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.

Episode menu

Series II, Episode 6 - Parallel Universe

Holly's new invention of the 'Holly Hop Drive' promises to take Red Dwarf back home to Earth in a mere instant. What it manages, however, is to flip the ship across the fifth dimension divide and into a parallel universe. But a greater surprise is in store: there's another Red Dwarf here too...

Further details

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Ms Lister (Angela Bruce), Ms Rimmer (Suzanne Bertish). Copyright: Grant Naylor Productions / BBC

Holly has invented a new technology he dubs the 'Holly Hop Drive'. It appears to be just a plain box with stop and start buttons stuck on the top, but he assures Rimmer, Cat and Lister that it can take them to any place in the universe. Naturally one destination springs to mind: Earth.

Starting the machine, nothing appears to happen and the Dwarfers are convinced they've stayed put. Even Holly is confused and dismayed not to be able to find Earth out of any of the windows. What he does see, however, is another Red Dwarf. It seems that the Holly Hop Drive has in fact sent the ship into a parallel dimension. Everything should be more of less the same, just a little ... different.

Boarding the ship, Lister and Rimmer are shocked to find female versions of themselves - just as neurotic, forthright, obnoxious, know-all and slobbish as their counterparts. There's distinct sexual chemistry between Holly and Hilly; and Dave and Deb Lister hit it off right away; but whilst initially pleased to have found someone of such exacting standards, it's not long before Arnold has grown weary of Arlene Rimmer.

Cat, meanwhile, is horrified - his opposite is a stupid, stinking dog! There is, however, a far bigger shock in store for Dave Lister.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 11th October 1988
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 1st August 2010 9:00pm Dave
Sunday 12th September 2010 11:00pm Dave
Wednesday 11th May 2011 10:00pm Dave
Sunday 25th September 2011 11:40pm Dave
Friday 30th December 2011 10:00am Dave
Friday 30th December 2011 3:00pm Dave
Friday 18th May 2012 9:40pm Dave
Saturday 29th September 2012 2:20pm Dave
Sunday 4th November 2012 2:40pm Dave
Sunday 25th August 2013 12:50pm Dave
Sunday 13th October 2013 2:40pm Dave
Sunday 9th February 2014 11:40am Dave
Sunday 9th February 2014 5:40pm Dave
Friday 18th April 2014 6:20pm Dave
Saturday 22nd November 2014 6:20pm Dave
Saturday 25th April 2015 12:20am Dave
Friday 24th July 2015 10:20pm Gold
Saturday 25th July 2015 1:00pm Gold
Sunday 8th November 2015 2:20am Dave
Monday 9th November 2015 2:20am Dave
Sunday 3rd April 2016 3:20pm Dave
Thursday 14th July 2016 11:20pm Gold
Friday 15th July 2016 2:15am Gold
Saturday 27th August 2016 4:20pm Dave
Friday 7th August 2020 2:45am Dave
Saturday 23rd October 2021 12:20am Dave
Monday 28th February 2022 1:20am Dave
Monday 25th April 2022 2:45am Dave
Monday 23rd May 2022 1:40am Dave
Monday 27th June 2022 2:20am Dave
Sunday 2nd October 2022 11:20pm Yesterday
Sunday 23rd October 2022 8:20pm Dave
Monday 24th October 2022 3:15am Dave
Monday 30th January 2023 1:20am Dave
Saturday 25th March 2023 2:40pm Dave
Monday 10th July 2023 1:20am Dave
Friday 17th November 2023 10:00pm BBC2
Monday 22nd January 2024 1:40am Dave

Cast & crew

Cast
Chris Barrie Rimmer
Craig Charles Lister
Danny John-Jules Cat
Norman Lovett Holly
Guest cast
Suzanne Bertish Ms Rimmer
Angela Bruce Ms Lister
Matt Devitt (as Matthew Devitt) The Dog
Hattie Hayridge Hilly
Writing team
Doug Naylor Writer
Rob Grant Writer
Production team
Ed Bye Director
Ed Bye Producer
Paul Jackson Executive Producer
Ed Wooden Editor
Paul Montague Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer

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