Understand the war of nerves
Our official introduction sets out Spectrum’s struggle against the Mysterons.
Watch the introduction →Supermarionation series
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Earth is under threat from an enemy that can recreate the dead. Join Spectrum, discover its extraordinary vehicles and meet the indestructible agent at the centre of the war against the Mysterons.
- Spectrum
- 32 episodes
- First broadcast in 1967
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Where to begin
A few rewarding routes into this world. Choose the one that catches your imagination.
Meet Spectrum’s hardware
Start with the formidable Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle and follow its connections.
Explore the SPV →Browse the original series
Open the archive chapters for the 32-episode guide and the production story.
Open the series archive →Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Machines
Choose a machine to discover its role, its story and where it can take you next.
Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle
The heavily armoured SPV is Spectrum’s principal ground pursuit vehicle. Concealed collection points allow agents to reach one quickly when a Mysteron threat develops. Its rear-facing driving position and video view of the road make it one of the organisation’s most distinctive machines.
- Abbreviation: SPV
- Organisation: Spectrum
Angel Interceptor
The Angel Interceptors provide Spectrum’s rapid aerial response. Launched from Cloudbase and flown by the five Angel pilots, these aircraft pursue hostile craft and cover operations on the ground. Their readiness is a central part of Spectrum’s global defence.
- Base: Cloudbase
- Pilots: The Angels
Spectrum Saloon Car
Spectrum’s red saloon carries agents between assignments and gives them a fast response on the road. Also known as the Spectrum Patrol Car, it pairs a recognisable passenger-car shape with the organisation’s futuristic styling and equipment.
- Also known as: Spectrum Patrol Car
- Organisation: Spectrum
Martian Exploration Vehicle
The surface-exploration component of Zero X takes the crew onto Mars in Thunderbirds Are Go. A version of the vehicle appears in Captain Scarlet’s first episode, providing a memorable visual connection between the productions.
- Screen appearances: Thunderbirds Are Go and Captain Scarlet
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Characters
Meet the people at the heart of this world. Open a card and follow their story.
Captain Scarlet
Paul Metcalfe becomes Spectrum’s extraordinary advantage in the war of nerves after escaping Mysteron control while retaining the power to recover from fatal injuries. Courage still matters: Scarlet repeatedly puts himself at risk to save others. Francis Matthews voices the original Supermarionation hero.
- Real name: Paul Metcalfe
- Voice: Francis Matthews
Captain Blue
Scarlet’s closest field partner has no powers of recovery, yet repeatedly shares the same dangers. Steady, loyal and an accomplished pilot, Captain Blue helps turn Scarlet’s unusual abilities into effective teamwork. Ed Bishop provides his voice.
- Real name: Adam Svenson
- Voice: Ed Bishop
Captain Black
The Spectrum officer whose expedition triggers the conflict on Mars becomes the Mysterons’ principal agent on Earth. His appearances often signal the next stage of a carefully prepared attack. Black is a disturbing reminder that Spectrum’s enemy can work through familiar human faces.
- Allegiance: The Mysterons
- Voice: Donald Gray
Colonel White
Spectrum’s commander directs the organisation from Cloudbase. Colonel White must judge incomplete information and deploy his agents before each announced Mysteron threat becomes reality. Donald Gray gives his measured authority a voice distinct from the enemy he also portrays.
- Role: Commander of Spectrum
- Voice: Donald Gray
Lieutenant Green
Cloudbase’s communications officer keeps information moving between Colonel White and Spectrum’s field teams. He also joins dangerous assignments beyond the base, including the lunar investigation. Cy Grant voices one of Spectrum’s most trusted officers.
- Role: Cloudbase communications
- Voice: Cy Grant
The Angels
Destiny, Symphony, Rhapsody, Melody and Harmony form Spectrum’s five-pilot interceptor team. Their aircraft stand ready at Cloudbase, while their assignments range from escort and reconnaissance to confronting Mysteron-controlled machines in the air.
- Team: Five Angel pilots
- Aircraft: Angel Interceptors
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Places
Explore the headquarters and locations that make this world possible.
