A For Andromeda/The Andromeda Breakthrough

1 9 6 1 (UK)
7 x 45 minute episode 
1 9 6 2 (UK)
7 x 45 minute episode 

Set in 1970, A For Andromeda told the tale of a radio telescope in the Yorkshire Dales detecting a signal from the constellation of Andromeda in a distant galaxy. The signal instructed Earths scientists how to build a super computer.

When the computer was completed - under government supervision on a remote Scottish island - it set about mastering the world. It killed the brunette lab assistant (Julie Christie) and re-synthesized her as a blonde and extremely beautiful android girl (still Julie Christie) which it proceeded to control - Now there was fuel for a young boy's fantasies . . . controlling Julie Christie!. At the time of production, Christie was an unknown drama student. A For Andromeda propelled her to instant stardom.

The super computer eventually became dangerous (after Fleming tried to interfere with it - which it would not tolerate), but the android girl eventually rejected her mechanical master and the world was made safe once more.

This science fiction series was written by astronomer Fred Hoyle and John Elliot, and the scientists were played by Esmond Knight, Peter Halliday, Frank Windsor and Mary Morris. A sequel series - The Andromeda Breakthrough - was made in 1962, in which Fleming and Andromeda were kidnapped by the evil Kaufman (John Hollis), who worked for a Swiss business cartel called Intel (ahem . . . I'm saying nothing!) whose aim it was to build another computer.

HISTORICAL NOTE
Although all of The Andromeda Breakthrough exists in the BBC archives, only one episode of A For Andromeda has survived.