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

Bafflegab are bringing Walter Tevis’ novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, the basis of the 1976 Nicolas Roeg movie starring David Bowie, to Radio 4 this Sunday.

An alien arrives in Kentucky with five years to save the handful of survivors of his dying planet, and to save humanity from itself. Calling himself Thomas Newton, his plan is to use his race’s advanced technology to make millions, and then build a spaceship to bring the last of his people to live on Earth.

But Newton begins to doubt his purpose, and finds himself unable to cope with the emotional weight of being human. He finds solace with two fellow outsiders – cheery functioning alcoholic Betty-Jo, who falls quietly in love with him, and widowed scientist Nathan Bryce, who tracks him down after recognising his tech as impossible.

Little do they realise that the Government are watching…

Harry Treadaway stars as Newton, with Laura Aikman as Betty-Jo and Christopher Eccleston as Nathan Bryce. Walter Tevis’ novel is adapted by Stephen Keyworth, with sound design by Jon Nicholls, and an original score by Gazelle Twin. It is directed by Simon Barnard.

Stephen Keyworth told SFB: “It’s a fantastic book. It was written in the 60s, but the politics and warnings of ecological disaster make it feel alarmingly current and give the story its urgency. Because of the David Bowie film it has a reputation of being a bit strange, but actually it’s a deeply personal story about three lost people who find each other. And about what it is that makes us human. Harry did a great job stepping into Newton’s alien shoes, and it was deeply exciting having Christopher involved because I’ve been a fan of his through Shallow Grave, Our Friends in The North, The Leftovers… and of course that other slightly successful show about an alien that he was involved in.”

The Man Who Fell to Earth airs on BBC Radio 4 at 1500 on 12 May 2024 and then on BBC Sounds.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001z63w