The 90s has a not-entirely unearned reputation as a bit of a dead zone for television sci-fi outside of the USA – especially in the UK. However, the truth is that the 90s was actually something of a golden age. It’s just that in Britain, this golden age happened exclusively between 3:25 pm, when everyone got off school, and 5:30 pm, when everyone watched Neighbours. These homegrown and Australian shows ran the entire gamut of what science fiction could do, from hilarity to terror.
The budgets were low, the special effects had a short shelf life and most of them are now almost impossible to find outside of the memories of some nostalgic Millennials, but they introduced an entire generation to the sci-fi genre, as well as to some banging theme tunes.
Mike and Angelo (1989 -2000)
Mike and Angelo, a show whose title caused a generation to wonder why it...
The budgets were low, the special effects had a short shelf life and most of them are now almost impossible to find outside of the memories of some nostalgic Millennials, but they introduced an entire generation to the sci-fi genre, as well as to some banging theme tunes.
Mike and Angelo (1989 -2000)
Mike and Angelo, a show whose title caused a generation to wonder why it...
- 3/15/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Tony Robinson’s much loved 1990s Cbbc sitcom Maid Marian And Her Merry Men is heading to the stage this year, here are the details.
Though Tony Robinson is best known as dim-witted servant Baldrick alongside Rowan Atkinson across several iterations of Blackadder, to a certain generation he is creator, writer as well as playing the role of the Sherrif of Nottingham in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men. A classic show, which ran for four series on the BBC from 1989 to 1994.
For kids TV trivia fans, it is thanks to Maid Marian that Russell T Davies got his start in writing television drama.
Funding and studio time was booked for Maid Marian in 1991, but it was put on hiatus. Davies submitted his script for children’s sci-fi serial Dark Season to both the Head of Cbbc and to Granada. Both were interested, but Cbbc’s offer was better, Maid...
Though Tony Robinson is best known as dim-witted servant Baldrick alongside Rowan Atkinson across several iterations of Blackadder, to a certain generation he is creator, writer as well as playing the role of the Sherrif of Nottingham in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men. A classic show, which ran for four series on the BBC from 1989 to 1994.
For kids TV trivia fans, it is thanks to Maid Marian that Russell T Davies got his start in writing television drama.
Funding and studio time was booked for Maid Marian in 1991, but it was put on hiatus. Davies submitted his script for children’s sci-fi serial Dark Season to both the Head of Cbbc and to Granada. Both were interested, but Cbbc’s offer was better, Maid...
- 1/9/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Long running BBC documentary series imagine dedicates an episode to writer Russell T Davies, and we now have a confirmed airdate.
There is no denying that Doctor Who fans have a lot to thank Russell T Davies for, not least resurrecting the show in such spectacular fashion in 2005. Even to that point though, Davies’ body of work was already worthy of conversation and appreciation. Now that body of work is to go under the microscope too.
That’s because Russell T Davies – who has re-taken on the role of Doctor Who boss of course – is to be the subject of an episode of documentary series imagine.
imagine…Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me will be broadcast on BBC One at 22.40 on the 18th December it’s now been confirmed.
It will not only take viewers behind the scenes of the current run of Doctor Who at Bad Wolf Studios,...
There is no denying that Doctor Who fans have a lot to thank Russell T Davies for, not least resurrecting the show in such spectacular fashion in 2005. Even to that point though, Davies’ body of work was already worthy of conversation and appreciation. Now that body of work is to go under the microscope too.
That’s because Russell T Davies – who has re-taken on the role of Doctor Who boss of course – is to be the subject of an episode of documentary series imagine.
imagine…Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me will be broadcast on BBC One at 22.40 on the 18th December it’s now been confirmed.
It will not only take viewers behind the scenes of the current run of Doctor Who at Bad Wolf Studios,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Dark has one one of the most intricate and complex storylines on Netflix. The whole time-travel thing means that people are given countless chances to re-do and relive big life events, and it all results in one very messy and convoluted situation of borderline incest. Yep, you read that right.
The family trees in the show are a bit bizarre, and you definitely can’t enjoy Dark as an easy watch-it-on-my-phone sort of show – you need every brain cell you have to understand the twisted branches of Dark‘s families.
If you’ve been watching Dark since series one, you won’t be surprised that Season 3 weaves together an even more mind-boggling tale of intertwined families.
Jonas pretty much begins And ends the Kahnwald family tree. His father was Michael Kahnwald, who is actually Mikkel Nielsen, and his mother was Hannah Kruger. Mikkel’s parents are Jana and Tronte, who...
The family trees in the show are a bit bizarre, and you definitely can’t enjoy Dark as an easy watch-it-on-my-phone sort of show – you need every brain cell you have to understand the twisted branches of Dark‘s families.
If you’ve been watching Dark since series one, you won’t be surprised that Season 3 weaves together an even more mind-boggling tale of intertwined families.
Jonas pretty much begins And ends the Kahnwald family tree. His father was Michael Kahnwald, who is actually Mikkel Nielsen, and his mother was Hannah Kruger. Mikkel’s parents are Jana and Tronte, who...
- 7/14/2020
- by Mollie Davies
- Den of Geek
Alex Westthorp Jan 23, 2017
We revisit Dark Season and Century Falls, two children's dramas that established Russell T. Davies' early screenwriting career...
Russell T. Davies, a man synonymous with the successful revival of Doctor Who, was initially a graphic artist for Why Don't You? but he did several jobs on the show, eventually writing, directing and producing the programme. He showed his versatility when he presented an edition of Play School in its final year. Saturday morning summer filler On The Waterfront made its reputation in part due to Davies' own unique take on the classic serial The Flashing Blade. Next came Breakfast Serials, which Davies both wrote and produced. When Tony Robinson decided to take a break from making Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, an afternoon drama slot opened up and Rtd's first major breakthrough in Children's television drama began with the 1991 science fiction thriller Dark Season.
See...
We revisit Dark Season and Century Falls, two children's dramas that established Russell T. Davies' early screenwriting career...
Russell T. Davies, a man synonymous with the successful revival of Doctor Who, was initially a graphic artist for Why Don't You? but he did several jobs on the show, eventually writing, directing and producing the programme. He showed his versatility when he presented an edition of Play School in its final year. Saturday morning summer filler On The Waterfront made its reputation in part due to Davies' own unique take on the classic serial The Flashing Blade. Next came Breakfast Serials, which Davies both wrote and produced. When Tony Robinson decided to take a break from making Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, an afternoon drama slot opened up and Rtd's first major breakthrough in Children's television drama began with the 1991 science fiction thriller Dark Season.
See...
- 12/6/2016
- Den of Geek
Alex Westthorp Sep 19, 2016
We revisit Tom's Midnight Garden, Moondial, The Chronicles Of Narnia and a few lesser-known UK children's TV series...
Read our look-back at UK kids' fantasy dramas 1980 - 1984 here.
By 1985 British TV's children's drama had really hit its stride, achieving "a balanced diet of programmes" as Edward Barnes, the head of the BBC children's department observed. The late 80s, arguably, saw a new golden age for spooky and magical kids drama. Excellent production values, improved significantly by well-honed special effects work using Quantel, Paintbox and Harry, and moreover some interesting casting - often of very talented newcomers - produced some of the most memorable dramas of the era.
The second half of the decade saw the BBC riding high on the back of the success of their state-of-the-art adaptation of John Masefield's Box Of Delights. Meanwhile, anthology series Dramarama was going from strength to strength on ITV.
We revisit Tom's Midnight Garden, Moondial, The Chronicles Of Narnia and a few lesser-known UK children's TV series...
Read our look-back at UK kids' fantasy dramas 1980 - 1984 here.
By 1985 British TV's children's drama had really hit its stride, achieving "a balanced diet of programmes" as Edward Barnes, the head of the BBC children's department observed. The late 80s, arguably, saw a new golden age for spooky and magical kids drama. Excellent production values, improved significantly by well-honed special effects work using Quantel, Paintbox and Harry, and moreover some interesting casting - often of very talented newcomers - produced some of the most memorable dramas of the era.
The second half of the decade saw the BBC riding high on the back of the success of their state-of-the-art adaptation of John Masefield's Box Of Delights. Meanwhile, anthology series Dramarama was going from strength to strength on ITV.
- 8/16/2016
- Den of Geek
To end a week celebrating New Who's 10th birthday, here's a bumper list of Doctor Who titbits from Russell T Davies' The Writer's Tale...
We’ve touched on why The Writer’s Tale, the 2008 (expanded in 2010) compendium of correspondence between Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook, deserves a space on your bookshelf here.
In short, The Writer’s Tale is both a screenwriting masterclass and an unparalleled look behind the scenes of new Doctor Who. As well as following the production triumphs and emergencies as the show lurches “from one crisis to another”, it lets you witness story ideas being created in the wild. See pivotal Doctor Who moments tottering unsurely out of Davies’ mind like new-born giraffes and watch them transform into sleek, galloping beasts of majesty! Think of it like a classy David Attenborough doc on storytelling, with bonus David Tennant photos and chat about Tony from Skins.
We’ve touched on why The Writer’s Tale, the 2008 (expanded in 2010) compendium of correspondence between Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook, deserves a space on your bookshelf here.
In short, The Writer’s Tale is both a screenwriting masterclass and an unparalleled look behind the scenes of new Doctor Who. As well as following the production triumphs and emergencies as the show lurches “from one crisis to another”, it lets you witness story ideas being created in the wild. See pivotal Doctor Who moments tottering unsurely out of Davies’ mind like new-born giraffes and watch them transform into sleek, galloping beasts of majesty! Think of it like a classy David Attenborough doc on storytelling, with bonus David Tennant photos and chat about Tony from Skins.
