A NEW BOOK scrutinising in detail the first thirteen episodes of Survivors is published today (17 April).
Survivors: The classic post-apocalyptic BBC series / Series one / 1975 thoroughly documents the genesis of the series, goes behind-the-scenes on the making of series one, and brings together the memories of key cast and crew members.
The book also offers comprehensive reviews of each episode, a photographic showcase of key filming locations, and explores how Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel secured an extended life in print and on audio.
Any and all profits from sales, once printing and distribution costs are covered, will be donated to the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières who ‘act fast to save lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics’.
Two further volumes, offering a critical history of series two and series three of Survivors, will follow. Work on both titles is already progressing.
This first book is available to buy from online retailers including Blackwells and Waterstones in UK, and can be ordered through any bookshop (by quoting the ISBN 9781919386300).
Rich Cross. 2026. Survivors: The classic post-apocalyptic BBC series – Series one / 1975. Inky Hand Press. ISBN: 9781919386300 (pbk.)
The book can also be ordered—at a discounted price—directly through this website, using this link or the QR code below.
UPDATE: The fulfillment company is carrying out some maintenance this weekend (17-19 April), which may result in UK customers seeing the error message “No shipping methods available” when attempting to order. The issue should be resolved by Monday 20 April. Our apologies for the delay this will cause.
A NEW BOOK exploring every aspect of the first series of Survivors has its publication date set for 17 April 2026.
“It’s taken longer to complete than I’d originally planned,” says author Rich Cross. “But I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out.”
Featuring new interviews, original source material and previously unpublished photographs, this comprehensive and meticulous study explores all aspects of the first series of an exemplary post-apocalyptic BBC TV series from what’s now celebrated as a golden era of British genre television.
Coming in at 380 pages, the book provides an extended history of the genesis of Survivors and the making of the first series — on location and in the studio. It also includes interviews with members of the cast and crew, and detailed reviews of all thirteen episodes.
The book also offers a selected guide to series one filming locations, and documents the life of creator Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel — on the page and in audio-book format.
It’s also illustrated throughout by evocative behind-the-scenes photographs taken on location back in 1975 — some of which have never been published previously.
The book will be available to buy from online retailers including Amazon and Waterstones in UK, and can be ordered through any bookshop (by quoting the ISBN 9781919386300).
Shortly after the 17 April publication date, it will also be possible to order copies (in the UK and the US) directly through this web site.
The book provides an extended history of the genesis of Survivors and the making of the first series, on location and in the studio
“Back in 2005, it was great to be able to publish The End of the World? The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Survivors through Telos Publishing,” Cross says. “The title appeared on the shelves shortly after the third and final series of Survivors was first released on DVD.”
“But one of the disappointments with the Telos book was the cramped layout and design of the whole interior,” Cross reflects. “The text was simply too small on the page, with lines and paragraphs bunched tightly together, and — although many more photos appeared in the book than Telos had originally allowed for — most images were scaled down in size significantly.”
“For several years, the plan had been for myself and my End of the World co-author Andy Priestner to produce an updated edition for Classic TV Press,” he continues. “But when that project was eventually cancelled, I decided to produce an extended edition of my own — updating all of the content that I had authored, and replacing Priestner’s sections with my own writings.”
“Because I wanted to give the words and images more space to breathe, I opted for a larger book format, and a design that was more attractive on the eye — and a lot more readable.”
That led to me to conclude that the best approach would be a series of three books — each one focused on a single series of Survivors
“Over time, that led to me to conclude that the best approach would be a series of three books — each one focused on a single series of Survivors — which would afford me the more open design opportunities and the expanded page count that I really wanted.”
“But it’s not just the look-and-feel of the book that is different — there’s a huge amount of new information in those pages, fresh insights into the production process, enhanced reviews and what are — hopefully — insightful reflections on the different social and cultural themes that the series addresses.”
“This first book has been a real labour of love,” Cross says. “I’ve poured many hundreds of hours into the project, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed researching, writing and designing the whole thing.”
“It’s important to me to add that the book is a not-for-profit endeavour,” Cross confirms. “Any and all profits from sales will be donated to the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières who ‘act fast to save lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics’.”
