Dimensions in Time: Difference between revisions

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Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Italic title Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Dimensions in Time is a charity television special crossover between the science fiction series Doctor Who and the soap opera EastEnders, broadcast in two parts on 26 and 27 November 1993 for Children in Need. In celebration of Doctor Who's 30th anniversary, it features every surviving actor to have played the Doctor as well as several of the character's companions. In this special, the amoral scientist the Rani (Kate O'Mara) traps various incarnations of the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee) in a time loop in Albert Square.

Doctor Who was put on hiatus in 1989. A 30th anniversary "multi-Doctor" special, The Dark Dimension, began development in mid-1992 but fell through by July 1993. In May 1993, producer John Nathan-Turner was asked to produce a Doctor Who sketch for the charity Children in Need. The script, co-written by Nathan-Turner and David Roden, went through many iterations due to the changing availability of the cast. A crossover with EastEnders was pitched to guarantee publicity for Children in Need and to allow the production to film on existing sets.

The special was filmed in 3D on location at Greenwich and the EastEnders Albert Square set in September 1993. None of the cast or crew were paid for their work due to an agreement with Equity. Dimensions in Time was universally panned by both critics and fans, with criticism aimed at the plot, special effects and cameos from the contemporary cast of EastEnders. Due to Children in Need's high licensing fees, it is unlikely to ever receive a home video release. It is not considered "canon" to the Doctor Who universe.

Plot

The Rani (Kate O'Mara) plans to trap the Doctor in a time loop in London's East End; she has already ensnared his first and second incarnations in a time tunnel. The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) warns his other incarnations.

The Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) are confused when the TARDIS lands near Cutty Sark in 1973. Time jumps and Ace finds herself in 1993 Albert Square with the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker). They speak to local resident Sanjay (Deepak Verma) and his wife Gita (Shobu Kapoor).

Following another time jump, the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford) learn from an older Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that it is 2013. Another time jump occurs. In 1973, the Sixth Doctor tells Susan Foreman (Carole Ann Ford) he feels he is being pulled backwards in time, with his companions being drawn back with him.

In 2013, Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) finds the Third Doctor after chatting with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). He deduces that an operator is utilising time distortion to trap him in a 20-year time loop of the years 1973, 1993 and 2013. The Rani releases her menagerie of alien specimens to distract the Doctor. The menagerie attack the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison), Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) in 1993, and after failing to warn Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) of the danger, the Rani stops them outside the Queen Vic.

The Fifth Doctor summons his remaining selves and becomes the Third Doctor. Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) helps Liz Shaw (Caroline John) run from the Rani. Mike Yates (Richard Franklin) arrives in the Doctor's car Bessie to take him to Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). The Third Doctor becomes the Sixth Doctor after another time jump, and says farewell to the Brigadier. At the Arches in 1993, Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) find Romana (Lalla Ward) looking for the Doctor. The Rani captures her in front of Frank Butcher (Mike Reid). The Third Doctor returns to the TARDIS with Victoria Waterfield (Deborah Watling), explaining that the Rani's control is breaking down.

The Seventh Doctor meets Leela (Louise Jameson), who has escaped from the Rani's menagerie. Alongside Ace and K9 (John Leeson), the Doctor overrides the Rani's computer by harnessing the time tunnel's power, sending the Rani into the time tunnel and freeing all the Doctor's incarnations.

Production

Background

Doctor Who was put on hiatus after the broadcast of season 26 in 1989,^[1] but its producer, John Nathan-Turner, continued to work on various Doctor Who-related BBC projects on a freelance basis.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn According to Nathan-Turner's memoir, as early as 1990 he pitched a direct-to-video Doctor Who special to mark the series' 30th anniversary in November 1993. Nathan-Turner continued pitching throughout 1991 and 1992, and on two occasions costed the project to prove it could be produced economically.Template:Sfn In a memo to Penny Mills (Head of Video Production for BBC Enterprises) on 18 February 1992, he mentioned the special alongside other proposed video releases which could commemorate the 30th anniversary year.Template:Sfn

The Dark Dimension

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". During the production and launch of the VHS release of Shada in February 1992, Tom Baker expressed his willingness to return for a new Doctor Who story.Template:Sfn Doctor Who video sales were a regular source of profit for BBC Enterprises, and on 28 May 1992 a meeting was chaired to examine a "long-term strategy for the continual exploitation of the programme". It was noted that producing an original special would "be giving something back to the fans and not just extracting money from them". Writer Adrian Rigelsford was approached and hired to develop the rough story, which at that time involved a dying Fourth Doctor uniting with a group of children to fight an ecological disaster.Template:Sfn

In early June, a meeting was convened to discuss production of a 90-minute direct-to-video Doctor Who special, with Tom Baker being the sole actor to return as the Doctor. Within a short period of time, it was suggested that the incumbent Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) could be involved; Tom Baker then proposed the involvement of all surviving actors who played the Doctor in supporting roles.Template:Efn Rigelsford completed his outline of the special, titled Timeflyers, by 21 July.Template:Sfn Graeme Harper, who directed the serials The Caves of Androzani (1984)^[2] and Revelation of the Daleks (1985),^[3] was excited by the script and agreed to direct.Template:Sfn Budget and script discussions were held through August and September 1992, and a location recce was held on 8 September.Template:Sfn However, budget issues and BBC Enterprises' lack of production experience caused major setbacks.Template:Sfn^[4] The other Doctor actors were unenthusiastic about the script, retitled The Dark Dimension. Colin Baker criticised the other Doctors' lack of screen time, and Jon Pertwee and Sylvester McCoy later commented that a more experienced writer should have been involved. Pertwee and Peter Davison were unhappy that the production team contacted them directly instead of through their agents.Template:Sfn^[4] Nathan-Turner pitched his proposed Doctor Who special again in late 1992, apparently unaware of The Dark Dimension. In early 1993 he declined the role of script consultant on The Dark Dimension.Template:Sfn

On 10 June 1993, BBC Enterprises formally confirmed the upcoming production of The Dark Dimension starring Tom Baker, with Harper to direct.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The shooting script was finalised on 21 June, and with the special now aimed for broadcast instead of video, Alan Yentob greenlit the special with a delivery date of 27 November.Template:Sfn Budget issues continued to plague the production, and on 9 July, The Dark Dimension was cancelled for "financial and logistical reasons".Template:Sfn^[4] Philip Segal claimed responsibility for the cancellation, as he wanted to avoid drawing attention from the new Doctor Who television series pilot he was developing in the United States (this manifested in 1996 as Doctor Who: The Movie), though this narrative has been debunked by researcher Richard Bignell.Template:Sfn^[5]

Writing

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John Nathan-Turner co-wrote and produced the charity special.

In May 1993, Children in Need editor Nick Handel invited Nathan-Turner to make a five-minute 3D Doctor Who sketch for the organisation's annual telethon broadcast.Template:Sfn Nathan-Turner thought of turning down the offer but was persuaded by his agent to make the sketch his "swansong", since he didn't have the chance to leave Doctor Who on his own terms in 1989.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Nathan-Turner sought a "talented, yet relatively inexperienced co-writer" who could enthusiastically adapt to the myriad of requests typical of Children in Need productions.Template:Sfn He approached David Roden, a 22-year-old aspiring writer with no professional experience, with an open brief to write the charity special.Template:Sfn Roden's initial concept, Destination: Holocaust, which involved the Seventh Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart battling Cybermen in a church, was considered too expensive for the allocated budget.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Nathan-Turner wanted a more nostalgic feel for the special, and also wanted to involve multiple monsters to make use of existing costumes.Template:Sfn Another low-cost concept was set entirely in the TARDIS featuring the Seventh Doctor and Ace facing an alien which fed off nightmares. One underdeveloped story idea involved Easter Island heads.Template:Sfn

It was originally thought that only the Seventh Doctor would appear, but in recognition of the upcoming 30th anniversary, Nathan-Turner and Handel decided to involve as many of the Doctor's incarnations as possible.Template:Sfn Doctor Who traditionally celebrated its past anniversaries with "multi-Doctor" stories.^[6]^[7] The Three Doctors (1972–1973) and "The Five Doctors" (1983) featured past incarnations of the Doctor interacting with the incumbent incarnation.^[8]^[9] Roden was also requested to involve as many companions and monsters from the series as possible.Template:Sfn Per Nicholas Courtney's request, the Brigadier was depicted interacting with the Sixth Doctor, as Colin Baker was the only Doctor Who lead Courtney hadn't shared a scene with on the series.Template:Sfn^[10] Nathan-Turner wanted to call the special 3-Dimensions of Time; Roden changed it to The Dimensions of Time.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn It was retitled Dimensions in Time when it was discovered that "The Dimensions of Time" was an episode from the 1965 serial The Space Museum.Template:Sfn<templatestyles src="Template:Quote_box/styles.css" />

I'm incredibly proud of having been involved with it. I'm also deeply embarrassed by the end result. I mean, it is just a mess.Template:Sfn

—screenwriter David Roden on Dimensions in Time in 2015

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".In a 2015 interview, Roden discussed the difficulty of shouldering the numerous requests made on the script, stating that he felt "heavily pressured" by Nathan-Turner's demands and describing the completed special as a "mess".Template:Sfn Anthony Ainley declined an offer to return as the Master, possibly due to a personal clash with Nathan-Turner.Template:Sfn In his stead, Kate O'Mara agreed to return as the Rani, the ruthless villain she portrayed in The Mark of the Rani (1985) and Time and the Rani (1987).^[11]^[12] The production team behind light entertainment show Noel's House Party wanted to be involved with Children in Need, so Dimensions in Time gained another episode which could be shown during that programme.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Nathan-Turner suggested that the special could crossover with popular BBC soap opera EastEnders to satisfy Handel's request to guarantee press attention. This could also save budget by enabling the production to film on the existing Albert Square set.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn EastEnders producer Leonard Lewis was not amenable to the idea as the filming would disrupt his production schedule. He allowed Nathan-Turner only one day to film at Albert Square, which was not enough time due to the complicated nature of filming in 3D.Template:Sfn Major rewrites were in order. Roden devised a new script, titled The Endgame, involving the Celestial Toymaker in an amusement park. Roden recently acted in Wittgenstein (1993) with Michael Gough, who played the Toymaker in the 1966 serial, and he felt he could persuade Gough to reprise the role.Template:Sfn Roden suggested that the Toymaker could facilitate a multi-Doctor storyline by plucking the various Doctors from their timestreams, but there were concerns it would be too similar to "The Five Doctors".Template:Sfn According to Roden, Gough at first agreed to return but later declined, either due to unavailability or disinterest in the script. The Endgame was ultimately scrapped and development returned to Dimensions in Time.Template:Sfn

