Survivors: Series One Box Set

Survivors #1

by Matt Fitton, Jonathan Morris, John Dorney

It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world's population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces.

Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again…

NOTE: Survivors contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

1. Revelation by Matt Fitton
When people begin to die of a new strain of a flu virus, newspaper journalists Helen Wiseman and Daniel Connor investigate. They uncover a terrifying story - but will anyone ever get to read it?

2. Exodus by Jonathan Morris
Billions of people have died across the globe. Cities are rife with secondary diseases, and the survivors attempt to make their way out of London.

3. Judges by Andrew Smith
After a storm wipes out much of their community's supplies, Greg and Jenny go in search of new provisions - much to Abby's diaapproval.

4. Esther by John Dorney
Greg, Jenny and their new friends are trapped. Will they ever make it out alive?

Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast

Lucy Fleming (Jenny Richards), Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston), John Banks (Daniel Connor), Louise Jameson (Jackie Burchall), Sinead Keenan (Susie Edwards),. Caroline Langrishe (Helen Wiseman), Adrian Lukis (James Gillison), Chase Masterson (Maddie Price), Terry Molloy (John Redgrave), Camilla Power (Fiona Bell), Phil Mulryne (Pnil Bailey), San Shella (Sayed)

Special appearance by Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant)

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Apocalyptic, Fantasy

Audio CD

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never seen the tv series but after listening to the audiobook I rather wish i had.
Highly recommended.

[Tom Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously need to get the other releases. I purchased this when it came out in 2014 from the Big Finish website.

You don't need to understand or watch the TV series to enjoy the Big Finish take on 'Survivors'

I am a huge fan when it comes to bleak 'post apocalyptic' stories. It's my favourite type of story telling alongside Horror.

All four stories in the set are perfect. Performances, sound design, characters, writing, development, tension and the suspense is nailed. But the first story in my opinion 'Revelation' shines as the best from the series.

To see the outbreak of the virus and how the government use very horrible methods to contain it feels realistic and scary.

Still holds up to the test of time.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is good to see Louise Jameson in a role other than Leela.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the episodes I saw of the original television series (and the original novel), I looked forward to this set with enthusiasm. Certainly, it's a bit of a delight to revisit some of the scenarios and characters from that series. The technical standards of this audio drama are top-notch. The acting and presentation is excellent. It also keeps up the tradition of the series in that it forces the listener to evaluate and re-evaluate authority structures as they exist and as they might exist under the extreme circumstances of life in a post-pandemic world. Unfortunately, parts of it are a bit hard to follow and the rest of the story suffers from a touch of over-familiarity, not just because it follows the TV series a bit closely, but post-apocalyptic dramas have become a bit too much alike, a bit too clichéd.

[Sheldon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t fault the audio productions nor the actors as Big Finish are always excellent in those departments. My issue with the first series is with the lack of setup; it feels like people are coughing then suddenly it’s Mad Max and there are tribal-like groups. I get that it’s apocalyptic drama however a little more time spent on the build up and establishing some characters would go a long way to get me to care about any of the characters (which I simply don’t) before moving on. I’ve never seen the original Survivors tv series, so I have no rose-tinted glasses affecting my view. I watched the 2008 version of Survivors which I thought was passable but suffered from most episodes being a new “villain of the week” plot, I hope the Big Finish adaptations don’t fall into the same trap as that soon got tedious.

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this. I've never watched the original series, but I watched the remake that came out in the late 00s (I think?) and loved it and hated that it was cancelled on a cliffhanger. So I'm interested to see where this story keeps going.

Also, apparently I am not one of those people who is averse to pandemic stories during a pandemic, though ours is not quite so apocalyptic.

... knock wood

[Jadetyger Sevea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, solid audio series from Big Finish. I wouldn't expect otherwise. I'm giving it three stars because I did have trouble following the plot, and the different characters throughout the series. In retrospect, I should have just borrowed this from the library. Still, I don't regret buying it, because it is a really well-made production, even though I got lost.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid audio production, loved that every character had a different voice, and I really hate people... And those kind of doomsday leaders are the worst, if you want to know more, grab this audio and listen for yourself

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Felt like the original series, could picture it perfectly. It also enhanced the promise of Terry Nation's premise. Highly recommended.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.1 Revelation by Matt Fitton - 5/5 stars
Great reintroduction to this world.

1.2 Exodus by Jonathan Morris - 4/5 stars
The development of characters is interesting. An ex-professor becomes a murderous dictator. A mother comes to terms with euthanising her children. An ex-journalist documents the downfall of civilization.

1.3 Judges by Andrew Smith - 5/5 stars
Months later TV characters Jenny Richards and Greg Preston go out to scavenge and come across a group of scavengers before getting collected by the community at the Polytech. Soon the leader kills more people and chooses to lock everyone into their community.

1.4 Esther by John Dorney - 4/5 stars
The leader of the group becomes more deranged and in the end, he takes out the 40 people in his community with carbon monoxide poisoning.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this new take on Survivors. I made the mistake of watching the first episode of the new series before watching this and as such I felt that the first episode was quite a lot of repetition but then I suppose there is only so many ways you can have everyone die and things go to hell.

The second script things really got going, Louise was wonderful as the insane mother refusing to face reality. I also really enjoyed Chase and Terry at the airport and finding the community. The villain was a little over-the-top. Do people really turn that evil that quickly? The pacing on the third and fourth episode and the mixture of the original characters with the new ones was very well done. There were a lot of spooky and disturbing moments in this. Definitely recommended even if you've not seen the original.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant introduction to Big Finish's series based on the 70s TV show of the same name. It starts off setting up the initial concept but with new characters before bringing in ones from the show. Examing human endeavour and behavior from its best to its very worst. Its akin to the Walking Dead but without pointless zombies :D

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good audio drama. If you're looking to escape recent real world events by listening to an audio book it might not be your best choice, but on the other hand, there's always someone worse off than you, right?!

*off to listen to series 2*