Last updated 24 March 2024


Episode One

Series Episode Number: 279

World Premiere: Sat 2 Jan 1971 - 5:15pm BST [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Wed 22 Oct 1975 - 6:30pm CDT [WTTW 11 Chicago]
Running Time: 24 minutes 36 seconds

7.30 Million (UK)


Chart Position: 78 () (UK)

Recorded on Sat 10 Oct 1970 in Television Centre 8
Archive State: PAL Restor



The Master, a renegade Time Lord and a rival of the Doctor's, arrives on Earth and paves the way for an invasion by the insidious Nestene Consciousness.


Production Team hide uncredited
WriterRobert Holmes
DirectorBarry Letts (uncredited)
ProducerBarry Letts
DesignerIan Watson
Script EditorTerrance Dicks
Special SoundBrian Hodgson
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Studio LightingEric Monk
Studio SoundColin Dixon
CostumesKen Trew
Make-upJan Harrison
Visual Effects DesignerMichaeljohn Harris
Film CameramanJohn Baker
Film EditorGeoffrey Botterill
With thanks toRobert Brothers
Incidental MusicDudley Simpson
Title MusicRon Grainer
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Production AssistantNicholas John (uncredited)
Production AssistantMargot Hayhoe (uncredited)Info
Technical ManagerRay Hider (uncredited)
Vision MixerShirley Coward (uncredited)
Grams OperatorLinton Howell-Hughes (uncredited)
Effects AssistantPeter Pegrum (uncredited)
Inlay OperatorAlan Rixon (uncredited)
Props BuyerMaurice Watson (uncredited)
Assistant Floor ManagerBruce Best (uncredited)
Floor AssistantEdward Pugh (uncredited)
AssistantRita Dunn (uncredited)
Pre-Production SecretaryPenny Forster (uncredited)
Facilities BookerJennie Betts (uncredited)
Artist BookingSybil Cave (uncredited)
Production SecretarySarah Newman (uncredited)
Title Music ArrangerDelia Derbyshire (uncredited)
Title SequenceBernard Lodge (uncredited)