Many Doctor Who fans will best remember Michael Wisher for his definitive performance as Davros, creator of the Daleks. Most certainly Michael was a gifted actor, a chameleon who could transform his voice and appearance, working regularly in television and on Doctor Who during the 1970’s. Michael loved his times working on the programme and appeared in several spin-off dramas including Wartime and Shakedown. In this special production, we’ve included highlights of Michael’s original interview in 1985 and recall his life and career in the company of Nicholas Briggs, Peter Miles and Michael’s son Andrew Wisher.

Ever wondered how to marinade a Yeti?… No? Well neither had a rather bemused Nicholas Briggs until he caught up with John Leeson on location for the Doctor Who drama Downtime. Ten years earlier, it was all a lot easier for Keith Harrison when he interviewed John for the second Myth Makers. Life was simple then, you just sat down and had a nice chat about life and being the voice of K9. Now you have to run round the inside of the Doctor’s faithful robot companion, plus learn how to cook (and more importantly, how to catch) a Yeti! Well these are the ingredients, it’s all been cooking in the oven, so take your seats for dinner. Confused? Not half as much as Nick!

Back in the mid 1980’s two Nicks (Courtney & Briggs) strolled around the location for the Doctor Who story Mawdryn Undead and chatted about Nick C’s life and career. Now, parked in a little red car on the shores of Rutland Water (location for Battlefield) they find not only that it’s too cold to venture outside, but also that they are surrounded by sheep! With the aid of previously unseen footage from their original Myth Makers, Mr B delves deeper and Mr C reveals a good deal more! Nick Courtney is on top form in this extended release.

Carole Ann Ford portrayed a unique character in Doctor Who. As Susan, The Doctor’s granddaughter, she left Gallifrey with the errant Time Lord before the very first episode, An Unearthly Child. This Myth Makers combines two interviews by Nicholas Briggs, the first at Carole’s home in 1985 and the second at a London TV studio in 1996. Together they give a very personal view of the early days of Doctor Who and the effects the programme had on Carole’s life and career.

Janet Fielding played the Australian air stewardess Tegan in Doctor Who from 1980 to 1983. She started with Tom Baker and then did every Peter Davison story except his last two! Janet is a founder of Women in Film and Television UK which she ran for the first four years. When legendary London agent Marina Martin was ready to retire she recruited Janet to take over her eponymous agency. As an agent, Janet represented Paul McGann when he was offered the part of The Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who TV pilot. In 2008, she moved to Ramsgate and started Project MotorHouse, which is a charity and social enterprise that works with local youths and specialises in photographic projects. This unique Myth Makers combines two interviews recorded with Janet in 1985 and 2020.

Undoubtedly, Nicola Bryant’s portrayal of Perpugilliam Brown has become one of the most popular assistants in the history of Doctor Who. When Nicholas Briggs first talked to Nicola in 1985, Doctor Who had been cancelled (for the first time) and its future was uncertain. Eleven years later in 1996, they met again to discuss her last season in the programme and life after Doctor Who. Both interviews are combined in this Myth Makers, giving us a fascinating insight into Nicola’s evolving life and career.

Wendy Padbury first appeared in Doctor Who in the late sixties, playing the diminutive cat-suited computer expert Zoe Herriot. Now she reveals all about playing Zoe and working with Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines… not to mention Cybermen, Ice Warriors and Quarks! Wendy also talks about the 1974 West End stage play Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday in which she played one of the Doctor’s companions. Featuring location footage from the stage production of Superted and a guest appearance by Jon Pertwee as Spotty himself, this Myth Makers even tells us which Cybermnn design Wendy prefers!

Michael Craze was present during a critical period in Doctor Who’s history. If the first change of Doctor from William Hartnell to Patrick Troughton hadn’t succeeded, the programme would have failed and it’s unique formula lost forever. Combining two interviews by Nicholas Briggs, this Myth Makers draws out Michael’s memories of that time and appearing as cockney seaman Ben Jackson alongside two Doctors. In a frank and revealing programme, we even find out which Doctor was Michael’s favourite!

This Myth Makers combines two interviews with Sarah Sutton; one filmed at Harrison’s Rocks, the main location for Castrovalva; the second recorded in a London studio eight years later and featuring some familiar monsters. Sarah chats to Nicholas Briggs about working with Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Matthew Waterhouse. There are also many behind-the-scenes stories about working on Doctor Who.

