tone and keep it character-driven

One of the main things that made the original Blake’s 7 so popular was its distinctive atmosphere, and it’s crucial that the new version captures that same feel, according to Knyvette.

Knyvette hopes the show continues to emphasize strong values: staying true to your beliefs, taking responsibility for your actions, and facing consequences instead of avoiding them. She also wants to preserve the show’s lightheartedness, noting that the witty and funny dialogue is crucial to balance out any serious or intense moments.

She explained that the show had well-developed, realistic characters. She hopes future seasons will continue to focus on character development, but with a stronger, more deliberate purpose.

Thinking about the potential of a fresh start, she shared her hope for something truly new and captivating. She believes now is the perfect moment, pointing out that we live in a complicated world led by remarkable individuals.

“Let’s see this as a vehicle for our fighting back, to get some form of balance in the world.”

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-01-28 20:37