Olympus: Incursion - 2021
After 12 years off screen TV, Olympus returned for a fourth series and just like Children of Earth it would be one long story arc subtitled ‘Incursion’. Paterson Joseph and Christina Cole returned as Hal Adams and Charley Wilson, with new cast members for the show. Ace Bhatti was introduced as a new character - The Rt. Honourable Haresh Chandra, who would be later canonised as a past relative of his 2016 character Ronan Crowley. A surprise in the trailer was the return of Ariyon Bakare as the Master and Lisa Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield.
The series would be overseen by Russell T Davies, showrunner of Doctor Who from 2006-10 and creator of Olympus. Chibnall wanted to bring back Olympus when he returned to Doctor Who as to give the Doctor Who franchise a popularity boost to get people more interested with the show again, he asked Russell T Davies to return and write a story with Olympus to which he accepted.
Story planning began when Davies’ drama focusing on the AIDS crisis It’s A Sin, scripting began when It’s A Sin was being filmed. Unfortunately before a read through or filming could begin, the official lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 pandemic took place, filming later took place on August 27th 2020 and was completed by 30th October 2020 with an air date for May 2021, the series would air from May 9th - June 13th 2021.
To draw in the fans more Ariyon Bakare and Lisa Bowerman returned as their fan favourite characters, Bakare due to his popularity as the Master in an unpopular time in Doctor Who’s history and Lisa Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield who was one of the most popular characters in Doctor Who’s history.
Countdown
By Russell T Davies
We get an ominous shot of London and that transitions into Downing Street, we then see Charley Wilson who is now Secretary of State for Extraterrestrial Operations. She’s driven to the rear entrance of Downing Street where she gets out and makes her way through to an office, she’s given a briefing on several matters and it soon becomes clear that she’s annoyed at the very limited resources at hand given to her by the Prime Minister.
tries to steal credits from a sophisticated alien computer, he then takes a ship and leaves.
We then see Charley’s meeting with Haresh Chandra, Chandra says that he really wants to put more money into the department but other problems keep occurring and she’ll have to wait a little longer. Charley is annoyed as
she says she can’t wait any longer and it’s not right how she’s had to wait for over a year for better funding, she then leaves the office telling the PM that if he doesn’t help the department then she will resign.
We then see Hal walk into a dimly lit spaceport bar, he orders an alien drink and minds his own business but soon a man walks in - Don Astero. We learn that the credits Hal took were from him, Don asks for them back but Hal refuses and Don orders his two henchman to “clear him out” they start to beat Hal but he fights back and stuns the two henchman and takes back the credits, he then runs back to his ship but finds it destroyed, the two henchman soon wake up and before they can get to Hal he uses his vortex manipulator to get away.
Charley then attends a cabinet meeting with Chandra and other members of the Government including Deputy PM Edward Lawn Bridges, Charley gets a feeling that something is off with a few of them and soon some show their true form - Reptilian, humanoid figures, similar to the
Skrulls in Secret Invasion. As a few government officials are killed, Charley starts to protect the PM where she pulls out a gun and starts shooting a few of them. They manage to get out of the Cabinet room and are confronted by a few more, they’re about to be killed by one but a laser beam kills it. Charley looks confused and she is in complete disbelief as she sees Hal as he says “Hello Charley, did you miss me?”
The three of them then make their way through 10 Downing Street trying to get out but are confronted by Lawn Bridges, Hal takes charge asking him what does he want but Lawn Bridges says that he doesn’t want anything and his ‘Master’ is now on his way back, Hal can’t believe it and Lawn Bridges tells him that they have a seconds to get out of Number 10. Within seconds Hal, Charley and Haresh run out of the rear entrance as the entire building blows up. We then
see a prison island, inside people are being murdered by the aliens as the Master has some headphones in listening to “Love will Tear Us Apart” as he continues killing random people. He then pauses his phone and walks out to the roof into a helicopter and clicks a button activating a countdown.
