Last updated 24 March 2024


Part One

Series Episode Number: 546

World Premiere: Sat 31 Jan 1981 - 5:09pm GMT [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Sun 20 Dec 1981 - 11:00pm CST [WTTW 11 Chicago]
Running Time: 24 minutes 5 seconds

7.60 Million (UK)


Chart Position: 72 () (UK)

Recorded on Wed 05 Nov 1980 in Television Centre 6



The Keeper of Traken is nearing the end of his long reign. Fearing a terrible evil is about to threaten the peace and harmony of his world, he requests the Doctor's help.


Characters hide uncredited
Doctor WhoTom Baker
AdricMatthew Waterhouse
TremasAnthony Ainley
KassiaSheila Ruskin
The KeeperDenis Carey
SeronJohn Woodnutt
NyssaSarah Sutton
KaturaMargot van der Burgh
LuvicRobin Soans
NemanRoland Oliver
MelkurGeoffrey Beevers
MelkurGraham Cole (uncredited)
FosterBarry Summerford (uncredited)
FosterDonald Groves (uncredited)
FosterDouglas Roe (uncredited)
FosterFred Redford (uncredited)
FosterMaurice Connor (uncredited)
FosterRalph Morse (uncredited)
FosterTony Snell (uncredited)
TrakenAnn Higgins (uncredited)
TrakenColin Cook (uncredited)
TrakenDavid Enyon (uncredited)
TrakenJill Goldston (uncredited)
TrakenJohn Tucker (uncredited)
TrakenJoy Burnett (uncredited)
TrakenMargaret Leggett (uncredited)
TrakenMary Eveleigh (uncredited)
TrakenMary Rennie (uncredited)
TrakenStephen Whyment (uncredited)