1981 (production)

January

 * 28 January - Production of Logopolis concluded, bringing an end to the Tom Baker era.

April

 * April - John Nathan-Turner wrote a story outline for the proposed K9 and Company spin-off pilot story.
 * 8 April - Castrovalva is commissioned as a script, with a delivery date of 1 June.
 * 13 April - Studio taping began on Four to Doomsday, at TV Centre Studio 6. As a result, this wasthe first story of the Peter Davison era to be made, though not the first to be broadcast.

May

 * May - John Nathan-Turner and Anthony Root composed a "format document" for a planned spin-off series to be entitled K9 and Company.
 * 12 May - Elisabeth Sladen was officially invited to reprise the role of Sarah Jane Smith for the planned K9 and Company spin-off.

October

 * 29 October - Location filming for Earthshock took place. (REF: Doctor Who The Handbook: The Fifth Doctor)

November

 * November - Production of the pilot episode of the planned K9 and Company spin-off series, A Girl's Best Friend, took place.
 * 10-12 and 24-26 November - Studio filming for Earthshock took place. (REF: Doctor Who The Handbook: The Fifth Doctor)