Undermind (TV series)

Undermind

Company type	Television drama series
Industry	Television production
Founded	1965
Founder	ABC Weekend Television
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Television series

Undermind is a British science fiction television drama from 1965, produced by ABC Weekend Television. The series consists of eleven one-hour episodes and features performances by Jeremy Wilkin, Rosemary Nicols, and Denis Quilley.

The show was developed by Robert Banks Stewart, known for creating Shoestring and Bergerac, who later contributed to Doctor Who. Additionally, the series included scripts penned by prominent Doctor Who writers such as David Whitaker, Bill Strutton, and Robert Holmes.

Plot

After returning to Britain from Australia, Personnel Officer Drew Heriot discovers that his brother, Detective Frank Heriot, is exhibiting unusual behavior that deeply concerns his sister-in-law Anne. As they investigate, they reveal an alien entity without a physical form that employs high-frequency signals to brainwash people—including Frank—into committing acts of sabotage as preparation for an invasion. Drew and Anne work together to prevent these activities while attempting to warn the UK about the impending danger.

Recurring cast

• Jeremy Wilkin portraying Drew Heriot (appearing in all 11 episodes)
• Rosemary Nicols as Anne Heriot (featured in all 11 episodes)
• Denis Quilley in the role of Professor Val Randolph (4 episodes)
• John Barron as Sir Godfrey Tillinger (2 episodes)
• David Phetheam playing Caper (2 episodes)

Broadcasts

The series was not broadcast nationally; ABC debuted it on its Midlands and North regions on 8 May 1965, concluding on 17 July. ATV London started airing the show a week later but broadcast episode 9 out of sequence and excluded "Song of Death," resulting in only ten episodes being shown.

Episodes

	Episode Title	Synopsis
1	"Instance One" also known as "Onset of Fear"	Detective Frank Herriot assaults a Member of Parliament and behaves erratically. His brother Drew and estranged wife Anne seek psychiatric assistance, but the psychiatrist is soon found murdered.
2	"Flowers of Havoc"	Drew, Anne, and Val investigate a mysterious brass rubbing sent from a coastal town, uncovering biker gangs and a complacent local vicar.
3	"The New Dimension"	Drew's name appears on a murdered call girl's client list, leading to intense interrogation. Meanwhile, Anne goes undercover at a suspicious employment agency.
4	"Death in England"	A former IRA fighter agrees to dedicate a statue to a deceased British Army adversary, causing outrage among his old comrades who oppose his participation.
5	"Too Many Enemies"	Drew and Anne attempt to stop the theft of 'black boxes' from the Kimberley Vale radio telescope, uncovering surprising perpetrators.
6	"Intent to Destroy"	A stockbroker receives tips predicting future events surrounding a famous death. Herriot tries to intervene but nearly loses his own life.
7	"Song of Death"	The investigation centers on multiple doctor suicides connected to musical birthday jingles, revealing the mastermind behind these incidents.
8	"Puppets of Evil"	The Underminds influence a children's author, corrupting her stories with sinister content that damages her career.
9	"Test for the Future"	Following a struggle and a scream, two men rehearse a plan with grave national implications.
10	"Waves of Sound"	The Underminds enlist a fading radio comedian and research staff to carry out mass hypnosis aimed at spreading a lethal disease.
11	"End Signal"	The full extent of the Undermind conspiracy comes to light. Communications Minister Tillinger's jamming station attempts to block their secondary signal.

Release

The series is preserved through black-and-white telerecordings derived from the initial 405-line videotape recordings and was made available on DVD by Network on 23 July 2012.