Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet

Synopsis

Skybase

Regular characters

Main Spectrum personnel

• Captain Scarlet : Leading Spectrum field agent. A 32-year-old dual nationality former USAF and Special Forces officer, replaced by a virtually indestructible replicant. He was born in Winchester, United Kingdom. Paul's mother was Ann Brightman, a British astrophysicist, while his father, Tom Metcalfe, was an American pilot who later joined the International Space Agency. As a boy of 10, Paul watched his father take humankind's first steps on Mars and vowed to follow in his historic footsteps. Scarlet was always quietly jealous of the relationship that had developed between his Spectrum partner and best friend Conrad Lefkon and Simone Giraudoux. However, once Black was Mysteronised, Scarlet's feelings for Destiny resurface and throughout the series the two start to fall in love. Scarlet has black hair and blue eyes, weighs 12 stone and is 6 ft 2in tall. Voiced by Wayne Forester, and motion capture performance by Oliver Hollis.
• Captain Blue : 32-year-old American agent. A decorated former US Army officer and first class sportsman. He was born in Fort Hood in Texas, USA. Captain Blue is Captain Scarlet's 2nd partner at Spectrum but only because of Colonel White's insistence. At first Blue did not want Scarlet as a partner because of Scarlet's history with the Mysterons, but as time went on Adam has become a good friend to Paul. Blue has blonde hair and blue eyes, weighs 12.1 stone and is 6 ft 1in tall. Throughout the series, it is hinted that he has romantic feelings for Serena Lewis, though this is never taken further. Voiced by Robbie Stevens.
• Destiny Angel : A 29-year-old dual nationality Falcon Interceptor pilot, leader of the Spectrum Angels, a former USAF pilot and ISA astronaut. Destiny had a past relationship with Conrad Lefkon, something Paul Metcalf was always secretly jealous of this because of his closeness to Destiny. However, once Black dies and is Mysteronised, she and Scarlet start to fall in love throughout the series. Destiny has blonde hair and blue eyes. She weighs 8 stone, is 5 ft 9in and was born in Silicon Valley, California. Voiced by Emma Tate.
• Colonel White : Spectrum's Commanding Officer, a 55-year-old British former director of MI6, knighted for services to the British Empire. He was born in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. White has grey hair and blue eyes. He weighs 12.2 stone, is 6 ft 0in, and is married to Diana, who is a chairman of the Global Heritage Foundation. His daughter, Victoria, studies archeology. His interests include chess, fishing and fencing. He is also an expert in ancient military history. Voiced by Mike Hayley.
• Lieutenant Green : Spectrum's Controller of Operations, a 27-year-old American former UN computer systems development technician, who carries a torch for Adam Svenson. Green has brown hair and brown eyes. She weighs 8.3 stone, is 5 ft 9in and was born in Houston, Texas, USA. She has a minor heart condition. Her father was a US astronaut, who died after an ill-fated mission to Jupiter. Her mother is a Trinidadian singer. In the second-season episode "Proteus" she is offered promotion to Captain, but declines in order to continue working alongside White. Voiced by Jules de Jongh.
• Doctor Gold : Main doctor on board Skybase. He was shown constantly throughout the series to have terrible bedside manners. Gold has grey hair and blue eyes, and wears glasses. His wife, Ula, is a veterinarian, and his daughter, Hattie, is a cosmetic dentistry scientist. Voiced by Nigel Plaskitt.

  Enemies

• The Mysterons: Alien nemeses of Spectrum, from the planet Mars. They have the power of retrometabolism, which means they can kill a person and rebuild them as a weapon under their control. Represented by two green circles when travelling over surfaces on Earth. Voiced by Mike Hayley.
• Captain Black : Lead Mysteron agent, a 33-year-old American former Special Forces officer and leading Spectrum field agent, replaced by a virtually indestructible replicant. He used to be Captain Scarlet's best friend and partner and dated Destiny Angel before his Mysteronisation. Black has silver/black hair and hazel eyes. He weighs 11.3 stone, is 6 ft 2in and was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA, although he speaks with a clipped British accent. Voiced by Nigel Plaskitt.

