Thunderbirds Are Go (TV series)

This article is about the 2015 TV series. It is not to be confused with the 1966 film Thunderbirds Are Go or Thunderbirds / 3AM.
Thunderbirds Are Go
Series title over a image of outer space
Genre
Based on Thunderbirds
by Gerry &
Sylvia Anderson
Written by Rob Hoegee
Directed by
  • David Scott
  • Theo Baynton
Voices of Rosamund Pike
Thomas Sangster
Rasmus Hardiker
David Menkin
Kayvan Novak
David Graham
Angel Coulby
Teresa Gallagher
Andres Williams
Composer(s)
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • New Zealand
Original language(s) English
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 31 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Cinematography Simon Godsiff
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor ITV Studios Global Entertainment
Release
Original network
Picture format 16:9
Original release 4 April 2015 (2015-04-04) – present
Chronology
Related shows Thunderbirds (1965–66)
External links
Website

Thunderbirds Are Go is a British - New Zealand science fiction television programme produced by ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures. It is a reboot of the 1960s television series Thunderbirds created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson that follows the exploits of International Rescue, a secret life-saving organisation equipped with technologically-advanced rescue crafts for sea, land, air and space rescue; headed by a fleet of five vehicles named the Thunderbirds, each piloted by the Tracy brothers.

Premise

Set in the year 2060, Thunderbirds Are Go follows the exploits of the Tracy brothers; Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon, and Alan, who form International Rescue (IR), a secret organization dedicated to saving human life from industrial disasters. They are aided in their missions by technologically advanced vehicles used for land, sea, air and space rescues. The most important of these are five machines named the Thunderbirds, each piloted by one of the five brothers:

Aided by engineer Brains, his robot assistant MAX, the brothers' Grandma and Head of Security Tanusha "Kayo" Kyrano (also pilot of Thunderbird Shadow, a stealth jet used for covert operations), the Tracy family reside on Tracy Island, their hidden base in the South Pacific Ocean from where they operate International Rescue. They also enlist the help of English aristocrat Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward with her chauffeur Aloysius Parker as their London field agents when a mission requires criminal investigation. Penelope and Parker's primary mode of transportation is FAB 1, a six-wheeled limousine fitted with gadgets, weaponry and flying capabilities for espionage missions.

The organisation's main adversary is the Hood, a crime lord bent on creating global destruction and seeking control over IR and the Thunderbirds. Secretly the uncle of Kayo Kyrano, the Hood is also responsible for the assumed death of the Tracy brothers' father, ex-astronaut and IR founder Jeff Tracy, after his ship supposedly crashed. Therefore, in comparison to the original series, Jeff is not featured in the reboot. In the second series, IR face a new adversary named the Mechanic who has highly advanced machines and is suspected to be in contact with the Hood, despite his imprisonment.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

The series is produced using a combination of scale model miniature effects and CGI created by Weta Workshop. In comparison to original series, the reboot features updated character, vehicle, and set designs while retaining their original features and plot purposes.[1]

The production crew for the show consists of the following members that assist with it:

Production of each episode for the revamp differs somewhat from that of the original 1960s series. Extensive hand-made live action model sets are still used. Since the show uses Computer-generated characters rather than puppets for the character creating each episode required a different approach. Production begins with the sets, in which the film crew have to devise the camera setups for the scenes to match with the movement and positions of the CGI characters and craft that would be later imposed upon the filmed footage. This includes any manipulation of the scene to match movements made by CGI characters or craft, such as a character opening a door, or objects being displaced by a thruster, and any special effects used on the set, such as smoke and wind. The sets were designed with a similar method to the original series, including using household objects. For example, the Thunderbird 1 bay of the original series included an orange hand juicer as part of it, and the revamp did the same thing with its version of the bay.

The characters and the titled Thunderbird craft themselves have been created using CGI owing to the understandable budget constraints typical of modern children's programming. All of the CGI sequences to be superimposed onto live footage of the miniature sets are first sketched on paper to work out and detail the sequences. The actual shooting miniatures are individually '3D scanned' to provide the necessary information for the CGI elements to later be accurately registered within the environments. Computers are then used to roughly model the layout of the CGI elements needed for the sequence. Details are then introduced, such as characters costumes, craft setup, atmospheric particles, flying debris, etc. and are made to follow very closely to the camera layout and movement of set props (such as when Thunderbird 2 is raised into launch position, for example).

The music for the show was given a modern flair, but keeping the very memorable feel of original composer Barry Gray's original score.