We see Hal, Charley and Haresh in a government building where they are driving over Westminster bridge where they witness the Houses of Parliament blow up. We then cut back to the Master pressing his playlist and “London Calling” starts to play and soon after St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the London Eye and Tower Bridge all blow up.
The final scene sees Hal looking at the destruction and cutting to the end credits, with “London Calling” playing throughout the scene and the end credits.
Fallout
By Russell T Davies
We begin with Hal, Charley and Haresh on Westminster Bridge taking in everything that has just happened as sirens ring out in the distance. The weight of the devastation is palpable. The silence is deafening except for distant sirens and faint screams. Charley looks at Hal, filled with questions, but unable to speak. Suddenly, Haresh’s phone rings—an emergency call from his office. He puts the phone on speaker as one of his aides says that a Cobra meeting is now being held and he has to be there.
We then see the Master, he’s in a building somewhere in London as he watches the chaos unfold. He mutters to himself about how easy it was, but now it’s time for the “real fun.” Soldiers then walk into the room, the Master calls them ‘The Azathi’ a race he’s allied himself with to infiltrate human society. He begins orchestrating the next phase of his plan—a planetary incursion. He ponders: London was just the beginning.
Back in Whitehall, the Cobra meeting is underway. Haresh, Charley, and Hal enter the war room to find it in chaos. The government’s top officials are arguing, while some are still trying to come to terms with the alien infiltrators in their midst. It’s revealed that there are more aliens embedded in key positions across the world—major cities are at risk. Hal insists that the Master’s attacks on London are not just a power play but part of a larger plan to destabilise Earth before an alien incursion. Tensions rise as Charley confronts Haresh, demanding answers about why he failed to see the Hollow Ones infiltrating the government. Haresh, overwhelmed, admits he was focused on the wrong threats and underestimated just how well he knew everybody. The room falls silent when Hal steps forward and announces that the only way to stop the Master is to take the fight directly to him—but first, they need to find him.
Suddenly, the Cobra bunker is attacked. Alarms blare as The Azathi infiltrate the building, assassinating key officials. Charley, Hal, and Haresh are separated but all manage to escape with their lives, but Haresh is taken away by Government officials whereas Hal and Charley go off on their own.
They take a car and end up in a forest, Charley gets out of the car and Hal follows her. Eventually they argue about everything and the fact that Hal left and Charley says “You always keep running, don’t you, Hal? You run because you believe there’s always something to run either too or from. That’s who you are. You’ll never stop.” Hal takes it in as the weight of her words takes effect on him, she eventually apologises and they end up in an old cottage where they plan what to do. Charley says that whatever happens they’ll lose and Hal says “We best wish for a win, shouldn’t we?” and Charley replies “Be careful what you wish for.”
The final scene sees Hal and Charley walk out the house and drive away in the car as “Running up That Hill” begins to play from the final scene and end credits.
Resurgence
By Russell T Davies
The episode opens with Hal and Charley driving through the desolate, darkened streets of the city. Charley's words from the previous episode still hang heavy in the air between them. They receive a transmission from an old contact of Hal's—a former UNIT operative named Captain Aria Noble—who reveals that she has intelligence on the Master’s next target: a highly secretive research facility in Northern Scotland. This facility holds a prototype device capable of counteracting the Azathi invasion, but it's still unfinished. Hal knows that if the Master gets his hands on it, Earth’s chances will be even slimmer.
Meanwhile, Hal and Charley meet Captain Noble at the edge of a stormy coast, preparing for their covert mission to the research facility. Inside the facility, the atmosphere is tense—scientists work frantically as they detect an unknown signal. Hal explains that they need to finish the device, which is a dimensional disruptor that could sever the Azathi’s connection to their home world. However, there's a problem: the power core needed to complete it has been stolen—and the Master likely has it.
As the team makes their way through the facility, Hal reflects on his time with UNIT and the many failures he blames himself for. Charley, having cooled down since their argument, opens up to him about her own insecurities and fears. The pair share a quiet moment before the alarms blare—someone has infiltrated the facility.
