A for Andromeda

A For Andromeda

1961 - United Kingdom

Now recognised as a classic science fiction series, A for Andromeda was developed for television by writer and BBC producer John Elliot from an original storyline by Cambridge astronomer and novelist Fred Hoyle. 

In 1970 a radio telescope in the Yorkshire Dales picked up a series of signals from the remote constellation of Andromeda. These signals were then decoded by brilliant young scientist John Fleming (Peter Halliday), and in spite of opposition from his over-ambitious colleague, Dennis Bridger (Frank Windsor), Fleming revealed that the signals were instructions for the construction of a super computer, which was duly built under Government supervision on a remote Scottish island. The computer's 'message' revealed the inhuman arrogance of its creators, who believed that by informing others of what they had been through and showing them a path forward (which required a certain amount of tyranny) they would save all the races who received the message from destroying themselves. 

A for Andromeda
Esmond Knight and Patricia Kneale in 'A for Andromeda'

To get its message across, the computer created an embryo based on a female lab assistant that it had electrocuted. The embryo rapidly developed into a replica of the girl and was given the name Andromeda. The machine then became dangerous when Fleming tried to interfere with it, which it would not tolerate. However, under the admiring and human influence of Fleming the girl eventually rejected her mechanical master and the world was made safe once more. Until, that is, the second series, The Andromeda Breakthrough, in which Fleming and Andromeda were kidnapped by the evil Kaufman (John Hollis), who worked for a Swiss business cartel called Intel, whose aim it was to build another computer. 

The series was notable for being the BBC's first attempt at adult science fiction since the highly successful Quatermass serials, and for the introduction of Julie Christie (as Andromeda), who was discovered at a drama school by producer Michael Hayes. In the second series Susan Hampshire played the girl. Although all of The Andromeda Breakthrough exists in the BBC archives, only about 11 minutes of A For Andromeda has survived, although it is generally believed that one episode is held in private hands. The BBC made a new version which was broadcast on Monday 13 November 2006.

Published on November 14th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Faces of Jim

Jimmy Edwards series of one-off sitcoms that introduced a minor supporting character actor who would go on to become 'the guv'nor' of British comedy...Ronnie Barker.

Also released in 1961

The Pallisers

Lavish BBC costume drama based on Anthony Trollope's novels.

Also starring Susan Hampshire

The Lost Room

A detective investigates an impossible murder scene in a mysterious motel room, which acts as a portal to any door on Earth - when his daughter is abducted, his life begins to quickly fall apart.

Also tagged Science Fiction

Comedy Playhouse

Series of unrelated one-off comedies used to showcase the talents of both writers old and new to television -as well as established and up-and-coming sitcom stars, Comedy Playhouse produced some of the best loved sitcoms on British television.

Also released in 1961

Dune mini-series 2000

Set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society, on a planet with an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, which is the only source of a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities.

Also tagged Science Fiction

Jack the Ripper

Two fictional detectives go off in search of clues to one of the world's greatest unsolved cases.

Also starring Frank Windsor

Battlestar Galactica

A band of humans who, fleeing the destruction of their twelve homeworlds by the implacable cybernetic alien race the Cylons, strike out in their rag-tag fleet protected by the last surviving Battlestar, the Galactica, in search of their mythical lost colony.

Also tagged Science Fiction

Class

Set in and around Coal Hill Academy, Class, a Doctor Who spin-off, was aimed at a young adult audience. It was a series where diversity, compassion and young people's voices mattered.

Also tagged Science Fiction

Second Verdict

Two fictional policemen scrutinise six real life historical murder cases and present evidence for and against the verdicts

Also starring Frank Windsor