We’re getting political this week in the latest episode of Very British Futures as we examine little known near-future dystopian drama The Guardians.

The Guardians, a 13-episode political drama produced by London Weekend Television in 1971, stands as one of British television’s most thoughtful dystopian works. Created by Rex Firkin and Vincent Tilsley, with important contributions from John Bowen, the series imagines a near-future Britain that has slid quietly into authoritarianism, ruled not by a charismatic dictator but a gentlemanly, patrician businessman and fear of the G’s – the Guardians of the Realm.

In the world of The Guardians, Britain is governed by a unified party, elections have been cancelled indefinitely — and their rule is protected by a militarised police force known as the Guardians. Ostensibly created to maintain stability after a national crisis, the Guardians operate with sweeping powers, often outside the boundaries of legality or morality. The regime maintains the outward trappings of democracy, but freedom of expression, political opposition, and civil liberties have been quietly eroded.

The series explored themes that feel remarkably contemporary: surveillance, media manipulation, the fragility of democratic institutions, and the ease with which a population can be persuaded to accept authoritarian measures in the name of security. It also looks honestly at how a resistance movement works, which can be just as ruthless and morally questionable. Its tone is nuanced rather than sensational. The plot weaves together the lives of characters both in power and those seemingly without. Nobody turns out to quite what they appear at first.

Though praised in some quarters for its ambition and intelligence, The Guardians was not repeated after its original broadcast. For decades, it existed mostly in the memories of viewers and television archivists, until Network Video released it on DVD for a new audience to find.

Joining me for this episode is an old friend of the show – Stephen Hatcher – who has previously shared his expertise on Out of the Unknown and Play for Tomorrow. His love for the series is infectious. I hope you find this edition as fascinating as I did recording it.

You can listen to episode here on Spotify or any of the major podcast platforms.