Last updated 24 March 2024


Part One

Series Episode Number: 436

World Premiere: Sat 30 Oct 1976 - 6:09pm GMT [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Thu 15 May 1980 - 5:30pm CDT [WTTW 11 Chicago]
Running Time: 21 minutes 13 seconds

11.80 Million (UK)


Chart Position: 15 () (UK)

Recorded on Tue 07 Sep 1976 in TC3



The Doctor answers a summons to return home to Gallifrey and races to prevent a tragedy as the outgoing Time Lord president prepares to announce his successor.


Characters hide uncredited
Doctor WhoTom Baker
The PresidentLlewellyn Rees
Chancellor GothBernard Horsfall
Castellan SpandrellGeorge Pravda
Cardinal BorusaAngus MacKay
The MasterPeter Pratt
Commentator RuncibleHugh Walters
Co ordinator EnginErik Chitty
Commander HilredDerek Seaton
Gold UsherMaurice Quick
Time LordJohn Dawson
Time LordMichael Bilton
Camera TechnicianBryan Nolan (uncredited)
Time LordJim Delaney (uncredited)
Time LordAlf Coster (uncredited)
Time LordChristopher Woods (uncredited)
Time LordGarth Watkins (uncredited)
Time LordGeorge Romanov (uncredited)
Time LordGeoffrey Witherick (uncredited)
Time LordJames Linton (uncredited)
Time LordLeslie Bates (uncredited)
Time LordMichael Earl (uncredited)
Time LordReg Cranfield (uncredited)
Time LordRichard King (uncredited)
Time LordRonald Mayor (uncredited)
Time LordSonnie Willis (uncredited)
Time LordTerry Sartain (uncredited)
Time LordWalter Henry (uncredited)
Time LordWilly Bowman (uncredited)
Chancellery GuardHarry Fielder (uncredited)
Chancellery GuardMichael Lomax (uncredited)
Chancellery GuardPat Gorman (uncredited)
Chancellery GuardSteve Ismay (uncredited)
Tannoy VoiceDerek Seaton
Tranagram VoiceHelen Blatch (uncredited)