Welcome to Very British Futures, the podcast that dives deep into the hidden vaults of British science fiction television, uncovering the bold, the bizarre, and the brilliant. Hosted by Gareth Preston. Today we’re decoding a 80’s cold war thriller with a cerebral twist: the 1981 BBC teen drama Codename: Icarus.

Martin Smith may seem like a typical Northern teenager but he might be the next Einstein. An offer from the mysterious Icarus Foundation for gifted children seems like his golden ticket but soon Martin and his friend Susan suspect that the school is a front for something much more sinister.

Part spy story, part psychological mystery, and part techno-thriller, Codename: Icarus dared to ask what mighthappen if the brightest minds of tomorrow were weaponised today. With its moody visuals, strong cast, and a plot that spirals from boarding school corridors to global conspiracy, it’s a series that still resonates with viewers who like their sci-fi served with a dose of paranoia and intellect.

Joining me to dissect this enigmatic gem are two brilliant minds of our own: Kara Dennison, writer and pop culture analyst with a keen eye for British genre television, and Nicky Smalley, sci-fi enthusiast whose love for vintage drama runs deep. Together, they’ll explore the show’s themes, its place in the BBC’s legacy of ambitious children’s programming, and why Codename: Icarus deserves a place in the best of genre television.

So flex your keyboard skills, adjust your frequency, and prepare to enter a world where genius is dangerous and nothing is quite what it seems. Let’s begin.

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Find out more about Gareth Preston and the podcast atgarethpreston.blog

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Kara at Crunchy Roll TV

Learn more about Codename: Icarus from these excellentarticles:
https://www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2015/10/codename-icarus.html

https://ayearinthecountry.co.uk/codename-icarus-hidden-teatime-cold-war-intrigues-wanderings-23-26/

https://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2010/02/lost_gems_codename_icarus_1981.php

Welcome to a special episode of Very British Futures, where we dive deep into the UK cult classics that shaped sci-fi television history. Today, we're rewinding the clock to explore The Tomorrow People—the original 1970s British TV series that dared to imagine a new evolution of humanity.

With its blend of telepathy, teleportation, and teenage idealism, this show captured imaginations and sparked debates about what it means to be truly human, and what you might do if you "broke out" too.

Joining Gareth Preston for this nostalgic journey are two voices well-versed in retro sci-fi: Tim Reid and Charles Auchterlonie, the dynamic duo behind The Randomiser podcast. Together, they’ll unpack the series’ legacy, its quirky charm, and the bold ideas that made it a standout in the world of children's television. Expect lively discussion, behind-the-scenes trivia, and maybe even a jaunt through hyperspace.

So grab your belts of power and tune your mind to the frequency of tomorrow—because the future starts now.

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Welcome to Very British Futures—the show where cult British TV series get the future-facing conversations they deserve. In this episode, host Gareth Preston is joined by special guests Amy Elizabeth and Una McCormack to dive deep into the world of Blake’s 7, the iconic space opera that launched a thousand philosophical debates and more than a few dodgy costume choices.

Together, they unpack two standout episodes: the intense showdown of “Seek-Locate-Destroy,” which introduces the formidable Servalan and her relentless pursuit of the Liberator crew, and the mind-bending intrigue of “Deathwatch,” where diplomacy and entertainment collide in the strangest of arenas. Expect sharp insights, fond memories, and lively discussion as they revisit the show's bold storytelling and enduring legacy.

So, strap in—it's time to teleport back to the Federation.

Find out more about Una McCormack's work at https://www.unamccormack.com/

Book tickets for "Calendar Girl with Amy, at the Lyric Theatre.

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Visit garethpreston.blog for more info on the podcast, reviews, fiction and more about host Gareth Preston

2016. Northern Ireland’s New Community College of Education is a symbol of integrated living between Protestant and Catholic communities. When founder and Director Cyril Brown returns from three weeks of convalescence, he is disturbed by the increased influence of his Security Chief turned Vice-Director, Lennie North.

History lecturer Connor Mullan wants to turn a proposed art exhibition about the centenary of the 1916 rising into a fully-fledged protest march against the government. North is bitterly against this and Brown finds himself caught in a power struggle of ego and prejudice.

