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7.7 The Rings of Akhaten

Broadcast Details

Series / Episode No.
Episode Title
Transmission Date
Duration
Ratings (Millions)
Season
Doctor
Producer(s)
Script Editor
Written By
Directed By
7
Eleventh / Matt Smith
Denise Paul
Denise Paul
Neil Cross
Farren Blackburn

Regular Cast

The Doctor — Eleventh / Matt Smith
Clara Oswald — Jenna Coleman

Guest Cast

Dave – Michael Dixon
Ellie – Nicola Sian
Merry – Emilia Jones
The Chorister – Chris Anderson
The Mummy – Aidan Cook
Dor’een – Karl Greenwood
Vigil – Jon Davey, Claudio Laurini, Matthew Doman
Millennium Alien – Mickey Lewis

Production Team

General production staff

Production Executive – Julie Scott
Script Producer – Denise Paul
Line Producer – Des Hughes
Production Manager – Phillipa Cole
Location Manager – Nicky James
Location Assistant – Iestyn Hampson-Jones
Unit Manager – Monty Till
Production Co-ordinator – Claire Hildred
Asst Co-ordinator – Gabriella Ricci
Production Assistants – Rachel Vipond, Samantha Price
Production Secretary – Sandra Cosfeld
Production Accountant – Jeff Dunn
A/Production Accountant – Rhys Evans

Camera and lighting department

1st Assistant Director – David Mack
2nd Assistant Director – Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch
3rd Assistant Director – Danielle Richards
Assistant Directors – Gareth Jones, Louisa Cavell
Script Supervisor – Rory Herbert
Camera Operator – Joe Russell
Focus Pullers – James Scott, Chris Reynolds
Grip – Gary Norman
Assistant Grip – Owen Charnley
Camera Assistants – Meg de Koning, Sam Smithard, Cai Thompson
Gaffer – Mark Hutchings
Best Boy – Stephen Slocombe
Electricians – Bob Milton, Nick Powell, Gafin Riley, Gareth Sheldon
Art department
Supervising Art Director – Paul Spriggs
Art Directors – Amy Pickwoad, Lucienne Suren
Assistant Art Director – Richard Hardy
Art Department Co-ordinator – Donna Shakesheff
Production Buyers – Adrian Greenwood, Holly Thurman
Petty Cash Buyer – Florence Tasker
Set Decorator – Adrian Anscombe
Set Dresser – Jayne Davies
Storyboard Artist – Andrew Wildman
Graphic Artist – Christina Tom
Graphic Designer – Chris Lees
Standby Props – Helen Atherton, Rob Brandon
Standby Carpenter – Will Pope
Prop Hands – Austin J Curtis, Jamie Farrell, Jamie Southcott
Standby Art Director – Nandie Narishkin
Standby Rigger – Bryan Griffiths
Prop Master – Paul Smith
Prop Chargehand – Ian Griffin
Dressing Props – Mike Elkins, Paul Barnett
Props Driver – Gareth Fox
Props Makers – Penny Howarth, Alan Hardy
Construction Manager – Terry Horle
Construction Chargehand – Dean Tucker
Practical Electrician – Christian Davies
Scenic Artist – John Pinkerton
Graphics – Peter Anderson Studio

Costume department

Costume Supervisor – Carly Griffith
Assistant Costume Designer – Fraser Purfit
Costume Assistants – Katarina Cappellazzi, Gemma Evans
Make-up and prosthetics
Make-up Artists – Vivienne Simpson, Sara Angharad, Allison Sing
Prosthetics – Millennium FX

Movement

Stunt Co-ordinator – Crispin Layfield

Stunt Performers – Dani Biernat, Gordon Seed, Andy J Smart

Casting

Casting Associate – Alice Purser

General post-production staff

Post-production Supervisor – Nerys Davies
Assistant Editors – Becky Trotman, Katrina Aust
On-line Editor – Geraint Pari Huws

Special and visual effects

Additional Visual Effects – BBC Wales Visual Effects
VFX Editor – Joel Skinner
Colourist – Mick Vincent

Sound

Sound Recordist – Deian Ll┼╖r Humphreys
Dubbing Mixer – Tim Ricketts
Sound Maintenance Engineers – Ross Adams, Chris Goding
Dialogue Editor – Darran Clement
ADR Editor – Matthew Cox
Supervising Sound Editor – Paul McFadden
Sound Effects Editor – Paul Jefferies
Sound Editor – Doug Sinclair
Foley Editor – Jamie Talbutt

Synopsis

The Doctor takes Clara to a distant world with multiple inhabited planets. They attend a festival where a parasitic entity feeds on memories and emotions. Clara offers her own memories to protect others, but it is not enough. The Doctor confronts the creature with the weight of his long life, weakening it, before ClaraΓÇÖs hidden leaf destroys it. Their bond begins to deepen.

Merchandise Releases

Multimedia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ΓÇ£The Rings of AkhatenΓÇ¥ about?

ΓÇ£The Rings of AkhatenΓÇ¥ follows the Eleventh Doctor and Clara Oswald visiting an alien marketplace orbiting a living sun, where a young girl is destined to be sacrificed.

What is Akhaten?

Akhaten is a planetary system where a sun-like entity is worshipped as a god, fed with stories, memories, and sacrifices from surrounding cultures.

What is the leafΓÇÖs significance?

ClaraΓÇÖs leaf, tied to her family history, becomes an emotional anchor and plays a key role in resolving the conflict with the ancient entity.

What is the threat in the episode?

A parasitic god-like entity feeds on memories and life energy, growing stronger through fear and sacrifice.

How does this episode fit into Doctor Who?

This episode explores emotional storytelling and memory within Doctor Who, highlighting ClaraΓÇÖs importance to the Eleventh Doctor.