19 Facts About Eric Saward

Eric Saward is a British radio scriptwriter who worked as a screenwriter and script editor on the BBC's science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1982 to 1986.

Eric Saward wrote the stories The Visitation, Earthshock, Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks.

Eric Saward cited David Mercer, Brian Moore and Harold Pinter as early influences.

Eric Saward was approached by then Doctor Who script editor Christopher H Bidmead to submit some ideas to the series on the strength of a recommendation from the senior drama script editor at BBC Radio.

Eric Saward received a commission to write the story The Visitation.

Eric Saward wrote the 1983 short story Birth of a Renegade in the special magazine published by Radio Times at the time of "The Five Doctors", the 20th Anniversary Special' and the 1985 radio play Slipback which was broadcast on Radio 4.

Eric Saward wrote the novelisations of The Twin Dilemma and Attack of the Cybermen, as well as those of The Visitation and Slipback, for Target Books' Doctor Who range.

Eric Saward eventually wrote novelisations of both of his Dalek stories, which were published in 2019.

Eric Saward defended these scenes, saying they were intended to be dramatic and to warn audiences against real-world violence.

Eric Saward had a sometimes strained relationship with Nathan-Turner, which gave rise to occasional tensions behind the scenes.

Eric Saward often objected to Nathan-Turner's insistence on hiring novice Doctor Who writers, which led to Eric Saward having to work hard, not always successfully, on unsuitable scripts submitted by inexperienced contributors.

Eric Saward was eventually able to bring veteran writer Robert Holmes back to the series and they became friends before the latter's death.

Eric Saward had disagreed with Nathan-Turner's casting of Baker as the Sixth Doctor and, following the 1985 hiatus, problems peaked during the production of The Trial of a Time Lord in 1986 when he resigned as script editor before completing the season's scripts.

Eric Saward subsequently denounced Nathan-Turner in an issue of Starburst.

Eric Saward contributed a short story to the Big Finish Short Trips collection.

Eric Saward has not worked in British television since leaving Doctor Who.

In 2020, Eric Saward made his first foray into the comic book medium with the eponymous limited series Lytton, centred on the character he created for the Doctor Who serials Resurrection of the Daleks and Attack of the Cybermen.

Eric Saward lived in the Netherlands for three years, where he was briefly married.

Eric Saward had previously been in a relationship with fellow writer Paula Woolsey, who was credited with writing the Doctor Who serial Attack of the Cybermen.