Doomwatch. (1970-1972)

Doomwatch debuted on the 9th February 1970 and quickly became one of the BBC's most popular series of all time. Created by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, creators of Doctor Who's Cybermen, the series was born out of their concern for the rapid advancement in man's technology. The series was produced by veteran BBC TV producer, Terence Dudley, and together with Davis and Pedler, the trio created a series that is still fondly remembered by British television viewers and fans of British telefantasy programs. Doomwatch is the codename for the semi-secret Department of Measurement of Scientific Work - a department of the British government whose job it was to monitor all research of a scientific matter. The agency had to try and deal with such problems as mass pollution, the misuse of modern technology and threats to the environment. The Cast The department was headed by Nobel Prize winner and ex-nuclear physicist, Dr. Spencer Quist (played by Jon Paul). Quist is a brooding, dedicated widower who is always on the side of the good guy. He is very protective of the agency, and its staff, and is very dedicated to his work. In the beginning, Quist's team consisted of Dr. John Ridge, Tobias Wren, Colin Bradley and secretary Pat Hunnisett. But, as time progressed, and after the death of Toby Wren, the team would include Dr. Fay Chantry, Barbara Mason, Geoff Hardcastle, and Dr. Anne Tarrant. The department would be overseen by a government minister played by John Barron. Dr. John Ridge, (Simon Oates), was somewhat of a dandified character. He wore the latest fashions and drove and exotic sports car. Ridge could be quite chauvinistic and sexist, but despite this, he is still a very dedicated professional.

This dedication would quite often clash with Quist as he seemed to prefer action over words. Ridge professed skills and experience in espionage. When the series first begins, Tobias "Toby" Wren, (Robert Powell), was the new recruit. He was young, caring, eager to help and also a dedicated worker. Toby would only be featured in the series first season, when in the episode "Survival Code" he is tragically killed while trying to diffuse a nuclear bomb. Doomwatchs' resident scientist was Colin Bradley played by Joby Blanshard. Colin would always be seen in his white lab coat analyzing substances or doing experiments. He was a very forthright and blunt man, who never minced words if his opinion had been sought. The team would be rounded off by the resident office secretary Pat Hunnisett (Wendy Hall). The Doomwatch team would acquire a new office secretary - Barbara Mason (Vivian Sherrard) - in "Survival Code", along with their newest team member, Geoff Hardcastle (John Nolan) - a young scientist who becomes appalled by the work of his superior in human/animal embryo's. (Quist initially dismisses his claims but eventually takes action after Dr. Ridge investigates Hardcastle's claims.) When unable to deal with the guilt of Toby Wren's death, Dr. Quist seeks out the help of psychiatrist, Dr. Anne Tarrant (Elizabeth Weaver). Tarrant helps Quist to deal with his feelings and the two eventually would start dating, and later marry. Dr. Fay Chantry, (Jean Trend), was introduced as part of the team in season two. She was a research scientist who initially sought out the help of Dr. Quist in the episode "No Room For Error", when she begins to doubt the work of her colleagues being conducted on the drug Stellamycin. Dr. Chantry was another dedicated professional who cared deeply about her work. Sadly she would end up suffering from urban neurosis when living in a block of tiny apartments in "The Human Time Bomb".

What turned out to be the final episode that was filmed, Sex and Violence, was never transmitted by the BBC, as it portrayed, using inserted film footage, a military execution, and another episode, which was in the development stage and tentatively entitled The Devil's Demolition was never made. The episode was due to be the season finale.

created by:

Kit Pedler

Gerry Davis

producer:

Terence Dudley

Country of Origin: UK
Date(s) of Broadcast:

9 February 1970 - 14 August 1972
Number of Seasons: 3
Total Number of Episodes: 38
Average Episode Running Times: 50 mins
Format: colour