The Last Train
Encyclopedia
The Last Train is a British
six-part post-apocalyptic television
drama serial
first broadcast on the ITV
network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2
in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel
. The serial was written by Matthew Graham
and produced for ITV by Granada Television
.
In the United States
, the Fox Network purchased the rights to produce a new version of the series soon after its original UK transmission. Retitled The Ark, the idea did not progress beyond the pilot stage.
As of October 2010, the series has not been released on DVD or any other format, and has never played in the USA at all.
, the series follows the survival of a mixed group of train passengers who have been accidentally cryogenically frozen. Waking up decades later, the passengers find that they are some of the last remaining humans to have survived an apocalyptic meteor strike, and are alone in the British
countryside. One of the train passengers, Harriet Ambrose (Nicola Walker
) had been on her way to a top-secret government project known as "Ark", supposedly a project to save humanity. The journey that follows revolves mainly around Harriet's obsession to reach the Ark and her boyfriend Jonathan Geddes (Ralph Brown
) despite not being aware how many years have passed.
Upon being unfrozen, Harriet and her fellow passengers find themselves in a post-apocalyptic Sheffield, apparently uninhabited except by a pack of rabid dogs and a nomadic and seemingly hostile tribal society who are constantly pursuing them. Thawed thief Mick Sizer (Treva Etienne
) then leads the other passengers to his lock-up garage and the group sets off in his Mercedes Sprinter van in search of the Ark and hopefully more survivors.
, The Changes
and Threads
, as they all revolve around post-apocalyptic Britain, rather than any deeper thematic similarities. Also of similar note is The Death Of Grass - filmed as No Blade of Grass - by British-born writer John Christopher
.
. Although the railway station shown in the programme that is said to be Sheffield railway station is in fact the derelict Manchester Mayfield railway station
in Manchester
.
The camp featured in episode 4 is an old Pontin's
holiday camp in Prestatyn, North Wales (Tower Beach Holiday Camp), while the village "Mareby" in episode 5 is Wardle, a small village in Greater Manchester
near to Littleborough and Rochdale
.
The Ark featured in episode 6 was Thorpe Marsh Power Station
, located 5 miles north east of Doncaster
and was undergoing demolition at the time.
The series was written by Matthew Graham
, who went on to co-create and write Life on Mars
, its spin-off Ashes to Ashes
, and the short-lived Bonekickers
. He also wrote the episode Fear Her
for the 2006 series of Doctor Who
, as well as two episodes of Hustle
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
six-part post-apocalyptic television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
drama serial
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
first broadcast on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel
Sci Fi channel (United Kingdom)
Syfy is a television channel service specialising in science fiction, fantasy and horror shows and movies. It is available via digital cable, IPTV, satellite television and Top Up TV platforms. The channel launched in 1995 in the UK a sister channel to the US Sci Fi Channel , with a similar...
. The serial was written by Matthew Graham
Matthew Graham
Matthew Graham is a British television writer, and the co-creator of the BBC/Kudos Film and Television science fiction series Life on Mars, which debuted in 2006 on BBC One and has received international critical acclaim....
and produced for ITV by Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Fox Network purchased the rights to produce a new version of the series soon after its original UK transmission. Retitled The Ark, the idea did not progress beyond the pilot stage.
As of October 2010, the series has not been released on DVD or any other format, and has never played in the USA at all.
Plot synopsis
Following a random group of individuals heading to SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, the series follows the survival of a mixed group of train passengers who have been accidentally cryogenically frozen. Waking up decades later, the passengers find that they are some of the last remaining humans to have survived an apocalyptic meteor strike, and are alone in the British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
countryside. One of the train passengers, Harriet Ambrose (Nicola Walker
Nicola Walker
Nicola Walker is an English actress, best known for her starring roles in various British television programmes from the 1990s onwards, particularly as Ruth Evershed in the spy drama Spooks. She has also worked in theatre, radio and film....
) had been on her way to a top-secret government project known as "Ark", supposedly a project to save humanity. The journey that follows revolves mainly around Harriet's obsession to reach the Ark and her boyfriend Jonathan Geddes (Ralph Brown
Ralph Brown
Ralph William John Brown is an English actor and writer, known for playing Danny the drug dealer in Withnail and I, the security guard Aaron in Alien 3, DJ Bob Silver in The Boat That Rocked, and the pilot Ric Olié in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace...
) despite not being aware how many years have passed.
Upon being unfrozen, Harriet and her fellow passengers find themselves in a post-apocalyptic Sheffield, apparently uninhabited except by a pack of rabid dogs and a nomadic and seemingly hostile tribal society who are constantly pursuing them. Thawed thief Mick Sizer (Treva Etienne
Treva Etienne
Treva Etienne is an English actor. He played a Somali militiaman in the film Black Hawk Down and appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . He also appeared in three series of London's Burning as fireman Tony Sanderson.- External links :...
