568: The Doctor Who Production Diary - The Troughton Years

The Seventh Doctor and Ace are in trouble... big trouble. Not only are they caught up in a world where executives will do anything to improve their TV ratings, but they have a couple of other foes to stop as well. The Master and the Fleshsmiths are working together for an ulterior motive... but what can it be? Find out, as we're joined by author Mike Tucker, who discusses the themes of the novel, as well as creating the cover creature, the Fleshsmith. Also dropping in is editor Steve Cole, who played the monster! Get ready for an episode where we slightly change our usual format...

If you're a Doctor Who fan wanting to see original props, costumes and models from the show - and a lot more - then there's only one place to go. The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in the north of England hosts numerous original creations, including Broton, a Mandrel, the Garm, Mestor, and a host of other meanies. Shy and retiring exhibition creator Neil Cole joins us to tell us about his new magazine booklet, detailing the items from the first four Doctors which can be found in the displays. To order your copy, email [email protected] for more details.

As Doctor Who fans, we're used to the idea of regeneration, and that in order to get a new Doctor, the previous one has to go - and die. The Deaths of Doctor Who is a new range of books from Scottish writer Francis O'Dowd, who joins us in person to discuss the first five books in the series to date. The Doctor is the greatest hero of all time. And they die more often than most heroes. But do they die the deaths they deserve? Not all heroes have memorable or meaningful deaths of course. They can die peacefully in their sleep. Or by tripping over that loose piece of carpet on the stairs. Or as the result of an ill-advised midnight snack. But a heroic and meaningful death sees the character pushed to their very limits, to a final battle where their courage, their strength, their genius, their invulnerability are exhausted and falter. They face the enemy bare, stripped of their armour and their brilliance. And we see who they really are. From Indie Ink Awards Finalist, writer and illustrator Francis, this unofficial and unauthorised series of beautifully illustrated books asks, ‘Do each of the Doctor’s incarnations die a death befitting a hero?’ The question is more complex than you might imagine ... Find out more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Deaths-of-Doctor-Who/dp/B0FWYJSN5L

If you're anything like the regulars on this podcast, then you will love all of the minutiae of the making of Doctor Who. And, to keep us sated, the second volume of The Doctor Who Production Diary from Telos Publishing has now been released, covering The Troughton Years. Author David Brunt sent us his thoughts, which we feature, and have an in-depth chat with publisher and editor Stephen James Walker, about this volume which weighs in with more than 700 pages. And it's just £25!!!! Find out more at https://telos.co.uk/shop/doctor-who/the-doctor-who-production-diary-troughton-pb/

Snakes... on a moonbase? Yes, that's exactly what this book is about! Join us as we take a look at Gary Russell's Eleventh Doctor novel which took our favourite Time Lord to the moon (before it hatched into a space dragon), where he encountered some serpents. Find out how this book came to be, what Gary misremembered about being in the book, plus we have our usual readings from the novel and reviews too.

When you think of the name of writer Ben Steed, the chances are, you'll think of the three episodes he wrote for Blake's 7. Maybe you know his work from 80s ferry-based soap Triangle. Or, perhaps, you might remember his ITV sci-fi kids show Kappatoo. But did you know he had a script for Doctor Who under consideration for Season 21? Well, now you do! Courtesy of our friend Richard Bignell, we present Ben's story, The Circus of Destiny, with his outline brought to life by our talented team of readers. Then, we discuss the story and decide whether it was the right decision not to produce it for television. Let us know what you think!

Every now and then, along comes a Doctor Who adventure that's just scary. Grave Matter, by the late, great Justin Richards, is very much one of those novels - mysterious goings on, on an island off the coast of Britain. We welcome Justin's son Julian to talk through some of the creative process his dad had for this book, and we present details of the unpublished prologue from Grave Matter, plus other fascinating writings from the author. Plus, of course, the usual readings from the novel, with added era-authentic music!

The Toymaker has been given a lease of new life in the 21st century, after his return to TV Doctor Who in The Giggle. Brian Hayles's creation has always fascinated fans, leading to him appearing in comic strips, and, eventually, a BBC Past Doctor Adventure. We're joined by writer Gary Russell to discuss bringing back the Toymaker, pitching him against the Fifth Doctor and his TARDIS crew, putting them through the wringer, and throwing in a flashback to the First Doctor on Gallifrey for good measure!

Kenny and Dave travelled down to Derby on 5 September 2026, to attend Whooverville 17. There, they met up with regular podcast contributor Craig Brawley, and had a fantastic time at the convention, with Cybermen, bikers vs Daleks, and lots more. Here, they share their highlights - and are joined by Big Finish War Doctor Jonathon Carley too!

One of the most prolific novelists for Doctor Who during wilderness years 1.0 was David A McIntee. A writer for Virgin's New and Missing Adventures, as well as the BBC Books Past Doctor and Eighth Doctor ranges, the Scotsman was a huge fan of the Master. Sadly, David, who spoke to us several times on this podcast, passed away in December 2024, and to honour his memory, a book of original fiction has been published by Arcbeetle Press - https://www.arcbeatlepress.com/ We speak to the book's editor Hunter O'Connell, and David's widow, Lesley, about this book, I'll Think Of A Title Honest. I'll Think Of A Title Honest is available from https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Title-Honest-Lesley-McIntee/dp/B0GS6CCRSF?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE