Space Precinct

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Space Precinct
Genre
Created byGerry Anderson
StarringSimone Bendix
Lou Hirsch
Richard James
Nick Klein
Joseph Mydell
Megan Olive
Nancy Paul
David Quilter
Ted Shackelford
Jerome Willis
Mary Woodvine
Rob Youngblood
Voices ofColette Hiller
Kieron Jecchinis
Gary Martin
Music byCrispin Merrell
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producerTom Gutteridge
ProducerGerry Anderson
CinematographyAlan Hume
Tony Spratling
EditorsSue Robinson
Jason Krasucki
Robin McDonell
Brian Freemantle
Matthew Glen
Running time43 minutes
Production companiesGerry Anderson Productions
Grove Television Enterprises
Mentorn Films
Budget£20 million[1]
Original release
Release3 October 1994 (1994-10-03) –
24 July 1995 (1995-07-24)

Space Precinct is a British television series that was first broadcast by syndication in the United States between 1994 and 1995. In the UK, it was first shown on channel Sky One between March and August 1995, and later BBC Two from September 1995 to March 1996.[1][2] Many US stations scheduled the show in late night time periods, which resulted in low ratings and contributed to its cancellation. The series was based on an unbroadcast 1986 pilot movie titled Space Police featuring Shane Rimmer.

The series was created by Gerry Anderson and was a combination of science fiction and police procedural.

Premise

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The series features American actor Ted Shackelford as former NYPD detective Patrick Brogan, now a lieutenant with the Demeter City police force on the planet Altor in the star system Epsilon Eridani. Brogan and his partner Jack Haldane (played by Rob Youngblood) must adjust to living in another star system, and investigating crimes being committed by aliens as well as humans. Also featuring was Danish actress Simone Bendix as Officer Jane Castle, Haldane's love interest (Brogan was happily married with a wife, daughter and son who relocated to Demeter City with him). All other major characters were played by actors wearing complex make-up that also included elements of puppetry in order to depict the different alien races. Brogan's badge, number 2040, was used in the opening credits, resulting in the common misconception that the show is set in 2040.

Characters

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Brogan family

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  • Ted Shackelford as Lieutenant Patrick Brogan.
  • Nancy Paul as Sally Brogan.
  • Nick Klein as Matthew "Matt" Brogan.
  • Megan Olive as Elizabeth "Liz" Brogan.

Demeter City Police

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Creons

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  • Jerome Willis as Captain Rexton Podly
  • Lou Hirsch as Officer Silas Romek
  • Richard James as Officer Hubble Orrin[3]
  • Kieron Jecchinis as the voice of Officer Hubble Orrin
  • Tom Watt as Officer Beezle (four episodes)
  • Gary Martin as the voice of Officer Beezle (four episodes)

Tarns

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Other characters

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Appearing as various guest aliens: Rob Thirtle, Leigh Tinkler, Andy Dawson, Joanna Berns, Wayne Forester, Alexa Rosewood, Ken Whitfield, and Will Barton.

Episodes

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The dates of broadcast shown are the US first syndication dates.

