Stark (TV series)
| Company type | Television miniseries |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television, Entertainment |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Ben Elton (creator and star) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom, Australia |
Key people | Nadia Tass (director), Ben Elton (writer, star), Michael Wearing (executive producer) |
| Products | Television miniseries adaptation of the novel Stark |
| Parent | British Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
Stark is a 1993 television miniseries from the United Kingdom and Australia, adapted from Ben Elton's popular 1989 novel Stark. This three-part production, directed by Nadia Tass, was created through a collaboration between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, featuring performances by Ben Elton and Jacqueline McKenzie.
Synopsis
This comedic action-adventure series, derived from Elton's novel, combines satire with environmental commentary.
Cast
- Ben Elton portraying CD (Colin Dobson)
- Jacqueline McKenzie as Rachel O'Donoghue
- Colin Friels in the role of Sly Morgan
- Deborra-Lee Furness playing Chrissie
- Derrick O'Connor as Zimmerman
- Bill Wallis as Walter
- Bill Hunter in the role of Ocker Tyron
- John Neville portraying Lord De Quincey
- Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Sly's secretary
- David Argue
- Marshall Napier appearing as a Private Detective (2 episodes)
- Michael Veitch as TV Presenter
Production
With a budget of A$7 million, largely underwritten by the BBC, the series was scripted and adapted by Ben Elton from his original novel, in which he also starred as the protagonist CD. Nadia Tass directed the series, supported by co-producers David Parker, Michael Wearing, and Timothy White. Executive production was overseen by Michael Wearing alongside Jill Robb. Editing was handled by Ken Sallows, while production design was led by Laurence Eastwood.
Although set in Western Australia, filming occurred predominantly in Victoria and South Australia. Notably, desert sequences were captured near Coober Pedy in South Australia. This project represented a joint effort between Australian and British production teams.
Broadcast
The initial broadcast took place on Australia's ABC network over two consecutive nights on 11 and 12 August, with the first two episodes combined into a feature-length premiere; the concluding third episode aired subsequently. In the United Kingdom, the series was shown on BBC Two across three Wednesday evenings from 8 to 22 December.
Differences between the series and the novel
Significant deviations from the book include alterations to the Stark Conspiracy's scale and the story's conclusion. In Elton's novel, Rachel manages to escape prior to launch; the Star Arks successfully reach their lunar base; conspirators fall victim to their own greed, culminating in Sly's suicide. Conversely, the television adaptation presents Lord De Quincey orchestrating the destruction of 'leper ships' transporting hazardous waste to hasten human extinction. In this version, Sly accompanies Rachel on a rocket; they develop a romantic bond and stage a mutiny but ultimately perish when U.S. Air Force forces shoot down the Star Arks. Producer Michael Wearing advocated for these changes to heighten dramatic tension.
Several character names were modified: Sly Moorcock was renamed Sly Morgan, and Lord Playing became Lord De Quincey.