1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1980 6th January 1980
Worzel Gummidge series 2 (ITV, x8)
The magical scarecrow adventures continue.
series 1, series 3 7th January 1980
Blake’s 7 series 3 (BBC 1, x13)
After Blake’s death, Avon becomes de facto leader of the rebel band.
series 2, series 4 15th January 1980
Look and Read: ‘The Boy from Space’ (BBC 1, x10)
Colour remake of the 1974 story about kids befriending a young alien.
previous serial, next serial 4th February 1980
The Goodies: ‘U-friend or UFO?’ (BBC 2)
Bill, Tim and Graeme encounter trombonist-stealing aliens.
previous episode, next episode 5th March 1980
Friends in Space (ITV)
ITV Playhouse comedy about a bunch of ufologists who encounter an alien being called ‘the Nigel.’ 7th March 1980
Rentaghost series 5 (BBC 1, x5)
Long-running children’s sitcom continues without the 20th century and regency ghosts but with other new characters including a Russian ghost.
Xmas special, series 6 2nd April 1980
Noah’s Castle (ITV, x7)
Grim children’s drama about a near-future Britain where the starving population are on the brink of anarchy. 30th August 1980
Doctor Who series 18 (BBC 1, x28)
Romana and K9 make way for Adric and Nyssa as the Doctor finds himself in E-space, N-space and Logopolis.
series 17, K9 and Company 31st August 1980
The Curse of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (ITV, US/UK)
Supernatural drama about Howard Carter et al, retitled The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb for the USA. 4th September 1980
Leap in the Dark series 4 (BBC 2, x7)
After a considerable gap, a final series of the supernatural anthology.
series 3 6th September 1980
Metal Mickey series 1 (ITV, x8)
Family sitcom about a well-intentioned but occasionally troublesome robot.
series 2 13th September 1980
Hammer House of Horror (ITV, x13)
Anthology of feature-length horror stories produced by the legendary company.
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense 1st November 1980
Worzel Gummidge series 3 (ITV, x8)
More magical misadventures for the scallywag scarecrow.
series 2, Xmas special 17th November 1980
Spinechillers (BBC 1, x19)
Jackanory-for-older-kids series of readings of classic horror tales by Wells, Saki, etc. 9th December 1980
The Flipside of Dominick Hide (BBC 1)
Highly acclaimed Play for Today about a man who travels back in time and becomes his own great grandfather.
Another Flip for Dominick 23rd December 1980
The Bells of Astercote (BBC 1)
One-off adaptation of Penelope Lively ghost story about two children who move to a village which was abandoned during the Black Death. 27th December 1980
Worzel Gummidge: ‘Worzel’s Christmas Special’ (ITV)
Festive fun for the rascally scarecrow.
series 3, series 4 1981 1st January 1981
Stainless Steel and the Star Spies (ITV)
Sci-fi comedy mixing puppets and actors, written by the creator of the Wicked Willie talking penis cartoons. 5th January 1981
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (BBC 2, x6)
Douglas Adams’ satire about a man who survives the demolition of the Planet Earth, adapted from the 1978 radio series. 6th January 1981
Sapphire and Steel series 2 (ITV, x10)
More weird adventures with the two ‘time agents’.
series 1, series 3 6th January 1981
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (BBC 1)
David Hemmings does dual duty, supported by Diana Dors and Toyah Willcox. 1st April 1981
Echoes of Louisa (ITV, x6)
Children’s ghost drama. 4th April 1981
Metal Mickey series 2 (ITV, x5)
More comedy with the well-meaning domestic robot.
series 1, series 3 24th April 1981
Rentaghost series 6 (BBC 1, x6)
More silliness with the jester, the witch, the pantomime horse and a different Russian ghost.
series 5, series 7 1st May 1981
The Nightmare Man (BBC 2, x4)
Brutal murders on a Scottish island point to a killer who isn’t human. 13th May 1981
Into the Labyrinth series 1 (ITV, x7)
Good sorcerer sends group of children to retrieve magical item from evil sorcerer.
series 2 26th May 1981
Sin with Our Permission (ITV)
ITV Playhouse about a futuristic ‘new town’ where the inhabitants are being controlled. 3rd August 1981
Into the Labyrinth series 2 (ITV, x7)
The children continue to search for the magical McGuffin, snatched away at the end of every episode.
series 1, series 3 11th August 1981
Sapphire and Steel series 3 (ITV, x6)
The time agents investigate a murder stuck in a time warp.
series 2, series 4 23rd August 1981
Miss Morison’s Ghosts (ITV)
In 1901, two English tourists step back in time in the gardens of Versailles. Based on a (claimed) true story. 4th September 1981
Kinvig (ITV, x7)
Atypically awful Nigel Kneale ‘comedy’ about a UFO nut/sci-fi fan. 5th September 1981
Metal Mickey series 3 (ITV, x8)
The silver automaton continues to cause unintentional havoc.
series 2, Xmas specials 10th September 1981
The Day of the Triffids (BBC 2, x6, UK/Oz)
Excellent adaptation of John Wyndham’s novel about perambulating plants. 22nd September 1981
Look and Read: ‘Dark Towers’ (BBC 1, x10)
Children’s ghost drama broadcast as part of long-running schools series.
previous serial, next serial 28th September 1981
Blake’s 7 series 4 (BBC 1, x13)
Final outing for the septet, with a new spaceship and a couple of new recruits.
series 3 28th September 1981
Stig of the Dump (ITV, x10)
Boy on holiday meets and befriends caveman living in old quarry.
next version 29th September 1981
Vice Versa (ITV, x7)
Another version of the Victorian father/son body-swap fantasy.
previous version 26th October 1981
Astronauts (ITV, x6)
Unbelievably weak sci-fi sitcom about the British space programme, written by two of the Goodies! 31st October 1981
Worzel Gummidge series 4 (ITV, x7)
Fourth and final series of British adventures before Jon Pertwee’s scarecrow emigrated to New Zealand.
Xmas special, Worzel Gummidge Down Under series 1 8th December 1981
Codename Icarus (BBC 1, x5)
Global conspiracy surreptitiously recruits brilliant teenage nuclear physicist to assist in plans to develop a deadly ‘quark bomb’. 19th December 1981
Metal Mickey: Christmas Specials (ITV, x2)
Two-part festive adventure for the comedy robot.
series 3, series 4 28th December 1981
K9 and Company (BBC 2)
Oddball pilot for an unmade Doctor Who spin-off starring Sarah-Jane Smith and the robotic dog.
Doctor Who series 18, series 19 29th December 1981
Artemis 81 (BBC 1)
Complex and confusing fantasy about warring angels, a Pagan relic on a North Sea ferry and the impending apocalypse. 1982 4th January 1982
Doctor Who series 19 (BBC 1, x26)
The Doctor regenerates as Peter Davison; with the help of Adric, Nyssa and Tegan he defeats the Terileptils, some Cybermen and the Master while still finding time for a game of cricket.
K9 and Company, series 20 9th January 1982
The Goodies: ‘Robot’ (ITV)
Tim and Graeme replace Bill with a robot.
previous episode 12th January 1982
A Cotswold Death (BBC 1)
Play for Today about a murder investigation which uses clairvoyance to find the killer of an Arab Sheik in an English village. 1st February 1982
West Country Tales series 1 (BBC 2, x8)
Supernatural anthology set in the west of England.
series 2 15th February 1982
Dead Ernest (ITV, x7)
Heavenly sitcom about a man called to join the angels before his time. 26th February 1982
The Haunting of Cassie Palmer (UK/NZ, ITV, x6)
Young girl’s nascent psychic powers conjure up a frightening ghost. 14th March 1982
Whoops Apocalypse (ITV, x6)
Epic, slightly surreal comedy series about the run up to global nuclear war, later remade as a feature film. 13th April 1982
Play for Tomorrow (BBC 1, x6)
Anthology of commissioned futuristic dramas. 24th May 1982
I Have Been Here Before (BBC 1)
One of JB Priestley’s ‘time plays’ presented as a Play of the Month. 28th July 1982
Into the Labyrinth series 3 (ITV, x7)
A boy hunts down a different magical item for another sorcerer.
series 2 19th August 1982
Sapphire and Steel series 4 (ITV, x4)
The time agents discover that their final case concerns their own existence.
series 3 18th September 1982
Metal Mickey series 4 (ITV, x17)
Final run for the robot-based sitcom.
Xmas specials 5th October 1982
Rentaghost series 7 (BBC 1, x13)
More childish (and often non-ghost related) antics for the silly spooks, including a panto-based Christmas special as part of the regular run.
series 6, series 8 14th December 1982
Another Flip for Dominick (BBC 1)
Time travelling conundrum sequel to the acclaimed Play for Today.
The Flipside of Dominick Hide 24th December 1982
The Curious Case of Santa Claus (C4)
Seasonal comedy about Saint Nick visiting a psychiatrist in New York. 31st December 1982
Ghost in the Water (BBC 2)
Victorian ghost of drowned woman tries to clear her ‘suicide‘ story. 1983 3rd January 1983
Doctor Who series 20 (BBC 1, x22)
The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa and Turlough cope with Omega, the Mara, the Black Guardian and a really, really crap android called Kamelion.
series 19, The Five Doctors 3rd January 1983
The Comic Strip Presents: ‘War’ (C4)
Futuristic comedy about a conquered Britain: “Bugger me Donald, it’s the bloody Russians! What am us gonna do?”
next episode 5th January 1983
Captain Zep - Space Detective series 1 (BBC 1, x6)
Children’s sci-fi pulp adventure incorporating audience and viewer interaction.
series 2 22nd January 1983
Luna series 1 (ITV, x6)
Comedy adventures of a teenage girl in the year 2033.
series 2 8th April 1983
Face Lift (C4)
Sci-fi musical about a stage magician, set in 2074. 18th April 1983
Dramarama Spooky (ITV, x7)
Children’s collection of mostly original supernatural tales, prefiguring long-running kid anthology series.
Dramarama series 1 12th May 1983
West Country Tales series 2 (BBC 2, x7)
Second series of the rural supernatural anthology.
series 1 27th May 1983
Shades of Darkness (ITV, x9)
Rarely seen anthology of paranormal adaptations. 15th June 1983
The Black Adder (BBC 2, x6)
Alternative history sitcom set in the court of Richard IV after his father wins the Battle of Bosworth Field (in reality won by Henry Tudor). Later series were set during genuine historical periods.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol 12th September 1983
Dramarama series 1 (ITV, x9)
Children’s anthology series featuring a large number of fantasy/SF episodes.
Dramarama Spooky, series 2 13th September 1983
The Dark Side of the Sun (BBC 1, x6)
Supernatural thriller set on Rhodes, involving a secret cabal descended from the Knights Templar. 15th September 1983
The Old Men at the Zoo (BBC 2, x5)
Near-future political allegory set in a zoo. 9th October 1983
Terrahawks series 1 (ITV, x13)
Gerry Anderson returns to puppetry using glove puppets instead of marionettes in this largely forgettable Thunderbirds knock-off.
series 2 18th October 1983
Rentaghost series 8 (BBC 1, x5)
Extraordinarily long-running kiddie sitcom shows no signs of stopping.
series 7, series 9 14th November 1983
The Witches and the Grinnygog (ITV, x6)
Children’s serial adapted from a book by Dorothy Edwards about Pagan witches seeking the return of a sacred icon. 25th November 1983
Doctor Who: ‘The Five Doctors’ (BBC 1)
Twentieth anniversary special teaming up five incarnations with a new actor as the first Doctor and footage from 'Shada' used to shoehorn Tom Baker into the story.
series 20, series 21 13th December 1983
The Aerodrome (BBC 2)
In a near-future Fascist Britain, tensions arise between villagers and the Air Force. 1984 5th January 1984
Doctor Who series 21 (BBC 1, x24)
The Doctor swaps Tegan and Turlough for Peri (and Peter Davison for Colin Baker) as he encounters Sea Devils and Silurians, Roundheads and Cavaliers. And Daleks.
The Five Doctors, series 22 9th January 1984
Chocky (ITV, x6)
Alien befriends and educates Earth boy in well-regarded Wyndham adaptation.
Chocky’s Children 19th January 1984
The Steam Video Company (ITV, x6)
Corny anthology of spoof gothic horrors from the writers of Whoops Apocalypse, featuring Barry Cryer and Bob Todd. 11th February 1984
The Comic Strip Presents: ‘Slags’ (C4)
Rival street gangs clash in future-set episode of comedy anthology.
previous episode, next episode 15th February 1984
Luna series 2 (ITV, x6)
Joanne Wyatt replaces Patsy Kensit in the futuristic teen sitcom.
series 1 28th February 1984
Z for Zachariah (BBC 1)
Post-apocalyptic Play for Today from the producer of Play for Tomorrow. 9th March 1984
Captain Zep - Space Detective series 2 (BBC 1, x6)
Further problem-solving adventures for the pulp space hero (now played by a different actor) and his audience.
series 1 28th April 1984
Robin of Sherwood series 1 (ITV, x6)
Hugely popular reinvention of the Sherwood Forest legend incorporating Pagan mythology.
series 2 14th May 1984
Dramarama series 2 (ITV, x12)
Children’s anthology series continues, including an episode which is a sequel to Ace of Wands!
series 1, series 3 14th July 1984
They Came from Somewhere Else (C4, x6)
Obscure, surreal comedy serial about an English town being taken over by aliens disguised as roadworks. 4th September 1984
The Invisible Man (BBC 2, x6)
Faithful adaptation of the Wells novel. 5th September 1984
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (ITV, x13)
Scrappily scheduled anthology of feature-length chillers, many of which were not unexpectedly fantasy tales. The famous company’s last dramatic productions for 24 years.
Hammer House of Horror 15th September 1984
The Tripods series 1 (UK/Oz, BBC 1, x13)
Adaptation of the first novel in John Christopher’s young adult trilogy about life under Wells-ian invaders.
series 2 23rd September 1984
Terrahawks series 2 (ITV, x13)
More ‘Supermacromation’ adventures for the glove puppet pilots.
series 1, series 3 23rd September 1984
Threads (BBC 2)
Harrowing, critically acclaimed drama about the effects on ordinary people of a nuclear attack on Britain. 9th October 1984
Rentaghost series 9 (BBC 1, x5)
Children’s sitcom of magic and mayhem finally grinds to a halt.
series 8 21st November 1984
The Box of Delights (BBC 1, x6)
Wonderful adaptation of John Masefield’s novel about a boy entrusted with a magical box by a Punch and Judy man. 17th December 1984
Comrade Dad pilot (BBC 2)
George Cole-starring sitcom about life in Britain after a Soviet invasion.
series 27th December 1984
Frankenstein (ITV, UK/USA)
Carrie Fisher, Robert Powell and Sir John Gielgud in an all-star feature-length version of the Shelley tale. 1985 2nd January 1985
The Galactic Garden (BBC 1)
Miniature aliens face invertebrate dangers when they visit Earth. 5th January 1985
Doctor Who series 22 (BBC 1, x13)
The Sixth Doctor and Peri meet Cybermen, Daleks, the Rani and the Second Doctor.
series 21, series 23 7th January 1985
Chocky’s Children (ITV, x6)
Authorised sequel to Wyndham adaptation sees alien-befriended boy meet similarly gifted girl.
Chocky, Chocky’s Challenge 20th January 1985
Supergran series 1 (ITV, x13)
Children’s sitcom adapted from Forrest Wilson’s books about a Scottish pensioner who becomes an unlikely superhero.
Xmas special 9th March 1985
Robin of Sherwood series 2 (ITV, x7)
Herne the Hunter continues to help Robin and his merry men.
series 1, series 3 26th March 1985
Alice in Wonderland (ITV, x5)
Faithful adaptation of Carroll’s first Alice book, mixing live actors with extensive use of puppets.
previous Alice, next Alice 1st April 1985
Dramarama series 3 (ITV, x13)
More short dramas for young people including plenty of fantasy stories.
series 2, series 4 4th April 1985
Max Headroom (C4)
‘Twenty minutes into the future’, a TV reporter is reinvented as a virtual presenter. Max went on to host a pop videos series and a chat show. The 1987 series based on this pilot was a US show. 31st July 1985
The War Game (BBC 2)
After two decades, Peter Watkins’ controversial, Oscar-winning TV drama about a nuclear attack finally makes its small-screen debut. 31st August 1985
Children of the Dog Star (ITV, x6, UK/NZ)
Three children attempting to save a swamp from developers reassemble pieces of an alien probe. 7th September 1985
The Tripods series 2 (BBC 1, x12, UK/Oz)
The second novel in John Christopher’s trilogy leaves the story in the lurch as the third book was never adapted.
series 1 1st October 1985
Galloping Galaxies series 1 (BBC 1, x5)
Rentaghost creator’s kidcom about space battles, featuring Kenneth Williams as the ship’s computer.
series 2 25th October 1985
Bergerac: ‘What Dreams May Come True’ (BBC 2)
Jersey-based detective finds possible supernatural cause when investigating the case of a man apparently frightened to death.
next episode 4th November 1985
Edge of Darkness (BBC 2, x6)
Critically acclaimed SF/crime thriller about a murder investigation which uncovers a nuclear conspiracy. 28th December 1985
Timeslip (ITV)
Rogue computer locks a couple inside an office block in this pilot for an unmade anthology series. 1986 5th January 1986
Alice in Wonderland (BBC 2, x4)
Lavish Carroll-ian adaptation.
previous Alice, next Alice 13th January 1986
Robin of Sherwood series 3 (ITV, x13)
Jason Connery replaces Michael Praed for the final season of the supernatural-tinged adventure series.
series 2 13th January 1986
Comrade Dad (BBC 2, x7)
Domestic hilarity under the yoke of Soviet invaders.
pilot 19th January 1986
The Return of the Antelope series 1 (ITV, x6)
Swift-ian sequel about a ship from Lilliput which arrives in Northern England in 1899.
series 2 2nd March 1986
Mr Pye (C4, x4)
Mervyn Peake’s allegorical novel of a man so pious he grows angel wings. 3rd May 1986
Terrahawks series 3 (ITV, x13)
More glove puppet adventures.
series 2 30th June 1986
Dramarama series 4 (ITV, x14)
Highly regarded, fantasy-heavy kidthology continues.
series 3, series 5 6th September 1986
Doctor Who series 23 (BBC 1, x14)
‘The Trial of a Time Lord’ sees the Doctor losing Peri but gaining the companionship of Bonnie Langford.
series 22, series 24 18th September 1986
Lenny Henry Tonite: ‘Gronk Zillman’ (BBC 2)
Episode of comedy anthology featuring a time-travelling sci-fi detective originally developed on Lenny Henry’s Radio 1 programme. 22nd September 1986
Worlds Beyond (ITV, x13)
Low-rent anthology series, allegedly based on real cases. Scattered across ITV’s schedules for two years or more; this is the earliest known broadcast date of any episode. 29th September 1986
Chocky’s Challenge (ITV, x6)
Further estate-authorised adventures of the John Wyndham characters.
Chocky’s Children 8th October 1986
The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (BBC 2, x4)
Adaptation of Fay Weldon’s borderline supernatural novel of feminist revenge. 26th October 1986
The Return of the Antelope series 2 (ITV, x8)
Further adventures of the Lilliputian sailors and the children who befriend them.
series 1, series 3 1st November 1986
The Worst Witch (ITV)
Diana Rigg stars in feature-length adaptation of Jill Murphy’s novel about a school for young witches.
series 20th November 1986
Galloping Galaxies series 2 (BBC 1, x5)
More wacky intergalactic mayhem for kids.
series 1 26th November 1986
The Children of Green Knowe (BBC 1, x4)
Schoolboy visiting his grandmother magically encounters his restoration-era ancestors. 22nd December 1986
Daemon (C4)
Boy becomes possessed by the spirit of a Victorian chimney sweep. 24th December 1986
Supergran Xmas Special (ITV)
Yuletide adventure for the geriatric superhero.
series 1, series 2 25th December 1986
Classic Ghost Stories, by MR James (BBC 2, x5)
Robert Powell reads five Jamesian tales, with dramatised inserts. 26th December 1986
Bergerac: ‘Fires in the Fall’ (BBC 2)
Jersey detective investigates arson attacks and a medium who claims to be in contact with the ghost responsible.
previous episode 1987 26th January 1987
A Small Problem (BBC 2, x6)
Near-future sitcom set in a Britain where anyone under five feet is officially a second-class citizen. Intended as a satire on prejudice, it caused a bit of a ruckus apparently! 16th February 1987
The Secret World of Polly Flint (ITV, x6)
Lonely young girl discovers portal to 400-year-old village. 8th March 1987
Supergran series 2 (ITV, x13)
More unlikely adventures with the crime-fighting OAP.
Xmas special 30th March 1987
Dramarama series 5 (ITV, x15)
More fantasy episodes in long-running children’s anthology series.
series 4, series 6 3rd July 1987
Boogie Outlaws (BBC 2, x3)
Near future drama about a renegade rock band. 6th July 1987
Star Cops (BBC 2, x9)
Underappreciated, realistic attempt to explore law and order in a lunar colony. 26th July 1987
Shadow of the Stone (ITV, x6)
Girl becomes possessed by the spirit of her 17th century ancestor. 25th August 1987
Brimstone and Treacle (BBC 2)
Infamous Dennis Potter Play for Today about a demonic loner raping a disabled girl. Made in 1976 but unbroadcast until five years after the feature film version. 6th September 1987
Knights of God (ITV, x13)
In 2020, fascist religious organisation rules Britain and tries to quell resistance. 7th September 1987
Doctor Who series 24 (BBC 1, x14)
The Seventh Doctor and Mel encounter the Rani, visit Paradise Towers and Wales and team up with Ace to hunt dragons.
series 23, series 25 30th September 1987
Kin of the Castle (BBC1)
One-off children’s fantasy comedy about a centuries old family. 4th October 1987
Worzel Gummidge Down Under series 1 (C4, x10, UK/NZ)
Rascally scarecrow moves to New Zealand and a different channel.
Worzel Gummidge series 4, series 2 11th October 1987
Welcome to My World (BBC 1, x6)
Fictionalised 21st century documentaries ‘looking back’ at how developments in computer technology changed economics, politics, the arts etc. The final programme was a studio discussion. 2nd November 1987
The Gemini Factor (ITV, x6)
Children’s drama about a psychic link between twins separated at birth. 11th November 1987
Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations (BBC 1)
Alan Ayckbourn’s play for children about a boy who can imagine things into reality. 18th November 1987
Aliens in the Family (BBC 1, x6)
Twelve-year-old stepsisters help an alien reach a stone circle; adapted from the novel by Margaret Mahy. 6th December 1987
Body Contact (BBC 2)
Rock musical set in a futuristic London, about a taxi driver helping a woman escape from gangsters. ??? 1987
Night Voices (ITV, x6)
Obscure anthology series of spooky stories. 1988 17th January 1988
The Return of the Antelope series 3 (ITV, x7)
More micro-adventures for the Lilliputian explorers.
series 2, series 4 10th February 1988
Moondial (BBC 1, x6)
Helen Cresswell adapts her own novel about a girl who travels back to Victorian times. 15th February 1988
Red Dwarf series 1 (BBC 2, x6)
Cult sitcom in which a lazy slob, a hologram, a feline humanoid and a sardonic computer find themselves alone on a giant spaceship millions of years in the future.
series 2 28th February 1988
Helping Henry (C4, x13)
Boy explains the world to alien disguised as a chair. 3rd March 1988
Erasmus Microman series 1 (ITV, x7)
Bonkers time/space traveller takes two children to meet the greatest scientists in history.
series 2 12th March 1988
The Comic Strip Presents: ‘The Yob’ (C4)
Keith Allen writes and stars in a parody of The Fly.
previous episode, next episode 13th March 1988
Mr Majeika series 1 (ITV, x6)
Alien wizard sets himself up as a teacher at a village school.
Xmas special 9th May 1988
Dramarama series 6 (ITV, x16)
Kidthology series continues its run, with plenty of fantasy tales in the mix.
series 5, series 7 15th May 1988
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller (C4, x9, UK/US)
Anthology of European folk tales produced by Muppets creator, as told to a dog.
The Storyteller: Greek Myths 19th June 1988
A Very British Coup (C4, x3)
Near future political satire in which left-wing Prime Minister’s ultra-liberal policies generate a conspiracy against him. 6th September 1988
Red Dwarf series 2 (BBC 2, x6)
More shipboard comedy for Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Holly.
series 1, series 3 7th September 1988
The Black and Blue Lamp (BBC 2)
Suspected killer of policeman in classic 1949 film The Blue Lamp finds himself transported into 1988 TV cop show. 5th October 1988
Doctor Who series 25 (BBC 1, x14)
The Doctor and Ace battle Daleks, Cybermen and Bertie Bassett.
