September 2nd, 2026
12 comments
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The Daleks’ Master Plan: The Making of a Television Serial
Available to order from www.amazon.co.uk
A hardback edition is available from www.kaldorcity.com
‘I fear the war that is coming may be on a vaster scale than anyone yet imagines’
This definitive account reconstructs a formidable era of Doctor Who, exploring one of the show’s most ambitious and turbulent productions. Drawing on exclusive interviews, personal letters, and hundreds of internal memos, it reveals a pivotal chapter in television history with unprecedented depth.
Through close analysis of draft, rehearsal, and camera scripts, the book reveals new insights into both the on-screen drama and the chaos behind the scenes – capturing the intensity of the 1960s production office and the strain on its cast and crew, particularly William Hartnell.
It offers exhaustive coverage of the one-off story Mission to the Unknown and the twelve-part epic The Daleks’ Master Plan, alongside a comparison with the Patrick Troughton-era classic The Invasion. Beyond production, it explores the evolving origins of the Daleks across television, comics, and prose, and uncovers the story of ‘The Destroyers’, the pilot for Terry Nation’s unmade spin-off.
Enhanced by original illustrations from professional artist Tim Keable, this volume stands as an essential record of a landmark television event.
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bob hellier
September 8th, 2026 - 7:51pmon amazon uk website says 10th october available.
Peter C
September 8th, 2026 - 11:54amWhen is this due exactly? I ordered both versions early last month but gave heard nothing since.
booboo
September 8th, 2026 - 11:57amjust says September for the HB amazon showing 21st September
Peter
September 3rd, 2026 - 12:40pmDelighted this is being published – it’s a big surprise for me too having seen it on here. I love DMP: it ‘clicked’ with me when I watched recons and the (then) 3 existing episodes weekly on the anniversary dates in 2021/22 (as they fell on Saturday’s that year and i thought ‘why not?!’). The scale of the story and the fact it took me through winter like that – was epic. “Destruction of Time” (note, no “The” as some guides add) is my most sought after missing episode. It really is like an entire season in itself. Still can’t believe we got those two amazing episodes of it back this year!
I like Alan Stevens’ writing on The Avengers, and the cover of this book is glorious. I’ve ordered the hardback for a few quid more.
Bill silver
September 3rd, 2026 - 8:01amBlimey! Like a bolt out of the Blue. Never knew this was coming. But an absolute must buy! Especially in the year they find two missing episodes of this serial!
axc
September 2nd, 2026 - 4:14pmGorgeous cover. I’ve missed Tim Keable’s artwork.
David Minter
September 2nd, 2026 - 3:50pmI’m hoping Amazon.com in the US may offer this since Amazon UK will be making it available. It seems a bit disjointed, what with covering The Invasion as well, as, on the surface, it seems a bit out of place, but I am still interested in reading about The Daleks’ Master Plan production.
David Minter
September 2nd, 2026 - 3:52pmAck! I keep adding the .com to Amazon when posting here, thus making it a “link.” I apologize for that.
Pete X
September 2nd, 2026 - 5:08pmThe Kaldor City link includes a price for international, £10 more – p&p included in price – than the UK price
Pete X
September 2nd, 2026 - 5:17pmAnd I think the comparison with the Invasion is relevant because, it’s also directed by Douglas Camfield, as well as being the second longest story written by a pair of writers, contains two actors in significant parts common to both stories and a popular returning enemy. Any comparison would hopefully help to illuminate the missing part of DMP.
David Minter
September 2nd, 2026 - 5:56pmI’m a little reluctant to order anything that needs importing because of all the stupid tariff actions Trump keeps taking.
Ah, yes, I forgot about the shared director and actors in the form of Kevin and Nick.
David
September 2nd, 2026 - 1:42pmOrdered this yesterday. Looking forward to reading it.