Handel suggested that the sketch could be shot for 3D viewing, as Children in Need wanted to feature prominently in BBC1's planned "3D week".Template:Sfn The script was rewritten to include more action and movement to fully exploit the 3D Pulfrich effect, following a review by 3D experts from Germany.Template:Sfn An opening scene where the Rani's assistant captures a wounded Cyberman was cut in the revised 1 August script.Template:Sfn Tom Baker was originally scripted to appear in Albert Square similarly to the other Doctors, however he wanted his part in the script to be more unique.Template:Sfn Ten years earlier he pulled out of the multi-Doctor special "The Five Doctors" over his displeasure in "playing 20 per cent of the part [of the Doctor]".^[13] He suggested he could introduce the story by doing a piece to camera. Nathan-Turner and Roden adapted the idea into an opening scene where the Fourth Doctor is trapped in a black hole and calling on the Time Lords for help.Template:Sfn The day before filming, Tom Baker was still unhappy with the script, necessitating Roden to hastily rewrite the Fourth Doctor's monologue.Template:Sfn

Casting

Script error: No such module "Multiple image". Handel was cognisant that a Doctor Who/EastEnders crossover would be a highlight of Children in Need's telethon, and he pushed the two production teams to compromise on a deal. Nathan-Turner phoned actress Wendy Richard and pitched her the idea of playing her character Pauline Fowler at different ages; Richard agreed and soon fellow actresses Letitia Dean and Gillian Taylforth were keen to be involved. Pam St Clement, Mike Reid, Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden were also interested in the crossover and written into the script. Ultimately the EastEnders production team allowed Dimensions in Time two days to film on Albert Square: 22 and 23 September.Template:Sfn

The revised script on 8 September noted on its cover: "Due to the large number of artists involved in this project, and their availability, this script is subject to change". For this reason, scenes were scripted so that the Doctors and companions would be interchangeable.Template:Sfn 32 of the 34 actors involved had other acting jobs during filming.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Per a deal between the BBC and Equity, the cast (and crew) were unpaid on the condition that their work would never be re-broadcast or commercially exploited.^[14]Template:Sfn

Dimensions in Time features all five of the surviving actors who led Doctor Who, in addition to several actors who played companions or supporting characters. This was the first time that Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Colin Baker portrayed the Doctor in a televised episode since leaving the series.^[15] However as pre-production began, not every actor was available for filming. McCoy and Davison had prior commitments, and Tom Baker was hesitant to be involved as he disliked the script. It was suggested that any actors' absence could be explained by having them be captured in the Rani's time tunnel.Template:Sfn Davison became available shortly before filming,Template:Sfn and McCoy's scenes were moved to Greenwich to accommodate his schedule.Template:Sfn

Several companion actors were unable to appear. Katy Manning was overseas during filming,Template:Sfn and Mary Tamm and Frazer Hines were busy acting in other programmes. Carole Ann Ford replaced Hines with only one day's notice.Template:Sfn Janet Fielding agreed to appear but later declined as she felt uncomfortable returning to acting after three years.Template:Sfn Ian McKellen turned down the role of the Rani's assistant. Samuel West, a long-time fan of Doctor Who, was ultimately cast in the role, named Cyrian ("Sir Ian").^[16] Adam Woodyatt, a huge Doctor Who fan, was disappointed that his studio schedule meant he was unable to appear as his EastEnders character Ian Beale. Nevertheless he made a brief appearance as a nonspeaking background extra in the shot of the Mitchell brothers crossing the playground.Template:Sfn

Filming

File:EastEnders Title Card (Licence Free).png

Dimensions in Time shot on EastEnders' Albert Square set in September 1993.

With a budget of £45,000, filming began on 21 September at Fountain TV Studios in New Malden.Template:Sfn The Rani and Cyrian's scenes were filmed first, with the Fourth Doctor's lone scene recorded after noon.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn It was planned for the Rani's TARDIS set to be constructed in miniature, with Kate O'Mara and the console composited via CSO, but since the 3D filming process made compositing too difficult, a replica of the TARDIS set constructed for PanoptiCon '93 was used. The console was newly cast in black fibreglass from the original 1983 console moulds.Template:Sfn

Filming with Tom Baker had its challenges. Nathan-Turner was aware that Tom Baker would likely refuse to wear his Fourth Doctor costume if asked directly, and surreptitiously arranged for the costume to be left in the actor's dressing room as they were talking.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn On set, Tom Baker suggested that, at the conclusion of his scene, the Fourth Doctor could scream and turn to reveal a bullet hole in his face. Nathan-Turner was not pleased with the idea and, as a compromise, a question mark bruise was added to his right cheek. Baker revised his lines during filming and elected to speak into a microphone rather than at the camera.Template:Sfn The day concluded with visual effects artist Mike Tucker recording explosion assets.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

22 and 23 September were spent filming on the Albert Square set in Elstree.Template:Sfn Small charges were let off in front of the camera as part of the "time jump" effect.Template:Sfn Colin Baker's scenes were shot first, followed by Davison's scenes.Template:Sfn Andrew Beech, former coordinator of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, assembled fans who owned original and replica monster costumes to play the Rani's alien menagerie.Template:Sfn These fans wore the costumes themselves and gave their time for free; Beech himself played the Time Lord on Albert Square and in the Rani's TARDIS.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Many of the older original costumes were fragile and needed maintenance throughout filming.Template:Sfn A Dalek prop was filmed at Albert Square as part of the menagerie, but this was removed from the edit as Roger Hancock (Terry Nation's agent) did not allow the production to use the Daleks.Template:Sfn^[17] Pertwee began filming his scenes in the afternoon.Template:Sfn According to Roden, Pertwee complained that he did not understand the plot and thus read his lines off of boards.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Filming on 23 September began with Romana being dragged into the Queen Vic. Lalla Ward, McFadden and Kemp similarly protested that they did not understand the plot. Pertwee was the only Doctor on set this day.Template:Sfn

The final day of exterior filming, 24 September, took place in Greenwich.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn On-set footage was recorded by crew from Tomorrow's World. Filming began at Cutty Sark at 8:30am with the Seventh Doctor and Ace arriving in the TARDIS. McCoy was exhausted after performing in a recently-opened production of The Invisible Man at Churchill Theatre in Bromley.Template:Sfn According to Louise Jameson, McCoy arrived to filming slightly late and slightly hung over, only to find that, in his absence, the other Doctors had reassigned many of their technobabble lines to him.^[18] McCoy recalled The Dark Dimension's cancellation by declaring "I don’t understand why those BBC Enterprises people can’t get us all together for love nor money, but when JN-T makes a few calls, we're all here with our boots blacked — doing it for nothing!" Pertwee and Deborah Watling's scene on Cutty Sark was delayed due to a fire. Watling wore a long cloak to hide that her arm was in plaster - she had broken it a few days earlier using her nephew's rollerblades. Afterwards the crew moved to the Royal Naval College. Lt Commander Malcolm Fewtrell granted the production permission to film in the high security area in exchange for a signed photograph of Kate O'Mara. This is where the scenes featuring the Brigadier and the UNIT helicopter were recorded.Template:Sfn Although Pertwee wanted to jump aboard the helicopter himself, Nathan-Turner refused; Pertwee's regular Doctor Who stunt double Terry Walsh performed the stunt.Template:Sfn^[19] Courtney, still in his Brigadier costume, had lunch with Roden at a nearby pub and was recognised by the bartender.Template:Sfn

The final scenes of the special were filmed at the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and the Royal Observatory.Template:Sfn Jameson insisted she would not wear her original Leela costume, so with little time to plan, costume designer Ken Trew hired a Native American outfit.Template:Sfn The last scene filmed was also the chronologically last scene of the special with the Seventh Doctor, Ace and K9.Template:Sfn The sixteen-year-old K9 prop broke during filming and had to be pulled through the shot on fishing line.Template:Sfn

Special effects model filming ran from 25 to 27 September at Television Centre, London. This included the Rani's space station, the futuristic 2013 train and the First and Second Doctor's floating heads.Template:Sfn The original plan was for the floating heads to be depicted via existing footage of William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton. However those 2D clips would not easily composite into the newly-shot 3D footage, so head props were specially sculpted by Sue Moore and Steve Mansfield (who previously created Kane's melting head in the 1987 serial Dragonfire) with wigs by Lesley Smith.Template:Sfn The space station exterior of the Rani's TARDIS was depicted with a model adapted from BBV's The Stranger series.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Because the monolith prop (the Rani's TARDIS in disguise) was constructed only a day before filming, Tucker had a single day to construct a miniature version for filming on 26 September.Template:Sfn The background to the Fourth Doctor's scene was composed of elements taken from a 3D test tape received from Germany.Template:Sfn A scene where the Doctor's TARDIS is caught in an asteroid field was filmed but cut.Template:Sfn

Post-production

Keff McCulloch, who scored various Doctor Who serials in the late 1980s, composed about eight minutes of incidental music for the special.Template:Sfn

Roden suggested that the musical duo Pet Shop Boys, with whom he was friends, could produce a new arrangement of the Doctor Who theme music, but they were too busy. Nathan-Turner and Roden subsequently approached the pop duo Erasure, not realising that they were on tour and were not receiving their messages.Template:Sfn Erasure eventually agreed, by which time Nathan-Turner had agreed to use an arrangement by music group Cybertech (Mike Fillis and Adrian Pack). Fillis, who played a Sea Devil in the special, approached Nathan Turner during filming at Albert Square with the remix on a cassette tape. The remix was commercially released in 1994.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Continuity

Dimensions in Time is generally not considered "canon" to Doctor Who continuity.^[20]Template:Sfn In 1994, Nathan-Turner stated that Dimensions in Time "was never intended to be part of the Doctor Who mythos".Template:Sfn Roden reiterated in 2015 that the special "was not made to be canon".Template:Sfn Shortly after its release, Doctor Who Magazine deemed the special to be non-canonical.^[21]^[14] In Doctor Who: The Complete History, John Ainsworth argued there is no reason to ignore Dimensions in Time from the series' official chronology, noting that "the original actors reprised their parts. It featured a previously established villain... It’s not a spoof - it's played completely straight". He suggested the negative reaction to the special has affected its status in Doctor Who canon.Template:Sfn

Establishing EastEnders and Doctor Who in the same shared universe creates various continuity problems. Both Pauline Fowler and Kathy Beale were killed off in EastEnders prior to 2013, but Dimensions in Time depicts them alive and well.^[22] Sophie Aldred appeared in two 1993 episodes of the soap opera,^[23]Template:Sfn and Louise Jameson and Bonnie Langford later appeared as regular characters.^[22] The 2006 Doctor Who episode "Army of Ghosts" depicts EastEnders as a TV series which exists within the Doctor Who universe.^[22]Template:Sfn