No.TitleDirected by [1]Written by [1]Original air dateProd.
code
1"Protect and Survive"John GlenPaul Mayhew-Archer3 October 1994 (1994-10-03)2
Brogan's informant Slik Ostrasky is murdered by Tylan Gershom, a smuggler of illegal Xyronite immigrants, and the only witness is slimy Melazoid business executive Armand Loyster. Brogan and Haldane are assigned to offer Loyster protection until he can testify at Gershom's trial. But Gershom plans to ensure that Loyster never reaches the courtroom.
2"Enforcer"Sidney HayersMarc Scott Zicree10 October 1994 (1994-10-10)3
On Skall Street in Demeter City, members of the infamous Hydra Gang are found dead – their hearts shredded but not a single mark on their bodies. Accompanied by an orphaned alien girl, a new enforcer has taken over and the Skall Street traders soon discover that the Hydras have been replaced by something much worse.
3"Body and Soul"Sidney HayersStory by : Mark Harris
Teleplay by : Marc Scott Zicree		17 October 1994 (1994-10-17)6
Caught in the radiation field of Merlin's Asteroid, a prototype spaceship created by reclusive industrialist Alden Humes returns to Altor after being lost in space for twenty years. Brogan finds a body on board, beginning an investigation into a homicide that occurred two decades ago. As he tracks the killer, Brogan is haunted by the ghost in the machine.
4"Double Duty"Colin BuckseyJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett Carren24 October 1994 (1994-10-24)1
A drug war is raging in Demeter City and a professional assassin is killing the competition. The sole survivor of an attack on drug baron Oturi Nissim (Nickolas Grace) is a pretty alien girl, Aleesha Amyas, who is taken into protective custody. Suddenly the killer is loose in the Space Precinct House and Orrin is its first victim. Idris Elba appears briefly as a pizza deliveryman.
5"The Snake"John GlenJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett Carren31 October 1994 (1994-10-31)5
An alien extortionist and explosives expert, known only as The Snake, threatens the executives of Brett Interplanetary. Precinct 88 becomes a task force to find him and Jane becomes reacquainted with her old ECPF colleague Bill Gray. Then the Snake reveals his next target – the Princess, an Omega Class tanker en route to Altor with two hundred million gallons of liquefied hydrogen!
6"Time to Kill"Alan BirkinshawHans Beimler & Richard Manning7 November 1994 (1994-11-07)7
A routine sweep on a counterfeiting operation goes horribly wrong for the officers of Precinct 88 when they are suddenly attacked by an unstoppable Cyborg and Took is caught in the crossfire. The Cyborg has Brogan marked for death and, one by one, Brogan's colleagues are victimized by the creature.
7"Deadline"John GlenDavid Bennett Carren & J. Larry Carroll14 November 1994 (1994-11-14)8
Brogan and Haldane discover a capsule containing the body of a Tarn male. The autopsy reveals that the tarn is missing vital organs, removed with surgical precision, and Brogan and Haldane find themselves on the trail of organleggers from Danae – killers who murder to sell body parts for profit, and target Brogan as their next donor.
8"Seek and Destroy"Jim GoddardJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett Carren21 November 1994 (1994-11-21)10
With the discovery of Aladine-50, a vaccine against creon fever, the importation of Earth dogs is all the rage in Demeter. Then three executives of Demeter Dogs Inc. are killed in mysterious circumstances and Brogan discovers a plot that heralds an invasion of Altor by the Omera, an army of nomadic alien killers.
9"The Power"Sidney HayersSam Graham9 January 1995 (1995-01-09)9
Jane and Took are assigned to protect a shipment of Luxorian Ice, a vital part of Solartek's new solar power system which offers a safe alternative to hyper fusion. Meanwhile, Brogan and Haldane investigate the death of reformed jewel thief Vella Sugoi and discover a connection that leads to a deadly struggle for control of Demeter's lucrative energy franchise.
10"Illegal"John GlenMark Scott Zicree16 January 1995 (1995-01-16)11
Tildon Alreeuh, an illegal immigrant from Sagania, saves Brogan's life in a shooting incident, and Brogan learns that his saviour's son, Nillim, is being held by snuff fight promoter Coe Barner. With immigration officials breathing down their necks, the officers of Precinct 88 go undercover at one of Barner's bouts to rescue Nillim, but Brogan soon finds himself fighting for his life.
11"Divided We Stand"Alan BirkinshawArthur Sellers30 January 1995 (1995-01-30)12
Jane and Took investigate the theft of a tarn egg-sac from Demeter Memorial Hospital while Brogan and Haldane are assigned to the protection of underworld crime boss Vinny Artak, who is running for city council. When Artak is gunned down in front of them, Brogan and Haldane find themselves under investigation and learn that Vinny Artak just won't stay dead.
12"Two Against The Rock"Peter DuffellPaul Robert Coyle6 February 1995 (1995-02-06)13
Haldane and Jane escort Houdini, the most notorious escape artist on Altor, to asteroid A5 – the maximum security penitentiary known as "The Rock". But on their arrival at the asteroid, the two officers are horrified to discover that the prisoners have taken over and mass murderer Eric Volker is the new warden.
13"Takeover"John GlenJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett Carren13 February 1995 (1995-02-13)14
