First released in 2002 as a six-part animated webcast on the BBC’s official website, Real Time was one of several experimental Doctor Who web productions during the wilderness years. Starring Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and featuring Maggie Stables as his companion Evelyn Smythe, it marked an important moment in franchise history—the first time a character introduced in Big Finish’s audio dramas appeared in a BBC-endorsed production. With animation by Cosgrove Hall, Real Time was an ambitious attempt to bring Doctor Who into the digital age.
The story takes place on the planet Chronos, where two scientific survey teams have mysteriously disappeared. The only clue to their fate is a single chilling transmission: “Cybermen.” In response, the University funding the expedition calls in Earth’s security forces, who dispatch a team to investigate. However, the mission takes a turn when the Doctor and Evelyn arrive, finding themselves embroiled in a desperate struggle against the Cybermen, who seek to harness the unique temporal properties of Chronos to reshape the timeline to their advantage.
Colin Baker’s Doctor is in top form here, delivering a performance that balances his brash intelligence with the maturity that had become a hallmark of his later audio work. Real Time is a far cry from the more bombastic Sixth Doctor seen on television—this is a thoughtful, measured incarnation who has learned restraint and wisdom over time. Baker’s delivery elevates the material, making the Doctor’s moral dilemmas and strategic battles against the Cybermen all the more compelling.
Maggie Stables’ Evelyn Smythe provides a strong counterpoint to the Doctor. Unlike the younger, more traditional companions of the classic era, Evelyn is an older, highly intelligent historian with a no-nonsense attitude. Her dynamic with the Doctor is one of mutual respect, and her presence adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative. While Real Time does not allow as much time for her character development as the Big Finish audios, she remains a standout figure in the story, proving why she became such a fan-favorite companion.
The Cybermen, voiced by Doctor Who veteran Nicholas Briggs, are suitably menacing. Their plan to use the temporal instability of Chronos to alter history is a chillingly effective take on their usual modus operandi, and their presence feels genuinely threatening. The Cyber-Controller, in particular, exudes a cold ruthlessness that makes for an effective antagonist. Real Time portrays the Cybermen with an unsettling, almost unstoppable quality, reinforcing their reputation as one of the Doctor’s most formidable enemies.
Visually, Real Time is an interesting experiment. While the animation is limited by early-2000s technology, it is effective in creating a dark and atmospheric tone. The character designs are stylized, with sharp lines and exaggerated features that give the webcast a unique aesthetic. The use of digital backgrounds and lighting effects enhances the feeling of an otherworldly, hostile environment. However, the animation is not as fluid as later reconstructions like The Invasion, and some movements feel stiff, betraying the limitations of the technology available at the time.
Thematically, Real Time explores concepts of fate, free will, and the dangers of unchecked scientific curiosity. The story’s use of time manipulation aligns well with the Cybermen’s obsession with survival and adaptation, reinforcing their ongoing evolution as a species. The title itself—Real Time—suggests an interplay between predestined events and the ability to change history, a concept that resonates throughout Doctor Who’s long history.
Perhaps the most infamous aspect of Real Time is its unresolved cliffhanger. The final moments see the Doctor being partially converted into a Cyberman, a shocking development that was clearly intended to set up a continuation. However, plans for further webcasts were ultimately abandoned, leaving Real Time as one of the few Doctor Who stories without a definitive resolution. While this ambiguity has fueled fan speculation for years, it remains a frustrating element for those seeking closure.
Rewatching Real Time in 2025, it stands as an important, if incomplete, entry in Doctor Who’s experimental digital era. While its animation is dated and its conclusion unresolved, its strong performances and ambitious storytelling make it a fascinating watch. Colin Baker’s portrayal, in particular, reinforces just how much his Doctor evolved beyond his television tenure, solidifying him as one of the greats in the wider Doctor Who universe.
Though Real Time may not have fulfilled its full potential, it remains an intriguing glimpse into what Doctor Who was attempting during the start of the 21st Century. Two more webcasts would follow, which I'll return to in due course, but they were overshadowed by a significant announcement and anticipation for, what would be, Doctor Who's triumphant return to television...
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