Rocket Man is a BBC television drama series, produced in 2005, about a recently widowed Welsh man who is struggling to build a rocket in which to launch his wife's ashes into space. It was created by Alison Hume and stars Robson Green, Charles Dale and John Rhys Halliwell. The six hour-long episodes in the series were filmed in Druridge Bay, Northumberland.
Episode 1
Apr 18, 2006
Single dad George Stevenson builds a rocket to send his wife's ashes into space but he's brought down to earth when the launch ends disastrously. Though determined to try again, he is forced to realise his promise to Bethan is getting in the way of being a proper parent. Can he walk away from his dreams?
Episode 2
Apr 25, 2006
After Bethan One crashes into the sea, George decides to build a new rocket out of aluminium and starts collecting cans. But his enthusiasm for recycling blinds him to Barney and Diane's desperate bid to start a family – and he ends up in an embarrassing misunderstanding with his own daughter Angela.
Episode 3
May 2, 2006
Barney and Diane ask George to be their sperm donor and are thrilled when he appears to accept. But George is worried about finding a new HQ for his rocket after an explosion at Mission Control. They go to the carriage works, but things don't go to plan with either the rocket – or the plans for fatherhood.
Episode 4
May 9, 2006
George and his friends build a ramshackle tracking device for the rocket and set about testing it. Things look up for sacked security guard Shiner when he gets a job at the chocolate factory. But trouble starts when union man Huw squares up to his old rival Eric, then Shiner drops the tracker into a vat of caramel.
Episode 5
May 16, 2006
George needs a parachute for the rocket and persuades Gail to give him silk wrapping material from the factory. In return, she wants the parachute ready to demonstrate to her boss when he visits from Japan just days later. It looks like mission impossible – especially when George is distracted by Ed's mum Carla.
Episode 6
May 23, 2006
George is busy preparing to launch the rocket on the anniversary of Bethan's death, when he suddenly has second thoughts. Diane is pregnant and Barney starts celebrating – but is it too soon? As the team face personal setbacks, can they achieve their dream of launching the first Welsh rocket into space?
