1 9 6 2 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes
British space scientists are experimenting with breaking through the Van Allen belts – two belts of highly radioactive particles 509,000 miles up in the earth’s atmosphere.
As the series opens, American astronaut Mike Sklorski (Frank Fenter) is returning to Earth, having successfully traversed the belts and performed a single orbit of the planet.
His shuttle returns safely with the astronaut in fine health but it is discovered that the cameras and tape recorders inside the capsule had stopped for nineteen seconds prior to re-entry.
Sir Robert Nailer (William Dexter), the British Head of Space Research, is keen to discover the cause and ascertain any side effects Sklorski may be experiencing.
Less than an hour after the capsule is opened, the astronaut dies – with no apparent medical reason for his death.
Nailer becomes even more concerned when Doctor Weatherfield (Felix Deebank) – the first man to enter the space capsule when it was opened – disappears from his hotel after a terrible nightmare in which he had “absorbed” the mind of the dead astronaut.
Meanwhile, a new giant radio telescope is receiving an unintelligible signal from an unknown source.
With Weatherfield still missing, the astronaut, Sklorski, is seen alive, leading Sir Robert Nailer to believe that Sklorski and Weatherfield have become one body with one personality.
Elsewhere in Britain, other pairs of men are encountering the same phenomenon – one is killed, one goes missing. The number of victims doubles each time while the amount of time between events reduces by half. It appears the earth is under some form of intelligent attack from two alien forces – the Jotus and the Nebula.
This six-part science-fiction series from the BBC was highly innovative at the time and compellingly addictive, keeping viewers guessing to the end whether it was radiation contamination or an alien encounter.
Sir Robert Nailer
William Dexter
Dr Alan Tullis
Ray Roberts
Lady Nailer
June Tobin
Mrs Stone
Joan Frank
Anderson
Frederick Treves
Bruton
Michael Browning
Pam
Laura Graham
Van Heusen
Keith Anderson
General Nant
Paul Bacon
Royston
Ian Clark
Enders
John Collin
Det. Supt. Allison
Fred Ferris
Kemble
Robert Fyfe
Jeff Murray
Raymond Mason
Janet Nailer
Susan Purdie
Mathews
Frank Shelley
Mrs Anderson
Iris Baker
Det. Chief Supt. Stroud
George Street
Radio Announcer
John Graham