UK-based Milk VFX was responsible for final composition.[7][8][9]

Production history

The production of the remake series was originally approved by Gerry Anderson when Sir Richard Taylor of ITV visited Pinewood Studios, where Gerry Anderson was working on New Captain Scarlet at the time.[10]

On 4 February 2013, ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Pukeko Pictures announced the production of the television series by ITV Studios, Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, under the title Thunderbirds are Go!.[11][12]

Production at Pukeko Pictures began at June 2013.[13]

On September 30, 2014, the voice cast was announced.[14][15] On 18 December 2014, a second series was announced[16][17] On May 5, 2016, a third series was announced.[18][19]

Broadcasts

The world television channel premiere began in Spring 2015 on ITV and UK's CITV Channel.[11][20]

On 16 June 2014, ITV Studios Global Entertainment announced it has signed its first international TV broadcast deal with Australia's free-to-air Nine Network (9Go!).[21][22] Second series premiered on 2016-11-13 on 9Go!.[23]

On 28 April 2015, ITV Studios Global Entertainment announced Tohokushinsha Film Corporation has acquired the television and licensing rights for Thunderbirds Are Go. The Japan broadcast for the first series was premiered in NHK (NHK General TV) on 2016-08-05 (as サンダーバード ARE GO).[24] France broadcasts were premiered in September 2015 on Canal J (as Thunderbirds[25]), followed by Gulli later this year (as Thunderbirds[26]), with Nelvana as French licensing agent.[27]

On 10 February 2016, ITV Studios Global Entertainment announced 13 episodes of Thunderbirds Are Go (series 1 split up) would be premiered in United States on Amazon Video on 22 April 2016.[28][29][30] Second series of Thunderbirds Are Go premiere at Prime Video was also announced.[31]

Canadian broadcasts premiered on CHRGD and Family Channel in April 2016.[18] Taiwan broadcast was premiered in PTS Taiwan on 14 September 2016 (as 新雷鳥神機隊[32]).[33] In Brazil, the show has broadcast on Gloob since 4 July 2016. In Latin America, the show broadcasts on Disney XD. The Nordic broadcasts were premiered in SVT (SVT Barnkanalen) in Sweden (as Thunderbirds[34]), NRK Super in Norway (as Thunderbirds[35]), DR (Ramasjang and Ultra) in Denmark (as Thunderbirds[36]), MTV Juniori in Finland, with Alicom appointed as the Nordic licensing agent.[27][37]

The series was also premiered in TVNZ (TVNZ 2) in New Zealand, Noga in Israel (with LDI as the agent), MBC (MBC3) in pan-Arab (as ثندربيردز انطلق),[16][38] NPO Zapp in Netherlands, Télé-Québec in Canada (as Thunderbirds : Les sentinelles de l'air[39]),[18] ABC in Australia,[28] Ketnet in Flemish Belgium (with License Connection appointed as the agent for Benelux) (as Thunderbirds[40]), Minika TV in Turkey, Gloob in Brazil.[27] The Noga premiere began in summer 2015 on Kids Channel.[41] The TVNZ premiere began on 12 April 2015 on TV2.[42][43]

The second series world premiere took place at BAFTA in London on 1 October 2016.[44]

The second series world television channel premiere began 22 October 2016 on ITV, beginning with episode Earthbreaker.[45] CITV premiere began on 2016-10-23.[46]

China's broadcast was to be premiered on CCTV-14, starting with the first series.[31][31][47]

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126134 April 2015 (2015-04-04)20 June 2015 (2015-06-20)
1331 October 2015 (2015-10-31)23 January 2016 (2016-01-23)
2TBA22 October 2016 (2016-10-22)TBA

Series 1 (2015–16)

No. overall No. in series Title Directed by Written by Original UK air date Original Aus.
air date
Production code
11"Ring of Fire - Part 1"David ScottRob Hoegee4 April 2015 (2015-04-04)12 April 20152-2131-6

A powerful underwater seaquake turns a busy day for International Rescue into a perilous one, when it causes a research team to be trapped in an undersea lab. As they attempt to rescue them, they quickly discover a seismic de-stabiliser to be the source of the quake, and with Lady Penelope's help, learn the person responsible for this is the phantom figure known only as the Hood, who soon puts the world in danger, triggering more quakes along the notable feature of the Pacific Ocean, "The Ring of Fire."

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Pit of Peril".
22"Ring of Fire - Part 2"David ScottRob Hoegee4 April 2015 (2015-04-04)12 April 20152-2131-7

With more quakes being made, John and Brains must track down the control source for the seismic de-stabilisers, in a race against time, after the Hood orders International Rescue and the World Council to give up the Thunderbirds. Meanwhile, Scott and Virgil race to Taiwan when one of the undersea quakes destabilises a solar collector dish in Taipei, causing the dish to be positioned in such a way that when the sun rises, it will reflect on the city and burn it to the ground.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Lord Parker's 'Oliday".
33"Space Race"Theo BayntonIan Carney11 April 2015 (2015-04-11)19 April 20152-2131-8

Alan is on "space junk duty" but things take a turn for the dangerous when one of the pieces of debris he attempts to clear away, turns out to be a heat-seeking SAT-MINE that activates and locks onto Thunderbird 3's heat signature. While Alan is forced to keep the mine locked onto his craft to safeguard other ships in orbit, Lady Penelope and Parker attempt to sneak into a top-secret storage facility and find the final digit to the mine's deactivation code, having only thirty minutes until the mine's nuclear charge detonates.

