Julie Graham joins cast for series six of Survivors audio dramas

Big Finish has announced (16 January 2017) that Julie Graham, who played the role of Abby Grant in the BBC’s 2008-2010 remake of Survivors, joins the cast for an episode of series six of new Survivors audio adventures. In the story “Revenge of Heaven”, written by Simon Clark, Graham takes on the role of Katherine Tanner in a standalone story that focuses on Greg Preston’s (Ian McCulloch) eventful trip to Norway.

Series six of Survivors audio adventures will be released in June 2017, and is available for pre-order on the Big Finish site. In December 2016, the company confirmed its commitment to releasing (at a minimum) nine series of Survivors audios.

Julie Graham joins Survivors cast for series six

Survivors – series six news

Coming in June, Survivors – Series 6 is the next of Big Finish’s listener-praised audio continuation of Terry Nation‘s 1970s BBC TV show:

“We’re trying something a little different this time,” confirms producer David Richardson, “Each disc is a separate, self-contained story – and I think it’s working beautifully. Set during the third season of the TV show, it allows us to focus individually on our leads Abby (Carolyn Seymour), Greg (Ian McCulloch) and Jenny (Lucy Fleming). Separated geographically, they each face different challenges. But might their paths finally cross again?”

Of particular note in the forthcoming set to Survivors fans is a particular casting. As David explains: “I’ve wanted to work with Julie Graham for ages, and in Simon Clark‘s Revenge of Heaven we had the perfect role for her – Katherine Tanner, an adventurer who helps Greg Preston on his mission in Norway. Needless to say, Julie was fantastic in the part, and it was lovely to sit and chat to her about playing Abby Grant in the re-imagined BBC TV series of Survivors. The show is clearly still very close to her heart.”

Survivors Series 6 is released in June on Download for £20 and CD for £25 – both pre-release prices offering a £5 discount on the price when the set goes on general release later in the year. A CD order automatically unlocks digital access on release.

Check out the entire Survivors range, including the chance for pre-orders on Series 6 through to Series 9, and to catch up with the first five sets, as well as listening to Carolyn Seymour‘s evocative reading of Terry Nation’s original novel. There’s even a free episode – Series 1’s Survivors – Revelation.

Watch this space for more news.

Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams – ‘Posting letters to the moon’ – at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams appear at the Carnforth Station Heritage Centre Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9TR) on Thursday 2 March at 19:30 to deliver a reading of the wartime correspondence between Fleming’s mother Celia Johnson and husband Peter Fleming.

These letters from Celia to her husband tell of her experiences during the war – from coping with a large isolated house full of evacuated children, learning to drive a tractor, dealing with rationing, occasional holidays in Cornwall where she took to surfing, and all the while acting for David Lean, Noel Coward and starring in the classic film Brief Encounter in 1945.

Not only are the letters highly engaging, but they also provide a fascinating historical insight into that time of true austerity and fearfulness.

Carnforth Railway Station was the filming location for the pivotal scenes in the 1945 film Brief Encounter in which Celia Johnson starred. Tickets for the event (‘Posting letters to the moon’) are £9:00 and are only available from the Centre.

Other performances are scheduled for Wednesday 1 March 2017 (Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster) and Saturday 4 March (Glenridding Public Hall, Glenridding).

Posting letters to the moon - Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams

The Westmorland Gazette carries a short preview of the event:

Brief Encounter actress Celia Johnson’s daughter Lucy Fleming to perform at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre in Posting Letters to the Moon

THE daughter of actress Celia Johnson is to make a special appearance at Carnforth railway station this spring, where her mother filmed famous scenes from Brief Encounter in 1945.

Actress Lucy Fleming and her husband Simon Williams – of Upstairs, Downstairs fame – are to appear in Posting Letters to the Moon, when they will read wartime letters between Lucy’s mother and father, Peter Fleming.

Described as touching and amusing, the letters from Celia to her husband tell of her experiences during the war, from coping with a large, isolated house full of evacuated children, to learning to drive a tractor, dealing with rationing, and all the while accepting offers of work when she could get away – for David Lean, Noel Coward, wartime propaganda films and ultimately in 1945 starring in the classic Brief Encounter.

“It was a joy to discover these letters, and I hope you will find them as funny and moving as I do,” said Lucy, whose uncle was James Bond author Ian Fleming.