Broadcast

Template:Episode table The 18 November issue of Radio Times featured the Doctors on its coverTemplate:Sfn^[24] and came with a free pair of 3D glasses.^[25]Template:Sfn Part One was introduced by Noel Edmonds in a live sketch with Pertwee in character as the Third Doctor.Template:Sfn After Part One aired, a telephone vote was held to choose which EastEnders character—Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) or Big Ron (Ron Tarr)—would assist the Doctor in Part Two^[22]Template:Sfn (two versions of the same scene were filmed).^[17]Template:Sfn The voting gimmick was conceived by Michael Leggo, producer of Edmonds' show Noel's House Party.Template:Sfn Although the version with Big Ron was expected to be broadcast,Template:Sfn the Mandy version won out with 22,484 votes (56%) compared to 17,044 votes (44%).Template:Sfn These phone votes raised £101,000.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Part Two was introduced by Edmonds during Noel's House Party.Template:Sfn

Dimensions in Time achieved UK viewing figures of 13.8 million and 13.6 million viewers for the first and second parts respectively,Template:Sfn the highest for Doctor Who since Part Four of City of Death (1979) at 16.1 million viewers.Template:Sfn^[26]Template:Efn That same weekend, Nathan-Turner screened the special at Visions in Chicago with Children in Need's permission, raising $6,000 from sales of 3D glasses.Template:Sfn

Dimensions in Time has never been rebroadcast, per the deal between the BBC and Equity.^[14]Template:Sfn Programme documents read "N.B. This material can never be used on air again".Template:Sfn Template:Sfn However researcher Richard Bignell stated a commercial release is unlikely moreso due to the high cost of licensing material owned by Children in Need.^[27] A short clip of Kate O'Mara as the Rani from Dimensions in Time was used in the 2025 Doctor Who episode Wish World.^[28]

Reception

I don’t need to defend Dimensions in Time — it should be taken for what it is: a jolly romp to celebrate Doctor Who's thirtieth birthday. If you didn’t like it, fine; if you did like it, that’s equally fine. But if you can honestly say that the 30th anniversary of Doctor Who would have been better without it, without its publicity, without its Radio Times front cover, without its colossal audience figure, without its individual effect on the final amount of money raised for such a worthy charity, then I feel sorry for you.Template:Sfn

—producer John Nathan-Turner in 1994

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Contemporary fan reception was extremely negative.^[29]^[14] A few months after the special's release, the regular gag cartoon of Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who?, sardonically depicted "Unlikely things to hear whilst viewing the 'Dimensions in Time' story" ("These 3D effects are really convincing!" "They must have spent a fortune on this!" "Albert Square is a very effective setting").^[30] In The Discontinuity Guide (1995), Paul Cornell, Martin Day and Keith Topping called it "nostalgic and camp, amusing nonsense".^[31] In the licensed reference book series Doctor Who: The Handbook, David J. Howe, Mark Stammers and Stephen James Walker gave the special a 0/10 and called it "a dreadful travesty of a Doctor Who story" despite its charitable aims.^[32] Howe and Walker also criticised the plot and pacing, calling it "Doctor Who on acid" and comparing it to a sketch from The Benny Hill Show.Template:Sfn

Nicholas Briggs, who later voiced the Daleks in Doctor Who's revived series,^[33] criticised the special's production value and plot. However he suggested that it received an unfairly high level of scrutiny because of the absence of original Doctor Who programming on television. He also suggested that the special is more accurately compared to an advert or comedy sketch rather than a standard serial.^[34]

In 2013, Oli Smith of IGN likened Dimensions in Time to the similarly maligned Star Wars Holiday Special, remarking that it "ditched the whole idea of a plot altogether".^[35] In 2016, Entertainment Weekly called it a "train wreck" and lamented "what could have been a spectacular event ended up being an embarrassing hodgepodge", criticising the special effects, plot and EastEnders cameos.^[15] Writing for Radio Times in 2023, Patrick Mulkern called it "diabolical – the best that can be said is that it was mounted in a charitable cause".^[36]

References

Notes

Template:Notelist

Citations

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Sources

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External links

Dimensions in Time on YouTube
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Title music
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Dimensions in Time: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:21, 29 December 2025

