The Seven Classic Daleks in the Asylum - Complete Histories Uncovered

Buy Signed "Every Dalek Ever!" Prints 👉 gavinrymill.co.uk/prints/
Support us on Patreon or you can Join here on KZbin!
PATREON 👉 / dalek6388
YT MEMBERSHIP 👉 / @dalek6388
Thank us via Ko-Fi 👉 ko-fi.com/dalek6388
Advertising enquiries: [e-mail]
The 2012 episode Asylum of the Daleks was supposed to have every type of Dalek imaginable? Did this hold true? How many of the "classic" props were treally there? (Seven, it says that in the title). But whose props were they and who built them? What happened to them after? Discover the amazing stories behind these interesting Dalek casings.
And yes I accidentally said "played homage".

[@JRHainsworth]

It's interesting to see a Dead Planet dalek canonically in the asylum. They must have a static floor.

[@unimpressedlink2507]

I mean it doesn’t ever move, so it may as well be powered down

[@engineerforthefuture8593]

Now we need a breakdown of all the changes to the design of Davros

[@grahamreitz3288]

The “Every Dalek Ever” was an absolute favorite magazine of mine as a kid. In the U.S., it was very difficult to find any Doctor Who related merch, so that magazine was greatly important to me, and the coincidence that I still follow the artist that was such an important part of my childhood is incredible to me! And yes I still have and treasure that one copy

[@Howyaduing]

You were a kid when this episode was made. Damn now I feel old. I was barely out of college when this was made

[@crimsong8068]

It's so frustrating how hidden these were, I was always convinced that they only had the silver and the special weapons Daleks. Now I find out that these were literally hidden in plain sight! Seriously, they had classic Daleks! Make them the forefront! Use them in the "intensive care" section (where they are supposed to be from classic stories!) It seems very careless of the production team to prioritize the bronze ones. At least they learned for the Series 9 opener.

[@somerandomguy2073]

I always took the series 9 opener to be a direct response to the criticism of Asylum. There's very little reason for that story to have multiple generations of dalek in it.

[@crimsong8068]

@@somerandomguy2073 Definitely. In some ways, that story makes even less sense than Asylum did. (I still like it though.) Sometimes I wish Moffat would have stuck with his original "Paradigm Dalek" story, because whatever he had planned probably would have been more interesting than these two stories were.

[@ryankomitor7391]

@@crimsong8068esign aside the Paradigm had a lot of potential. Clear delineated hierarchy, slightly revamped voice that has an air of confidence expected of a renewed empire, even some added mystery in the Eternal Dalek. But the backlash happened and, well, we all know the rest.

[@mandyward5372]

​@@ryankomitor7391 im actually going to use the paradigm in my doctor who spin off series 'Romanas Adventures!'

[@kyrauniversal]

​@@mandyward5372I am so proud to see someone so willing to create things like that. I wish you well on your projects, and really hope you remember not to skip nine on these adventures.

[@crimsong8068]

Something about those two silver "brothers" is just so sweet... no matter what, they were together. (BBC take notes.)

[@dalekbumps]

Great video! Asylum of the Daleks has always fascinated me, it's by no means my favourite Dalek story but it's a great watch for Dalek spotters. I always assumed that the Daleks in intensive care were moved to new casings when they arrived, which have since rotted over time, giving us an idea as to how long they have been in there...

[@xandertoner]

notice me Dalek Bumps!

[@ItsButterBean1020]

It’s such a weird episode because I’d argue it’s got a brilliant concept

[@dalekbumps]

@@xandertoner hello!

[@RWJP]

Superb video! I was actually very fortunate to be a "custodian" for a short time of one of the Daleks used on screen in this episode. My Dad and I are good friends of Scott Wayland, and we looked after his Dalek that was reinforced and blown up during the episode while Scott was moving. It graced our garage for a couple of months. The Dalek is still in it's "destroyed" condition to this day and is stored safely although with a Mr Blobby head instead of a dome! The dome used on screen was a foam recreation and was cut into 4 chunks for the explosion scene.

[@Dalek6388]

We cover that one soon!

[@DalekWindmill]

It bugs me to no end that they didn't use the classic casings in the Intensive Care scene, they were literally in the studio!

[@plantainsame2049]

Probably terrified Of breaking them

[@DalekWindmill]

@@plantainsame2049 Hmmmm I dunno, they had no problem filling them with sludge in the next Dalek story. Maybe it was less of a worry at that point though.