Cut to the Master, standing amidst his Azathi soldiers as they breach the facility. He taunts Hal via a hacked security feed, telling him that he’s always been one step behind, always running, but never stopping the inevitable. The Master then reveals his plan: to use the disruptor to tear open a permanent rift between Earth and the Azathi's dimension.
A battle ensues within the facility as Hal, Charley, Captain Noble, and the scientists try to hold off the Azathi. The situation turns dire, and Charley insists that Hal use his knowledge to complete the device even without the missing core. As he works frantically, Charley and Captain Noble engage the Azathi in a fight for their lives.
Just when it seems they might win, the Master appears in the control room, holding the missing power core. He smiles as he places it into the disruptor and activates it. The air shimmers and cracks with energy, and the rift begins to open.
In a desperate attempt to stop the Master, Charley charges at him, but he easily subdues her, whispering, "It's always the quiet ones, isn’t it?" He turns to Hal and offers him a deal—join him, and together they can control the rift, reshape the world as they see fit. Hal hesitates for a moment, but refuses.
The episode builds to its climax as the rift destabilises, and Hal desperately works on a last-ditch solution, attempting to redirect the rift’s energy. With time running out, the facility begins to collapse, and Captain Noble sacrifices herself to hold off the remaining Azathi, giving Hal and Charley a chance to escape.
As they flee the facility in a helicopter, the rift explodes behind them, leaving devastation in its wake. The camera zooms in on Hal, deep in thought, as Charley looks out at the horizon, unsure of their next move.
The episode ends with the helicopter flying into the distance, while the haunting notes of "Enjoy The Silence" by Depeche Mode begin to play. The final shot shows the Master, standing amid the rubble of the research facility, smiling as the camera zooms in on his face
“Enjoy The Silence” plays throughout the credits.
Heroes
By Russell T Davies
The episode opens with the aftermath of the rift explosion. Hal and Charley make it to a makeshift safe house, but the devastation left behind is unbearable. The Azathi, though weakened by the failed rift, are now spread out across the country, causing chaos. News reports flood in about the destruction, while Hal stares at the sky, lost in thought, contemplating the Master's next move.
Charley interrupts his reverie, pointing to a transmission they've received: a message from a village in the Highlands and Hal says that’s where they have to go.
Hal and Charley make their way to an abandoned village in the Scottish Highlands, where
The Azathi are roaming the streets. We get an action scene and loads of Azathi are then killed as a woman walks out of the fog – Bernice Summerfield.
Bernice greets them with a mix of relief and tension, however, the introductions are short-lived as the ground begins to shake—the Azathi have found them. Hal and Bernice grab what weapons they have while Charley takes a tactical position at the window. The trio fight off wave after wave of Azathi soldiers inside the crumbling house, using their combined skills and wits to survive.
During the fight, Hal and Bernice share a tense conversation, punctuated by blasts of Azathi energy and debris flying everywhere. They then talk and it’s revealed to both of them that they know a little about each other, Bernice challenges Hal, accusing him of always trying to do things alone and refusing to ask for help. Hal, in turn, opens up about the weight of the responsibility he feels, confessing that he’s terrified of making the wrong choice again and losing the people he cares about. Their bond, long frayed, begins to mend as they fend off the alien invaders together, they then mention the Doctor and wonder why he’s not here.
The battle reaches a turning point when Charley, defending the back of the house, discovers a hidden passage beneath the floorboards leading to a forgotten bunker. The three of them barely escape into the bunker as the house collapses under the relentless onslaught of the Azathi.
Inside the bunker, Hal deciphers Bernice’s findings. An artefact she uncovered isn’t just a relic—it’s a map to the Azathi's power source. Together, they realise that the only way to stop the Master and the Azathi for good is to destroy this source, located in an underground vault beneath the ruins of a temple in northern Europe.
The episode builds toward its final moments as they prepare to leave the bunker, now a united team. Bernice gives Hal a meaningful look and tells him, “This time, we do it together.” He nods, finally accepting the strength in unity.
