Hyperdrive (British TV series)

Hyperdrive aired on BBC Two across two series in 2006 and 2007. The science-fiction sitcom takes place in 2151 and 2152, tracking the bumbling crew of HMS Camden Lock as they fumble through their mission to safeguard British interests amid a shifting galaxy. Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley wrote the series, John Henderson directed it, and Alex Walsh-Taylor produced it. Its working title was Full Power.

The cast includes Nick Frost as Space Commander Michael "Mike" "Lucky Jack" "Hendo" Henderson. His Space Force File notes he rose through the ranks exactly as recruitment ads promise but in practice try to prevent, showing initiative—a dangerous sign. Educated at Dagenham Secondary Modern and New Portsmouth Cadet Camp, Henderson is an idealistic explorer eager to meet new races, feeling undervalued due to low-priority assignments. He is protective of his command chair, "Spinning Jenny," and his favourite show is Captain Helix.

Kevin Eldon plays First Officer Eduardo Pauline York, a brilliant scientist and tactician who is also a borderline sociopath. He delights in violence, needing little provocation to attack, and believes Henderson is too lenient. York distrusts Technical Officer Jeffers, can hold his breath for seven and a half hours to avoid sedative gas, and shows affection for Sandstrom, even becoming jealous when Vine kisses her in his "pub-conscious." Like Henderson, he watches Captain Helix and can be poetic about violence.

Miranda Hart portrays Diplomatic Officer Chloe Alice Teal, who has a crush on Henderson (unreciprocated). Her diplomatic skills are questionable: in "Hello, Queppu," a drunken outburst gets the three senior officers imprisoned. She failed her final exam and is only aboard because her father is an ambassador. In series two, she is revealed as a devout agnostic—a formal religion in the future—and serves as the ship's yoga instructor.

Stephen Evans plays Navigator Dave Vine, whose greatest achievement is buying a planet at auction, renamed Vineworld with locations like Vine City 1 and Vine Ridge. Quiet and uncomfortable with Jeffers's outgoing personality or York's authoritarianism, Vine collects 1990s "antiques," believing it was a simpler time. His "pub-conscious" (a dream set in a 1995 pub) reveals he is also attracted to Sandstrom.