The performance is to take place at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre on Thursday, March 2, at 7.30pm. The pair will also be taking their show to the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster, on March 1, and Glenridding Public Hall on March 4.

Big Finish confirm series eight and nine for Survivors audio dramas

Big Finish have confirmed (21 December 2016) that a further two series of Survivors audio adventures have been given the go-ahead; and will be released in June 2018 (series eight) and December 2018 (series nine) respectively.

Following the release of series five last month, series six and series seven had already been confirmed for release in June 2017 and November 2017.

This excellent news means that (alongside the audio-book version of Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel) Big Finish will have created and released no less than 36 original Survivors audio stories by the close of 2018.

Series six, seven, eight and nine are all available for pre-order on the Big Finish web site.

Big Finish - Survivors - Series 2 - four days to go to release...

Flashback to 2015… and a pre-release teaser poster for Survivors series two audios…

Big Finish celebrates reception for Survivors series five audio adventures

Big Finish - Survivors - recording session - December 2016

Big Finish have published an end-of-year round-up of the outstandingly positive reviews that have greeted the release of the fifth series of Survivors audio dramas.

Survivors 5 – A Critics’ Cracker!

We take a look at the critics’ reception of our most recent Survivors release…

(Thanks to David Richardson for this photo from this month’s recording of Survivors – Series 6)

Since its arrival in November, Survivors – Series 5 has received enthusiastic reviews for the four new stories from writers Andrew Smith, Christopher Hatherall and Simon Clark, starring Carolyn Seymour, Ian McCulloch and Lucy Fleming.

Starburst gave the latest release 10/10, saying: “As it explores the highest stakes possible, this develops into the most thrilling and compelling set of stories in Big Finish’s Survivors series to date: which, considering the exceptional quality of the drama in the preceding four instalments, is quite some achievement. This is extraordinary, exemplary human drama; by any standard.”

“All the best box sets work on many levels and this is one of the best – it’s a morality tale, it’s a broken mirror to the world we live in, it’s a character study, it’s a battle of humanity against the virus but more than anything this is the story of Carol Baker. A tale of despair, a tale of hope and a tale of the spirit of humanity both good and bad – and its another classic 10/10,” – Planet Mondas Blog

Sci-Fi Bulletin judged, “Survivors Series 5 is the strongest entry in the franchise so far. It uses a string of excellent guest stars, top class writing and direction to explore the fragile, tenacious hope that powers this world… If you’ve not heard Survivors yet start at the beginning, it’s worth it. If you have, this is the best series yet. 10/10”.

“Survivors offers a challenging listening experience,” says Cultbox, “and this latest season continues to deliver some genuinely shocking moments, not least at culmination of the first episode. Despite its 70’s setting, it also contains some very pertinent parallels surrounding the movement of refugees, and makes us ask the question of how far we ourselves might go in order to survive. 5/5”.

Mass Movement Magazine‘s Tim Cundle concluded his review: “If you are a fan (and if you’re not, then you should really be asking yourself why not and doing your damndest to rectify that as soon as possible) and you are familiar with the series, then you’re going to love every single second of the rapidly unfolding drama that lives at the heart of Survivors Series Five. Survival is everything…”


 

Until the end of the month, Survivors – Series 5 remains at the frozen pre-release prices of £20 on Download and £25 on CD (in each case going up by £5 from January). Check out the range here, including the four previous series, Carolyn Seymour‘s haunting reading of Survivors by Terry Nation, pre-order prices on next year’s Series 6 and 7, and even a free episode: Survivors – Revelation.

Starburst preview feature of Big Finish Survivors series five – now online

My Starburst feature, previewing the release of series five of Big Finish’s Survivors audio adventures, which appeared in the November print edition of the magazine (No 430), is now available to read (for free) online (the web version was published on 21 November 2016).

These latest episodes also bring to the fore the ‘Whitecross’ community, the centre of operations in Series Two of the TV series, and explore efforts to reconnect the first electricity supplies; one of the central themes of the third TV series. But with the new virus threatening everything and everyone, the finale of the audio Series Five shows how merciless its impact can be. Despite the death toll, with Series Six and Seven now confirmed, Big Finish’s Survivors series is itself clearly in rude and vibrant health.

