What do you think?
Rate this book
Space Precinct - Unmasked
'Now fans of the series and Anderson's body of work alike can enjoy a comprehensive, witty insight into the show's history...' Den of Geek
'A thoroughly detailed, constantly amusing and heartfelt fly-on-the-wall-esque memoir...' Screen Relish
'An engaging, no-holds barred account...' Down The Tubes
'A valuable new light has been shone on a lesser known aspect of Gerry Anderson's career...' FAB Magazine
‘The name’s James, Richard James. In 1994 I played a part in a TV series called ‘Space Precinct’. Now? Well, let’s just say I’ve written a book about it…’
Featuring contributions from cast members, missing scenes, candid photographs and original artwork, 'Space Precinct - Unmasked' tells the story of one actor's experiences working on the most expensive TV series of its time, from first audition to wrap party!
With a foreword from Jamie Anderson and a wealth of stories and memories from actor Richard James, Officer Orrin himself, this book is the definitive work on producing Gerry Anderson’s last live action series.
'Space Precinct - Unmasked' features 150 10x8 pages in full colour and over 70 photographs. Contributors include Simone Bendix (Officer Castle), Lou Hirsch (Officer Romek), David Quilter (Sergeant Fredo), Rob Thirtle & Will Barton ('aliens of the week'), Phil Morrow (script editor) & Charlotte Serpell (assistant editor).
'A thoroughly detailed, constantly amusing and heartfelt fly-on-the-wall-esque memoir...' Screen Relish
'An engaging, no-holds barred account...' Down The Tubes
'A valuable new light has been shone on a lesser known aspect of Gerry Anderson's career...' FAB Magazine
‘The name’s James, Richard James. In 1994 I played a part in a TV series called ‘Space Precinct’. Now? Well, let’s just say I’ve written a book about it…’
Featuring contributions from cast members, missing scenes, candid photographs and original artwork, 'Space Precinct - Unmasked' tells the story of one actor's experiences working on the most expensive TV series of its time, from first audition to wrap party!
With a foreword from Jamie Anderson and a wealth of stories and memories from actor Richard James, Officer Orrin himself, this book is the definitive work on producing Gerry Anderson’s last live action series.
'Space Precinct - Unmasked' features 150 10x8 pages in full colour and over 70 photographs. Contributors include Simone Bendix (Officer Castle), Lou Hirsch (Officer Romek), David Quilter (Sergeant Fredo), Rob Thirtle & Will Barton ('aliens of the week'), Phil Morrow (script editor) & Charlotte Serpell (assistant editor).
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Richard James
20 books20 followersI've been telling stories all my life. As an actor I've spent a career telling other people's, from Charles Dickens to David Walliams. As I writer, I get to create my own!
I have written almost thirty plays which are produced the world over; from USA to New Zealand and just about everywhere in between. They're mostly comedies and frequently win awards in competitions and festivals.
In 2014 I wrote a memoir, Space Precinct Unmasked, detailing my experiences working as an actor on Gerry Anderson's last live action sci-fi series. This was followed by an adaptation of the unscreened pilot episode, Demeter City, and four new short stories featuring the officers of Precinct 88, Space Precinct: Revisited.
As to my own series, I decided I wanted to write a sequence of books set in a world I would want to spend time in and featuring characters I would want to be with. Most importantly, it would have to feature a grisly murder or two! I love the Victorian era. It seems such a rich period of history, populated by some hugely colourful characters, so that is where we first meet Detective Inspector George Bowman.
The Head In The Ice is the first in the Bowman Of The Yard series and follows Bowman's investigation into the discovery of - well, a head in the ice of the River Thames. Over the course of the book, however, and throughout the series in general, we see he has demons of his own to contend with.
There are four books in the Bowman Of The Yard series in all, together with some short stories from Bowman's Casebook. These have been collected into two volumes and fill in the gaps between the novels, giving the reader the chance to follow Bowman's professional progress and personal battles (he's a troubled man, as you'll see) over twelve months of his life.
