Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson

Learn The
Story Behind The
visionary creative

Gerry Anderson was a visionary
creator who has captivated audiences
since the 1960s with his innovative puppetry
and futuristic storytelling, blending adventure
with cutting-edge special effects. His legacy as
a pioneer in sci-fi television continues to inspire
generations, as his imaginative worlds and
unforgettable characters endure, sparking
wonder and imagination for over six decades.
Discover the life of the man who's creative
genius continues to inspire fans.

spaceship
spaceship
Timeline

how we started

Through a combination of film-making skills and an incredible level of determination, Gerry earned his first credit as a producer when he was still in his 20s. Years before the word ‘brand’ was popularly applied to television, Gerry’s name came to represent an inimitable style of entertainment that proved hugely successful around the world.

1930

Throughout the 1930s, a young Gerry Anderson (born in 1929) was shaped by the technological leaps and imaginative culture of the era. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, Gerry’s curiosity for new inventions and early science fiction stories was already kindling the creative spark that would define his later work. This was a decade of big dreams and bigger transformations—perfect fuel for the fertile imagination of a future pioneer in television and film.

1940

In the 1940s, overshadowed by the hardships of World War II, Gerry began to cultivate his technical skills and visual flair. His teenage years saw him gain invaluable experience working in photography (including a stint with the Royal Air Force), which taught him the fundamentals of composition and attention to detail. These traits would soon prove vital in envisioning the worlds for which he would become famous.

1950

Throughout the 1950s, Gerry took his first major steps into television production, forming AP Films (later Century 21) and collaborating with visionary talents like Arthur Provis and later Sylvia Anderson. Early puppet series, including The Adventures of Twizzle (1957), Torchy the Battery Boy (1958–59), and Four Feather Falls (1959–60), laid the groundwork for his pioneering “Supermarionation” process. These formative productions combined clever scripts with innovative model work—essential building blocks that would culminate in the spectacular shows of the next decade.

1960

Throughout the 1960s, Gerry and his team spearheaded advanced puppetry techniques to realise epic science fiction scenarios that would have been impossible to achieve in any other format. From the sleek Supercar and interstellar Fireball XL5 to the undersea adventures of Stingray, each new series pushed the boundaries of scale-model filming. This creative momentum reached new heights with Thunderbirds and later Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90, and The Secret Service. The names of these shows remain familiar to millions, and continue to entertain audiences worldwide—an incredible feat unsurpassed by any other British TV and film producer of his time.

1970

As the optimism of the 1960s faded, Gerry crafted darker and more sophisticated scenarios for the new decade. Live-action series UFO and Space: 1999 (along with the shorter special The Day After Tomorrow anticipated the spectacular achievements of Star Wars, and are still regarded by many as his finest work. He also ventured into crime drama with The Protectors, showcasing his continued drive to explore new storytelling frontiers.

1980

He was never content to stand still, and his programmes became increasingly diverse in the 1980s. Gerry made a welcome return to puppetry with Terrahawks—injecting humor and inventive villains into the Supermarionation legacy—and introduced the animated private detective Dick Spanner, P.I. to audiences. During this time, he developed a parallel career as an award-winning director of sophisticated television commercials. He even created the pilot Space Police, which would later evolve into a full series in the next decade.

1990

In the 1990s, Gerry brought his creative flair back to live action with Space Precinct, a lavish crime drama set in a futuristic world where humans and aliens fought side by side. He also returned to children’s entertainment with the enchanting Lavender Castle, which introduced vibrant stop-motion animation to his repertoire. This era saw a resurgence in interest for many of his classic puppet series, sparking renewed broadcasts, fan conventions, and collectible merchandise that connected longtime admirers with a whole new generation of viewers.

2000

In 2001, Gerry Anderson was awarded an MBE for his services to the British film industry—fitting recognition for decades of boundary-pushing achievements. The mid-2000s saw him oversee the darkly intense New Captain Scarlet (premiering in 2005), which combined cutting-edge CGI with the timeless storytelling spirit of his earlier puppet adventures. During this decade, the popularity of his classic series continued to grow, thanks to DVD box sets, and special-edition re-releases brought Gerry’s iconic creations to a whole new audience. Well into his seventies, his enthusiasm for new projects and for the latest technologies remained as strong as ever.

2010

Although Gerry passed away on 26 December 2012, his legacy has shone brightly in the years since. Under the guidance of his son Jamie Anderson and wife Mary Anderson, Anderson Entertainment has championed comprehensive restorations of classic shows, bringing pristine high-definition versions of beloved titles to Blu-ray and streaming platforms. Collectors and fans have revelled in a wave of new merchandise—from replica vehicles and figurines to lavish soundtrack releases—while dedicated events, exhibitions, and fan conventions continue to celebrate Gerry’s world-changing contributions. This ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing his work ensures that each new generation can discover (or rediscover) the timeless ingenuity and boundless optimism that defined Gerry Anderson’s productions.

Despite rarely reminiscing on his achievements, Gerry Anderson came to appreciate how special his worlds were to many people. He was proud of how the ingenuity and selflessness of many of his characters inspired viewers to pursue careers in film, television, the sciences and beyond. Thunderbirds in particular has had an everlasting impact on popular culture and together with his other shows is cherished by many generations of viewers.

Since Gerry’s passing in 2012, his son, Jamie, and wife, Mary, have taken up the running of Gerry’s company, Anderson Entertainment, with a renewed and ongoing mission to celebrate his works. Jamie and the team at Anderson Entertainment continue to create new releases and adventures for Gerry’s classic worlds, as well as uplifting the adventure and optimism that makes Gerry’s worlds so beloved by many.

The legacy continues!