Myth Makers

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

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.

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’?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.