Our Guide to Discovering (and loving) Gerry Anderson's Terrahawks

Hidden bases, impossible machines, argumentative robots and an android family on Mars: welcome to Terrahawks. Gerry Anderson and Christopher Burr’s 1980s series combines spectacular miniature effects with a particularly mischievous sense of humour. If you remember Zelda but have never watched a whole adventure—or want to revisit the series—here is a practical place to begin.

Explore the Terrahawks world hub for the characters, vehicles and production history, or start with the viewing suggestions below.

What is Terrahawks?

Earth is threatened by Zelda and her android family, operating from a base on Mars. Dr Tiger Ninestein commands the organisation defending the planet, with Captain Mary Falconer, Kate Kestrel, Hawkeye and Hiro bringing different skills to the task. Their spherical robot assistants, the Zeroids, have personalities as strong as those of the humans they support.

First broadcast in 1983, the series comprises 39 television episodes. Its puppetry technique, Supermacromation, uses a different approach from the string-operated Supermarionation of Thunderbirds. The result is a world of expressive faces, elaborate launch sequences and monsters whose abilities are limited only by Zelda’s imagination.

Start at the beginning—or sample its stranger side

The two-part Expect the Unexpected establishes the invasion, the team and their extraordinary hardware. It is the clearest starting point if you want to follow the series from its opening confrontation.

The show becomes increasingly playful as it develops. If you would prefer a taste of its different moods first, try one of these:

• To Catch a Tiger — a useful introduction to the danger surrounding Ninestein and the androids’ schemes.
• Zero’s Finest Hour — put the Zeroids at the centre of your first visit.
• Play It Again Sram — pop music, monsters and a particularly unusual competition.
• Two for the Price of One — meet It-Star, the newest and most alarmingly inventive member of Zelda’s family.

These are starting suggestions rather than a required viewing order. Once you have found your way into the humour and characters, return to the opening story and see the team take shape.

Watch full episodes on our official channel

The official Terrahawks full-episode playlist contains all 39 television adventures. Begin with Expect the Unexpected below, or open the playlist to choose your next episode. Availability can vary by territory.

Only have a few minutes? Our Terrahawks primer introduces the programme, its production and its distinctive place in Gerry Anderson’s career.

Look beyond the first impression

There is more to Terrahawks than its most frightening faces. Tiger’s difficult relationship with Sergeant Major Zero, Mary’s steady judgement and Kate’s life as a singer give the action a set of continuing personal relationships. The androids are also a household: Zelda’s grand plans must survive her family before they ever reach Earth.

That mixture allows the series to move from broad comedy to moments of unease or sympathy. MOID, the Master of Infinite Disguise, is a good example of an adversary whose story goes beyond a new weapon for Zelda.

Continue the adventure on audio

Beginning with the first release in 2015, Anderson Entertainment and Big Finish continued Terrahawks as full-cast audio drama. Returning performers, familiar music and sound effects preserve the character of the television series while allowing new stories to range beyond what its sets and miniature stages could show.

The Price Is Right opens the first volume and reintroduces the format. The audio adventures are a continuation rather than a replacement for the television episodes, offering another way to spend time with the team after your first watch.

Your next step

For the people and machines, head to the Terrahawks world hub. For the creative connections, read how Thunderbirds influenced Terrahawks. For editions, music and collectibles currently available from Anderson Entertainment, explore the Terrahawks collection.

Stay on this channel. There is plenty more to discover.