The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
Douglas Adams' beloved BBC sci-fi comedy series, following one very confused Englishman across a bewildering and hilarious universe.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Series Information
- Original Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1981
- Created by: Douglas Adams
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 34 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 5, 1981 (United States - TV-PG), January 5, 1981 (United Kingdom - PG), January 5, 1981 (Germany - 12), January 5, 1981 (Australia - G), January 5, 1981 (Brazil - 12)
- Networks: BBC Two
- Alternative Titles: The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (US), Автостопом по Галактике (RU)
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Plot
Don't Panic! The story of Arthur Dent, an average Englishman who life was spared by his friend, who turned out to be an alien, while the planet Earth is destroyed. His friend tells him about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a guide with anything you ever needed, and wanted to know. They travel across the galaxy, meeting friendly, and not so friendly characters in order to find the great question (the answer being 42).
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Trailer
Preview a clip from the series and see the galaxy-hopping adventure for yourself.
Watch The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy video on YouTube ↗
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Douglas Adams
Main Cast
- Simon Jones
- David Dixon
- Peter Jones
- Stephen Moore
- Sandra Dickinson
- Mark Wing-Davey
- David Learner
- David Tate
- Richard Vernon
- Martin Benson
Writers
- Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - FAQs
What is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy about?
The series follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman who narrowly escapes Earth's demolition — to make way for a hyperspace bypass — thanks to his alien friend Ford Prefect. Together they hitchhike across the galaxy, encountering bizarre civilisations, a depressed robot named Marvin, and the universe's most baffling answer: 42.
Is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy based on a true story?
Not at all — it's pure satirical science fiction. Douglas Adams originally created the story as a BBC radio comedy in 1978, drawing on absurdist humour and philosophical wit. The TV series adapted that beloved radio script, bringing its irreverent take on existence, bureaucracy, and the cosmos to the screen.
Where can you stream The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
The series is available to stream on BritBox via Apple TV Channel. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free viewing options include Hoopla, Darkroom, and Fawesome, making it quite accessible across multiple platforms.
What is the significance of the number 42 in the show?
42 is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything — computed over millions of years by a supercomputer called Deep Thought. The joke, of course, is that nobody actually knows what the question is. It became one of the most iconic gags in science fiction and pop culture history.
Who are the main cast members of the series?
Simon Jones plays the hapless Arthur Dent, with David Dixon as Ford Prefect and Peter Jones providing the voice of the Guide itself. Sandra Dickinson plays Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey is the two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Stephen Moore voices the gloriously gloomy robot Marvin.
How many episodes does the 1981 BBC series have?
The original BBC television adaptation consists of six episodes, all broadcast in 1981 on BBC Two. Each episode runs approximately 34 minutes, making the complete series a compact but wonderfully dense comedic journey through the galaxy.
Is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy worth watching today?
Absolutely. Despite its age and famously low-budget special effects — which Adams himself cheerfully acknowledged — the series holds up remarkably well thanks to razor-sharp writing and pitch-perfect performances. Its satirical wit, philosophical absurdism, and genuine warmth make it essential viewing for any fan of intelligent comedy or science fiction.
What are similar shows to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
Fans of the series often enjoy That Mitchell and Webb Look and The Day Today for their sharp British satirical humour. For sci-fi comedy with a similar irreverent spirit, Resident Alien and Doctor Who (2024) are popular picks. Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake also shares its playful, genre-bending sensibility.
More About The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
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