  Supporting characters

Spectrum field agents

• Captain Ochre : Irish Field Agent, 32 years old. Ochre has brown hair and blue eyes. She exhibits an excellent sense of humour. Introduced at the end of the first season, Ochre is the first and only female captain in the history of the franchise. She is a highly trained operative and an explosives expert who can handle heavy, computerized artillery. The character featured increasingly in the second season. Voiced by Julia Brahms.
• Captain Grey : Scottish Field Agent who plays the bagpipes. He is 38, which would make him the oldest Spectrum Field Agent. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Voiced by Robbie Stevens.
• Captain Magenta : Italian Field Agent, aged 28. A former military police officer. He has black hair and grey eyes. Voiced by Jeremy Hitchen.
• Captain Indigo : This character only appears three times throughout the entire series, and never speaks. He is black, with black hair and brown eyes. He has a beard.
• Captain Brown : This character only appears twice throughout the entire series, and never speaks. He is Caucasian, with brown hair.
• Captain Orange : This character only appears once throughout the entire series, and, in that instance, does not speak. He is Caucasian, with black hair.

  Spectrum Angels

• Harmony Angel : Harmony Angel is Destiny Angel's second-in-command if Destiny is busy with other duties or is injured. She is aged 26 has red hair, which is most likely dyed, and blue eyes. She has a heavy Southern States accent. Voiced by Jules de Jongh.
• Rhapsody Angel : Rhapsody Angel was a member of the Royal Naval Air Service, where she piloted rescue helicopters. She is also a competent mechanic, and can often be found servicing her Falcon interceptor instead of allowing the technicians to do it. Aged 28, she has light brown hair tied in a plait, and an upper-class British accent. Voiced by Julia Brahms.
• Melody Angel : Aged 25, she has brown hair and brown eyes. American. Voiced by Heather Tobias.
• Symphony Angel : Symphony Angel, age 24, has black hair and brown eyes. Japanese. Voiced by Jules de Jongh.

  Other characters

• Lieutenant Silver : Skybase's second communication officer who rotates shifts with Lieutenant Green. She has auburn hair and blue-grey eyes. Australian. She appeared in a few episodes, and only spoke twice. Voiced by Emma Tate.
• Chief Engineer: Featured in Episode "Swarm" and is posted in central control in Skybase. As a possible nod to Montgomery Scott from the Star Trek franchise, he has a Scottish accent.

  Vehicles and aircraft

Spectrum ground vehicles

• Rhino TRU : The Rhino TRU is a heavy-duty attack vehicle, with an ultra-tough full armour. The Rhino is capable of high speed with the help of twin ram air booster jets at the rear. Built with ten wheels, as well as with variable ride-height suspension, it is equipped with a multi-wheel steering system. This makes this cumbersome-looking vehicle easy to manoeuvre, on any kind of normal road as well as giving it good off-road performance. The Rhino is armed to the teeth with a large arsenal; two front mounted twin cannons firing explosive tipped rounds, armour piercing missiles, harpoon guns and magnetic clamp guns. There are also extendable battering rams on the front and rear. It is also equipped with evasive action anti-missiles launched from the rear. The Rhino is a sealed armoured vehicle, and access to the cabin is gained from the hatches on the vehicles sides. Rear-facing seats on the retractable hatch openings receive the driver and passenger, and slide into position in front of the control panel. The vehicle can be driven from either side, the steering sliding into position to whoever needs to drive. Other hatches are situated on top of the vehicle and underneath it. The driver's cabin has multiple control screens to act as the drivers eyes, as there is no window. Equipped with all manner of computerised equipment needed for Spectrum work, the Rhino also comes with a security device allowing the driver to lock the vehicle by password and voice command, thus avoiding theft of the Rhino by an enemy if it should be left by itself. Whenever a Rhino is needed on a given mission, Spectrum will use the Albatross to transport the vehicle. The Albatross will land and the hatch beneath will open, a lift lowering to the ground to deposit the Rhino - with driver inside - ready to perform its mission.
• Cheetah RRV : The Cheetah is a rapid response vehicle. It can travel on its four wheels, but this car also features concealed wings and a tail fin that emerges from the boot. When powered by the jump jets in its wings and booster jets in the rear, the Cheetah is able to glide over obstructions with ease. In any mode the Cheetah, like its animal namesake, is capable of extremely rapid acceleration and deadly speed. It has a machine gun concealed inside the front grill, and also possesses star deflectors used to repel missiles. In the first series, these wings were only ever used for landings from Skybase or flying jumps. In the second series was the Cheetah shown to be able to take off from the ground under its own power.
• Stallion Raid Bike: The Stallion is Spectrum's high-speed attack bike. With its pressurised canopy and wings it can be launched from Skybase. After leaving the runway, the Raid Bike freefalls, before deploying its wings in stages to glide. As the bike touches the ground, the canopy and wings disengage, the twin rear wheels grip the road and it blasts away. The rear wheels tilt independently of the body, keeping traction on the road. Extra stability is provided at high speed with front winglets. The Stallion Raid Bike is armed with two front mounted machine guns and two racks of missiles.