series 24, series 26 15th October 1988
The Return of the Antelope series 4 (ITV, x6)
Final series of the post-Gulliver, Victorian, reverse Land of the Giants.
series 3 30th October 1988
First Born (BBC 1, x3, UK/Oz/NZ)
Scientist creates human/gorilla hybrid; adapted from Maureen Duffy’s novel Gor Saga. 13th November 1988
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (BBC 1, x6)
Lavish adaptation of first volume in CS Lewis’ classic fantasy series.
previous version, Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 26th November 1988
The Snow Spider (ITV, x4)
Nine-year-old Welsh boy discovers he has inherited magical powers. 3rd December 1988
How to Be Cool (ITV, x3)
Roger Daltrey stars as the leader of the ‘National Cool Board’, a secret government organisation which dictates fashion trends. 7th December 1988
The Watch House (BBC, x3)
Children’s ghost story, based around a lighthouse, adapted from a novel by Robert Westall. 23rd December 1988
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol (BBC 2)
In Victorian times, kind-hearted Edmund Blackadder is shown his family’s past, present and future and resolves to turn bad.
The Black Adder, Blackadder Back and Forth 24th December 1988
Bobby in Wonderland (ITV)
Impressionist Bobby Davro plays most of the roles in loose Carroll adaptation. 25th December 1988
Mr Majeika Xmas Special (ITV)
Festive one-off for the alien wizard.
series 1, series 2 1989 4th January 1989
Tom’s Midnight Garden (BBC 2, x6)
Another adaptation of the popular time-travel story.
previous version 7th January 1989
Mr Majeika series 2 (ITV, x6)
Alien wizard continues to weave his magic in a village school.
Xmas special, series 3 20th January 1989
The Groovy Fellers (C4, x6)
Jools Holland shows a Martian the human way of life. 29th January 1989
Worzel Gummidge Down Under series 2 (C4, x12, UK/NZ)
More antipodean adventures for Worzel and Aunt Sally.
series 1 7th March 1989
Govan Ghost Story (BBC 1)
Play on One about a ghostly little girl haunting a block of flats. 10th March 1989
The Night of the Comic Dead (BBC 1)
Horror spoof starring Phil Cool, shown as part of Comic Relief. 16th March 1989
Mike and Angelo series 1 (ITV, x10)
Extraordinarily long-running children’s sitcom about a boy, his divorced mother and the alien who lives in his wardrobe.
series 2 25th April 1989
Unexplained Laughter (BBC 1)
Play on One about two women who hear ghosts in a Welsh holiday cottage. 12th June 1989
Rules of Engagement (ITV, x6)
Near future conspiracy thriller. 12th June 1989
Dramarama series 7 (ITV, x11)
Final series of the top-notch, often fantasy-themed kids’ drama strand.
series 6 26th August 1989
Murder on the Moon (ITV, UK/US)
Russian and American investigators clash when examining a Lunar death. 6th September 1989
Doctor Who series 26 (BBC 1, x14)
The final season of the original series sees the Doctor and Ace teaming up with the Brigadier and facing off against the Master. But no Daleks.
series 25, Dimensions in Time 14th September 1989
Mike and Angelo series 2 (ITV, x10)
More comedy adventures with a boy, his mum and his alien.
series 1, series 3 17th September 1989
Nineteen 96 (BBC 1)
Screen One drama set in a near-future Wales riven by terrorism and civil unrest. 19th September 1989
Look and Read: ‘Through the Dragon’s Eye’ (BBC 2, x10)
Children are drawn into a magical land by a painted dragon.
previous serial, next serial 17th October 1989
Snakes and Ladders (C4, x7)
Satirical comedy serial about a near-future UK physically divided into North and South. 3rd November 1989
Erasmus Microman series 2 (ITV, x7)
Bonkers time-space traveller returns to teach kids more about science.
series 1 14th November 1989
Red Dwarf series 3 (BBC 2, x6)
Kryten the android joins the crew of the Dwarf and Holly undergoes a sex change.
series 2, series 4 19th November 1989
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (BBC 1, x6)
Volumes 2 and 3 of the CS Lewis fantasy epic adapted into two and four episodes respectively and run consecutively.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Silver Chair 24th December 1989
The Woman in Black (C4)
Nigel Kneale adapts Susan Hill’s novel of ghosts across the marsh. | 