Guest Star: Reggie Yates as Ellis the Security Guard.
44"Crosscut"David ScottMark Huckerby and Nick Ostler18 April 2015 (2015-04-18)26 April 20152-2131-3

When Thunderbird 5 picks up an unusual radiation spike from a remote corner of Africa, John discovers a former uranium mine has reopened, leading to Scott rushing there in Thunderbird 1 to investigate, with Virgil following. When Scott arrives and enters the mine, he discovers a source of unstable uranium, and is attacked by a mysterious woman, who claims that the mine belongs to her family. During their confrontation the mine soon begins to crumble, and she and Scott must work together to escape and reseal the mine, before a storm spreads the leaking radiation to the nearest city with serious consequences.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "The Mighty Atom".
55"Fireflash"David ScottAndrew Robinson25 April 2015 (2015-04-25)3 May 20152-2131-4

Kayo is riding aboard Fireflash, a supersonic airliner that was recently improved by Brains, unaware that the Hood is planning to hijack it in mid-flight. While International Rescue notices the plane has suddenly vanished from their monitors and attempt to locate it, Kayo manages to avoid a powerful gas attack that has knocked out both the passengers and the crew, and is forced to not only confront the Hood, but also safely land the airliner when the craft is accidentally damaged and the landing gear fails to deploy.

This episode is an adaptation of the original Thunderbirds episodes "Trapped in the Sky" and "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker", along with music from the original series.
66"Unplugged"Theo BayntonScott Sonneborn2 May 2015 (2015-05-02)10 May 20152-2131-10
An anti-technology group calling themselves The Luddites power up an electromagnetic pulse device underneath London, crippling everything that uses electricity, including Thunderbird 2, which is forced to make an emergency landing. Both Virgil and Grandma Tracy, along with Lady Penelope and Parker, must stop the Luddites' plan to cause a worldwide blackout, while at the same time rescuing a construction worker from a damaged crane.
77"Runaway"David ScottStan Berkowitz9 May 2015 (2015-05-09)17 May 20152-2131-1

A high-speed test train on a Japanese Maglev line suddenly goes out of control, and is in danger of running into the back of a passenger train. Only Brains can stop it, so he sets out with Scott on Thunderbird 1 to board the train. But in doing so, he discover the train is under the control of an Artificial Intelligence program, which John determines is playing a game. Scott and Brains must find a way of stopping it before it crashes into a station terminal.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Brink of Disaster".
88"EOS"Theo BayntonKen Pontac16 May 2015 (2015-05-16)24 May 20152-2131-5
The childlike A.I. encountered in Japan suddenly takes control of Thunderbird 5, trapping John outside of it. The program, created by John as a game, believes it is defending itself from being shut down and is sending false monitor images to Tracy Island to deceive the others. Running out of air, John finds a way to reach Lady Penelope, who warns his brothers. Alan and Thunderbird 3 are soon sent to rescue John, with instructions to destroy Thunderbird 5 if the A.I. cannot be stopped.
99"Slingshot"David ScottRob Hoegee23 May 2015 (2015-05-23)31 May 20152-2131-2

A large solar flare causes a malfunction at a mining operation on an asteroid, sending it careening towards the sun and endangering its only crewman, Ned Tedford. Alan and Kayo deploy Thunderbird 3, but another solar flare knocks out their sensors and communications. Although they land in the mine, using the asteroid (now too close to the sun) as a shield, they soon have to find a way to alter the asteroid's trajectory so that it slingshots around the sun instead of crashing into it - which is further complicated by the discovery that Thunderbird 3's low fuel supply from the second flare, could make it impossible to return to Earth.

This episode is a loose adaptation of the original Thunderbirds episode "Sun Probe".
1010"Tunnels of Time"Theo BayntonDan Berlinka24 May 2015 (2015-05-24)7 June 20152-2131-12

A few months after International Rescue uncover an ancient temple in South America, Lady Penelope, as a representative of World Heritage, visits it along with Parker, Gordon, and Professor Harold, an archaeologist of a dubious reputation whom Penelope suspects of stealing artefacts. On entering the temple, everyone become trapped inside except for Harold, who manages to escape but refuses to call for help, not wishing the temple to be destroyed. Suspecting something is wrong, Scott and Virgil head to the scene to provide assistance, as Gordon, Penelope and Parker attempt to escape from the temple's many traps.

Guest Star: Matt Zimmerman as Professor Harold.
1111"Skyhook"David ScottPaul Giacoppo6 June 2015 (2015-06-06)14 June 20152-2131-11

C.I.R.R.U.S (Climate Research of the Upper Stratosphere), a weather station built cheaply with a lack of safety features, has a sudden failure in its stabilising fans, causing its balloons to lift the station higher into the atmosphere. Attempts at rescuing the crew by Thunderbirds 1 and 2 are thwarted by both the station's lack of protective equipment and it rising above the limits of the Thunderbirds' working altitude. Thunderbird 3 also fails when it is damaged by the station's fans breaking away, leaving John in Thunderbird 5, using the space elevator as a fishing hook, as the weather station's last hope.

