Cyberiad Rising

Cyberiad Rising was the first story of Season 39 of Doctor Who. It was written and directed by David Agnew and featured Jim Broadbent as the Doctor, Alan Dale as Riddell and Robert Bathurst as Flo.

It's notable for introducing the characters of Riddell and Flo.

## Cyberiad Rising

### Director

David Agnew

Synopsis

The Venturi were an advanced and accomplished race. Now, their civilisation has been annihilated, their wondrous homeworld transformed into a technological horror. Following the Viyrans into the heart of this high-tech holocaust, the Doctor, Riddell, and Flo must face their fears and inevitable infection to strike a blow against a familiar and unrelenting enemy. The conversion of the Venturi has allowed the Cybermen to transcend their limitations and attain awesome power, rendering them more adaptive and dangerous than ever!

As the travellers make their way through a surreal cityscape of living metal, their bodies begin to undergo a slow and unnatural change. Flesh and blood are gradually being transformed into circuits and steel, and the trio discovers that their subconscious minds are now linked. The Cyberiad is all-knowing, encompassing every living creature on the planet. As their bodies fade, so too does their sense of self. John Riddell, the sole human in this doomed expedition, suffers worst of all. He can see and hear James Sampson and Lillian Riddell—his greatest rival and a sister tragically lost—haunting manifestations of his shattered psyche. Lillian threatens him, and Sampson tempts him, each goading Riddell into embracing an inhuman influence. Slowly but surely, the self-reliant adventurer is losing himself to the Cyberiad. The culmination of his agonizing trial will mark the birth of a powerful new Cyber-Planner, one who will usher in an era of unprecedented conquest for the Cybermen.

The Venturi and John Riddell have been lost, but if the Doctor can outmanoeuvre a trusted companion transformed into a formidable foe, he just might prevent this insidious infection from spreading to the galaxy beyond!

Plot

Part 1

To be added.

Part 2

To be added.

Part 3

To be added.

Cast

The Doctor - Jim Broadbent

Riddell - Alan Dale

Flo - Robert Bathurst

To be added.

Crew

Created by Sydney Newman, Donald Wilson and C.E. Webber

Executive Producer - David Renwick

Writer - David Agnew

Producer - Bill Shapter

Script Editor - Russell T Davies

Director - David Agnew

Director of Photography - Ernie Vincze

Production Designer - Jon Bunker

Visual Effects - The Mill

Make-Up Designer - Davy Jones

Casting Director - Andy Pryor

Music - Murray Gold

Costume Designer - Lucinda Wright

Edited by - Mike Jones

Special Effects - Bryan Stanislas

Original Theme Music - Ron Grainer

Title Music - Vangelis

Title Sequence by Santa Barbara Studios

Memorable Quotes

To be added.

Background Information

Development

To be added.

Pre-Production

To be added.

Production

To be added.

Post-Production

The Poplne CGI models were created and animated by visual effects company, The Mill, who had worked on the CGI for Doctor Who since Season 37 in 2000.

Reaction

Part One received a 7-Day Viewing Figure from BARB of 8.27m viewers. It ranked at 13th over the week.

Part Two received a 7-Day Viewing Figure from BARB of 8.04m viewers. It ranked at 19th over the week.

Part Three received a 7-Day Viewing Figure from BARB of 8.12m viewers. It ranked at 17th over the week.

Story Notes

This is the first story to be produced by Bill Shapter and script edited by Russell T Davies.

This is the first story for Murray Gold as music composer.

Continuity

To be added.

Home Video Releases