P.R.O.B.E.
P.R.O.B.E. is a series of direct-to-video science-fiction films mostly written by Mark Gatiss and produced by BBV Productions. It is the first live-action "Doctor Who" spin-off series. The series features Caroline John as Liz Shaw, working for the Preternatural Research Bureau. Many former "Doctor Who" actors, including former Doctors Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, appear in the series playing different roles. (Due to licensing restrictions, no overt reference to The Doctor is permitted.) "Doctor Who" alumna Louise Jameson co-stars with Caroline John in the original four films, as Patricia  Haggard. Originally released on VHS, the series was not widely available on video. When an interviewer commented to series author Mark Gatiss that he had never seen the series, Gatiss replied "No, and you never will. One, they're not available. And two, I forbid it. Christ, for all I knew, they were the only things I would ever get to make. And I learned a frightening amount from working on them." The four original films were released on DVD on 3 March 2012 exclusive to Galaxy 4 shop with a 12 rating. A fifth film, written and directed by  Bill Baggs, was released 20 April 2015 with Hazel Burrows taking over as Liz Shaw. In 2020 the P.R.O.B.E. series was revived by Arcbeatle Press, starting with the release of "Shadows of Doubt". Under Arcbeatle Press the series made the transition to the prose format. Section::::"The Zero Imperative" (1994). The Zero Imperative was released direct-to-video in January 1994 by BBV. Synopsis. Former UNIT luminary Liz Shaw and her assistant Bayliss are investigating a series of bizarre murders, all committed near a soon-to-be-closed psychiatric hospital. When the hospital is unexpectedly reprieved by rich Industrialist Peter Russell  events seem to move out of Liz's control. Are the incumbent director of the clinic, Doctor Dove and his predecessor Doctor O'Kane harbouring the killer? What is the centuries-old horror hidden in the grounds? And what exactly is the secret of room zero? Section::::"The Devil of Winterborne" (1995). The Devil of Winterborne was released direct-to-video in January 1995 by BBV. Synopsis. When P.R.O.B.E. are summoned to investigate the savage murder of retired headmaster Mr. Whittaker and his dog, Liz Shaw is disturbed to find evidence of a satanic ritual near the scene of the crime. The  trail leads of deceit and corruption extends to the current occupants of nearby Winterborne School, where it appears that someone is determined to cover up an ancient secret – at any cost. With another animal having bit the dust, the current headteacher accused of murdering a pupil, and one of the school's oldest employees having been stabbed with a knife, Liz finds herself under increasing pressure from all sides to produce results, especially with P.R.O.B.E. under threat from within – and the death toll mounting. However, a shocking revelation from headteacher Gavin Purcell reveals that The Devil of Winterborne is at  large – and only Liz can stop it. Section::::"Unnatural Selection" (1996). Unnatural Selection was released direct-to-video in October 1996 by BBV. Synopsis. In 1975, the British Government quietly closed down a secret evolutionary project codenamed BEAGLE, ordering the destruction of all research materials. Today, the horrific discovery of several oddly mutated bodies alerts Liz Shaw and P.R.O.B.E. to the fact that something is stalking the original site of project BEAGLE – something which may challenge the very nature of humanity itself! With a crack security team at her disposal, Liz desperately attempts to track down the perverted results of the  project. But who or what is hunting whom? Section::::"Ghosts of Winterborne" (1996). Ghosts of Winterborne was released direct-to-video in November 1996 by BBV. Synopsis. The Devil of Winterborne has only recently been exorcised by P.R.O.B.E. But when the body of its last victim disappears, and a book of black magic spells is stolen from a local museum, Liz Shaw begins to wonder if the ghosts of the past have really been laid to rest. Forced into an unholy alliance with the school's disgraced headmaster, Liz must fight not only her own warring emotions, but a festering evil  that threatens to corrupt the Earth again after 100 years. But how do you fight a shadow from hell? Section::::"When to Die" (2015). When to Die was released direct-to-video on 20 April 2015 by BBV. Synopsis. Liz investigates the government execution of an immortal Corporal who 'no longer has a use'. Section::::"Shadows of Doubt" (2020). Shadows of Doubt was released on YouTube on 28 April 2020 by Arcbeatle Press. Synopsis. Giles fears for his team in light of the upcoming perihelion. Section::::"Case Files" (2021). Case Files is a series of video diaries initially released on YouTube under the  initial title "P.R.O.B.E. Online" starting 22 January 2021 by BBV Productions, later released exclusively to the BBV Productions website. Episodes. Presented as "Case File" video-diary entries by main character Giles, often including illustrations and references to various "Doctor Who"-related media. On 16 April 2021, episodes became available on the official BBV website & on DVD 10 June 2021. This lists ordered per the DVD releases. Audiobooks (2021). P.R.O.B.E. Audiobooks are a series of narrated short stories released on the BBV Productions website. Short Stories. Short prose stories published by Arcbeatle Press