Guest Star: Rhys Darby as Langstrom Fischler.
1212"Under Pressure"David ScottDanny Stack13 June 2015 (2015-06-13)21 June 20152-2131-9

A giant heavy metal extraction plant, moving along the Pacific seabed and collecting toxic waste, has a sudden compartment fire, leaving it out of control and heading for a undersea chasm. Thunderbird 2 is dispatched with Thunderbird 4 to effect the rescue of the only crewman, Ned Tedford once again, and safeguard the toxic waste it is carrying. Meanwhile, Lady Penelope investigates the company that owns the extraction plant, when both John and Gordon suspect the owner was more concerned for the cargo than the crew, and soon has trouble from the Hood.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Path of Destruction".
1313"Heavy Metal"Theo BayntonBenjamin Townsend20 June 2015 (2015-06-20)28 June 20152-2131-14
Brains and Alan visit the Quantum Research Center, adjacent to New Geneva in Switzerland, to visit Brains' old friend Professor Moffat and the Supreme Hadron Collider. Disaster soon strikes when the collider suddenly creates a gravity well of extreme power which soon pulls a satellite down towards New Geneva. International Rescue quickly mobilises when both an aircraft and the World Wide Space Station are also drawn into the gravity well, threatening the city. The only craft that can withstand the gravitational pressure is Thunderbird 4, which Gordon must pilot out of its normal undersea environment.
1414"Falling Skies"Theo BayntonRob Hoegee31 October 2015 (2015-10-31)1 November 20152-2131-15

Designed by Brains, the Estrella Grand is a self-constructing luxury hotel in Earth orbit. During a visit by Lady Penelope and Parker, the hotel suffers a mysterious hull breach that will not repair itself, sending the hotel plummeting to Earth. Thunderbirds 2 and 3 are quickly launched to rescue the guests, while Kayo boards the hotel in search of a saboteur.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Ricochet".
1515"Relic"David ScottPatrick Rieger7 November 2015 (2015-11-07)8 November 20152-2131-17

When a meteor shower is projected to hit the decommissioned Shadow Alpha One moon base, concern arises with the discovery the base is still inhabited by a lone crew member - Captain Lee Taylor, an old friend of Jeff Tracy. Scott and Alan take Thunderbird 3 on a rescue mission after attempts to warn him fail, but when Scott boards the base, he's surprised to find Taylor attempting to maintain its defence system against meteors. After initial attempts to defend the base against continuing waves of meteors start to fail, both Scott and Taylor are forced to abandon the base to meet Thunderbird 3 at a rendezvous on the moon's surface that is itself threatened by the meteor shower.

Guest Star: Rich Hall as Captain Lee Taylor.
1616"Breakdown"David ScottBenjamin Townsend14 November 2015 (2015-11-14)15 November 20152-2131-13

While everyone is organising a surprise birthday party for Virgil, John directs his brother in Thunderbird 2 to a glacial ice shelf to investigate a 'breakdown' emergency call. Virgil quickly discovers that the lone figure he finds on arrival is part of a larger expedition trapped in a cavern beneath the ice. The expedition's leader, a scientist seeking a rare bacterium he desperately needs to cure his daughter of a serious disease, refuses to leave as the glacier begins to crumble, leaving Virgil no choice but to assist before time runs out.

Guest Star: Ramon Tikaram as Doctor Peck.
1717"Heist Society"Theo BayntonPeter Briggs21 November 2015 (2015-11-21)22 November 20152-2131-16

On an underwater hyper loop train, Lady Penelope and Parker are escorting Professor Moffat to a rendezvouses with the Global Defence Force in Iceland in order to safely deliver a particle born from the Supreme Hadron Collider disaster - Centurium 21. However, the Hood is keen to get his hands on the particle and plots an elaborate robbery in order to steal it for himself. Thunderbirds 1, 2, and 4 are soon dispatched to not only rescue the trapped train and its passengers, but also attempt to foil the Hood's plan.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "The Perils of Penelope".
1818"Recharge"David ScottAmy Wolfram28 November 2015 (2015-11-28)29 November 20152-2131-19
High in the Arctic, a machine designed to harness the energy of the Aurora Borealis has gone haywire, and could permanently disrupt the magnetic field protecting the Earth if not repaired. Despite Virgil's insistence that they both need a break, Scott answers the call with Virgil and MAX in tow. Complicating matters are both the machine's interference with Thunderbird 1 and 2's flight capabilities (forcing Scott and Virgil to configure pods with skis to cross the treacherous ice), and Scott's alarming displays of impatience which are leading him to recklessly cast safety aside to complete the mission.
1919"Extraction"Karl EssexMatt Wayne5 December 2015 (2015-12-05)6 December 20152-2131-20

Seismologist Robert Williams and his son Aidan alert the authorities to the presence of a rogue hydromethane mining vehicle, only for the machinery to trigger an earthquake that swallows both them and the equipment. Gordon must attempt a daring underground rescue of the boy and his injured father while Virgil must find a way to shut down the out-of-control rig.

Guest Star: William Wright-Neblett as Aidan Williams and Paterson Joseph as Robert Williams.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episodes "Cry Wolf" and "Terror in New York City".
2020"The Hexpert"Andrew McCullyKevin Rubio and Charlotte Fullerton12 December 2015 (2015-12-12)13 December 20152-2131-23

A scientist accidentally locks herself inside a vault housing a destabilizing anti-matter reactor. There is only one person who has successfully broken into a vault like this before - Parker. Colonel Casey of the GDF recruits Parker for the job, but moments after getting through the outer vault door, both he and Lady Penelope become trapped as well. Virgil and Scott must transport the vault to an isolated area on Thunderbird 2, while Parker and Penelope must try and free themselves and the scientist before the anti-matter explodes.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "Vault of Death".
2121"Comet Chasers"David ScottRandolph Heard19 December 2015 (2015-12-19)20 December 20152-2131-22

Halley's Comet is passing close to Earth, and businessman Francois Lemaire goes on an ego trip with his unimpressed wife Melanie aboard his space yacht Solar Wind, so as to send live pictures back to Earth. Disaster strikes when Francois flies into the comet's tail, damaging his ship and causing it to lose contact with Earth. Thunderbird 3 is dispatched for search and rescue with Alan and Scott on board, Alan being particularly keen to see Halley's comet as it will be another 75 years before the comet passes Earth again.

