The Daleks’ Master Plan

Masters of the Universe

Considering they’re a race of genocidal fanatics, the Daleks have inspired an awful lot of love. PAUL KIRKLEY surveys their six-decade reign as Doctor Who’s greatest villains

The Mutants (aka The Daleks)

Seven episodes 21 December 1963-1 February 1964 TARDIS

Dr. Who and the Daleks

Released 25 June 1965 Technicolor Daleks assemble! Screenplay

A Design for Life

PIERS BRITTON charts the original development of the Daleks’ form, from sketches to blueprints to the floor of Lime Grove Studios.

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

Six episodes 21 November-26 December 1964 A Roboman

Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Released 22 July 1966 The Black Dalek is

Golden Era

The earliest Doctor Who spin-offs expanded the legend and lore of the Daleks – and gave them a distinctively bling Emperor. PAUL SCOONES explores the extended Dalek mythology of the 1960s.

The Chase

Six episodes 22 May-26 June 1965 The Daleks

Mech Believe

The Daleks were a hard act to follow – but the men who made them hoped that lightning would strike twice with the massive Mechonoids, as PIERS BRITTON describes…

The Daleks’ Master Plan

Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney), the Doctor (William

Dalek Repair Shop

JOHN KELLY spent nearly a year restoring a prop originally made for the 1965 movie Dr. Who and the Daleks to its original Technicolor glory.

The Power of the Daleks

The Daleks cultivate mutants in Episode Four. The

Public Enemies

From the start, the Daleks were more than just monsters – they made personal appearances in the street, on the stage and elsewhere. TIM WORTHINGTON admires their celebrity status

The Evil of the Daleks

Daleks refuse an order from their black-domed leader

The Top Ten Toys

In the October 1965 issue of BBC magazine

Day of the Daleks

Written by Louis Marks Directed by Paul Bernard

Lords of the Ring Modulator

21st-century Dalek actor NICHOLAS BRIGGS talks us through the creation and evolution of the most famous alien voice effect in TV history.

Planet of the Daleks

A frozen cavern deep beneath the surface of

The Big Match

Having flown solo in the pages of TV Century 21, the Daleks first met the newsprint Doctor in the pages of TV Comic. PAUL SCOONES commentates on their battles of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Death to the Daleks

Written by Terry Nation Directed by Michael E

How to Shoot Daleks

RICHARD UNWIN delves into the Doctor Who Magazine archives to discover how different directors made the Daleks look properly menacing.

Genesis of the Daleks

Written by Terry Nation Directed by David Maloney

The Force Awakens

The expanded Dalek universe turned grim and gritty in Terry Nation’s stories for the 1970s Dalek annuals, and others. It was goodbye, Space Security Service; hello, Anti-Dalek Force – as JONATHAN MORRIS discovers.

Destiny of the Daleks

Written by Terry Nation Directed by Ken Grieve

Dalek Chainsword Massacres

In 1979, the Daleks transferred to a new comic magazine, Doctor Who Weekly. They remain an occasional presence in its successor, Doctor Who Magazine, to this day. PAUL SCOONES surveys their Marvel and Panini years…

Resurrection of the Daleks

Written by Eric Saward Directed by Matthew Robinson

Artistic Licence

MARK WRIGHT meets some of the artists renowned for drawing and painting Daleks on book, video and magazine covers, and in comic strips.

Revelation of the Daleks

Written by Eric Saward Directed by Graeme Harper

Masked Men

Over the course of nearly 50 years, only a handful of actors have played the Daleks’ tyrannical creator, Davros. PAUL HAYES compares their experiences.

Remembrance of the Daleks

Davros (Terry Molloy) issues commands from the bridge

Never Give an Uneven Sucker a Break

Several 20th-century Dalek serials have been re-released with 21st-century CG and model effects. MARK WRIGHT talks to the techies fixing the dodgy saucers and iffy death rays of the past…

Dalek

The Dalek mutant is exposed to the light.

Texterminate!

CHRIS BENTLEY delves into the many novelisations and novels that have added to the legend and lore of the children of Skaro.

Bad Wolf/ The Parting of the Ways

The Emperor is worshipped by the new Daleks

Hallo My Dalek

Icons of terror or figures of fun? JONATHAN MORRIS reviews the many comedy sketches that took the Daleks less than seriously…

Army of Ghosts /Doomsday

The mysterious Void ship reveals its sinister occupants

New Stereo Types

The Daleks have established a vast empire across the many Doctor Who audio drama ranges produced by Big Finish. RICHARD UNWIN listens in on some of their greatest conquests.

Daleks in Manhattan/ Evolution of the DaleksDaleks in Manhattan/ Evolution of the Daleks

Dalekanium panels removed from Thay’s casing are attached

DATA FILE Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks

Above Members of the Cult of Skaro order

Global Domination

Since 1964, the demand for Dalek toys and other merchandise has prompted countless items produced for the UK market. CHRISTOPHER HILL describes where, and when, the Daleks invaded other territories…

The Stolen Earth/ Journey’s End

Below left The Supreme Dalek addresses his minions

DATA FILE The Stolen Earth/ Journey’s End

Above From the Vault, Davros prepares his realityshattering

Action Packed

The Oldham-based Character Options was granted the master

Victory of the Daleks

Below right “I am your soldier”: the khaki-clad

DATA FILE Victory of the Daleks

Above The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) meets the

Victory Plans

Left Winston Churchill (Ian McNeice) with the blueprints

Asylum of the Daleks

Below left The Supreme, flanked by New Paradigm

DATA FILE Asylum of the Daleks

Above Amy (Karen Gillan) ventures into the Daleks’

Taking Over the Asylum

The 2012 episode Asylum of the Daleks required numerous Daleks from the Doctor’s past. But how were so many examples of these vintage designs gathered together? DAVID RICHARDSON speaks to some of the people who made it possible.

Taking Over the Asylum

Right Preparations for the Parliament scenes in Asylum of

Into the Dalek

Above right The labyrinth inside Rusty’s casing. Above

DATA FILE Into the Dalek

Above The Doctor forms an uneasy relationship with

The Naked Dalek

What’s inside the bonded-polycarbide olycarbide armour of a Dalek? JEREMY PHILLIPS attempts to uncover the monster within.

Dalek Cutaways

Several tie-in volumes have attempted to illustrate the

The Magician’s Apprentice/ The Witch’s Familiar

Missy (Michelle Gomez) tries to negotiate with

New Skaro City Dalek

● Towards the end of The Magician’s Apprentice,

DATA FILE The Magician’s Apprentice/ The Witch’s Familiar

Daleks from different eras in their control

ADDITIONAL

Hell Bent

Small World

The Doctor Who Figurine Collection was published by

Resolution

Multiple rocket launchers are hidden behind the Dalek’s

Reconnaissance Scout Dalek

● Finding itself splashing around the sewers beneath

DATA FILE Resolution

“I am rebuilt.” The Doctor faces a

The Dalek Factor

They may have conquered half the universe, but how did they fare against their small-screen rivals? PAUL HAYES tallies up the Daleks’ ratings…

The Dalek Factor

The 2005 episode Dalek reintroduced the Doctor’s

Carry On Up the Charts

Comparing viewing figures from different eras is notoriously

Revolution of the Daleks

Daleks close in on the TARDIS as it

Security Drone

● From behind the press lectern outside 10

DATA FILE Revolution of the Daleks

The British government’s robotic Security Drones have a

Toon Landing

The Daleks finally got their own series in 2020, when the five-part Daleks! animation premiered on YouTube. Writer JAMES GOSS remembers bringing the golden Emperor to life.

Locate the Emperor!

At one point while making Daleks!, we hit

Eve of the Daleks

“I am not Nick…” A Dalek with unusual

Executioner Dalek

● The Dalek death squad sent to destroy

DATA FILE Eve of the Daleks

An execution squad of Daleks seeks revenge on

ADDITIONAL

Flux Chapter Three: Once, Upon Time 14 November

Dalekography

For over 60 years, Dalek stories have been told in comic strips, short stories, novels, audio dramas and more. CHRIS BENTLEY compiles an exhaustive list of the creatures’ officially licensed further adventures, between 1963 and now.

Introduction

I was under the Daleks’ spell from an

Doctor Who Magazine Special