Remembering Prentis Hancock

We're hugely sorry to learn that actor Prentis Hancock passed away on May 30th, 2025, aged 83. Prentis is best known to Gerry Anderson fans for his role as Main Mission controller Paul Morrow throughout the first series of Space: 1999. Prentis portrayed Paul in 23 of the first series' 24 episodes.

Prentis was born in Glasgow in May, 1942. After initially studying architecture, he eventually pursued his keen interests in acting, which soon yielded a variety of roles across stage, television and film from the late 1960s. He quickly found regular work in guest roles on an eclectic range of TV series - ITV Playhouse (1969), Z Cars (1971), Paul Temple (1969/71), Softly Softly Taskforce (1971), The Fenn Street Gang (1971) and Colditz (1973). He was also a series regular on Spy Trap (1972-73).

Prior to Space: 1999, Prentis had starred as the villain in the two-part adventure WAM from The Protectors, who is eventually apprehended by Tony Anholt's character. Thanks to his brief but memorable stint on The Protectors, Prentis would acquire the role of Paul Morrow without actually having to audition for the series! Working on Space: 1999 as a series regular was also far more financially lucrative than his ongoing roles on various BBC series up to that point.

Hancock's portrayal as Paul Morrow, often at Commander John Koenig's side as his second-in-command, delivers a coolly reassuring presence throughout Year 1. His blossoming romance with fellow Alphan Sandra Benes in The Last Sunset, tragic backstory of family loss in Voyager's Return, and his tender guitar playing in Black Sun are just some of the highlights of a vital figure in Moonbase Alpha's operations.

The Infernal Machine is the only episode from Space: 1999's first series that Paul doesn't appear in, as Prentis was undergoing emergency surgery to remove a benign tumour found on his neck by one of the series' make-up artists. Prentis' role was swiftly filled in last-minute by Gary Waldhorn. During Prentis' brief stay in hospital, he was sent a massive 'get well' card signed by all of the series' cast and crew and adorned by a drawing of the Main Mission set by production designer Keith Wilson with an arrow pointing to Paul's chair, inscribed with "We miss you."

Following Space: 1999's extensive reformatting between its first and second series, Prentis was among the series one regulars not asked to return for Year 2. Prentis' career would continue with further guest roles on The New Avengers (1976), The Famous Five (1978), Return of the Saint (1979), The Professionals (1982), and many more. Before and after his time on Space: 1999, he also portrayed a variety of memorable characters in Doctor Who, starring in Spearhead from Space (1970), Planet of the Daleks (1973), Planet of Evil (1975), and The Ribos Operation (1978). His career would continue well into the 1990s and sporadically into the 2010s. 

Prentis Hancock leaves behind an admirably versatile and long-lasting career, which includes portraying one of Space: 1999's best-loved characters. Our thoughts are with Prentis' family and friends during this time.