In May 2015 Big Finish Productions will release brand new audio episodes of Jack Gerson’s chilling supernatural drama The Omega Factor. The original series aired on BBC television in 1979 and starred James Hazeldine as Tom Crane, Louise Jameson as Anne Reynolds and John Carlisle as Roy Martindale, who headed up a secret government agency assigned to investigate the human psyche and paranormal events. In the course of their duties, the team uncovered the plans of the sinister Drexel and a dangerous organisation known only as Omega.

The audio series is set over 30 years later and Department 7 – now led by Anne Reynolds – is almost without purpose, because Omega has been dormant for many years. But the arrival of Adam, son of the late Tom Crane, will change all that, as a series of terrifying events suggests that perhaps Omega is returning, and that the world is in danger…

Louise Jameson reprises her role as Anne, while Natasha Gerson – daughter of creator Jack Gerson – is back as the shadowy figure Morag.

“How extraordinary to be revisiting Dr Anne Reynolds after all these years,” says Louise. “I always felt there was more life in her and am more than delighted Big Finish have an older woman as a main protagonist. It has been quite a trip down memory lane. The scripts are contemporary without losing the 70s 'style'. Be afraid.. be very afraid…”

Partnering Louise as Adam Crane is John Dorney, whose credits include radio comedy My First Planet, plus a host of Big Finish releases.

“John is known principally as one of the best writers at Big Finish, but first and foremost he is an actor,” says producer David Richardson. “He’s played some brilliant guest roles for us - Alexander the Great in Doctor Who: Farewell Great Macedon, Henry Noone in Doctor Who: A Death in the Family among them - and he’s earned a leading role at last. And he is, of course, superb as the troubled and conflicted Adam.”

“It was a huge surprise and honour being asked to do The Omega Factor for Big Finish,” says John, “and follow in the footsteps of the magnificent and much lamented James Hazeldine, playing his character's son. The original series was a classic, and the scripts for this box set capture its spirit perfectly, full of fear and suspense and danger. Plus, it's always a joy working with Louise, a legend in every way. I look forward to finding out where Adam goes, and hope listeners will too.’

The first box set comprises the following four episodes:

1: From Beyond by Matt Fitton
2: The Old Gods by Phil Mulryne
3: Legion by Cavan Scott
4: The Hollow Earth by Ken Bentley

The guest cast includes Alan Cox (The Speed of Thought), Camilla Power (Whitechapel, Torchwood), Terry Molloy (Doctor Who, The Archers) and Kate Bracken (Being Human)

In addition to the new full cast episodes, Big Finish has released an audiobook of Jack Gerson’s original 1979 novel The Omega Factor. This is read by Louise Jameson, and available to buy on CD and download.

The Omega Factor - Series 1 will be released in May 2015 and can be pre-ordered at a special pre-release price. It is script edited by Matt Fitton, and directed by Ken Bentley. The executive producers are Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery.