Last updated 17 August 2023


Part Three

Series Episode Number: 486

World Premiere: Sat 14 Oct 1978 - 6:21pm BST [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Fri 29 Dec 2000 - 10:30pm CST [Prairie Public Television]
Running Time: 25 minutes 47 seconds

8.20 Million (UK)

Appreciation Index: 64 (UK)

Chart Position: 44 () (UK)

Recorded on Sat 03 Jun 1978 in Television Centre 6



The Doctor has discovered the sinister truth about Zanak and solved the mystery of the missing planet. On the Bridge, the Doctor meets the real ruler of Zanak.

Characters hide uncredited
Doctor WhoTom Baker
RomanaMary Tamm
CaptainBruce Purchase
Mr. FibuliAndrew Robertson
NurseRosalind Lloyd
KimusDavid Warwick
MulaPrimi Townsend
PralixDavid Sibley
MentiadBernard Finch
Guard (Pirate Planet)Adam Kurakin
Voice of K-9John Leeson
Guard (Pirate Planet)Barry Hayes (uncredited)
Guard (Pirate Planet)Billy Hughes (uncredited)
Guard (Pirate Planet)Gary Dean (uncredited)
Queen XanxiaVi Delmar (uncredited)
MentiadTony Hayes (uncredited)
MentiadJames Charlton (uncredited)
MentiadJeff Wayne (uncredited)
MentiadRay Knight (uncredited)
MentiadBrychan Powell (uncredited)
MentiadColin Thomas (uncredited)
MentiadClive Rogers (uncredited)
MentiadPeter Whitaker (uncredited)
MentiadDerek Southern (uncredited)
Technician (Pirate Planet)John Cannon (uncredited)
Technician (Pirate Planet)Clinton Morris (uncredited)
Technician (Pirate Planet)Reg Turner (uncredited)
Technician (Pirate Planet)Gus Roy (uncredited)
Technician (Pirate Planet)John Moore (uncredited)
Production Teamhide uncredited
WriterDouglas Adams
DirectorPennant Roberts
ProducerGraham Williams
DesignerJohn Pusey
Script EditorAnthony Read
Studio LightingMike Jefferies
Studio SoundMike Jones
Costume DesignerL Rowland-Warne
Makeup ArtistJanis Gould
Visual Effects DesignerColin Mapson
Electronic Effects OperatorDave Chapman
Videotape EditorRod Waldron
Film CameramanElmer Cossey
Film SoundDoug Mawson
Film EditorJohn Dunstan
Production AssistantMichael Owen Morris
Production Unit ManagerJohn Nathan-Turner
Incidental MusicDudley Simpson
Special SoundDick Mills
Assistant Floor ManagerRuth Mayorcas (uncredited)
Title Music ArrangerDelia Derbyshire (uncredited)
Title SequenceBernard Lodge (uncredited)
Vision MixerSue Thorne (uncredited)
Senior CameramanSpencer Payne (uncredited)
Grams OperatorIan Tomlin (uncredited)
Floor AssistantPeter Leslie (uncredited)
Director's AssistantHazel Marriot (uncredited)
Film Operations ManagerIan Brindle (uncredited)
K9 OperatorNigel Brackley (uncredited)
Title Music BBC Radiophonic Workshop (uncredited)
Technical Manager (TM2)Tony Bate (uncredited)
Assistant Sound RecordistNorman Johnstone (uncredited)
Assistant Film CameramanBrian Hall (uncredited)
Visual Effects AssistantChris Lawson (uncredited)
Design AssistantPeter Higgins (uncredited)
Makeup ArtistLinda Burr (uncredited)
Makeup ArtistMiranda Davidson (uncredited)
Makeup ArtistSally Millican (uncredited)
Makeup ArtistCatherine Whitfield (uncredited)
Title MusicRon Grainer (uncredited)