Guest Star: Jack Whitehall as Francois Lemaire

This episode features references to the original Thunderbirds episode "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker".
2222"Designated Driver"David ScottDavid Baddiel26 December 2015 (2015-12-26)27 December 20152-2131-21

Parker gives Alan driving lessons at the Creighton-Ward estate in FAB 0, the car in which Parker had taught the other brothers, while Lady Penelope has tea with her Great Aunt Sylvia. Progress is slow until a pair of bumbling intruders attempt to kidnap the ladies in FAB 1. A chaotic chase involving the two cars ensues round the estate with Alan at the wheel, as Parker has broken his arm earlier in Alan's lesson. When the vehicles take to the air, Alan has the advantage until FAB 0 runs out of petrol, and a teapot is needed to save the situation.

Guest Star: Sylvia Anderson as Great Aunt Sylvia.
2323"Chain of Command"David ScottJoe Kuhr2 January 2016 (2016-01-02)3 January 20162-2131-24

During a joint operation between International Rescue and the Global Defence Force, a series of mishaps nearly end in disaster. In the wake of the botched mission, Colonel Martin Janus takes over the GDF, imposing a strict set of restrictions on International Rescue. As the Tracys become increasingly frustrated at being kept from rescuing innocents, Lady Penelope and Parker attempt to reason with the colonel, and begin to realise that he is not quite what he seems.

This episode features elements adapted from the original Thunderbirds episode "The Imposters".
2424"Touch and Go"David ScottJim Krieg9 January 2016 (2016-01-09)10 January 20162-2131-25
A facility known as CATCH, responsible for controlling all air traffic in North America, is sabotaged. Scott and Virgil launch a rescue mission to thwart a mid-air plane collision, while Kayo infiltrates CATCH using Thunderbird Shadow. Kayo soon discovers that the crisis is a diversion from a larger plan by the Hood, and endangers herself by disregarding Scott and John's instructions regarding International Rescue's mission to save people and not act as policemen.
2525"Undercover"Tim GaulBenjamin Townsend16 January 2016 (2016-01-16)17 January 20162-2131-18
An undercover operation involving Lady Penelope and Parker to recover a stolen Repulser Magnetic Array for the Global Defence Force gets blown prematurely. Parker is taken prisoner by the thief aboard a stolen GDF flyer, with Kayo in pursuit in Thunderbird Shadow. The flyer crash lands on a factory roof and International Rescue must intervene to help save Parker and a factory worker. Kayo confronts the thief to find he knows her secret relationship with the Hood, and must weigh letting him escape against her secret coming out in the open.
2626"Legacy"David ScottRob Hoegee23 January 2016 (2016-01-23)24 January 20162-2131-26

A range of equally timed disasters involve everyone at International Rescue. Kayo deduces that the Hood is behind these acts in an attempt to capture the Thunderbird crafts and Tracy Island. As the Hood and his men take the island and Brains and Grandma Tracy retreat to a bunker, Kayo arranges with Lady Penelope the activation of W.A.S.P. (Wide Area Safety Protocol) from Creighton Ward Manor, before going to confront the Hood. As his plan unravels the Hood openly states his relationship to Kayo and proclaims that she is working for him, in an attempt to undermine the Tracy's trust in her.

This episode uses elements adapted from the original Century 21 comic story "Brains is Dead" and the 2004 film Thunderbirds.

Series 2 (2016)

No. overall. No. in series Title Directed by Written by Original UK air date Original Aus.
air date
Production code
271"Earthbreaker"Tim GaulRob Hoegee22 October 2016 (2016-10-22)13 November 20162-2131-34

A geological survey team becomes trapped when a huge earth-breaking vehicle, controlled by a villain known only as the Mechanic, causes them to fall into a narrow crevice. International Rescue launches Thunderbirds 1, 2 and Shadow while the Global Defence Force attempt to tackle the Mechanic. When Thunderbird 2 is badly damaged and must return to Tracy Island, and the GDF is neutralised by the Mechanic, Kayo is left to stop him and his drones while Scott must rescue the survey team. Meanwhile Lady Penelope and Parker visit the Hood in solitary confinement in Parkmoor Scrubs prison, as they believe he is behind the mysterious Mechanic.

Guest Star: Jenna Coleman as Baines.
282"Ghost Ship"Theo BayntonJoseph Kuhr22 October 2016 (2016-10-22)13 November 20162-2131-27

A distress call is received from an officer of the Global Defence Force on the abandoned interstellar ship Eden orbiting between the Earth and the Moon. John attempts a rescue from Thunderbird 5 wearing an exo-pod, but is trapped with the officer by mysterious spider-like robots. Alan attempts a rescue in Thunderbird 3, and they discover two salvage workers are posing as pirates.