The closing scene cuts to the Master, standing at the edge of a darkened, desolate landscape, overlooking the entrance to the ancient temple. The camera pans out to reveal an army of Azathi gathering around him, preparing for the final confrontation.
As Hal, Charley, and Bernice emerge from the bunker, the determination on their faces is palpable. The screen fades as they begin their journey to face the Master and the Azathi one last time. The iconic first chords of David Bowie’s “Heroes” start to play, building in intensity as they walk toward their destiny.
The final shot lingers on the trio silhouetted against the setting sun, ready to face the impossible together. As the camera pulls back, “Heroes” plays through the credits
Sacrifice
By Russell T Davies
The episode opens in Northern Europe where Hal, Charley and Bernice begin their quest to stop the Master and make their way to the temple, it’s here we see them protecting locals from the Azathi, trying to survive as they are hunted and trying to reach the temple which they eventually do. In the eerie, fog-filled ruins of an ancient temple in northern Europe. Hal, Bernice, and Charley are on edge as they move closer to the heart of the temple, knowing the Master and the Azathi are waiting for them. The weight of their mission hangs heavy in the air—this is the final stand.
Inside the temple, the trio discovers that the Master has already begun the final phase of his plan: he’s using the power source from the artefact Bernice uncovered to create a permanent gateway between the Azathi’s dimension and Earth. The energy crackles ominously, and the temple feels alive, pulsing with otherworldly power.
As they explore deeper into the structure, Hal realises that in order to stop the Master, someone will need to manually override the controls and destroy the power source. The catch: whoever does this will have no way to escape the inevitable explosion.
Throughout the episode, the tension between Hal, Bernice, and Charley grows. Charley, who has always been determined and fearless, begins to show signs of vulnerability. She knows the stakes and, in quiet moments, seems to be preparing herself for something. Hal notices but says nothing, though a part of him suspects what Charley may be planning.
When they finally confront the Master in the temple’s inner sanctum, the battle is brutal. The Azathi swarm them, and Charley fights fiercely alongside Hal and Bernice. The Master, ever the manipulator, taunts Hal with their shared history, trying to break him down mentally, but Hal remains focused on the task at hand.
In the chaos, Charley sees her opportunity. While Hal and Bernice are distracted by the Master and the Azathi, she makes her way to the control panel, knowing what must be done. She begins to activate the override, her hands trembling as she realises the finality of her actions.
As the system begins its countdown, Hal notices what she’s doing and rushes to stop her. "Charley, no!" he yells, panic and desperation in his voice. But it’s too late. Charley turns to him, tears in her eyes but with a determined smile. "You have to finish this, Hal. It’s the only way. You always knew someone would have to make the sacrifice."
Hal tries to argue, but Charley steps forward, her hand gently touching his face. “I’m not afraid,” she whispers. “Not anymore.” With that, she presses the final button, locking the system in place.
The temple begins to shake as the energy spirals out of control. Hal and Bernice are forced to retreat as the structure collapses around them. They barely escape, looking back just in time to see the temple erupt in a brilliant explosion of light.
The final moments are a haunting silence. Hal and Bernice stand at a distance, watching the destruction in stunned disbelief. Hal is numb, unable to process the loss of Charley, while Bernice places a hand on his shoulder, offering silent support.
As the camera zooms out, the first notes of “China in Your Hand” begin to play. The song captures the devastating emotion of the moment as Hal stares into the distance, his face a mixture of grief and resolve.
The episode ends with Hal walking away from the ruins, Bernice at his side, but the emptiness left by Charley’s death hangs heavy in the air. The song plays through the credits, echoing the bittersweet finality of her sacrifice.
Endgame
By Russell T Davies
The episode opens in the heart of London, the once-bustling streets eerily quiet as an unnatural storm gathers above. The sky is dark, and flashes of lightning reveal the silhouette of the Shard, now twisted into an alien spire. The Master has seized control, using the power of the Azathi to bend reality to his will, reshaping London into his fortress.
