The Tomorrow People

Born to human parents, an apparently normal child might at some point between childhood and late adolescence experience a process called 'breaking out' and develop special paranormal abilities. These abilities include psychic powers such as telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation. However, their psychological make-up prevents them from intentionally killing others.

The Tomorrow People (1973-1979) is a British science fiction drama created by Roger Damon Price for ITV1. Its central figure is John (Nicholas Young), one of a group of young people who, at some point between childhood and late adolescence, experience a sudden process called breaking out and gain psychic abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis and teleportation. Their psychological make-up prevents them from intentionally killing others, which shapes every choice they make. Across eight seasons and sixty-eight episodes of half-hour television, the group uses its powers while pursuing a hidden community's goals and evading the people who would exploit or hunt them. Peter Vaughan-Clarke, Sammie Winmill and Stephen Salmon round out the principal cast. The series moves through London streets and the city's underground, giving the stories a gritty, urban texture. Its tone is earnest and wistful, with a strong sense of youthful belonging and the unease of being different. Fans of Heroes and The Gifted will find resonance in its blend of adolescent identity and hidden powers, and admirers of classic British science fiction such as Doctor Who will recognise its inventive, low-budget charm.

• Heroesyouth coming of age with paranormal powers, teen sci-fi drama
• The Giftedyoung people with telekinetic and telepathic powers, hidden in plain sight
• Doctor Who (1963)serialized supernatural youth drama about mutants hidden among ordinary people

Created by

Roger Damon Price

Release Date

1973-04-30

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (14)

What is The Tomorrow People about?

Teenagers who undergo a sudden 'breaking out' develop telepathy and telekinesis, and must navigate a hidden world of paranormal youth.

What is The Tomorrow People like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Tomorrow People as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Tomorrow People violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Tomorrow People as mild.

Which shows are like The Tomorrow People?

Shows with a similar feel include Heroes, The Gifted, and Doctor Who (1963).

How long is The Tomorrow People?

The Tomorrow People: 8 seasons, 68 episodes.

Is The Tomorrow People still running?

No, The Tomorrow People has ended.