Starburst - Big Finish - Survivors - preview feature

Big Finish Survivors series five review in Starburst: 10/10

My review of the fifth series of Big Finish’s Survivors audio adventures has just been published in the online edition of Starburst magazine. Awarding the release a deserved 10/10, the review concludes:

As it explores the highest stakes possible, this develops into the most thrilling and compelling set of stories in Big Finish’s Survivors series to date: which, considering the exceptional quality of the drama in the preceding four instalments, is quite some achievement. This is extraordinary, exemplary human drama; by any standard. As The Death again looms large, Survivors crackles with life.

Starburst - Big Finish - Survivors series 5 - review

Big Finish release series five of Survivors audios

Big Finish have just released series five of Survivors‘ audio adventures. My review of this brilliant new instalment of audio stories will appear in the online edition of Starburst very shortly; and episode-by-episode interviews with cast and crew members will follow shortly on the the Survivors: A World Away mini Big Finish Survivors site.

Survivors: Series five

The fifth series of Big Finish’s acclaimed audio revival of Terry Nation’s classic Survivors is out today…

Available on CD or Download, Survivors – Series 5 is out today, starring Carolyn Seymour, Ian McCulloch and Lucy Fleming!

 

 

It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world’s population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces. Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again. But viruses are survivors too…

5.1 The Second Coming by Andrew Smith

5.2 New Blood by Christopher Hatherall

5.3 Angel of Death by Simon Clark

5.4 Come the Horsemen by Andrew Smith

Survivors – Series 5 is currently available at frozen pre-release prices of £20 on Download, or £25 for a CD version which unlocks access to a digital version. For digital listeners, the free Big Finish app enables you to listen on-the-go with iOS or Android devices.

All of Big Finish’s Survivors releases can be found here, including the chance to pre-order forthcoming Series 6 and Series 7, to get the previous four series, or even download for free the very first episode: Survivors: Revelation.

Synopsis

This title was released in November 2016. It will be exclusively available to buy from the BF website until December 31st 2016, and on general sale after this date.

It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world’s population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces.

Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again. But viruses are survivors too…

Big Finish - Survivors - series five - slipcase

5.1 The Second Coming by Andrew Smith

Millions died when the plague swept the globe. Such a thing couldn’t possibly happen again – or could it?

When Abby Grant and Evelyn Piper both arrive at Carol Baker’s Maythorne community, a chain of events is set in motion that could unleash a new wave of death across the country.

5.2 New Blood by Christopher Hatherall

Danger surrounds Whitecross when a simple border dispute exposes deadly tensions between those who live side by side.

Greg Preston and Jenny Richards soon find themselves fighting for their lives, as people in the grip of a terrible new fear turn to the old ways to protect themselves…

5.3 Angel of Death by Simon Clark

Emerging from a quarantined Whitecross, Greg and Jenny discover that the danger they glimpsed at Springton is far from over.

Meanwhile, as isolated communities find themselves exposed to a disease they know nothing about, Abby joins a desperate race to save lives.

5.4 Come the Horsemen by Andrew Smith

In times of crisis, rumour and fear run rife across the decimated landscape of Britain. Evelyn and Abby experience the lethal effects of this panic first hand.

At such times the worst of humanity is exposed. Can Greg and Jenny find the best in those around them? Or is there no way to avoid the coming of the horsemen?

NOTE: Survivors contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

Written By: Andrew Smith, Christopher Hatherall and Simon Clark
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast

Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant), Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston), Lucy Fleming (Jenny), Fiona Sheehan (Hannah), Zoe Tapper (Evelyn Piper), Neve McIntosh (Carol Baker), Sean Biggerstaff (Healy), Barnaby Edwards (John Woodley/Old Scavenger/Stuart), Andy Secombe (Ben Turner), Fintan McKeown (Patrick Regan), Richard Hope (Silas Broome), Alex Clatworthy (Summer Broome/Elsie), Donna Berlin (Pearl Ironsmith), Ekow Quartey (Dylan), Elizabeth Payne (Beatrice/Margo), Roger May (Lenny Bryson)

Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson
Script Editor Matt Fitton
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

‘Doctor Ruth’ to return in series six of Big Finish Survivors audios

Big Finish - Survivors - series six - cast

The character of doctor Ruth Anderson (Survivors series one and two) will return to the world of Survivors in the sixth series of Big Finish’s audio adventures scheduled for release in June 2017, the company has confirmed today. Ruth will be voiced by Big Finish ensemble regular Helen Goldwyn. Series six will be set in the timeline of the third TV series, and (staying true to the TV canon) will feature the separate storylines of Abby Grant (Carolyn Seymour), Jenny Richard (Lucy Fleming) and Greg Preston (Ian McCulloch).