[@plantainsame2049]

@@DalekWindmill Maybe they made their own idk

[@RichArd-vc5jp]

Technically, none of the Exillon Daleks survived that encounter...💥💥💥💥

[@zackman9230]

Real missed opportunity to have a Necros and or Imperial Dalek in Asylum of the Daleks or Witch's Familiar, but at least we have the SWD

[@britanimations2002]

I remember that DWM cover, didn't know you were the one who made it tho. So you're the one who gave me all that hype back in the day, only to have it ripped away

[@azngf]

OMG, what did they do do that Death To The Daleks Dalek!??! 😞😞 That should be considered sacrilege, that's my favourite Dalek design!! 😭😭

[@DalekPrimeProductions]

Never knew that RTD’s own Dalek was in this story! Another great video!!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@zak_161]

It's wild that you did that art, I had it as a poster on my wall for almost a decade! I think I still have it some where in my room!

[@DeathbyProxy]

No way! You made the cover for the magazine? I used to get that every week as a kid with my pocket money! I probably still have all the little plastic Daleks that came with it haha

[@LukeNyul]

Excellent video guys! I did find it so disappointing that Asylum of the Daleks promoted the idea of every Dalek ever and most of the classic ones were relegated to blink-and-you'll-miss-them background Daleks :/ I did feel that the Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar sort-of rectified that in my eyes.

[@jeffwalker7185]

During the pandemic, I purchased a full size Dalek kit off ebay. It needed quite a bit of extra work doing (such as cutting out all of the holes for the skirt domes), together with some parts 3d printing as they were not part of the kit. I aimed for a Genesis of the Daleks era dalek. I added a few modifications to the design, such as a 3d printed ring around the skirt domes to cover up my less than perfect hole cutting. I made the deliberate choice not to have a perfect finish to the paint. I wanted the dalek to look a bit rough around the edges. It sits in my living room as I type. I have also 3d printed the red three dome light Dalek Supreme and the Special Weapons Dalek as 12 inch models.

[@AnubisX1]

I remember getting so excited to see the classic daleks back at the time, seeing the official press release's, Moffat's statements, Posters etc. Then being very disappointed when it aired. It actually makes me more sad now, and that might also be the music that these beautiful props didn't get the lime light they deserved on screen. I also remember as Oswin read out the list of names, i though ooooh might see them proper in intensive care, but sadly no. I had no idea a death dalek was used, like many others i thought it was just a grey 70's dalek. Not going to lie, the idea of the Asylum never made sense, as before this Daleks quite happily exterminated other daleks that have failed, gone rogue or insane. but watching this really has made me appreciate more the level of commitment that dalek builders have and admire them even more. I would love to own a Imperial Dalek, but can never spare the money.

[@originaluddite]

The 'death' livery is my favourite too! Having said that, I can understand why they muted the visibility of all these older models. It would be like seeing the 60s Enterprise alongside starship designs from this century. Of course, that _has_ happened, but I find it aesthetically jarring because, to me, a lot of the redesigns are not merely due to the passing of in-story time. For me, the revived series was a _style_ soft reboot, and till the Witches Familiar, I had sort of assumed that Daleks were always supposed to have been more detailed than they were depicted last century...

[@silentotto5099]

I'd never been a huge Dr. Who fan. I'd caught the occasional episode from time to time and while I didn't really dislike the show, it never quite resonated with me so I didn't often watch it. Of course, I'd seen the Dalaks in some episode or another, and frankly thought they looked like low budget special effects. Then one day I was channel surfing and I came across one of the episodes, so I parked there and watched. The ending scene had a bunch of Dalaks all milling around repeating "Exterminate! Exterminate!" in that weird Dalak voice over and over and over and at a ever more frenzied rate. As I watched it I'll be damned if it didn't start to seriously creep me out, so much so that I started feeling a bit of an adrenaline rush going down my spine. And, I was a full grown man when it happened! That gave me a new respect for the show. While it still doesn't grab me in the way it does many Dr. Who fans, I've a much better understanding of where they're coming from.

[@123ericthehalfabee]

Yay! New video!!

[@garym6315]

Sad to say, but I think this story was the beginning of the end of me watching Doctor Who. I seem to recall them doing a few DWM articles that hyped things up in the show and the episode being nothing like what we had been promised. Things like "every dalek ever" or "we are going back to the 60s style Cybermen with all their scheming and planning" or even promises that the Doctor would be more like Hartnell (which lasted for all of one season of Capaldi before he started wearing t-shirts and shades while playing an electric guitar😒). It became clear that the people behind the scenes on the show (including DWM reporting from behind the scenes) might have been having the time of their lives and having fun with every dalek ever, but for we plebs in the audience we didn't get any of that.