Hal and Bernice emerge from the shadows, beaten but not broken. The loss of Charley weighs heavily on them, but they have no time to mourn. The final showdown is upon them. Hal, clad in his iconic trench coat and blue shirt, is determined to finish this. Bernice, ever the scholar and fighter, is by his side, though the weariness of their journey shows on her face. They know this is their last chance to stop the Master and save what’s left of the world.
The Master stands atop his dark tower, gazing out over the city, his plan nearing completion. The portal to the Azathi’s dimension is nearly fully open, and soon the Earth will be swallowed by chaos. His laughter echoes through the streets as he feels the power coursing through him.
Hal and Bernice make their way into the heart of the tower. The final confrontation is inevitable, and they both know not everyone will survive. Bernice, sharp and practical, has already prepared for the worst. Hal, however, can’t shake the weight of guilt after Charley’s death. He’s determined to ensure that no more lives are lost – especially Bernice’s.
The battle with the Master is intense, a clash of wills and powers. The Master’s taunts are cruel, reminding Hal of the lives lost along the way, twisting the knife about Charley’s sacrifice. Hal fights with everything he has, his determination bolstered by the memory of Charley and those he’s lost. Meanwhile, Bernice faces the Azathi, her intelligence and wit keeping her one step ahead of the creatures.
In the heat of the battle, Bernice finds herself isolated, cornered by a swarm of Azathi. She fights valiantly but is ultimately overwhelmed. The creatures tear at her, and in her final moments, she makes eye contact with Hal. “For Charley,” she whispers before she is consumed. Hal’s scream of anguish echoes through the tower as Bernice falls, her sacrifice adding to the mounting toll.
The devastation of Bernice’s death gives Hal the strength to push through. He confronts the Master at the heart of the tower, where the portal pulses with dark energy. In a final, desperate move, Hal plunges himself into the portal’s energy core, disrupting the connection between the dimensions. The tower begins to collapse around them, the power of the Azathi imploding. The Master, caught in his own hubris, is consumed by the collapsing portal, screaming as he is dragged into oblivion.
The tower crumbles, and in the aftermath, it’s assumed that Hal died along with the Master. The world mourns the sacrifices made by the Governments, army and many others, but they do not know of Hal, Charley and Bernice, all the while London begins to rebuild.
The next scene takes place at Charley’s funeral, a sombre affair on a grey, rainy day. A small group of mourners, including Prime Minister Haresh Chandra, gather at the graveside. Haresh, though a figure of power, stands quietly, his respect evident. The loss of Charley, Hal, and Bernice is a blow not just to their friends but to the world.
From a distance, a mysterious figure watches the funeral. The camera stays behind the man, never revealing his face. His posture is tense, as if he doesn’t quite belong, but his presence feels significant. The scene is shot from over his shoulder, capturing the mourners as they lower Charley’s coffin into the ground. The man turns slightly, but still, his face remains obscured. As the funeral concludes, the man walks away, leaving the scene behind.
In the final moments, the scene shifts to a vast desert planet, it’s orange sands stretching endlessly under the twin suns. The wind howls, carrying with it a sense of isolation. Suddenly, a figure appears on the horizon, running across the dunes with determined strides.
It’s Hal Adams, alive.
His trench coat flutters behind him as he races across the sands, his blue shirt stained with the marks of his struggle. His face is set in determination, but there’s a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He’s not done yet.
As the camera follows him, the first notes of “Run Runaway” by Slade begin to play, the energy of the song building as Hal runs towards whatever lies ahead. The music swells and for the closing shot, we see Hal smiling as the credits roll with the final verse of the song playing over.
And that was Olympus: Incursion. Yes, Bernice and Charley are dead– upon the requests of both Lisa Bowerman and Christina Cole as they both felt that the characters had outlived their full potential. The series had a few mixed reactions, but on the whole it was generally considered that it was a great comeback story for Olympus and the ending with the revelation of Hal’s survival opens the door to future possibilities, leaving the audience on a high note despite the losses endured.
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