Atlantis is a British fantasy-adventure television series based on Greek mythology that was created by Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy in collaboration with Howard Overman. It debuted on BBC One on September 28, 2013. In the program, submarine pilot Jason washes up on the shores of mythical Atlantis and must negotiate the fabled realm’s strong lords.
Atlantis was the most popular new Saturday night drama series premiere across all BBC channels since 2006, surpassing the debut of blockbuster show Merlin. It also managed to divert 1 million people away from the hugely popular ITV show The X Factor, which aired at the same time in the United Kingdom.
In the present day, Jason, the show’s protagonist, operates a one-man submarine to investigate a deep water disturbance that resulted in his father’s disappearance when he was a boy. When he finds the location, the submarine begins to malfunction and he is drawn towards white light. He awakens on the shores of Atlantis, a conventional nation governed by King Minos and his power-hungry, manipulative wife, Queen Pasiphae.
He is provided sanctuary by a couple of unfortunate and mostly unemployed locals: Pythagoras, a young academic who appreciates beautiful triangles, and Hercules, a fat, ex-prize boxer who spends much of his time in bars drinking and gambling. As they live the Greek mythology and strive to do good and defend the innocent, the three of them confront monsters, gods, and demigods.
Along the journey, they gain supporters such as Medusa, a palace maid; Ariadne, the King’s daughter and heir to the throne; and a mysterious Oracle, who appears unsurprised by Jason’s appearance. If Jason remains on the correct road, the Oracle forecasts a world-changing destiny.
