Jupiter Moon (1990)
A pioneering British sci-fi soap opera set aboard a university spaceship orbiting Jupiter's moon Callisto in the year 2050.
Jupiter Moon - Series Information
- Original Title: Jupiter Moon
- First Air Year: 1990
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: William Smethurst
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 150
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: Galaxy, Sky Sci-Fi
- Production Companies: BSB, Primetime-Andromeda
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Jupiter Moon - Plot
Jupiter Moon was a science fiction television series first broadcast by British Satellite Broadcasting's Galaxy Channel from 26 March 1990 until December the same year. 150 episodes were commissioned, but only the first 108 were broadcast by BSB. It was commissioned to fulfill the perceived need for a soap opera in BSB's line-up and, as such, it was shown three times a week, with an omnibus edition at weekends.
In the year 2050, the spaceship Ilea lies in semi-permanent orbit above the space city on Jupiter's moon Callisto. The Ilea is home to a university and many of the main plot strands revolve around the students, helping the programme to deal with more mundane issues despite its far-flung setting. A secondary plot deals with an attempt to travel to the stars known as the Daedalus Project.
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Jupiter Moon - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- William Smethurst
Main Cast
- Charlotte Martin
- Anna Pernicci
- Phil Willmott
- Suzy Cooper
- Nicola Wright
- Anna Chancellor
- Daniel Beales
- Karen Murden
- Richard Derrington
- Lucy Benjamin
Jupiter Moon - FAQs
What is Jupiter Moon about?
Jupiter Moon is set in the year 2050 aboard the spaceship Ilea, orbiting Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons. It blends soap opera storytelling with science fiction, following university students navigating everyday drama in deep space, alongside a grander subplot involving the interstellar Daedalus Project.
Was Jupiter Moon the first sci-fi soap opera on British TV?
Jupiter Moon holds a distinctive place in British television history as one of the earliest attempts to fuse the soap opera format with science fiction. Commissioned by BSB's Galaxy Channel in 1990, it was specifically designed to fill a soap opera slot, making it a genuinely pioneering — if short-lived — experiment.
Where can you watch Jupiter Moon?
Jupiter Moon is not widely available on mainstream streaming platforms. Your best option is to check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your region, as availability can vary. Physical media or archive sources may also be worth exploring for this rare 1990 British series.
Why were not all episodes of Jupiter Moon broadcast?
Although 150 episodes of Jupiter Moon were commissioned, only 108 aired on BSB's Galaxy Channel before the broadcaster ceased operations. BSB merged with Sky Television in late 1990 to form BSkyB, cutting the series short before its full run could be completed.
Who are the main cast members of Jupiter Moon?
The ensemble cast includes Charlotte Martin, Anna Pernicci, Phil Willmott, Suzy Cooper, Nicola Wright, Anna Chancellor, Daniel Beales, Karen Murden, Richard Derrington, and Lucy Benjamin. Notably, Anna Chancellor and Lucy Benjamin both went on to prominent careers in British television after the series ended.
Who created Jupiter Moon and when did it first air?
Jupiter Moon was created by William Smethurst and first broadcast on 26 March 1990 on BSB's Galaxy Channel. It aired three times a week with a weekend omnibus edition, running until December 1990 — a format borrowed directly from traditional British soap operas.
What is the Daedalus Project in Jupiter Moon?
The Daedalus Project is a secondary storyline running through Jupiter Moon, centred on an ambitious mission to travel beyond the solar system to distant stars. It provides the series with a grander science fiction backdrop, contrasting with the more personal, soap opera-style drama unfolding among the university students aboard the Ilea.
What shows are similar to Jupiter Moon?
Fans of Jupiter Moon's blend of space drama and character-driven storytelling may enjoy Space: 1999, Red Dwarf, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The Expanse. For lighter sci-fi with ensemble casts, The Orville and Space Force offer a more comedic take on life aboard a spacecraft.
More About Jupiter Moon
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