Back in 1996 a TV show called Millennium shocked American Audiences with its dark take on crime in our society and where it might be leading us as we neared the Year 2000. Retired FBI profiler, Frank Black, tracked down the darkest and most terrifying killers each and every week. He worked with a mysterious consulting firm call The Millennium Group who weren't content to "Sit back and hope for a happy ending."

The show was created by Chris Carter (The X-Files) and it ran for just 3 seasons on Fox. The show still has quite the following, due in no small part to the fact that it really was ahead of its time. There have been many TV shows since that owe a lot to Millennium, not just for their content but for their look and direction. The show was dark, rainy, and almost devoid of color at times. It explored some of the darkest areas of the human psyche and even thrilled us with the occasional supernatural twist.

Now a small grass roots campaign has been started to bring back Frank Black in some capacity, whether its a new Millennium Movie or TV series, or a new take on the Frank Black character and the themes the show explored. Being a fan of the show from when it first premiered I was excited to learn more. I recently had the chance to speak to Mark Hayden who along with several others is working to get the word out that it’s time to bring the character of Frank Black Back.

HauntedHouse.com: Millennium has been off the air now for 10 years. Why do you want to bring Frank Black and Millennium Back?

Mark Hayden: To be honest with you the campaign has focused its efforts in a return for Frank Black, hence our name. We are not looking for the show's resurrection, but a continuation of its characters in a new form. We don't believe the show Millennium, as it was, necessarily has a place in today's television, but Frank Black and his supporting characters are strong enough to step beyond the confines of the old show and into a new one. Millennium was largely about the fears of the upcoming millennium - and one could argue that a new show set in the turmoil of the 21st Century would be an appropriate thematic evolution. In essence, we believe Frank Black was a unique character that is due a return in some form - as do his creators. BacktoFrankBlack is about giving the fans a voice.


That said, I don't want to do disservice to any facet of the body of work that is "Millennium", its unrivalled cinematography, the richness of the writing and the many stellar performances from a gifted cast, it's truly difficult to single out a particular highlight.

HauntedHouse.com: How much contact, if any, have you had with show creators, cast, staff etc? Mark Hayden: I have to say this has been a most rewarding and unexpected pleasure with regards to the campaign. When we began we were merely a bunch of hardcore devotees, a collection of fans who contributed to the Millennium fan community who responded with gusto to Frank Spotnitz's unintentional call to arms. As we approach our first anniversary we are in the privileged position to be supported by Lance who is actively involved in the campaign and has been since very early on. We have spoken to so many of the cast crew, interviewed them, corresponded with them, invited them on to our podcast and so on that it would be a fairly substantial list to write here save to say Lance, Frank Spotnitz, Klea Scott, Peter Outerbridge, Kristen Cloke, Mark Snow and many other fine souls have supported and contributed to our cause and we are indebted to them for their time and generosity.

We have also been successful in gaining the support of others in the wider industry including movie directors, Brett Hart and Dietrich Johnson and authors such as John Kenneth Muir and M. R. Sellars. I'm slightly worried now that I am missing so many people from the list but each and every one has provided beyond the call of duty and helped us achieve prominent coverage from Fangoria radio, in the pages of Rue Morgue, Black Magazine, SciFi Now and so many other notable media outlets and we couldn't have done it without them.

HauntedHouse.com: I know I’ve heard Chris Carter speak about bringing the show or character back over the years. Has there been any word From Carter whether or not he supports the campaign it and if he’s interested in still bringing the character back?

Mark Hayden: Chris Carter has continually signaled his desire to see Frank Black return and his interest in this shows no signs of diminishing. We know he is aware of us, his personal assistant Gabe Rotter passed information to him on our behalf and Frank Spotnitz also spoke of talking to Chris about the campaign and we remain hopeful we will be able to bring word from him in the near future but we are also respectful of how busy a man he is. As he recently commented, no matter where he goes or what he does a Millennium movie is always mentioned by his fans and followers, Lance echoed a similar sentiment, so we know he is aware of the pervading and growing passion that exists for such a project. As Frank Spotnitz noted, the future of this project is really in the hands of the fans. If we can demonstrate the groundswell of support that exists to 20th Century Fox then the movie the cast want to see, the fans want to see and Chris Carter wants to make can, and will happen.

HauntedHouse.com: What is your “IDEAL” outcome for your campaign?

Mark Hayden: Ultimately a 'Frank Black' movie, we know this is what Lance has wanted for some time although he has expressed interest in an outing on HBO for example. He is eager that any return for the franchise is free from sanitisation and he feels HBO would be a natural home for the vision he has of the character's return. That said, We're not here to dictate such industry based decisions. Be it a film, a TV show, a stand-alone movie, an audio play - we would support any return. Simple as that!

HauntedHouse.com: How can anyone get involved?

Mark Hayden: We suggest foremost that fans write a letter to FOX. We supply a template for any letters at our website. You could sign our internet petitions, one for Frank Black's return, one for the return of a Millennium movie. You could join our Myspace social profiles, or visit our affiliates! Use our stationary, avatars or flyers! Use our handy banner pack to spread the word and add some Frank Black to your message board signatures! Spread the word to other message boards! Be vocal, be polite, but speak up for Frank!

Whilst we are, primarily, a campaign and mindful never to lose sight of our goal we realise we have an unprecedented opportunity to bring Millennium facts and fun to the fans in ways that have not been possible since the time of the show's heyday. We offer a number of exclusives that serve to entertain, inform and more importantly, keep the campaign vibrant and full of fun and facts for our followers including exclusive merchandise, regular interviews, a stunning podcast, competitions and much, more besides.

With new interviews being arranged on a regular basis, the unveiling of fan videos, the sharing of tattoos and every madcap scheme from Millennium themed fun posts, paper dolls, fan profiles, video montages and much, much more we are sure fans will agree we offer the most interactive, oft updated, info filled Millennium experience in existence.

With a dedicated team working on all cylinders to keep the content vibrant we aim to encourage our supporters to stay with us for the long haul. We certainly aren't going anywhere. At least not until we bring Frank Black back!

HauntedHouse.com: Thanks so much Mark for your time and Good luck with the campaign!

If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved please visit www.backtofrankblack.com