Eric Saward

Writing

Eric Saward

Born 1944-12-09

Eric Saward (born 9 December 1944) is a British radio scriptwriter who worked as a screenwriter and script editor on the BBC's science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1982 to 1986. He wrote the stories The Visitation, Earthshock, Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks. Saward's career as a scriptwriter began with drama for radio while he was working as a teacher. Later he was able to cross into full-time writing. He was approached by then Doctor Who script editor Christopher H. Bidmead to submit some ideas to the series on the strength of a recommendation from the senior drama script editor at BBC Radio. He received a commission to write the story The Visitation. This in turn led to his appointment as script editor on the recommendation of Antony Root, who had briefly replaced Bidmead.

Acting credits

Earthshocked poster
NR

Featuring cast and crew interviews, recreated sets, and newly shot 16mm film inserts starring the Cybermen.

Earthshocked

2018

30 Years in the TARDIS poster
7.9

A documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of Doctor Who, featuring new interviews, rare archive footage and recently discovered material.

30 Years in the TARDIS

1993

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (documentary) poster
NR

A new 25-minute documentary looking at the making of Timelash. Featuring contributions from Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Paul Darrow, David Chandler, Robert Ashby, script editor Eric Saward, writer Glen McCoy and Paul Lang from Doctor Who Adventures magazine.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (documentary)

2007

Snake Charmer: The Making of 'Snakedance' poster
NR

Cast and crew look back at the making of Snakedance. With actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, director Fiona Cumming, writer Christopher Bailey, script editor Eric Saward, designer Jan Spoczynski, and new series writer Robert Shearman.

Snake Charmer: The Making of 'Snakedance'

2011

The Dalek Tapes poster
7.5

A look at the appearances of the Daleks and Davros in the classic Doctor Who era.

The Dalek Tapes

2006

The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord poster
NR

The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord was the umbrella title for a series of four 2|entertain documentaries. Each covered a different story within the larger fourteen-part serial The Trial of a Time Lord. An instalment of the series was found on each DVD of the The Trial of a Time Lord box set.

The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord

2008

Terrance Dicks: Fact & Fiction poster
8.0

With a writing career spanning 6 decades, this special documentary looks at Terrance Dicks' work for books and television, with contributions from many of his friends and colleagues. Featuring contributions from Terrance Dicks, Barry Letts, Christopher Barry, Louis Marks, Eric Saward, Paul Cornell, Peter Darvill-Evans and Brenda Gardner.

Terrance Dicks: Fact & Fiction

2005

Darkness & Light: The Life of Graham Williams poster
NR

Family and colleagues remember the Doctor Who producer. In 1977, Birkenhead-born first-time producer Graham Williams took over one of the BBC’s most famous shows, Doctor Who. His turbulent three years in the role saw clashes with star Tom Baker, budgetary nightmares and catastrophic industrial action – but also the highest viewing figures the programme has ever achieved. Graham died in 1990, aged just 45, leaving behind a wife and three young children. In this intimate new film, Graham’s family, friends and colleagues look back on a life of darkness and light.

Darkness & Light: The Life of Graham Williams

2024

Driven to Distractation poster
NR

The cast and crew of Frontios reflect on the making of this story.

Driven to Distractation

2011

Showman: The Life of John Nathan-Turner poster
NR

This well researched and insightful documentary about producer John Nathan-Turner looks at his career with a special emphasis on his time at Doctor Who which he worked on throughout the 1980s until the show went on hiatus following the Season 26 story ‘Survival’. Featuring rare footage and commentary from those who knew him and worked with him, Showman is a fascinating look at the life of a troubled showman with lots of stories to tell.

Showman: The Life of John Nathan-Turner

2019

Come in Number Five poster
NR

A special retrospective of Peter Davison's tenure as the Fifth Doctor.

Come in Number Five

2011

Chain Reaction poster
NR

The cast and crew of The Caves of Androzani look back on the making of a legendary story.

