The ambitious Doctor Who serial "Shada," penned by Douglas Adams, creator of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," was ultimately never completed in its original broadcast form due to a BBC strike. The adventure was set in and around the historic University of Cambridge, a location Adams knew well from his time as a student there in the early 1970s.
According to Marcus Hearn, whose father was involved in the filming, Adams had been developing Doctor Who stories even before his professional writing career began. "This was Douglas Adams' world, of course, because he'd been a student at St John's in the early 70s," Hearn recounted. Archives at St John's College offer a glimpse into Adams' early writing, including Doctor Who narratives.
Despite the Cambridge setting, St John's College did not grant the BBC permission to film on its grounds. Consequently, the production team had to relocate to Emmanuel and Clare Colleges for some scenes. Filming also took place at Grantchester Meadows. Some improvisational moments were incorporated during production, such as the Doctor's on-screen warning to "mind that cow pat" upon exiting the TARDIS.
The serial starred Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor.
'Shada' was intended to be a six-part serial for the 1979-1980 season but was plagued by technical issues and the aforementioned industrial action. The BBC strike ultimately halted production, leaving the serial unfinished. It was later re-edited and released as a "non-transmission" item in 1983, and further reconstructed with additional footage and dialogue for home video releases in later years.
Douglas Adams, who died in 2001, is celebrated for his unique blend of science fiction and comedy. His early work on Doctor Who demonstrates the genesis of his distinctive storytelling style.
