News RIP Gareth Thomas.

[Notebook]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36041534

Gareth Thomas, star of '70s BBC sci-fi series Blake's 7, has died aged 71.

As Roj Blake in the cult series, the Welsh actor led a group of rebels on their Liberator space ship against an evil federation that ruled the galaxy.

Thomas was also an accomplished stage actor who appeared in several Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) productions.

His later television appearances include playing Nathaniel Clegghorn in ITV's Heartbeat and David Baddiel's father in Sky's Baddiel's Syndrome.

 

[garyw]

Ah damn. That's sad news. The federation couldn't get him but age did. RIP.

 

[Notebook]

Yes, its a shame. Looks like he didn't do much telly, some actors didn't, preferred stage stuff.
I liked Blakes 7, bit tongue in cheek and rough around the edges, but good, honest, sci-fi. Pity they didn't win...

N.

 

[Notebook]

Blakes 7 was the nearest the UK got to Star Trek, it had a crew, a purpose, and a vehicle. Completely different in manifestation, it didn't have Star Trek's benevolent curiosity, they just wanted to run away and hide. The crew was competent, but disparate, only worked together when it suited an individuals purpose.

Good old fashioned telly at its best, Rod Serling would be proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDd1zO9F1I

http://blakes7.com/

 

[garyw]

It was probably the first program to feature a computer person in a lead role, after all, Avon was arrested for hacking the federation bank.

 

[Notebook]

True, and he was a dodgy character..!

N.