[@Dalek6388]

I think there is a certain amount of worrying that anything that gets too close to the ‘classic’ series will become dull or slow. The fast paced nature of TV today means some of the ‘old’ ways, maybe, don’t work today

[@unimpressedlink2507]

@@Dalek6388I know certainly that RTD said he gave himself a bit of a phobia towards any sort of classic callbacks, for much the same reasons.

[@deniseboldea1624]

Gotta love some of the fan made Daleks. The devotion to detail is admirable. The most Terrifying Dalek to me was the glass one featured on Planet of the dead as the viewer could see human's being converted by Daveros.

[@404TVfr]

Planet of the Dead... doesn't have daleks. What are you on about?

[@deniseboldea1624]

@@404TVfr Ah, your right. I intended to say Revelation of the Daleks.

[@404TVfr]

@@deniseboldea1624 and Davros doesn't have an e.

[@Tim_Weaver]

As a long-standing listener to The Archers, whenever you mention the name Mike Tucker, I actually think of Terry (Davros) Molloy...

[@britanimations2002]

Suggestion for a video: a comprehensive look at each Fatal Death prop? I'm sure you wouldn't object. Also I'd quite like to know the deal with what I have come to term as "The Who Shop Dalek" which is the same one as used in the photoshoot for the Radio Times 40th Anniversary post. I've seen it in person and made my own custom figure of it with the accurate skirt shape. Can't help but find it funny that a Dalek in very 60s colours with an 80s shape is stood next to an SWD with a 60s skirt.

[@Dalek6388]

We have considered doing a CoFD video. Nothing certain as yet but we have tried to start gathering some images. The Who Shop one I believe was made by Julian Vince and is a really nice looking Dalek.

[@gbros9263]

I love the haunting sound of the Dalek heartbeat, before you come face to face with them you because of the whump whump whump whump

[@tidmouthmilk12]

I know the focus of this video is the classic daleks, but I think my favourite asylum dalek is the 'neckless' new series lurking in the back. It looks like someone bashed it's head in xD

[@theindependantcartoonist]

This one gave me a good few chuckles. I'm loving the new comedic writing style

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@gasman1155]

That’s a fantastic insight. The death to the Daleks design is also my favourite and I had no idea until now that one was in the episode the whole time

[@cyberman05]

Great video!, such a shame we didn't see as many classic daleks as we couldve

[@iangreen4572]

I had a renegade Dalek from This Planet Earth, 20 years ago when they first started. Panopticon 96 and Longleat were my first conventions.

[@gibbonduder182]

It's galling to discover they had a Doctor Who convention in Coventry when I wasn't there. I'd have been in Hereford in October 1990. Darn!

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Great look at the asylum and great seeing what we saw in the od Cardiff exhibition 😊 They so missed out on the classic daleks in the ICW though. That still wrankles as a missed opportunity.

[@owntmpsn]

The new theme’s an absolute banger!

[@tonydotnottingham]

I can’t imagine how much time and research this took - thanks for sharing!

[@Dalek6388]

It took some while!

[@simonmilne8208]

Theres a guy in salford (uk) near mediacity that has 3 original daleks. He saved them from a skip & are now housed in a specially built garden shed

[@lepterfirefall]

I had no idea they used a classic skirt on the bronze dalek at the experience! Once you see it, cant unsee it! Fantastic video as always! I know who owns the death dalek skirt. Brilliant.

[@JackAcid]

I worked in this season of Dr Who in the sfx dept (still do from time to time). This was my dream come true story to work, with so many Daleks in their various guises. I was nerding out spotting the different types,and even got to try out operating one of the classic Daleks! Still ranks as one of my favourite sets I've ever worked on, too .

[@Dalek6388]

Wow amazing! Have you had anything to do with the recent Dalek eps?

[@Kremmen2001]

I would love to see more photos from Blue Box '93 as I stewarded at the Con. It's a fond memory, but I stupidly neglected to take any pics. A highlight was sitting with Carrie John, Geoffrey Beevers and Philip Madoc for the evening meal. A couple of friends and I actually managed to convince the three of them to appear in a fan film we were planning that was to shoot in Portmeirion, but sadly like many brilliant ideas, it got lost somewhere along the way. I still think that Jeremiah Darke would have been a cracking story. Steve Preston, if you're reading this, give me a shout!

[@stinchjack]

Mr Dalek 63.88 is obsessed by detail!

[@marklewis1763]

Great vid! What happened to that metallic blue Dalek? Always loved the colour scheme of that Dalek, so much so actually built and painted a Comet Miniatures Dalek to match

[@Dalek6388]

It’s still around as far as I know!

[@user-tx9tg2lu7c]

the only daleks not mentiones were the sixth doctors Necros Daleks and the Glass dalek

[@pianoman8642]

This investigation was far more entertaining than the actual episode

[@retrochris8107]

Classic daleks are best and I do wish there was of them in the story.

[@titanic_monarch796]

I distintly remember treasuring that magazine (or at least a similar multidalek coverage one in that era) for ages even as the condition further and further deteriorated, so, hearing the actual art's creator mention it is pretty surreal...

[@Chord_]

And to think it was just over this past weekend that I did another binge on your guys' videos! Wasn't expecting a new one to drop quite so soon after! Thank you for another wonderful way to spend the evening

[@Dalek6388]

We are pleased you enjoyed it!

[@barneyhall8325]

Always infuriated me that they had bronze daleks in the intensive care unit and I guessed it was because they didn't had the props to pull it off properly. Now finding out they had the probs and used them in such pointless ways is even more maddening. Equally wound me up how many of the planets Clara lists she pronounces wrong. Would it of really taken a script researcher that much extra time to put how to say them phonetically next to it on the script.

[@Donkeys_Dad_Adam]

Words cannot express how much I love this video! Your research and attention to detail is astonishing! Thank you so very much for this!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you, that’s appreciated!

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Superb video as always thank you for sharing

[@paulrowling6656]

Stunning guys! God knows how long you spent on your research but you've made my evening. Thanks!

[@Dalek6388]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GnCFilms]

I totally remember being disappointed when finally seeing the episode that not "every Dalek ever" appeared. Why did they come out with such hyperbole?! It's not like New Who fans would care for the most part, so why let "classic series" fans be so disappointed? Anyway, another fantastic episode. Your content is always top notch.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you! That’s appreciated.

[@julianaylor4351]

The photograph of Daleks with a Tesco bag in front of them, reminds me that I brought my silver and blue Palitoy talking Dalek, from a large Tescos in the early eighties. At the time I brought it in preference to the red and black ones, which later turned out to be common, the silver and blue one being rare. I still have it, it works as far as I know and although the box is a little battered, the Dalek is intacted. It hasn't been out of its box for several years. It's easier of course much easier to see all the Daleks in The Witches Familiar, so much so my first thought on seeing it, was that this was a fantasy Chad Valley Dalek City toy from a past Christmas.

[@martynthomas7486]

Hello guys, welcome back, we've missed you! And what a great, informative video to return with. Just don't leave it so long next time!

[@Dalek6388]

We will try not too but these things take so long to research and make that there will be natural breaks from time to time

[@TheUluxian]

Thanks for the tip to This Planet Earth. Had no idea such a company existed. Might even look into getting my own Dalek..👍

[@grindelston5968]

Wow . I love the amount of detail in your videos!

[@Dalek6388]

Glad you like them!

[@Lumibear.]

Great video guys, always so detailed, love it.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@benkendall7489]

I’m utterly gobsmacked by the production value on your videos, the editing on this is fantastic and you should be very proud!

[@Dalek6388]

Wow, thank you!

[@DanniDerpy]

another great video, love it as usual!

[@cedricwhiting6679]

This video is absolutely stunning!

[@KarlWitsman]

Another well-researched and well-presented episode.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@ksay7649]

excellent as always, thanks

[@somberdoc]

interestingly at 12:36 it looks like there is a modern Dalek with the Saucer Commander colours from Dalek invasion of earth to the left of the screen

[@Dalek6388]

That may be the Sec copy prop that we will cover in an upcoming video. Maybe the light is just glinting off it making it look like silver in places?

[@acanimations1223]

This is just such an interesting video. As the news broadcast of your website said, anyone not a doctor who fan would be bored to death, but i just have to commend the effort into tracking down the history of each prop, and to me there's nothing more fascinating. You are a very talented man. :) (Just noticed while typing this that i'm not subscribed, don't know how i haven't done that all this time I've watched you but i'm fixing it right now)

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@daleknut1]

Brilliant guys thanks for the video it was superb.

[@MammothChats]

Your contribution to doctor who and the community makes Dalek lore so much richer!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@TheCrazySourdoughDude]

The reason the Dead Planet Dalek wasn't moving from the corner is because all of those daleks were powered through static electricity. A nice late 1960s dalek probably assisted him in to the corner. I hope this clears things up.

[@Dalek6388]

Makes sense

[@chriswinwood6501]

I’m going to need to watch this a few more times I think.

[@Dalekcollector1]

Wonderful thank you!

[@jezcartner4104]

This was a top video. The research is appreciated

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@AlrightThere]

Always love these

[@peterbruin5154]

Absolutely astonishing work! Gobsmacked at the research and knowledge. Plus I can never fault a cameo from Johnny nice Painter!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you! More to come soon too!

[@conorcrilly1304]

Oh My God! You did that DWM cover? I love that cover! I still currently have the poster version up on my uni accommodation wall!

[@ryantwombly720]

Huzzah! Brilliant coverage. Roll on the sequel.

[@badwolf66]

Asylum of the Daleks is a crime against continuity, don't you think? But great video I look forward to when cover The Magicians Apprentice & The Witches Familiar, which finally gives these props some justice.

[@REFLEXiw]

That whole "tale of two daleks" section was amazing! Just superb work!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@AquaFan1998]

Id love to see a video about the history of surecraft and what happened to them. They were juggernauts of classic DW props and then they are suddenly gone into the later eras of the show. Im realy realy interested to here their history since the videos keep mentioning them and the props they masterfully crafted. I hope Dalek. 63-88 sees this comment tho 😊

[@dragonzilla6482]

Dalek prop history is so much better then watching Amy Pond throw a temper tantrum in the Dalek Asylum, she should have gone into intense care after her paddy.

[@feckya4773]

im so happy seeing this on my front page

[@morganhanam9522]

the insanity planet; great; was just thinking the other day that it should be made into a whole series on its own; lots of potential material there.

[@Charlie_Duz]

Nice to have you back, Gav. It's been a while. 🤖 👍

[@MartinFutter70]

Another fabulous fact-filled and entertaining vid. You brought back some great memories of those Panopticon events too, well drunken ones! "hic!"

[@Dalek6388]

😂

[@thecelestialtoygazer7816]

You forgot the invisible Dalek from Spiridon 😂

[@57305northernprincess]

Another great video! I remember watching the day ''Asylum The Daleks'' aired as i put all my Dalek figures in from of the TV as I was excited but what a bloody disappointment was it! Character Options sort of did a tie in with the first wave of SFX Dalek figures.

[@thatcedric]

Incredible!

[@jcrossan1351]

Wait, you were the artist of that Dalek poster ? That was my favourite poster as a child I’ll have to pick myself one up again reminisce about better days

[@karlkammer3050]

I was suffering from Dalek 63*88 withdrawal, thanks for the fix!

[@gbros9263]

The amazing suprise I got was when their "laser" malfunction, and the supreme Dalek said "SWITCH TO PERCUSSION" IM LIKE OOOHHHH then the 4th Doctor said for a superior being you still can't fly.

[@ekij133]

Daleks greatest enemy is not time lords or Mechanoids, it's _dust_ .

[@joebowers6554]

Great video, I've always wondered where these Dalek originated. Though, its a shame about the Death Dalek. If you ever do a video about the use of Dalek props from the various 90s productions & advertisements; I would be interested to know the Curse of the Fatal Death Daleks came from.

[@SPM0717]

"What you didn't see inside the Dalek Asylum" Oswin's upskirt ☹️

[@DrBagPhD]

It's insane how many of these TV props (or parts of them!) I've gotten to see in person thanks to the Doctor Who experience.

[@GrumpyOldGit60]

Splendid stuff - you are quite mad, of course, but we love none-the-less. More please.

[@Dalek6388]

😂

[@droppedontheclimb7019]

"Andrew Beech's Silver Daleks" - I loved their second album.

[@SciFiAssasin]

In the script, the Spiridon Dalek props were meant to be the types as seen in Planet of the Daleks, but some way through the production, they got replaced with the modern props.

[@davidioanhedges]

That only one of the Daleks in the Asylum of the Daleks is original ...is wonderful ... That some of the fan made replicas as seen are older than it is even more wonderful ...

[@peterharrington7523]

Superb!!! What can I say from you guys. 👏👏👏💖

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you so much 😀

[@woofgbruk5947]

I was always puzzled by the premise of this episode, surely the other Daleks would have just exterminated them as defective or inferior which would be more in keeping with Dalek history.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

Oh, for the days of 'Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.' Now they were proper Daleks.

[@garym6315]

I remember seeing the shadows around the hemispheres on the cover of one of the Dalek novels and thinking that it was just the artist giving them a more defined shape. But now in wonder if he knew about this unique trait the old daleks had.

[@farmbrough]

It's nice to hear Johnny Painter again.