Contents

Plot

Production

Background

The Dark Dimension

Writing

Casting

Filming

Post-production

Continuity

Broadcast

Reception

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

Further reading

External links

Navigation menu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|1993 Doctor Who / EastEnders charity crossover}}
+{{Short description|1993 Doctor Who charity special}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}{{italic title}}
+{{good article}}
+{{italic title}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
+{{Use British English|date=November 2025}}
 {{Infobox Doctor Who episode
 | serial_name        = Dimensions in Time
 | show               = DW
 | type               = serial and charity crossover with ''EastEnders''
-| image              =
+| image              =RadioTimes cover 1993 DoctorWho DimensionsInTime.png
-| caption            =
+| caption            =18 November 1993 ''[[Radio Times]]'' cover promoting the special{{sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=90}}
 | doctors            =
 * [[Sylvester McCoy]] – [[Seventh Doctor]]
@@ Line 47: / Line 50: @@
 | producer           = John Nathan-Turner
 | composer           = [[Keff McCulloch]]
-| production_code    = C280X<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml |title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Dimensions in Time - Details |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=12 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312172455/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml |url-status=deviated }}</ref>
+| production_code    = C280X<ref name=bbc/>
 | length             = 2 episodes, 7 minutes and 5 minutes
 | started            = {{Start date|1993|11|26|df=y}}
@@ Line 54: / Line 57: @@
 | following          = ''[[Doctor Who (film)|Doctor Who]]''
 }}
-'''''Dimensions in Time''''' is a charity [[Television special|special]] [[fictional crossover|crossover]] between the British [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and the [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]].'' The special was broadcast in two parts on 26 and 27 November 1993 and was filmed on location at [[Greenwich]] and the ''EastEnders'' [[Albert Square]] set.
+'''''Dimensions in Time''''' is a charity [[television special]] [[fictional crossover|crossover]] between the [[science fiction television|science fiction]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and the [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]],'' broadcast in two parts on 26 and 27 November 1993 for ''[[Children in Need]]''. In celebration of ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s 30th anniversary, it features every surviving actor to have played [[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]] as well as several of the character's [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]]. In this special, the amoral scientist [[the Rani]] ([[Kate O'Mara]]) traps various incarnations of the Doctor ([[Sylvester McCoy]], [[Colin Baker]], [[Peter Davison]], [[Tom Baker]] and [[Jon Pertwee]]) in a [[time loop]] in [[Albert Square]].
-''Dimensions in Time'' featured all of the surviving actors to have played [[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]] as well as many of the character's [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] and several of the ''EastEnders'' stars of the time. The special was produced for ''[[Children in Need]]'' following ''Doctor Who'''s cancellation in 1989 and was the only original story broadcast in celebration of the show's 30th anniversary.
+''Doctor Who'' was put on hiatus in 1989. A 30th anniversary "multi-Doctor" special, ''[[List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films#Lost in the Dark Dimension|The Dark Dimension]]'', began development in mid-1992 but fell through by July 1993. In May 1993, producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] was asked to produce a ''Doctor Who'' sketch for the charity ''Children in Need''. The script, co-written by Nathan-Turner and David Roden, went through many iterations due to the changing availability of the cast. A crossover with ''EastEnders'' was pitched to guarantee publicity for ''Children in Need'' and to allow the production to film on existing sets.
-==Plot==
+The special was filmed in [[3D television|3D]] on location at [[Greenwich]] and the ''EastEnders'' Albert Square set in September 1993. None of the cast or crew were paid for their work due to an agreement with [[Equity (British trade union)|Equity]]. ''Dimensions in Time'' was universally panned by both critics and fans, with criticism aimed at the plot, special effects and cameos from the contemporary cast of ''EastEnders''. Due to ''Children in Need''<nowiki/>'s high licensing fees, it is unlikely to ever receive a [[home video]] release. It is not considered "[[Canon (fiction)|canon]]" to the [[Whoniverse|''Doctor Who'' universe]].
-The [[Rani (Doctor Who)|Rani]] has opened a hole in time, allowing her access to the Doctor's timeline. She uses this to cycle through the Doctor's lives, causing him and his companions to jump back and forth between past and present incarnations. Her plan is to capture all of the Doctor's selves in a time loop, trapping him in the [[East End of London|East End]] of London; she has already captured the [[First Doctor|First]] and [[Second Doctor]]s. This causes the [[Fourth Doctor]] to send a message to his remaining selves, warning them of the Rani's plan:
+== Plot ==
+<!--Plot summaries should have no more than 400 words per MOS:TVPLOT-->
+[[The Rani]] ([[Kate O'Mara]]) plans to trap [[the Doctor]] in a time loop in [[East End of London|London's East End]]; she has already ensnared his [[First Doctor|first]] and [[Second Doctor|second incarnations]] in a time tunnel. The [[Fourth Doctor]] ([[Tom Baker]]) warns his other incarnations.
-{{blockquote|Mayday! Mayday! This is an urgent message for all of the Doctors. It's vitally important that you listen carefully to me, for once. Our whole existence is being threatened by a renegade Time Lord known only as the Rani! She hates me. She even hates children! Two of my earlier selves have already been snared in her vicious trap. The [[First Doctor|grumpy one]] and the [[Second Doctor|flautist]], do you remember? She wants to put us out of action, lock us away in a dreary backwater of London's East End, trapped in a time-loop in perpetuity. Her evil is all around us! I can hear the hearts beat of a killer. She's out there somewhere. We must be on our guard and we must stop her before she destroys all of my other selves! Oh... Good luck, my dears!|sign=|source=}}
+The [[Seventh Doctor]] ([[Sylvester McCoy]]) and [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]] ([[Sophie Aldred]]) are confused when the [[TARDIS]] lands near ''[[Cutty Sark]]'' in 1973. Time jumps and Ace finds herself in 1993 [[Albert Square]] with the [[Sixth Doctor]] ([[Colin Baker]]). They speak to local resident [[Sanjay Kapoor (EastEnders)|Sanjay]] ([[Deepak Verma]]) and his wife [[Gita Kapoor|Gita]] ([[Shobu Kapoor]]).
-The [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]] are confused when the [[TARDIS]] lands in [[Greenwich]], near the [[Cutty Sark]], thanks to the Rani's attack on the TARDIS. The Doctor finds a [[newspaper]] showing the year to be 1973, but before he can make any more conclusions, the Rani causes time to jump. Ace finds herself in [[Albert Square]] in 1993 with the [[Sixth Doctor]]. Local resident [[Sanjay Kapoor (EastEnders)|Sanjay]] tries to sell Ace some new clothes from his stall, and when his wife [[Gita Kapoor|Gita]] tells the Sixth Doctor that the clothing is going to be all the rage in 1994, the Rani jumps time again.
+Following another time jump, the [[Third Doctor]] ([[Jon Pertwee]]) and [[Mel Bush]] ([[Bonnie Langford]]) learn from an older [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) and [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) that it is 2013. Another time jump occurs. In 1973, the Sixth Doctor tells [[Susan Foreman]] ([[Carole Ann Ford]]) he feels he is being pulled backwards in time, with his companions being drawn back with him.
-The [[Third Doctor]] and [[Mel Bush]] appear from the time jump, and question an older [[Pauline Fowler]] and [[Kathy Beale]] on ''when'' they are. When Pauline and Kathy reply that it is 2013, another time jump occurs. In 1973, Pauline and Kathy remember the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]], while Kathy tells off a young [[Ian Beale]]. The Sixth Doctor and [[Susan Foreman]] appear, but she wonders what has happened to the First Doctor and her other companions [[Ian Chesterton]] and [[Barbara Wright (Doctor Who)|Barbara Wright]].
+In 2013, [[Sarah Jane Smith]] ([[Elisabeth Sladen]]) finds the Third Doctor after chatting with [[Sharon Watts]] ([[Letitia Dean]]). He deduces that an operator is utilising [[time distortion]] to trap him in a 20-year time loop of the years 1973, 1993 and 2013. The Rani releases her menagerie of alien specimens to distract the Doctor. The menagerie attack the [[Fifth Doctor]] ([[Peter Davison]]), [[Nyssa (Doctor Who)|Nyssa]] ([[Sarah Sutton]]) and [[Perpugilliam Brown|Peri]] ([[Nicola Bryant]]) in 1993, and after failing to warn [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]) of the danger, the Rani stops them outside the [[Queen Vic]].
-After another time jump to 2013, Susan changes into [[Sarah Jane Smith]] and after chatting to [[Sharon Watts]] she meets up with the Doctor who changed from the Sixth to the Third Doctor. They start to piece together what is happening to them, but the Rani releases her menagerie of specimens, including a [[Cyberman]], Fifi, a [[Sea Devil (Doctor Who)|Sea Devil]], an [[Ogron]] and a [[Time Lord]] from [[Gallifrey]] in the next time jump. In 1993, the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Nyssa (Doctor Who)|Nyssa]] and [[Perpugilliam Brown|Peri]] are attacked by the Rani's menagerie, and after trying to warn [[Pat Butcher]] of the danger, the Rani stops them outside the [[Queen Vic]].
+The Fifth Doctor summons his remaining selves and becomes the Third Doctor. [[Mandy Salter]] ([[Nicola Stapleton]]) helps [[Liz Shaw]] ([[Caroline John]]) run from the Rani. [[Mike Yates]] ([[Richard Franklin (actor)|Richard Franklin]]) arrives in the Doctor's car Bessie to take him to [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] ([[Nicholas Courtney]]). The Third Doctor becomes the [[Sixth Doctor]] after another time jump, and says farewell to the Brigadier. At the Arches in 1993, [[Phil Mitchell|Phil]] ([[Steve McFadden]]) and [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] ([[Ross Kemp]]) find [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] ([[Lalla Ward]]) looking for the Doctor. The Rani captures her in front of [[Frank Butcher]] ([[Mike Reid (actor)|Mike Reid]]). The Third Doctor returns to the TARDIS with [[Victoria Waterfield]] ([[Deborah Watling]]), explaining that the Rani's control is breaking down.
-In 1993, after the Fifth Doctor changes to the Third Doctor in the next time jump, along with Nyssa and Peri changing into [[Liz Shaw]], the Rani takes control of Liz's mind. As [[Mandy Salter]] tries to stop the Rani, [[Mike Yates|Captain Mike Yates]] of [[UNIT]] arrives in Bessie to save the Third Doctor and take him to [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]] who is waiting for them.
+The Seventh Doctor meets [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]] ([[Louise Jameson]]), who has escaped from the Rani's menagerie. Alongside Ace and [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]] ([[John Leeson]]), the Doctor overrides the Rani's computer by harnessing the time tunnel's power, sending the Rani into the time tunnel and freeing all the Doctor's incarnations.
-After another time jump, the Doctor changes to the [[Sixth Doctor]] and after he says goodbye to the Brigadier time jumps again. In 1993, at the Arches, [[Phil Mitchell|Phil]] and [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] find [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] looking for the Doctor, but they point her to [[Harold Legg|Dr Legg]]. As Romana walks past the [[Queen Vic]], the Rani captures her in front of [[Frank Butcher]].
+==Production==
+=== Background ===
+''Doctor Who'' was put on hiatus after the broadcast of [[Doctor Who season 26|season 26]] in 1989,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=3 December 2019 |title=Doctor Who's ex-script editor says the BBC 'ghosted' the show in 1989 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-cancellation/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> but its producer, [[John Nathan-Turner]], continued to work on various ''Doctor Who''-related [[BBC]] projects on a freelance basis.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=87}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=27}} According to Nathan-Turner's memoir, as early as 1990 he pitched a [[direct-to-video]] ''Doctor Who'' special to mark the series' 30th anniversary in November 1993. Nathan-Turner continued pitching throughout 1991 and 1992, and on two occasions costed the project to prove it could be produced economically.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=88}} In a memo to Penny Mills (Head of Video Production for [[BBC Enterprises]]) on 18 February 1992, he mentioned the special alongside other proposed video releases which could commemorate the 30th anniversary year.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=87–88}}
+==== ''The Dark Dimension'' ====
+{{Further|List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films#Lost in the Dark Dimension}}
+During the production and launch of the VHS release of ''[[Shada (Doctor Who)|Shada]]'' in February 1992, [[Tom Baker]] expressed his willingness to return for a new ''Doctor Who'' story.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=88–89}} [[List of Doctor Who home video releases|''Doctor Who'' video sales]] were a regular source of profit for BBC Enterprises, and on 28 May 1992 a meeting was chaired to examine a "long-term strategy for the continual exploitation of the programme". It was noted that producing an original special would "be giving something back to the fans and not just extracting money from them". Writer [[Adrian Rigelsford]] was approached and hired to develop the rough story, which at that time involved a dying [[Fourth Doctor]] uniting with a group of children to fight an [[ecological disaster]].{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=89}}
+In early June, a meeting was convened to discuss production of a 90-minute direct-to-video ''Doctor Who'' special, with Tom Baker being the sole actor to return as the Doctor. Within a short period of time, it was suggested that the incumbent [[Seventh Doctor]] ([[Sylvester McCoy]]) could be involved; Tom Baker then proposed the involvement of all surviving actors who played [[the Doctor]] in supporting roles.{{efn|Tom Baker's incarnation was always meant to be the main focus of the story. John Freeman (editor of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'') suggested starting the special during the events of ''[[Logopolis]]'' (1981), where shortly before the Fourth Doctor's fatal fall he would be transported into a mysterious dimension.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=89, 91}} This would explain Tom Baker's older appearance.<ref name=":7"/>}} Rigelsford completed his outline of the special, titled ''Timeflyers'', by 21 July.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=89|pp=}} [[Graeme Harper]], who directed the serials ''[[The Caves of Androzani]]'' (1984)<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=2013-08-09 |title=The Caves of Androzani: Doctor Who classic episode #12 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/aug/09/the-caves-of-androzani-doctor-who |access-date=2025-11-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and ''[[Revelation of the Daleks]]'' (1985),<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=15 June 2012 |title=Revelation of the Daleks ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/revelation-of-the-daleks/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> was excited by the script and agreed to direct.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=|pp=91, 110}} Budget and script discussions were held through August and September 1992, and a location recce was held on 8 September.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=91}} However, budget issues and BBC Enterprises' lack of production experience caused major setbacks.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=91–92}}<ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine |last=Preddle |first=Jon |date=June 1995 |title=Inside The Dark Dimension |url=https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv44/darkdimension.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111112123/https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv44/darkdimension.html |archive-date=11 January 2025 |magazine=Time/Space Visualiser}}</ref> The other Doctor actors were unenthusiastic about the script, retitled ''The Dark Dimension''. [[Colin Baker]] criticised the other Doctors' lack of screen time, and [[Jon Pertwee]] and [[Sylvester McCoy]] later commented that a more experienced writer should have been involved. Pertwee and [[Peter Davison]] were unhappy that the production team contacted them directly instead of through their agents.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=112}}<ref name=":7" /> Nathan-Turner pitched his proposed ''Doctor Who'' special again in late 1992, apparently unaware of ''The Dark Dimension''. In early 1993 he declined the role of script consultant on ''The Dark Dimension''.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=27}}
+On 10 June 1993, BBC Enterprises formally confirmed the upcoming production of ''The Dark Dimension'' starring Tom Baker, with Harper to direct.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=87}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=27}} The shooting script was finalised on 21 June, and with the special now aimed for broadcast instead of video, [[Alan Yentob]] greenlit the special with a delivery date of 27 November.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=100–101}} Budget issues continued to plague the production, and on 9 July, ''The Dark Dimension'' was cancelled for "financial and logistical reasons".{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|pp=87, 107, 110}}<ref name=":7" /> [[Philip Segal]] claimed responsibility for the cancellation, as he wanted to avoid drawing attention from the new ''Doctor Who'' [[Television pilot|television series pilot]] he was developing in the United States (this manifested in 1996 as [[Doctor Who (film)|''Doctor Who: The Movie'']]), though this narrative has been debunked by researcher Richard Bignell.{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=111}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2017 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=Doctor Who (The TV Movie) |url= |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]]}}</ref>
+=== Writing ===
+[[File:Jnt86b.jpg|thumb|[[John Nathan-Turner]] co-wrote and produced the charity special.]]
+In May 1993, ''[[Children in Need]]'' editor Nick Handel invited Nathan-Turner to make a five-minute 3D ''Doctor Who'' sketch for the organisation's annual [[telethon]] broadcast.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=27}} Nathan-Turner thought of turning down the offer but was persuaded by his agent to make the sketch his "swansong", since he didn't have the chance to leave ''Doctor Who'' on his own terms in 1989.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=17}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=27}} Nathan-Turner sought a "talented, yet relatively inexperienced co-writer" who could enthusiastically adapt to the myriad of requests typical of ''Children in Need'' productions.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=18}} He approached David Roden, a 22-year-old aspiring writer with no professional experience, with an open brief to write the charity special.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=1:12–1:42, 7:10–7:21}} Roden's initial concept, ''Destination: Holocaust'', which involved the [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] battling [[Cybermen]] in a church, was considered too expensive for the allocated budget.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=1:40–2:30, 3:18–3:32}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=28}} Nathan-Turner wanted a more nostalgic feel for the special, and also wanted to involve multiple [[List of Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens|monsters]] to make use of existing costumes.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=28}} Another low-cost concept was set entirely in the TARDIS featuring the Seventh Doctor and [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]] facing an alien which fed off nightmares. One underdeveloped story idea involved [[Moai|Easter Island heads]].{{Sfn|Bignell|2012|p=88}}
-Back in 1973, the Third Doctor explains to [[Victoria Waterfield|Victoria]] who the Rani was and thinks that her control is breaking down, as they return to the TARDIS.
+It was originally thought that only the Seventh Doctor would appear, but in recognition of the upcoming 30th anniversary, Nathan-Turner and Handel decided to involve as many of the Doctor's incarnations as possible.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=28}} ''Doctor Who'' traditionally celebrated its past anniversaries with "multi-Doctor" stories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladman |first=Andrew |date=2024-12-15 |title=Doctor Who: Every Multi-Doctor Story, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/doctor-who-multi-doctor-episodes/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Huw |date=27 September 2021 |title=Doctor Who's 60th anniversary: What could Russell T Davies do in 2023? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-60-2023-russell-t-davies/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''[[The Three Doctors (Doctor Who)|The Three Doctors]]'' (1972–1973) and "[[The Five Doctors]]" (1983) featured past incarnations of the Doctor interacting with the incumbent incarnation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=13 January 2010 |title=The Three Doctors ★★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-three-doctors/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=22 February 2012 |title=The Five Doctors ★★★★ |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/blog/2012-02-22/the-five-doctors |access-date=5 May 2017 |work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> Roden was also requested to involve as many [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] and [[Doctor Who monsters|monsters]] from the series as possible.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=5:00–5:20}} Per [[Nicholas Courtney]]'s request, the Brigadier was depicted interacting with the [[Sixth Doctor]], as Colin Baker was the only ''Doctor Who'' lead Courtney hadn't shared a scene with on the series.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=21:20–21:59}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hadoke |first=Toby |date=2011-02-23 |title=Nicholas Courtney obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/feb/23/nicholas-courtney-obituary |access-date=2025-11-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Nathan-Turner wanted to call the special ''3-Dimensions of Time''; Roden changed it to ''The Dimensions of Time''.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=18}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=29}} It was retitled ''Dimensions in Time'' when it was discovered that "The Dimensions of Time" was an episode from the 1965 serial ''[[The Space Museum]]''.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}}{{Quote box
+| quote = I'm incredibly proud of having been involved with it. I'm also deeply embarrassed by the end result. I mean, it is just a mess.{{sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=5:58–6:29}}
+| source = —screenwriter David Roden on ''Dimensions in Time'' in 2015
+| align =
+| width = 25%
+| quoted =
+}}In a 2015 interview, Roden discussed the difficulty of shouldering the numerous requests made on the script, stating that he felt "heavily pressured" by Nathan-Turner's demands and describing the completed special as a "mess".{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=5:58–6:29, 6:50–6:58}} [[Anthony Ainley]] declined an offer to return as [[The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]], possibly due to a personal clash with Nathan-Turner.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=27:00–27:59}} In his stead, [[Kate O'Mara]] agreed to return as [[the Rani]], the ruthless villain she portrayed in ''[[The Mark of the Rani]]'' (1985) and ''[[Time and the Rani]]'' (1987).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=17 May 2025 |title=Who is the Rani? Doctor Who reveals Mrs Flood's identity |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-mrs-flood-the-rani-explained/ |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="New Rani">{{cite web |date=26 June 2014 |title=''Doctor Who'': The New Rani |url=http://bigfinish.com/news/v/the-new-rani |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030005622/http://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/the-new-rani |archive-date=30 October 2015 |access-date=23 October 2015 |publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]]}}</ref> The production team behind [[light entertainment]] show ''[[Noel's House Party]]'' wanted to be involved with ''Children in Need'', so ''Dimensions in Time'' gained another episode which could be shown during that programme.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=5:40–5:57}}{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=17}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=28}}
-After the Seventh Doctor lands the TARDIS in 1993, [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]] escapes from the Rani, after being cloned in the form of Romana. This results in an additional [[Time Lord]] brain imprint being left on the computer inside the Rani's TARDIS instead of the human one she needed, which gives the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and [[K-9 (Doctor Who)|K9]] the edge needed to rig up a device to overload it, sending the Rani into the time tunnel where she had trapped the First and Second Doctors and freeing the Doctors' other selves from the loop. As the Seventh Doctor and Ace leave in the TARDIS, the Doctor observes "Certainly, I – I mean, we – are difficult to get rid of."
+Nathan-Turner suggested that the special could [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] with popular BBC [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]'' to satisfy Handel's request to guarantee press attention. This could also save budget by enabling the production to film on the existing [[Albert Square]] set.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=28}}{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=17}} ''EastEnders'' producer [[Leonard Lewis]] was not amenable to the idea as the filming would disrupt his production schedule. He allowed Nathan-Turner only one day to film at Albert Square, which was not enough time due to the complicated nature of filming in 3D.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=28–29}} Major rewrites were in order. Roden devised a new script, titled ''The Endgame'', involving the [[The Celestial Toymaker|Celestial Toymaker]] in an amusement park. Roden recently acted in ''[[Wittgenstein (film)|Wittgenstein]]'' (1993) with [[Michael Gough]], who played the Toymaker in the [[The Celestial Toymaker|1966 serial]], and he felt he could persuade Gough to reprise the role.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=29}} Roden suggested that the Toymaker could facilitate a multi-Doctor storyline by plucking the various Doctors from their timestreams, but there were concerns it would be too similar to "The Five Doctors".{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=3:32–4:26}} According to Roden, Gough at first agreed to return but later declined, either due to unavailability or disinterest in the script. ''The Endgame'' was ultimately scrapped and development returned to ''Dimensions in Time''.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=27:00–27:59}}
-==Episodes==
+Handel suggested that the sketch could be shot for 3D viewing, as ''Children in Need'' wanted to feature prominently in BBC1's planned "3D week".{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=17}} The script was rewritten to include more action and movement to fully exploit the 3D [[Pulfrich effect]], following a review by 3D experts from Germany.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=28–29}} An opening scene where the Rani's assistant captures a wounded Cyberman was cut in the revised 1 August script.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=30}} Tom Baker was originally scripted to appear in Albert Square similarly to the other Doctors, however he wanted his part in the script to be more unique.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=31–32}} Ten years earlier he pulled out of the multi-Doctor special "The Five Doctors" over his displeasure in "playing 20 per cent of the part [of the Doctor]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Paul |date=14 April 2014 |title=Tom Baker: I'd do more Doctor Who |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-14/tom-baker-id-do-more-doctor-who/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614052431/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-14/tom-baker-id-do-more-doctor-who/ |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=Radio Times}}</ref> He suggested he could introduce the story by doing a piece to camera. Nathan-Turner and Roden adapted the idea into an opening scene where the Fourth Doctor is trapped in a black hole and calling on the Time Lords for help.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=31–32}} The day before filming, Tom Baker was still unhappy with the script, necessitating Roden to hastily rewrite the Fourth Doctor's monologue.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}}
-{{Episode table
-   |background =
+=== Casting ===
-   |series = 6 |title = 20 | aux1=6 | airdate = 10 | viewers = 6 | country = UK
+{{multiple image
-   |seriesT    = Episode
+| align             = right
-   |aux1T      = Run time
+| perrow            = 3
-   |viewersR   = {{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
+| total_width       = 300
-   |episodes   =
+| image1            = Jon_Pertwee_(cropped_to_collar).jpg
-  {{Episode list/sublist|Dimensions in Time
+| image2            = Tom Baker, Whovent 1986 (cropped).jpg
+| image3            = Peter Davison 2016.jpg
+| image4            = Colin_Baker,_Whovent_1986_2.jpg
+| image5            = Sylvester McCoy Doctor (cropped).jpg
+| footer            = The five surviving actors who led ''Doctor Who'' appeared in the special. Top: [[Jon Pertwee]], [[Tom Baker]], [[Peter Davison]]. Bottom: [[Colin Baker]], [[Sylvester McCoy]]
+}}
+Handel was cognisant that a ''Doctor Who''/''EastEnders'' crossover would be a highlight of ''Children in Need''<nowiki/>'s telethon, and he pushed the two production teams to compromise on a deal. Nathan-Turner phoned actress [[Wendy Richard]] and pitched her the idea of playing her character [[Pauline Fowler]] at different ages; Richard agreed and soon fellow actresses [[Letitia Dean]] and [[Gillian Taylforth]] were keen to be involved. [[Pam St Clement]], [[Mike Reid (actor)|Mike Reid]], [[Ross Kemp]] and [[Steve McFadden]] were also interested in the crossover and written into the script. Ultimately the ''EastEnders'' production team allowed ''Dimensions in Time'' two days to film on Albert Square: 22 and 23 September.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=29–30}}
+The revised script on 8 September noted on its cover: "Due to the large number of artists involved in this project, and their availability, this script is subject to change". For this reason, scenes were scripted so that the Doctors and [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] would be interchangeable.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=31–33}} 32 of the 34 actors involved had other acting jobs during filming.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=18}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}} Per a deal between the BBC and [[Equity (British trade union)|Equity]], the cast (and crew) were unpaid on the condition that their work would never be re-broadcast or commercially exploited.<ref name=":4" />{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}}
+''Dimensions in Time'' features all five of the surviving actors who led ''Doctor Who'', in addition to several actors who played companions or supporting characters. This was the first time that [[Tom Baker]], [[Peter Davison]] and [[Colin Baker]] portrayed the Doctor in a televised episode since leaving the series.<ref name=":6" /> However as pre-production began, not every actor was available for filming. McCoy and Davison had prior commitments, and Tom Baker was hesitant to be involved as he disliked the script. It was suggested that any actors' absence could be explained by having them be captured in the Rani's time tunnel.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=30}} Davison became available shortly before filming,{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}} and McCoy's scenes were moved to [[Greenwich]] to accommodate his schedule.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=30, 32}}
+Several companion actors were unable to appear. [[Katy Manning]] was overseas during filming,{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=31}} and [[Mary Tamm]] and [[Frazer Hines]] were busy acting in other programmes. [[Carole Ann Ford]] replaced Hines with only one day's notice.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=33–34}} [[Janet Fielding]] agreed to appear but later declined as she felt uncomfortable returning to acting after three years.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=32–33}} [[Ian McKellen]] turned down the role of the Rani's assistant. [[Samuel West]], a long-time fan of ''Doctor Who'', was ultimately cast in the role, named Cyrian ("Sir Ian").<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=25 February 2024 |title=Samuel West on replacing Ian McKellen in Doctor Who charity special |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-samuel-west-ian-mckellen-dimensions-in-time-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Adam Woodyatt]], a huge ''Doctor Who'' fan, was disappointed that his studio schedule meant he was unable to appear as his ''EastEnders'' character [[Ian Beale]]. Nevertheless he made a brief appearance as a nonspeaking background extra in the shot of the Mitchell brothers crossing the playground.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=35}}
+=== Filming ===
+[[File:EastEnders Title Card (Licence Free).png|thumb|''Dimensions in Time'' shot on ''[[EastEnders]]''<nowiki/>' Albert Square set in September 1993.]]
+With a budget of £45,000, filming began on 21 September at [[Fountain Studios|Fountain TV Studios]] in [[New Malden]].{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=30, 33}} The Rani and Cyrian's scenes were filmed first, with the Fourth Doctor's lone scene recorded after noon.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=41}}{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=27:56–28:09}} It was planned for the Rani's TARDIS set to be constructed in miniature, with Kate O'Mara and the console composited via [[Colour-separation overlay|CSO]], but since the 3D filming process made compositing too difficult, a replica of the TARDIS set constructed for ''PanoptiCon '93'' was used. The console was newly cast in black fibreglass from the original 1983 console moulds.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|pp=40–41}}
+Filming with Tom Baker had its challenges. Nathan-Turner was aware that Tom Baker would likely refuse to wear his Fourth Doctor costume if asked directly, and surreptitiously arranged for the costume to be left in the actor's dressing room as they were talking.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=18:05–19:59}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} On set, Tom Baker suggested that, at the conclusion of his scene, the Fourth Doctor could scream and turn to reveal a bullet hole in his face. Nathan-Turner was not pleased with the idea and, as a compromise, a question mark bruise was added to his right cheek. Baker revised his lines during filming and elected to speak into a microphone rather than at the camera.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} The day concluded with visual effects artist Mike Tucker recording explosion assets.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}}{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|pp=40–42}}
+and 23 September were spent filming on the Albert Square set in [[Elstree]].{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} Small charges were let off in front of the camera as part of the "time jump" effect.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=41}} Colin Baker's scenes were shot first, followed by Davison's scenes.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} Andrew Beech, former coordinator of the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society|''Doctor Who'' Appreciation Society]], assembled fans who owned original and replica monster costumes to play the Rani's alien menagerie.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=30, 35}} These fans wore the costumes themselves and gave their time for free; Beech himself played the Time Lord on Albert Square and in the Rani's TARDIS.{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=123}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}} Many of the older original costumes were fragile and needed maintenance throughout filming.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=42}} A [[Dalek]] prop was filmed at Albert Square as part of the menagerie, but this was removed from the edit as Roger Hancock ([[Terry Nation]]'s agent) did not allow the production to use the Daleks.{{sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=31, 35}}<ref name=":8" /> Pertwee began filming his scenes in the afternoon.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=35}} According to Roden, Pertwee complained that he did not understand the plot and thus read his lines off of boards.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=35}}{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=31:00–33:27}} Filming on 23 September began with Romana being dragged into the [[Queen Vic]]. [[Lalla Ward]], McFadden and Kemp similarly protested that they did not understand the plot. Pertwee was the only Doctor on set this day.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=35}}
+The final day of exterior filming, 24 September, took place in Greenwich.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=42}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} On-set footage was recorded by crew from ''[[Tomorrow's World]]''. Filming began at ''[[Cutty Sark]]'' at 8:30am with the Seventh Doctor and Ace arriving in the TARDIS. McCoy was exhausted after performing in a recently-opened production of ''The Invisible Man'' at [[Churchill Theatre]] in [[Bromley]].{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=35–37}} According to [[Louise Jameson]], McCoy arrived to filming slightly late and slightly hung over, only to find that, in his absence, the other Doctors had reassigned many of their [[technobabble]] lines to him.<ref>{{cite video |title=The Talons of Weng-Chiang |date=2003 |medium=DVD |publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]] |location=Commentary by Louise Jameson, John Bennett, Christopher Benjamin, David Maloney and Philip Hinchcliffe}}</ref> McCoy recalled ''The Dark Dimension''<nowiki/>'s cancellation by declaring "I don’t understand why those BBC Enterprises people can’t get us all together for love nor money, but when JN-T makes a few calls, we're all here with our boots blacked — doing it for nothing!" Pertwee and [[Deborah Watling]]'s scene on ''Cutty Sark'' was delayed due to a fire. Watling wore a long cloak to hide that her arm was in plaster - she had broken it a few days earlier using her nephew's [[Rollerblade|rollerblades]]. Afterwards the crew moved to the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Naval College]]. Lt Commander Malcolm Fewtrell granted the production permission to film in the high security area in exchange for a signed photograph of Kate O'Mara. This is where the scenes featuring the Brigadier and the UNIT helicopter were recorded.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} Although Pertwee wanted to jump aboard the helicopter himself, Nathan-Turner refused; Pertwee's regular ''Doctor Who'' stunt double [[Terry Walsh (actor)|Terry Walsh]] performed the stunt.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=33, 36}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greaves |first=Paul |date=2025-04-04 |title=Devon man accused of Doctor Who actor fraud |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-man-accused-doctor-who-10074131 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Devon Live |language=en}}</ref> Courtney, still in his Brigadier costume, had lunch with Roden at a nearby pub and was recognised by the bartender.{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=22:20–24:00}}
+The final scenes of the special were filmed at the [[National Maritime Museum]], [[Queen's House]] and the [[Royal Observatory, Greenwich|Royal Observatory]].{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} Jameson insisted she would not wear her original [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]] costume, so with little time to plan, costume designer Ken Trew hired a [[Native American]] outfit.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|pp=30, 36}} The last scene filmed was also the chronologically last scene of the special with the Seventh Doctor, Ace and [[K9 (Doctor Who)|K9]].{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} The sixteen-year-old K9 prop broke during filming and had to be pulled through the shot on fishing line.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=42}}
+Special effects model filming ran from 25 to 27 September at [[Television Centre, London]]. This included the Rani's space station, the futuristic 2013 train and the [[First Doctor|First]] and [[Second Doctor]]'s floating heads.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} The original plan was for the floating heads to be depicted via existing footage of [[William Hartnell]] and [[Patrick Troughton]]. However those 2D clips would not easily composite into the newly-shot 3D footage, so head props were specially sculpted by Sue Moore and Steve Mansfield (who previously created Kane's melting head in the 1987 serial ''[[Dragonfire (Doctor Who)|Dragonfire]]'') with wigs by Lesley Smith.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|pp=40–41}} The space station exterior of the Rani's TARDIS was depicted with a model adapted from [[BBV Productions|BBV]]'s ''[[The Stranger (film series)|The Stranger]]'' series.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=41}}{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=124}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} Because the monolith prop (the Rani's TARDIS in disguise) was constructed only a day before filming, Tucker had a single day to construct a miniature version for filming on 26 September.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=42}} The background to the Fourth Doctor's scene was composed of elements taken from a 3D test tape received from Germany.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}} A scene where the Doctor's TARDIS is caught in an asteroid field was filmed but cut.{{Sfn|Tucker|1994|p=42}}
+=== Post-production ===
+[[Keff McCulloch]], who scored various ''Doctor Who'' serials in the late 1980s, composed about eight minutes of incidental music for the special.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=36}}