  Spectrum aircraft

• Albatross SDC: Amongst Spectrum's fleet of various craft, the Albatross is unique. Skybase carries two of these massive VTOL Deployment Aircraft, which are used to carry vehicles - mainly a Rhino - anywhere it is needed around the world. It can carry the heaviest weight, putting it down or picking it up on any ground, and in almost any conditions. The deployment system of the Albatross is unique. The cargo doors under the belly of the craft open, and unfold to form the landing feet. Then, the vehicle it carries is lowered by a lift from the Albatross' cargo, just as it finishes its landing procedure and approach. The Rhino can be deployed at the same second the Albatross makes its landing, and once it is out, the craft can take off immediately. This 'drop-and-go' deployment, helped by the SlyFOXX anti-detection shielding with which the Albatross is equipped, makes the aircraft perfect for covert operations. However, due to its massiveness, it could attract visual attention, and therefore, the sturdy craft has been equipped with anti-missile Acoustic Disruptors - which makes it a hard target to hit, despite his size. While so massive, the Albatross nevertheless has remarkable swiftness in flight. Powerful pivoting twin multi-directional XBurn engines, set on each side of the craft, give it lifting capability, maneuverability, and in-flight velocity, even while carrying the heaviest of loads. Also unique is the launching method with which the Albatross is launched from Skybase. Set in its hangar over an airlock, the Albatross is held in place by clamps attached to its nose. During launch sequence, the airlock doors open, and the pilot powers up the thrusters. Once ready for launched, the pilot releases the clamps, and the Albatross drops several meters from underneath Skybase, before the thrust of the engines stops its fall and it finally leaves Skybase to carry on its mission.
• Falcon Interceptor : The five White Falcons of the Angel Squadron comprise the main force of Skybase's air power. The White Falcon is the Spectrum ATF or Advanced Tactical Fighter, piloted by the Angels. Each pilot has a designated craft, assigned to them, with her codename marking the fuselage. The same codename also appears on the front of each Angel's helmet. An ultimate all-around attack aircraft, the Falcon is a high-speed fighter plane powered by two of Halo pulsejets, with multi-step afterburners. State-of-the art designed wing-tip geometry and variable multi-plane flaps make the Falcon a supersonic strike fighter with high speed and agility, that can outmanoeuvre any other known fighter plane. Because of the incredible forces generated by the supersonic speeds and turning ability of the Falcon, the Angel pilots need to wear specifically designed and fitted G-suits for their protection against G-forces in flight. Armament comes in the form of twin 30 mm Tempest cannons, front and rear, firing titanium-tipped ammunition. Stowed within the main fuselage of the Falcon, a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles can be fired through internal tubes at any target. In the case of an emergency, the front portion of the plane, including the front canard wings, can disengage from the main body and become a self-powered escape pod. In the unlikely event of this pod failing or being damaged, there is still an ejector seat.
• Swift Passenger Jet : The Swift is Spectrum's fast and comfortable passenger jet. Smooth handling and travel is provided by a sophisticated design where the whole body acts as one big wing. While designed primarily for relaxation and off-duty travel - it has extremely luxurious living and dining areas - the Swift can be converted into a fully operational control centre at a moment's notice.
• Hummingbird Helicopter: The Hummingbird is Spectrum's multi-purpose helicopter. Its specially developed rotor blade works with a number of jet systems providing fantastic agility and flexible flying. Retractable inflatable floats situated within the nose and side-engine pods sit alongside a standard undercarriage. A high-powered gun is hidden within its belly. The Hummingbird is capable of rapid ascent and descent, flying manoeuvres and speeds.
• Skyrider: The Skyrider is a single-person, high-speed, atmospheric transport for Spectrum personnel. It appears to use highly compact, dual rocket thrust units of relatively long duration. Atmospheric lift and directional control is provided using winglets, compact control surfaces and vectored thrust. It is used both on Earth and Mars.

