A thrilling story expands the world of Gerry Anderson’s TV series UFO, as the audiobook of James Swallow’s brand-new novel Shadow Play is now available from Big Finish Productions. 

The year is 1980 (which, when the TV series was broadcast from 1970 to 1971, was the near future). Earth is regularly visited by hostile aliens from a dying planet. The agents of SHADO – the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation – are tasked with protecting humanity, while keeping the extraterrestrial threat a top secret. 

SHADO is led by Colonel Ed Straker, a cool and commanding figure well suited to the task of defending the Earth – until now, that is. In Shadow Play, Straker deals with amnesia and hallucinations that derail his ability to hold back the alien attackers. 

UFO: Shadow Play, which runs for approximately three hours of exciting sci-fi adventure, is now available to own as a digital download for just £16.99, exclusively here. 

The last line of defence in a clandestine war, SHADO is all that stands between humanity and a force of alien invaders – and leading that fight is the uncompromising Ed Straker, commanding Earth's defenders around the clock.  

But what happens when the man at the top is pushed too far? 

After an experiment goes wrong, Straker awakens from a coma with missing memories and strange hallucinations that threaten his grip on reality – but is it the result of alien interference, or has the commander's iron will finally cracked? 

This original story, set in the timeline of the beloved TV series, is written by James Swallow – the writer of the bestselling Marc Dane novels and a BAFTA-nominated scriptwriter. 

Swallow said: “It’s been great fun working with the Anderson Entertainment team on this project – when I was a kid, I was fascinated by unidentified flying objects, so watching UFO back in its original run was compelling viewing! I’ve been able to tap back into that a little with Shadow Play, and create a new and exciting adventure that picks up where the TV show ends. 

“I was inspired to emulate the tone of seventies action television and classic science fiction novels of that era, and my brief was to tell a story centred on Ed Straker, SHADO’s dogged, driven commander-in-chief. He’s one of my favourite characters from UFO, with all his complexity and drive, so pitting Straker against the ultimate threat to his sense of self was a challenge I relished.” 

The audiobook is narrated by Big Finish’s executive producer Nicholas Briggs, who’s well known as the voice of Doctor Who monsters including the Daleks and Cybermen. 

Briggs said: “James Swallow has written a very authentic script which perfectly captures the flavour of the TV series whilst also exploring exciting new territory.” 

UFO: Shadow Play is now available to own as a digital download for just £16.99, exclusively here. 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.