It’s the biggest mystery of the Doctor Who universe! Now fans will finally experience the long lost storyline..kinda.
Shada is a 6 part story from the 1979-80 season that was never broadcast. It was written by Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The whole lost story can finally be experienced…as a book.
Shada was released as a radio play. In 1992 footage was released on video with recorded narration from star Tom Baker. This will be first time the full story will be available.
Shada is a prison planet created by the Time Lords to cage would-be conquerors of the universe. One of the galactic bad guys finds a way to unlock the secrets of Shada on Earth in the form of a retired Time Lord. As with most of the serials, The Doctor just happens to be visiting and eventually saves the day…or universe.
The above photo is the book cover tweeted by BBC books. The other is Tom Baker in his curly haired, scarf attired Whoness on the cover of the VHS movie.
The new book will be written by Gareth Roberts who wrote recent episodes of the BBC show. Thanks to MTV Geek for the story and to BBC for confirming what I remember about the story of Shada’s long strange trip.
If news of this long lost classic from the Tom Baker era makes you nostalgic, IDW publishes Doctor Who comic books from various eras.