Terrahawks
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Terrahawks
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| Episodes: | 38 |
| Year: | 1983-1986 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Seasons: | 3 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 13, (2) 13, (3) 13. |
| Category: | Invasion |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | Anderson Burr Pictures in association with London Weekend Television |
| Creator: | Gerry Anderson and Christopher Burr |
| Run Time (mins): | 25 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | ITV |
| First Aired: | October 8, 1983 |
| Last Aired: | July 26, 1986 |
Summary
Set in a near‑future milieu, the series follows the Terrahawks, an elite defence organisation established in the year 2020 to protect Earth from extra-terrestrial aggression. Their principal adversary is Zelda, the witch‑queen of the planet Guk, depicted as an android with a shrivelled, chestnut‑like visage and a rasping, harridan‑like cackle. Zelda commands a small retinue of grotesque associates, including her bumbling son Yung‑Star and her spiteful sister Cy‑Star.
Leadership of the Terrahawks rests with Dr Tiger Ninestein, one of nine genetically engineered clones derived from the American‑Austrian scientist Gerhard Stein. His team comprises several specialist operatives: Mary Falconer, a daring combat pilot; Kate Kestrel, a pop singer who also serves as a flight officer; Lt. Hiro, a Japanese computer expert; and Lt. Hawkeye, an American athlete equipped with computer‑enhanced vision. Their operations are supported by a corps of silver, spherical robotic units known as Zeroids, commanded by the authoritative Sgt. Major Zero.
Operating from their concealed South American headquarters, Hawknest, the Terrahawks counter each of Zelda’s schemes, confronting her monstrous creations and thwarting her attempts at planetary domination. Reflecting the sensibilities of early‑1980s science‑fiction television, the series integrates a pronounced element of tongue‑in‑cheek humour. Sgt. Major Zero, voiced by Windsor Davies, adopts the flamboyant vocal style associated with his performance in It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum. The programme also includes a playful homage to Thunderbirds through Hudson, a self‑driving, mood‑responsive Rolls‑Royce characterised by its refined, aristocratic manner of speech.
Cast
Zelda / Mary Falconer DENISE BRYER, Sgt. Major Zero WINDSOR DAVIES, Dr. Ninestein / Hiro / Johnson/ It-Star (boy) JEREMY HITCHIN, Kate Kestral/ Cy Star/ It-Star (girl) ANNE RIDLER, Hudson / Space Sargent 101 / Yung-Star / Hawkeye / Stew Dapples/ Dix-Huit / TIM BEN STEVENS, Kate's Singing Voice MOYA GRIFFITHS.
Lists of Lists: Supermarionation
Tags: Invasion, United Kingdom, 1983, English
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