Anderson Entertainment has launched preorders for its definitive Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of New Captain Scarlet, the release set to ship in the summer.
Presented in high definition with the original 5.1 audio for the first time, and packed with brand-new and legacy bonus content, this premium release celebrates the reinvention of the Gerry Anderson classic, exclusively available from the Gerry Anderson webstore, ahead of 50th anniversary of the original series next year.
The most comprehensive New Captain Scarlet release to date, this edition combines brand-new bonus material with rare and archive content. It features previously unseen materials and newly produced documentaries and exclusive physical collectibles unavailable elsewhere.
With restored episodes, exclusive new content, rare archive material and premium collector’s presentation, this limited edition set is essential for fans of Spectrum – and for anyone who wants to experience one of the most ambitious productions in the Anderson legacy.
It’s fair to say New Captain Scarlet – perhaps the most expensive children’s shows ever made, made following release of a Captain Scarlet and the Return of the Mysterons, also included on this release, never really got the chance to shine that it deserved. Dark, dynamic and visually groundbreaking, it reimagined the classic mythology for the 21st century with cutting-edge CGI and a more mature storytelling approach, all with the vision of the original show’s principal architects, Gerry Anderson.
Released in 2005, the same year as the BBC’s relaunch of Doctor Who, which got a prime time relaunch, ITV chose instead to bury the series as filler, part of their Saturday morning Ministry of Mayhem strand, to its creator’s well documented disappointment.
Episodes were cut into two and broadcast at different times each week; its run on their nascent satellite kids TV channel was also flawed, and its low subscriber numbers killed a very well made series before it found a wider audience.
The inexplicable scheduling choices buried any chance of ratings and licensing success, and just 26 episodes were made. ITV schedulers even flipped the broadcast of the show’s final episodes, with “Dominion”, which ended with Captains Scarlet and Black on Mars, aired before another, more optimistic if nail biting story, “Grey Skulls”.
(“Dominion” does at least set New Captain Scarlet apart from the original series as it acts as a true series finale, apparently resolving the conflict between Earth and the Mysterons).
Given the hard work that clearly went into the series, reinventing the original and making it even darker, it was a total waste of a strong production offering a high quality CGI take on Captain Scarlet that may have infuriated purist fans of the original, but deserved better treatment. It’s certainly a better show than Thunderbirds Are Go, in my view, despite that remake’s longer run, and while made differently is in many ways truer to the original, despite the overhaul in vehicle design that alienated older fans.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Gerry Anderson productions, or discovering Spectrum for the first time, this new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of New Captain Scarlet offers is the most complete and comprehensive presentation of New Captain Scarlet ever assembled.
This “definitive edition” is also coming loaded with exclusive physical collectibles, and is pitched as “the ultimate way to experience the darker, more cinematic world of Captain Scarlet’s battle against the Mysterons”.
The existence of New Captain Scarlet doesn’t take anything away from the original series which I enjoyed watching first time around. They’re two seperate shows. This release looks like a great opportunity to enjoy the merits and achievements of the latter.
• Pre-Order Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of New Captain Scarlet here | Estimated Shipment Date: Summer 2026
Number of discs: Four | BBFC certification: 12 | Run time: 572 minutes | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Picture: Colour | Language: English | Region: ABC ( Region free) | Sound: Stereo / 5.1 | Subtitles: English
Anderson Entertainment advises prospective buyers not to purchase any non-pre-order items in the same order with pre-order items as delivery will be delayed until your pre-ordered items are ready for dispatch
• More New Captain Scarlet Releases from Anderson Entertainment including the Spectrum – The Worlds of Gerry Anderson comic
What’s Included…
The Complete Series – presented with the original 5.1 audio and original titles, for the first time in high definition
DISC SPECIAL FEATURES
Spectrum is 20: The Death and Life of New Captain Scarlet
A brand-new in-depth documentary directed by Chris Dale. Featuring new interviews with key cast and crew, and drawing on a wealth of unseen archive materials, this comprehensive retrospective explores the genesis, production and legacy of the series like never before.
House of Dolls – Audio Drama
A brand-new full-cast audio drama based on the unmade episode script “House of Dolls” – originally deemed too frightening for children’s television and pulled from production. Featuring original cast members, this long-lost story is finally brought to life.
New Captain Scarlet Super Space Theatre Movie
Inspired by the Super Space Theatre compilations of the 1980s, this exclusive new edit combines select episodes into a single, feature-length New Captain Scarlet movie experience.
Brand-New Commentaries
New Cast Commentaries for “The Homecoming”, “Best of Enemies” and “Grey Skulls”. A special commentary on Enigma with writer Phil Ford and Chris Dale, and one on “Chiller” with series composer Crispin Merrell and Chris Dale. These are presented alongside legacy commentaries from series creator Gerry Anderson, amongst others.
Captain Scarlet and the Return of the Mysterons
The rare short test film from 2000 created as a proof-of-concept for the revival of Captain Scarlet — a fascinating glimpse at the early development of the series.
Motion-Capture Feature
A detailed look at how the groundbreaking motion-capture CGI for New Captain Scarlet was performed and translated to the screen.
Production Tour
Wayne Forester guides viewers through the production environment at Pinewood Studios, featuring interviews with Gerry Anderson and key members of the creative team.
Replacement Titles
Alternative opening and closing titles
Andercon 2014 Panel
A special New Captain Scarlet panel recorded at Andercon 2014, the Gerry Anderson convention. Featuring a galaxy of cast and crew from the series, alongside classic series Angel, Liz Morgan.
Textless Materials
A selection of textless materials from multiple episodes — perfect for appreciating the show’s stunning CGI visuals.
Promos and Trailers
Original promotional materials from New Captain Scarlet’s ITV transmission, including trailers and broadcast promos.
EXCLUSIVE COLLECTOR’S PACKAGING & PHYSICAL BONUSES
Premium rigid slipcase with all-new exclusive artwork; a beautifully crafted 80-page episode guide book; three large-format posters featuring brand-new cutaway artwork; one large-format poster featuring original promotional artwork from the show
• Pre-Order Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of New Captain Scarlet here | Estimated Shipment Date: Summer 2026
• More New Captain Scarlet Releases from Anderson Entertainment including the Spectrum – The Worlds of Gerry Anderson comic
Head downthetubes for…
• Instruments of Reconstruction: How New Captain Scarlet Remade the War of Nerves by Fred McNamara
• Skybase Central: Unofficial New Captain Scarlet Website
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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