- 3/26/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Doctor Who's Russell T. Davies has found his next project. Variety reports that the screenwriter is taking on Aliens vs. Wizards, with the help of BBC and FremantleMedia Enterprises. The story "depicts the clash between young wizard, Tom Clarke, and aggressive aliens, the Nekross." The 12-part series was created by Davies and Phil Ford, who also worked on Doctor Who. BBC Wales is producing along with Fme's Kids and Family Entertainment division. Fme is working to increase its number of children's shows and is overseeing distribution of Aliens vs. Wizards in all territories apart from the U.K.
Here is what Davies had to say about the show: "Writing for children is the biggest challenge of all, and I think Cbbc (which will air the show in the U.K.) stands right at the heart of broadcasting. We're joining genres -- the show's a wild, funny, thrilling and sometimes...
Here is what Davies had to say about the show: "Writing for children is the biggest challenge of all, and I think Cbbc (which will air the show in the U.K.) stands right at the heart of broadcasting. We're joining genres -- the show's a wild, funny, thrilling and sometimes...
- 1/24/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Kate Winslet has opened about work on her first high profile TV role, insisting shooting for the small screen is "so much harder" than film.
The British actress began her career in TV, with minor roles in little-known 1990s shows Dark Season and Get Back, and she is going back to her roots in new mini-series Mildred Pierce, a role which won Joan Crawford an Oscar for her 1945 movie of the same name.
And Winslet admits she struggled to adjust to the long working hours and gruelling schedule of the TV show after so many years making movies.
She says, "It never occurred to me, beyond the moment of reading those scripts, 'Wow, this is television, therefore it's going to be different somehow'. Sure, we have more to shoot... but the level of determination and level of focus was so much more intense than certainly any film I've ever been a part (of).
"Film, schmilm (sic) - I'm telling you television is so much harder. It didn't affect the work ethic in any way other than we had more story to tell, which was a luxury, and less time to work to that goal. But that just meant we were hyper-focused."...
The British actress began her career in TV, with minor roles in little-known 1990s shows Dark Season and Get Back, and she is going back to her roots in new mini-series Mildred Pierce, a role which won Joan Crawford an Oscar for her 1945 movie of the same name.
And Winslet admits she struggled to adjust to the long working hours and gruelling schedule of the TV show after so many years making movies.
She says, "It never occurred to me, beyond the moment of reading those scripts, 'Wow, this is television, therefore it's going to be different somehow'. Sure, we have more to shoot... but the level of determination and level of focus was so much more intense than certainly any film I've ever been a part (of).
"Film, schmilm (sic) - I'm telling you television is so much harder. It didn't affect the work ethic in any way other than we had more story to tell, which was a luxury, and less time to work to that goal. But that just meant we were hyper-focused."...
- 1/10/2011
- WENN
Starting tomorrow at the National Media Museum, the Fantastic Films Weekend is the UK’s fastest growing festival dedicated to horror, fantasy and sci-fi cinema and television. This dynamic annual celebration of old, new, bloody and obscure is hosted by the National Media Museum in Bradford, a unique site that can screen all film formats including widescreen 70mm, 3-strip Cinerama and IMAX.
This years 9th Fantastic Films Weekend will take place from Friday 4th – Sunday 6th June 2010, and looks set to be a great mix of films and television, old and new. Highlights include a midnight screening of James Nguyen’s Birdemic, Q&A’s with British directing veterans Stanley Long and Michael Armstrong, and screenings of The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue, Witchfinder General, and the notorious cult classic Mark of the Devil – all of which haven’t been seen on the big screen in years! There will also...
This years 9th Fantastic Films Weekend will take place from Friday 4th – Sunday 6th June 2010, and looks set to be a great mix of films and television, old and new. Highlights include a midnight screening of James Nguyen’s Birdemic, Q&A’s with British directing veterans Stanley Long and Michael Armstrong, and screenings of The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue, Witchfinder General, and the notorious cult classic Mark of the Devil – all of which haven’t been seen on the big screen in years! There will also...
- 6/3/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
After a teary acceptance speech at the Golden Globes two weeks ago and a pair of BAFTA nominations for The Reader and Revolutionary Road, Kate Winslet is shaping up to be 2009's all-conquering awards machine. She'll likely be glued to the TV tomorrow with husband Sam Mendes when the Oscar nominations are announced to see if she's on the shortlist for the biggest acting prize of them all. Read on to find out ten fascinating facts about Reading's only A-list leading lady. 1. Kate was educated at the Redroofs Theatre School in Berkshire, where she juggled her love of acting with head girl duties. 2. Early roles for a teenage Kate included turns in the TV movie Anglo-Saxon Attitudes, Dark Season and the BBC's long-running medical soap Casualty. 3. Though Kate will always be remembered for smooching Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, (more)...
- 1/21/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
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