Cloudbase
Spectrum’s airborne headquarters brings command, medical care and aircraft operations together above the Earth. Colonel White directs the war of nerves from its control room while the Angels maintain a rapid-response watch. Its floating silhouette is a defining image of the original series.
- Organisation: Spectrum
- Commander: Colonel White
Watch, listen and discover
This is the voice of the Mysterons
Explore the premise and world of the original Captain Scarlet in our official series introduction.
Watch the introduction →Find services by country, with free and paid options.
Where to watch full episodes →Stories
Go deeper into this world
Fresh perspectives, familiar heroes and adventures beyond the screen.
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Bring the adventure home
Explore the available editions and stories connected with this world.
From the archive
The story of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Explore the production, the people and the original archive material behind this world.
A war of nerves
An expedition to Mars ends in a disastrous misunderstanding. When Captain Black attacks a Mysteron city, its inhabitants respond with a campaign against Earth. They can recreate destroyed people and objects, using those reconstructions to carry out carefully announced threats. Spectrum must work out what each warning means before it is too late.
Captain Scarlet becomes the organisation’s exceptional defence after breaking free of Mysteron control while retaining the power to recover from fatal injury. His abilities change the risks of a mission, but they do not remove its cost for the people around him. The series combines futuristic action with the uncertainty of never knowing quite whom to trust.
Supermarionation takes a darker turn
Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons followed Thunderbirds into production at Century 21. Its 32 episodes first reached UK television in 1967. More naturally proportioned puppets, a restrained colour-coded organisation and a persistent invisible enemy gave it a distinct visual and dramatic identity.
Francis Matthews voices Scarlet, with Ed Bishop as Captain Blue, Donald Gray as Colonel White, Captain Black and the Mysterons, and Cy Grant as Lieutenant Green. Tony Barwick’s scripts, Barry Gray’s music and Derek Meddings’ effects help create the tension that runs through the series.
Spectrum’s people and machines
Colonel White directs operations from the airborne headquarters, Cloudbase. Lieutenant Green maintains communications, while Captain Blue is Scarlet’s closest partner in the field. The five Angels — Destiny, Symphony, Rhapsody, Melody and Harmony — provide rapid aerial defence.
On the ground, Spectrum’s red saloon cars and armoured Pursuit Vehicles allow agents to respond across the world. Concealed SPV collection points are one of the organisation’s most memorable ideas. The SPV collection-point guide and vehicle appearance record offer detailed routes into the hardware.
Choosing your first episodes
The Mysterons establishes the conflict and Scarlet’s transformation; Winged Assassin tests his new role. White as Snow explores his loyalty to Colonel White, while the linked lunar stories Lunarville 7, Crater 101 and Dangerous Rendezvous develop a larger attempt to understand and confront the enemy.
Our ten-episode selection provides further suggestions. The complete guide below preserves the archive’s episode titles, story outlines and credits. Open an entry when you want more detail; the outlines contain spoilers.
The original and the reimagining
The original series’ ideas continued through comics, books and audio, and Gerry returned to the premise for New Captain Scarlet in 2005. That CGI series reimagines the origin, relationships and equipment, rather than simply continuing the 1967 story.
Keeping those versions distinct makes both easier to enjoy. This hub covers the original Supermarionation production; the New Captain Scarlet hub introduces Skybase, the Rhinos and the reimagined Spectrum team.
The 32-episode guide
The archive’s original UK broadcast sequence is retained here. Regional transmission dates and later viewing orders vary.
The Mysterons
When their city on Mars is attacked by human astronauts under the command of Spectrum’s Captain Black, the Mysterons vow to destroy all life on Earth. The aliens’ first objective is the assassination of the World President.
Written by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson. Directed by Desmond Saunders. Archive first UK airdate: 29 September 1967. Production number: 1. Recommended sequence in the archive: 1.
Winged Assassin
No longer under the Mysterons’ control, but retaining their power of “retro-metabolism”, Captain Scarlet joins Spectrum’s operation to protect the aliens’ next target – the Director General of the United Asian Republic.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by David Lane. Archive first UK airdate: 6 October 1967. Production number: 2. Recommended sequence in the archive: 2.