“I hope that the book attracts the attention of long-standing Survivors fans — but also draws in the interest of those less familiar with the programme, or who are entirely new to Terry Nation’s inspired imagining of a post-apocalyptic Britain.”
“Work on the next book in the series — scrutinising Survivors second series in a similar way — is already well underway.”
Rich Cross. 2026. Survivors: The classic post-apocalyptic BBC series – Series one / 1975. Inky Hand Press. ISBN: 9781919386300 (pbk.)
WORK ON THE new series one Survivors book is progressing well, now that author Rich Cross is again able to devote the necessary time to complete this exciting project.
“Since the start of the year, I’ve been ridiculously busy,” Cross admits. “And the demands of multiple different work deadlines have unavoidably pulled my attention away from the book.”
“I’ve been involved with two major collaborative publishing projects–neither of them connected to Survivors–right throughout 2025, which have only recently reached a conclusion.”
“I’ve also taken on more writing responsibilities at Starburst magazine, including more reviews of big-screen and small-screen releases, and a new regular TV column for the print edition, that have also called on my inevitably limited writing time!”
“It’s meant that I’ve not published news stories and updates on the S:AWA site as regularly as I would have wanted to since the Spring, which I’ve found really frustrating!”
“That story, of my lack of available time, is not meant as an excuse, just an explanation!”
“But in the last few weeks, I’ve been able to return to work on the series one Survivors book in a more consistent way, and have made a lot of progress.”
Cross’ hopes to be able to publish the book before the end of the year might now be out of reach.
“It might just be too tight!” he acknowledges. “But I’m hanging on to the mantra ‘better late than not at all’!”
“If things end up slipping into 2026, then that won’t be ‘the end of the world’–to coin a phrase.”
“I’m grateful to everyone who’s already expressed in an interest in the book–and I’m especially thankful for their patience in waiting for news.”
“I can certainly commit to more regular, pro-active updates about the book from now onwards,” says Cross.
“Of course, I’m probably biased,” he concedes. “But I do think the book will be worth the wait in the end.”
A NEWLY PUBLISHED special edition in Doctor Who Magazine‘s just-launched Legends series celebrates the work of Survivors creator Terry Nation.
As would be expected, the principal thread of the 84-page, full-colour magazine is on Terry Nation’s contributions to the world of Doctor Who.
However, there are some interesting snippets along the way for the Survivors aficionado.
As well as a few familiar BBC publicity shots and screencaptures, Nation’s work on Survivors is discussed briefly in extracts from a previously unpublished interview with him by Simon Shaw from 1991.
There is also a short discussion of Nation’s work as the Survivors show creator and series one script writer as part of a broader appraisal of his work across the 1970s.
Especially interesting is a new interview with Nation’s daughter Rebecca and son Joel, who reflect on the experience of growing up with their scriptwriting father.
Rebecca recalls their home life at Lynsted Park in the early 1970s, when Terry Nation was taken with the idea of testing out the pleasures and pitfalls of self-sufficiency. A process that reflected his growing preoccupation with the themes of survival and human adaptability that would culminate in his work on Survivors.
This experiment in low-tech husbandry and hands-on animal care was not one that his wife Kate particularly warmed to, but it was clearly an opportunity that their children took some pleasure from.
But it is the world of Doctor Who that this first issue of DWM‘s ‘Legends’ principally focuses upon.
“Terry Nation is the first member of what is essentially Doctor Who Magazine‘s hall of fame,” DWM editor Marcus Hearn explains. “We think a tribute to Nation is long overdue, because he’s probably the show’s most influential and underrated writer. Everyone knows he gave us the Daleks, but he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for being the first person to unleash the full potential of Doctor Who.”
“He devised the format for the most successful stories, and it’s still the blueprint, more than 60 years later,” Hearn says.
Doctor Who: Legends – Terry Nation is available to buy in-store and online for £9.99, and will be available in digital format from pocketmags.
SCHEDULED FOR PUBLICATION in 2025, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the broadcast of the first series of Survivors on BBC1, a new book by the author of this site will provide a deep-dive into the show’s first thirteen episodes.
Survivors: the classic post-apocalyptic BBC series / Series one / 1975 will blend updated content by the author from the 2005 book The End of the World? The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Survivors with new and original material – based on an additional two decades of research and writing.
