In 1987, Jim Henson created an anthology series called The Storyteller, based on his daughter's university level studies in folklore and mythology.

Neil Gaiman (Good Omens) will be carrying on his legacy, reimagining the series, which was a hybrid of live-action and creatures from Henson's Creature Shop, reports Deadline. If there's any concern about someone new stepping in to pick up where Henson left off, it may be reassuring to know Gaiman will be working with Jim Henson Co.

The storyteller himself is described as a mysterious elfin, originally played by John Hurt. According to the series description, it explored themes "such as fear, desire, death and destiny, and challenging notions about good and evil."

This sounds right up Gaiman's alley, with him being the author of Good Omens, a story of demons and angels, which is currently being adapted for TV. 

Gaiman talked about the new project, saying, "Part of what fascinates me about The Storyteller is the stuff that we don’t know. Who was the Storyteller, why was he telling these stories, was he a goblin, what kind of creature?"

He elaborated on his plans to explore these questions, explaining, "What I’d love to do is an inside story that’s as long as the outside story. We’re going to find out a lot about who the storyteller is, we’re going to find out things we don’t even know that we don’t know."

Gaiman gives insight on how the story will kick off, beginning in a Northern kingdom where the stories are forbidden to be told. If one is found out, he faces persecution and possible imprisonment.

Henson's daughter, Lisa, chimed in, talking about working with her late father on the storyteller, saying, "The Storyteller has always been a special project for me, having worked so closely with my dad on the original concept."

She appears to more than trusts Gaiman to take on this project, giving reinforcement to his abilities in a statement: "Neil Gaiman is an expert in traditional folklore and mythology, in addition to himself being the modern ‘storyteller’ for our times."

Lisa went one step further, saying if Gaiman were an actor... he would be the storyteller for the anthology.

Alas, that is not the case, and an actor will be cast for the role.

If you need a reminder, here's a look at the trailer for the original series, which won an Emmy and two BAFTAs for children's programming (it's suitable for adults, too, right?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c-swyKsWnU

Do you have any suggestions as to who should play the storyteller?