The Autons are an artificial life form from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and adversaries of the Doctor. They were originally created by scriptwriter Robert Holmes for Jon Pertwee's first serial as the Doctor, Spearhead from Space (1970), and were the first monsters to be presented in colour on the series.
The Autons from their first appearance.
An Auton weapon, as shown at the Doctor Who Experience
The Ninth Doctor encounters the Nestene Consciousness
The Autons, shown here at the Doctor Who Experience
Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)
Robert Colin Holmes was a British television scriptwriter. For over 25 years he contributed to some of the most popular programmes screened in the UK. He is particularly remembered for his work on science fiction programmes, most notably his extensive contributions to Doctor Who, which included working as its script editor from 1974 to 1977.
Holmes in an image from a documentary on the DVD release of The Two Doctors