The BBC is making a documentary about the late writer Terry Pratchett in which his words will be read in character by actor Paul Kaye.


Terry Pratchett: Back In Black is told in Pratchett’s own words, with contributions from authors Neil Gaiman and Val McDermid, and his long-serving assistant Rob Wilkins. Kaye’s impression of Pratchett is said to be “uncanny” according to the BBC.

The programme, which airs on BBC2 later this year, will follow his life from his troubled schooldays, to being dismissed by literary critics, to the remarkable creation of the Discworld series of fantasy novels, which have since sold over 85 million copies worldwide.

It will also chronicle Pratchett’s battle with Alzheimer’s and his death in 2015.

“The documentary film is, by turns, surreal, witty and unexpectedly poignant,” the BBC said in a statement.


“Knighted by the Queen, adored by millions of fans and with a legacy of 41 much loved novels – Terry Pratchett is still having the last laugh.”