Big Finish Productions has signed a licence to make 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.

“With the blessing of Jack Gerson’s estate, we will be bringing The Omega Factor right up to date,” says producer David Richardson. “The first box set opens in 2015, a more technological – and more cynical – age for Department 7.”

For over thirty years Omega has been silent, and Department 7 – now led by Anne Reynolds – is almost without purpose. 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.

“I always felt Omega Factor had more life in it, and now it will have,” says Louise. “I am genuinely thrilled to be part of that team again.”

“The Omega Factor was the first time I had the chance to work with my Dad on something about which we were both a little obsessed,” says Natasha. “It was one of his favourite productions. I'm thrilled about it and wish he were still around to hear it. On reflection… maybe he still is?”

In addition to the new full cast episodes, Big Finish will be releasing an audiobook of Jack Gerson’s original 1979 novel The Omega Factor. This will be read by Louise Jameson, and all pre-order copies will be signed by Louise. Released in October 2014, this will provide the perfect background to the new series.

“The Omega Factor predated The X-Files by many years,” says David, “and yet it shares the same love of horror and government conspiracies. We’re thrilled to add such a dark and unsettling series to our catalogue of audio drama, and look forward to scaring a new generation with some truly terrifying stories.”

The new episodes of The Omega Factor will be released in May 2015. It is script edited by Matt Fitton, and directed by Ken Bentley. The executive producers are Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery.