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List of The Sarah Jane Adventures serials

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The Sarah Jane Adventures is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).[1] Phil Ford served as the show's head writer.[2] It is a spin-off of the long-running television production Doctor Who. Compared to Doctor Who's family-oriented viewership, The Sarah Jane Adventures is targeted towards a younger audience.[3] The show centres around its titular character, Sarah Jane Smith (portrayed by Elisabeth Sladen), an investigative journalist and former time-travelling companion of the Doctor.

Sladen starred in Doctor Who from 1973–1976 and returned to the programme several times prior to the spin-off. In 2006, she made her first appearance in the revived era of Doctor Who by guest starring in the second series episode "School Reunion", which was retroactively viewed as a backdoor pilot.[4] The Sarah Jane Adventures was the second attempt at a spin-off featuring Sladen, the first being K-9 and Company which never made it past the pilot stage in 1981.[5] Now, living in modern-day Ealing, London, Smith investigates extraterrestrial matters and protects Earth against alien threats with a group of teenage accomplices: her adopted son Luke Smith, neighbour Maria Jackson, and friend Clyde Langer. New neighbour Rani Chandra and adopted daughter Sky Smith later join the cast. Additionally, the group is aided by Mr Smith, a sentient extraterrestrial computer, and K9, a dog-shaped robot gifted to Sarah Jane by the Doctor.

The Sarah Jane Adventures was introduced in a 60-minute special episode broadcast on New Year's Day in 2007 on BBC One.[6] It was followed later in the year by a 10-part series, made up of five half-hour two-part serials which aired weekly from 24 September to 19 November 2007.[7] The first serial, Revenge of the Slitheen, premiered its first part on BBC One and the second part immediately after on CBBC. For the remainder of the series, each episode first aired on CBBC and was followed by a BBC One repeat broadcast one week later. The second series, which began a trend of each series consisting of 12 episodes split across six two-part serials, had an identical release schedule with transmission occurring between 29 September and 8 December 2008.[8][9][10] An additional special mini-episode, "From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love", was produced in support of Comic Relief, an annual telethon used to raise funds for charity, on 13 March 2009.[11][12]

For the third series, all first-run episodes were simulcast on BBC One and BBC HD twice-weekly prior to the CBBC broadcast.[13] It began on 15 October and concluded on 20 November 2009.[14][15] Original episodes then returned to CBBC for the fourth series, with repeated episodes on BBC Two, BBC HD, BBC One, and BBC One HD.[13] It premiered on 11 October with the finale airing on 16 November 2010.[16][17] Fifth and sixth series of the programme had been commissioned; however, Sladen died after only six of the intended twelve episodes for the fifth series had been recorded. Davies made the decision to continue post-production work on the completed stories, but to cancel filming on the remaining serials.[18][19][20][21] The completed episodes were broadcast posthumously from 3–18 October, first airing on CBBC again followed by simulcasted BBC One/BBC One HD transmissions one week later.[22][21] Three scripts had already been drafted for the other six episodes: Meet Mr Smith by Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman, The Thirteenth Floor by Ford, and The Battle of Bannerman Road by Davies.[21] Davies and Ford co-created Wizards vs Aliens as a spiritual successor to the programme, in which The Thirteenth Floor was adapted as a serial.[23][24][25] Some reruns of The Sarah Jane Adventures also aired on BBC Three or in an omnibus format.[26][27][8] The show itself had one spin-off series, Sarah Jane's Alien Files, that aired in 2010 and a one-off reunion special, "Farewell, Sarah Jane", to honour Sladen in 2020.[13][28]

Series overview

[edit]
SeriesEpisodesOriginally released (UK)Average viewers
(millions)
First releasedLast released
New Year's special1 January 2007 (2007-01-01)2.90
11024 September 2007 (2007-09-24)19 November 2007 (2007-11-19)1.16
21229 September 2008 (2008-09-29)8 December 2008 (2008-12-08)0.79
Comic Relief special13 March 2009 (2009-03-13)8.30
31215 October 2009 (2009-10-15)20 November 2009 (2009-11-20)1.01
41211 October 2010 (2010-10-11)16 November 2010 (2010-11-16)0.80
563 October 2011 (2011-10-03)18 October 2011 (2011-10-18)0.65
Reunion special9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)—

