The Doctor Encounters the Daleks in Hammersmith
Sylvester McCoy returns to the original set with Sophie Aldred
Sylverster McCoy and Sophie Aldred with a dalek
November 13, 2023
The Doctor came face to face with his mortal enemy, the Daleks, earlier this month in Hammersmith.
Sylvester McCoy, the seventh Doctor, and Sophie Aldred who played his travelling companion Ace were re-enacting iconic scenes at the Macbeth Centre where the original sets for the BBC Show Doctor Who are located.
They were there to mark the 60th anniversary of the prime time-travelling programme.
For the first time in nearly 35 years, Sylvester, 80, and Sophie, 61, donned their actual screen-used costumes to recreate some of the action.
The Macbeth Centre, which served as the set of Series 25, titled Remembrance of the Daleks, welcomed the stars for a special Doctor Who convention at the weekend.
“I really enjoyed reminiscing about my time filming at the Macbeth Centre, but I still wish that I had gone done the zip line on my umbrella onto the Dalek shuttle craft,” joked Sylvester.
The Remembrance of the Daleks’ four-episodes were first aired in 1988. In the serial, the Doctor and his explosives expert, Ace, travel back to 1963 to protect the Hand of Omega from the Daleks. Watch all four episodes.
More than 100 devoted fans came to meet them at the Macbeth Centre along with, with three menacing Daleks roaming the corridors as well as a TARDIS.
Many came dressed as their favourite characters. Even the youngest Doctor Who fan – the eight-week-old Jack – was dressed for the occasion along with his Who-loving parents.
Eight-week-old Jack and his Who-loving parents
Today, the Macbeth Centre is better known as Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s educational outpost offering courses and new skills to all ages of learners.
Recognisable shots of the centre were featured in Series 25 – including the reception area, the courtyard, a classroom and outside in Macbeth Street.
The building situated off King Street, isn’t the only place in the area that’s significant in the Doctor Who universe. The original Riverside Studios served as the principal home of Series Two to Four and Daleks have even emerged from under Hammersmith Bridge. Check out photos at Riverside’s free Doctor Who exhibition, which is open until 3 December.
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