The Omega Factor

The Omega Factor

1979 - United Kingdom

Long before The X-Files hit our screens British television explored the unkown with a pair of investigators who worked at a centre for psychic research, seeking out seemingly paranormal activity in an attempt to get a better understanding of the ultimate potential of the human mind: The Omega Factor. 

Journalist Tom Crane (James Hazeldine) learns he has psychic powers that have been dormant since he was a child. After his wife dies in a car crash, seemingly engineered by an occultist called Edward Drexel (Cyril Luckham), Tom learns that he has unwittingly been used as a test subject by a secret government unit called Department 7. Their remit is to investigate paranormal phenomena as well as how the mind is effected by hypnosis, brainwashing, extra-sensory perception, telekinesis, and spiritual possession. Crane joins the Department whose members include physicist Dr. Anne Reynolds (Louise Jameson) and psychiatrist Dr Roy Martindale (John Carlisle). His own psychic gift leads Crane to think he may have stumbled on a conspiracy by a mysterious organisation called Omega to take over the world using mind control. 

The series very quickly came under attack by the National Viewers and Listeners Association, its Honourary General Secretary Mrs Mary Whitehouse citing one particular episode as "one of the most disturbing programmes I have ever seen on television." Produced by BBC Scotland, the series was shot on location in Edinburgh almost entirely on videotape. 

Although the final episode resolved several of the subplots it also ended ambiguously suggesting a second season was planned. However, although critically well received the ratings were particularly poor and series creator Jack Gerson had already moved on to his next project, The Assassination Run. There is nothing to suggest that the series would have carried on beyond the 10 episodes.

Published on January 15th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Moonbase 3

In the year 2003 humans have established a number of bases on the moon.

Also tagged Scifi

Out of This World

British TV's first attempt at a science fiction anthology series.

Also tagged Scifi

A Warning to the Curious

A ghostly tale in which a treasure hunter visits the English coast in search of a lost, fabled crown that supposedly helps protect Great Britain against invasion, but uncovers something much more sinister

Also tagged Suspense

Farscape

Astronaut John Crichton is on a test flight of his module, Farscape 1, when a spatial wormhole opens directly in his path.

Also tagged Scifi

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

In 1987, NASA astronaut Captain William "Buck" Rogers is piloting the space shuttle Ranger 3 when he flies into an unexpected space phenomenon and is frozen for 504 years

Also released in 1979

The Ravelled Thread

Set in Portsmouth in 1864, John Lucarotti’s 'The Ravelled Thread', is a story of secrets and lies and a plot that could drag England into the American Civil War.

Also released in 1979

Heroes TV series

Popular cult sci-fi about a number of individuals with superhuman abilities

Also tagged Scifi

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense

Aired in the USA as Fox Mystery Theatre this anthology series, produced in the UK by Hammer Productions, focuses mystery, suspense, and psychological twists

Also tagged Suspense

Shoestring

Radio host is also a private investigator. Not so much a private eye - but a 'private ear.'

Also released in 1979