Connect with us


TV

Survivors (BBC-1 2008-2010, Julie Graham, Paterson Joseph)

Published

on


In post apocalyptic drama series Survivors a massive virus wipes out 99% of the worlds population and in Britain a band of survivors struggle to come to terms with their new world, one without the usual comforts of our 21st Century technology filled environment. Jenny Collins is a schoolteacher, whilst Abby Grant is a suburban housewife desperate to discover if her young son Peter is still alive (he is away on an adventure holiday at the time the virus breaks out), Greg Preston meanwhile is a former systems analyst whose marriage is in meltdown.

Taking as its starting point the original source novel by Terry Nation, this new reimagining of one the best TV shows of all time, Survivors, brings it right smack up to date. Purists will be upset by the wholesale changes made to characters and situations but the heart of the story remains the same, the breakdown of society and the attempts to rebuild it. The first few episodes also stay pretty closely to both the original series and the novel.

The original SURVIVORS was often viewed as being filled with middle class characters but here things are somewhat the other way, the original Abby was the wife of a successful executive here she is married to a self employed builder. Greg was an engineer and here is a systems analyst, the original Tom Price was a rascally Welshman who was too fond of the booze, here he is a charismatic con man who breaks out of jail once the virus hits. Meanwhile the character of Jenny Richards was a mainstay of the original series but is here killed off in the first episode (quite a clever conceit really as they brought in the high profile Freema Agyeman to play her! Jenny’s role would be taken by new character Anya a doctor who is drawn towards Tom Price.) There are lots of completely new characters too (as is only right) but there is a bit of the classic modern BBC angle of got to have a character to suit every type which isn’t quite believable. Paterson Joseph as Greg Preston

Definitely well worth watching and despite the original concept being well over thirty years old it shows that it still as relevant (more so in fact) today. Season two kicked off just moments after the end of the cliff hanging first season finale, with Abby a captive of the sinister folk at The Lab (truth be told there is too much reliance on the goings on at the lab which tends to turn the episodes into a more generic, formula runaround instead of concentrating on the business of rebuilding society and people’s lives).

Advertisement

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×90 minute episode 11×60 minute episodes / 2008-2010
Season One Broadcast Sunday 23 November – Tuesday 23 December 2008 / Season Two Broadcast 12 January – 23 February 2010

Writer and Executive Producer: Adrian Hodges / Novel and original tv series: Terry Nation / Music: Edmund Butt / Executive Producers: Susan Hogg, Adrian Hodges / Producer: Hugh Warren / Directors: John Alexander, Andrew Gunn, Iain B MacDonald, Jamie Payne, David Evans, Farren Blackburn

cast
JULIE GRAHAM as Abby Grant
PATERSON JOSEPH as Greg Preston
FREEMA AGYEMAN as Jenny Collins (episode one only)
MAX BEESLEY as Tom Price
NIKKI AMUKA-BIRD as Samantha Willis
ZOE TAPPER as Anya
SHAUN DINGWALL as David Grant
CHAHAK PATEL as Najid
PHILIP RHYS as Al Sadiq
DANIEL RYAN as Bob
ROBYN ADDISON as Sarah Boyer
CHAHAK PATEL as Najid Hanif
ROBYN ADDISON as Sarah Boyer
NICHOLAS GLEAVES as James Whitaker
PATRICK MALAHIDE as Michael Landrey

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

Bold and Bougie Bold and Bougie
News55 mins ago

Bold & Bougie, March 28, 2024, WE tv, “LGB-Trippin”

Bold & Bougie’s seventh episode of its inaugural season, titled “LGB-Trippin,” airs on WE tv at 9:00 PM on Thursday,...

Hudson and Rex Hudson and Rex
News56 mins ago

Hudson & Rex, March 28, 2024, UPtv, “Rexit, Stage Left”

Hudson & Rex presents the Season 5 Episode 14 episode, “Rexit, Stage Left,” airing on UPtv at 8:00 PM on...

Son of a Critch Son of a Critch
News1 hour ago

Son of a Critch, March 28, 2024, The CW, “Cabaret”

Son of a Critch, a comedy series on The CW, presents its eleventh episode of the third season, titled “Cabaret,”...

True Crime Scene True Crime Scene
News1 hour ago

Interrogation Files Double Bill, March 28, 2024, The CW

A&E’s lineup for Thursday, March 28, 2024, offers a thrilling double feature of Interrogation Files back-to-back episodes. The first episode,...

Jersey Shore Family Vacation Jersey Shore Family Vacation
News1 hour ago

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, March 28, 2024, MTV, “Rhinestone Cowboy”

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation is back with another brand new installment. The episode “Rhinestone Cowboy,” airing on MTV on March...

True Crime Time True Crime Time
News1 hour ago

True Crime Story, March 28, 2024, Sundance, “Smugshot: Fishing for the Truth”

An intriguing episode of Sundance’s True Crime Story series, scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024, examines a gripping tale of...

Son of a Critch Son of a Critch
News1 hour ago

Son of a Critch, March 28, 2024, The CW, “Airing Out”

Son of a Critch, the Canadian comedy series on The CW, airs its third season’s eleventh episode, titled “Airing Out,”...

Netflix Netflix
News1 hour ago

Chris Chibnall to adapt Agatha Christie’s “The Seven Dials Mystery” for Netflix

Netflix has announced a new series adaptation of Agatha Christie’s ‘The Seven Dials Mystery’. The project is penned by ‘Broadchurch‘...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News21 hours ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News21 hours ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News21 hours ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News21 hours ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News21 hours ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News21 hours ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News21 hours ago

Edinburgh to Queensferry, Great British Railway Journeys, March 28, BBC Two,

BBC Two is set to air a brand new episode of Great British Railway Journeys on Thursday, March 28, 2024...

BBC Two Logo BBC Two Logo
News21 hours ago

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures, 28 March 2024, BBC Two

On Thursday, 28 March at 9:00 PM., Bruce Lee fans will have the opportunity to take a look at his...

Popular