science fiction television
Science fiction first appeared in television programming in the late 1930s, during what is called the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary ...
The Five Doctors
''The Five Doctors'' is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chica ...
'', followed in November 1983.
John Nathan-Turner
John Nathan-Turner ('' né'' Turner; 12 August 1947 – 1 May 2002) was an English television producer. He was the ninth producer of the long-running BBC science fiction series '' Doctor Who''. He was also the final producer of the series' fi ...
produced this series, with Eric Saward script editing.
Janet Fielding
Janet Fielding (born Janet Claire Mahoney; 9 September 1953) is an Australian actress who starred in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'' as companion Tegan Jovanka.
Early life and career
Fielding was born in Brisbane. A ...
as
Tegan Jovanka
Tegan Jovanka is a fictional character played by Janet Fielding in the long-running British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. An Australian airline stewardess and a native of Brisbane who was a companion of the Fourth and Fif ...
First Doctor
The First Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor William Hartnell.
Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien T ...
*
Patrick Troughton
Patrick George Troughton (; 25 March 1920 – 28 March 1987) was an English actor who was classically trained for the stage but became known for his roles in television and film. His work included appearances in several fantasy, science fiction ...
as the
Second Doctor
The Second Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor Patrick Troughton. While the Troughton era of ''Doctor Who'' is well-remembered by fans ...
*
Jon Pertwee
John Devon Roland "Jon" Pertwee (; 7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996) was an English actor, comedian, entertainer, cabaret performer and TV presenter. Born into a theatrical family, he served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during ...
as the
Third Doctor
The Third Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor Jon Pertwee. Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien Time Lor ...
*
Carole Ann Ford
Carole Ann Lillian Ford ( Higgins; born 16 June 1940) is a British actress best known for her roles as Susan Foreman in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', and as Bettina in the 1962 film adaptation of ''The Day of the ...
as
Susan Foreman
Susan Foreman (also known as Susan Campbell in spin-off media) is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. The granddaughter and original companion of the First Doctor, she was played by actress C ...
*
Nicholas Courtney
William Nicholas Stone Courtney (16 December 1929 – 22 February 2011) was an Egyptian-born British actor. He was known for his long-running role as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''.
...
as
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, generally referred to simply as the Brigadier, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', created by writers Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln and p ...
*
Elisabeth Sladen
Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen (1 February 1946 – 19 April 2011) was an English actress. She became best known as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series '' Doctor Who'', appearing as a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976, alongsid ...
as
Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane Smith is a fictional character played by Elisabeth Sladen in the long-running BBC Television science fiction series ''Doctor Who'' and two of its spin-offs. Sarah Jane is a dogged investigative journalist who first encounters alien t ...
Peter Davison continues as the Doctor, accompanied by
Tegan Jovanka
Tegan Jovanka is a fictional character played by Janet Fielding in the long-running British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. An Australian airline stewardess and a native of Brisbane who was a companion of the Fourth and Fif ...
(
Janet Fielding
Janet Fielding (born Janet Claire Mahoney; 9 September 1953) is an Australian actress who starred in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'' as companion Tegan Jovanka.
Early life and career
Fielding was born in Brisbane. A ...
Mawdryn Undead
''Mawdryn Undead'' is the third serial of the 20th season of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts on BBC1 from 1 to 9 February 1983.
The serial is set in an En ...
''. In the penultimate serial of the season, the shape-shifting
android
Android may refer to:
Science and technology
* Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human
* Android (operating system), Google's mobile operating system
** Bugdroid, a Google mascot sometimes referred to ...
Kamelion (voiced by Gerald Flood) is invited aboard the TARDIS after the Doctor frees him from the Master. Kamelion accepts, though the character itself would only be seen again in Season 21's antepenultimate serial, '' Planet of Fire''.
Past Doctors return for the 20th Anniversary special, with
Patrick Troughton
Patrick George Troughton (; 25 March 1920 – 28 March 1987) was an English actor who was classically trained for the stage but became known for his roles in television and film. His work included appearances in several fantasy, science fiction ...
and
Jon Pertwee
John Devon Roland "Jon" Pertwee (; 7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996) was an English actor, comedian, entertainer, cabaret performer and TV presenter. Born into a theatrical family, he served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during ...
appearing as the
Second Doctor
The Second Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor Patrick Troughton. While the Troughton era of ''Doctor Who'' is well-remembered by fans ...
and
Third Doctor
The Third Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor Jon Pertwee. Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien Time Lor ...
. The
First Doctor
The First Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. He was portrayed by actor William Hartnell.
Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien T ...
William Hartnell
William Henry Hartnell (8 January 1908 – 23 April 1975) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the first incarnation of the Doctor in '' Doctor Who'' from 1963 to 1966. In film, Hartnell notably appeared in '' Bri ...
died in 1975.
Tom Baker
Thomas Stewart Baker (born 20 January 1934) is an English actor and writer. He is well known for his portrayal of the fourth incarnation of the Doctor in the science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'' from 1974 to 1981.Scott, Danny. ( ...
was asked to return to play the
Fourth Doctor
The Fourth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. He is portrayed by Tom Baker.
Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien Time Lord from the ...
but declined.
Past companions
Elisabeth Sladen
Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen (1 February 1946 – 19 April 2011) was an English actress. She became best known as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series '' Doctor Who'', appearing as a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976, alongsid ...
