Fawlty Towers to be revived after 44 years, John Cleese set to write and act in new series

The beloved British comedy series Fawlty Towers is set to be revived after 44 years of being off the air, and John Cleese is on board to write and act in it.

The original Fawlty Towers starred Cleese, now 83, as the constantly troubled hotel attendant Basil Fawlty and premiered in 1975, releasing a second season in 1979. Each season held only six half-hour episodes, but grew to become a cult favourite.

In terms of what we know about the soon-to-be spinoff, US studio Castle Rock is developing it with Cleese and his comedian daughter Camilla Cleese, 39, who will also be writing and acting in the show.

READ MORE: Leo, 48, roasted over 'romance' with teen model

READ MORE: Legendary vocalist behind biggest hits dies aged 85

Acclaimed American director Rob Reiner is also reportedly working on the project – Reiner is best known for his films When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Stand By Me. Reiner will be collaborating with producer Matthew George.

Speaking about the series, Cleese told Deadline the group built an idea for the series over dinner: "When we first met, Matt offered an excellent first idea, and then Matt, my daughter Camilla and I had one of the best creative sessions I can remember.

"By dessert, we had an overall concept so good that, a few days later, it won the approval of Rob and Michele Reiner. Camilla and I look forward enormously to expanding it into a series."

According to US media reports, the reboot will pick up the story in the present day, following Basil and his daughter opening a boutique hotel.

The original series, written by Cleese and his then-wife Connie Booth, saw Cleese as the series star with Booth playing the hotel's over-worked maid Polly.

The series also starred Prunella Scales as Basil's wife Sybil, and Andrew Sachs as the hotel's put-upon Spanish waiter, Manuel.

Sachs died at the age of 86 in 2016.

Booth and Cleese separated in 1978, and Cleese went on to meet and marry American model and actress Barbara Trentham, whom with he shares Camilla.

Cleese is now married to jewellery designer Jennifer Wade.

READ MORE: Mila Kunis calls out Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon