Due to Doctor Who being cancelled, this was the last season to air before a 16-year absence from episodic television. Sylvester McCoy returns as the Seventh Doctor in his final season. He is joined by companion Ace, played by Sophie Aldred. Nicholas Courtney returned to play Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in 'Battlefield'. Anthony Ainley returned to play The Master in 'Survival'. This was Ainley's final television appearance in the role.