'A masterful new Victorian mystery series.' Rosie Amber books
'A genuinely impressive debut.' Andrew Cartmel
'Full of the thrills of Victorian London.' Adam Croft
I really hope you like the books. If you do, you can tweet me your thoughts at @RichardNJames. I hope to hear from you!
Richard James
2019
www.richardjamesonline.com
I have written almost thirty plays which are produced the world over; from USA to New Zealand and just about everywhere in between. They're mostly comedies and frequently win awards in competitions and festivals.
In 2014 I wrote a memoir, Space Precinct Unmasked, detailing my experiences working as an actor on Gerry Anderson's last live action sci-fi series. This was followed by an adaptation of the unscreened pilot episode, Demeter City, and four new short stories featuring the officers of Precinct 88, Space Precinct: Revisited.
As to my own series, I decided I wanted to write a sequence of books set in a world I would want to spend time in and featuring characters I would want to be with. Most importantly, it would have to feature a grisly murder or two! I love the Victorian era. It seems such a rich period of history, populated by some hugely colourful characters, so that is where we first meet Detective Inspector George Bowman.
The Head In The Ice is the first in the Bowman Of The Yard series and follows Bowman's investigation into the discovery of - well, a head in the ice of the River Thames. Over the course of the book, however, and throughout the series in general, we see he has demons of his own to contend with.
There are four books in the Bowman Of The Yard series in all, together with some short stories from Bowman's Casebook. These have been collected into two volumes and fill in the gaps between the novels, giving the reader the chance to follow Bowman's professional progress and personal battles (he's a troubled man, as you'll see) over twelve months of his life.
'A masterful new Victorian mystery series.' Rosie Amber books
'A genuinely impressive debut.' Andrew Cartmel
'Full of the thrills of Victorian London.' Adam Croft
I really hope you like the books. If you do, you can tweet me your thoughts at @RichardNJames. I hope to hear from you!
Richard James
2019
www.richardjamesonline.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 18, 2020
Space Precinct: Unmasked provides a behind the scenes look at the short lived and rather ambitious Space Precinct tv show. Penned by actor Richard James, who played the part of Orrin on the show, there's clearly been a huge amount of care put into the book.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Space Precinct, a 90s Sci Fi show that you really had to be there for to remember because it's not something that ever went on to achieve the cult status of shows like Farscape or Firefly, in fact it was barely ever shown beyond its initial one season run.
After an initial introduction to both James and Space Precinct, including the casting process, the bulk of the book is then structured around an episode by episode exploration of the series complete with anecdotes of James own experiences on the show along with quotes from various cast and crew members.
It's an interesting book and though mileage will certainly vary for those with no previous attachment to the series I've a bit of a soft spot for it. James provides an optimistic look at the show but doesn't shy away from exploring its struggles and failings either and overall it made for a good read.
The narration by James himself is well done, though the rather tinny audio effect added during the reading of quotations and sections from other contributors feels unnecessary and jarring
I have a lot of nostalgia for Space Precinct, a 90s Sci Fi show that you really had to be there for to remember because it's not something that ever went on to achieve the cult status of shows like Farscape or Firefly, in fact it was barely ever shown beyond its initial one season run.
After an initial introduction to both James and Space Precinct, including the casting process, the bulk of the book is then structured around an episode by episode exploration of the series complete with anecdotes of James own experiences on the show along with quotes from various cast and crew members.
It's an interesting book and though mileage will certainly vary for those with no previous attachment to the series I've a bit of a soft spot for it. James provides an optimistic look at the show but doesn't shy away from exploring its struggles and failings either and overall it made for a good read.
The narration by James himself is well done, though the rather tinny audio effect added during the reading of quotations and sections from other contributors feels unnecessary and jarring
July 27, 2019
An enjoyable home brewed work on the highs and lows of making TV on a budget. Packed with the kinds of details and stories that fans love!
May 10, 2015
A good behind the scene book by someone who was actually there. Telling it like it is. A must for all Gerry Anderson fans.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews