User reviews

I know that BBC has decided against a third season, and nothing a viewer in the USA says will likely change that, but here goes anyway: My wife and I watch a lot of programs, both British and American. We were completely sucked in by Survivors and are continually impressed by how unpredictable and exciting each episode is. We watch "24" and have enjoyed other edge-of-your-seat shows like "Alias" and "Prison Break" in the past, but we agree that Survivors is usually more entertaining than any of them.

Perhaps the total number of viewers in the UK hasn't been up to hopes, but maybe if demographics (average income, education level, etc.) are taken into account, PLUS you add in American viewers (via BBC America), the BBC should reconsider its decision and renew this riveting program for a third season (or "third series," as they call it) and beyond.

The premise of the show seemed fairly mundane: a virus wipes out most of humanity and we view the struggles of a ragtag bunch of survivors. But, despite a few logical lapses, the execution is excellent and the program is exciting to watch. Most of the characters are very well realized and acted, and the plot (episode-by-episode and ongoing too) is much better than one would expect. We look forward to watching the program every week.

They brought Doctor Who back (and we love it). Survivors deserves at least another few seasons -- especially given the miniscule 6-episode British seasons, which are about 1/4 as long as seasons of most American programs!

A sudden and deadly flu epidemic sweeps the population of the world (Britain in particular) leaving few survivors. Those that remain each have strengths and weaknesses aplenty, perhaps a personal mission to fulfil, and most likely something to hide; some reason to be glad of the fresh start offered them by this disaster.

In order to get to the true meat of the story; which is about negotiating new identities, new relationships, new positions of power; the BBC pushes some unlikely scenarios on us in the first couple of episodes (I don't want to go into detail because that would involve spoilers - there are some surprises early on). Individuals, by various means, form into loose groups of shared interest and we watch their stories begin to intertwine.

Some might be tempted to stop watching the new Survivors at this early, somewhat unrealistic point.

Others who were fond of the 1970s series might drop out in disgust, having hoped for a true remake, whereas the 2008 version is asking different questions - yes they will eventually have to start making their own fuel (methane playing a major role in the original as I recall), but in fact I think the 2008 incarnation is more realistic in the sense that to start with, there will be plenty of long-life supplies and vehicles available. The story is satisfied to hint at more desperate survival struggles to come.

What this new version does superbly is generate a mix of characters and histories, with understandable suspicion of each other but also with a mutual need generated by the strength found in numbers and by the common desire for comfort in intimacy; as the story develops and stirs this unstable cocktail of personalities there are explosions waiting to happen around every corner.

For me the tension builds through the episodes. Rather than issues being resolved it seems that more and more potential conflicts and dangers arise at every encounter between the different groups of people that are forming. There is no chance to truly settle; no oasis of genuine security or freedom.

The seething tension reaches its height in the very last episode of the series. I for one cannot wait for the next outing of the new Survivors - in fact I am expecting series 2 to crank up the intensity even further.

At the start - not fully convinced. By the end - excellent, genuinely edge of the seat fare. Overall - definitely worth watching.

A very good show but as a fan of the original 70's Survivors I am finding the new version misses the mark for two reasons (A)The original outbreak of flu seemed to wipe out 99% of the population in a day!! Even the most deadly flu would take several weeks to achieve that so realism is somewhat compromised in order to move the plot on too quickly. Secondly Survivors 2008 places way too much emphasis on what is going on between the characters and gives virtually no attention to the actual mechanics of living. The original series went to great lengths to show the characters learning how to farm, generate electricity etc etc. None of that in the new show. Anyway still a quality drama compared to most TV output so I'll give it an 8 but do check out the original that ran for 3 series, 30 odd episodes, all available on DVD. Did you know 1975 Survivors still has a cult following and fan club?

This series should have gone on. There's a lot about it that's high quality, great production values, terrific long shots of empty cities. The storyline was really barely touched- besides the evil island machinations, there's a whole planet empty and going primitive not just a small piece of English countryside. I particularly liked the character who's so certain she's the government, and seeing it her way is magically always best for everybody. Her patronizing line of bull remains what we hear on the news from our officials every day. I'd like to especially praise the casting in this show-- the faces really fit the character. It's easy to imagine an actor willing to play a weasel like Dexter but to look so genuinely despicable, I do wonder where they get these very unlovely guys. It's not characterization by makeup in this show, it's a casting director with a great sense of face. All in all, it's a mystery to me why this was canceled, I think the decision was a bad mistake.

