Nitrate

Max Headroom

  • TV-PG
  • 1987–1988
  • 2 seasons
  • Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
  • 6.9

Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?

Episodes

6 episodes
  1. 1Blipverts

    60 minMar 31, 1987

    In the near future, when TVs can't be shut off and ratings are all that matter, investigative reporter Edison Carter and his computer-generated alter ego Max Headroom battle to keep the "blank" generation informed. In the opener, Carter stumbles across his own network's cover-up of a sometimes deadly new form of TV advertising called "blipverts".

  2. 2Rakers

    60 minApr 7, 1987

    Theora goes AWOL when she learns her estranged brother is involved in the brutal and dangerous ""sport"" of raking, which the promoters are trying to have legalized and televised.

  3. 3Body Banks

    60 minApr 14, 1987

    Breughel and Mahler are stealing live bodies from the Fringes and selling them to Nightingales Body Bank. The wealthy Plantaganet wants pituitarys from the bodies for an operation which could save his aging mother. While Carter races to save a Fringer girl's life, Cheviot is more concerned that Max is offending Network 23's biggest sponsor, ZikZak, who have decided to buy him.

  4. 4Security Systems

    60 minApr 21, 1987

    Carter is accused of credit fraud and becomes a fugitive after delving into the hostile takeover of Security Systems, the world's most powerful corporation.

  5. 5War

    60 minApr 28, 1987

    In the middle of a global ratings sweep programmer packager Frank Braddock tries to sell Network 23 a package covering the activities of a terrorist group, the White Brigade. Edison and Murray become suspicious when Breakthru TV, who have bought the package, start broadcasting terrorist bombings as soon as they occur.

  6. 6The Blanks

    48 minMay 5, 1987

    As the ""blanks"" -- undesirables with no computer records -- are rounded up and arrested, the networks face permanent cancellation by hackers who threaten to crash the city's entire computer system if their companions aren't released.

Where to watch Max Headroom

Free with ads

No subscription needed

Free with a library card

Sign in with your public library card

Buy

Pay once, keep it in your library

Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Matt FrewerEdison Carter / Max Headroom14 episodes
Chris YoungBryce Lynch14 episodes
Jeffrey TamborMurray14 episodes
William Morgan SheppardBlank Reg14 episodes
Concetta TomeiBlank Dominique14 episodes
Amanda PaysTheora Jones14 episodes
George CoeBen Cheviot14 episodes
Lee WilkofEdwards14 episodes
Andreas Katsulas3 episodes
Rosalind ChaoAngie Barry2 episodes
Hank GarrettAshwell2 episodes
Sherman Howard2 episodes
John Winston1 episode
Carol Mayo Jenkins1 episode
Billie Bird1 episode
Dayle Haddon1 episode
Richard FrankBiller1 episode
Ron FasslerGrieg1 episode

More like thisShows TMDB viewers also watched