Series synopsis
The Quatermass Experiment is a British drama sci-fi & fantasy television series that premiered on BBC Television on July 18, 1953. It ended on August 22, 1953. It was created by Nigel Kneale. It stars Reginald Tate, Isabel Dean, Hugh Kelly and Duncan Lamont.
Set in the near future against the background of a British space programme, the story of the first crewed flight into space, supervised by Professor Bernard Quatermass of the British Experimental Rocket Group.
Premise
Set in the near future against the background of a British space programme, the story of the first crewed flight into space, supervised by Professor Bernard Quatermass of the British Experimental Rocket Group.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Reginald Tate as Professor Bernard Quatermass
- Isabel Dean as Judith Carroon
- Hugh Kelly as John Paterson
- Duncan Lamont as Victor Carroon
- Paul Whitsun-Jones as James Fullalove
Guest cast
- John Glen as Dr Gordon Briscoe
- Ian Colin as DI Lomax
- Frank Hawkins as DS Best
- Christopher Rhodes as Dr Ludwig Reichenheim
- John Kidd as Sir Vernon Dodds
- Moray Watson as Peter Marsh
- Oliver Johnston as News Editor
- Peter Bathurst as Charles Greene
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 6 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | July 18, 1953 | August 22, 1953 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Contact Has Been Established A British experimental rocket orbits the Earth. After being out of contact for 57 hours, the capsule crashes back to Earth in Wimbledon, London. When the capsule is opened, only one member of the three-man crew emerges, Victor Carroon. |
July 18, 1953 |
| 2 |
Persons Reported Missing Victor Carroon is subjected to various tests which indicate that he has taken on the identities of the other two men. Quatermass and Paterson find a gelatinous substance spread around the capsule's interior. |
July 25, 1953 |
| 3 |
Very Special Knowledge Carron is taken back to the crash site and a recording of what happened during the orbit is played back to him, with disturbing results. A group of journalists try to kidnap him, but he, in turn, attacks one of them as he begins to change. |
August 1, 1953 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Television |
|---|---|
| First aired | July 18, 1953 |
| Last aired | August 22, 1953 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday at 20:45:00 |