Powers (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Powers is a United Kingdom
television series first broadcast in 2004 on BBC One
. The series was created by Jim Eldridge
. It was promoted as a children's version of The X-Files
, although many regarded it as a successor to The Tomorrow People
. Powers ran for one 13-episode season, and was also broadcast in Australia. It has never been commercially released.
and can move objects with his mind; Song-Li can sense emotions and memories in objects.
The series was produced by Chris Le Grys, and episodes were directed by Emma Bodger and Brian Farnham; the three had previously worked on the ITV
series Night and Day
. Special effects and computer-generated imagery
were created by Darkside Animation using LightWave 3D software. This consisted of 170 shots which were filmed between June and November 2003. Notable amongst these were the title sequence and end credits, and a UFO in episode 4, "We Are Not Alone".
The series was originally due to be broadcast by the BBC in autumn 2004, but was moved forward to begin on January 7, 2004. It was also shown on ABC
in Australia.
, but these repeats have now stopped.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television series first broadcast in 2004 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. The series was created by Jim Eldridge
Jim Eldridge
Jim Eldridge is a radio, TV and movie scriptwriter with hundreds of radio and TV scripts broadcast in the UK and across the world in a career spanning over 30 years....
. It was promoted as a children's version of The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, although many regarded it as a successor to The Tomorrow People
The Tomorrow People
The Tomorrow People is a British children's science fiction television series, devised by Roger Price. Produced by Thames Television for the ITV Network, the series first ran between 1973 and 1979. The series was re-imagined in 1992, Roger Price acting as executive producer...
. Powers ran for one 13-episode season, and was also broadcast in Australia. It has never been commercially released.
Overview
The series follows the adventures of The Powers Project, a group of researchers led by Professor Henry Powers, who investigate mysteries concerned with the paranormal. The other members of the project are Mark Roberts and Song-Li Harris (who joins the project at the end of episode 1), two teenagers with psychic abilities, and Dr Mary Holland, who used to have special powers but no longer does. Mark and Song-Li's powers are different: Mark is telepathicTelepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
and can move objects with his mind; Song-Li can sense emotions and memories in objects.
Regular cast
- Professor Powers: Rupert Holliday-EvansRupert Holliday-EvansRupert Holliday Evans is an English actor. He is well known for his roles in programmes such as the ITV police drama The Bill and CBBC children's programmes The Giblet Boys and Powers. In episodes of comedy sketch show Harry Enfield's Television Programme he played one of the Double-Take Brothers...
- Dr Mary Holland: Mandana JonesMandana JonesMandana Jones is a British actress best known for her role as prisoner Nikki Wade on the British television series Bad Girls.-Biography:Mandana Jones was born on 26 February 1967 to a Welsh father and an Iranian mother. She is the youngest of three, having two older brothers...
- Mark Roberts: Adam Jessop
- Song-Li Harris: Amy YamazakiAmy YamazakiAmy Yamazaki is a British actress best known for her portrayal of Charlotte Lau in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
Production and broadcast
Powers spent six years in development. During this time it was reported that Disney were interested in a possible co-production deal, but the show was instead produced only by the BBC.The series was produced by Chris Le Grys, and episodes were directed by Emma Bodger and Brian Farnham; the three had previously worked on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
series Night and Day
Night and Day (TV series)
Night and Day was a British soap opera which was produced by Granada Television for LWT and ran on ITV from 2001 to 2003.Its theme-song, "Always & Forever", was sung by Kylie Minogue.-Synopsis:...
. Special effects and computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
were created by Darkside Animation using LightWave 3D software. This consisted of 170 shots which were filmed between June and November 2003. Notable amongst these were the title sequence and end credits, and a UFO in episode 4, "We Are Not Alone".
The series was originally due to be broadcast by the BBC in autumn 2004, but was moved forward to begin on January 7, 2004. It was also shown on ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
in Australia.
Episodes
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Notable guest appearances | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Critical response and Legacy
Powers did receive some positive responses from viewers, although there was considerable variation between episodes. According to Simon Percy, the co-founder of Darkside Animation, the show's ratings were described as "excellent" by the BBC. For unknown reasons a second series was not produced, nor has the series been commercially released. The series was repeated a number of times on the digital CBBC ChannelCBBC Channel
CBBC is a BBC television channel aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. It complements the CBBC programming that continues to air on BBC One and BBC Two. Launched on 11 February 2002, it broadcasts from 7am to 7pm on Freeview, cable, IPTV and digital satellite, occupying the same bandwidth as, but a different...
, but these repeats have now stopped.