The weird and wonderful world of Doctor Who...

With the devastating news that we won't be getting any resolution to the latest Doctor Who cliffhanger when Ncuti Gatwa's 'Doctor' seemingly regenerated into the Time Lord's old companion 'Rose Tyler' (played with glee by Billie Piper) I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane and revisit the times I visited the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay, Wales. Whenever I travelled back to see my Welsh family I'd always find the time to check out the latest screen-used costumes, props and set pieces from the iconic BBC show on display at the Doctor Who exhibition and I'd thought that my photos from that time had been lost when my old laptop died and I discovered I hadn't backed up the images. To my surprise (and delight) I was able to power up that laptop the other day and retrieve the missing files, so I thought I'd share an eclectic selection of photos from classic and revival era episodes.

First up is a trio of Doctor costumes and accompanying TARDIS for each from the 50th anniversary Doctor Who special, which saw Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor team up with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor and uncover the secret of John Hurt's 'War Doctor'.

The special also featured the metamorphic Zygon aliens, so make sure you take a closer look at all these costumes and more from The Day of the Doctor.

One of the many cool things that I got to see at this ever-changing Doctor Who Experience were TARDIS interior consoles and set design. This particular retro console was featured for the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors during the Eighties, which was when I grew up watching the sci-fi series.

The exhibition also featured this uncanny Matt Smith waxwork and on this occasion it was dressed in the Doctor's purple Victorian frock coat with fur collar from the 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen.

The costume beside him is one of Jenna Coleman's 'Clara Oswald' outfits from the show.

Back in the old days the Doctor Who sets and costumes maybe have been a bit wobbly and held together with sticky back plastic, but the villains were always iconic, no more so than 'Davros', the creator of the Daleks. I used to have nightmares about him and the metal killing machines, so be sure to take a look at all these various Generations of the Daleks.

Another formative night terror came in the form of the Cybermen. Alas, poor 'Adric'. The death of the Fourth and Fifth Doctor's Companion really haunted me.

This particular Cyberman and Cyber Conversion Unit are the upgraded versions from the TV revival era, but be sure to also check out other Cybermen designs through the ages. 

The revival era not only brought back classic monsters and aliens like the Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans and more, but they also introduced new and deadly fan-favourite foes like the statue-like Weeping Angels.

Another instantly classic new race of aliens introduced in the new era were the Ood. These scary-looking squid-like aliens share a telepathic hive mind, communicate through an orb-shaped translation device, and were first introduced enslaved by humanity in the 2006 episode, The Impossible Planet.

Another great looking creature introduced in Russell T. Davies revival era was the 'Face of Boe'. This over-sized head with tentacles is an old friend of the Doctor's and in the Last of the Time Lords episode is revealed to be what the immortal 'Captain Jack Harkness' has evolved into in the future.

The reptilian Silurians were also given a makeover in the new era of Doctor Who, like military commander 'Restac' in The Hungry Earth/Cold War two-parter.

The actress under that scaly prosthetic makeup, Neve McIntosh, later went on to play the Victorian-era Silurian lesbian detective, 'Madame Vastra'.

The Doctor and his Companions adventures in time and space also brought him into the path of The Silence in the opening episodes of the sixth season.

These eerie, tall, long-fingered suited aliens with their almost The Scream painting homage faces were a great addition to the Doctor's pantheon of foes.

Christmas specials were also a brilliant strategy for the success of the new era, making the show must-see holiday viewing millions of festive households.

This cryogenic storage chamber and Wood Queen and King props are from 2011's playfully-titled The Doctor, the Widow and The Wardrobe.

Like most classic foes, the Ice Warriors also received an upgraded look for a new generation of viewers.

Be sure to compare this 'Grand Marshal Skaldac' suit from 2013's Cold War episode with Martian Ice Warrior from the 1960s.

And totally letting nostalgia get the best of me here, the Doctor's robotic dog 'K-9' was one of my favourite characters when I was watching when I was younger. I mean what kid wouldn't want a loyal robot dog who fired laser beams?!?

And finally for this collection of photos from my visits in May and December 2013, here's the Third Doctor's canary yellow vintage roadster, 'Bessie', that Jon Pertwee drove when he hung out with UNIT (known at the time as the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) as their scientific advisor.

I hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane with all these costumes and props. Let's hope we won't have to wait years into the future before we see Doctor Who back on the small screen.

Emmy-nominated Good Omens TV series costumes on display...

This year Amazon Prime Video adapted Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's 1990 novel, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, for the small screen with a six-episode comedy mini-series. Michael Sheen plays an angel named 'Aziraphale' and David Tennant is the demon 'Crowley', who have an odd couple friendship, and try to prevent the coming of the antichrist and the inevitable Armageddon between Heaven and Hell, resulting in the destruction of humanity.

