Welcome to Very British Futures, the podcast where we explore Britain’s past visions of tomorrow on the small screen — the futures that became part of pop culture, and the ones that somehow slipped through the cracks of television history.

We are launching a brand new season with an episode takes us back to 1977 and a groundbreaking docu-drama made when such programmes were relatively rare - Alternative 3.

Originally aired on ITV on the 20th of June that year and immediately caused confusion, alarm, and a fair bit of late-night debate in pubs and living rooms across the country. Was it a serious investigative documentary? A science fiction thriller in the vein of Quatermass? Or an elaborate hoax that proved more convincing than its makers intended?

Journalists on a science magazine show claimed to reveal a secret plan devised by world governments and scientific elites: a desperate response to a dying planet involving disappearing scientists, a secret space programme, and a supposed off-world escape route for the elite of humanity. It was bleak, conspiratorial, and delivered with astraight-faced authority that blurred the line between factualreporting and speculative fiction.

Nearly fifty years later, the programme still holds a strangeplace in British broadcasting history. It sits somewhere between Cold War paranoia, mischief, and the enduring fascination with hidden truths.

To help us untangle the story behind Alternative 3 — its production, its reception, and the long conspiracy-theoryafterlife it spawned — Gareth Preston is joined by actor, writer,broadcaster, and noted expert on the odd corners of British film and television, Toby Hadoke.

So settle in as we dig into a real one-off of British telefantasy.

Very British Futures is hosted and produced by Gareth Preston, with guest Toby Hadoke. Music by Chatri Art, and James Leatherbarrow. Artwork by Ken Moss. This is a Phantom Frame production.

Find out more about Toby Hadoke and his work -https://tobyhadoke.com/

Order his marvellous book on The Quatermass Experiment -https://tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/the-quatermass-experiment-the-making-of-tv-s-first-sci-fi-classic

Toby Hadoke’s adaptation of Nigel Kneale’s The Road -https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000y1d

IMDB page for Alternative 3https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075664/reference/

Visit our website at http://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

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In this episode, Gareth Preston is joined by Ken Moss and Andrew Roe-Crines to venture into one of the quirkier corners of British science fiction television: Terrahawks.

Zelda, a centuries old android with incredible powers over matter, an army of renegade aliens, and a grievance against all humanity, threatens the Earth. Standing in her way are the Terrahawks, a secret organisation of pilots and scientists and their fleet of advanced vehicles. Not to mention their Zeroids, ball-shaped self-aware robot soldiers.

Created by Gerry Anderson and Christopher Burr and first broadcast by ITV in 1983, Terrahawks arrived at a moment of transition for Anderson’s career. Mixing model work and puppetry with early video effects, broad humour, and moments of genuine darkness, the series has long divided audiences. Was it a deliberate satire of the Supermarionation era, a children’s show struggling with changing tastes, or something odder and more stylish than it’s usually given credit for? As ever, the conversation ranges across production history, aesthetics, tone, and legacy, asking what Terrahawks tells us about British television science fiction in the early 1980s—and why, decades later, it stubbornly refuses to be forgotten.

Hosted and produced by Gareth Preston. Guests Ken Moss (The Extonmoss Experiment) and Andrew Roe-Crines (Westlake Films).

Music by Chatri Art

Listen to The Extonmoss Experiment here

Find out more about Andrew S Roe-Crines' work

Buy the Big Finish Terrahawk stories

Visit Gareth Preston's blog for more info on the podcast

In this episode of Very British Futures, Gareth is joined by writer Stephen Hatcher to explore The Guardians (ITV, 1971), the gripping 13-part dystopian drama that imagined a Britain under authoritarian rule.

Together, they revisit the series’ chilling vision of a one parry state, controlled media, violent political resistance, and a society kept in line by the brutal paramilitary force and secret police known as the Guardians, or ‘the G’s’. Gareth and Stephen examine its themes, production history, and the ways this drama resonates with contemporary anxieties about power and democracy. It stars a remarkable cast of actors, many before they became household names. They also consider a lost style of mainstream television, with long erudite scenes between characters.

Join us as we shine a light on one of British television’s most thoughtful and rarely discussed sci-fi political thrillers.

Very British Futures is a Phantom Frame production, hosted and produced by Gareth Preston. Music by Chatri Art.

You can follow the podcast on X @futuresvery

Find out more about Obverse Books Silver Archive https://obversebooks.co.uk/product-category/silver-archive/

Book now for The Quatermass Event at the Quad in Derby https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/thequatermassevent/The Guardians on IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066666/reference/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2

"All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned!"

This cryptic introduction sets the tone for an eerie blend of science fiction and supernatural mystery. It hints at a cosmic bureaucracy of elemental agents tasked with maintaining the integrity of time and reality — without ever fully explaining how or why.

In this hauntingly nostalgic episode of Very British Futures, Gareth Preston is joined by Steve Exton and Mark Stalker to unravel the enigmatic threads of ITV’s cult classic Sapphire and Steel. Together, they dive into the eerie corridors of time where logic bends, reality fractures, and two elemental agents—played by Joanna Lumley and David McCallum—battle forces beyond comprehension. They even engage in some genuine discussion of the periodic table and its metals.

Expect spirited debate, affectionate critique, and deep dives into the show’s surreal storytelling, minimalist production, and its place in the pantheon of British sci-fi. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this episode will leave you pondering: just what is time… and who’s really keeping it in check?

Very British Futures is hosted and produced by Gareth Preston, with guests Simon Exton of The Extonmoss Experiment and introducing Mark Stalker.

