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Tardis
RealWorld

Red Dwarf is a British science-fiction comedy television series created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor and aired on BBC Two and Dave.

The series follows Dave Lister, a crewmember of the Jupiter Mining Corporation ship Red Dwarf, who awakes after three million years in suspended animation and discovers all the crew have been killed and that he is the last living human. Arnold Rimmer, another crewmember, is revived in hologram form. The Cat, a humanoid who has evolved from Lister's pregnant cat, and Kryten, a service mechanoid, later join the crew in the course of the series.

As a British BBC science-fiction series, Red Dwarf shares several connections with Doctor Who, both on screen and behind the scenes. First broadcast in 1988, Red Dwarf is the second longest-running British science-fiction television series behind Doctor Who.

Overview[]

References to the DWU in Red Dwarf[]

Television[]

RedDwarfTARDIS

The Doctor's TARDIS parked to the right of the Red Dwarf cargo bay doors in Demons & Angels.

In the episode Demons & Angels, as the crew prepare to exit Red Dwarf in Starbug, the Doctor's TARDIS can be seen parked within the cargo bay doors to the right. This shot was originally filmed for the episode Marooned, but was cut.

SFXMagazineRedDwarf

The cover of SFX magazine as it appeared in Red Dwarf: Back to Earth.

In Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, the crew are thrown into the real world. After discovering they are merely fictional characters, they visit a science fiction themed store called They Walk Among Us. In the store, the Cat points out a cover of the magazine SFX, which features the crew's image. The cover also mentions Doctor Who, describing an exclusive interview, that year's upcoming television special, and the end of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor. In the real world, this was an actual special edition cover of SFX for the April 2009 issue, of which only 50 copies were printed.[1] The main cover instead featured an image of David Tennant and Michelle Ryan as the Tenth Doctor and Christina de Souza.

Prose[]

In the novel Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers, Kryten owns a sonic screwdriver.

References to Red Dwarf in the DWU[]

In the comic story Spam Filtered, the Eleventh Doctor says he once knew a hard-light hologram who was a "bit of a jobsworth". While not explicitly stated, this is very likely a reference to Arnold Rimmer, as a hard-light hologram character known for his stubborn adherence to Space Corps Directives.

Crossovers[]

The first crossover between Red Dwarf and Doctor Who came as part of Red Dwarf A-Z, a celebratory television special looking back through the series of Red Dwarf. One of the segments, titled "E for Exterminate", featured an interview with two Daleks. The Daleks state they are not familiar with the TV series Red Dwarf as they do not watch anything on BBC Two, and all TV is merely human propaganda. They also take credit for the works of William Shakespeare, and Beethoven. After this however, one Dalek does state "that light bulb gag was funny though", prompting an argument between the two. It ends with one exterminating the other. The scene then cuts to the Red Dwarf crew inside Starbug, with Lister referring to the Daleks as "Albanian washing machines". The aforementioned light bulb gag then plays out when Rimmer orders a step up to "red alert". The ending featuring the crew was made up of two clips from the episode Legion.

A Red Dwarf level appears in the video game LEGO Dimensions, depicting the ship's sleeping quarters, science room and various other rooms. Also depicted are the droid Snacky and some Skutters. This level is accessed via the TARDIS, as part of the Fantastic Beasts story pack. Unlike how Doctor Who is depicted in the game, the main characters of Red Dwarf do not appear.[2]

Connections[]

Crew[]

Jenna Russell was the singer of the Red Dwarf theme, which plays in the closing credits of nearly every episode. In DWU media, she played the floor manager in the television stories Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways. She also voiced Porcelain Polly and Missus in the Big Finish Jago & Litefoot audio story Encore of the Scorchies and one of several Scorchies in The Wax Princess.

Dominic Glynn was the composer of Red Dwarf in addition to being the composer of Doctor Who's incidental music during the late 1980s.

Ed Bye directed several episodes of Red Dwarf from series I to VIII. Bye was also the production manager for the parodical Doctor Who untitled sketch in The Lenny Henry Show. He also produced and directed the Red Dwarf A-Z which featured the Daleks. Bye would later direct the Children in Need special Looking for Pudsey, which featured the Twelfth Doctor.

Mike Tucker served as visual effects assistant on both Doctor Who and Red Dwarf.

Peter Wragg was the visual effects designer for the Doctor Who television stories The Visitation, Resurrection of the Daleks and Mindwarp. He also served as the principle effects designer on Red Dwarf for most of its original run.

Alan Machin provided the studio sound for several Doctor Who and Red Dwarf television stories.

Howard Burden was a longtime costume designer on Red Dwarf in addition to serving as costume designer on Doctor Who from 2012 to 2014.

Colin Howard served as a cover artist and illustrator for Doctor Who and Red Dwarf media. His Doctor Who work included the cover art for Target novelisations, Doctor Who Classic Comics, and issue DWM 167 of Doctor Who Magazine. He went on to paint many covers for the BBC Videos in the mid 1990s as well as the cover for the Virgin Missing Adventures story Invasion of the Cat-People. In addition, he drew the cover art for the animated The Power of the Daleks in 2016, as well as contributing to its animation. In Red Dwarf media, his work includes cover art and illustrations for Red Dwarf Smegazine as well as the cover art for the song "Tongue Tied", which was released as a single by Danny John-Jules in character as the Cat.

Cast[]

