Trivia / Doctor Who S20 E5 "Enlightenment"

• Inspiration for the Work: Barbara Clegg used the image of solar winds for the Eternals’ travelling ships.
• The Other Marty:
  • Peter Sallis was booked to play Captain Striker, as director Fiona Cumming recalled that he had played a similarly detached character in the 1974 BBC drama The Pallisers. Sallis did attend one day of rehearsal before a strike started and production dates were charged. Sallis was signed up to a Last of the Summer Wine special and so could not make the dates. So, Keith Barron was cast instead.
  • David Rhule was originally cast as Mansell, but he also had to drop out, so singer Leee John replaced him at short notice, despite having no previous acting experience.
• Throw It In!: Believe it or not, the inclusion of Leee John as Mansell wasn't a case of Stunt Casting, at least not intentionally: the actor who was supposed to play Mansell, David Rhule, dropped out at the last minute because of an industrial strike at the BBC that took place just after rehearsals had begun. The last-minute inclusion of John, combined with his lack of prior acting experience, is the reason why his performance throughout the serial is so stiff-yet-excessive.
• Troubled Production: Much like the previous serial, this one ran into some problems:
  • Like with "Terminus", the BBC were dealing with a strike of the country’s electrician's union, causing massive rescheduling. When the strikes ended, production blocks finished this and the next serial, leaving the season finale, The Return, in the dust. Said delays also caused composer Malcolm Clarke to have barely a week before broadcast to score the story, relying on musical cues recorded weeks prior.
  • Janet Fielding had troubles with her short gown while trying to not to have a Wardrobe Malfunction. At one point, Peter Davison concluded a line with the ad-lib, "Oh, and Tegan, put your boobs back in!", causing Fielding to find out she had exposed herself.
  • Mark Strickson was injured while filming the stunt of Turlough throwing himself overboard when the wire holding him broke, leaving him with a limp for weeks.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Glenda Jackson was the original choice for Captain Wrack.
  • Amongst those considered for Jackson were Richard Griffiths, Nigel Hawthorne and Donald Houston.
  • Michael Jayston was offered the roles of Jackson and Captain Striker.
  • Jackson originally left the plot in Episode 2. However, Eric Saward wrote him into Episode 3 when he realised the inherent Fridge Horror in his fate.
• Working Title: The Enlighteners.
• Write Who You Know: Barbara Clegg based the Eternals on a wealthy group of her relatives who upon visiting her had demanded constant entertainment, treating other family members almost as "lesser beings".
• Written for My Kids: Barbara Clegg wanted to write for the series to please her children.
• You Look Familiar:
  • Familiar looks: Tony Caunter (Jackson) had previously played Thatcher and Morgan.
  • Familiar sounds: Lynda Baron had previously sung "The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon".

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