"First Born" (1988) TV mini-series

Director:

Philip Saville

Writers:

Maureen Duffy (novel)
Ted Whitehead (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

30 October 1988 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Edward Forester is a genetic researcher, intent on breeding primate hybrids. But his experiments take...

Plot Keywords:

Hybrid | Genetics | Monkey | Deoxyribonucleic Acid | Half Human

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Charles Dance	...	Edward Forester (3 episodes, 1988)
Peter Elliott	...	Mary (3 episodes, 1988)
Philip Madoc	...	Lancing (3 episodes, 1988)
Julie Peasgood	...	Anne Forester / ... (3 episodes, 1988)
Francesca Brill	...	Lucy (2 episodes, 1988)
Rob Dixon	...	Priest (2 episodes, 1988)
Rosemary McHale	...	Nancy Knott (2 episodes, 1988)

Runtime:

50 min (3 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:12

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

science 'fiction'?

This was one of the most powerful pieces of drama I have ever seen. I originally tuned in when it was first aired in October 1988 (I still have the Radio Times for that week!) because I think Charles Dance is an excellent actor. Being a rather fond of scientific fiction, when I found out the subject matter of the story - well, that was just icing on the cake. But I was totally unprepared for the gut-punch of a story which followed. For anyone interested, it's based on a novel Gor-Saga by Maureen Duffy (which I promptly went out and bought!). The storyline is similar but the TV adap has a far more brutal and thought-provoking 'ending' and the character of Forrester has far more depth. The whole drama made me want to become a writer! What more can I say?