Actor Doctor Who role(s) Red Dwarf role(s)
Hattie Hayridge Ebbis, Morlick Holly, Hilly, Mellie, High Holly, Low Holly
Mark Williams Brian Williams, Maxwell Edison Olaf Petersen
Mac McDonald Toothless Bob, Steve Ross Frank Hollister
Robert Bathurst Farquhar, Padrac Frank Todhunter
Noel Coleman Smythe Cat Priest
Lee Cornes Trickster Paranoia
John Abineri Pieter Van Lutyens, George Carrington, Richard Railton, Ranquin Arnold Rimmer's Social Father
Ron Pember Seedle Tax Man
Suzanne Bertish Aldis Arlene Rimmer
Angela Bruce Winifred Bambera, Herb Deb Lister
Matt Devitt Bennetto, Grosta The Dog
Arthur Smith Clarrie Pub Manager
Frances Barber Madame Kovarian Genny
James Smillie A.M., Alfredo, John Flint Justice Computer
Robert Smythe Guard, Citizen, Observer, Police constable, Gun-runner, Jacondan Guard Hermann Goering
Martin Friend Styggron Albert Einstein
Michael Burrell Avatar Man Pope Gregory
Forbes Masson Kindred, Kurt Stan Laurel
Kevin O'Brien Pangol Army, Citizen, Cricketeer, Trooper, Photographer, Guard, Vanir, Ranulf's Knight, Crewmember, Resistance fighter, Court Guard Hell's Angel
Don Warrington Rassilon, President of Great Britain Binks
Simon Paisley Day Steward, Rump Randy Navarro
Lucy Briers Jenny Chaplin Harrison
Maggie Steed Zandusia Hildegard Lanstrom
Jenny Agutter Sekhmet, Cantha, Sister Julienne Mamet
Anita Dobson Eileen Klint, Mrs Flood Captain Tau
Denis Lill Fendelman, George Hutchinson Simulant Captain
Imogen Bain Janine, Florm Rox Fey Fenerill-Slam Slitheen Lola
Dinny Powell Reegan's Heavy, Auton Policeman, IMC Guard, Primitive, Peladonian Guard, Thal Guard Famine
Stephen Marcus Jailer Bear Strangler McGee
Steven Wickham Soldier, Gastropod, Samuel Holywell, Murranus, Joseph, Victor Farrison, Uviol, Harom, Grisk, Venorg, Gavin Walker, Garm, Master of Karn, The Drone, Joseph, Ron Sharpe, Valyes, Trevor Ramsbottom Ech-ech-ech-ech-ech-ech-ech-ech, BEGG Chief
Hugh Quarshie Solomon Space Corps External Enforcement Computer
Michael J. Shannon Uglosi, Hugo Macht John F. Kennedy
Brian Cox Ood Elder King of Camelot
Don Henderson Gavrok Simulant Trader
Catherine Harvey Panthea Vyne, Felina Kitty Bennett
Gary Martin Kohrbal, Unzal Epideme
Jemma Churchill Jean, Forleon, Safira Valtris, Praska, Farla Janz, Inscape, Daphne Papas, Carmen Scheffler, Louisha Deltarto, The Executive First Woman Officer
Sue Kelvin Suzette Chambers Second Woman Officer
Genevieve Swallow Susan Who Last Woman Officer
Geoffrey Beevers The Master, Jeff Johnson, Harrods, Brian Rutherford, Meriol, Prydon Doctor
Yasmin Bannerman Jabe, Kathy Swanson, Pandora of Earth, Helen Shepherd, Roz Forrester, Vale First Ground-Controller
Jake Wood Max Branning Kill Crazy
Shend Max Tresilian Warden Knot
Holly Earl Lily Arwell Young Kochanski
David Verrey Jocrassa Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen, Joseph Green Big Meat
Sophie Winkleman Sofia Cozzi, Kelly Westwood, Rachel Allan Katerina Bartokovsky
Jeremy Swift Fraser, Colleague One Noddy
Jon Glover Shansheeth, Red robot, Yellow robot, Shellingborne Grant, Creodont, Verryman, Father Christmas, Security Guard, Gommen, Jafrid, Sir James Man
Mark Dexter Dad, Charles Babbage Howard Rimmer
Lucy Newman-Williams Newsreader All Droid Jayne
Kerry Shale Renfrew Medi-Bot, Taiwan Tony
James Baxter David Taylor, Rodomonte Jesus of Caesarea
Emma Campbell-Jones Cass, Doctor Kent, Shola, Layla Bridge TV Character 1
Gary Cady Luke Ward Dominator Zlurth
Philip Labey Thomas Tyler, Edward Dowan Young Rimmer
Kevin Eldon Antimony, Ribbons 4 of 27
David Sterne Arthur Greyston, John, Guard, Oblong, Colonel Oliver Crackenthorpe Einstein Bob
David Menkin Mailman, Shoggoth, Wilbur, Armitage, Chief Ghoul, Security Drones, Zack Hoffman, Pike Thornton, Johannes, Alexander Hagen, Delegate, Jonias, Herschel, Brad, Second Soldier, Border Officer Clarence O'Neil
Maggie Service Elsie, Root, Receptionist, Hilary Ratchett, Sorscha, "The Fuath", Ava Drake, Catherine Parr Rachel Barker
Oliver Mason Grant, Danuka, Sordo, Sonny Asclepius (Voice)
Jami Reid-Quarrell Colony Sarff, the Veil, Cloister Wraith, the Inspector Asclepius (Body)
Stephen Critchlow Anthony Newley, Oliver Harrington, O'Keefe,Earl of Wessex, Professor Fester, Evans, Gerald the Barman, Theatre doorman, Harold Moorcroft, Josh, Doctor, Minister, General, Soldier, Carlos Marquez, Rees's Father, Guard, Noni, Jimmy Garfield, Malcolm Wishart, General, Billy Flint, The Yes Men, Teddy Baxter, Michael Hart, Marvo, Humphrey Eagleton, Charlie Lucas, O'Leary, Policeman, Cabby, Leonard, Dubontis, Bandolian, Temmis, Fletcher, The Mayor, Foreman Edwin Herring
Dominic Coleman Police officer Butler
Bentley Kalu Hood Mercenoid
Dominique Moore Gemma Ankita
Adrian Lukis Bragg, Byzan, Harvey Marsh, Ansillon, Sigmund Freud, Jeffrey Broderick Shaul Telford
James Buckley Nevi Rusty
Marcus Garvey Frank Spiggot Chairbot Excalibur
Amrita Acharia The Resurrectionist, Clerk, Rashid, Computer, Shythe Shahid Greta
Joe Sims Mark Seven, Arnhost, Jim Berenger, Tench, Abe Porter, Mr Chauncey, Pat, Chief Orderly, Wilde, Jumper, Sergeant Grout, Spring-Heeled Jack, Arthur Tutt Johnson
Paul Leonard James Stonehouse Guru
Ian Boldsworth Banto Steve
Helen George Trixie Franklin Aniter
Ray Fearon Barlow Teveler Rodon
Mandeep Dhillon Shireen Sister Luna