Easter 2016 was written by Graham Reid, who would go on to write Play for Today's famous "Billy" trilogy. It stars Derrick O'Connor, Bill Nighy and Denys Hawthorne.

This is the final play in the Play for Tomorrow mini-season produced by the team behind Play for Today. Featuring special guest Carolyn Arnold.

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

Find out more about Carolyn Arnold's work as a Time Travel Coach

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1999.A time when technology has created a comfortable materially rich UK. The government has converted empty office blocks into luxury living accommodation for all single young people, where they move in after turning 18. In return for an hour of work, all their physical needs are catered for, and the residents spend their days lost in virtual reality worlds.

Sheena is a recent arrival. Invited to choose the theme for her birthday party, she and her friends research history and choose the “psycho-masochists” of the early Eighties.Sheena becomes intrigued by the CND protestors and wonders why none of her friends worry about nuclear war anymore. Then one day she wakes up and finds herselfliving in 1981, as a young woman called Abigail.

"Shades" was written by Stephen Lowe and stars Tracy Childs and Neil Pearson.

Presenting a special mini series examining BBC1's "Play for Tomorrow" from 1982. Six looks into the future by up and coming playwrights, produced by the "Play for Today" team.

Featuring regular guest commentator John Isles from "I Don't Do Sci-Fi" podcast. Listen to it at https://open.spotify.com/show/6vPllHxYmotp85gcFFxmJd?si=008d9101248b4790

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

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It’s 1999 and the Brown family are cooped up together in their family flat. Joe was made redundant at the start of the 80s, like most men in town. Now it’s his children Gary and Ann who are the breadwinners, working from home, much to Joe’s resentment. Joe decides that the family needs a holiday, and signs them up for a working break in the underwater Ministry of Defence Civilian Work Centre. Once there, all four of them face unexpected personal challenges.

Presenting a special mini series examining BBC1's "Play for Tomorrow" from 1982. Six looks into the future by up and coming playwrights, produced by the BBC legendary "Play for Today" team.

Written by Tom McGrath and starring Jimmy Hanley, Gerard Kelly and Russell Hunter.

Featuring guest commentator Mark Donaldson, from On the Timelash. Listen to it at https://onthetimelash.wordpress.com/

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

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Visit garethpreston.blog for more info on the podcast, reviews, fiction and more about host Gareth Preston

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A rare of example of a SF take of rural politics, set in Northumberland.

The selection committee of Coanwood Cricket Club is meeting to decide the lineup for the final match of the season, at the farmhouse of chairman John Ridley. His wife Morna is providing afternoon tea and she notices the men are acting unusually secretively. Once she has been sent away, Lord Slaggyford activates a device to disrupt computer and radio surveillance, either by their rivals Blenkinsop or the Forrestry Commission. The meeting gets underway, using an online version of Wisden which stores all their match data and can suggest the ideal team order and strategy. However, soon cricket talk gives way to the matter of an incompetent guerilla raid on a local farm carried out by John’s son Willie and his friends.

Cricket was written by Michel Wilcox and directed by Michael Darlow. Presenting a special mini series examining BBC1's Play for Tomorrow from 1982. Six looks into the future by up and coming playwrights, produced by the Play for Today team.

Featuring writer, editor and cricket fan Steve Hatcher as our special guest.

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

Find out more about Steven Hatcher's local group work at https://www.whoovers.org.uk/home.php

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New Year’s Eve 1999. Great Britain is part of the European State. The Euro army is in the midst of a controversial war in the Middle East. Sam Howard has come to a French prison to see his daughter Cathy, who has been arrested for being part of a conspiracy to assassinate a pro-war politician, and is facing execution. The authorities hope he can persuade her to issue an apology regretting her actions, allowing them to commute her sentence to prison time. Waiting outside her cell, Sam remembers two earlier New Year’s Eves. How can he save his daughter - and should he?

Presenting a special mini series examining BBC1's Play for Tomorrow from 1982. Six looks into the future by up and coming playwrights, produced by the Play for Today team.

Bright Eyes was written by Peter Prince, and stars Robin Ellis, Sarah Berger and Stephen Greif.

Featuring guest contributor Jon Arnold, writer and co-host of the Strangers in Space podcast.

Find out more at https://westlakefilms.uk/verybritishfutures/

Listen to the insightful Strangers in Space at https://strangersinspace.libsyn.com/

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