To celebrate the 21st birthday of Red Dwarf, we're bringing back the original cast for a three part special over Easter. Check out the Red Dwarf on Dave Easter schedule.

Over the last few months we've been bringing you a weekly update on how the production is going packed with all the latest news, gossip and first-look images as well as a smeg load of Red Dwarf Quizzes to keep you entertained. Plus - we've got some exclusive Red Dwarf: Back to Earth Videos in our Cinema.
Back to Earth is going to be a Red Dwarf epic. The show as you have never, ever seen it before. Oh smeg, yes.


Red Dwarf frame 220

About the show

You're the last human being in space, with only your spaceship's senile computer for company – until that computer provides a hologram of your dead roommate, who you detest, and you discover a humanoid creature that evolved from the ship's cat. Later you pick up cleaning-obsessed robot and a parallel version of your ex-girlfriend. That's the lot of Dave Lister, trapped aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf in this clever and sometimes poignant cult sci-fi comedy.

The amazing thing about Red Dwarf is that it always triumphed over its TV sitcom budget. Reverse universes, exploding spaceships, genetically engineered life-forms and ruthless killer simulants – over eight series the makers took us across the universe, three million years from home…yet never left their earthly characters behind.

Red Dwarf actually started out as a sketch on an 80s Radio 4 comedy series called Son of Cliche. Written by Grant and Naylor, the show contained a number of zany bits and bobs which they considered turning into a fully-fledged sitcom. For a while they focused on a sketch called Captain Invisible and the See-Thru Kid, before ultimately deciding on Dave Hollins: Space Cadet – a long-running bit about a human who winds up light years from Earth with only a talking computer for company. Hollins was changed to Lister for Red Dwarf because some footballer was rather thoughtlessly called Dave Hollins.

A host of famous names auditioned for Red Dwarf, including Hugh Laurie, David Baddiel and even Ronnie Barker. The ones who came closest were Alan Rickman and Alfred Molina (the veteran star who played Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2). They both auditioned for the parts of Lister and Rimmer, but the producers eventually felt that these about-to-be-big names would upset the balance of the programme. Plus comedians like Craig Charles and Chris Barrie really knew how to bring the funny.

Make sure you check out our exclusive Red Dwarf Videos

Find out some more smeg-free facts about the space sitcom or discover if you're a Space Buff or Smeghead with one of our Red Dwarf Quizzes.
Plus - Whatever happened to the Red Dwarf movie?, Red Dwarf: The Best Moments So Far, Sickness in Space, Red Dwarf Close encounters

For all those who have been asking about the new eps in their countries, be assured we haven't forgotten about you. Back to Earth will be released on DVD on June 15th. Pre-order your copy now..

Comments (1031)

sushi on the loose

July 2, 2009
10:29 p.m.

i think the new shows were pretty cool! :)
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DAVE LISTER9401

June 24, 2009
4:03 a.m.

Just watched Back to Earth again on dvd,and whilst its not the best story ever,its still bloody funny,brilliantly acted,and looks fantastic. Thanks to Doug and the boys,lets hope we see more soon,whatever Craig,Chris,Robert,and Danny get paid,they are worth every penny and more.
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chandra_mcmillan

June 20, 2009
5:10 a.m.

As a follower of red dwarf right from the begining I have to say another series would be great. However I have my doubts as series 8 was in my opinion and a lot of other peoples *rubbish*. I would love another series if it is done in the same way as serie 1 to 6. The BEST tv series ever. Love DAVE for actually making the special!
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D000169

June 20, 2009
1:07 a.m.

more red dwarf!!!! plzzz
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Nige2360

June 16, 2009
6:06 p.m.

Having said that it would be nice if the made some more though.
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Nige2360

June 16, 2009
6:04 p.m.

Well now the furore has died down and I've had chance to watch it again without all the anticipation I think it stands up well. I think a lot of fans, including myself, had built up our expectations too much and it would have been nigh on impossible to meet them. It may not have been the best 3 episodes of Red Dwarf ever but it certainly wasn't a bad effort If this turns out to be the last we see of the characters then it wasn't a bad send off, was it?
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silverthrill

June 10, 2009
10:16 a.m.

Finally got to see 'back to earth' and want more after years of waiting for the small crimson one. Wish we could see more of this in the USA. Just another plea for many more across the pond. Thank you.
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maindodi

June 4, 2009
10:33 a.m.

I Missed it. I was working away. Please can you tell me when you will be repeating Back to earth. Cheers,
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