Other connections[]

Unlike Doctor Who, the Red Dwarf universe does not feature alien races. Instead, other races are created as a result of human actions, both intentionally and inadvertently. The cyborg race known as the Simulants and Agonoids share similarities with the Cybermen. However, instead of seeking to convert humanity, Simulants and Agonoids seek to kill all humans and those who serve them, a similarity with the Daleks and their desire to eliminate all non-Dalek lifeforms. The experimental cyborg Kahler-Tek from the television story A Town Called Mercy has a similar origin story to the Simulants, having been created as a weapon for war.

The Felis sapien species, evolved from Dave Lister's cat, shares similarities with the Catkind race. Unlike the Catkind however, which resemble humanoid cats, the Felis sapiens resemble humans with feline characteristics.

The Doctor Who comic story The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who shares several plot similarities with Red Dwarf: Back to Earth. Both stories feature a plot where the cast of the show end up in the real world. The key comparison is that, like in Back to Earth, Matt Smith is presented as filming the events to the comic as a TV story as the events play out. Likewise, as Dave Lister meets his actor Craig Charles in Back to Earth, the Eleventh Doctor also meets Matt Smith.

During Red Dwarf's seventh series, the ship Starbug shared some similarities with the Doctor's TARDIS. With the use of a time drive, Starbug had the ability to travel through time. In addition, Starbug was also now bigger on the inside. This was explained as being the result of a "dimensional anomaly" following a battle with a technologically advanced future Starbug, the result of which led to both Starbugs effectively merging.

In the comedy sketch The Kidnappers, several science fiction memorabilia is seen within the bedroom of Mark and David, including some from Red Dwarf. David is also seen wearing a shirt with the image of Ace Rimmer.

Chris Barrie, the actor for Arnold Rimmer, was reportedly one of many names put forward for the part of the Eighth Doctor during the production of the 1996 TV movie.[3]

The studded ball used as the atom accelerator on the Eleventh Doctor's TARDIS console was also used as a component of the Groinal Exploder in the Red Dwarf episode Entangled.

An unused alternate design for the Destroyer done by Mike Tucker would later form the basis for a monster featured in the Red Dwarf episode Terrorform.[4]

The Imperial badge worn by Alice Ferrin and later Clara Oswald as commander of the punishment platoon, in the television story Nightmare in Silver, is identical to the badges worn by members of the Space Corps in the Red Dwarf episode Trojan. This was an intentional easter egg by costume designer Howard Burden, who served on the crew of both series.[5]

External links[]

Footnotes[]

  1. https://reddwarf.co.uk/news/2009/03/13/sfx-magazines-golden-cover-promotion/ Red Dwarf: The Official Site
  2. https://reddwarf.co.uk/news/2016/11/18/dimensions-jump/ Red Dwarf: The Official Site
  3. http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/tvm.html
  4. Aldred, S. and Tucker, M., Ace! (Virgin, 1996), p74. ISBN-9781852275747.
  5. https://reddwarf.co.uk/news/2013/11/22/doctor-dwarf/ Red Dwarf: The Official Site
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