Deborah Watling portrayed Victoria Waterfield during Patrick Troughton’s tenure as The Doctor. Famous for the practical jokes that went on behind the cameras, this era produced some classic Doctor Who stories and Victoria became one of the most popular of the Doctor’s companions. This Myth Makers features material shot at Monstercon in Liverpool in 1985, together with an interview recorded on location during the shooting of Downtime, the Doctor Who spin-off drama, in which Deborah re-created the part of Victoria after more than twenty five years! Deborah and her late father, Jack Watling (Professor Travers) chat to Nicholas Briggs about working together again and we feature unique behind-the-scenes material from Downtime. And, of course, there’s the odd Yeti around!

Victor Pemberton’s association with Doctor Who is long and varied. As extra, writer, script editor, producer and novelist, he is in a unique position to comment on the programme’s successes and failures – and he’s prepared to do just that! Victor certainly wouldn’t claim credit for writing the dramatic links in this Myth Makers, where he encounters a strange bewildered Nicholas Briggs and the even stranger source of a ‘plopping’ noise. In fact, this is the culmination of the ultimate kitchen sink drama – just what is outside the window? This Myth Makers combines two interviews with Victor, the first shot on location at his country home in Essex and the latest at studios in London.

Doctor Who fans fondly remember the late Ian Marter as the charming, bumbling Harry Sullivan. The man behind the character was equally as likeable, but many times more sharp witted. As Nicholas Briggs and Ian walk and talk their way through locations for Terror of the Zygons, you’ll learn of Ian’s life as a prolific writer and actor. This is an extended version of the Myth Makers recorded in 1986, with a special introduction by Ian’s close friend Nicholas Courtney.

In 1987, when Nicholas Briggs first interviewed John Levene, it was a hot summer’s day in Richmond Park. John had begun a career in audio-visual presentation and was looking forward to a new chapter in his life. Eight years later John had moved to the USA and was living with his partner Jenny. He was now hosting gala charity events and looking to continue his acting career. During all this time there have been two constants in his life, Doctor Who and his irrepressible sense of humour. Nick managed to catch John on one of his rare visits to the UK and they take up the story so far including Wartime and Return to Devil’s End.

Peter Grimwade started his career at the BBC as a production assistant during the early 1970s and worked on three of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor Who stories. He went on to direct Doctor Who in the early 1980’s with Logopolis and Earthshock winning major fan awards. He then moved on successfully to script-writing with Mawdryn Undead and Planet of Fire which he successfully turned into novels for Virgin Publishing. Peter died in 1990, cutting short his life and a promising career. This Myth Makers release is dedicated to him.

Jon Pertwee was quite simply a star. From vaudeville, through theatre, radio in The Navy Lark, films, records and television, including Doctor Who and Worzel Gummidge, he entertained audiences worldwide for over fifty years. Recorded at Jon’s home in 1989, this interview by Nicholas Briggs provides the most comprehensive visual biography of this talented and versatile entertainer ever recorded. This is not a tribute… it’s a personal testament.

During the early 1970’s the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT) featured heavily in Doctor Who. Captain Mike Yates joined the ‘three man army’ during Terror of the Autons and was a regular cast member right through the Jon Pertwee era. Richard Franklin’s portrayal of the young and idealistic army officer was an instant success with viewers and eventually led to Mike Yates playing a pivotal role in both Invasion of the Dinosaurs and Planet of the Spiders. This Myth Makers consists two interviews with Richard, the first shot on location at his former Yorkshire home in 1989 and the second in studios in 1996. Mind you, Nicholas Briggs did have to persuade Richard to participate…

Ask Doctor Who fans their favourite Doctor is and the majority are likely to name Tom Baker’s portrayal above all others. Much of Tom’s popularity has been fuelled by his reticence to appears in public or discuss his time in the programme. Little is actually known about the man or his memories of being the longest running Time Lord troubleshooter. At last this has changed. In an exclusive interview by Nicholas Briggs, at the location used for The Android Invasion, Tom discusses frankly his life and career.

Intrepid Nicholas Briggs delves into Doctor Who Magazine’s past, studies its production and looks to the future. Along the way he talks to editor John Freeman, artists John Ridgway and Lee Sullivan, long term contributor Gary Russell and many more. This is a fascinating look at a unique publication in its 10th year, covering every aspect of its production and development.

Colin Baker is walking his dog and Nicholas Briggs is shopping, when they are both teleported to a strangely familiar location by a mysterious alien being… Whilst on their adventure, Colin talks to Nick about his long and varied acting career, including his casting as the sixth Doctor. In a frank and revealing discussion, Colin reveals much of his joys and frustrations while working on the series and the truth behind the programme’s cancellation and his eventual departure. Take this opportunity to meet this charming and witty man as our story unfolds… and just what is a ‘time-cone inverter’?

We travel to Brighton with Nicholas Briggs to catch up with David Banks, the man behind the Cyberleader mask. We find out how in 1982 David set about popularising the Cybermen after their seven year absence from Doctor Who. Shot on location at the Theatre Royal, this Myth Makers also gives a glimpse behind the scenes of Doctor Who: The Ultimate Adventure in which David played Karl the mercenary leader. We find out about some of the problems that arise when you bring the famous Time Lord off the television screen and onto the stage.

Mary was beginning to get very tired of sitting on the bank, and of having nothing to do… So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy) whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. There was nothing so very remarkable in that, but it began one of Mary Tamm’s most extraordinary experiences. In the company of Nicholas Briggs and others she talks of her time travelling in the TARDIS while around her a curiously familiar sequence of events unfolds…

John Nathan-Turner was the longest serving and probably the most well known producer Doctor Who has had. From the production of the last Tom Baker season in 1979 to Sylvester McCoy’s third and last in 1989, John oversaw one of the most controversial periods in the programme’s history. At locations used for The Curse of Fenric, John chats to Nicholas Briggs about his career, his ten year stint as producer, the casting of three Doctors… and puts the record straight about the reasons behind Doctor Who’s cancellation. John died in May 2002 and this release is dedicated to him.

Although she didn’t know where the TARDIS would go, Ace always knew what she wanted to do when it got there. For her Myth Makers, Sophie Aldred knew precisely where she was going, but that was about all. Nicholas Briggs has no idea about anything as Sophie takes him on a trip through South East London where she was born and brought up. No-one has any idea what will happen… a situation The Doctor would have loved. Don’t miss this original and dynamic production, which is (perhaps) an apt description of Sophie Aldred herself…

Dorothea (Dodo) Chaplet had a far greater impact than her brief time as The Doctor’s assistant would suggest. She was brash, outspoken with disobedient traits that the first Doctor, William Hartnell, was to curb but never tame. Perhaps her looks were not the only thing that reminded him of his granddaughter… In a virtual TARDIS, Jackie recounts to Nicholas Briggs her memories of those pioneering days of television working on Doctor Who and her career after leaving the acting profession to found Advoice, an agency for voiceover artists.

Producer Barry Letts and Script Editor Terrance Dicks were the creative force that shaped Jon Pertwee’s era as The Doctor. This unique behind-the-scenes partnership brought the programme some of its highest viewing figures. The enthusiasm of Letts & Dicks for Doctor Who remains undiminished as they talk with passion, humour and candour to Nicholas Briggs about their work on the programme during the early 1970s.

The South Pole, the Moon, Atlantis and even Gatwick Airport are just some of the places visited by Polly, the archetypal Doctor Who dolly-bird. Anneke Wills is almost as well travelled as the character she portrayed, Nicholas Briggs managed to catch up with her in Norfolk to talk about the past as Anneke begins a new chapter in her life.

Louise Jameson is one of the most accomplished and successful people to have portrayed an assistant in Doctor Who. As Leela, a warrior of the Sevateem tribe, she accompanied Tom Baker in some of the most popular Doctor Who stories. Nicholas Briggs joins Louise on a trip through Victorian England where they discuss, amongst other things, her fight to keep Leela’s character intact after her first story The Face of Evil We also feature the many faces of Louise the actress, including readings from Virgin Books Doctor Who novelisations.

How can a personality like Sylvester McCoy be contained within the format of Myth Makers? Point the camera at him and say ‘Action!’ During a non-stop trek around the location for the Doctor Who story Battlefield, Sylvester gives us a hysterical history tour of his life and career. As always, Nicholas Briggs is there to ask the questions – but this time he’s so enthralled by Sylvester’s incredible story that he has to rely on emergency questions supplied by his Ace production assistant Sophie Aldred! And which famous, splendid, military fellow from Doctor Who awaits the team at journey’s end for a pint? Find out in a production that’s every bit as entertaining and unpredictable as Sylvester McCoy himself!

For the first time ever, Myth Makers decided to shoot a second interview with one of its subjects. Last time, Nicholas Briggs found he had so much to discuss with Barry and Terrance about their time on Doctor Who that he ran out of time! So here, just as packed with information and lively debate as Part 1, we continue the story… so far.

Nicholas Briggs takes Caroline John on a whirlwind trip back to locations used in Doctor Who… unfortunately she doesn’t recognise them! That aside it went well. Nick got to see Southall, Surrey and Buckinghamshire and Caroline remembered what it was like filming Doctor Who… and everyone got wet. Somewhere between the A3 and M40, Nick managed to quiz Caroline about her casting as scientist Liz Shaw and working with Jon Pertwee. They even found someone who remembered filming Doctor Who in a quarry 35 years ago!

Frazer Hines is one of the most well-known and popular actors to have appeared on television, best known for his roles as Joe Sudden in Emmerdale and his three year stint as Jamie McCrimmon in Doctor Who. From his former home in Yorkshire, Frazer chats to Nicholas Briggs about his long and successful career and discusses his other great passion – horses. Together with exclusive 8mm film shot on a Doctor Who location by Frazer and his own personal Doctor Who Digest… dare you miss this Myth Makers?

Peter Purves is instantly recognised by millions as a presenter of children’s and factual television programmes, the most famous being Blue Peter. What most people don’t know is that Peter spent many years as an actor before Blue Peter changed his life. One of those acting parts was as Steven Taylor in Doctor Who. In his country home, Peter chats to Nicholas Briggs about his long and varied career including: his casting in Doctor Who, his frustration as Steven’s character was watered down, working with William Hartnell and life as a producer in his own right.

After fifty years ‘in the business’ William Russell may well have thought he’d seen it all… but not a Myth Makers! As William travels around London with Nicholas Briggs to the few locations used in the early years of Doctor Who, Nick draws out William’s memories of working with Jacqueline Hill, Carole Ann Ford and William Hartnell at the very beginning of the world’s longest running science fiction series. Admittedly it was an unusual means of transport… but at least they didn’t have to pay a fare!

Directly involved in creating the very basis of the programme’s success and steering it through the first years of production. In this rare interview, Nicholas Briggs chats to Verity about the challenges and limitations involved in producing such a technically difficult programme in the early 1960’s and the behind-the-scenes struggles she faced to get Doctor Who on air the way she believed it should be. This is a Myth Makers every Doctor Who fan should have.

Those who worked with her fondly remember Jacqueline Hill as a kind and generous colleague. She had a long and varied career and as Barbara Wright she played one of the original TARDIS crew who put Doctor Who firmly on the road to success. We talk to Carole Ann Ford, William Russell, Maureen O’Brien, Verity Lambert and Jacqueline’s husband Alvin Rakoff about a remarkable woman. We also feature rare footage of Jacqueline at DWAS Social 5 held in 1985. Technical details, RTP 0148

When TURLOUGH first appeared alongside PETER DAVISON's Doctor in MAWDRYN UNDEAD he was out to kill him - not the best start as a DOCTOR WHO assistant! But over the next ten stories MARK STRICKSON managed to steer this most complicated of characters through an equally intricate series of storylines to become a firm favourite with fans. Given MARK's ability to deal with challenges, it's lucky he's with NICHOLAS BRIGGS as they return to the location used for THE AWAKENING. Because while chatting about MARK's career and his time in DOCTOR WHO they are pursued by an echo from the past - and it's getting closer!

Roger Delgado appeared in only eight Doctor Who stories, but today he is fondly remembered as creating one of the most exciting characters to grace the series. As The Master, Roger was the perfect nemesis for Jon Pertwee’s Doctor and in this special Myth Makers many of the team from that era, including Jon Pertwee, Nicholas Courtney, Barry Letts, Paul Bernard and Shaun Sutton, recall Roger’s time in the show and his career in television and films.

Directing any television programme is demanding enough, Doctor Who brings its own special challenges. Between them, Christopher Barry and Paul Bernard have directed thirteen stories in the BBCtv series and worked with four Doctors. Here, in this special Myth Makers, they talk about their careers in television and share memories of working on Doctor Who. Since recording his interview Paul Bernard has sadly died. This production is respectfully dedicated to him.

Until this Myth Makers, most Doctor Who fans (when asked about Katy Manning) would have said, ’Where is she?’ Well we found her, and what’s more, we dragged her onto the set of Lust in Space to make a guest appearance. And being the practical people we were (and are!), we thought it wise to record a Myth Makers at the same time. So that’s what we did. And here it is!

