9 February 1970
"The Plastic Eaters", the first episode of the British
science fiction television series "Doomwatch", is broadcast
on BBC1. The series, created by Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler, starred
John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley,
Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge and Vivien Sherrard as Barbara Mason.
From 1970 to 1972 three series were produced with a total of 38
episodes. Unlike most science fiction series “Doomwatch” was set
in the then present day (1970) and delt with the dangers of modern
science.
In 1972 Tigon
British Film produced a "Doomwatch" film with Ian Bannen and Judy
Geeson as new characters. In 1999 Channel 5 produced a new "Doomwatch" TV film subtitled "Winter Angel".
 |
| John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley and Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge |
Plot
The "Department
for the Observation and Measurement of Scientific Work",
nicknamed Doomwatch, is a scientific team under the leadership of
Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr. Spencer Quist. His team initially
consisted of Dr. John Ridge a former intelligence agent, Colin
Bradley a computer specialist, Toby Wren (Robert Powell) an eager
young researcher and secretary Pat Hunnisett (Wendy Hall). The main
aim of the department is to keep an eye on the environment and
supervise governmental and private sector research to prevent
pollution or other disasters...
 |
| Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley, John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Robert Powell as Toby Wren and Wendy Hall as Pat Hunnisett |
Synopsis "The
Plastic Eaters"
A commercial
airliner to San Pedro in South America crashes after the mysterious
meltdown of all plastic on board. Scientist Tobias ‘Toby’ Wren
from "Doomwatch" is sent off to investigate the crash...
 |
| Robert Powell as Toby Wren in the fourth episode "Tomorrow, the Rat" |
Trivia
- "Doomwatch" was very popular, it had as high as 13.6 million viewers at its peak.
- The BBC didn't have a proper archiving policy until 1978 so only 24 episodes survived.
"Doomwatch" opening credits (1970)
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