Top Telly - BBC series: Survivors

Survivors by Adrian Hodges returned to BBC One for a second series starting on Tuesday 12th January 2010, picking up moments after the thrilling cliff-hanger to season one.

Abby (Julie Graham) and her mismatched family of Survivors are in disarray, now struggling not just with the difficulties of day-to-day life amidst the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also with the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab.

Series two opens with Abby now being held by Whitaker (Nicholas Gleaves) and Fiona (Geraldine Somerville) at the Lab.

There she learns that the scientists have avoided infection and are looking desperately for a vaccine which they believe her unique immune system alone will generate.

Meanwhile, the family race to save Greg's (Paterson Joseph) life as he lies dying from a gunshot wound.

Drawn into a burning hospital by their search for the necessary medical equipment, Al (Phillip Rhys) and Anya (Zoe Tapper) are caught in an avalanche of rubble as the building collapses around them.

Tom (Max Beesley) is faced with the stark challenge of rescuing his friends from a seemingly insurmountable disaster with only Sarah (Robyn Addison) and Naj (Chahak Patel) to help him.

Returning for this high-octane second series are Abby (Julie Graham), a devoted mother with a missing son; Greg (Paterson Joseph), a loner, hiding the pain of his past; Anya (Zoe Tapper), a doctor who has seen too much; Al (Phillip Rhys), a playboy who becomes surrogate father to young and headstrong Najid (Chahak Patel); Sarah (Robyn Addison), a hedonist used to getting her own way; Tom Price (Max Beesley), handsome, dangerous and a high security prisoner before the virus hit; and Samantha Willis (Nikki Amuka–Bird), the last surviving member of the British Government.

Nicholas Gleaves plays Whitaker; the scientist in charge of the Lab, who – together with fellow scientists Fiona (Geraldine Somerville) and Sami Masood (Ronny Jhutti) – continues to search for a vaccine.

Patrick Malahide features as Landrey, a mysterious figure linked to the Lab.

Witten by Adrian Hodges (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval), the producer is Hugh Warren (Frankenstein; The Chase), the directors are Jamie Payne (Primeval), David Evans (Unforgiven, Wild At Heart, Shameless) and Farren Blackburn (Holby, Doctors). The executive producers are Susan Hogg (Lark Rise To Candleford; Waking The Dead) and Adrian Hodges.

Survivors was recommissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One, and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.

Survivors is also being simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Survivors is a truly cinematic TV experience.

The original series launched in April 1975 on BBC One and ran for 38 episodes over three series.

BBC Drama Production acquired the rights to develop the drama series from the Terry Nation Estate in 2007.

Survivors by Adrian Hodges launched on BBC One on 23 November 2008 and was based on the novel written by Terry Nation.

Survivors Interactive at bbc.co.uk/survivors has enjoyed huge success with users since its launch in November 2008.

BBC series Survivors starring Julie Graham

Abby learns that her immune system is unique and she is being sought by the authorities

Starring Julie Graham, Nicholas Gleaves, Geralding Somerville, Paterson Joseph and Zoe Tapper