The Girl from Tomorrow
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Children's science fiction television series |
The Girl from Tomorrow is a science fiction television series for children produced in Australia by Film Australia. The narrative follows Alana (Katharine Cullen), a young girl originating from the year 3000 who is abducted by Silverthorn, a villain from the year 2500, and transported back to 1990. In this era, she forms a friendship with Jenny Kelly (Melissa Marshall), who helps her adjust to life in the past and find a way back to her own time. The show's sequel, The Girl from Tomorrow Part II: Tomorrow's End, was broadcast in 1992.
Premise
Set in the millennium year 3000, humanity thrives within an idealistic society dedicated to restoring Earth following "The Great Disaster" that occurred in 2500. To uncover the disaster’s origins, scientist Tulista employs the Time Capsule, an invention created by Bruno. However, Silverthorn kidnaps Tulista’s pupil Alana and flees to 1990 with intentions of manipulating the past for personal gain. After escaping captivity, Alana joins forces with Jenny Kelly to retrieve the Time Capsule and stop Silverthorn’s schemes, thereby securing her return to the future.
Alana
Alana (Katharine Cullen) is a 14-year-old girl from the year 3000 trained in the use of the Transducer—a device that grants abilities such as healing and telekinesis. Sent to Earth for educational purposes, she assumes the identity 'Alana Turner' while living with the Kelly family in 1990.
Silverthorn
Silverthorn (John Howard) is a cold-hearted criminal originating from 2500 who seeks domination through futuristic technology. Upon arriving in 1990, he utilizes information from the Time Capsule to accumulate wealth and establish Futures Incorporated as a front for his operations. He suffers from an incurable brain tumor caused by radiation exposure.
Jenny Kelly
Jenny (Melissa Marshall) is a defiant teenager residing in Sydney who becomes Alana’s close companion. She juggles academic commitments, family duties, and her passion for music while supporting Alana in opposing Silverthorn’s plans.
Supporting Characters
Eddie (Miles Buchanan) acts as Silverthorn’s driver; Petey Kelly (James Findlay) is Jenny’s younger brother and an avid fan of science fiction; Irene Kelly (Helen O'Connor) runs the family deli and fiercely defends her children; James Rooney (Andrew Clarke) serves as Jenny’s science teacher and aids in recovering the Time Capsule.
Technology
Prominent futuristic inventions showcased include:
- Time Capsule: A compact vehicle designed for time travel, created by Bruno in 3000. It features sophisticated computing and survival mechanisms allowing temporal journeys but can remain only temporarily in past eras.
- Personal Computer Companion: AI-enabled wrist devices that provide communication functions, timekeeping, holographic recording capabilities, and enforce social etiquette protocols.
- Transducer: A versatile headband developed after The Great Disaster used for healing, levitation, and generating force fields. While primarily intended for planetary restoration, it possesses significant destructive potential if wielded improperly.
Telecast and Home Media
The series originally aired on Australia's Nine Network between 1990 and 1992 before being broadcast internationally on channels such as Ireland's RTÉ Two and the United States' Retro Television Network. In 2006, Shock Exports released a complete DVD collection in Australia (Region 0), though both series are currently out of print. The show remains accessible on various streaming services including iTunes, Amazon Prime UK, Google Play UK, YouTube, and Tubi.
Awards
The series reached the finals in the Youth Series division at the 1990 New York Film & TV Festival. The telemovie adaptation received several honors, such as:
- 1990 Cairo International Film Festival For Children: Golden Cairo Award recognizing Best Film
- 1990 Festival International March de l'audiovisuel et programme jeunesse: Awarded Best Drama
- 1991 Houston Film Festival: Bronze Award recipient