Kasterborous Classic TV: Exploring Doctor Who & Classic Sci-Fi

Kasterborous
  • 4.4 (18)
  • AFTER SHOWS
  • TWICE MONTHLY

Regular podcast featuring unique and in-depth discussions covering Doctor Who and other classic TV and movies, usually in the sci-fi and sci-fantasy fields.  Launched in 2007, we've lost count of how many episodes we've actually done. Special episodes include interviews with creatives, writers, actors, and notable commentators in the cult TV field. Your regular hosts are Christian Cawley and James McLean.

  1. What will Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who legacy be?

    2 DAYS AGO

    What will Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who legacy be?

    With just 18 episodes under his belt and moving on at a time when the show's future was temporarily in doubt, Gatwa's story isn't completely new to the show -- it has echoes of 1985.  But with the actor apparently now done with Doctor Who and the show struggling to achieve the same levels of adoration we saw previously with its (perhaps outgoing) showrunner, we wonder how Gatwa's episodes will be looked upon in years to come... Shownotes The Rest is Entertainment on "The Future of Doctor Who" Disney sources on Doctor Who's ditching Bonnie Langford talks Reality War reshoots As ever, the longer edition of this podcast went out on Patreon first. There is also a video of that chat. We'd really appreciate your help in raising our profile on the Apple platform, so please leave a review. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    33 min
  2. Doctor Who is back in 2026, but where will it stream?

    2 NOV

    Doctor Who is back in 2026, but where will it stream?

    We've had the good news about Doctor Who's long-term survival, but we still don't know who will run it, or where it will stream... This week, Christian Cawley and James McLean bring you a long discussion about the recent news from the BBC, as well as speculating on where the next iteration of Doctor Who might be streamed. We also consider the approach the upcoming CBeebies animation show might take, in light of the abandoned Nelvana animation, Lance Parkin's 1998 novel "The Infinity Doctors," and the K-9 TV series. Shownotes Doctor Who Confirmed to Return in 2026, But Has Been Dropped by Disney+ The Future of Doctor Who, 2026 And Beyond: What We Know and What We Don’t Know Bad Wolf Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+ The Infinity Doctors by Lance Parkin K-9 TV show Due to this being quite a topical and important discussion, we've done something different this week. The full length video version is free on our Patreon! As is now customary, the full length audio is exclusive to Patreon -- but you can get an idea of what to expect with that video. Also, a video edit closer in length to this public audio edition is also available on our Substack. This means everyone can get a sample of what Patreon subscribers enjoy -- early episodes, video content and ad-free, too.  Sign up to enjoy extra content and access the growing Kasterborous Archive.

    31 min
  3. Tranter vs Shearman, missing eps, and AI upscaling creepiness

    31 OCT

    Tranter vs Shearman, missing eps, and AI upscaling creepiness

    Was Robert Shearman really "rude" when he expressed an opinion about his relationship with Doctor Who? Are missing episodes being liberated from private collectors? And do classic series Blu-ray releases really need AI upscaling? Christian Cawley and James McLean mull this over in this week's Kasterborous podcast.  Shownotes Rob Shearman express Doctor Who frustration Jane Tranter: Rob Shearman comments "rude" Existence of more Doctor Who missing episodes confirmed Sora 2 AI explained Patreon benefits  This podcast was pre-released last week, ad-free, and complete on Patreon, complete with video editions and additional content.  Joining our Patreon also gives access to the Kasterborous Archive, a growing collection of mostly Doctor Who-related artifacts from the past 20 years. Sign up to enjoy access to that, and get everything early. Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    45 min
  4. How does Doctor Who survive if it isn't on TV in the 21st century? (Part 2)

    24 OCT

    How does Doctor Who survive if it isn't on TV in the 21st century? (Part 2)