First broadcast in April 1975 on BBC1, Survivors presented viewers with the starkest premise imaginable: that only a tiny number of people had emerged unscathed from a deadly global pandemic, into a devastated, dangerous and unrecognisable world. Created by Terry Nation, the first thirteen episodes of Survivors explored how these few individuals band together to confront the daunting challenges of survival.
Featuring new interviews, original source material and previously unpublished photographs, this is a comprehensive, meticulous study of the first series of the exemplary post-apocalyptic BBC TV series from what’s now celebrated as a golden era of British genre television.
Rich Cross has published widely on the themes of science fiction, dystopian and genre television, and has written about Survivors for Action TV, Cultbox, Obverse Books, SciFiNow, Starburst and Telos.
Any and all profits from sales of the book will be donated to the international, independent medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières(aka Doctors Without Borders) whose clinicians deliver vital, life-saving humanitarian aid in crisis situations and war zones across the globe.
More information about the book – including details about how to purchase a copy – will be shared on this site as the publication date approaches.
“It’s amazing to think that next year [2025] will mark fifty years since the first series of Survivors was broadcast,” says Cross. “It seems like the ideal moment to revisit the contemporary themes and issues that inspired creator Terry Nation; and the ground-breaking way that the first series of Survivors was made.”
“It’s also chance to to reflect afresh on the extraordinary characters that populate those first thirteen episodes, and the stories and situations that made that first series so compelling – alarming ‘what-if’ scenarios which still resonate with audiences some five decades later.”
If you’d like to be kept up-to-date with the latest news about the book Survivors: the classic post-apocalyptic BBC series / Series one / 1975, then get in touch with this site to be sure of being amongst the first to know!
Rich Cross’ most recent book on the series – Survivors: Mad Dog, published in 2022 – is available to buy (in both print and electronic formats) from the Obverse Books site.
His most recent magazine feature on Survivors, a four-page retrospective celebrating the series’ status as a ‘certified classic’, appeared in the May 2024 edition of Starburst.
Survivors feature – Starburst magazine – May 2024Survivors: Mad Dog – Obverse Books, The Silver Archive, #7
FOLLOWING SURVIVORS MUCH deserved inclusion in a poll of the top 100 TV shows of all time, as voted for by the writers of Starburst, a four-page appreciation of the series appears in the new print edition of the magazine.
Written by the editor of this site, the feature celebrates the quality and distinctiveness of Survivors in the post-apocalyptic TV canon, delves into the show’s challenging and innovative production methods, and outlines the development of themes and storylines across all three series.
It’s intended to be both a recognition of the impact and the enduring legacy of the original TV series, and to be a useful introduction for those genre enthusiasts who have yet to connect with Survivors.
Starburst is available to buy from all good newsagents and through the magazine’s online shop.
Rich Cross. 2024. ‘Survivors’. Starburst, May, No 485, pp.48-51.
REVIEWS OF ALBION, Fallout and Requiem, the final three episodes of the Survivors: New Dawn audio range have now been published on the Big Finish Survivors section of the Survivors: A World Away site.
With Big Finish indicating that no further Survivors audio releases are currently planned, the release of New Dawn 4 brings to an end Survivors life as an audio drama.
The Survivors: A World Away site has tracked the development of this unique strand of Survivors fiction since the release of the first box set back in 2014.
Over the course of nine years, this site has published synopses and reviews of all 36 episodes in the nine series original run of Survivors audios, of three Survivors audiobooks, and all twelve episodes in the four box sets of the New Dawn series.
As a result of repeated visits to the Big Finish studios, the editor of this site also carried out numerous interviews with cast members (including Carolyn Seymour, Lucy Fleming, Ian McCulloch and Richard Heffer, as well as many new actors joining the series on audio), extracts from many of which have also been published on the site.
Beyond the site itself, the editor has published reviews of the releases for Cultbox (together with the Carolyn Seymour: in Conversation spin-off release), and published regular features and reviews of the series for Starburst, both in print and online.
As the release of Survivors audios begins an indefinite pause, it’s good to be able to reflect that the series ends in such a satisfying and assured way:
Abby and Jenny begin a new phase in their own journey as listeners, many of whom have followed the series from series one released back in 2014, come to the end of theirs. It’s been a remarkable, often unsettling, and always compelling series made by a creative team who have shown time and again their determination to grasp the full dramatic potential of Terry Nation’s inspired original premise.