Series five of Survivors audio adventures will be released next week.

Survivors – series six news

Ahead of this month’s fifth series of Survivors, we give a glimpse of the release that follows…

Our audio dramas of Terry Nation’s Survivors will return in June 2017 for a sixth box set of stories.

“This time our adventures will be set during the third season of the TV show,” says producer David Richardson. “Our three lead characters have gone their separate ways: Greg is in Norway, Jenny is left behind in the UK and Abby – who hasn’t seen them for many months – is forging her own path. All three leads appear in the box set. But will their paths cross at all?”

A popular character from the TV series returns in this set: Ruth, a young doctor originally played by Annie Irving and later by Celia Gregory. For audio, Ruth is now played by Helen Goldwyn, who has performed with Big Finish since its earliest years, and who also directed our recent release Doctor Who: The Memory Bank.

“Helen is such an accomplished actor,” says David. “When we were recasting Ruth, we wanted someone who could capture the essence of the character defined by Annie Irving and then Celia Gregory in the TV series. Helen watched some episodes of the TV series and then, of course, did it brilliantly and gives a fantastic performance in our second episode The Trapping Pit, which is written by Christopher Hatherall.”

Survivors – Series 6 will be released next year, and can be pre-ordered at the special pre-release prices of £20 on Download or £25 for a CD version which also unlocks digital access. Due next week, Survivors – Series 5 is at the same pricing until its general release at the end of the year:

Check out our entire range of Survivors releases here, and our recent podcast interview with star Carolyn Seymour.

 

Survivors – special offers from Big Finish this weekend

Big Finish - Survivors - combination cover image

AHEAD OF THE release of the fifth series of Survivors audio adventures later this month, Big Finish are this weekend (4-7 November 2016) offering discount deals on the first two series of the audios and the celebrated audio-book reading of Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel.

Survivors Special Offers

Ahead of this month’s fifth series of the acclaimed audio revival of Terry Nation’s Survivors, we have some special offers for those eager to hear this series for themselves…

Later this month, Big Finish releases the fifth series of our award-nominated revival of Terry Nation‘s classic 1970s series Survivors. For this entire weekend we celebrate the range with special offer prices on the first two series starring Ian McCulloch, Lucy Fleming and Carolyn Seymour, and also on Carolyn‘s evocative reading of Terry Nation’s original novel:


 

Survivors – Series 1 and Series 2 can each be bought on Download for £18.00, and £20 on CD (instantly unlocking a digital version which can be downloaded or listened to on-the-go via the free Big Finish apps on iOS or Android). The Survivors Audiobook is £12 on Download and £15 for the CD and unlocked digital version. A CD and a Download Survivors bundle each collecting these three titles can be bought for £50 and £45 respectively.

For a completely free taste of the range, check out Survivors – Revelations, Matt Fitton‘s opening episode, shortlisted in the 2015 BBC Audio Drama Awards. The entire range can be explored here, including the chance to pre-order Series 5, Series 6 and Series 7 at special prices and free UK postage until release.


 

These special offers end at mid-day (UK time) on Monday 7th November. Series 5 is released exclusive to Big Finish listeners later this month, and is then on general release at the end of 2016.

Survivors - offers from Big Finish - November 2016Survivors - Big Finish - November 2016

Ian McCulloch talks Italian horror movies on The Strange and Deadly Show

In a relaxed and reflective podcast interview Ian McCulloch, (Greg, Survivors) discusses his work on the three Italian horror movies in which he starred after his work on Survivors on a new edition of The Strange and Deadly Show.

Ian does mention, in passing, the importance of Survivors in him securing these films roles, but this interview (recorded back in 2012, but only now released online) focuses on the three films – about which Ian is much more positive than (he himself acknowledges) he used to be previously.

The interview begins around 5m:30s into the broadcast.

The Strange and Deadly Show

Ian McCulloch Interview – Tom Elliot gives a short update on the status of The Strange and Deadly Show before presenting an interview with the star of Zombie Flesh Eaters, Zombie Holocaust and Contamination, Ian McCulloch.


 
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