The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction, told through its impact on cinema, television and literature, with the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and graphic artists. Each episode will explore one of the enduring themes of science fiction: time travel; the exploration of space; robots and artificial intelligence; and aliens.
The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction, told through its impact on cinema, television and literature, with the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and graphic artists. Each episode will explore one of the enduring themes of science fiction: time travel; the exploration of space; robots and artificial intelligence; and aliens.
Cast, crew and production details
About The Real History of Science Fiction
Cast
Dominic SandbrookHimself - Presenter
Mark GatissHimself - Narrator (voice)
Isaac AsimovHimself (archive footage)
Paul VerhoevenHimself
Ronald D. MooreSelf
Arthur C. ClarkeSelf (archive footage)
Keir DulleaSelf
Anthony DanielsSelf
Credits
Written by
Charles Olivier
Production details
Status
Ended
Series type
Miniseries
Episodes
4
Original language
English
Networks & production
BBC AmericaUnited States
BBC Bristol ProductionsUnited Kingdom
BBC AmericaUnited States
Season 1 episodes
Watch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
Robots
43m7.0 / 10
What if our creations turn against us? The idea of creating life has fascinated society since the earliest days of science fiction. From HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the Cylons of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica and the world of The Matrix, this is a journey that asks - what does it mean to be human?
Directed by Ben SouthwellGuest stars Isaac Asimov, Paul Verhoeven, Peter Weller, Brian Aldiss, Haley Joel Osment, Hampton Fancher, Owen Paterson, Ronald D. Moore
What if we could explore the vastness of Space? Science fiction has always fed upon our need to wonder what is out there. From the horrifying scenes of Alien, to the epic spectacle of Star Wars, this is a journey to the stars and the alien encounters that await us there.
Directed by Ben SouthwellGuest stars William Shatner, Nathan Fillion, Zoe Saldaña, Nichelle Nichols, Ronald D. Moore, Nicholas Meyer, Arthur C. Clarke, Keir Dullea
This Time Travel Special journeys from H. G. Wells The Time Machine through ideas like The Grandfather Paradox and The Butterfly Effect, to the professional time traveler that is the ever popular Doctor Who. Steven Moffat, David Tennant, Karen Gillan, and Neil Gaiman offer a unique perspective on the Doctor. Furthermore, Edward James Olmos reveals the hidden meaning of the language he created for the vision of the future that is Blade Runner, while Bob Gale and Christopher Lloyd take us behind the scenes of Back to the Future.
Directed by Robert MurphyWritten by Charles OlivierGuest stars Christopher Lloyd, Neil Gaiman, Michio Kaku, Bob Gale, Rian Johnson, Kim Stanley Robinson, Ed Solomon, Alex Winter
