BBC iPlayer To Add 2004 Series ‘Battlestar Galactica’ As Boxset
The BBC has acquired 2004-2009 cult sci-fi series ‘Battlestar Galactica’ from NBCUniversal Global Distribution and is bringing it to BBC iPlayer as a boxset the broadcaster has announced, along with a linear broadcast on BBC Two.
Developed by Ronald D. Moore, based on Glen A. Larson’s beloved 70’s series, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ is set in a distant star system where humanity is brought to the brink of extinction from a nuclear attack by a race of artificial lifeforms called Cylons. The surviving humans are hunted across space as they try to escape the relentless pursuit of the Cylons while searching for a new place they can call home: the legendary lost colony Earth, if it indeed exists at all.
The series, produced by UCP, drew acclaim for its strong characters and excellent cast – which includes Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis and Tricia Helfer – but also for its compelling storylines and the depth and quality of its writing. Themes such as war, religion, ethics, and justice are explored with a rare degree of gravity and sophistication.
“Battlestar Galactica is regarded as one of the best sci-fi series ever made and it holds appeal for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in top-quality drama,” comments Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC iPlayer. “It joins Fort Salem, Heroes, Devs, His Dark Materials, Doctor Who and Torchwood to form an incredible range of science fiction and fantasy series available on-demand on BBC iPlayer.”
Alongside those shows mentioned above, iPlayer has been raking up a great list of content recently including ‘Good Trouble’, ‘The Young Offenders’, ‘Mrs. America’ and ‘Harlots’.
If you haven’t yet seen this version of ‘Battlestar Galactica’ the series is well worth a watch. For those of you that are fans of the show, it might be a good time to refesh your memory before the new version from ‘Mr. Robot’ creator Sam Esmail hits the television! Currently being created for US streaming service Peacock, Esmail’s version is not a reboot, but will be “inspired” by Moore’s 2004 series (rather than the original Larson drama), and will be a “new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar.”
‘Battlestar Galactica’ will premiere on BBC iPlayer from Saturday, 5th September 2020, when the series will also begin linear broadcast on BBC Two at 9.45pm.
