🚀Once Upon a Time in Space – Humanity’s Next Great Leap Begins Here

“We shall return.”Those were the final words spoken on the Moon in 1972 by astronaut Eugene Cernan. Five decades later, those words are no longer just a promise — they’re a prophecy being fulfilled.

From the BAFTA-winning creators of Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland and Once Upon a Time in Iraq comes a breathtaking new documentary series — Once Upon a Time in Space.

Directed by James Bluemel, this four-part BBC series launches October 27 on BBC iPlayer, blending unseen archival footage, rare astronaut interviews, and deeply human stories that remind us:

The story of space isn’t just about rockets — it’s about us.

🌍 The Human Story Behind the Stars

At the dawn of a new space race, Once Upon a Time in Space explores not only the machinery that propels us forward but the people who make it possible — the dreamers, engineers, astronauts, and visionaries who dare to look beyond Earth’s horizon.

From NASA’s Apollo legacy to the modern ambitions of China, Russia, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and private companies like SpaceX, the documentary weaves together decades of triumph and tragedy, hope and hubris.

It’s a series that asks:

“What does it mean to reach for the stars — while still struggling to understand ourselves?”

🎬 The Visionary Behind the Camera

James Bluemel — one of Britain’s most acclaimed documentary filmmakers — brings his signature storytelling approach to a cosmic stage.

Having won the BAFTA, International Emmy, and Grierson Awards for Once Upon a Time in Iraq and Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland, Bluemel now turns his lens skyward to explore humanity’s spiritual and political quest for the cosmos.

In his words:

“It’s creatively thrilling to take the Once Upon a Time approach and focus it on space — to move the strand on in an unexpected and refreshing way.”

🌌 A New Space Race Begins

The series captures a pivotal moment in human history. For the first time since the Apollo missions, multiple nations are racing toward the Moon and beyond — not just for exploration, but for influence, resources, and power.

• 🌕 China eyes a permanent lunar base.

• 🚀 NASA’s Artemis missions aim to return humans to the Moon.

• 🇮🇳 India’s Chandrayaan success signals a new era of leadership.

• 🛰️ Saudi Arabia and Japan invest in next-generation space technology.

As Bluemel’s documentary makes clear, this isn’t just about science — it’s about who will define humanity’s future among the stars.

🪐 The Series Format – Four Episodes, Infinite Wonder

Each of the four episodes offers a unique lens on space exploration, bridging past and present through rare archival material and emotional storytelling.

✨ Episode 1: “The Promise of the Moon” Traces the golden age of Apollo, ending with Eugene Cernan’s haunting farewell: “We shall return.”

✨ Episode 2: “The Silence Between Worlds” Explores the decades after Apollo — the triumphs, disasters, and disillusionments that grounded humanity’s ambitions.

✨ Episode 3: “The New Race” Captures the global resurgence of space exploration and the new geopolitical competition unfolding above us.

✨ Episode 4: “What Awaits Us Out There” A reflection on humanity’s next steps — Mars, deep space, and the moral questions that come with colonizing the cosmos.

🧑‍🚀 A Story Told by Those Who Lived It

Drawing from intimate, first-hand testimonies, Once Upon a Time in Space features voices rarely heard together — astronauts, cosmonauts, scientists, space tourists, and dreamers who’ve watched Earth from the edge of infinity.

Expect appearances and archival insights from:

• Apollo-era pioneers

• Soviet cosmonauts

• Modern engineers from NASA, ISRO, and CNSA

• Private visionaries and astro-theorists shaping the future

These are the people who remind us that beyond every mission is a heartbeat — and beyond every discovery, a human story.

🎥 Behind the Production

• Director: James Bluemel

• Producers: Keo Films (a Passion Pictures company)

• Executive Producers: Will Anderson, Andrew Palmer, James Bluemel

• Series Producer: Vicky Mitchell

• Commissioned by: BBC Factual, Clare Sillery

• Platform: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

• Episodes: 4 x 60 minutes

• Release Date: October 27, 2025

• Partnered with: The Open University

🌠 Themes – Humanity’s Reflection Among the Stars

Once Upon a Time in Space isn’t just about where we’re going — it’s about who we’ve become. It explores:

• 🧭 The moral cost of ambition

• 🌍 Earth’s fragility seen from orbit

• 💫 Power, politics, and progress

• 🧠 The psychology of exploration

• ❤️ The emotional toll of isolation and discovery

As one astronaut remarks in the series:

“When you look down on Earth, you realize — everything that divides us is invisible.”

🌌 Critical Expectations

Following the success of Bluemel’s earlier works, Once Upon a Time in Space is already generating high anticipation from critics and documentary lovers alike.

With BBC’s hallmark cinematic production and Keo Films’ unmatched storytelling depth, it promises to be the most human space documentary ever made — one that looks at the stars not with awe alone, but with empathy.

⭐ Final Verdict

Once Upon a Time in Space is a landmark series — visually mesmerizing, emotionally grounding, and philosophically profound.

It redefines space exploration not as a race, but as a mirror. Every rocket launched into the void reflects the same question back at us:

“Can humanity evolve fast enough to deserve the stars?”

⭐ Rating: 9/10A stunning fusion of science, soul, and storytelling.

📺 Where to Watch

• Platform: BBC Two & BBC iPlayer

• Streaming Date: October 27, 2025

• Episodes: 4 (each 60 minutes)

❓ FAQs About Once Upon a Time in Space

Q1. What is Once Upon a Time in Space about?

It’s a four-part BBC documentary exploring the human side of the new space race — blending archive footage and astronaut testimonies to tell the story of humanity’s journey to the stars.

Q2. Who directed the series?

The series is directed by James Bluemel, the BAFTA-winning filmmaker behind Once Upon a Time in Iraq and Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.

Q3. When and where can I watch it?

The series premieres October 27, 2025, on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Q4. What makes this series different from other space documentaries?

Rather than focusing on technology alone, it highlights the personal stories, moral dilemmas, and emotional truths behind humanity’s quest to explore space.

Q5. Is this part of the “Once Upon a Time” documentary strand?

Yes. It continues the acclaimed Once Upon a Time series, which includes Once Upon a Time in Iraq and Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.

🌍 Final Thoughts

Once Upon a Time in Space reminds us that space exploration isn’t just about leaving Earth — it’s about understanding it.

Through every orbit and every launch, we rediscover what it means to be human.

As one voice echoes in the final moments:

“The further we go into space, the closer we come to understanding ourselves.”