Peter Davison often cites this story as an example of substandard writing for the series during his tenure. He even claimed Terence Dudley told him he had written it for a murder mystery series, found it in a bottom drawer, and just turned it into a Doctor Who story.
Most of the regular cast loathed this serial. Peter Davison and Janet Fielding in particular disliked the lack of a science fiction element and thought the script was generally trite.
Sarah Sutton and Janet Fielding were delighted to take part in the dance sequences. Matthew Waterhouse was less enthusiastic, and suggested that Adric should be more interested in the food so that he would not have to participate in the choreography.
Peter Davison, a keen cricketer, actually did play cricket in The Doctor's cricket match and did quite well; he bowled out his opponent.
This is the first pure historical story since The Highlanders.