S02E07Doctor Who season 2 episode 7: The Idiot's Lantern
Aired 27 May 200648 minRated TV-PG
Where to watch Doctor Who Season 2 in Australia
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Availability checked 16 November 2026.
What happens in “The Idiot's Lantern”
In 1953 London, the police are abducting people from their homes. The people of Britain gather around their new-fangled "tele-vision" sets to celebrate the new Queen's coronation - but something strange is affecting the signal.
Episode summary: TMDB.
Before you watch
- It is episode 7 of 13 of season 2, so watch episodes 1 to 6 first.
- It runs about 48 minutes.
- Directed by Euros Lyn, written by Mark Gatiss.
- TMDB users rate it 6.4 out of 10 (81 votes).
Doctor Who trailer
The official trailer for the series (no preview of this episode has been published).
Play video: Doctor Who trailer
Cast and crew of this episode
- Director
- Euros Lyn
- Writer
- Mark Gatiss
- Guest stars
- Maureen Lipman as The WireRon Cook as MagpieJamie Foreman as Eddie ConnollyDebra Gillett as Rita ConnollyRory Jennings as Tommy ConnollyMargaret John as Grandma ConnollyKevin Hudson as Delivery Man (uncredited)
Credits: TMDB.
More from Doctor Who Season 2
Every episode of Season 2Doctor Who episode guide
Episode names, air dates, runtimes, stills and ratings: TMDB. Air dates are the first broadcast anywhere; where it streams is our daily Australian check.