) then leads the other passengers to his lock-up garage and the group sets off in his Mercedes Sprinter van in search of the Ark and hopefully more survivors.
Main characters
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Nicola Walker Nicola Walker Nicola Walker is an English actress, best known for her starring roles in various British television programmes from the 1990s onwards, particularly as Ruth Evershed in the spy drama Spooks. She has also worked in theatre, radio and film.... |
Harriet Ambrose, Responsible for the accidental freezing of the railway carriage. She emerges as one of the 'leaders' of the group, due to her apparent knowledge of the disaster and position as scientist at Ark. It is later established that she has no official clearance at Ark, and is simply the girlfriend of the chief scientist, Johnathan Geddes. |
| Christopher Fulford Christopher Fulford Christopher Fulford is a British actor who is best known for his supporting roles in many British TV shows.In his early career he often appeared in British crime dramas. He was guest star of both the ITV crime series Inspector Morse, in Driven to Destruction and as a killer in the early A Touch... |
Ian Hart, a policeman who boarded the train in a rush to join his wife who was in labour, a wife and child he has lost in the strike, he has strong feelings for Jandra. |
| Steve Huison Steve Huison Steve Huison , is a British actor, mostly on TV and occasional films. He trained at the Rose Bruford College in Sidcup. He is best known for his role as "Lomper" in the massively successful UK box-office and critical hit The Full Monty . He also appeared in a Ken Loach film The Navigators, made in... |
Colin Wallace, a businessman whose sanity soon begins to slip. He has feelings for Roe and subsequently tries to rape her. He deliberately locks Mick outside of Ark. |
| Treva Etienne Treva Etienne Treva Etienne is an English actor. He played a Somali militiaman in the film Black Hawk Down and appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . He also appeared in three series of London's Burning as fireman Tony Sanderson.- External links :... |
Mick Sizer (Michael Smith), a thief and smooth-talker who becomes the unofficial leader of the group. He feels something for Roe, but is crucified by Hild's people. |
| Amita Dhiri Amita Dhiri Amita Emmanuelle Dhiri is an Anglo-Indian actress. She has two younger brothers, Viney and Sanjay. She speaks fluent French and Hindi. She has also performed ballet, contemporary and modern dance.- Career:... |
Jandra Nixon, mother of Leo and Anita, she is escaping an abusive husband, and seeks solace with Ian. She succumbs to her injuries from falling into the refinery. |
| James Hazeldine James Hazeldine James Hazeldine was a British film, stage and television actor. He was born in Salford, Lancashire.James started his career in repertory theatre, firstly in weekly rep, then at the Manchester Library theatre and on to the Royal Court Theatre in London's Sloane Square, where he appeared in the... |
Austin Danforth, a plumber (and possibly ex-electrician) who sees his wife die soon before the strike. He becomes a father-figure to much of the group, but is crucified along with Mick when Hild's people are locked out of Ark. |
| Janet Dale | Jean Wilson, a practitioner of medicine in her spare time. She delivers the news of Jandra's death. |
| Zoe Telford Zoe Telford -Television:Telford has appeared in the following:Absolute Power, Teachers, Agatha Christie's Poirot - Death on the Nile, Afterlife, Cutting It, The Golden Hour, Lewis, Agatha Christie's Marple - The Sittaford Mystery, as Eva Braun in Hitler: The Rise of Evil, as Abigail Thomas in The Palace, as... |
Roe Germaine, a pregnant girl around twenty years old on the way to get an abortion. She sleeps with Mick, and ultimately saves him in the end. |
| Sacha Dhawan Sacha Dhawan Sacha Dhawan is an English actor. He has performed on stage, film, television and radio. Dhawan was born in Bramhall, Stockport, Greater Manchester.-Career:... |
Leo Nixon, son of Jandra, a teenager with misguided anger issues. He is responsible for Jandra's death, but also rescues the group from the refinery. |
| Dinita Gohil | Anita Nixon, daughter of Jandra, a young girl of whom the group is quite protective. She befriends Hild. Many episodes begin or end with her diary-entry narration, a trend continued by Leo in episode five. |
| Caroline Carver | Hild, one of the other survivors, a pregnant teenager who befriends Anita and seems to care about the group. She is running from her people. |
Supporting cast
Ordered alphabetically- Guard (Roger Bingham) - Episode 1
- Johnathan Geddes (Ralph BrownRalph BrownRalph William John Brown is an English actor and writer, known for playing Danny the drug dealer in Withnail and I, the security guard Aaron in Alien 3, DJ Bob Silver in The Boat That Rocked, and the pilot Ric Olié in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace...
), the man whom Harriet is seeking at Ark. They had a romantic relationship, the only time we see him is in a video recording up until the last episode - episodes 2 and 6 - Karen (Joy Carradice) - Episode 6
- Mark (Kenneth ColleyKenneth ColleyKenneth Colley is an English actor. A long-time character actor, he came to wider prominence through his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
), father of Gillian and founder of Mareby, he wants the group to stay with him and sabotages the van - Episode 5 - Darren (Chris Cook)
- Archie (Robert Dunn) - Episode 1
- Danny (Justin Ellery) - Episode 1
- Gillian (Deborah FindlayDeborah FindlayDeborah Findlay is an English actress.Her TV credits include Gillian in the ITV drama The Last Train , the recurring character Greer Thornton in 4 of the 6 episodes of State of Play, and in the episode The French Drop in Foyle's War. She also appeared in 4 episodes of the 2001 series of The...
), daughter of Mark, she's had several still-bornStillbirthA stillbirth occurs when a fetus has died in the uterus. The Australian definition specifies that fetal death is termed a stillbirth after 20 weeks gestation or the fetus weighs more than . Once the fetus has died the mother still has contractions and remains undelivered. The term is often used in...
babies - Episode 5 - Sam (John Flitcroft) - Episode 1
- Becky (Abigail Hayes) - Episode 1
- Teenager (Chris Hoyle) - Episode 1
- Miss. Eversleigh (Mary Jones)
- Coats (Josh Moran) - Episode 1
- Behemoth (David Nicholls) - Episode 6 (not credited in episode 5)
- Hornrim (Phil Smeeton) - Episode 6 (not credited in episode 5)
- Midwife (Flo Wilson) - Episode 4
Episodes
| # | Title | Director |
|---|
Inspirations
The Last Train is often likened to several other British television series, most notably SurvivorsSurvivors
Survivors is a British post-apocalyptic fiction television series devised by Terry Nation and produced by Terence Dudley at the BBC from 1975 to 1977...
, The Changes
The Changes (TV series)
The Changes is a British children's science fiction television serial filmed in 1973 and first broadcast in 1975 by the BBC. It was directed by John Prowse...
and Threads
Threads
Threads is a British television drama produced by the BBC in 1984. Written by Barry Hines and directed by Mick Jackson, it is a documentary-style account of a nuclear war and its effects on the city of Sheffield in northern England....
, as they all revolve around post-apocalyptic Britain, rather than any deeper thematic similarities. Also of similar note is The Death Of Grass - filmed as No Blade of Grass - by British-born writer John Christopher
Samuel Youd
Samuel Youd is a British author, best known for his science fiction writings under the pseudonym John Christopher, including the novel The Death of Grass and the young adult oriented novel series The Tripods...
.
Production
The series' working title was Cruel Earth, under which it aired in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Although the railway station shown in the programme that is said to be Sheffield railway station is in fact the derelict Manchester Mayfield railway station
Manchester Mayfield railway station
Manchester Mayfield is a former railway station in Manchester, England. It is located on the south side of Fairfield Street, next to Manchester Piccadilly station.- Use as a passenger station :...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
.
The camp featured in episode 4 is an old Pontin's
Pontin's
Pontins is a British holiday business which was originally founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin. It specialises in offering half-board and self-catering holidays with regular entertainment on offer. Accommodation is usually in the form of chalets. The company once grew to be a major operator of...
holiday camp in Prestatyn, North Wales (Tower Beach Holiday Camp), while the village "Mareby" in episode 5 is Wardle, a small village in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
near to Littleborough and Rochdale
Rochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
.
The Ark featured in episode 6 was Thorpe Marsh Power Station
Thorpe Marsh Power Station
Thorpe Marsh Power Station was a 1 Gigawatt coal-fired power station near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England.- History :Construction of the station began in 1959, it being built as a prototype for all the large modern power stations in the UK. It was commissioned between 1963 and 1965...
, located 5 miles north east of Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
and was undergoing demolition at the time.
The series was written by Matthew Graham
Matthew Graham
Matthew Graham is a British television writer, and the co-creator of the BBC/Kudos Film and Television science fiction series Life on Mars, which debuted in 2006 on BBC One and has received international critical acclaim....
, who went on to co-create and write Life on Mars
Life on Mars (TV series)
Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
, its spin-off Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (TV series)
Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
, and the short-lived Bonekickers
Bonekickers
Bonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
. He also wrote the episode Fear Her
Fear Her
"Fear Her" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 24 June 2006.The episode takes part on the day of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, almost exclusively on a fictitious cul-de-sac named after the British athlete...
for the 2006 series of Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, as well as two episodes of Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
.