I never had the chance to see the original, but for the most part I'm really enjoying the acting. Both the detached one dimensional characters and the deeper ones. It's a good cross section for today's society.

I'm curious to see how the story will progress and I'm a sucker for interesting camera shots. The part where they follow the Kuwaiti guy across the city while he's in his Audi R8 is beautifully done.

And yes the Mosque scene is also brilliant. That whole opening sequence of everyone finding out they're the last ones was amazing.

Being a great fan of music, all the tunes used in this story really struck a chord with me. Brilliant music, brilliant visuals, good acting, and an intriguing story; it's everything I'm missing with the crap on American TV.

This little show got its flaws but is still "more realistic" than 90% of all shows and movies labelled post-apocalyptic. Besides a solid production and acting, Survivors is not spoiled by woke agenda (great plus) and got more to deliver than just action and soap opera drama. There are of course some flaws in logic regarding group behavior (like splitting the group etc.), and sadly they didn't end the show/story, so we got some real cliffhanger in the end, anyway, sometimes (in its best moments) the show reminds me a little of the epic Lost, without the mystery parts of course. Solid and a good show for all who pray for the doomsday to come to have some fun ;) Last note: the British show aired first between 1975-77 is closer to the original material of the book written by Terry Nation and also a solid one.

I really enjoyed the first series which is only six episodes long unfortunately and I can't wait for the next series which is now confirmed.

After the virus outbreak the few remaining Survivors start to find each other. As time passes they begin to depend on each other and organise themselves. The power struggles both from within the group and outside leave you wondering how civilisation ever got to where it is today. This show works on many levels and those of you who like end-times scenarios will probably love it. The character interactions are great, quite believable.

This isn't Mad Max, this is the bit before Mad Max.

This remake, in a way, just like the original series, was way ahead of its time.

With the hindsight of a post CoVid19 world, the dire warnings from shows like this seem to have been totally overlooked, discarded and scoffed at.

The original from 1975 - 77 is much better, but was out of date in places. With the popularity of zombie films at the time, it probably seemed a really good idea for the BBC to have a go at updating this classic tale of post-apocalyptic survival. Again, with hindsight, if only they had waited until after The Walking Dead, this probably would have found a more receptive and dedicated audience.

I really liked The Walking Dead at the start, but it rapidly decreased in quality, and looking back, this show was overall a much better watch.

If you know the original, it plays with some of the characters in very interesting ways, most especially Tom Price, in the original an almost cartoonishly two dimensional Welsh villain , and turns him here into a complex character always on the edge of being an anti-hero or just an outright baddie.

There is a bit more dark realism with how some of the characters cope in such a horrible scenario than there was in the original, and the Greg Preston character remains just as memorable with the excellent performance of Paterson Joseph, and they have turned it from a show with three central protagonists to a multi-strand narrative in true form.

However, the charm, pragmatism and starkness of the original is lost. Sadly they only made two series before it was unceremoniously canned.

Well worth watching both though.

I really enjoyed this show, the series is short though, I wish there were more episodes. I love the characters and how different they are and how they are coming together to stay together to survive. This show keeps me interested and in suspense, I love how it started with the virus as it is very true to life and not so far fetched as some other end of the world shows. This show is more of what it would be like in a more realistic sense of surviving and how you have to come together with others as well as protect what is yours from outsiders. I personally think its an awesome show and its ashame that there were only 2 seasons.

I look forward to watching Season 2, and wish they would consider bringing this show back, I am watching it via Netflix as I missed it on the BBC when it was originally aired.

This post-apocalyptic remake is an excellent escape into a desolate Great Britain after a global pandemic wipes out most of humanity. How a small group of surviving strangers come together and grow into a protective family of friends in a new world where hostile villages and gangs have already started to emerge is fascinating to watch!

