Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

A second box set of reimagined adventures of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s UFO is on the way from Big Finish.

The SHADO team are close to breaking point in the box set, due for release in March 2023.

Big Finish’s UFO audio reimagining is back with three action-packed full-cast audio dramas scripted by Big Finish’s Creative Director Nicholas Briggs and Jamie Anderson (son of Gerry and Managing Director of Anderson Entertainment).

Nicholas Briggs said: “I really love UFO as a series and a concept. It’s been really great working on it. The aim is to make this feel familiar for fans of the original TV series, like myself, but to do it in a slightly different way – with a twist!

“I feel that these outrageous fantasies have a real foot in reality and that’s what makes them more effective. These are real people with fallibilities who are easily exposed to emotional and physical harm. Even though it’s all very exciting, we want to show that there are tragic human consequences.”

Barnaby Kay stars as Commander Ed Straker – originally played by the late Ed Bishop – alongside Jeany Spark (as Lieutenant-Colonel Virginia Lake). The cast also includes Samuel Clemens (as Colonel Alec Freeman), Lynsey Murrell (as Lieutenant Gay Ellis), George Naylor (as Johnnie Straker), Hywel Morgan (as Paul Foster) and Nicholas Briggs (as Dr Schroeder).

New recruits. New technology. New threats. SHADO is nearly fully operational, but the alien menace is intensifying at a greater rate than the fledgling organisation can cope with. Under ever-increasing pressures, Straker is repeatedly put to the test. Facing unimaginable weaponry, warring factions, and near-insurmountable personal strain – can the man leading the fight to defend Earth survive? 

Lost in Action 

An unexpected confrontation at 30,000 feet leads to a civilian casualty. With no other options, Straker must recruit this stubborn but brave pilot to join SHADO. Meanwhile, Straker’s team orders the early activation of Moonbase – without his consent. It’s just in time. Now, the nascent organisation is being put to the ultimate test, and SHADO’s latest recruit will have put his life on the line.

Assassination Time 

In the wake of loss, SHADO’s problems are brought into sharp focus by a series of unexpected and inexplicable events. A new threat from the aliens emerges – one that the organisation is ill-equipped to deal with. With few options left, Straker must follow his instincts and put SHADO’s survival in the hands of a traitor.

Breaking Point  

SHADO faces a severe security breach, swiftly followed by the most intense and highly-coordinated alien threat it has ever seen. Straker now faces unimaginable pressures from every angle. The strain on him, and his organisation, reach impossible levels. Mistakes will be made. Lives will be lost. Could this be the end?

Producer Emma Haigh said: “I was very excited to receive the scripts for UFO 2 and Nick and Jamie’s writing didn’t disappoint – this box set takes us on a real rollercoaster and it was so great to have the SHADO team back together. We see the team tested to their limits and the last episode left me speechless!”

UFO: Breaking Point is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition CD box set (+ download for just £19.99) or a digital download only (for just £16.99) from www.bigfinish.com.