The Visitors land in Britain for two box sets with Big Finish productions in 2025!
In the early 1980s, V was a glossy American science fiction drama series that entertained fans on both sides of the pond. From writer Kenneth Johnson, creator of The Bionic Woman and The Incredible Hulk for television, it followed the events of alien Visitors coming to Earth, seemingly holding out the hand of friendship.
However, the Visitors had a sinister agenda, hiding both their true reptilian features and their carnivorous tendencies. V told the story of a band of freedom fighters struggling against the aliens who planned to enslave humanity while harvesting Earth’s resources.
The show arrived in 1983 with a mini-series, in which Jane Badler made a terrific impact as the Visitors’ charismatic leader Diana. A second, V: The Final Battle , and a regular season followed in 1984.
In 2009, the show returned for a two-season remake starring Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost) and Morena Baccarin (Firefly)
V – UK
Now, Big Finish Productions are reimagining the story into a present day British setting. With two box sets out in 2025, V – UK boasts cinematic sound design and a specially composed music score, and has been adapted from the original scripts by Jonathan Morris.
The show stars Annabel Baldwin (The Great), Janie Dee (Official Secrets) and Jack Myers (Masters of the Air).
Here’s what we know about V – UK
London. Present Day.
Earth is visited by aliens, bringing peace and prosperity. But their intentions are not benevolent, and soon the world is under occupation. While some choose to collaborate with the Visitors, others decide to fight back.
The first box set has three hour-long episodes:
Episode One
Alien motherships appear above cities across the globe. The world reacts with panic and fear – until the commander of the Visitors appears and reveals that they come in need of help. Their offer seems too good to be true…
Episode Two
One month later, and the Visitors have become part of everyday life. But people are beginning to disappear, and scientists are being persecuted. Documentary-maker Mike Donovan sneaks on board one of the motherships and discovers the horrifying truth.
Episode Three
It is now Christmas. The Visitors have taken charge, imposing martial law over the UK. Scientists are forced to go into hiding – and Doctor Juliet Parrish finds herself becoming the reluctant leader of the rebellion.
The cast of this new adaptation is led by Annabel Baldwin (Juliet), Janie Dee (Diana), and Jack Myers (Mike).
Nicholas Briggs (Newsreader), Hannah Brown (Robin), Jesse Dunbar (Daniel), Louise Faulkner (Kathleen), Raj Ghatak (Tony), Helen Goldwyn (Newsreader), Gesella Ohaka (Kristine), Kate O’Rourke (Lynn), Arabella Smith-James (Ruth), Andrew James Spooner (Richard) and Sam Stafford (Benny) guest star.
The series director is Helen Goldwyn, who’s helms Star Cops and various Doctor Who titles for the company.
V – UK’s writer and producer Jonathan Morris said:
“Although V – UK has all the trappings of science fiction – motherships, aliens, laser guns – that’s not what it’s about. It is, pretty blatantly, an allegory for living life under occupation or under a fascist government.
“That tyranny will gain power by offering simple solutions and by making scapegoats. And in that situation, you have to ask – what would I do? Would I join the resistance or would I keep my head down for the sake of a quiet life?
“My goal, basically, was to make it feel close to home, uncomfortably so, because that’s the power of the premise. It’s not about aliens invading a distant world. It’s about them marching down the street where you live. This is a story set in a world post-Brexit, post COVID-19, and some of the themes from the original miniseries – such as the vilification of scientists – are even more timely now.”
You can pre-order V – UK: Visitation now on collector’s edition CD box set (+ download), or digital download only, exclusively from Big Finish.
It’s out on 23rd January 2025 and the second box set, V – UK: Occupation, follows later in the year.