IN A POLL of writers for Starburst magazine, the original 1970s’ incarnation of Survivors features in a ‘top 100’ rundown of the best genre TV shows of all time.
Survivors lands just outside the ‘top 50’ shows, ahead of Terry Nation’s celebrated space opera Blake’s 7, and just behind Seth MacFarlane’s scathing animated sitcom Family Guy.
As a regular Starburst contributor, the editor of this site submitted a list of his top 20 shows to the vote, and wrote the summary description of Survivors (and many other entries in the list, including that for Blake’s 7) once all the votes had been tallied and the ranking confirmed.
Starburst magazine #482 is available to buy from discerning newsagents and online through the Starburst shop.
THE SILVER ARCHIVE study of the classic series three Survivors episode Mad Dog is now available to buy through the Lulu platform.
This means that it will be much cheaper for readers in the United States, Canada and continental Europe to purchase print copies of the book.
This is because Lulu has print-on-demand facilities in all of these territories and only has to charge domestic (rather than international) postage rates to ship the book to local customers.
We have print facilities located in Australia, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Your order will be routed to the printer closest to the shipping destination to ensure speedy fulfillment and delivery.
Lulu, Where will my book be printed and shipped from?
The electronic version of the book, and the print version of the book for UK-based customers, can still be purchased direct from the web site of the publisher Obverse Books.
‘Saliva only has to make contact with the skin. Rabies doesn’t even need a scratch. If it’s in the bloodstream, it’s too late.’
Mad Dog (1977) is a standout instalment of the third and final series of the BBC’s post-apocalyptic series Survivors. A touchstone in the series’ switch to a tougher, bleaker sensibility, the episode is rightly remembered for its portrayal of rabies and its gripping chase sequences. But it’s also a story offering fascinating insights into the wider human predicament, which dramatize the tension between optimism and cynicism and between altruism and self-interest. Above all, it’s a story that foregrounds the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world in a fictional post-pandemic Britain.
A NEW BOOK, offering an in-depth study of the classic third series Survivors episode Mad Dog, is published by Obverse Books today (17 February 2022).
Written by Survivors: A World Away site editor Rich Cross, this latest entry in Obverse Books’ Silver Archive imprint, turns a critical and analytical spotlight on one of the best remembered episodes from the show’s third and final series.
Silver Archive – Survivors: Mad Dog
“Saliva only has to make contact with the skin. Rabies doesn’t even need a scratch. If it’s in the bloodstream, it’s too late.”
Mad Dog (1977) is a standout instalment of the third and final series of the BBC’s post-apocalyptic series Survivors. A touchstone in the series’ switch to a tougher, bleaker sensibility, the episode is rightly remembered for its portrayal of rabies and its gripping chase sequences. But it’s also a story offering fascinating insights into the wider human predicament, which dramatise the tension between optimism and cynicism and between altruism and self-interest. Above all, it’s a story that foregrounds the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world in a fictional post-pandemic Britain.
Rich Cross has published widely about science fiction and genre TV and retains a singular fascination with post-apocalyptic and dystopian television drama.
“For long-standing, knowledgeable fans of Survivors, I’m sure that there will still be a great deal of new, and hopefully insightful, analysis about one of the best regarded episodes in the show’s entire run. And I’m confident that there is a wealth of new reflections which situates the story of Survivors and of Mad Dog in the cultural, political and social times in which it was made.”
“Even for those able to recite sections of dialogue from the script, and who know each and every location in which the episode was recorded, I’m hopeful that they’ll enjoy discussions about themes and ideas in the drama of Mad Dog that they may not have considered before. That’s something that should enhance their appreciation of the work of writer Don Shaw, director Tristan de Vere Cole, and their talented cast and crew, the next time they rewatch the episode.”
“There’s certainly no requirement to be a ‘Survivors expert’ to enjoy the book, and there’s a great deal in the book that should intrigue fans of 1970s genre television, as well as cultural and political historians of the UK in the 1970s.”
The Obverse Books’ Silver Archive entry Survivors: Mad Dog is available to buy direct from the Obverse Books site – in both print and electronic formats (and in a p&e combo).