Guest Star: Vas Blackwood as Reece
293"Deep Search"David ScottRich Fogel29 October 2016 (2016-10-29)20 November 20162-2131-28

On Jupiter's moon Europa, the stars of Gordon's favourite explorer program (Buddy and Ellie Pendergast) are searching for extra-terrestrial life. When they begin drilling into the ice, pressure from geysers cause the ice to crack and they plunge into an underground ocean ten miles below. Alan (in command) and Gordon blast off to the rescue in Thunderbird 3, with Thunderbird 4 stored abroad and modified with skis, powerful engines and a heat drill to penetrate the ice, which they loses due to strong underwater currents. They find the Pendergasts, who have taken shelter in their rover, but before they leave they detect a life form in the sea.

Guest Star: Adam Hills as Buddy Pendergast

This episode uses elements adapted from the original Century 21 comic story "Solar Danger"
304"City Under the Sea"Simon GodsiffJim Krieg & Jeremy Adams5 November 2016 (2016-11-05)27 November 20162-2131-33

At Bay City, a town that was flooded due to global warming, the Mechanic searches in a crab-like submarine through the ruins of the Creighton-Ward building for a safe containing the plans for the Parkmoor Scrubs prison so he can break out the Hood. As he smashes his way through, some of the debris collides with a rental sub hired by the Sullivan family, causing it to crash onto the seabed. While Gordon and Kayo work together to rescue the family, Lady Penelope and Parker must use FAB 1's submarine capability to reach the safe before the Mechanic.

Guest Star: Sanjeev Bhaskar as Ethan Sullivan
315"Colony"David ScottPatrick Rieger12 November 2016 (2016-11-12)4 December 20162-2131-32

A proton storm causes a systems malfunction aboard the Helius, a space vehicle transporting families to a colony base on Mars. The ship overshoots the red planet and heads straight for the asteroid belt. Kayo recruits Captain Lee Taylor to join Alan and Scott aboard Thunderbird 3 to fend off the asteroids. The Helius is damaged further and International Rescue must find a way to land the ship on Mars, even though it was only designed to orbit the planet.

Guest Star: Rich Hall as Captain Lee Taylor

This episode uses elements adapted from the original 1966 film Thunderbirds Are Go
326"Up From the Depths - Part 1"Andrew McCullyBenjamin Townsend19 November 2016 (2016-11-19)11 December 20162-2131-29
Deep in the Mariana trench a survey team encounter the TV-21, a prototype Thunderbird vehicle designed and flown by Jeff Tracy. When a systems failure causes the survey sub to be stranded on the seabed, International Rescue arrives to rescue the crew, but the Mechanic suddenly takes control of the surveyor and uses it to crush Thunderbird 4. Gordon escapes just as his ship is destroyed and must find another way to rescue the crew. Meanwhile, Lady Penelope and Parker investigate how the Hood is communicating with the Mechanic.
337"Up From the Depths - Part 2"Tim GaulBenjamin Townsend26 November 2016 (2016-11-26)TBA2-2131-30
The Mechanic's remotely operated ship flees the scene with the TV-21. Scott pursues in Thunderbird 1 but is unable to capture the enemy ship and suffers damage. The Mechanic then steals a GDF vault contain iridium, with Ned Tedford inside, and sends his ship into space. With two Thunderbirds out of commission Thunderbird 3 is modified with weapons so that Alan, with help from MAX, can fight the ship while Scott tries to recover the vault and the TV-21. Meanwhile, Kayo, Lady Penelope and Parker head for Scotland to search for the Mechanic.
348"Lost Kingdom"Theo BayntonElly Brewer3 December 2016 (2016-12-03)TBA2-2131-39

When an earthquake near the coast of Greece reveals the lost city of Atlantis, Francois and Melanie Lemaire venture below the depths to explore the area. When their submarine becomes stuck, Gordon, Brains and MAX are called to assist.

Guest Star: Jack Whitehall as Francois Lemaire
359"Impact"TBALen Uhley10 December 2016 (2016-12-10)TBATBA
A comet brought into Earth's orbit ends up veering off course, forcing International Rescue to step in to stop its collision with the planet - and a space station.
3610"High Strung"TBATBA17 December 2016 (2016-12-17)TBATBA
Scott attempts to rescue a mysterious balloonist when his hot air balloon crashes on the top of a mountain.
3711"Weather or Not"TBATBA24 December 2016 (2016-12-24)TBATBA
The team travels to Langstrom Fischler's newest invention to stop a hive of malfunctioning weather drones.

Reception

Fans and critics reacted very positively to the new series, despite some negative reactions from fans of the original version,[48][49][50][51][52] claiming the show was clearly made to attract a new generation of fans instead of appealing to nostalgia. However ITV's decision to air episodes at 8 am (other than the pilot, which aired at 5 pm) sparked a negative fan reaction and was criticized by journalists too, claiming that moving it from the original episode's 5 pm slot would alienate the adult viewership it gained from the first episode, with many also feeling the series could match the success of the BBC revival of Doctor Who in 2005 if kept at its 5 pm slot.[53] Series 2 however will air the show at 4pm and repeat it the following day at 8am

Thunderbirds Are Go currently has a 7.3 rating on tv.com[54] and 6.8 on IMDb.[55]

Accolades

Award Category Recipient Result
2015: British Academy Children's Awards[56] BAFTA Kids Vote - Television Thunderbirds Are Go Nominated
2016: British Academy Television Craft Awards[57] Original Music Ben Foster, Nick Foster
2016: British Academy Children's Awards[58] BAFTA Kids Vote - Television Thunderbirds Are Go

Marketing

Since 2016, ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is launching consumer products programs for Thunderbirds Are Go at France, Benelux and the Nordics.[59]

Since 2016, Bernard Matthews has released a range of Thunderbird craft shaped turkey.[60]

As part of second series launch in the UK, a fleet of 5 ThunderCabs taxis with Thunderbirds vehicle themes (including Thunderbirds 1-4, FAB 1) could be booked between 2016-10-22 and 2016-10-23 between 9am and 5pm via the Karhoo app, with rides costing a flat rate of £1 for any journey within central London. All proceeds would be donated to The Children's Trust, the UK's leading charity for children with brain injury.[46]

Toys

On 13 May 2015, ITV Studios Global Entertainment announced its appointment of Vivid as its master toy partner in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.[61] As of Licensing Expo 2014, Vivid Imaginations had master toy licensee with worldwide rights excluding US & Asia.[62]

On 24 April 2015, ITV Studios Global Entertainment announced Global Licensing (NZ) Ltd had been appointed as licensing agent for Thunderbirds Are Go in New Zealand. As part of the new deal, Global has worked with Vivid Imaginations, the master toy partner for Thunderbirds Are Go, to appoint Planet Fun as the local distributor in New Zealand which will see Thunderbirds Are Go toys roll out across the territory from S/S 2015.[43]

The Thunderbirds Are Go master toy line from Vivid Imaginations and distributed by HeadStart, was launched in Australia in June 2015.[63] Additional toy rights went to Vivid France and Vivid Holland in respective regions, Takara Tomy as Japan distributor.[27] The toy launches in France, Benelux and the Nordics began in September 2016, with TOPTOY as pan-Nordic distributor in from late summer 2016.[37]

App

There was an official Thunderbirds app launching in October 2015 to accompany the second half of season 1.[64]

An official app was also released on 20 May 2015 as an add-on to the features on the website. The app is available on both Google Play and Apple's App Store for free. Behind the Story developed the app.[65]

As of 2015, ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Miniclip planned the release of Thunderbirds Are Go mobile game[66](as Thunderbirds Are Go: Team Rush[67]).

Magazine

An official magazine was published by D. C. Thomson & Co. on 15 October 2015. It features comics, facts, puzzles and more. Each issue includes a free gift. The first 6 issues have small plastic replicas of Thunderbird 1 - 5 and Thunderbird S. After that the gifts are generic front of magazine gifts with Thunderbirds are go branding, such as notebooks and 'invisible ink' pens.[68]

License Connection became a representative for the brand in the Benelux territories and has signed Meis & Maas as master publishing partner to launch a range of books and magazine formats in 2017.[37]

Home media

Digital releases

All episodes are available to purchase digitally in full 1080p HD on Amazon Video and iTunes.

Blu-ray release

Only currently available in Japan,[69] The series is released in 2 limited edition box sets on Blu Ray.

Published by NBC Universal Entertainment Japan.

Box 1 (Volume 1) Released 11 May 2016

Box 2 (Volume 2) Released 9 Nov 2016

DVD releases

Region 2
Series DVD title Episodes Total running time Release date
1 Volume 1 1–13 286 mins approx 22 June 2015
Volume 2 14–26 286 mins approx 1 February 2016
Complete Series 1–26 572 mins approx 1 February 2016
2 Volume 1 1–13 286 mins approx 6 February 2017[70]
Volume 2 14–26 286 mins approx TBA
Complete Series 1–26 572 mins approx TBA
Region 4
Series DVD title Episodes Total running time Release date
1 Volume 1 1–7 162 mins approx 24 June 2015
Volume 2 8–13 133 mins approx 24 June 2015
Volume 3 14–20 162 mins approx 20 January 2016
Volume 4 21–26 132 mins approx 3 February 2016
Complete Series (Limited Edition) 1–26 574 mins approx 1 June 2016

Audio CD releases

CD title Track count Total running time Release date
Volume 1 (Original Television Soundtrack) 57 77:20 4 December 2015

