Catacombs Reference Library
Space 1999 - SERIES ONE

The Script Editors

Christopher Penfold is the story consultant on the "SPACE 1999" series, and he brings a fresh mind to the art of science-fiction writing.

"Because'," he says, "although the subject has always interested me, this is the first time I have worked on a sci-fi series. And when you arc tackling something new you do your best to bring a brand new approach to it."

Born in Bristol, England, he went to Australia when leaving Cambridge University, joining ABC to work in sound radio and television. After a period as a trainee, he produced radio plays and then wrote them as well. His entry into television was in arts feature programmes, and he then became assistant to the producer on two drama series.

Returning to England, he worked on industrial documentaries before becoming story editor on the TV series, "The Pathfinders", and after this wrote the screenplay of the Cliff Richard movie "Take Me High". His assignment to "Space 1999" followed, and he has written several of the episodes.

Johnny Byrne is script editor on the series, and has also written several of the episodes. A lively Irishman from Dublin, he is blessed with a vivid imagination which first showed itself in story form in early boyhood when he penned fairy tales and plays for his brothers and sisters to perform.

But when he left school (at the age of 13) , it was to work in a factory making fireplaces. At the age- of 17, he set out to see something of the world, travelling all around Europe and Africa and taking any job that was going to help him along: tree-felling, grape-picking, hop-picking, managing an art gallery, factory work, a spell as a steeplejack, teaching English and electrician's mate.

His future career was taking shape when he spent two years as a travelling poet, reading poetry at street v corners, in market places and wherever he could attract attention. He also wrote short stories and his first science-fiction stories were for sci-fi magazines. He wrote a novel, "Groupie", sold a television play and scripted the film "Adolph Hitler - My Part in His Downfall", and then became a script editor. Now, with "Space 1999", he is able to give full vent to his imagination.