    What is survival for Doctor Who? Over the past few weeks, we've explored the current streaming and televisual landscape, and indeed, the wider view of other media.  With a limbo scenario, no new series announced, and a perpetually postponed spin-off, no one knows where new Who is coming from. And if it isn't going to be on TV, where will you find original Doctor Who content in future? This is the final part of our chat on this topic, but we're going to come back to it when we hear from you. Get in touch below and tell us what you think could be the way for Doctor Who to survive off-screen, until the time comes for its return (if that can even happen...). Patreon benefits  This podcast and the preceding four episodes were launched originally on our Patreon, complete with video editions and additional content. There are no ads on the Patreon version, either. Joining our Patreon also gives access to the Kasterborous Archive, a growing collection of artifacts from the website's past. Sign up to enjoy access to that, and get everything early. Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    30 min
  5. How does Doctor Who survive if it isn't on TV in the 21st century? (Part 1)

    20 OCT

    How does Doctor Who survive if it isn't on TV in the 21st century? (Part 1)

    Hello, and welcome to this week's podcast. A little later than planned, this is a chat already released on Patreon in video and audio form. Christian and James move the previous conversation along, and ask what form Doctor Who might take if it isn't on TV... This episode, and the previous bumper-length edition, will be released episodically over the next few weeks on Spotify and Apple Podcasts (and all the other places). So, you get them early, complete, ad-free, and with accompanying video on Patreon. We really want to hear from you on the matter of what form a continuing Doctor Who might take if not on TV or streaming services, so please, get in touch! Drop a line to Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and let us know. Patreon benefits  While we're serializing it over the next few weeks for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other places, you can enjoy a classic deep-cut of this podcast in its entirety by joining our Patreon. Supporters of the podcast on Patreon also got this week’s show ad-free, and with a video version. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.  Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.

    27 min
  6. How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 3)

    9 OCT

    How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 3)

    Doctor Who is asleep, but will it wake up? In the third part of our look at the world in which Doctor Who needs to be reinvented for, Christian Cawley and James McLean consider alternative shows, and how they have been able to sustain themselves despite long gaps between series. Patreon benefits  While we're serializing it over the next few weeks for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other places, you can enjoy a classic deep-cut of this podcast in its entirety by joining our Patreon. Supporters of the podcast on Patreon also got this week’s show ad-free, and with a video version. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.  Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    30 min
  7. How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 2)

    3 OCT

    How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 2)

    Welcome to the second part of an in-depth discussion in which Christian Cawley and James McLean explore the shifting landscape of media, television, streaming, and everything associated. Where is Doctor Who now, and where is it going? This podcast is part of a longer chat that our Patreon members have already enjoyed. We would love to know what you think about the points raised here -- your thoughts on this are pretty vital to a future discussion! Use the contact options below. Patreon benefits  While we're serializing it over the next few weeks for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other places, you can enjoy a classic deep-cut podcast in its entirety by joining our Patreon. Supporters of the podcast on Patreon also got this week’s show ad-free, and with a video version. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.  Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    34 min
  8. The landscape is changing: How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 1)

    26 SEPT

    The landscape is changing: How do you reboot Doctor Who? (Part 1)

    We cover how ongoing drama series have changed in length and shape, and the demand of streaming services for libraries. And inevitably, during a time when Doctor Who could be put on hold for a while, we consider how the show might be rebooted... from scratch(?!). This podcast is part of a longer chat that our Patreon members have already enjoyed. We would love to know what you think about our conclusion -- your thoughts on this are pretty vital to a future discussion! Patreon benefits  While we're serializing it over the next few weeks for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other places, you can enjoy a classic deep-cut podcast in its entirety by joining our Patreon. Supporters of the podcast on Patreon also got this week’s show ad-free, and with a video version. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.  Get in touch  Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.  Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.

    27 min
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4.4
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Regular podcast featuring unique and in-depth discussions covering Doctor Who and other classic TV and movies, usually in the sci-fi and sci-fantasy fields.  Launched in 2007, we've lost count of how many episodes we've actually done. Special episodes include interviews with creatives, writers, actors, and notable commentators in the cult TV field. Your regular hosts are Christian Cawley and James McLean.

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