  Other craft

• Bison Alien Terrain Vehicle: A high-speed, multi-wheel, long-suspension surface rover for exo-atmospheric use. It is a sealed vehicle allowing the operators to drive helmetless during normal operation. Used on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.
• Spectrum Space Shuttle: Used to transport personnel from Earth to and from Spectrum bases on the Moon and Mars. The shuttle comprises an orbiter with the main drive section, and a lander using vectored thrust engine pods for planetary landings. The orbiter is capable of carrying multiple personnel, and has many facilities for long-duration inter-planetary flight such as a gym, a kitchen and sleeping quarters. The lander is capable of transporting a Bison rover vehicle for rapid EVA.
• Mercury Shuttle: A rail-launched civil space launch system. This vehicle was intended to be an homage to one of the Anderson stable's earlier space vehicles, Fireball XL5, using a similar take-off method along a rail ramp.
• Vampire Interceptor: the World Air Force's current high-performance interceptor aircraft. Matched only by the more advanced Spectrum Falcon Inteceptor, it has been used to deadly effect by the Mysterons on several occasions.
• Druzynik Battlewagon: A massive, highly automated tank sporting a high-eV railgun cannon for main armament. Virtually unstoppable, with multiple offensive and defensive armaments.
• Condor Freighter: The Condor is a civil multi-purpose, heavy-lift freight aircraft. The design incorporates an unusual, but effective tail ramp design, removing the need for hinged access to the load space whilst on the ground.

  Episode list

Comparison with the original series

• Skybase is, essentially, an improved version of the original Cloudbase, carrying a wide variety of vehicles and weapons on board, and housing Spectrum officers. A notable addition is that, on the flight deck, the Angels use a robot, that is controlled through telepresence by a Catapult Officer, who operates inside the base for safety purposes. The officer gives the traditional hand signals to the pilots, such as the order to launch.
• In the new series, Lieutenant Green and Captain Ochre are women. Although the Angel squadron continues to be all-female, the episode "Trap for a Rhino" features a male pilot in training.
• The communications desk is now holographic in nature.
• Doctor Fawn has been totally redesigned and designated Doctor Gold.
• Barry Gray's original Captain Scarlet theme music has been replaced with a new composition that includes the drumbeat scene transition.
• The Spectrum logo has been redesigned.
• The Mysteron city is now completely green and is built up of lights, spikes or other shapes and gas as opposed to the original multi-coloured, circular-shaped city.
• The green Mysteron 'rings' remain, as does the booming, distorted 'Voice of the Mysterons' in many scenes. In addition, Mysteron agents eyes - particularly Captain Black's - are often seen to flash a similar bright green momentarily at suitably dramatic moments.
• Modern CGI technology allows the actual recreation of people and objects to be shown on screen.
• Major scene changes are still accompanied by a musical sting, but as noted above the composition is different.
• The new series has more complex romantic subplots, with both Captain Scarlet in the present and Captain Black in the past dating Destiny Angel, and the hints of a potential relationship between Captain Blue and Lieutenant Green, as well as flirtations between several other characters. Examples include Captain Ochre and an off-Skybase motorcycle gang member called Colt, and Captain Magenta's all-around womaniser image. The original series had hinted at a one-time relationship between Scarlet and Destiny Angel, and an ongoing approach between Blue and Symphony Angel.
• The series also establishes new aspects of the Mysterons, revealing that most retain some remnants of the original personalities and feelings of the people killed. One episode, "The Achilles Messenger", reveals that a faction of Mysteron society does not want the war with the humans and a rebellion exists, though the series was cancelled before this plot element was fully explored.
• Many voice characterizations have changed. Scarlet no longer sounds like Cary Grant but speaks with an American New England accent. Destiny's accent is now British rather than French. Doctor Gold speaks Standard British with an Austrian accent. There are also Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Southern American, Indian, Russian, and other accents heard among supporting characters in addition to British. An interesting note is that although both series used different voice actors, in both series the actor who voiced Colonel White also provided the voice of the Mysterons. One oddity has Captain Black speaking with a British accent both while free and while under Mysteron control, yet the series establishes that the character is from Brooklyn.
• Given the fact that the characters are animated, they do not have the physical limitations of the original puppets. The characters are obviously able to be shown walking and in similar activities with considerable ease. Some of these activities are running, fencing and performing martial arts.
• The original series was noted for its dark tone and level of violence. This has been retained in the new series, with some violent moments being depicted more graphically than it was possible to do with puppets in the 1960s, and the tone is more serious with some mild language.
• Unlike the original series, the updated series ends with an episode that resolves its premise.
• The signature saying used in this series is "S.I.G.", which stands for "Spectrum is Green". The comparison with the Thunderbirds' "F.A.B." is natural.

  Broadcast

Home Media

DVD

Volumes

Boxsets

Blu-ray

Boxsets