Big Ben Strikes Again
The Mysterons target London with a stolen nuclear reactor.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Brian Burgess. Archive first UK airdate: 13 October 1967. Production number: 3. Recommended sequence in the archive: 3.
Manhunt
After Captain Black inadvertently exposes himself to radiation, thus making himself detectable on long-range Geiger counters, Spectrum mobilises its forces to apprehend the Mysterons’ primary agent.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 20 October 1967. Production number: 5. Recommended sequence in the archive: 4.
Avalanche
The Mysterons launch a series of crippling attacks on the Frost Line Outer Space Defence System in Canada.
Written by Shane Rimmer. Directed by Brian Burgess. Archive first UK airdate: 27 October 1967. Production number: 11. Recommended sequence in the archive: 11.
White as Snow
The Mysterons threaten to assassinate the commander-in-chief of Spectrum, Colonel White.
Written by Peter Curran & David Williams. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 3 November 1967. Production number: 8. Recommended sequence in the archive: 8.
The Trap
The Mysterons threaten to assassinate the commanders of Earth’s armed forces.
Written by Alan Pattillo. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 10 November 1967. Production number: 17. Recommended sequence in the archive: 13.
Operation Time
The Mysterons cryptically threaten to “kill time” – which, as Spectrum discovers, is a reference to a prominent army general.
Written by Richard Conway & Stephen J. Mattick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 17 November 1967. Production number: 6. Recommended sequence in the archive: 6.
Spectrum Strikes Back
Following the events of “Operation Time”, Spectrum has created two anti-Mysteron devices, both of which are given an early field test when the secret conference hosting the unveiling is sabotaged.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 24 November 1967. Production number: 10. Recommended sequence in the archive: 10.
Special Assignment
The Mysterons vow to destroy the entire North American continent.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 1 December 1967. Production number: 20. Recommended sequence in the archive: 14.
The Heart of New York
The Mysterons threaten to destroy the “heart” of New York City.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 8 December 1967. Production number: 13. Recommended sequence in the archive: 16.
Lunarville 7
The Lunar Controller declares the Moon neutral in the “war of nerves” between Earth and Mars. Dispatched to investigate suspicious activity on the satellite’s far side, Scarlet, Captain Blue and Lieutenant Green make a shocking discovery.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 15 December 1967. Production number: 16. Recommended sequence in the archive: 15.
Point 783
The Mysterons threaten to assassinate the Supreme Commander of Earth Forces.
Written by Peter Curran & David Williams. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 22 December 1967. Production number: 4. Recommended sequence in the archive: 5.
Model Spy
A French intelligence chief, known publicly as a leading fashion designer, is targeted by Mysteron reconstructions of two of his models.
Written by Bill Hedley. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 29 December 1967. Production number: 18. Recommended sequence in the archive: 18.
Seek and Destroy
The Mysterons threaten to kill one of Spectrum’s Angel pilots.
Written by Peter Curran & David Williams. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 5 January 1968. Production number: 9. Recommended sequence in the archive: 9.
Renegade Rocket
The Mysterons engineer the launch of an experimental variable geometry rocket.
Written by Ralph Hart. Directed by Brian Burgess. Archive first UK airdate: 19 January 1968. Production number: 7. Recommended sequence in the archive: 7.
Crater 101
Following the events of “Lunarville 7”, Scarlet, Blue and Green return to the Moon to destroy the Mysteron’s newly completed base in the Humboldt Sea.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 26 January 1968. Production number: 22. Recommended sequence in the archive: 21.
Shadow of Fear
With the help of an observatory in the Himalayas, Spectrum lands a probe on the Martian moon Phobos to perform detailed orbital reconnaissance of the red planet.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 2 February 1968. Production number: 12. Recommended sequence in the archive: 12.
Dangerous Rendezvous
Following the events of “Crater 101”, the Mysterons threaten to destroy Cloudbase. Exploiting the unique properties of the crystal pulsator recovered from the Mysterons’ lunar complex, Spectrum contacts the aliens directly in an attempt to make peace.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Brian Burgess. Archive first UK airdate: 9 February 1968. Production number: 19. Recommended sequence in the archive: 22.
