If there’s anything that comes with being a fan of all things related to Chris Carter, is the everlasting hope of amazing things to happen.

We hoped, and hoped, and hoped… to get a second movie… and it happened. So to continue on equally worthy quests, why not give a push to bring one of the icons of the 1013 realm back to life?

A few weeks ago, we sat down with the guys from Back to Frank Black, a group that is completely dedicated to bring back to the screens the leader of the very well known and praised show Millenium.


As you all remember, the show is also a creation of Chris Carter, well known as a cult show and with an important community of fans, and now with the frenzy of IWTB and all the positive forces out there, what better moment than this one to hope for another chapter in the Millenium book?

James Mclean and Kimon, as we know them, describe this campaign as a different and unusual one, “…as it's not really about fans demanding the return of a TV series, or even the main character, but looking to support the interest of Mr Carter, Mr Spotnitz and Frank Black himself, Lance Henriksen - all of which have cited their interest in returning to Frank Black and Millennium in the past year.” In their own words, is this a campaign to support a campaign?

They explain that this movement surfaced recently, and when the guys approached Frank Spotnitz about it he wouldn’t be any more forthcoming but yet realistic: "It’s something we would definitely be interested in, but it’s going to take a massive appeal by fans to get it up." James adds: “we are looking to bring the fans together and create a platform of support based on the actors and producers eagerness to bring it back.”

“We have named our campaign "Back To Frank Black" to underline the significance of this character;” Kimmon comments. “He was the soul of Millenium, you could say he was both Mulder and Scully for this show.

While they admit that Chris Carter has not approached them to ask directly for their efforts, they are like every thankful fan that ever got a dream, independently offering support to try to get some reward to their efforts.

Their love for the show and motivation of these 2 fans comes from various sources. Kimon explains that “Millennium, despite its shorter run compared to the X-Files, had an effect on me as powerful as XF - it presented themes that were somehow undercurrent in X-Files but that Carter decided he needed a different show to deal with them.”

James adds that he always loved the X-Files and through that, he moved towards Millennium, “I was also intrigued by the risk of having an older actor in the lead and seeing where that went, but really Carter had impressed me enough.”

While they recognize that the show also took off because of the high quality standard that Carter imposed on The X-Files, they also point out that the main character is the reason they kept watching, “Frank is a fascinating and refreshing hero. Cold yet warm. Focused yet broken. A family man too - so rare in TV.”

But back to the campaign. According to James, it emerged from the community of TIWWA (This Is Who We Are) “The webmaster has kindly helped us get a footing in the campaign, with the use of his forum and even some web space,” but all the organizative aspects of the initiative are run by James and co-founder Mark Hayden.

“TIWWA emerged as the main fan site and forum through the coordinated efforts of numerous key players in the MLM fandom. It is currently the biggest fansite around for Millenium,” states Kimon.

Their actions are pretty clear; “We have a letter template, addresses and petitions all located on the website with feelers into Bebo, Myspace and Facebook. We're constantly reaching out to blogs, websites, podcasts and publications to get the word out there. The campaign has its dedicated website, but it was launched from discussions from within the TIWWA forums, and these forums are still the place from which the campaign is coordinated to other platforms and indeed many members of TIWWA regulars and newcomers joined the campaign. And they try to reach as far as it goes. The site is being translated into Finnish, Russian and Spanish with French, Italian and Greek to come.

Encouragement comes from various sources. Mclean tells us that “Horror Writer John Muir has pledged his support; we've had Zone Horror, UK's channel airing Millennium currently, run an article on us. Fangoria have run an article - and the news desk at IMDB have us listed. We've just had confirmation that Australian magazine BLACK will be running a feature too. We've just had our first promo ran on an X-Files podcast a few weeks ago and we've been in contact with Mr. Henriksen and several of the cast and crew of Millennium. So we are extending our presence from the virtual realm into the printed realm as well.

“All of those involved in Millennium we've had the opportunity to speak to have been very supportive.” James assures. “Mr Henriksen himself is a lovely man indeed and in the past year has been a keen advocate of Millennium's return.”

“We are trying to reach several cast and crew members to gather their feedback on whether they are keen on revisiting the Frank Black character -- the likes of actors Kristen Cloke and Sarah-Jane Redmond, cinematographer Robert MacLachlan.” Kimmon clarifies for us while James adds. “We're not really asking for any specific format - I've always been a believer that such choices would be up to Mr. Carter who ultimately knows better than we do as to how his creation would work best, both narratively and practically. Personally, I've always thought Millennium would be brilliant as an audio play, but again, I leave this to the master Mr. Carter. We're here to get the interest of the fans, the media and the industry.”

When asked about their intakes into what would be the natural evolution of the show if it were ever to be picked up by any means possible, James thinks that “…given Millennium was a series about pre-millennial angst, I think any format that has Frank faced with the shocking post-millennial angst we've all suffered this century has potential for nearly any media... Personally, I would think the most commercially sensible move would be to take Frank and his supporting characters on into a new realm away from the specifics of the old show into a new story.”

“I wouldn't like to push the comparisons between X-Files and Millennium fandom too far,” continues Kimon, “…but we should keep in mind that X-Files was a cultural phenomenon, and with numbers there ought to form different factions, whereas Millennium, despite its qualities, conserved more of a cult following. We are not necessarily looking for a closure to the questions raised by the mythology of the show, but really a revival of its characters and themes.”

“We're looking forward, rather than looking back.” James states. “But we're hoping that X-Files fans will offer their support as brothers - children of Chris Carter's amazing productions. I'm very keen that that the two fandoms unite - and I don't think anyone will deny like with all fans, there is a tendency for territorial nature of fans to get in the way of unity. I would love to see this campaign bring the two fandoms closer than ever.”

“There are many reasons for X-Files fans to support Millennium, if they don't already. Fan kinship is one. The practical upshot that success to another Carter franchise gives Chris Carter more industry viability is another. The fact that Chris and Frank Spotnitz want to do more - as does Lance Henriksen - is another good reason to support the campaign - it's something Chris wants. So really we want to try and impress on X-File fans why they should take interest in Millennium - if they haven't already.”

“Chris Carter has been in love with the character of Frank Black enough to be happy to hear him mentioned in interviews 10 years after the show has been off the air -- there is interest both behind the cameras and among a growing fanbase to see Frank back, so why not spread the word and hopefully The Powers That Be will hear us out!”

What's the next step for the Black guys?

“Next is more promotion, more shouting, in a polite candor, and well, more promotion.” The guys have set up Blogs, web sites and magazines to approach, supported by the initiatives of some of the fans that are currently helping out while giving a go at building credibility where fan credibility is often overlooked.

“We have fans to convince its worth speaking up, because many are wary of the odds, we have media to convince that we're credible, sensible and interesting enough to speak out about and of course, the industry to show we represent a genuine interest and a genuine commercial viability.” James.

Calling attention to the studios strike them as very important as well, “There are sympathetic ears in Fox - which we note as a key target for letters, and we NEED letters! Online petitions are a great way to show support, but nothing screams "I want something!" than a stamp and envelope. If you are willing to go so far as post a letter, it shows you are very likely to follow through and watch a show… so letters are vital.” James states while Kimon adds, “More than online petitions, the focus of our campaign has been to send letters - actual physical letters - and, as a reference to the series' mythology, Polaroid photos.”

“A motif is always good, It gives the campaign identity and allows the fans to have some fun!” James concludes.

A few parting words: “Bring Back Frank Black!” Kimon says, “It’s not called a motto for nothing! I just want to know if it gives any "answers" to the mythology.” James on the other hand finishes by saying, “In the end, even if nothing happens, we know we've done our best - that to me is important.”

You can also check out their blog, to keep up with the newest news, and just as this article was being finished up, the guys informed us of their brand new interview with Lance Henriksen. Check it out!