During his long and varied career, Shaun Sutton has been an actor, writer, producer, director and ultimately Head of BBCtv Drama for twelve years. He was there when William Hartnell left the series and was instrumental in casting Patrick Troughton as his successor. Three years later he was still there to help in the choice of Jon Pertwee as the third Doctor! He was even there when Tom Baker joined the programme… He and Sidney Newman oversaw what is now called ‘the golden age of television…’ it was certainly the golden age of Doctor Who. Shaun shares with Nicholas Briggs his unique experiences in television production at the BBC and on Doctor Who in particular.

If there is one designer who contributed most to the early success of Doctor Who it was surely Raymond Cusick. Ray worked on ten Doctor Who stories and created some of the most stunning designs ever seen in the series. Nicholas Briggs chats to Ray about his career and uncovers the creative talent that gave us such classic monsters as the Daleks and Mechanoids!

Derrick Sherwin joined the Doctor Who production office during the latter days of Patrick Troughton’s tenure as the second Doctor. As Story Editor, Script Editor and eventually Producer, he became deeply involved in the planning of the changeover from Patrick to Jon Pertwee – the third Doctor. In this fascinating Myth Makers, Nicholas Briggs uncovers the quite detailed planning that went into the changeover, the creation of UNIT and the fact that the switch to Earthbound stories would have gone ahead even if Patrick had stayed!

As the very first Doctor, William Hartnell created the character that made Doctor Who a success. No other actor made such a lasting contribution to the programme or influenced it so greatly. In this special Myth Makers, Nicholas Briggs meets William’s friends, colleagues and family and explores the personality of this shy, complex and private man. With contributions from William Russell, Carole Ann Ford, Maureen O’Brien, Peter Purves, Verity Lambert, Michael Craze, Anneke Wills, Donald Tosh, Christopher Barry and a revealing interview with Jack Pitt, who was an extra in Doctor Who and shared William’s flat in London. Also featured is Jessica Carney, who has written a biography of the grandfather’s life titled Who’s There? This is not just a Myth Makers tribute… it’s almost a chance to meet the man himself.

Donald Tosh joined the Doctor Who production team as Script Editor (then titled Story Editor) in 1965. He and John Wiles faced the formidable task of taking over from Verity Lambert and building on the success she had made the series. Thrown in ‘at the deep end’, Donald found himself faced with a cast under pressure as William Hartnell’s health deteriorated and his performance suffered. Despite these problems, Donald supervised some memorable stories including Galaxy 4 and The Dalek’s Master Plan. He was also the first to consider ways of writing William out of the series…

Who might you ask is Jack Pitt? He was actually one of the extras who inhabited the legion of monsters seen in Doctor Who during the William Hartnell era of Doctor Who. His memories of the early days of television and (more importantly) squeezing into Venom Grubs and Mechanoids are both evocative and humorous. But what Jack really brings to Myth Makers is a personal insight into William Hartnell’s life. For eighteen months Jack shared digs with William and this gave him a unique view of a pivotal point in both William Hartnell’s career and in Doctor Who history. Nicholas Briggs reminisces with Jack about Doctor Who in the 1960’s and uncovers some surprising facts…

In the early days of television designers were experimenting in ways that are difficult to comprehend today. In this Myth Makers, Nicholas Briggs chats to Barry Newbery about the challenges this brought and the change to colour pictures in the late 1960’s. Off and on, Barry worked on Doctor Who for over 20 years, from the very first story right through to The Awakening in 1984. He has a unique view of the programme’s history. Jam packed with rare drawings and photographs, this is vintage Myth Makers!

Through a variety of different owners, editors, writers, artists and contributors - Doctor Who Magazine (DWM) has reviewed, analysed, supported and created new fiction about DOCTOR WHO for 20 years. Reeltime’s cameras were at City University for DWM’s ‘20th Birthday Bash’ where Nicholas Briggs managed to corner Gary Gillatt, Dez Skin, J. Jeremy Bentham, Andrew Pixley, Gary Russell and guest editor Sophie Aldred to discuss the magazine's successes and failures and what the future may hold.

In the seventies, Graeme worked as an Assistant Floor Manager at the BBC and worked on three Jon Pertwee Doctor Who adventures, Colony in Space, Planet of the Daleks and Planet of the Spiders. He was also Production Assistant on the highly regarded Tom Baker stories The Seeds of Doom and Warriors’ Gate, working with directors like Douglas Camfield and Michael Briant. In between assignments on Eastenders and Grange Hill, Graeme took time out to discuss his career with Nicholas Briggs. In a lively discussion, Graeme talks about his career at the BBC, his hopes for the future, and reveals all about the aborted 30th anniversary special The Dark Dimension.