Today BBC America announced its co-production of a documentary about the impact of sci-fi on “cinema” (because they’re British), TV and literature. The announcement promises four episodes, each with a different theme: time travel, space exploration, robots and AI, and aliens. Through those episodes “this series will guide viewers through a rich, thought-provoking and endlessly exciting genre.”
Aren’t the norms adorable? I’m really looking forward to seeing what they do; BBC America productions rarely disappoint.
By the way, you’ll see that the title includes a “(W/T)” at the end; it stands for “working title”. Although the quote they incorporate (from 2001: A Space Odyssey) is terrific, it does make for a very long title, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes.
BBC AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW CO-PRODUCTION MY GOD, IT’S FULL OF STARS: A JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF SCIENCE FICTION (W/T)
BBC AMERICA Four-part docu-series takes an in-depth look at the cult of science fiction
New York – June 12, 2013 – BBC AMERICA and BBC Two announced today a new four-part docu-series co-production My God, It’s Full of Stars: A Journey to the Edge of Science Fiction (W/T). The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction. The story of one of the liveliest and most stimulating genres in popular culture will be told through its impact on cinema, television and literature.
Each episode will explore one of the enduring themes of science fiction: time travel; the exploration of space; robots and artificial intelligence; and aliens. It will be made with the help of the genre’s greatest pioneers: the filmmakers, writers, actors, and graphic artists whose obsession and imagination has taken them into the unknown. Having explored the future, the past, parallel universes and galaxies far, far away, they are now ready to report back on their experiences.
This is the story of science fiction told by the men and women who fell to earth… From HG Wells‘s War Of The Worlds to The Terminator, from Doctor Who to Star Wars this series will guide viewers through a rich, thought-provoking and endlessly exciting genre.
The executive producer for the BBC is Michael Poole and overseeing production for BBC AMERICA are Richard De Croce and Rachel Smith.
BBC AMERICA is the home of sci-fi and supernatural series Doctor Who, Orphan Black, Being Human, In The Flesh and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and eleven Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.4 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