Episodes

[edit]

New Year's special (2007)

[edit]
Sarah Jane Adventures New Year's Special
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [8]		AI [8]
1–"Invasion of the Bane"Colin TeagueRussell T Davies & Gareth Roberts1 January 2007 (2007-01-01)1.X2.9077

Series 1 (2007)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 1 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [8][a]		AI [8]
21–2Revenge of the SlitheenAlice TroughtonGareth Roberts24 September 2007 (2007-09-24)1.11.4079
1.21.10[b]77
33–4Eye of the GorgonAlice TroughtonPhil Ford1 October 2007 (2007-10-01)1.31.10[c]83
8 October 2007 (2007-10-08)1.41.00[d]85
45–6Warriors of KudlakCharles MartinPhil Gladwin15 October 2007 (2007-10-15)1.51.00[e]85
22 October 2007 (2007-10-22)1.61.20[f]85
57–8Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?Graeme HarperGareth Roberts29 October 2007 (2007-10-29)1.71.20[d]85
5 November 2007 (2007-11-05)1.81.10[g]85
69–10The Lost BoyCharles MartinPhil Ford12 November 2007 (2007-11-12)1.91.30[h]84
19 November 2007 (2007-11-19)1.101.20[i]N/A

Series 2 (2008)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 2 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [8][a]		AI [8]
71–2The Last SontaranJoss AgnewPhil Ford29 September 2008 (2008-09-29)2.10.8285
2.20.73[j]86
83–4The Day of the ClownMichael KerriganPhil Ford6 October 2008 (2008-10-06)2.30.60[k]82
13 October 2008 (2008-10-13)2.40.76[l]81
95–6Secrets of the StarsMichael KerriganGareth Roberts20 October 2008 (2008-10-20)2.50.86[m]83
27 October 2008 (2008-10-27)2.60.70[k]86
107–8The Mark of the BerserkerJoss AgnewJoseph Lidster3 November 2008 (2008-11-03)2.70.87[n]75
10 November 2008 (2008-11-10)2.80.87[o]84
119–10The Temptation of Sarah Jane SmithGraeme HarperGareth Roberts17 November 2008 (2008-11-17)2.90.72[j]82
24 November 2008 (2008-11-24)2.100.80[p]85
1211–12Enemy of the BaneGraeme HarperPhil Ford1 December 2008 (2008-12-01)2.110.94[h]79
8 December 2008 (2008-12-08)2.120.82[q]85

Comic Relief special (2009)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 2 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [8]
––"From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love"Joss AgnewGareth Roberts & Clayton Hickman13 March 2009 (2009-03-13)–8.30

Series 3 (2009)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 3 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [13][r]		AI [13]
131–2Prisoner of the JudoonJoss AgnewPhil Ford15 October 2009 (2009-10-15)3.10.7381
16 October 2009 (2009-10-16)3.20.8286
143–4The Mad Woman in the AtticAlice TroughtonJoseph Lidster22 October 2009 (2009-10-22)3.30.7586
23 October 2009 (2009-10-23)3.40.8486
155–6The Wedding of Sarah Jane SmithJoss AgnewGareth Roberts29 October 2009 (2009-10-29)3.51.5987
30 October 2009 (2009-10-30)3.61.4789
167–8The Eternity TrapAlice TroughtonPhil Ford5 November 2009 (2009-11-05)3.71.1486
6 November 2009 (2009-11-06)3.80.9386
179–10Mona Lisa's RevengeJoss AgnewPhil Ford12 November 2009 (2009-11-12)3.91.1084
13 November 2009 (2009-11-13)3.100.9286
1811–12The GiftAlice TroughtonRupert Laight19 November 2009 (2009-11-19)3.110.9584
20 November 2009 (2009-11-20)3.120.8987

Series 4 (2010)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 4 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [13]
191–2The Nightmare ManJoss AgnewJoseph Lidster11 October 2010 (2010-10-11)4.10.59
12 October 2010 (2010-10-12)4.20.67
203–4The Vault of SecretsJoss AgnewPhil Ford18 October 2010 (2010-10-18)4.30.73
19 October 2010 (2010-10-19)4.40.61
215–6Death of the DoctorAshley WayRussell T Davies25 October 2010 (2010-10-25)4.50.92
26 October 2010 (2010-10-26)4.60.96
227–8The Empty PlanetAshley WayGareth Roberts1 November 2010 (2010-11-01)4.70.99
2 November 2010 (2010-11-02)4.80.82
239–10Lost in TimeJoss AgnewRupert Laight8 November 2010 (2010-11-08)4.90.99
9 November 2010 (2010-11-09)4.100.68
2411–12Goodbye, Sarah Jane SmithJoss AgnewClayton Hickman and Gareth Roberts15 November 2010 (2010-11-15)4.110.81
16 November 2010 (2010-11-16)4.120.82

Series 5 (2011)

[edit]
List of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 5 episodes
No.
story		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		UK viewers
(millions) [21]
251–2SkyAshley WayPhil Ford3 October 2011 (2011-10-03)5.10.53
4 October 2011 (2011-10-04)5.20.53
263–4The Curse of Clyde LangerAshley WayPhil Ford10 October 2011 (2011-10-10)5.30.79
11 October 2011 (2011-10-11)5.40.73
275–6The Man Who Never WasJoss AgnewGareth Roberts17 October 2011 (2011-10-17)5.50.71
18 October 2011 (2011-10-18)5.60.60

Sarah Jane's Alien Files (2010)

[edit]
Main article: Sarah Jane's Alien Files

A spin-off compilation series titled Sarah Jane's Alien Files aired on CBBC in 2010 to accompany the fourth series. The programme included the main characters of the parent series inputting data about recently-confronted aliens into Mr Smith. New footage was mixed with existing material from The Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who.[13]

Sarah Jane's Alien Files episodes
No.Featured AliensFeatured CharacterDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) [13]
1The Trickster and GraskeSarah Jane SmithPip BanyardJohn Piper11 October 2010 (2010-10-11)0.43
2Entity, Eve, and ShipRani ChandraPip BanyardJohn Piper18 October 2010 (2010-10-18)0.43
3Mrs Wormwood, Bane Mother, and SontaransLuke SmithPip BanyardJohn Piper25 October 2010 (2010-10-25)0.39
4Slitheen, Blathereen, and RakweedSarah Jane SmithPip BanyardJohn Piper1 November 2010 (2010-11-01)0.49
5Bersekers and Mona LisaClyde LangerPip BanyardJohn Piper8 November 2010 (2010-11-08)0.48
6Judoon, Androvax, and Mister DreadLuke SmithPip BanyardJohn Piper15 November 2010 (2010-11-15)0.43

Reunion special (2020)

[edit]
Further information: "Farewell, Sarah Jane"

A one-off reunion special written by Davies was produced as a webisode during the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured cast members of The Sarah Jane Adventures attending a memorial service for Sarah Jane and was released on Doctor Who social media platforms on 19 April 2020.[28][29]

The Sarah Jane Adventures reunion special
TitleWritten byOriginal release date
"Farewell, Sarah Jane"Russell T Davies9 April 2020

