Episode Info

Episode Title: 'The Devil's Chord'

Episode Number: Season one, episode two / Series 14, episode two

Release Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Writer: Russell T Davies

Director: Ben Chessell

The Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa

Companion(s): Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday

Synopsis

The Doctor and Ruby meet The Beatles in 1963 as they record their first ever album at Abbey Road but discover that the all-powerful Maestro is changing history. London becomes a battleground with the future of humanity at stake.

Cast list

The Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa
Ruby Sunday: Millie Gibson
Maestro: Jinkx Monsoon
Timothy Drake: Jeremy Limb
Henry: Kit Rakusen
Tea Trolley Lady: Sherinne Kayra Anderson
George Martin: Ed White
Paul McCartney: George Caple
John Lennon: Chris Mason
George Harrison: Philip Davies
Ringo Starr: James Hoyles
Studio Producer: Chan Shoker
Cilla Black: Josie Sedgwick-Davies
Tea Lady: Susan Twist
Vinnie: Simon Jason-Smith
Elderly Woman: Laura June Hudson
Himself: Murray Gold
Herself: Shirley Ballas
Himself: Johannes Radebe

Quotes

Jinkx Monsoon (Maestro): "Maestro is exceptionally powerful. When human rules don't apply to you you get to do whatever you want. You don't have to worry about whether your emotions make sense to people because you don't have to answer to them. And that's really freeing when you're playing a character. The thing I love about a villain is that they can't think they're doing something wrong, or if they do think they're doing something wrong, it's justified because it's for something greater that they've planned. What I love about Maestro is that while objectively evil, they are an artist, they have a mission statement. And that was really lovely to play."

Russell T Davies (Showrunner): "No, [Maestro is] nothing to do with the Master... it's completely different, a pantheon of gods that we've introduced. I did think when I named them Maestro that there was a chance that that might overlap. It causes speculation, which is fun, but the Master is kind of parked for the moment. There's been a lot of the Master recently, so it's time to start again and have a fresh start to the show." (Radio Times)

Chris Mason (John Lennon): "What The Beatles have done for the world with their music and creativity is in jeopardy - and it's up to The Doctor to try and save that." (DW Magazine, issue 603)

Script Snippets

The Doctor: "I'm sorry. But the power of these creatures is so vast. The whole world could slide into the pit." (DW Magazine, issue 603)

Maestro: "I. Am. Music."

The Doctor: "Lads from Liverpool, changing the world."

Episode Pictures

The Doctor and Ruby

Paul McCartney and The Doctor

The Doctor and Ruby

Maestro

Timothy Drake and Henry

George Martin, The Doctor and Ruby

The Doctor

The Beatles

Ruby

The Doctor and Ruby

Ruby and The Doctor

Timothy Drake and Maestro

Ruby and The Doctor

Episode Clips

Preview One:

Preview Two: