About the Season
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two: Tomorrow’s Worlds: The Unearthly History Of Science Fiction
This on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two sees historian and author Dominic Sandbrook head to the very frontiers of space and science to offer audiences the definitive television history of science fiction.
With each episode exploring an enduring theme of science fiction – space, invasion, robots and time – Dominic shows how the genre has been a revealing window into our dreams and our nightmares. It features some of the genre’s greatest pioneers - the filmmakers, writers and actors whose obsession and imagination has taken them into the unknown.
The programme will hear from leading figures from cinema, TV and literature, including Rutger Hauer; Zoe Saldana; Richard Dreyfuss; David Tennant; Steven Moffat; Neil Gaiman; Nichelle Nichols; John Carpenter; Audrey Niffenegger; Edward James Olmos; Karen Gillan; Ursula K. Le Guin and William Gibson.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer: My Life in Science Fiction
Three will also become available the same day as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two series begins...
Invasion Of The Fans
Science Fiction wouldn't be the phenomenon it is without its fans. From home-made costumes to the joy of convention-going and obsession with the best of literary Science Fiction, a range of British fans reveal how Science Fiction has changed their lives in surprising and even moving ways. Your guides to this world are podcast maestros The Geek Syndicate.
My Life in Science Fiction: Days Of Fear and Wonder
This autumn, the British Film Institute is laying on one of its biggest ever events - a nationwide celebration of Science Fiction. So what will uber-fans and podcast maestros The Geek Syndicate make of it? Barry Nugent and Dave Monteith embark on their own mini Science Fiction road trip, giving us a unique, fan’s-eye view of this major cultural happening.
Stories from the Stars
This short film narrated by Mark Gatiss sees some of Science Fiction's brightest stars give an entertaining insight into their best-known work. Richard Dreyfuss talks about hazardous mountain-climbing in Close Encounters; Rutger Hauer shares memories of his feathered co-star from the climax of Blade Runner; Nichelle Nichols discusses her legendary kiss with Captain Kirk in Star Trek; and Alien's Veronica Cartwright and Star Wars' Anthony Daniels recall some challenging costumes.
Across Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6 Music will also host a wealth of programmes about the sound and science of sci-fi...
The Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman will see reporter Thomas Magill head to the sci-fi and multi-media convention, ArmadaCon 26, while the Simon Mayo Drivetime show will have a sci-fi theme. Simon will be asking listeners to get in touch and suggest their favourite classic sci-fi tunes that he will then play during the show.
In 6 Music’s Freak Zone Stuart Maconie will feature music from space, sci-fi soundtracks and strange sounds from Jodrell Bank radio telescope, and over on Radio 4, Francine Stock will present a new series running throughout The Film Programme for two months – The Story Of The Sound Effect. Francine will also present a special edition of The Film Programme on Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey on Thursday 27 November.
Radio 3’s Free Thinking will air Fear Or Wonder – Everything Under the Moon, asking: How do science fiction and space travel change our relationship with this world? Do the limits of our knowledge about the future make us scared or optimistic?
Matthew Sweet wil host Free Thinking: 2001: A Space Odyssey marking the UK-wide re-release of Stanley Kubrick's iconic film, and also talks to British film composer Steven Price - best known for his work on Attack The Block, Fury and Gravity - in a special programme.