British Comedy Guide
Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn). Copyright: UKTV
Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf

  • TV sitcom
  • U&Dave / BBC Two
  • 1988 - 2020
  • 74 episodes (13 series)

Science fiction sitcom based in space. The crew aboard the damaged mining spaceship Red Dwarf are doomed to drift in space for the rest of eternity. Stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Norman Lovett and more.

  • Due to return for Untitled three-part special
  • Series X, Episode 4 repeated Monday at 1am on U&Dave
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 86

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Series II, Episode 6 - Parallel Universe

Holly's new invention of the 'Holly Hop Drive' promises to take Red Dwarf back home to Earth in a mere instant. What it manages, however, is to flip the ship across the fifth dimension divide and into a parallel universe. But a greater surprise is in store: there's another Red Dwarf here too...

Further details

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Ms Lister (Angela Bruce), Ms Rimmer (Suzanne Bertish). Copyright: Grant Naylor Productions / BBC

Holly has invented a new technology he dubs the 'Holly Hop Drive'. It appears to be just a plain box with stop and start buttons stuck on the top, but he assures Rimmer, Cat and Lister that it can take them to any place in the universe. Naturally one destination springs to mind: Earth.

Starting the machine, nothing appears to happen and the Dwarfers are convinced they've stayed put. Even Holly is confused and dismayed not to be able to find Earth out of any of the windows. What he does see, however, is another Red Dwarf. It seems that the Holly Hop Drive has in fact sent the ship into a parallel dimension. Everything should be more of less the same, just a little ... different.

Boarding the ship, Lister and Rimmer are shocked to find female versions of themselves - just as neurotic, forthright, obnoxious, know-all and slobbish as their counterparts. There's distinct sexual chemistry between Holly and Hilly; and Dave and Deb Lister hit it off right away; but whilst initially pleased to have found someone of such exacting standards, it's not long before Arnold has grown weary of Arlene Rimmer.

Cat, meanwhile, is horrified - his opposite is a stupid, stinking dog! There is, however, a far bigger shock in store for Dave Lister.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 11th October 1988
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Chris Barrie Rimmer
Craig Charles Lister
Danny John-Jules Cat
Norman Lovett Holly
Guest cast
Suzanne Bertish Ms Rimmer
Angela Bruce Ms Lister
Matt Devitt (as Matthew Devitt) The Dog
Hattie Hayridge Hilly
Writing team
Doug Naylor Writer
Rob Grant Writer
Production team
Ed Bye Director
Ed Bye Producer
Paul Jackson Executive Producer
Ed Wooden Editor
Paul Montague Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer

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