Codename Icarus

Synopsis

Codename Icarus is a five-part British television serial produced by the BBC. Combinijg elements of teen drama and Cold War era conspiracy thriller, young prodigy Martin Smith is recruited by the mysterious Icarus Foundation, a shadowy organisation that exploits gifted children to develop advanced weapons, including a 'quark bomb'. The serial was broadcast twice-weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8-9 December, 15-16 December, and 22 December. It is well remembered for being intelligent and hard-hitting, respectful of its young audience, and tackling complex themes, primarily the militarisation of science.

First Air Date: 1981-12-08

Last Air Date: 1981-12-22

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 5

Created By: Richard Cooper

Networks: CBBC

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Barry Angel as Martin Smith
Jack Galloway as Andy Rutherford
Philip Locke as John Doll
Peter Cellier as Sir Hugh Francis
Debbie Farrington as Sue Kleiner
John Malcolm as Edward Froelich
Geoffrey Collins as Peter Farley
Gorden Kaye as Frank Broadhurst
Steven Mann as Barry Smith
Sonia Fraser as Mrs Smith

Seasons

Miniseries (1981)

Young prodigy Martin Smith is recruited by the mysterious Icarus Foundation, a shadowy organisation that exploits gifted children to develop advanced weapons, including a 'quark bomb'.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Part 1 (1981-12-08)

Royal Navy missile tests are failing mysteriously. Martin Smith, a maths prodigy at a school unable to recognise his talents, is noticed by the Icarus Foundation via his secretive use of the school computer to research pure mathematics.
Ep. 2: Part 2 (1981-12-09)

Martin tries to settle in at Falcon Lee with its bizarre teaching methods, tutors, pupils and games. Meanwhile, British intelligence realise that child prodigies may be doing the research that no one else is doing.
Ep. 3: Part 3 (1981-12-15)

Falcon Lee turns up the pressure on Martin and British intelligence is warned off investigating them. Martin and Sue begin to understand that the challenges set for them by John Doll are pieces of a bigger puzzle they can't see.
Ep. 4: Part 4 (1981-12-16)

British intelligence infiltrates Falcon Lee and Martin tries to leave but his mental conditioning stops him. Martin's family become concerned about his lack of communication and his brother tries to contact him.
Ep. 5: Part 5 (1981-12-22)

British intelligence springs Martin and Sue from Falcon Lee. It becomes apparent that Falcon Lee has friends in high places with school across the globe. The head of Icarus makes one last attempt to tempt Martin back.