The British government has a plan to drastically improve environmental conditions, thanks to the Gynt Foundation and its mysterious benefactor, ‘Mr Hammond’. But the plan is bold and crucially requires the endorsement of a prominent green campaigner to allay any public fears.
When the Doctor’s former companion Polly sets off to investigate a fantastic, new, net zero city, nothing goes quite according to plan. For one thing, the Doctor himself unexpectedly appears. And for another, the city contains a terrible secret.
With an older Dodo working for the government, the Doctor and Polly must fight a threat that endangers the whole of humanity.
**Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,500 copies and will not be re-pressed.**
Recorded on: 26-28 August 2025
Recorded at: The Soundhouse
Producer Mark Wright said: "Beware the City of Illusions brings to a close this trilogy of stories that see the First Doctor reunited with former companions decades after their adventures together. The return of Anneke Wills as Polly was always part of our plan, and in writing this story, Nick Briggs was keen to reflect Anneke's own passionate interest in environmental issues, discussing the plot with her as the script developed.
"Beware the City of Illusions features action, mystery and monsters, and above all it honours the place that Anneke holds in the worlds of Doctor Who and the hearts of fans sixty years after her first appearance."
On returning to play Polly, Anneke Wills said: "Lovely Nick Briggs called me up and said he would like to write a story for me, and what would Polly be doing now, in the later stage of her life? Would she be running a little tea shop in Devon? And I said, running a tea shop? No, she'll be out there. She'll be busy saving the planet, because God knows it needs a little help!"
Anneke Wills and Nicholas Briggs © Barnaby Edwards
