Rise of the Cybermen (Series 2, Episode 5)

Series 2, Episode 5 | 2 parts | First broadcast: 13 May 2006 | Writer: Tom MacRae | Director: Graeme Harper

Cast

  • David Tennant as the Doctor
  • Billie Piper as Rose Tyler
  • Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith
  • Roger Lloyd-Pack as John Lumic

Summary

A fault in the TARDIS strands the Doctor, Rose, and Mickey in a parallel version of Earth, where Mickey’s grandmother is alive and a version of his estranged friend Ricky Smith fights against the corporate ambitions of the wheelchair-bound genius John Lumic. As Lumic’s ruthless conversion process turns humans into emotionless Cybermen using his company Cybus Industries, the Doctor must lead a rebellion against this parallel world’s rapidly emerging Cyber-army.

Interesting Facts

  • This story reimagines the Cybermen’s origin entirely for the new series continuity, presenting them as a parallel-universe creation of John Lumic rather than originating on Mondas.
  • Noel Clarke plays a dual role, portraying both Mickey Smith and his parallel-universe counterpart, Ricky Smith.
  • The parallel universe introduced here, including the zeppelin-filled skyline of London, recurs throughout the remainder of Series 2.
  • Roger Lloyd-Pack, well known for other British television roles, plays the memorable villain John Lumic, creator of this universe’s Cybermen.

References

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