Shanghai-based Dragon TV has begun re-airing the iconic sci-fi series "Man from Atlantis," which holds significant cultural importance for the Chinese people as the first foreign sci-fi show broadcast in China in 1980.

A still from "Man from Atlantis." [Photo courtesy of the Warner Archive]

"Man from Atlantis," an NBC prime-time series that aired from 1977 to 1978, was created by Mayo Simon and Herbert F. Solow. The series consists of 17 episodes directed by various individuals, including David Moessinger and Virgil W. Vogel, with each director typically handling one episode. The first four installments were TV movies that received high ratings, leading to the commissioning of a weekly series.

The show stars Patrick Duffy as Mark Harris, an amnesiac believed to be the last surviving citizen of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Adapted to underwater life, he has webbed hands and light-sensitive eyes and swims with the grace of a dolphin. His abilities include breathing underwater and superhuman strength. 

After being discovered, Mark joins the Foundation for Oceanic Research, where he works with Dr. Elizabeth Merrill and C.W. Crawford aboard the submarine Cetacean. Their missions encounter bizarre phenomena, including inter-dimensional portals, personality-altering substances, a creature that induces juvenile behavior, and a plot to melt the polar ice caps.

Since its debut, the series has held a unique place in the global film and television industry, with its innovative sci-fi ideas and original character designs making a lasting impact on TV and cinematic history. The show pushed the limits of the sci-fi genre, offering a useful creative guide for future works and helping to advance global sci-fi film and TV development.

For Chinese audiences, "Man from Atlantis" carries great significance. It was the first foreign sci-fi series broadcast on the Chinese mainland in 1980, stirring up cherished memories for many viewers.

"It was amazing when I saw it on TV; it was a sensational show for Chinese audiences then," said Wu Yan, a prominent Chinese sci-fi scholar, writer and professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, in an interview with China.org.cn.

He noted that "Man from Atlantis," with its standalone story format in each episode, was unique for Chinese viewers accustomed to serialized storytelling in TV shows.

"The series had a significant impact on Chinese sci-fi, generating strong reactions and positively influencing the genre's resurgence in China," Wu noted.

Dong Renwei, a renowned Chinese sci-fi writer and popular science author, also shared his impressions of the series. "It was then I realized that humans could actually live deep in the ocean, which expanded my imagination for writing science fiction," he said.

Now back on Dragon TV in a remastered format, "Man from Atlantis" allows older viewers to relive their cherished memories while introducing younger generations to the origins of sci-fi film and television. This rerun lets viewers appreciate the distinct charm of cinema and TV from different eras and supports the ongoing development of China's sci-fi film and television culture through heritage and exchange, according to a statement from Warner Bros. Discovery.

A poster for season one of "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty." [Photo courtesy of HBO Max]

Just before the rerun of "Man from Atlantis," Warner Bros. Discovery aired another popular series on Dragon TV: the NBA sports hit "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty," which highlights the Lakers' success and behind-the-scenes stories from the 1980s. This two-season series, totaling 17 episodes, began airing on the channel on Dec. 27, 2024.

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