Traditionally a classic comedy shown on TV in the New Year Dinner for one (1963) is getting a prequel, tells German magazine Der Spiegel. The six-episode comedy series is currently being filmed in Berlin and Brandenburg.
Based on the British theatrical number Dinner for one tells the story of the elderly Miss Sophie (May Warden) of celebrating a birthday together with this loyal butler James (Freddie Frinton) in company. Since Sophie’s friends are dead, James has to play all four of the guests of honor at the party – and also to chow down on the toasts raised during the courses.
Originally shown on West German television, the program has become an annual New Year’s tradition in Germany and Finland, for example, in Sweden and Denmark.
In the original program, Sophie’s dinner guests, such as the chirping Mr. Pommeroy and the rudely schooling Admiral von Schneider, were not seen. In the series being prepared now, the men who turn out to be Sophie’s suitors are played by German actors.
Dinner for five in the production that goes by the working name Sophie-neidin (Alicia von Rittberg) and James (Kostja Ullmann) to the teenage years. According to Der Spiegel, the plot centers on Sophie’s marriage intentions and a mysterious murder in her castle.
The series is scheduled to appear next year on the Amazon Prime Video streaming service.