Chain Reaction

2010

Built for War: The Sontaran Story poster
7.0

The genesis and development of the Sontaran race through the history of the series, as told by some of the actors and production team involved. This specially produced documentary includes contributions from Terrance Dicks, Elisabeth Sladen, Anthony Read, Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Bob Baker, Eric Saward and Stuart Fell.

Built for War: The Sontaran Story

2006

Davros Connections poster
NR

Exclusive to this boxset is Brendan Sheppard's new documentary, Davros Connections, which pulls together the whole of the Davros Boxset into a single chronology, as well as being a fascinating documentary in its own right. This is an in-depth look at the history of the Daleks' creator, Davros, as portrayed in both the TV stories from the BBC and in audio adventures from official licensee Big Finish. With actors Terry Molloy, David Gooderson and Peter Miles, producer/director Gary Russell, director Ken Grieve, writers Eric Saward, Ben Aaronovitch, Gary Hopkins and Joseph Lidster. Narrated by Terry Molloy.

Davros Connections

2007

Trials and Tribulations poster
NR

A retrospective of Colin Baker's turbulent three-years as the Sixth Doctor in Doctor Who (1963), covering his casting, the 1985 hiatus, and his sacking on the orders of BBC One controller Michael Grade.

Trials and Tribulations

2008

The Doctors: The Colin Baker Years poster
NR

This is the definitive set of interviews with the team who brought the Colin Baker era of Doctor Who to life! This documentary includes the best in-depth interviews with Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri), Bonnie Langford (Mel), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), John Nathan-Turner (Producer) and Eric Saward (Script Editor) ever undertaken!

The Doctors: The Colin Baker Years

2019

Peter Grimwade: Directing with Attitude... poster
NR

A look at the career of Peter Grimwade: writer, director and the name behind the eponymous robot phobia syndrome.

Peter Grimwade: Directing with Attitude...

2011

Lords and Luddites: Making 'The Mark of the Rani' poster
NR

Actors and members of the production team recall the making of the programme in this specially-shot documentary, which features contributions from actors Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Kate O'Mara and Gary Cady (Luke), writers Pip & Jane Baker, script editor Eric Saward and composer Jonathan Gibbs.

Lords and Luddites: Making 'The Mark of the Rani'

2006

Behind the camera

Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks poster
7.9

Captured in a time corridor, the Doctor and his companions are forced to land on 20th century Earth, diverted by the Doctor's oldest enemy - the Daleks. It is here the true purpose of the time corridor becomes apparent: after ninety years of imprisonment, Davros, the ruthless creator of the Daleks, is to be liberated to assist in the resurrection of his army. Not even the Daleks foresee the poisonous threat of their creator. Indeed, who would suspect Davros of wanting to destroy his own Daleks - and why? Only the Doctor knows the truth. Will he descend to Davros' level of evil to stop him?

Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks

1984

Doctor Who: The Visitation poster
7.2

In 17th century England, the Doctor and itinerant thespian Richard Mace uncover a plot by a crew of criminal Terileptils to wipe out humanity.

Doctor Who: The Visitation

1982

Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks poster
8.7

At the Tranquil Repose mortuary, the Doctor and Peri uncover a sinister plot to create a new breed of Daleks under the supervision of the mysterious Great Healer.

Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks

1985

A Fix with Sontarans poster
3.0

While operating the controls on his TARDIS console, The Doctor accidentally transports his former companion Tegan Jovanka on board. Less than happy about her situation, she reluctantly agrees to help when the Doctor reveals that two Sontarans are on board with a powerful vitrox bomb with which they intend to blow up the ship.

A Fix with Sontarans

1985

Doctor Who: Earthshock poster
8.1

The Doctor and his companions must prevent the Cybermen from bombing the Earth in the 26th century. It is a battle not everyone will survive...

Doctor Who: Earthshock

1982

Doctor Who: Attack of the Cybermen poster
7.0

An alien distress call draws the Doctor and Peri to Earth, 1985, where they uncover a Cyberman plot to change the course of history.

Doctor Who: Attack of the Cybermen

1985