Music by Chatri Art.

Listen to The Extonmoss Experiment on your favourite app or here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-extonmoss-experiment/id1451454324

Buy Big Finish's revival of the series here https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/v/sapphire-steel

At the time of publication you can watch Sapphire and Steel on ITVX in the UK.

Welcome to Very British Futures, the podcast that dives deep into the hidden vaults of British science fiction television, uncovering the bold, the bizarre, and the brilliant. Hosted by Gareth Preston. Today we’re decoding a 80’s cold war thriller with a cerebral twist: the 1981 BBC teen drama Codename: Icarus.

Martin Smith may seem like a typical Northern teenager but he might be the next Einstein. An offer from the mysterious Icarus Foundation for gifted children seems like his golden ticket but soon Martin and his friend Susan suspect that the school is a front for something much more sinister.

Part spy story, part psychological mystery, and part techno-thriller, Codename: Icarus dared to ask what mighthappen if the brightest minds of tomorrow were weaponised today. With its moody visuals, strong cast, and a plot that spirals from boarding school corridors to global conspiracy, it’s a series that still resonates with viewers who like their sci-fi served with a dose of paranoia and intellect.

Joining me to dissect this enigmatic gem are two brilliant minds of our own: Kara Dennison, writer and pop culture analyst with a keen eye for British genre television, and Nicky Smalley, sci-fi enthusiast whose love for vintage drama runs deep. Together, they’ll explore the show’s themes, its place in the BBC’s legacy of ambitious children’s programming, and why Codename: Icarus deserves a place in the best of genre television.

So flex your keyboard skills, adjust your frequency, and prepare to enter a world where genius is dangerous and nothing is quite what it seems. Let’s begin.

Follow us:
X https://x.com/FuturesVery
Threads https://www.threads.com/@preston_gareth
BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/garethpreston.bsky.social

Find out more about Gareth Preston and the podcast atgarethpreston.blog

Read more about Kara Dennison on her blogkaradennison.blogspot.com

Kara at Crunchy Roll TV

Learn more about Codename: Icarus from these excellentarticles:
https://www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2015/10/codename-icarus.html

https://ayearinthecountry.co.uk/codename-icarus-hidden-teatime-cold-war-intrigues-wanderings-23-26/

https://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2010/02/lost_gems_codename_icarus_1981.php

Welcome to a special episode of Very British Futures, where we dive deep into the UK cult classics that shaped sci-fi television history. Today, we're rewinding the clock to explore The Tomorrow People—the original 1970s British TV series that dared to imagine a new evolution of humanity.

With its blend of telepathy, teleportation, and teenage idealism, this show captured imaginations and sparked debates about what it means to be truly human, and what you might do if you "broke out" too.

Joining Gareth Preston for this nostalgic journey are two voices well-versed in retro sci-fi: Tim Reid and Charles Auchterlonie, the dynamic duo behind The Randomiser podcast. Together, they’ll unpack the series’ legacy, its quirky charm, and the bold ideas that made it a standout in the world of children's television. Expect lively discussion, behind-the-scenes trivia, and maybe even a jaunt through hyperspace.

So grab your belts of power and tune your mind to the frequency of tomorrow—because the future starts now.

Please subscribe to the show for more informed British geekiness. Follow us on X at @futuresvery or on Bluesky at @garethpreston.bluesky.com

Contact us at verybritishfuturespodcast@gmail.com

Listen to The Randomiser podcast at Apple Podcasts

Find out more about Very British Futures at garethpreston.blog

Welcome to Very British Futures—the show where cult British TV series get the future-facing conversations they deserve. In this episode, host Gareth Preston is joined by special guests Amy Elizabeth and Una McCormack to dive deep into the world of Blake’s 7, the iconic space opera that launched a thousand philosophical debates and more than a few dodgy costume choices.

Together, they unpack two standout episodes: the intense showdown of “Seek-Locate-Destroy,” which introduces the formidable Servalan and her relentless pursuit of the Liberator crew, and the mind-bending intrigue of “Deathwatch,” where diplomacy and entertainment collide in the strangest of arenas. Expect sharp insights, fond memories, and lively discussion as they revisit the show's bold storytelling and enduring legacy.

So, strap in—it's time to teleport back to the Federation.

Find out more about Una McCormack's work at https://www.unamccormack.com/

Book tickets for "Calendar Girl with Amy, at the Lyric Theatre.

Follow us on X at @futuresvery or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/verybritishfuturespodcast

Visit garethpreston.blog for more info on the podcast, reviews, fiction and more about host Gareth Preston

2016. Northern Ireland’s New Community College of Education is a symbol of integrated living between Protestant and Catholic communities. When founder and Director Cyril Brown returns from three weeks of convalescence, he is disturbed by the increased influence of his Security Chief turned Vice-Director, Lennie North.

History lecturer Connor Mullan wants to turn a proposed art exhibition about the centenary of the 1916 rising into a fully-fledged protest march against the government. North is bitterly against this and Brown finds himself caught in a power struggle of ego and prejudice.

Easter 2016 was written by Graham Reid, who would go on to write Play for Today's famous "Billy" trilogy. It stars Derrick O'Connor, Bill Nighy and Denys Hawthorne.

This is the final play in the Play for Tomorrow mini-season produced by the team behind Play for Today. Featuring special guest Carolyn Arnold.

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

Find out more about Carolyn Arnold's work as a Time Travel Coach

Follow us on X at @futuresvery or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/verybritishfuturespodcast