A For Andromeda
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A For Andromeda
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|---|---|
| Episodes: | 13 |
| Year: | 1961/2006 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Seasons: | 3 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 6, (2) 6, (3) |
| Category: | Aliens on Earth |
| Colour: | No |
| Format: | Serial |
| Company: | A BBC Production |
| Creator: | FRED HOYLE AND JOHN ELLIOT |
| Run Time (mins): | 45 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | |
Summary
The first series centres on the discovery of a set of signals containing the assembly and operating instructions for an extraordinarily advanced computer. Once constructed, the machine enables the research team to create life itself—first a malformed organism, then a rapidly developing human embryo that matures into the striking young woman known as Andromeda.
The sequel, The Andromeda Breakthrough, accelerates the pace dramatically. It expands the political intrigue onto a global stage, intertwines the story with an escalating environmental catastrophe, and ultimately reveals the true purpose of the original message: to guide humanity away from the destructive trajectory it has chosen. John Elliot’s creative influence is even more pronounced in the second series, as he not only scripted it but also produced and directed.
At the centre of both series is Dr. John Fleming, an idealistic and outspoken young scientist. He is the first to decode the extraterrestrial signals—declaring, “It’s a do‑it‑yourself kit, and it isn’t human!”—and the first to grasp the dangers of pushing scientific boundaries too far, too quickly. Fleming is no simplistic archetype; he is a scientist with a conscience, very much in the tradition of Quatermass, ultimately forced to save the world from a chain of events he himself helped set in motion. Many have noted that Fleming’s maverick qualities echo those of Fred Hoyle.
Throughout the story, Fleming finds himself in conflict with nearly everyone around him: both domestic and foreign governments; a shadowy Swiss‑based industrial consortium known as Intel, led by the ruthless Kaufman; and Professor Madeleine Dawnay, an amoral biologist who views the Andromeda project as an unparalleled research opportunity, regardless of the ethical cost.
A for Andromeda (2006)
In the 2006 adaptation, a team of scientists receives a message from deep space instructing them to build a computer. They comply—only to discover too late that the machine is far more sophisticated than they imagined. It proceeds to create a biological construct, Andromeda, using genetic material from one of their deceased colleagues, with catastrophic consequences.
Cast
John Flemming PETER HALLIDAY, Prof. Reinhart ESMOND KNIGHT(eps 1-7) , Prof. Madeleine Dawnay MARY MORRIS, Dr. Geers GEOFFREY LEWIS, Christine (eps 2-4)/ Andromeda (eps 5-7) JULIE CHRISTIE, Dennis Bridger FRANK WINDSOR (eps 1-7), Harvey JOHN MURRAY-SCOTT(eps 1-7) , Dr. Hunter PETER DUCROW(eps 1-7), Andromeda SUSAN HAMPSHIRE (eps 8-13), Judy Adamson PATRICIA KNEALE (1-7) , Maj. Quadring JACK MAY (1-7), Harries JOHN NETTLETON (1-7), J.M. Osborne NOEL JOHNSON , Gen. Vandenberg DONALD STEWART (1-7), Minister of Science ERNEST HARE (1-7), The Prime Minister MAURICE HEDLEY, Minister of Defence DAVID KING (1-7), Kaufman JOHN HOLLIS , Egon PETER HENCHIE (1-7), Prof. Neilson WALTER GOTELL (8-13), Col. Salim BARRY LINEHAN (8-13) , Dr. Abu Zeki DAVID SAIRE (8-13), Abu Zeki's Assistant ASSAD OBEID (8-13), The President ARNOLD YARROW (8-13), Nurse HEATHER EMMANUEL (8-13), Lemka (Abu Zeki's Wife) JEAN ROBINSON (8-13), Lemka's Mother MIKI IVERIA (8-13), Mlle. Gamboule CLAUDE FARELL (8-13), Burdett DAVID KING (8-13), Osborne's PA PHILIP LATHAM.
2006 Cast
General Vandenberg DAVID HAIG, Professor Madeleine Dawnay JANE ASHER, John Fleming TOM HARDY, Christine/Andromeda KELLY REILLY.