The Quatermass Memoirs

The Quatermass Memoirs
Cover of the CD release
GenreDrama-documentary
Science fiction
Running timec. 20 minute episodes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Home stationBBC Radio 3
StarringAndrew Keir
Emma Gregory
Zulema Dene
Written byNigel Kneale
Produced byPaul Quinn
Original release4 –
8 March 1996
No. of episodes5
Audio formatStereo
Opening theme"Mars, Bringer of War" by Gustav Holst

The Quatermass Memoirs is a British radio drama-documentary, originally broadcast in 5 episodes on BBC Radio 3 in March 1996. Written by Nigel Kneale, it was born out of his Quatermass series of films and television serials, which had first been broadcast in the 1950s. The idea for the show appeared as BBC radio intended to create a season of programming looking back at the 1950s, and it was the final piece of writing Kneale completed relating to the character.

The show is centered on the character of Professor Bernard Quatermass who, albeit older than in the previous series, is "the same very concerned scientist" but worried about his previous decisions. Andrew Keir, who had played Quatermass in the 1967 film Quatermass and the Pit, was chosen to voice the character. Later, Nigel Kneale himself became dismissive of the serial, but critics gave the production relatively positive reviews.