Eric Saward
Encyclopedia
Eric Saward was born on 9 December 1944 and became a scriptwriter and script editor
for the BBC, resigning from the latter post on the TV programme Doctor Who
in 1986.
His 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. In addition to his role as script editor, Saward also wrote the television stories Earthshock
, Resurrection of the Daleks
and Revelation of the Daleks
.
He has claimed in interviews that he also performed uncredited writing duties, over and above that normally expected of a script editor, on The Awakening
, The Twin Dilemma
, Attack of the Cybermen
and The Trial of a Time Lord
, amongst others. Not all of these claims have been substantiated by other sources.
Saward's other Who writings include the 1983 short story, Birth of a Renegade in the Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Special one-off magazine, published by Radio Times
(and Starlog Press
in the U.S.
) and the 1985 radio play Slipback
. He wrote the novelisations of The Twin Dilemma and Attack of the Cybermen, as well as those of The Visitation and Slipback, for Target Books
' Doctor Who range. His two Dalek stories remain among the few never novelised, while Earthshock was novelised by Ian Marter
.
Saward aroused controversy in 1985 because many of the stories of Colin Baker
's first season in the role contained numerous scenes of graphic violence and darker themes, which many commentators felt was inappropriate for a programme aimed at a family audience (the season featured acid baths, hangings, cell mutation experiments, executions by laser, cannibalism, poisonings, stabbings, suffocation by cyanide and a man having his hands crushed). Unlike previous criticism of violence levelled against the series (for instance during the Philip Hinchcliffe
era (which was more a comment on the then script editor, Robert Holmes
, with whom Saward was later to have a good relationship with)) this criticism came from members of the general public and some Doctor Who fans, as well as traditional critics such as Mary Whitehouse
. BBC One
controller Michael Grade
publicly criticised the violence featured in Colin Baker's first season and claimed it was one of his reasons for putting the series on an 18-month hiatus between 1985 and 1986. Saward defended these scenes, claiming they were intended to be dramatic and intended to warn audiences against real-world violence.
He did not always have a harmonious relationship with Doctor Who's producer John Nathan-Turner
which gave rise to occasional tensions behind the scenes. Saward often complained at Nathan-Turner's insistence on not hiring experienced Doctor Who writers, which led to his having to work hard, not always successfully, on unsuitable scripts submitted by rookie writers. Saward also disagreed with Nathan-Turner's casting of Colin Baker
as the Sixth Doctor
. This came to a head during the production of The Trial of a Time Lord
in the middle of 1986 and he resigned as Script Editor before the completion of production. Nevertheless, Saward's association with the show continued — in the 1990s he wrote linking narration for Doctor Who audio releases
of missing episodes
, and more recently he has appeared in interviews on DVDs of his serials and contributed a short story to the Big Finish
Short Trips
collection. He also writes for German radio drama.
In terms of personal life, Saward lived in Holland for three years where he was briefly married. He also had a relationship with fellow writer Paula Woolsey for a number of years. He has two daughters named Natasha and Marielle.
Script editor
A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, ensuring that scripts are suitable for production...
for the BBC, resigning from the latter post on the TV programme Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
in 1986.
His 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
Christopher H. Bidmead
Christopher Hamilton Bidmead is a British writer and journalist.Bidmead trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts , later playing several roles on stage, television and radio. By the early 1970s he was scriptwriting for Thames Television, producing material for Harriet's Back in...
to submit some ideas to the series on the strength of a recommendation from the senior drama script editor at BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
. He received a commission to write the story The Visitation. This in turn led to his appointment as script editor
Script editor
A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, ensuring that scripts are suitable for production...
on the recommendation of Antony Root
Antony Root
Antony Root is an award-winning television executive and producer.- Education :He was educated at King's College School, Cambridge, Marlborough College and Christ's College, Cambridge where he read Philosophy and English...
, who had briefly replaced Bidmead. In addition to his role as script editor, Saward also wrote the television stories Earthshock
Earthshock
Earthshock is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 8 March to 16 March 1982...
, Resurrection of the Daleks
Resurrection of the Daleks
Resurrection of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts between 8 February and 15 February 1984...
and Revelation of the Daleks
Revelation of the Daleks
Revelation of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts on 23 March and 30 March 1985...
.
He has claimed in interviews that he also performed uncredited writing duties, over and above that normally expected of a script editor, on The Awakening
The Awakening (Doctor Who)
The Awakening is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in two parts on 19 and 20 January 1984.-Synopsis:...
, The Twin Dilemma
The Twin Dilemma
The Twin Dilemma is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 22 March to 30 March 1984, the first to star Colin Baker in the title role.-Synopsis:...
, Attack of the Cybermen
Attack of the Cybermen
Attack of the Cybermen is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts from 5 January to 12 January 1985. It opened Season 22 of the series...
and The Trial of a Time Lord
The Trial of a Time Lord
The Trial of a Time Lord is a fourteen-part British science fiction serial of the long running BBC series Doctor Who. The serial, produced as the twenty-third season of the Doctor Who television series, aired in weekly episodes from 6 September to 6 December 1986...
, amongst others. Not all of these claims have been substantiated by other sources.
