Outcasts

09/22/21 • 98 min

Outcasts followed the trials of humanity's first, and it would seem, last colony on a new planet. A new frontier of hope for a better world, but dogged by human weaknesses of the oldest kind. A major new BBC adult science fiction series for the 21st century. At least that was the pitch.

Kudos were one of the coolest TV companies around, with dramas like Life on Mars and Spooks under their belt. Writer and producer Ben Richards had made his name with the latter and had recently written cult drama Party Animals. The cast was filled with talents like Liam Cunningham, Eric Maibus and Hermione Norris and well-spent budget and South African location meant that this show looked glossy and impressive. However as soon as Outcasts hit the airwaves it received a critical drubbing and indifference from both the mainstream and SF genre audiences. What went wrong? How much went right?

This episode Gareth Preston is joined by three returning voices Dr Rebecca Wray, John Isles and Nicky Smalley to discuss mysterious aliens, petulant teenagers and how much influence Battlestar Galactica had.

Find out more about the forthcoming podcasts Tripodscast by following @tripodscast and Unended by following @unended_podcast

The interview with Ben Richards we reference several time can be read in full at Den of Geek.

Music by Charti Art chatriart.bandcamp.com

Produced by Gareth Preston

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Find out more about the forthcoming podcasts Tripodscast by following @tripodscast and Unended by following @unended_podcast

The interview with Ben Richards we reference several time can be read in full at Den of Geek.

Music by Charti Art chatriart.bandcamp.com

Produced by Gareth Preston

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Previous Episode

Kinvig

Des Kinvig's small world is turned upside when he discovers one of his customers, sexy Miss Griffin is in fact an alien from Mercury, fighting a secret war with the Xux. Is he really the only man who can help her save the Earth? Or is he just a desperate fantasist who's been listening to his UFO-mad friend Jim Piper for too long?

Nigel Kneale, creator of Quatermass, writer of TV classics such The Stone Tape, 1984, and Beasts, took an unexpected turn into situation comedy for 1981's Kinvig. Starring Tony Haygarth, Patsy Rowlands, Prunella Gee and Colin Jeavons. A science fiction parody that mocked many of his fans, it has remained one of the curios of Eighties television. Could it ever have worked? Is funny now and was it even then?

Taking a closer look at with Gareth Preston, in one person's case against their will, are Tim Reid and Charles Auchterlonie, hosts of The Randomiser podcast.

Music by Chatri Art

Produced by Gareth Preston

Follow the podcast on twitter at @FuturesVery and for more information and reviews, visit garethpreston.blog

Next Episode

The Aliens

Season 2 kicks off with E4's seemingly little remembered comedy drama about extra-terrestrial immigrants - The Aliens. UK in the near future and humanity has made its first contact with alien life. Instead of changing the world, the survivors of a crashed spacecraft from the 1970's have become Britain's latest despised underclass. Heavily policed, carrying out menial jobs and being forced to live in a walled ghetto called Troy. Lewis is one of the border guards and shares the common prejudices about the 'morks', until an accident reveals he is something allegedly impossible: a human-alien hybrid. What's more he is in love with an enigmatic webcam performer Lilyhot, who reveals his true alien father Antoine is a major boss in Troy.

Gareth, Rebecca and Dani take a look into all six episodes to consider whether it's a neglected gem. It had an impressive cast including Michael Socha, Michaela Cole, Jim Howick and Michael Smiley. You can find more information about the series and links to further reading at the Very British Futures website.