First broadcast in November 1993 as part of Children in Need, Dimensions in Time is one of the most unusual and divisive entries in Doctor Who history. Conceived as a two-part charity special to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary, this crossover with EastEnders is a fragmented, fast-paced, and deeply chaotic experience. Written by John Nathan-Turner and David Roden, directed by Stuart McDonald, and featuring a dizzying array of past Doctor Who actors, Dimensions in Time is often dismissed as an incoherent mess—but for all its flaws, it remains a fascinating artifact of Doctor Who’s wilderness years.
The story, if one can call it that, involves the Rani (Kate O’Mara) trapping multiple incarnations of the Doctor in a time loop that shifts them between various eras and locations. This leads to rapid-fire appearances from the Third (Jon Pertwee), Fourth (Tom Baker, appearing only in pre-recorded footage), Fifth (Peter Davison), Sixth (Colin Baker), and Seventh (Sylvester McCoy) Doctors, as well as an extensive roster of companions, including Sarah Jane Smith, Ace, Romana, Leela, Susan, and many more. The action is inexplicably set within Albert Square, home to EastEnders, with confused soap characters reacting to the Doctor’s sudden appearances.
Sylvester McCoy, still the incumbent Doctor at the time, takes a leading role, though the narrative structure gives little room for development. He plays the situation with characteristic charm, but like his fellow actors, he is at the mercy of a script designed more for spectacle than coherence. The rapid cuts between different time zones, locations, and incarnations make for an experience that feels more like a fever dream than a celebration of Doctor Who history.
The Rani, once a formidable presence in Mark of the Rani and Time and the Rani, is reduced to a pantomime villain here. While Kate O’Mara does her best with the material, her motivations are vague at best, and the relentless pace of the special leaves her without the chance to develop any real menace.
The cameos from past Doctor Who actors are both a highlight and a weakness. On the one hand, seeing so many beloved figures from the show’s past—especially during a time when the series was off the air—carries a certain nostalgic charm. On the other hand, the frantic nature of the production means most of them appear for mere seconds before being whisked away into another random encounter. There is no time for meaningful interactions or reflection on the show’s history.
Visually, Dimensions in Time suffers from the limitations of its production. Filmed in an early attempt at 3D (requiring viewers to wear glasses that provided a slight illusion of depth - and yes, I still have my pair from 1993), the effects are jarring and add to the overall sense of disarray. The transitions between different time periods are abrupt and often confusing, making it difficult to follow what little plot exists.
Dimensions in Time is less of a story and more of a frantic montage of Doctor Who nostalgia. While there are brief moments where the different eras collide in interesting ways, the lack of a coherent narrative prevents it from having any real dramatic weight. The anniversary nature of the special is further undercut by the EastEnders setting, which feels arbitrary and disconnected from the spirit of Doctor Who.
Rewatching Dimensions in Time in 2025, it remains a fascinating but deeply flawed curiosity. As a piece of Doctor Who history, it reflects both the show’s enduring popularity and the struggles it faced in the wilderness years. It is not a fitting 30th-anniversary special by any means—especially when compared to The Five Doctors a decade earlier—but it is a testament to the dedication of the cast and crew, who were willing to reunite for a chaotic, if well-intentioned, celebration.
For all its shortcomings, Dimensions in Time has a certain charm in its sheer absurdity. It exists as a bizarre relic of an era when Doctor Who was kept alive through nostalgia, fan dedication, and occasional bursts of official recognition. Though it fails as a story, it succeeds as a time capsule of an uncertain period in Doctor Who’s history.
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