UK, 31 January 1981-21 February 1981
4 episodes, average 25m each
videotape, colour, 4:3
mono, English
Previous Serial: Doctor Who: Warrior's Gate (1981)
Next Serial: Doctor Who: Logopolis (1981)
Series: Doctor Who (1963-1989) – series 18, episodes 21-24
A British television science fiction serial directed by John Black from scripts by Johnny Byrne. It saw the arrival of new companion Nyssa played by Sarah Sutton and also marked the return of The Master, this time played by Anthony Ainley.
Plot Summary
The Doctor is summoned by the Keeper of the Traken Union which has been invaded by an alien entity. The Keeper, nearing the end of his reign, believes that the Union is in trouble and needs The Doctor's help in rooting out the evil that has infiltrated the otherwise idyllic Traken. Things take an unexpected turn when The Doctor is accused of being the very evil he is trying to fight and behind it all lies the devious machinations of an old enemy…
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Director: John Black [parts 1-4]
© BBC MCMLXXX [1980] [parts 1-4]
Executive Producer: Barry Letts [parts 1-4]
Producer: John Nathan-Turner [parts 1-4]
Production Unit Manager: Angela Smith [parts 1-4]
[Written] By: Johnny Byrne [parts 1-4]
Script Editor: Christopher H. Bidmead [parts 1-4]
Lighting: Don Babbage [parts 1-4]
Senior Cameraman: Alec Wheal [parts 1-4]
Technical Manager: Bob Hignett [parts 1-4]
Vision Mixer: Nigel Finnis [parts 1-4]
Videotape Editor: Rod Waldron [parts 1-4]
Title Music by: Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop *
Title Music Arranged by: Peter Howell *
Incidental Music: Roger Limb [parts 1-4]
Sound: John Holmes [parts 1-4]
Special Sound: Dick Mills [parts 1-4]
Grams Operator: Andrew Hunter *
Costume Designer: Amy Roberts [parts 1-4]
Make-Up Artist: Norma Hill [parts 1-4]
Visual Effects Designer: Peter Logan [parts 1-4]
Video Effects: Dave Chapman [parts 1-4]
Title Designer: Sid Sutton [parts 1-4]
Designer: Tony Burrough [parts 1-4]
Production Assistant: Alan Wareing [parts 1-4]
Director's Assistant: Jean Davis [parts 1-4]
Assistant Floor Manager: Lynn Richards [parts 1-4]
Floor Assistant: Laura Gilbert *
Cast
Part One
Tom Baker (Doctor Who)
Matthew Waterhouse (Adric)
Anthony Ainley (Tremas)
Sheila Ruskin (Kassia)
Denis Carey (The Keeper)
John Woodnutt (Seron)
Sarah Sutton (Nyssa)
Margot Van Der Burgh (Katura)
Robin Soans (Luvic)
Roland Oliver ([Proctor] Neman)
Geoffrey Beevers (Melkur)
Part Two
Tom Baker (Doctor Who)
Matthew Waterhouse (Adric)
Anthony Ainley (Tremas)
Sheila Ruskin (Kassia)
Denis Carey (The Keeper)
John Woodnutt (Seron)
Sarah Sutton (Nyssa)
Margot Van Der Burgh (Katura)
Robin Soans (Luvic)
Roland Oliver ([Proctor] Neman)
Geoffrey Beevers (Melkur)
Part Three
Tom Baker (Doctor Who)
Matthew Waterhouse (Adric)
Anthony Ainley (Tremas)
Sheila Ruskin (Kassia)
Sarah Sutton (Nyssa)
Margot Van Der Burgh (Katura)
Robin Soans (Luvic)
Roland Oliver ([Proctor] Neman)
Liam Prendergast (foster)
Geoffrey Beevers (Melkur)
Part Four
Tom Baker (Doctor Who)
Matthew Waterhouse (Adric)
Anthony Ainley (Tremas)
Sheila Ruskin (Kassia)
Sarah Sutton (Nyssa)
Margot Van Der Burgh (Katura)
Robin Soans (Luvic)
Roland Oliver ([Proctor] Neman)
Liam Prendergast (foster)
Geoffrey Beevers (Melkur)
Uncredited
Philip Bloomfield [foster]
Maurice Connor, Michael Gordon-Browne, Pat Gorman, Donald Groves, Pat Judge, Barney Lawrence, Mark Midler, Jim Morriss, Ralph Morse, Stuart Myers, Fred Redford, Doug Roe, Tony Snell, Barry Summerford, Colin Thomas [foster extras]
Cast Gallery
Links
Extracts included in
Being Nice to Each Other: Making The Keeper of Traken (2007)
The Return of the Master (2007)
References
Books
- Doctor Who Program Guide 25th Anniverary Edition by James C. Armstrong Jr, Michael L. Brown p.65 – credits, episode list
- Doctor Who: The Television Companion by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker pp.394-397 – credits, synopsis, review
