BBC Strike in 1979 Left Doctor Who's 'Shada' Unfinished; Completed in 2017
In 1979, the BBC produced a Doctor Who episode named 'Shada' in Cambridge, crafted by Douglas Adams and starring Tom Baker as the fourth Doctor. The storyline features the Doctor, his companion Romana, and Professor Chronotis as they face the alien Skagra. Filming took place at Emmanuel College, Clare College, and Grantchester Meadow after St John's College refused permission. Tom Baker had difficulties with punting, even falling into the Cam, and a Clare College porter provided him with blankets and brandy. Due to a BBC strike, studio scenes were never finished, leading to the episodes being shelved and attaining a legendary status. In 1983, Baker opted not to participate in 'The Five Doctors.' In 2017, Baker and Lalla Ward recorded missing dialogue, resulting in a partially animated release. A BBC Sounds documentary titled Doctor Who: Lost in Cambridge delves into these occurrences.
Key facts
- Doctor Who story 'Shada' was written by Douglas Adams and filmed in Cambridge in 1979.
- Tom Baker starred as the fourth Doctor; Lalla Ward played companion Romana.
- St John's College denied filming permission, so scenes were shot at Emmanuel and Clare colleges and Grantchester Meadow.
- A BBC strike prevented completion of studio scenes in London, leading to the story's abandonment.
- The unfinished episodes were intended for the end of the show's 17th series.
- Fragments of Shada were later used in the 1983 20th-anniversary special 'The Five Doctors' after Tom Baker declined to appear.
- Baker and Ward recorded missing dialogue in 2017, and the story was released with new animation.
- A BBC Sounds documentary, Doctor Who: Lost in Cambridge, features interviews about the production.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Baker
- Douglas Adams
- Marcus Hearn
- Lalla Ward
- Richard Bignell
- Les McCallum
- John Nathan-Turner
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC Sounds
- Doctor Who Magazine
- Clare College
- St John's College
- Emmanuel College
- University of Cambridge
Locations
- Cambridge
- United Kingdom
- Essex
- London
- Grantchester Meadow
- River Cam