Screen-worn costumes from Good Omens

These Emmy-nominated Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries on August 20, 2019.

In addition to Michael Sheen and David Tennant's costumes, the exhibit also featured outfits worn by Miranda Richardson, Michael McKean and Adria Arjona.

Claire Anderson was Costume Designer on the limited series, with help from Assistant Costume Designer Bobbie Edwards and Costume Supervisor Beth Lewis.

Fans of David Tennant can also check out his Doctor Who costumes and props and Michael Sheen admirers can take a look at his Frost/Nixon movie costume.

Good Omens TV billboard

Signature Doctor costumes from Doctor Who on display...

If you're still struggling for Halloween costume inspiration this close to the spooky evening, I always think that the many looks of 'The Doctor' provide a wide variety of costume ideas. Here's a collection of the Gallifreyan Time Lord's signature outfits from the fifty year old British science fiction show on display at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay, Wales on April 20, 2015.

The Doctor First through Eleventh signature looks from Doctor Who

I've previously posted images of William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton's replica First and Second Doctor costumes from a previous visit to the exhibition, so we'll kick things off this time with a refurbished original costume worn by Jon Pertwee as the 'Third Doctor' incarnation.

Third Doctor costume worn by Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)

This early 70s dashing Doctor had a penchant for capes, ruffled shirts and velvet smoking jackets. His striking red cape lining was a detail they tried to incorporate into the signature look of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor.

Fourth Doctor costume worn by Tom Baker (1974-1981)

The next regeneration of the time and space traveling Doctor is most probably his most iconic, with his multi-coloured, extra-long striped scarf.

If you're wanting an instantly recognisable Doctor Who costume, Tom Baker's look is certainly a classic (and with that scarf will keep you warm on a chilly night).

Fifth Doctor costume worn by Peter Davison (1981-1984)

Next up is Peter Davison's Edwardian cricketer ensemble, with its stripy trousers and noticeable celery stalk on the left lapel of his frock coat.

Sixth Doctor costume worn by Colin Baker (1984-1986)

Definitely the most childish and clown-like of all the Doctor's attire was that worn by Colin Baker as the Time Lord's Sixth incarnation.

This gaudy costume is like a visual assault on your senses, with a patchwork of primary colours and striped, tartan, polka dot and check fabrics, all topped off with a cat broach. This is one outfit sure to give people a fright on Halloween.

Seventh Doctor costume worn by Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989)

Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor look was much less busy and had a paisley scarf and this fabulous question mark sweater to get the 'Who' motif across. This version also sported a panama hat with paisley band and an umbrella with a question mark handle.

Eighth Doctor costume worn by Paul McGann

in The Night of the Doctor (2013) 

Paul McGann starred as the Eighth regeneration of the Time Lord in the 1996 U.S. TV movie version of Doctor Who, and you can get closer look at his Eighth Doctor costume on display from a previous visit to this BBC exhibit.

The outfit featured here was the one worn in the online mini-episode, 'The Night of the Doctor', which was a prelude to the show's 50th anniversary special. The costume beside his belongs to one of the Sisterhood of Karn, probably 'Ohila' played by Clare Higgins, who also featured in the special web episode.

War Doctor costume worn by John Hurt

in The Day of the Doctor (2013)

The next battered leather jacket, bandolier and Victorian waistcoat costume was worn by the previously never-before-seen warrior incarnation of the Doctor, aka the 'War Doctor', played by John Hurt in the 50th anniversary spectacular, 'The Day of the Doctor'.

Ninth Doctor costume worn by Christopher Eccleston (2005)

Getting back on track, and the Doctor's look was simplified when Christopher Eccleston helped revive the Time Lord and the beloved series in 2005 under the guidance of Russell T. Davies.

Tenth Doctor costume worn by David Tennant (2005-2010)

The Doctor's look evolved with David Tennant's take on the alien time traveler, as he sported a tie, pinstripe suit, light brown trench coat and Converse shoes as a counterpoint to the formality of a suit.

Eleventh Doctor costume worn by Matt Smith (2010-2013)

Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor was all about bow-ties, tweed jackets and on occasion a fez hat.

For another Matt Smith look, be sure to also check out the Eleventh Doctor's Victorian London costume from The Snowmen 2012 Christmas special.

Twelfth Doctor costume worn by Peter Capaldi (2013-Present)

And finally here's the trademark look of the latest regeneration of the Doctor played by Peter Capaldi, which features a buttoned down white shirt, waistcoat and short dark blue Crombie-style coat with red lining, although his style is definitely evolving and relaxing in stiffness in more recent episodes.

As you can see the Doctor has has more looks than you can shake a sonic screwdriver at, but if none of these appeal then his rogues gallery of Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, Zygons, Ice Warriors and more are brimming with science-ficion and time period Halloween inspiration.

Be sure to check out more original costumes from Doctor Who on display now.