Fire at Rig 15
The Mysterons target the oil refinery that supplies fuel for all of Spectrum’s vehicles.
Written by Bryan Cooper. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 16 February 1968. Production number: 14. Recommended sequence in the archive: 19.
Treble Cross
The Mysterons threaten to destroy the world capital, Futura City.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 23 February 1968. Production number: 28. Recommended sequence in the archive: 24.
Flight 104
The Mysterons vow to sabotage a Spectrum conference in Switzerland that will determine the manner of Earth’s return to Mars.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Robert Lynn. Archive first UK airdate: 1 March 1968. Production number: 24. Recommended sequence in the archive: 26.
Place of Angels
Threatening to destroy the “Place of the Angels”, the Mysterons engineer the theft of a lethal virus from a research centre.
Written by Leo Eaton. Directed by Leo Eaton. Archive first UK airdate: 8 March 1968. Production number: 23. Recommended sequence in the archive: 27.
Noose of Ice
The Mysterons target an Arctic mine that is extracting a metal to be used to construct a new Earth space fleet.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 12 March 1968. Production number: 27. Recommended sequence in the archive: 23.
Expo 2068
The Mysterons threaten to obliterate the entire Atlantic Seaboard of North America.
Written by Shane Rimmer. Directed by Leo Eaton. Archive first UK airdate: 26 March 1968. Production number: 29. Recommended sequence in the archive: 28.
The Launching
When the Mysterons seemingly threaten the President of the United States with assassination, Spectrum implements maximum security measures around his residence. But as the Mysterons’ self-imposed deadline approaches, Scarlet realises that the organisation is protecting the wrong target.
Written by Peter Curran & David Williams. Directed by Brian Burgess. Archive first UK airdate: 2 April 1968. Production number: 15. Recommended sequence in the archive: 29.
Codename Europa
A reconstructed electronics professor targets Europe’s three most powerful statesmen.
Written by David Lee. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 9 April 1968. Production number: 25. Recommended sequence in the archive: 30.
Inferno
The Mysterons threaten to destroy an irrigation complex in South America.
Written by Tony Barwick & Shane Rimmer. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 16 April 1968. Production number: 31. Recommended sequence in the archive: 25.
Traitor
Scarlet and Blue investigate a series of Spectrum hovercraft crashes in the Australian Outback to expose a traitor in the organisation.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Alan Perry. Archive first UK airdate: 23 April 1968. Production number: 21. Recommended sequence in the archive: 17.
Flight to Atlantica
After drinking drugged champagne, Captains Blue and Ochre launch a bombing campaign of the world’s most important naval complex, Atlantica.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Leo Eaton. Archive first UK airdate: 30 April 1968. Production number: 26. Recommended sequence in the archive: 20.
Attack on Cloudbase
The Mysterons themselves arrive on Earth to destroy Cloudbase.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 7 May 1968. Production number: 30. Recommended sequence in the archive: 31.
The Inquisition
Blue is drugged and wakes up three months later facing questioning from a man claiming to be from Spectrum Intelligence.
Written by Tony Barwick. Directed by Ken Turner. Archive first UK airdate: 14 May 1968. Production number: 32. Recommended sequence in the archive: 32.
Production record
Century 21 / ITC. 32 episodes of approximately 25 minutes. First UK broadcast: 29 September 1967.
Executive Producer: Gerry Anderson
Producer: Reg Hill
Associate Producer: John Read
Director Supervising Series: Desmond Saunders
Directors: Desmond Saunders, David Lane, Brian Burgess, Robert Lynn,
Alan Perry, Ken Turner & Leo Eaton
Characters Created by Sylvia Anderson
Lighting Cameraman: Julien Lugrin, Paddy Seale & Ted Catford
Supervising Art Director: Bob Bell
Art Director: Grenville Nott
Production Designer: Keith Wilson
Script Editor: Tony Barwick
Supervising Visual Effects Director: Derek Meddings
Visual Effects Directors: Shaun Whittacker-Cook & Jimmy Elliott
Music Composed and Directed by Barry Gray
Watch the introduction
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