+Roden suggested that the musical duo [[Pet Shop Boys]], with whom he was friends, could produce a new arrangement of the [[Doctor Who theme music|''Doctor Who'' theme music]], but they were too busy. Nathan-Turner and Roden subsequently approached the pop duo [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]], not realising that they were on tour and were not receiving their messages.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=18}} Erasure eventually agreed, by which time Nathan-Turner had agreed to use an arrangement by music group Cybertech (Mike Fillis and Adrian Pack). Fillis, who played a [[Sea Devil (Doctor Who)|Sea Devil]] in the special, approached Nathan Turner during filming at Albert Square with the remix on a cassette tape. The remix was commercially released in 1994.{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=124}}{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=18}}{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=|pp=35, 37}}
+== Continuity ==
+''Dimensions in Time'' is generally not considered "[[Canon (fiction)|canon]]" to ''Doctor Who'' continuity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tantimedh |first=Adi |date=4 September 2023 |title=Doctor Who: RTD Honors Influential EastEnders Character in New Series |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-rtd-honors-influential-eastenders-character-in-new-series/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|loc=|p=57}} In 1994, Nathan-Turner stated that ''Dimensions in Time'' "was never intended to be part of the ''Doctor Who'' mythos".{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|p=19}} Roden reiterated in 2015 that the special "was not made to be canon".{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=14:00–14:15}} Shortly after its release, ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' deemed the special to be non-canonical.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Scoones |first=Paul |date=October 1998 |title=The Bottom 10: A Celebration of 35 Years of Doctor Who |url=https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv56/bottom10.html |magazine=Time/Space Visualiser |issue=56}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> In ''Doctor Who: The Complete History'', [[John Ainsworth]] argued there is no reason to ignore ''Dimensions in Time'' from the series' official chronology, noting that "the original actors reprised their parts. It featured a previously established villain... It’s not a spoof - it's played completely straight". He suggested the negative reaction to the special has affected its status in ''Doctor Who'' canon.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=57}}
+Establishing ''EastEnders'' and ''Doctor Who'' in the same [[shared universe]] creates various continuity problems. Both Pauline Fowler and Kathy Beale were killed off in ''EastEnders'' prior to 2013, but ''Dimensions in Time'' depicts them alive and well.<ref name=":1" /> [[Sophie Aldred]] appeared in two 1993 episodes of the soap opera,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2017 |editor-last=Wright|editor-first=Mark|issue=44|title=Dragonfire, Remembrance of the Daleks and The Happiness Patrol|magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |pages=105}}</ref>{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=35}} and Louise Jameson and Bonnie Langford later appeared as regular characters.<ref name=":1"/> The 2006 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[Army of Ghosts]]" depicts ''EastEnders'' as a TV series which exists within the [[Whoniverse|''Doctor Who'' universe]].<ref name=":1" />{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=57}}
+==Broadcast==
+{{Episode table |background= |series=6 |title=20 |aux1=6 |airdate=10 |viewers=6 |country=UK |seriesT=Episode |aux1T=Run time |aux1R={{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}} |airdateR={{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}} |viewersR={{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}} |episodes={{Episode list/sublist|Dimensions in Time
     |EpisodeNumber      = 1
     |Title              = Part One
@@ Line 92: / Line 157: @@
     |OriginalAirDate    = {{Start date|1993|11|26|df=y}}
     |Viewers            = 13.8
-    |Aux1               = 7:34
+    |Aux1               = 7:38
     |LineColor          =
-  }}
+}}
    {{Episode list/sublist|Dimensions in Time
     |EpisodeNumber      = 2
@@ Line 101: / Line 166: @@
     |OriginalAirDate    = {{Start date|1993|11|27|df=y}}
     |Viewers            = 13.6
-    |Aux1               = 5:27
+    |Aux1               = 5:28
     |LineColor          =
-  }}
+}}
-  }}
+}}
+The 18 November issue of ''[[Radio Times]]'' featured the Doctors on its cover{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=90}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=17 November 2023 |title=Doctor Who at 60: All the times the Doctors assembled for Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-actors-radio-times-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> and came with a free pair of 3D glasses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Johnathon |date=20 September 2021 |title=Doctor Who and soap crossovers you'd forgotten about |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/doctor-who-soap-crossovers/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}} Part One was introduced by [[Noel Edmonds]] in a live sketch with Pertwee in character as the Third Doctor.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=91}} After Part One aired, a telephone vote was held to choose which ''EastEnders'' character—Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) or [[List of EastEnders characters introduced in 1985#Big Ron|Big Ron]] ([[Ron Tarr]])—would assist the Doctor in Part Two<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=When EastEnders crossed over with other shows |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z4nxcxs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524152047/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z4nxcxs |archive-date=24 May 2025 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=BBC Bitesize |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=123}} (two versions of the same scene were filmed).<ref name=":8">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec22YS215Jk |title=Doctor Who - Dimensions In Time - Rare Unseen Footage |access-date=2025-11-04 |postscript=. For footage of Big Ron assisting the Doctor instead of Mandy, see 4:30. For footage of the Dalek on Albert Square, see 6:29. |via=YouTube}}</ref>{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} The voting gimmick was conceived by Michael Leggo, producer of Edmonds' show ''[[Noel's House Party]]''.{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=31}} Although the version with Big Ron was expected to be broadcast,{{Sfn|Hadoke|2015|loc=38:20–39:12}} the Mandy version won out with 22,484 votes (56%) compared to 17,044 votes (44%).{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=123}} These phone votes raised £101,000.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=91}}{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=34}} Part Two was introduced by Edmonds during ''Noel's House Party''.{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=123}}
-==Continuity==
-The array of aliens summoned to Walford by the Rani included: an Aldeberian (Zog), an Argolin, a biomechanoid dragon, a [[Cyberman]], a Mawdryn mutant, Lord Kiv, a Mogarian, an [[Ogron]], a Plasmaton, the Sandminer robot D84, a [[Sea Devil (Doctor Who)|Sea Devil]], a Stigorax (Fifi), a Tetrap, a [[Time Lord]], a Tractator, a Vanir and a Vervoid.
-==Production==
+''Dimensions in Time'' achieved UK viewing figures of 13.8 million and 13.6 million viewers for the first and second parts respectively,{{Sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}} the highest for ''Doctor Who'' since Part Four of ''[[City of Death]]'' (1979) at 16.1 million viewers.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=92}}<ref name=city>{{Cite magazine |date=2018 |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |title=City of Death, The Creature from the Pit, Nightmare of Eden and The Horns of Nimon |url= |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |pages=43 |issn=2057-6048}}</ref>{{efn|''City of Death''<nowiki/>'s broadcast coincided with industrial action at [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]].<ref name=city/>}} That same weekend, Nathan-Turner screened the special at [[Visions (convention)|Visions]] in [[Chicago]] with ''Children in Need'''s permission, raising $6,000 from sales of 3D glasses.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=92}}
-===Cast notes===
+''Dimensions in Time'' has never been rebroadcast, per the deal between the BBC and Equity.<ref name=":4"/>{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=33}} Programme documents read "[[Nota bene|N.B.]] This material can never be used on air again".{{sfn|Pixley|2002|p=37}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2019|p=93}} However researcher Richard Bignell stated a [[Home media|commercial release]] is unlikely moreso due to the high cost of licensing material owned by ''Children in Need''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1000720249497546752 |user=NothingLane |title=The problem isn't really the contracts. Children in Need will let it be used. It's just that they want £6000 per minute or part thereof. To use the whole thing would cost £78,000. It's why you didn't see so much as a clip of it on the DVD range. |first=Richard |last=Bignell |date=27 May 2018}}</ref> A short clip of Kate O'Mara as the Rani from ''Dimensions in Time'' was used in the 2025 ''Doctor Who'' episode ''[[Wish World]]''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1926193510606053613 |user=DialConfession |title=Loved #DoctorWho #WishWorld ! Very fun 😊 Maybe I'm biased though, because I was asked to expand some classic DW clips to widescreen for it. Surprise! (For me, the Rani reveal was these showing up in my emails). Overjoyed that I got to touch up a HQ clip from Dimensions in Time. |first=Jacob |last=Booth |date=24 May 2025 |access-date=22 November 2025}}</ref>
-*This was the final official appearance of [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]]; Pertwee died three years later.
-*[[Tom Baker]] returned to the role of the [[Fourth Doctor]] on television for the first time since leaving 12 years previously, though he had recorded links for the video release of the incomplete ''[[Shada (Doctor Who)|Shada]]'' the year before. Baker would later return to the series in 2013's "[[The Day of the Doctor]]" in which he appears as "The Curator".
-*This special marks the first time that [[Peter Davison]] returned as the [[Fifth Doctor]]. He would later reprise the role in the 2007 mini-episode broadcast for Children in Need, "[[Time Crash]]", alongside his future son-in-law [[David Tennant]] as the [[Tenth Doctor]]; in 2022 as a "Guardian of the Edge" in "[[The Power of the Doctor]]"; and in 2023 in "[[Tales of the TARDIS]]" alongside Janet Fielding as Tegan.<ref>''The Power of the Doctor'', 2022</ref>
-*This was the final appearance of [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]] until 2022, when he appeared as a “Guardian of the Edge” to the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] alongside the First, Fifth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors, and in 2023 in "[[Tales of the TARDIS]]" alongside [[Nicola Bryant]] as [[Peri Brown]].
-*This is the last appearance on television of [[Caroline John]] as [[Liz Shaw]] (John died in 2012) and [[Deborah Watling]] as [[Victoria Waterfield]] (Watling died in 2017).
-*In February 1993, [[Sophie Aldred]] had guest-starred in a two-episode arc on ''EastEnders'' as Suzi.<ref>''EastEnders'' episodes dated 2 February 1993 and 4 February 1993</ref> She appears in ''Dimensions in Time'' as [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]], her character from ''Doctor Who'' and the final [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companion]] of the classic era. The character would not appear on television again until 2022 in "The Power of the Doctor" as the Thirteenth Doctor's companion alongside former companion Tegan, although Ace would appear in a [[YouTube]] video on the official ''Doctor Who'' YouTube channel made to promote the [[Blu-ray]] re-release of [[Doctor Who (season 26)|Season 26]]. Aldred later reprised her role as Ace in Tales of the TARDIS in 2023 alongside Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor.
-*This marked the only time that [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]] appeared with the [[Sixth Doctor]] on-screen; they also met in the [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]] audio drama "[[The Spectre of Lanyon Moor]]".
-*This marked the second time [[Carole Ann Ford]] returned as [[Susan Forman]]. The first was ten years previously in twentieth anniversary special ''[[The Five Doctors]]''. It was Ford's last onscreen appearance as Susan until she reprised the role thirty two years later in 2025 episode [[The Interstellar Song Contest]].
-*This marks the most recent on-screen appearances of [[Sarah Sutton]] as [[Nyssa of Traken|Nyssa]], [[Lalla Ward]] as [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] and [[Louise Jameson]] as [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]].
-*This marked the final appearance of [[Kate O'Mara]] as [[The Rani]]. O'Mara died in 2014.
-*[[Samuel West]] would later play the renegade Time Lord ''[[The Brain of Morbius|Morbius]]'' in the [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]] audio drama "[[Vengeance of Morbius|The Vengeance of Morbius]]"
-*''The Dimensions of Time'' and ''3-Dimensions of Time'' were the working titles for this story.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} David Roden convinced producer John Nathan-Turner not to use either title, and instead settled on ''Dimensions in Time''.
-*This was David Roden's first professional script. Roden's original draft featured the Seventh Doctor meeting the Brigadier on route to a UNIT reunion – and becoming involved in a battle with a crashed spacecraft full of Cybermen. The script was entitled ''Destination: Holocaust'', and featured the Seventh Doctor and Brigadier trapped in a burning church, trying to fight off the advancing damaged Cybermen. This original idea, written by David Roden, was vetoed by Nathan-Turner after it became apparent that Children in Need wished for the story to be a crossover with ''EastEnders''. Despite loving the originally proposed script, Nathan-Turner also had concerns about the cost, which would have included several lengthy night-shoots and a much larger special effects budget.
-* Allegedly, [[Anthony Ainley]] was approached by Nathan-Turner to play the part of the Master in this story, but he turned it down. Ainley, however, denied this, insisting that if he were asked, he would have had no hesitation in appearing. [[Michael Gough]] was later approached to reprise the role of the [[Celestial Toymaker]], and again Nathan-Turner was turned down. Finally, Kate O'Mara was asked if she would like to reprise her role of the Rani – a request to which she agreed. O'Mara was joined by [[Samuel West]], who played her companion [[Cyrian (Doctor Who)|Cyrian]] (named after the original intended actor, Sir [[Ian McKellen]]).