And just to add more intrigue to the entire situation, the secret organization that appears to be responsible for releasing the plague in the first place is still up an running as they attempt to find a cure that will allow them to re-emerge from their high tech ecologically isolated facility.

I can't wait for the second season!

Marcel F. Williams

This show has topped my list as one of my favorites. The story line is playing out very realistically. This is one of those shows that you can sit down and make a marathon. Its watchable back to back from episode one to the last. Its everything the TV show Jericho should have been. It has very strong character representation in terms of personality and growth. I'm just now finishing up season one. I can't wait to see what is next. I totally buy into all of the leading male characters and Abby's character. Tom and Greg are so sexy. Najid was a great supporting character. He really helped to add an element of child like purity and lightness to the vibe of the show.

When reality nearly caught up with fiction! Frankly I watched this for the first time in 2022. So after Covid. First episode and it could have been the first weeks of Covid. We were very lucky that Covid was not as deadly especially as it acted exactly like the virus in the show and attacks our own immune body.

Iff this series come back it will have high population.

Why ?

From 2015 to now people are SEARCHING for LOTS of surviving series that have amazing roleplay that gets you in this series. I was imagination what would i do if this happened. It was THAT real. No one near the cast and crew that looked so real. even 7 years later and the content is amazing! They did that in 2010 so they can do it better in 2017.

PEOPLE 'R Searching for these series!

I've given this a high score because, well, I really like it. It's not perfect but it's good fun, tense at times and, though not entirely believable, realistic enough. Those who question individual events and motives need to get out into the real world. I've come across enough bigoted, stupid, downright evil people to know the stereotypes are often too close for comfort. Just see it for what it is, escapism. Sit back and enjoy.

Apparently I need to pad this comment out more, fair enough. It always seems that the greatest complaints for any remake are from fans of the original. So.. If you've seen the original and liked it, don't bother. If you haven't, give this one a go.

I was sceptical about this series when I first saw it - in fact didn't complete the first series. However with series 2 the story progresses and the complexity of the situations the main group encounter is frustratingly gripping. I say frustrating as there is a part of this series I don't want to like - many parts seem just to be too much of a coincidence. How the main characters lives interweave and searches for loved ones come to fruition where of course in such a changed world these things without TV, radio or internet would be all but impossible. Also although the struggle for food and drink is sometimes shown mainly the characters seem to just produce a bottle of water from a backpack when required or the cars they drive have unlimited petrol. The message of this story is of course one of hope. The constant endeavor of mankind to keep going or die trying. Another disturbing thing is that I am almost envious of the survivors new lifestyle. Comrads to the death, a shared fate and an empty Britain where humans are just on the side of nature fighting for survival. Scenes of solitude set in either a grey cityscape or one of beautiful countryside. The silent and invisible virus is hiding and waiting..it will mutate and the last percentage of the human race face another test. Gripping indeed.

We want a third season. This is a brilliant show. One of the best shows of the decade and it was canceled? And BBC left the cliff hanger with Tom in the plane? Really? Please start production for another season. This show was produced ahead of its time. The viewing public wasn't ready for the issue of catastrophe of modern man and reverting to the dark ages. Viewers are open to the idea of failure of modern society. This is evident by the popularity of Revolution, the H1N1, Bird Flu, economic crash, etc. Prior to the Market Crash in 2008, modern society was invincible. But the market place and nature tested our environment and showed us how fragile we are. What we depend on for our foundation of prosperity is so weak that one tweak of the "variables" can utterly stifle the world we know and enjoy. Some of have an ideal how to survive, and some do not. Social orders will develop that mimic democracy, monarchy, and Draconian. Survivor instills these elements and makes use think, what would we do?

The show itself is a good drama, about an epidemic that wipes out most of the world, and you tag along with the survivors in this series.

It was a fairly decent series to escape with, but if you start watching this series, keep an eye for a time to exit because the 12th episode ends as if there will be another episode, but that's the last one. Maybe once they get settled down in one of the mansions call it quits right there and just assume they lived happily ever after, because there's no real closure in this at all, and leaves you hanging on a cliffhanger at the end of it all. It's a decent watch otherwise.