BBC Sci-Fi Series Out of Unknown Adapts Asimov, Faces Tape Loss

The BBC anthology series Out of the Unknown, produced by Irene Shubik from 1965 to 1971, was a pioneering showcase that brought Isaac Asimov’s lesser-known science fiction stories and other seminal genre works to television audiences, blending speculative fiction with contemporary social and technological issues. Notably, the series adapted complex narratives such as Asimov's "The Naked Sun," featuring detective Elijah Bailey and robot R. Daneel Olivaw, although much of this groundbreaking material has been lost due to the BBC's practice of wiping tapes, with only partial reconstructions and fragments surviving. The show's legacy is preserved through surviving tele-snaps, audio excerpts, and reconstructed DVDs, which underscore its ambitious nature and Shubik's editorial courage in presenting challenging science fiction to the mainstream. Asimov's stories adapted for the series, including "Liar!", "Satisfaction Guaranteed," and "Sucker Bait," reflected his skill in making complex scientific and ethical themes accessible and engaging for wide audiences. Despite the incomplete archival record, Out of the Unknown remains a significant cultural artifact that helped redefine television science fiction during its era. These adaptations highlight the importance of preserving genre storytelling and the enduring impact of Asimov's work beyond his more famous Foundation saga.