Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn). Copyright: UKTV
Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf

  • TV sitcom
  • Dave / BBC Two
  • 1988 - 2020
  • 74 episodes (12 series)

Science fiction sitcom based in space. The crew aboard the damaged mining spaceship Red Dwarf are doomed to drift in space for the rest of eternity. Stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Norman Lovett and more.

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles). Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1988 - 2020
Channels
Dave, BBC Two
Episodes
74 (12 series)
Creators
Rob Grant and Doug Naylor
Stars
Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge, Chloë Annett, Clare Grogan and more
Writers
Doug Naylor and Rob Grant
Directors
Ed Bye, Andy de Emmony, Doug Naylor, Rob Grant and Juliet May
Producers
Ed Bye, Doug Naylor, Rob Grant, Hilary Bevan Jones, Justin Judd, Jo Howard, Helen Norman, Richard Naylor and more
Companies

Following a catastrophic leak of radiation aboard mining space ship Red Dwarf, technician Dave Lister finds himself as the last living human. Having been held in a form of suspended animation known as stasis at the time of the leak he was shielded from its fatal effects whilst all of his colleagues were turned into piles of dust.

Now, some 3 million years later with background radiation at a safe level, the ship's computer Holly has revived him in readiness for the long journey home. However, Dave's not quite alone: his arch-nemesis and workmate, Rimmer, survives as a Hologram; as does a descendant of Lister's own pet cat, called Cat; and Kryten, an emotionless android.

Red Dwarf follows their adventures across the universe as they attempt to get back to Earth and discover whether Lister really is the last surviving human being.

Stream and download

Additional details

Also known as
  • Red Dwaf: Back To Earth
  • Red Dwarf: The Promised Land
  • Red Dwarf XIII
  • Red Dwarf XII
  • Red Dwarf XI
  • Red Dwarf X
  • Red Dwarf IX
  • Red Dwarf VIII
  • Red Dwarf VII
  • Red Dwarf VI
  • Red Dwarf V
  • Red Dwarf IV
  • Red Dwarf III
  • Red Dwarf II
  • Red Dwarf I
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Music composed by Howard Goodall.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 15th February 1988 at 9pm on BBC Two
Next repeats
  1. Series VI, Episode 5: Monday 25th March at 1am on Dave
  2. Series VI, Episode 6: Monday 25th March at 1:40am on Dave
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • Shepperton Studios - Series 4 - 10
  • Pinewood Studios - Series 11 onwards
  • BBC New Broadcasting House (Manchester) - Series 1 - 3 recorded in Studio A

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