When Brogan and Haldane are accused of the cold blooded murder of Naxus Simi and subjected to an Internal Affairs investigation, the officers' reliability as prosecution witnesses in a case against crime boss Vanus Olverais is called into question. But Brogan and Haldane find there is far more at stake when Jane gives damning evidence against them.
14"Predator and Prey"Sidney HayersNicholas Sagan20 February 1995 (1995-02-20)15
Following the death of an officer from the 79th Precinct in Demeter's most fashionable nightclub, Brogan and Haldane are teamed with Lt. Verro Walker in a search for a serial killer. Walker is a loose cannon, but may hold the key to the killings when Jane discovers similarities with a string of mysterious homicides that took place nearly a hundred years before.
15"The Witness"Peter DuffellEric Gethers24 April 1995 (1995-04-24)16
Small-time crooks are turning up dead on the streets of Demeter City and a search begins for the prime suspect Mas Maharg, spotted at the scene of the second murder by Romek's new partner Morgan. Then Fredo's daughter Estes is taken ill and Brogan realises that she has been picking up the killer's thoughts with her paramental eye.
16"Hate Street"Piers HaggardSteve Brown1 May 1995 (1995-05-01)17
An outbreak of race riots and hate crimes against Xyronite immigrants is being co-ordinated by Burl Flak, wanted for murder on Danae. Brogan and Haldane are assigned to find Flak and stop the killings, but their investigations are hampered by the appearance of Erika Brandt, a bounty hunter intent on claiming the price on Flak's head, who just happens to be one of Brogan's old flames.
17"Friends"Peter DuffellStory by : Carl Jahnsen
Teleplay by : Chris Hubbell, Philip Morrow & Carl Jahnsen		8 May 1995 (1995-05-08)18
When computer hacker Reeve Pataki is taken into custody at the Precinct 88 station house, his resourceful friends in the Karel Tarik Brigade infiltrate the station's mainframe to arrange his escape. Their attempt fails, so the KTB resort to kidnapping, holding Jane hostage aboard a derelict space platform. Haldane makes this case personal because if Pataki is not released within one hour, Jane will die!
18"Smelter Skelter"Peter Duffell & Silvio NarizzanoArthur Sellers15 May 1995 (1995-05-15)19
Sally and Liz are violently threatened during an armed robbery at the Jewellery Centre and Brogan takes a personal interest in tracking down the culprits. His investigations lead him to mining operator Alvin Zann, who plans a daring raid on the orbiting Bank of Altor with a small beam accelerator – an unstoppable weapon capable of punching a hole in the very fabric of the universe!
19"Flash"Alan BirkinshawJames Hendrie29 May 1995 (1995-05-29)4
A new drug, HE-11 (also known as "Flash"), has arrived on the streets of Demeter causing spontaneous combustion in its users. While Brogan and Haldane visit Interchem, the pharmaceutical company which originally developed the drug, Orrin and Romek run into trouble when Interchem's chief chemist, Pola Vad Moonacki, is kidnapped.
20"The Fire Within: Part One[4]"John GlenSteve Brown & Burt Prelutsky26 June 1995 (1995-06-26)21
Pyrist priest Tendall Kalike dies by spontaneous combustion during a ceremony at the Pyrist Temple and the event is witnessed by Took on her first visit to the Temple as a Seeker. Brogan and Castle search for evidence that points to Kalike's death being homicide and suspicion falls on fellow priest Nevik Brok. Teamed with Podly's daughter Samina, Haldane goes undercover at the Pyrist Temple to discover the truth.
21"The Fire Within: Part Two[4]"John GlenSteve Brown & Burt Prelutsky3 July 1995 (1995-07-03)22
Samina disappears, Haldane resigns from the force to join the Pyrists and a power struggle amongst the priests leads to a third death at the Temple. Then a witness comes forward who claims that Haldane has murdered Samina, and Podly is forced to issue a warrant for Haldane's arrest as the Pyrists prepare for the Day of Immolation – the end of the world!
22"The Forever Beetle"Peter DuffellPeter Dunne10 July 1995 (1995-07-10)23
Pteronarcys Eternicum, a rare beetle capable of cell regeneration, is stolen from Dexkor Laboratories. Brogan and Haldane are assigned to the case and suspect that the theft may be an inside job. But Brogan is preoccupied with nailing drugs dealer Amory Wolf whom he believes is responsible for the death of Tommy Murphy, his oldest friend. Meanwhile, Jane and Took have a run-in with local hero Thunder Cole.
23"Deathwatch: Part One[5]"Piers HaggardMichael Berlin & Eric Estrin17 July 1995 (1995-07-17)20
The arrival on Altor of a mysterious meteor fragment heralds the start of strange events at Roetem Towers on Krazucki Street where residents are being terrorised into relocation. As Jane and Took look into the disappearance of an alien farmer, Brogan and Haldane find their investigations at Roetem Towers blocked by Military Intelligence, and Brogan realises that something is going on at the apartment building that threatens all life on Altor.
24"Deathwatch: Part Two[5][6]"Piers HaggardArthur Sellers24 July 1995 (1995-07-24)24
After Major Graffa is possessed by the alien meteor found buried beneath Roetem Towers, Captain Weldon steals the meteor fragment that landed at Butler's farm and goes AWOL. She kidnaps Brogan to enlist his help in recovering the meteor from Graffa, but Carson learns that the meteor is a parasitic alien seed and the meteor fragment is a spore to fertilise it – bringing them together will destroy all life on Altor!

Production

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The series was filmed between May 1994 and April 1995 at Pinewood Studios. The special effects were filmed at Shepperton Studios.[1]

The series was one of the highest-budgeted shows Anderson produced, and was relatively popular in Europe. However, in a repeat of the situation that UFO encountered 25 years earlier, American broadcasters were uncertain what to make of the series that seemed to be intended for young viewers, yet featured adult-oriented storylines and was usually played straight despite the bizarre storylines and make-up. As a result, Space Precinct was often scheduled in late-night or early-morning time slots. The subsequent low ratings resulted in its cancellation after just one series.

Pilot

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The idea for Space Precinct predated the series by nearly a decade. In 1986, Anderson and his then business partner Christopher Burr produced Space Police, a 53-minute pilot movie featuring Anderson regular Shane Rimmer as Lieutenant Chuck Brogan. The pilot, which is more comedic in nature than the somewhat serious series that followed, combined live action, full-size prosthetics, puppetry, and Supermacromation techniques. Production was based at Bray Film Studios and involved eight weeks of special effects shooting.[7] The completed movie, subtitled "Star Laws", was screened at the 45th World Science Fiction Convention in 1987. In 1989, Anderson produced a condensed 24-minute version in collaboration with the Moving Picture Company.[1]

Although it has never been shown on television, the pilot has been available in DVD format since 2002.[1] It features many differences from the later series. Brogan is a much older character than that played by Shackleford, and is a bachelor. His partner — and the only other apparently human character in the pilot — is Sergeant Cathy Costello, who is revealed to be a gynoid capable of shifting between human appearance and a more robotic appearance for dangerous missions. The aliens featured in the pilot are catlike rather than the more exotic aliens in Space Precinct. The only character other than Brogan to transfer from the pilot to the series is the robot Slo-Mo.

Jim Henson was impressed by the pilot and offered to finance a series through his company Henson International Television (HIT), but negotiations between Anderson and Henson were terminated after a management buyout of HIT in 1989. No further progress was made on a sale until 1991, when Mentorn Films adopted the project and secured funding from American company Grove Television Enterprises.[7][1] The BBC ordered a series of 13 episodes, but withdrew the commission after reduction of its drama programming budget. The title Space Police was retained until 1994, shortly before the series began filming, when the production companies learnt of the trademark on Lego's "Space Police" and renamed the series Space Precinct.[1]

Space Police (1986)

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Title Directed[1] Written by[1] Original air date[1] Length[1]
"Star Laws"Tony BellGerry Anderson & Tony BarwickUnaired53 mins approx. (24 mins condensed version)
Lieutenant Chuck Brogan is transferred to the Space Police after 15 years of service in the New York Police Department. Pilot episode for proposed television series Space Police, ultimately reformatted and retitled as Space Precinct. Starring Shane Rimmer as Brogan.

Home media

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Space Precinct was released on DVD in the UK but, as of 2015, is out of print. As of 2023 ,It is available to watch on the BritBox streaming service in the UK. It was released on DVD in North America on 23 November 2010.[8] As of July 2017 Space Precinct is available in the US on streaming service Amazon Prime. In November 2018, the complete series was re-released as a DVD box set in Region 2, by Network DVD. In February 2024 the series became available to stream on Peacock.

See also

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  • Star Cops, an earlier TV series with a similar premise

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bentley, Chris (2008) [2001]. The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide (4 ed.). Richmond, London: Reynolds and Hearn. pp. 249–251, 317–318. ISBN 978-1-905287-74-1.
  2. ^ "Looking back at Gerry Anderson's Space Precinct". Den of Geek. 9 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Actor pens his experiences on Gerry Anderson's Space Precinct 20 years on - Maidenhead Advertiser".
  4. ^ a b Also edited (at time of production) as a special feature length episode, entitled The Fire Within.
  5. ^ a b Also edited (at time of production) as a special feature length episode, entitled Deathwatch.
  6. ^ Also known by its on-screen title "Deathwatch Conclusion".
  7. ^ a b Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London, UK: BBC Books. pp. 254–256, 264–265. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5.
  8. ^ "Space Precinct: The Complete Series". DVD Talk.
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