UFO (British TV series)
A 1970 British sci-fi series about a secret UN alien defence organisation.
UFO is a British science fiction television series from 1970. It follows a secret international defence organisation, operating under the United Nations, as it works to stop an alien invasion of Earth. The show was created by Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, and Reg Hill, and produced by the Andersons along with Lew Grade's Century 21 for his ITC Entertainment company. This was the Andersons' first television series to use live actors instead of the marionettes they had employed in earlier shows.
A single series of 26 episodes, including the pilot, was filmed over more than a year. Production was interrupted for five months when MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood, where filming began, closed down. Work then moved to Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. The series first aired in the UK in 1970, in Canada in 1971, and in the United States in 1972.
The Andersons' live-action science fiction film *Doppelgänger* (also known as *Journey to the Far Side of the Sun*) is seen as a precursor to *UFO*. That film provided actors, costumes, props, locations, and music that appeared in the series; eleven cast members from the film also appeared in at least one episode of *UFO*.
After the series was syndicated in the US and received strong initial ratings, a second series was considered. It was first planned under the title *UFO 1999*, but eventually became *Space: 1999*, featuring a different cast.
**Premise**
The story is set in 1980. Aliens from a dying planet are visiting Earth, abducting humans, and harvesting their organs to sustain themselves. These incursions may also be a prelude to a full invasion. The main characters are the staff of SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation), a secret, high-tech military agency set up by the governments of the UK, the US, the Soviet Union, France, and Germany. SHADO's mission is to defend Earth, learn about the aliens, and keep the threat hidden from the public.
SHADO operates under the cover of the Harlington-Straker Studios movie studio in England, with its headquarters located beneath the studio lot. The organisation is led by Commander Edward Straker (played by Ed Bishop), a former US Air Force colonel and astronaut whose public role is the studio's chief executive.
SHADO uses a layered defence system with various high-tech vehicles.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Creator
- Gerry & Sylvia Anderson / Reg Hill
- Music
- Barry Gray
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Num Series
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 26
- Executive Producer
- Gerry Anderson
- Producer
- Reg Hill / Gerry Anderson
- Editor
- Alan Killick / Harry MacDonald / Len Walter / Lee Doig / Mike Campbell
- Cinematography
- Brendan J. Stafford
- Runtime
- 50 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series' premise is that in 1980, Earth is being visited by aliens from a dying planet, who are abducting humans and harvesting their organs for their bodies. The alien incursions may also be a prelude to an invasion. The main cast of characters are the staff of a secret, high-technology international military agency called SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation), established by the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, France, and Germany. SHADO operates under the cover of the Harlington-Straker Studios movie studio in England, headed by Commander Edward Straker (Ed Bishop), a former United States Air Force colonel and astronaut.
SHADO has a variety of high-tech hardware: SID (Space Intruder Detector) satellite, Moonbase with lunar Interceptor spacecraft, Skydiver submarine with Sky One interceptor, and ground units including SHADO Mobiles. The alien race is never given a proper name; they are humanoid, with green-stained faces from oxygenated liquid in their helmets, and wear opaque sclera contact lenses. Their spacecraft can travel at many times the speed of light but can only survive a couple of days in Earth's atmosphere before exploding. The series had a large ensemble cast; only Ed Bishop appeared in every episode.
Reader's Guide
UFO is significant as the Andersons' transition from marionette-based Supermarionation to live-action television, foreshadowed by their film Doppelgänger (also known as Journey to the Far Side of the Sun). The series featured actors, costumes, props, locations and music from that film, and 11 cast members of the film appeared in at least one episode of UFO. Following syndication in the US and initial favourable ratings, a possible second series was planned; initially entitled UFO 1999, this eventually became Space: 1999, but with a different cast. The series established a template for secret Earth-defence organisations and alien invasion narratives, influencing later science fiction television. Its production was marked by a five-month break due to the closure of MGM-British Studios, after which production moved to Pinewood Studios. The series' legacy includes its distinctive alien design, the pulsing electronic whine of UFOs (produced by Barry Gray on an ondes Martenot), and its exploration of themes such as organ harvesting and alien mind control.
Did You Know?
- UFO was the Andersons' first entirely live-action TV series; their previous shows had used marionettes.
- The aliens' faces are stained green by a green oxygenated liquid that cushions their lungs against interstellar flight acceleration.
- A possible second series, initially entitled UFO 1999, eventually became Space: 1999, but with a different cast.
More in UFO-related television 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced