Slashdot reports that science fiction television favorite Red Dwarf will return with a two part episode, titled "Red Dwarf: Back to Earth." The episode will be written and directed by Doug Naylor, half of the original team which created the first six Red Dwarf seasons.
Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, the duo responsible for the creation and (some say best) early years of Red Dwarf, split in the mid-nineties, for reasons unknown. Prior to their split, they were known collectively as Grant Naylor, and wrote several Red Dwarf novels in addition to the shows. Rob Grant left Doug Naylor in charge of Red Dwarf, citing "creative differences."
Doug Naylor did what he could with the series, but many people feel that it simply wasn't the same after Rob Grant left. Grant's departure coincided with an influx of cash for the show, which updated the crew's uniforms and set, and changed the feel of the show for many fans.
In the years since, Naylor has been working on the Red Dwarf movie, whose mysterious "it will be out soon" perpetual in hiatus status has become legendary among fans. The movie has been announced as in "pre production" for several years, with a script floating about, and all of the original cast members sworn to participate. However, the movie has suffered from a chronic lack of funding, and most fans feel that it will never come to light.
The two part episode will be aired along with two special feature episodes, "Red Dwarf: Unplugged" (an episode done entirely with improvisation) and "Red Dwarf: The Making of Back to Earth" (a "making of" mini-documentary).