The Secret Service

The Secret Service 1969

5.10

The Secret Service is a 1969 British children's espionage television series, produced by Century 21 / ITC Entertainment for Associated Television, Granada Television, and Southern Television. Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and produced by David Lane and Reg Hill, it was the eighth and final Century 21 production to feature Supermarionation. Under the direction of Gerry Anderson, who wanted to compensate for the inadequacies of Supermarionation and increase the realism of the format, The Secret Service incorporates footage of live actors for long-distance shots. Father Stanley Unwin, voiced by and resembling the real-life comedian of the same name, is the parish priest of a rural English village. But Unwin is in fact a secret agent for BISHOP, a covert British Intelligence branch that battles international criminal and terrorist threats. Aided by junior operative Matthew Harding, Unwin answers to his London-based superior 'The Bishop', as he would in his public profession.

1969

Presented in Supercolorisation

Presented in Supercolorisation 2022

1

Prior to Stingray, Gerry Anderson produced three series in black and white - their only colour representation being a small number of on-set stills taken during production. Using these as a basis, key episodes of Four Feather Falls, Supercar and Fireball XL5 have been colourised from High Definition remasters using state-of-the-art software, enabling fans to see their favourite shows in a whole new way!

2022

Nebula-75

Nebula-75 2020

1

‘Nebula-75' is a new puppet lockdown drama made entirely during confinement in 2020 using only existing puppets and materials. Filmed in Supermarionation, it follows in the tradition of 'Thunderbirds', 'Stingray' and 'Fireball-XL5' while at the same time also being filmed in SuperIsolation and Lo-Budget! 'Nebula-75' charts the exploits of Commander Ray Neptune and the crew of the spaceship NEBULA-75 as they make their way across the stars, encountering strange worlds and forms of life hitherto unknown by mankind. It has been created and produced by a small group of filmmakers during the British lockdown of 2020.

2020

Keep and Destroy

Keep and Destroy 2020

1

Adam Luff interviews fans of the legendary Gerry Anderson, a man famous for TV shows such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space 1999, and many others. However, the fans have a tough challenge ahead: they must list five examples of his work that they like, and five examples that they dislike.

2020

Stand by for Action

Stand by for Action 2007

10.00

'Stand by for Action' takes an in depth look at the career of the legendary Gerry Anderson, creator of Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO, Space 1999 and many many more. Features interviews with the people who brought his ideas to life as well as Anderson himself.

2007