Ratings

[edit]
The Sarah Jane Adventures : UK viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
12.901.401.101.101.001.001.201.201.101.301.20–1.32
20.820.730.600.760.860.700.870.870.720.800.940.820.79
30.730.820.750.841.591.471.140.931.100.920.950.891.01
40.590.670.730.610.920.960.990.820.990.680.810.820.80
50.530.530.790.730.710.60–0.65
Audience measurement performed by Broadcasters' Audience Research Board[8][13][21][s]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b For consistency, the following figures are those the episode received in its first broadcast on BBC One, which may not have been transmitted on the date listed. The CBBC figures, when known, are included as a footnote.
  2. ^ This episode received 450,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  3. ^ This episode received 360,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  4. ^ a b This episode received 410,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  5. ^ This episode received 420,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  6. ^ This episode received 400,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  7. ^ This episode received 630,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  8. ^ a b This episode received 460,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  9. ^ This episode received 660,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  10. ^ a b This episode received 480,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  11. ^ a b This episode received 510,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  12. ^ This episode received 440,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  13. ^ This episode received 520,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  14. ^ This episode received 530,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  15. ^ This episode received 630,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  16. ^ This episode received 590,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  17. ^ This episode received 560,000 viewers in its CBBC broadcast.
  18. ^ The following numbers are combined figures for the episode's broadcast on BBC One and BBC HD.
  19. ^ For series 1, the first figure listed in this row is for the New Year's Day special. Add one to the episode count of each series one episode to associate the correct figure to its respective story. The viewers for "Invasion of the Bane" are included in the average for the series.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robinson, Abby (7 February 2019). "The Sarah Jane Adventures: Where Are They Now?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Behind the Scenes of The Sarah Jane Adventures". Doctor Who TV. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  3. ^ Wright, Minnie (15 July 2021). "Doctor Who Spin-Off The Sarah Jane Adventures to Stream on BritBox – Primeval and Being Human Also Added". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  4. ^ Johnston, Dais (21 April 2020). "Heartbreaking Doctor Who short finally says goodbye to lost companion". Inverse. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  5. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (27 October 2023). "Doctor Who spin-off K-9 and Company coming to BBC iPlayer". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  6. ^ Moreland, Alex (1 January 2022). "How We Made The Sarah Jane Adventures: 'We Were like a Family, And It Was Beautiful'". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  7. ^ "The Sarah Jane Adventures - Season 1 - 2007". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pixley, Andrew (24 December 2009). Spilsbury, Tom (ed.). "The Sarah Jane Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. Vol. 1, no. Special Edition – 23. Panini Magazines.
  9. ^ "Monday TV". Telegraph & Argus. 27 September 2008. p. 31. Retrieved 7 April 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Martin, Daniel (1 December 2008). "Why Is the Brigadier Joining Sarah Jane?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Special Sarah Jane Adventure". BBC. 13 February 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  12. ^ Hogan, Michael (21 March 2025). "Comic Relief 2025, review: The weakest telethon in recent memory". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pixley, Andrew (13 July 2011). Spilsbury, Tom (ed.). "The Sarah Jane Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. Vol. 2, no. Special Edition – 28. Panini Magazines.
  14. ^ "October 15". Daily Echo. 10 October 2009. p. 52. Retrieved 7 April 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Fantastic Finale". BBC. 16 November 2009. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Series Is out of This World". Telegraph & Argus. 9 October 2010. p. 47. Retrieved 7 April 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ CranfordTeague, Jason (18 November 2010). "Whatever Happened to Doctor Who's Sarah Jane Smith?". Wired. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  18. ^ Bahn, Cristopher (19 April 2011). "R.I.P. Elisabeth Sladen, Doctor Who's Sarah Jane". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  19. ^ Leane, Rob (7 December 2016). "The Sarah Jane Adventures: Russell T Davies Thinks They Cancelled It Too Soon". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  20. ^ Harrison, Mark (11 December 2018). "Doctor Who TV Spin-Offs' Loose Ends". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e Pixley, Andrew (2012). Spilsbury, Tom (ed.). "The Sarah Jane Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. Vol. 3, no. Special Edition – 32. Panini Magazines.
  22. ^ "The Sarah Jane Adventures - Season 5 - 2011". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  23. ^ Peaty, James (12 December 2012). "Phil Ford Interview: Wizards VS Aliens, Doctor Who, Lis Sladen, Torchwood, UFO & More". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  24. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (31 May 2013). "'Doctor Who' Duo Bringing 'Wizards Vs. Aliens' to U.S. (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  25. ^ Berriman, Ian (20 November 2023). "Russell T Davies Reflects on The Sarah Jane Adventures, Making Children's TV, And Working with Elisabeth Sladen". GamesRadar+. SFX. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Revenge of the Slitheen: Part 1". CBBC. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  27. ^ "The Lost Boy: Part 1". CBBC. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  28. ^ a b Ling, Thomas (19 April 2020). "Doctor Who's Russell T Davies Announces Sarah Jane Adventures Goodbye Story". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  29. ^ Flook, Ray (19 April 2020). "Doctor Who Scribe Russell T. Davies Pens Farewell to Our Sarah Jane". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
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