Red Dwarf
Three million years after a radiation leak killed the crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf, slob Dave Lister (Craig Charles) is released from suspended animation as apparently the last human alive. His companions are a hologram of his uptight bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a vain creature evolved from cats (Danny John-Jules), the ship's computer Holly and, later, the android Kryten (Robert Llewellyn).
Where to watch
Red Dwarf isn’t streaming, or for rent or sale, on any service we track here right now.
Checked 25 Oct 2026. Services change their catalogues often; the service’s own page has the final word.
Our take
Three million years after a radiation leak killed the crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf, slob Dave Lister (Craig Charles) is released from suspended animation as apparently the last human alive. His companions are a hologram of his uptight bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a vain creature evolved from cats (Danny John-Jules), the ship's computer Holly and, later, the android Kryten (Robert Llewellyn).
Why watch Red Dwarf is a sitcom first and science fiction second, but it takes its ideas seriously: time loops, parallel universes and mind swaps all become fuel for character comedy. The Lister and Rimmer double act is one of British television's great mismatched pairings. It suits anyone who likes Douglas Adams-style humour and is happy with a few low-budget sets along the way.
What to know
Rob Grant and Doug Naylor created the series, which grew out of their radio comedy work, and BBC Two launched it in 1988. Eight series ran on the BBC until 1999, with Grant leaving after the sixth and Naylor continuing alone. Holly was played first by Norman Lovett and then by Hattie Hayridge, and Chloë Annett joined later as Kochanski. The show returned in 2009 on the channel Dave with the three-part special Back to Earth, followed by new series in 2012, 2016 and 2017 and the feature-length special The Promised Land in 2020.
Where to start
Series one is cheaper and slower than what follows; many fans start at series three, when Kryten joins and the look of the show is overhauled. Purists will still want “The End”, the first episode, for the setup.
Seasons & episodes
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Season 4
- Season 5
- Season 6
- Season 7
- Season 8
- Season 9
- Season 10
- Season 11
- Season 12
Cast & crew
More like this
More from BBC Two
Quick answers
- Where can I watch Red Dwarf?
- In the US: BritBox, Pluto TV, Apple TV (buy) and Prime Video (buy). In Canada: BritBox and Apple TV (buy). In the UK: NOW, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Apple TV (buy) and Prime Video (buy). In Australia: Stan and Apple TV (buy).
- What is Red Dwarf about?
- Three million years after a radiation leak killed the crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf, slob Dave Lister (Craig Charles) is released from suspended animation as apparently the last human alive. His companions are a hologram of his uptight bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a vain creature evolved from cats (Danny John-Jules), the ship's computer Holly and, later, the android Kryten (Robert Llewellyn).
- Who is in the cast of Red Dwarf?
- Red Dwarf stars Craig Charles as Dave Lister, Danny John-Jules as Cat, Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer, Robert Llewellyn as Kryten and Norman Lovett as Holly.
- When did Red Dwarf start?
- Red Dwarf premiered on 15 February 1988 and ran until 2020, with 12 seasons.
Before you go