Doctor Who (season 21)


The twenty-first season of British science fiction television series Doctor Who began on 5 January 1984 with the 5th Doctor serial Warriors of the Deep, and ended with Colin Baker's first serial The Twin Dilemma. For only the second time, the entire TARDIS crew changed over the course of a single season.

Casting

Main cast

makes his final regular appearance as the Doctor in The Caves of Androzani. Colin Baker makes his first full appearance as the Doctor in the final serial The Twin Dilemma.

Companions

and Mark Strickson continue their roles as the Fifth Doctor's companions for their final season, Janet Fielding leaves in Resurrection of the Daleks and Mark Strickson departs in Planet of Fire. New companion Peri Brown played by Nicola Bryant makes her first appearance in Planet of Fire.
The Shape-shifting Android Companion Kamelion, played by Gerald Flood, makes his second and final appearance in Planet of Fire, though the character itself – along with other Fifth Doctor companions who left by this story – all make illusionary cameos as the Doctor regenerates at the climax of The Caves of Androzani.

Recurring stars

Anthony Ainley returns yet again in Planet of Fire as the Master, which was intended to be his final appearance. Ainley, like other departed fifth Doctor companions make illusionary cameos as the Doctor regenerates.

Guest stars

makes his first appearance since Destiny of the Daleks this time played by Terry Molloy.

Serials

Episodes were broadcast twice weekly on Thursday and Friday evenings, with Resurrection of the Daleks broadcast on two consecutive Wednesday nights.
Resurrection of the Daleks was planned as a standard four-parter. However, the BBC's coverage of the 1984 Winter Olympics meant that Doctor Who's normal timeslot was unavailable. Rather than delay broadcasting the story, the decision was taken to produce it as a pair of double length episodes and broadcast it in the unfamiliar Wednesday timeslot.
The Caves of Androzani was the first time since Season 4's The Tenth Planet that the introduction of a new Doctor had taken place before the final serial of the season.




Production

During this season, the title card was slightly modified for the final serial The Twin Dilemma, and continued during Colin Baker's reign as the Sixth Doctor until the end of the season 23 14 episode epic The Trial of a Time Lord.

Broadcast

The entire season was broadcast from 5 January to 30 March 1984. Transmission moved to Thursdays and Fridays, except for Resurrection of the Daleks which was aired in two double-length episodes on Wednesdays.

Home media

VHS releases

DVD and Blu-ray releases

In print

Serial nameNovelisation titleAuthorFirst published
Warriors of the DeepWarriors of the DeepTerrance Dicks24 May 1984
The AwakeningThe AwakeningEric Pringle14 February 1985
FrontiosFrontiosChristopher H. Bidmead20 September 1984
Resurrection of the DaleksResurrection of the DaleksEric Saward18 July 2019
Planet of FirePlanet of FirePeter Grimwade18 October 1984
The Caves of AndrozaniThe Caves of AndrozaniTerrance Dicks15 November 1984
The Twin DilemmaThe Twin DilemmaEric Saward10 October 1985