References

  1. Hawkes, Rebecca (2014-06-19). "Thunderbirds Are Go! First picture released from ITV's new show". The Independent. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  2. Lodderhose, Diana (2013-09-30). "Rosamund Pike Set to Voice 'Thunderbirds Are Go!'". Variety. Retrieved 2014-12-29.
  3. "'Thunderbirds' are go — again". Variety. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  4. Collinson, Dawn (2014-12-10). "Formby's composer and conductor Ben Foster teams up with Paul McCartney new single Hope for the Future". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  5. ""Thunderbirds" blasts back to the small screen". Adobe PremierePro Blog. Retrieved 26 Apr 2015.
  6. "ITV Studios Hints At New Thunderbirds Merchandise As 50th Anniversary Approaches". Down The Tubes. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  7. "Thunderbirds" blasts back to the small screen
  8. Mixing it up: the effects of the new Thunderbirds
  9. MILK DELIVERS VFX TO ITV STUDIOS’ THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO
  10. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! The Go! Team, SFX magazine November 2014 issue, pg 10, TRACY ELEMENTS Relaunching International Rescue
  11. 1 2 ITV Studios is to re-invent the Classic Thunderbirds series 50 years on from its first television debut.
  12. "Thunderbirds are Go!" – ITV Studios and New Zealand's Pukeko Pictures to Re-invent Classic Thunderbirds Series
  13. Thunderbirds Are Go – NZ Herald
  14. Thunderbirds Are Go! Voice Cast Revealed
  15. Thunderbirds Are Go! Voice Cast Revealed
  16. 1 2 Thunderbirds Are Go To Blast Back On To TV Screens For Second Series
  17. Thunderbirds Are Go To Blast Back On To TV Screens For Second Series
  18. 1 2 3 Thunderbirds Are Go Takes-Off For Third Series
  19. ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ Takes Off For Third Series
  20. New-look Tracy brothers are F.A.B.
  21. ITV Studios Global Entertainment Signs First TV Deal For Thunderbirds Are Go!
  22. ITV Studios Global Entertainment Signs First TV Deal For Thunderbirds Are Go!
  23. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO SEASON TWO PREMIERES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, AT 5.30PM ON 9GO!
  24. 「サンダーバード ARE GO」 新メカデザインに河森正治"条件はロボットにしない"
  25. Thunderbirds
  26. Thunderbirds - Dessins animés - Mes héros Gulli
  27. 1 2 3 4 ITV Studios Global Entertainment Launches Thunderbirds Are Go Around The Globe
  28. 1 2 Thunderbirds Are Go To Launch In USA As An Amazon Original Kids Series
  29. Thunderbirds Are Go to launch as an Amazon Original series
  30. Thunderbirds Are Go to launch as an Amazon Original series
  31. 1 2 3 MIPCOM: 'Thunderbirds' Animated Series Sells to China's CCTV
  32. 公共電視台_新雷鳥神機隊
  33. Thunderbirds Are Go! Goes to Air in Taiwan
  34. Thunderbirds
  35. Thunderbirds
  36. Thunderbirds
  37. 1 2 3 Thunderbirds Are Go Gains Momentum in Europe
  38. - MBC3 - ثندربيردز انطلق
  39. Thunderbirds : Les sentinelles de l'air
  40. Thunderbirds are go!
  41. ITV Studios Global Entertainment Signs New Pre-Sales For Thunderbirds Are Go
  42. Thunderbirds Are Go for TV2
  43. 1 2 ITV Studios Global Entertainment Takes Thunderbirds Are Go To NZ
  44. ITV Studios Gears Up for U.K. Launch of ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ Season Two
  45. Thunderbirds Are Go takes-off for second series Saturday 22 October
  46. 1 2 5…4…3…2…1… ThunderCabs Are GO
  47. Thunderbirds land in China for first time
  48. Chris Bennion (2015-04-04). "Thunderbirds Are Go, TV Review - Retro feel really does go well - Reviews - TV & Radio". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  49. Stuart Jeffries. "Thunderbirds Are Go and Louis Theroux: Transgender Kids - TV review". The Guardian.com. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  50. "Thunderbirds are Go series 1 episode 1 review: Ring of Fire". Radiotimes.com. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  51. "New Thunderbirds Series Adds A Bit Of Macross To The Mix" (in Japanese). Forbes.com. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  52. Gerard O'Donovan (2015-04-04). "Thunderbirds Are Go, ITV, review: 'wonderfully nostalgic'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  53. "Thunderbirds Are Go-ing to an 8 am time slot as ITV changes schedule | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  54. TV.com. "Thunderbirds Are Go".
  55. "Thunderbirds Are Go". 12 April 2015 via IMDb.
  56. "Vote". 10 August 2015.
  57. http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/tvcraft
  58. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/283532/BAFTA_KIDSrsquo_VOTE_SHORTLIST_ANNOUNCED.php
  59. ITVS GE Preps More Thunderbirds Are Go Merchandise
  60. U.K. Food Company On Board Thunderbirds Are Go
  61. ITV Studios Global Entertainment Appoints Vivid As Master Toy Partner For Thunderbirds are Go!
  62. ITV Studios Global Entertainment Brings Thunderbirds Are Go To The International Stage At Licensing Expo 2014
  63. Thunderbirds Are Go: Toys & Other Products Take Off In Australia
  64. Finbow, Katy (2015-02-18). "CITV's Thunderbirds Are Go revamp gets interactive app - TV News". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  65. ITVS GE Unveils New Thunderbirds Are Go App
  66. ITVS GE & Miniclip to Launch Thunderbirds Are Go Game
  67. Thunderbirds Are Go: Team Rush
  68. "THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO MAGAZINE". DC Thomson. Archived from the original on 13 October 2015.
  69. http://www.happinetonline.com/NASApp/mnas/MxMProduct?Action=prd_detail&KIND=0&SHOP_ID=1&PRODUCT_ID=4988102388409
  70. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4N6UJM/

External links

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