Once Upon a Time in Space: Story, Cast and Series Facts

Story and premise

Once Upon a Time in Space will tell the human story of space exploration using unique, unexpected archive, present-day footage and first-hand testimony from around the world.

On the 14 December 1972, Eugene Cernan became the eleventh person to walk on the Moon. Leaving the lunar surface, he proclaimed, ‘We shall return'. These remain the last words to have been spoken on the Moon. In the decades since, the moon has become alien once again to direct human contact. However, that's all about to change.

Humans are once again looking up and heading out, back into space… and we're taking our power struggles with us. China, Russia, America, India, Saudi Arabia and Japan are all investing heavily in lunar exploration, jostling for power and influence amongst the stars. A new Space Race has begun.

The series will connect the past with the present and examine what the consequences are for the future of humankind as we once again head into space. It will hear compelling new testimony from pioneering astronauts, visionary scientists, remarkable engineers, daring space tourists, maverick billionaires, romantic dreamers and astro-theorists spellbound by the wonder of possibility.

Series details

• Title: Once Upon a Time in Space
• Format: Documentary
• Language: English
• Genres: History
• Premiere date: 2025-10-27
• Status in TVmaze: Running
• Web channel listed by TVmaze: BBC iPlayer
• Network country: United Kingdom
• Typical episode runtime: 61 minutes
• TVMaze ID: 74603

Seasons in the TVmaze catalogue

• Season 1: premiered 2025-10-27; final listed air date 2025-10-27; episode order: 4.

Source and licence

Adapted from Once Upon a Time in Space on TVmaze. The synopsis is reproduced as plain text; catalogue facts, cast and season records are selected and reformatted. This adapted text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, following the TVmaze API licence. Network and web-channel credits identify the service listed in this source; they do not establish current streaming availability.