Saward's other Who writings include the 1983 short story, Birth of a Renegade in the Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Special one-off magazine, published by Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
(and Starlog Press
Starlog
Starlog was a monthly science-fiction film magazine published by Starlog Group Inc. The magazine was created by publishers Kerry O'Quinn and Norman Jacobs. O'Quinn was the magazine's editor while Jacobs ran the business side of things, dealing with typesetters, engravers and printers. They got...
in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) and the 1985 radio play Slipback
Slipback
Slipback is a radio audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced by the BBC and first broadcast in six episodes on BBC Radio 4 from 25 July to 8 August 1985, as part of a children's magazine show called Pirate Radio Four...
. He wrote the novelisations of The Twin Dilemma and Attack of the Cybermen, as well as those of The Visitation and Slipback, for Target Books
Target Books
Target Books was a British publishing imprint, established in 1973 by Universal-Tandem Publishing Co Ltd, a paperback publishing company. The imprint was established as a children's imprint to complement the adult Tandem imprint, and became well known for their highly successful range of...
' Doctor Who range. His two Dalek stories remain among the few never novelised, while Earthshock was novelised by Ian Marter
Ian Marter
Ian Don Marter was an English actor and writer, perhaps best known for his role as Harry Sullivan in the BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, from December 1974 to September 1975 as a regular, with a one story return in November and December 1975...
.
Saward aroused controversy in 1985 because many of the stories of Colin Baker
Colin Baker
Colin Baker is a British actor who is known for playing Paul Merroney in The Brothers from 1974 to 1976 and as the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, from 1984 to 1986.- Background:Colin Baker was born in London, but moved north to...
's first season in the role contained numerous scenes of graphic violence and darker themes, which many commentators felt was inappropriate for a programme aimed at a family audience (the season featured acid baths, hangings, cell mutation experiments, executions by laser, cannibalism, poisonings, stabbings, suffocation by cyanide and a man having his hands crushed). Unlike previous criticism of violence levelled against the series (for instance during the Philip Hinchcliffe
Philip Hinchcliffe
Philip Hinchcliffe is a British television producer, who brought shows including Private Schulz and The Charmer to the screen, probably best known for the overseeing of British television series Doctor Who from 1974-1977...
era (which was more a comment on the then script editor, Robert Holmes
Robert Holmes
- Politicians :*Robert Holmes elected in 1653*Robert D. Holmes , governor of Oregon*Robert A. "Bob" Holmes, Georgia state legislator*Robert E. Holmes , Ohio state supreme court justice...
, with whom Saward was later to have a good relationship with)) this criticism came from members of the general public and some Doctor Who fans, as well as traditional critics such as Mary Whitehouse
Mary Whitehouse
Mary Whitehouse, CBE was a British campaigner against the permissive society particularly as the media portrayed and reflected it...
. BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
controller Michael Grade
Michael Grade
Michael Ian Grade, Baron Grade of Yarmouth CBE is a British broadcast executive and businessman. He was BBC chairman from 2004 to 2006 and executive chairman of ITV plc from 2007 to 2009.-Early life:...
publicly criticised the violence featured in Colin Baker's first season and claimed it was one of his reasons for putting the series on an 18-month hiatus between 1985 and 1986. Saward defended these scenes, claiming they were intended to be dramatic and intended to warn audiences against real-world violence.
He did not always have a harmonious relationship with Doctor Who's producer John Nathan-Turner
John Nathan-Turner
John Nathan-Turner was the ninth producer of the long-running BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, from 1980 until it was effectively cancelled in 1989...
which gave rise to occasional tensions behind the scenes. Saward often complained at Nathan-Turner's insistence on not hiring experienced Doctor Who writers, which led to his having to work hard, not always successfully, on unsuitable scripts submitted by rookie writers. Saward also disagreed with Nathan-Turner's casting of Colin Baker
Colin Baker
Colin Baker is a British actor who is known for playing Paul Merroney in The Brothers from 1974 to 1976 and as the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, from 1984 to 1986.- Background:Colin Baker was born in London, but moved north to...
as the Sixth Doctor
Sixth Doctor
The Sixth Doctor is the sixth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Colin Baker...
. This came to a head during the production of The Trial of a Time Lord
The Trial of a Time Lord
The Trial of a Time Lord is a fourteen-part British science fiction serial of the long running BBC series Doctor Who. The serial, produced as the twenty-third season of the Doctor Who television series, aired in weekly episodes from 6 September to 6 December 1986...
in the middle of 1986 and he resigned as Script Editor before the completion of production. Nevertheless, Saward's association with the show continued — in the 1990s he wrote linking narration for Doctor Who audio releases
Doctor Who audio releases
There have been many official and unofficial Doctor Who and related spin-offs released on audio, as LPs, audio cassettes, audio CDs and MP3 CDs. Recordings here are listed by their original release date.-Television soundtracks:...
of missing episodes
Doctor Who missing episodes
The Doctor Who missing episodes are the instalments of the long-running British science-fiction television programme Doctor Who that have no known film or videotape copies. They were wiped by the BBC during the 1960s and 1970s for economic and space-saving reasons...
, and more recently he has appeared in interviews on DVDs of his serials and contributed a short story to the Big Finish
Big Finish Productions
Big Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based, primarily, on cult British science fiction properties...
Short Trips
Big Finish Short Trips
The Big Finish Short Trips are a collection of short story anthologies published by Big Finish Productions based on the BBC Television series Doctor Who, beginning with the collection Short Trips: Zodiac in December 2002 and ending with the loss of their license in 2009...
collection. He also writes for German radio drama.
In terms of personal life, Saward lived in Holland for three years where he was briefly married. He also had a relationship with fellow writer Paula Woolsey for a number of years. He has two daughters named Natasha and Marielle.