Kasterborous Classic TV: Exploring Doctor Who & Classic Sci-Fi

Doctor Who artist Lee Sullivan joins Christian Cawley to look back on a career that has spanned Transformers, Marvel UK, Doctor Who Magazine, and some of the most memorable comic strips of the Seventh and Eighth Doctor eras.Beginning with his childhood love of comics and Gerry Anderson, Lee explains how an ambition to become a comic strip artist eventually led him from British Aerospace to Marvel UK, where he cut his teeth drawing Transformers before unexpectedly becoming one of Doctor Who's defining artists.The unedited interview is available on our Patreon.The conversation explores the creative process behind classic Doctor Who Magazine strips, the challenges of sequential storytelling, and the evolution of the comic throughout the Wilderness Years and beyond. Along the way, Lee discusses:  How Transformers became his first professional comic strip work.  Breaking into Marvel UK and working with editors including Richard Starkings.  Becoming a Doctor Who artist during the programme's 25th anniversary.  The enduring popularity of the Seventh Doctor comic strips.  Bringing the Eighth Doctor to life in comic form.  Storytelling techniques, page layouts and visual pacing.  Working on graphic novels, illustrations and Doctor Who publications beyond the comic strip.  Why Doctor Who has remained such a constant throughout his career.   Whether you discovered Lee Sullivan's artwork through Doctor Who Magazine, Marvel UK's Transformers, or later Doctor Who books and illustrations, this interview offers a fascinating insight into one of the franchise's most recognisable artists. Learn more about Lee Sullivan and his work: https://leesullivanart.co.uk/

The conversation continues beyond Doctor Who this week as Christian Cawley and James McLean turn their attention to the changing world of film, gaming, and digital entertainment.Starting with the prospects for DC Studios’ Supergirl and the current state of superhero cinema, the discussion broadens into the future of the cinema experience, the decline of physical media, and what it really means to own the films and games we pay for.Along the way, they consider whether streaming has changed our relationship with entertainment forever, why Blu-rays and boxed games still have a place on the shelf, and whether services like Steam have fundamentally altered consumer expectations.Also discussed: Is superhero fatigue really to blame for declining cinema audiences? DC Studios, Marvel Studios and the challenge of rebuilding franchises. Why some films still deserve to be seen on the big screen. The continuing appeal of Blu-ray and other physical media. Sony’s changing approach to physical PlayStation releases. Steam, digital ownership and the risks of an all-digital future. Evercade and the resurgence of physical retro gaming. Windows 11, ageing hardware and planned obsolescence. The full uncut edition of this week’s podcast discussions can be found on our Patreon, along with the Kasterborous Archive.

The Doctor Who world lost one of its most important creative voices with the passing of Justin Richards. This week, Christian Cawley and James McLean celebrate his remarkable contribution to the Whoniverse and discuss why his work mattered to generations of fans.From the Virgin New Adventures to BBC Books, Big Finish audio dramas, comics, and countless reference works, Justin Richards helped define Doctor Who during the years it was off television—and continued shaping the franchise long after its return.Christian and James both experienced the books when they were released, back when there was no Doctor Who on TV. Pre-Big Finish, these titles were the only tangible Doctor Who stories beyond the comic strip and the short-lived TV Movie, and were vital to positioning Doctor Who as a serious brand. Along the way, the conversation explores favourite novels, the evolution of Doctor Who publishing, and the enduring importance of books in keeping the series alive between 1989 and 2005. Also in this episode:  Updates from the growing Kasterborous Archive on Patreon. A preview of an upcoming interview with Doctor Who artist Lee Sullivan. Our favourite Justin Richards novels and recommendations for new readers. The transition from Virgin Books to the BBC Books range. Justin Richards’ editorial influence on Doctor Who publishing. Why the Wilderness Years remain one of Doctor Who’s most creative periods. Whether you discovered Justin Richards through his novels, his audio dramas, or his work behind the scenes, this episode celebrates a writer whose influence on Doctor Who is difficult to overstate.The full uncut edition of this week’s podcast discussions can be found on our Patreon, along with the Kasterborous Archive.Kasterborous Archive on PatreonLook out for our main chat, landing later.

Christian Cawley and James McLean address some recent show reviews and consider a growing trend in major fandoms: the desire to rewind the clock, and remove episodes, or movies, that don’t align.Following a surprising Apple Podcasts review that labelled certain eras of Doctor Who as “ersatz,” they dive into the psychology of canon, the reality of “brand positivity,” and why big studios might actually consider wiping the slate clean.This episode first aired on our Patreon. Support the Kasterborous Archive on Patreon, and unlock interviews and "lost" items from our old website.Our topics this week The “professional” fans: Christian reads out a selection of listener reviews, including a three-star critique that calls out the “modern abomination” of Doctor Who. Defining “ersatz” Who: Where do you draw the line? Is everything off-screen fake? We discuss the subjective nature of what “counts” as real Doctor Who. The Star Wars sequel trilogy erasure rumours: Addressing the recurring social media storm that Disney is planning to “delete” the Star Wars sequels. Is it a legitimate business move or just fan wish-fulfilment? Canon as an audience construct: James argues that while fans obsess over timelines, producers only care about IP utility. Does “canon” even exist to the people making the movies? There’s also time to consider how shows like Scrubs and Roseanne used “light-touch revisionism” to ignore unpopular final seasons and return to familiar status quos, and the 1990s Timothy Zahn-penned Star Wars novels.Let us know what your thoughts are on this matter -- is it useful to remove or ignore multimillion dollar movies from a timeline? Can the same be done to Doctor Who -- or is it simply not necessary?Email us: [email protected]

In this episode of Kasterborous, Christian Cawley and James McLean take a trip down memory lane to discuss the infamous "wilderness years" of Doctor Who. Inspired by current industry headlines and the recent status of the series, they recall and reflects on how they—and the wider fandom—navigated the period following the show's 1989 cancellation. Key topics this week The "Cancellation" Conversation: We break down the current state of Doctor Who and explore whether rumors of cancellation are merely a strategic attempt to generate discourse or a genuine reflection of industry instability.  1989 vs. Now: Comparing the experience of the late 80s with the modern era, and why it is so difficult for fans to determine the actual status of a production in today’s "post-truth" media landscape.  The 90s Wilderness Years: James and Christian recall how they stayed engaged with the show during the hiatus, focusing on the rise of the Virgin New Adventures novels, VHS releases, and the importance of specialist shops like Forbidden Planet.  Canonicity and Cash Cows: A deep dive into the 90s obsession with "official" canon and the changing perception of tie-in merchandise—from "crass commercial cash cows" to the more integrated, sophisticated marketing seen in modern franchise media.  The Power of Independent Media: We highlight the opportunities for creativity in the "digital wild west," referencing the work of people like Gareth Kavanagh and Cutaway Comics as a blueprint for how fans and creators can keep a franchise alive. Mentions and links Substack: Follow our latest writing and discussions at gamingretro.substack.com. Cutaway Comics: Check out the excellent work being done by Gareth Kavanagh and the team at Cutaway Comics. Support our work in bringing lost and forgotten interviews and features from our old website to the Kasterborous Archive

Christian, Brian, and James dive into the complex, hodgepodge world of special effects in Classic Doctor Who. From the creative ingenuity required to mask limited budgets to the philosophical debate between practical effects and modern CGI, the team explores what makes certain classic effects timeless while others fall short.Key Discussion Points: The Art of "Classic" FX: Discussion on why classic Doctor Who effects often feel more engaging than seamless modern CGI, specifically the audience's enjoyment in understanding the "how-to" behind the curtain. Practical vs. CGI: Why practical effects, such as elaborate alien suits, maintained a sense of reality through consistent lighting and physical interaction, whereas some modern CGI struggles with aging and believability. The "Rubber Nose" Trope: Examining the shift in alien design from elaborate, ambitious suits to the more common Star Trek: TNG-inspired humanoid-with-a-prosthetic approach, and whether this was due to budget constraints, audience expectations, or actor comfort. CSO (Chroma Key) Analysis: A deep dive into the use of CSO in Classic Doctor Who, highlighting the technical ambition of stories like Underworld—despite its flaws—and comparing it to the near-seamless work in Silver Nemesis. The Best and Worst Effects: We offer our thoughts on what are the best and worst special effects in classic Doctor Who. Let us know what you think, as we really only skimmed the surface in this episode. Plus, there is also mention of: Doctor Who: Death to the Daleks, Silver Nemesis, The Five Doctors, Underworld, Revenge of the Cybermen, Invasion of the Dinosaurs, Trial of a Time Lord. Blake’s 7: Discussion on the recent release with updated VFX. Star Trek: Comparisons between its alien designs and the riskier, more varied approach taken by Doctor Who. Random Acts of Hopkirk (Deceased): Tom Baker’s interaction with extensive green screen work. Thanks for watching, and don't forget, joining our Patreon as a paid subscriber gives you access to the Kasterborous Archive, a growing collection of material that was either unused, or forgotten, from the days of the old Kasterborous website.

The TARDIS is changing hands—or at least, the keys might be. In a massive shake-up, the BBC has officially put Doctor Who out to tender, signaling a potential end to the current Russell T Davies era. While the show is far from cancelled, the search for a new production house to take the helm has sent shockwaves through the fandom.Join Christian Cawley and James McLean as they break down the implications of this news. What does it mean for the future of the series? Could this open the door for a radical creative shift, or are we looking at a period of uncertainty as the show prepares for its next phase?We also weigh in on whether the festive hiatus is a temporary blip or a sign that the BBC’s priorities are shifting away from appointment viewing.Tune in as we dissect the headlines and try to make sense of one of the biggest Doctor Who news stories of the year.As ever, let us know what you think. 

This week on Kasterborous, Christian chats with Gareth Kavanagh about the latest Kickstarter from Cutaway Comics, Paradise Towers: Unalive the Multiverse.Returning to the neon-soaked world of Doctor Who's classic 1987 story Paradise Towers, the new graphic novel continues the adventures of the Kangs, Rezzies, and Caretakers as a fresh threat emerges from across the multiverse. The project is written by Sean Mason and builds on Cutaway's previous Paradise Towers comics. Visit the Paradise Towers: Unalive the Multiverse Kickstarter.Christian and Gareth discuss: Why Paradise Towers remains such a rich setting nearly 40 years after its television debut The development of Unalive the Multiverse Cutaway Comics' approach to expanding corners of the Doctor Who universe The continuing involvement of original Paradise Towers creator Stephen Wyatt Wyatt's first-ever comic strip, Scary Cat, created especially for this project The importance of creating opportunities for new comic creators The search for a brand-new artist to illustrate Wyatt's story, following Cutaway's tradition of helping emerging talent break into professional comics As Gareth explains, the artist search mirrors the process that originally brought artist Silvano Beltramo into the Paradise Towers range, demonstrating Cutaway Comics' commitment to discovering fresh talent.Also in this episodeAfter the interview, Christian takes viewers on a brief tour of the growing Kasterborous Archive on Patreon, showcasing some of the exclusive material available to supporters, including vintage podcast episodes, interviews, video content, and other treasures from nearly two decades of Kasterborous productions.Links Paradise Towers: Unalive the Multiverse Kickstarter Cutaway Comics official website Kasterborous on Patreon Build high for happiness — and watch out for multiversal murder squads!

You cannot have helped but notice that rumours are swirling about the future of Doctor Who, with tabloid reports suggesting that next year’s series and the 2026 Christmas special are facing cancellation. We dig into the reality behind these headlines, the struggle to find the next Time Lord, and why the current climate of “content saturation” is creating such an atmosphere of uncertainty.Quick TL;DR -- we don’t buy the “no one wants to play the Doctor” schtick, and nor should you.This chat does interrupt previously-scheduled chat about Mind Warp. We will be picking this up soon, but wanted to catch up on the latest news.Episode HighlightsHere’s what we actually cover this week: The comfort of the classics: Why we’re finding more affection for classic Doctor Who than the modern era. Is it nostalgia, or does the scarcity of the old episodes simply make them more precious? Panini stickers and the 1980s: A trip down memory lane. We discuss the joys of completing sticker albums—from Return of the Jedi to Transformers—and how they served as a vital, physical conduit to films in an era before on-demand viewing. Cutaway Comics and the Paradise Towers revival: We look at the new Unlive the Multiverse graphic novel and the exciting open artist competition for Scary Cat. Could this be the perfect time for a resurgence in spin-off material? Ncuti Gatwa on SNL UK: Thoughts on the recent Saturday Night Live monologue and why the current discourse surrounding Doctor Who feels like it’s being played for laughs. The cancellation rumours: Addressing the recent reports in The Sun and Radio Times. We break down why the “unnamed insider” narrative is often misleading and discuss the broader implications of the BBC’s current “uncertainty” era. Links and resources Cutaway Comics: Explore their library and find out more about their current projects and artist opportunities. The Doctor Who Companion: Our favourite Doctor Who online magazine. Join the Kasterborous Archive: Our Patreon is a collection of lost, forgotten, overlooked, and unheard interviews, features, and curios from 20+ years of writing and talking about Doctor Who Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to [email protected]. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.Thanks!

Christian Cawley and James McLean reach the final episode of The Mysterious Planet — and by this point, the commentary itself may be more entertaining than the serial under discussion. As the pair pick apart collapsing pacing, endless corridors, meaningless courtroom interruptions, and the baffling lack of anything recognisably “Earth-like” about Ravalox, the conversation expands into a broader discussion about Doctor Who itself: companion writing, Colin Baker’s wasted strengths, the failures of Trial of a Time Lord as a format, and whether the season could have worked better as a genuine deconstruction of the Doctor. There’s nostalgia for VHS culture, comparisons with The Daleks’ Master Plan, frustration over Peri’s lack of agency, and a surprisingly thoughtful debate about why some companions endure while others become little more than plot devices. By the end, the hosts are already bracing themselves for Mind Warp — and wondering if the real trial was the episodes they watched along the way.Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows.Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you. If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to [email protected]. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.Thanks!What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

Christian Cawley and James McLean continue their Trial of a Time Lord marathon with Episode 3 of The Mysterious Planet — and the cracks are beginning to show. What starts as a nostalgic conversation about VHS tins, HMV trips, and the ritual of physical media quickly becomes a forensic dissection of pacing problems, intrusive courtroom scenes, and a strangely muted “it was Earth all along” reveal.Along the way, the pair discuss Robert Holmes’ recycled story ideas, the abandoned "Yellow Fever and How to Cure It," unreliable narration in Trial of a Time Lord, and why the serial feels oddly disconnected from Earth despite its central twist.There’s also sympathy for Colin Baker being awkwardly hoisted by a wobbling robot, comparisons to the Kandyman, and the growing suspicion that the courtroom framework may actually undermine the storytelling it was supposed to enhance.Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows.Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you. If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to [email protected]. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.Thanks!What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

Christian Cawley and James McLean return to discuss the increasingly uncertain future of television — starting with reports that AMC will become the US streaming home for classic-era Doctor Who.Does the AMC deal mean Doctor Who is heading back toward an American co-production model? Or is this simply another distribution agreement being overanalysed by a fandom starved for news?(We think it might be that one ^^...)The conversation expands into a much broader discussion about the current state of television and streaming: collapsing audience attention spans, the “age of suffocation” caused by overwhelming amounts of content, and whether long-form prestige TV can even survive in a world dominated by YouTube, TikTok, gaming, and algorithm-driven viewing habits.Along the way, Christian and James discuss: AMC acquiring US streaming rights to classic-era Doctor Who Whether Doctor Who could ever become an American production Why streaming has created an “age of suffocation” for TV audiences The Mandalorian movie and the collapse of “event television” Gaming, YouTube, and the battle for audience attention William Shatner, AI-generated artwork, and authenticity online Remembering Blake’s 7 actor Michael Keating We also head back into the world of AI, and explore whether AI tools are quietly eroding creative industries, why audiences instinctively reject AI-generated work, and how websites and streaming platforms are increasingly losing their individual identities.Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows.

In this episode, Christian Cawley, James McLean, and Brian Terranova reunite to look back at the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie. It was a night of high stakes, big budgets, and a transition that would define the "wilderness years" for a generation of fans.This week: * Brian Terranova Explains the PAL Problem: We welcome back the podcast’s original co-host to discuss his experience watching the movie’s US premiere on Fox and the "commercial break" mishaps that haunted his VHS recordings for years. Brian reveals why UK audiences have never actually heard Paul McGann’s real voice or the correct musical pitch due to the NTSC-to-PAL conversion speed-up.* The Jules Verne TARDIS: A deep dive into the 1996 console room. Is it too Victorian, or is it the first time the show actually looked like it had money behind it?* A Poetic End for Seven: We debate Sylvester McCoy’s regeneration. Was it a "un-heroic" mistake, or the perfect end for a master manipulator who finally missed one small detail?* The Pilot Problem: Why cramming 30 years of lore—Time Lords, Daleks, and Master-snakes—into 90 minutes might have alienated the very American audience Fox was trying to court. * Ahead of Its Time: How the movie’s reverence for props like the sonic screwdriver and jelly babies predated the modern era of "prestige" reboots.On the Kasterborous Archive, we have new chats with various people involved with the Doctor Who TV Movie, including Daphne Ashbrook and Sylvester McCoy.

We dive headlong into the second installment of The Mysterious Planet this week, only to find a struggle with the overarching structure of The Trial of a Time Lord.From the pitfalls of 1980s "stunt casting" to the surprisingly accurate technological predictions of the mid-80s, we explore why this era of Doctor Who often feels like a struggle between a standalone story and a courtroom drama.Our key talking points The "Bland" Factor: Why The Mysterious Planet lacks a certain "humanity" compared to other "mid-tier" stories like Black Orchid or Paradise Towers. Stunt Casting vs. Character: We look at the appearances of Joan Sims and Brian Blessed, and whether their larger-than-life personas pull the audience out of the story. A Win for the Prop Department: We marvel at a service robot that looks suspiciously like a modern-day automated vacuum cleaner—is this 1980s Doctor Who's most accurate prediction of future tech? Scale and Sci-Fi Talk: Why "wanted in the six galaxies" feels like a hollow threat compared to the more grounded stakes of Star Wars or earlier eras of the show. Peri’s Perspective: A rare moment where Peri isn't being objectified or "claimed" as a future wife (at least until Mindwarp). But here's the thing: at the midway point of this 4-parter season opener, it oddly feels more taxing than any commentary we've done before -- especially comparing this with how the show's format and pace was completely different a couple of years later.We're presenting our commentaries to you on Patreon in a complete story-by-story package, in both video and audio. To remind you, Season 23 comprised the following individual stories: The Mysterious Planet by Robert Holmes Mindwarp by Philip Martin Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker The Ultimate Foe by Robert Holmes (with Pip and Jane Baker) Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you. If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to [email protected]. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.Thanks!What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

Christian Cawley and James McLean settle in for a long-overdue rewatch of The Trial of a Time Lord, the Sixth Doctor’s epic 14-part swan song. Things kick off in signature style with a false start on the wrong episode, followed by a deep dive into the high-budget model work and low-budget "starched doily" fashion of 1986...This is the first part of our commentary/talking over The Mysterious Planet, with each subsequent installment coming to your podcast app over the next few weeks.However, if you want the whole thing in one go, you'll find it on our Patreon, details below.We'd love it if you watched along with us, via DVD, Blu-ray, or even BBC iPlayer. Just be sure not to hit "continue watching" or whatever if you've already enjoyed some classic Doctor Who lately...ShownotesWe're presenting our commentaries to you on Patreon in a complete story-by-story package, in both video and audio. To remind you, Season 23 comprised the following individual stories: The Mysterious Planet by Robert Holmes Mindwarp by Philip Martin Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker The Ultimate Foe by Robert Holmes (with Pip and Jane Baker) Your Patreon option This week, you get just the first part of the conversation, BUT Patreon listeners got the whole thing AND earlier than you, by a full 3 days. To join them, visit the Kasterborous Patreon today and sign up to support us with a free trial. Patreon supports will be getting our thoughts on Mind Warp and Terror of the Vervoids and the rest of the Doctor's trial much sooner than everyone else, too.Every week, supporters get the podcast first, with extra material (this one had video), ad-free, and other video content, and we give you access to the Kasterborous Archive (this week: Karen Gillan!)Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you. If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to [email protected]. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.Thanks!What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments, look out for our conversation about part two next week.