PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
In the third century of the second calendar, after the chaos of the intergalactic wars, a powerful dictatorship has risen to dynamic proportions and engulfed most of the populated worlds. Liberty has become a crime punishable by death, and the majority of the population lives in a drug-induced state of docility. Society is strictly structured from the elite Alpha grades to the menial Deltas--with rewards apportioned accordingly in return for total obedience. This tyrannical authority fulfills George Orwell's prophecy of 1984 to its most terrifying extremes. This government is known as the Federation.

Each world has its share of rebels who either turned to crime or the Resistance. Through corruption and payoffs, the larger criminal organizations are allowed to exist because they pose no real opposition to the Federation. The Resistance movement, however, is unorganized and comprised of small, persistent groups who constitute enough of a threat to warrant termination if caught. This is the story of one such group of rebels, led by a man named Blake. His name has become the symbol of hope and freedom against oppression throughout the entire movement. His group is largely composed of escaped convicts, thieves and smugglers, who are thrown together by chance.

While on his way to the penal colony of Cygnus Alpha, and following a fixed trial, Blake meets fellow outcasts Jenna, Vila, Avon and Gan. Together, they make their escape, and in the alien starship, Liberatol, begin their space odyssey opposing the Federation whenever and wherever possible. On the planet Saurian Major, GaIly is recruited, and counting the ship's computer, Zen, the original seven were complete. Blakes 7 is a continuing saga with many engaging twists and turns in its stories. It is a combination of The Magnificent Seven and The Dirty Dozen set in space. Unlike most series, where the main characters always win in the end and live to see another adventure, the fates of the characters of Blake's 7 are always in doubt. An unforeseen danger can easily result in the untimely death of one of the lead roles, providing a space opera with nail biting suspense and edge-of-the-seat excitement.

CAST
Gareth Thomas (as Blake)
David Jackson (as Gan)
Michael Keating (as Vila)
Paul Darrow (as Avon)
Sally Knyvette (as Jenna)
Jan Chappell (as Cally)
Peter Tuddenham (as Orac)

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Produced by David Maloney and Vere Lorrimer

DURATION
52 x 50'