-*The special was one of several special [[3D television|3D]] programmes the BBC produced at the time, using a 3D system developed by American inventor Terry D. Beard that made use of the [[Pulfrich effect]]. The technology required spectacles with one darkened lens and one transparent one; these were sold in shops to the public, with the proceeds going to Children in Need.
-*The [[Dalek]]s were supposed to appear, but the segment was scrapped after a disagreement with Dalek creator [[Terry Nation]] over payments. The Dalek segment would have seen [[Peter Davison]] facing up against them again in the streets seen in the 1984 serial ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks]]''.
-*All actors and crew gave their services especially for Children in Need, and waived their fees on the condition that ''Dimensions in Time'' would never be repeated or sold on [[home video]] for profit. For the same reason, the story has and never will be released on [[DVD]] or appear as an extra on home video. Nevertheless, a short clip of Kate O'Mara from this special was used in the 2025 television episode ''[[Wish World]]''.
-==Broadcast==
-* Part One was broadcast as part of the 1993 [[Children in Need]] [[telethon]]. It was introduced by [[Noel Edmonds]] in a short live sketch with [[Jon Pertwee]], in character as the [[Third Doctor]].
-* At the end of Part One, viewers were asked to phone in and vote for which ''EastEnders'' character would save the Doctor at the start of Part Two. Two versions of the scene were filmed, one featuring [[Mandy Salter|Mandy]] and the non-speaking character Sylvia Weng-Chung and the other featuring [['Big' Ron|Big Ron]]. The £101,000 raised from phone calls went to Children in Need. The result of the vote was announced prior to the screening of Part Two. The version featuring Mandy was broadcast after it won 56% of the vote.
-* Part Two was broadcast as part of popular UK programme ''[[Noel's House Party]]''.
 == Reception ==
-''Dimensions in Time'' has received almost universally negative reviews and is often highlighted as a particular low point of the Wilderness Years: the period between ''Doctor Who's'' 1989 cancellation and [[Doctor Who (series 1)|the 2005 revival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=DWTV |date=2013-08-22 |title=Wet Beds and Floaty Heads: Dimensions in Time in Perspective {{!}} Doctor Who TV |url=https://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/wet-beds-and-floaty-heads-dimensions-in-time-in-perspective-52638.htm |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dimensions in Time: Solved! – The Millennium Effect |url=https://millenniumeffect.co.uk/index.php/dimensions-in-time-solved/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> Criticism has been aimed towards the gimmicky nature of the ''EastEnders'' crossover and the 3D effects; Tom Baker's limited involvement; the low-budget nature of the overall production; and the special's confusing relationship with the show's main continuity. ''Dimensions in Time'' holds an average fan rating of 4.3/10 on ''Doctor Who'' ratings aggregator TheTimeScales.com.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who - Classic TV Specials & Special Editions - Dimensions in Time reviews |url=https://thetimescales.com/Story/story.php?audioid=6101 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=thetimescales.com}}</ref> Licensed reference book ''Doctor Who The Handbook: The Second Doctor'' gave the special a 0/10 and referred to it as ''"a dreadful travesty of a Doctor Who story".''<ref>{{Cite book |first=David J.|last=Howe|first2=Mark|last2=Stammers|first3=Stephen James|last3=Walker|title=Doctor Who The Handbook: The Second Doctor |publisher=Doctor Who Books |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-426-20516-6
+{{Quote box
- |pages=194}}</ref>
+| quote = I don’t need to defend ''Dimensions in Time'' — it should be taken for what it is: a jolly romp to celebrate ''Doctor Who''<Nowiki>'</Nowiki>s thirtieth birthday. If you didn’t like it, fine; if you did like it, that’s equally fine. But if you can honestly say that the 30th anniversary of ''Doctor Who'' would have been better without it, without its publicity, without its ''Radio Times'' front cover, without its colossal audience figure, without its individual effect on the final amount of money raised for such a worthy charity, then I feel sorry for you.{{sfn|Nathan-Turner|1994|pp=18–19}}
+| source = —producer John Nathan-Turner in 1994
+| align =
+| width = 25%
+| quoted =
+}}
+Contemporary fan reception was extremely negative.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rawson-Jones |first=Ben |date=2007-11-18 |title=Cult Spy: 'Doctor Who' In Need? |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a79962/cult-spy-doctor-who-in-need/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine |author-link= |date=16 February 1994 |title=Timelines |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor-who-magazine-200-299/Doctor%20Who%20Magazine%20%23209/page/40/mode/2up |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=209 |pages=38–39}}</ref> A few months after the special's release, the regular [[gag cartoon]] of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'', ''Doctor Who?'', sardonically depicted "Unlikely things to hear whilst viewing the 'Dimensions in Time' story" ("These 3D effects are really convincing!" "They must have spent a fortune on this!" "Albert Square is a very effective setting").<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 February 1994 |title=Doctor Who? by Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=209 |pages=5 |issn=0957-9818}}</ref> In ''The Discontinuity Guide'' (1995), [[Paul Cornell]], [[Martin Day (writer)|Martin Day]] and [[Keith Topping]] called it "nostalgic and camp, amusing nonsense".<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Dimensions in Time - Details |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312172455/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml |archive-date=12 March 2007 |access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref> In the licensed reference book series ''Doctor Who: The Handbook'', [[David J. Howe]], Mark Stammers and [[Stephen James Walker]] gave the special a 0/10 and called it "a dreadful travesty of a ''Doctor Who'' story" despite its charitable aims.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |author-link1=David J. Howe |title=Doctor Who The Handbook: The Second Doctor |last2=Stammers |first2=Mark |last3=Walker |first3=Stephen James |publisher=Doctor Who Books |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-426-20516-6 |pages=193–194}}</ref> Howe and Walker also criticised the plot and pacing, calling it "''Doctor Who'' on acid" and comparing it to a sketch from ''[[The Benny Hill Show]]''.{{Sfn|Howe|Walker|1999|p=|pp=124–125}}
-''Dimensions in Time'' has been likened to the similarly-maligned ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'', due to both productions being low-budget TV specials with questionable canonicity in relation to their main series, and due to similar perceptions of overall extremely poor quality.<ref>{{Cite web  |first=Oli|last=Smith|date=2013-02-15 |title=Doctor Who: Anticipating The Anniversary |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/15/doctor-who-anticipating-the-anniversary |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>
+[[Nicholas Briggs]], who later voiced the [[Daleks]] in ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s [[List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)|revived series]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dee |first=Christel |date=5 January 2019 |title=Nick Briggs Exclusive Interview: "I wanted to make this Dalek super-arrogant" |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/nick-briggs-exclusive-interview-i-wanted-to-make-this-dalek-super-arrogant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818121330/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/nick-briggs-exclusive-interview-i-wanted-to-make-this-dalek-super-arrogant |archive-date=2025-08-18 |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=doctorwho.tv |language=en}}</ref> criticised the special's production value and plot. However he suggested that it received an unfairly high level of scrutiny because of the absence of original ''Doctor Who'' programming on television. He also suggested that the special is more accurately compared to an advert or comedy sketch rather than a standard serial.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |date=16 February 1994 |title=After Image |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor-who-magazine-200-299/Doctor%20Who%20Magazine%20%23209/page/40/mode/2up |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=209 |pages=44–45}}</ref>
-==Ratings==
+In 2013, Oli Smith of ''[[IGN]]'' likened ''Dimensions in Time'' to the similarly maligned ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'', remarking that it "ditched the whole idea of a plot altogether".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Oli |date=2013-02-15 |title=Doctor Who: Anticipating The Anniversary |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/15/doctor-who-anticipating-the-anniversary |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called it a "train wreck" and lamented "what could have been a spectacular event ended up being an embarrassing hodgepodge", criticising the special effects, plot and ''EastEnders'' cameos.<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |last=Lujan |first=Adam |date=14 December 2023 |orig-date=18 July 2016 |title=''Doctor Who'': Every Former Doctor Return Appearance, Ranked |url=https://ew.com/gallery/doctor-who-returning-doctors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926201121/https://ew.com/gallery/doctor-who-returning-doctors/ |archive-date=26 September 2024 |access-date= |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |page=}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Radio Times]]'' in 2023, Patrick Mulkern called it "diabolical – the best that can be said is that it was mounted in a charitable cause".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=15 October 2023 |title=My Life as a Doctor Who Fan: Part 5 – 1990 to 2012 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-my-life-as-a-fan-part-5/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
-''Dimensions in Time'' achieved viewing figures of 13.8 million viewers for the first part and 13.6 million for the second part, making them two of the most highly watched episodes of ''Doctor Who'' ever produced. The highest single audience figure was for Part Four of ''[[City of Death]]'', at 16.1 million viewers.
 ==References==
+===Notes===
+{{notelist}}
+=== Citations ===
 {{reflist}}
+=== Sources ===
+* {{Cite magazine |date=2019 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |editor-link= |title=Shada, Dimensions in Time, The Curse of Fatal Death and Time Crash |url= |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |issue=90 |issn=2057-6048}}
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Bignell |first=Richard |date=January 2012 |editor-last=Bignell |editor-first=Richard |title=Illuminating The Dark Dimension |magazine=Nothing at the End of the Lane |pages=87–115 |publication-date= |volume=3}}
+* {{Cite podcast |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/toby-hadoke-s-who-s-round-128-david-roden-1337 |title=David Roden |website=Toby Hadoke's Who's Round |publisher=[[Big Finish Productions]] |host= |date=2015 |access-date=3 November 2025 |last=Hadoke |first=Toby}}
+* {{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |author-link1=David J. Howe |url=http://archive.org/details/handbookseventhd0000davi |title=Doctor Who The Handbook: The Seventh Doctor |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |publisher=Virgin Publishing |others=via the [[Internet Archive]] |year=1999 |isbn=0-426-20527-8 |orig-date=1998}}
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Nathan-Turner |first=John |author-link=John Nathan-Turner |date=16 February 1994 |title=I Am What I Am... |url= |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=249 |pages=14–19}}
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Pixley |first=Andrew |author-link= |date=11 December 2002 |title=Dimensions in Time |url= |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=324 |pages=26–37}}
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Tucker |first=Mike |date=16 February 1994 |title=No Time (And Three Dimensions In Space) |url= |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |issue=209 |pages=40–42}}
+== Further reading ==
+* {{Cite magazine |date=20 November 1993 |title=Tale of a Time Lord |url=https://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php?title=Tale_of_a_Time_Lord |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |pages=36–37}}
+* {{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Shannon |date=2 August 2021 |title=Dimensions In Time |url=http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/dit.html |access-date=3 November 2025 |website=Shannon Sullivan}}
 ==External links==
-*[http://homepages.bw.edu/~jcurtis/Scripts/DIT/intro.html Doctor Who Scripts Project page for ''Dimensions in Time'']
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070312172455/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/dimensionstime/detail.shtml ''Dimensions in Time'' at BBC Online]
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQCeMIQpFBc Dimensions in Time] on [[YouTube]]
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060622072451/http://www.doctorwhoworld.org.uk/dimensions.htm ''Doctor Who World'' episode guide entry for ''Dimensions in Time'']
+* {{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Simon |title=DIMENSIONS IN TIME |url=http://homepages.bw.edu/~jcurtis/Scripts/DIT/intro.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219034424/http://homepages.bw.edu/~jcurtis/Scripts/DIT/intro.html |archive-date=19 December 2010}}
-*[http://drwhoguide.com/mp3/dimens.mp3 Title music]
+* {{Cite web |date=20 June 2006 |title=Dimensions in Time |url=http://www.doctorwhoworld.org.uk/dimensions.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622072451/http://www.doctorwhoworld.org.uk/dimensions.htm |archive-date=22 June 2006 |website=Doctor Who World}}
-*[http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/toby-hadoke-s-who-s-round-128---david-roden-1337 Toby Hadoke's Who's Round - David Roden] - interview with writer
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070110222512/http://drwhoguide.com/mp3/dimens.mp3 Title music]
 *{{IMDb title|0261655}}

Dimensions in Time: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:21, 29 December 2025

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