(
Sarah Jane Smith
Sarah Jane Smith is a fictional character played by Elisabeth Sladen in the long-running BBC Television science fiction series ''Doctor Who'' and two of its spin-offs. Sarah Jane is a dogged investigative journalist who first encounters alien t ...
),
Nicholas Courtney
William Nicholas Stone Courtney (16 December 1929 – 22 February 2011) was an Egyptian-born British actor. He was known for his long-running role as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''.
...
(
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, generally referred to simply as the Brigadier, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', created by writers Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln and p ...
),
Carole Ann Ford
Carole Ann Lillian Ford ( Higgins; born 16 June 1940) is a British actress best known for her roles as Susan Foreman in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', and as Bettina in the 1962 film adaptation of ''The Day of the ...
(
Susan Foreman
Susan Foreman (also known as Susan Campbell in spin-off media) is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. The granddaughter and original companion of the First Doctor, she was played by actress C ...
) return for the 20th Anniversary special, whilst
Nicholas Courtney
William Nicholas Stone Courtney (16 December 1929 – 22 February 2011) was an Egyptian-born British actor. He was known for his long-running role as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''.
...
also makes an appearance in ''
Mawdryn Undead
''Mawdryn Undead'' is the third serial of the 20th season of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts on BBC1 from 1 to 9 February 1983.
The serial is set in an En ...
The Five Doctors
''The Five Doctors'' is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chica ...
Mawdryn Undead
''Mawdryn Undead'' is the third serial of the 20th season of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts on BBC1 from 1 to 9 February 1983.
The serial is set in an En ...
Enlightenment
Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to:
Age of Enlightenment
* Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...
The Five Doctors
''The Five Doctors'' is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chica ...
''.
Guest stars
Additional companions
Jamie McCrimmon
James Robert McCrimmon, usually simply called Jamie, is a fictional character played by Frazer Hines in the long-running British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. A piper of the Clan MacLeod who lived in 18th-century Scotland ...
(
Frazer Hines
Frazer Simpson Frederick Hines (born 22 September 1944) is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor and appeared in '' A King in New York'' (1957) with Charlie Chaplin. He later played Jamie McCrimmon in '' Doctor Who'', appeari ...
Wendy Padbury
Wendy Padbury (born 7 December 1947) is a British actress and former talent agent. She has appeared in television series since 1966, including as Zoe Heriot, a companion to Patrick Troughton's Doctor in '' Doctor Who'', from 1968 to 1969.
Ea ...
),
Liz Shaw
Elizabeth "Liz" Shaw is a fictional character played by Caroline John in the long-running British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' and its spin-offs. A civilian member of UNIT, an international organisation that defends Earth fro ...
Colin Baker
Colin Baker (born 8 June 1943) is an English actor who played Paul Merroney in the BBC drama series '' The Brothers'' from 1974 to 1976 and the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series '' Doct ...
, who was subsequently cast as the
Sixth Doctor
The Sixth Doctor is an incarnation of The Doctor (Doctor Who), the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC Science fiction on television, science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. He is portrayed by Colin Baker. Although his televisual time ...
, made his first appearance in ''Doctor Who'' as Commander Maxil in the season's first serial, ''Arc of Infinity'', becoming the first actor to appear in the programme prior to taking on the role of the Doctor.
Returning villains
Returning villains for the season are
Omega
Omega (; capital: Ω, lowercase: ω; Ancient Greek ὦ, later ὦ μέγα, Modern Greek ωμέγα) is the twenty-fourth and final letter in the Greek alphabet. In the Greek numeric system/ isopsephy ( gematria), it has a value of 800. Th ...
Mawdryn Undead
''Mawdryn Undead'' is the third serial of the 20th season of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts on BBC1 from 1 to 9 February 1983.
The serial is set in an En ...
Enlightenment
Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to:
Age of Enlightenment
* Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...
''),
Cybermen
The Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs principally portrayed in the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. The Cybermen are a species of space-faring cyborgs who often forcefully and painfully convert human beings ...
Snakedance
''Snakedance'' is the second serial of the 20th season of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts on BBC1 from 18 to 26 January 1983.
The serial is set on the planet M ...
''). A lone
Dalek
The Daleks ( ) are a fictional extraterrestrial race of mutants principally portrayed in the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. They were conceived by writer Terry Nation and first appeared in the 1963 ''Doctor Who ...
The Five Doctors
''The Five Doctors'' is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'', produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chica ...
''.
Serials
To commemorate the twentieth season, the stories in this season involve the return of characters or villains seen in previous seasons. This season was broadcast twice weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on BBC1. It includes ''The Black Guardian Trilogy'', consisting of the serials ''Mawdryn Undead'', ''Terminus'' and ''Enlightenment'' and involving the arrival of Turlough, the departure of Nyssa and a single guest appearance from
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, generally referred to simply as the Brigadier, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', created by writers Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln and p ...
. Overall, these serials form a rough twelve-part epic.
Although ''The Five Doctors'' was broadcast more than eight months after Part 2 of ''The King's Demons'', which was the last regular story of the season, it is usually included as part of Season 20.
Broadcast
The entire season (including the show's 20th anniversary special ''The Five Doctors'') was broadcast from 3 January to 25 November. Transmission moved to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except for the first episode of ''Arc of Infinity''.