The TARDIS and the starship Enterprise feel like enchanted places that we visit in our imaginations. But the reality of working on a TV show involves long hours in a studio, and the magic takes a lot of work. Just check out these revealing behind-the-scenes photos from our favorite fantasy and science fiction shows.

We already showed you the making of iconic movies — now here are the funny and extraordinary moments of filming some episodes of Doctor Who, Star Trek, Fringe, Stargate and Buffy. Plus some publicity shots, for good measure!


Majel Barrett in a makeup test wearing the green that would be applied to an Orion dancer played by Susan Oliver. This shot is from the set of The Cage, the first pilot episode of the original series, 1965


(via birdofthegalaxy)

The fearsome Slyther, a blob-like creature native to Skaro, on a tea break, 1965

(Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)

The USS Enterprise from the original Star Trek series (1966-1969)


(via Myremoteradio and Whatculture)

The creator of TOS, Gene Roddenberry and three Talosians including the Keeper (centre), from The Menagerie, a two-part episode from Season 1, 1966


(via birdofthegalaxy)

A scene from Wolf in the Fold, a second-season episode of the original Star Trek series, 1967


(via birdofthegalaxy)

Transforming into Spock, Leonard Nimoy on the set of Star Trek (1966-1969)


(via Behind the Illusions)

Bill Shatner and Sherry Jackson mounted the android making turntable to share a dance


(via Radio Valencia)

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy are reading MAD magazine between takes on the original Star Trek series, between 1966 and 1969


(via space1970)

Laughing Spock, from the ending of the episode Miri, the eighth episode of the first season of the original series, 1967


(via birdofthegalaxy)

The Half-naked Captain and Spock during the set of Patterns of Force, a second season episode from the original series, 1967. This episode was banned on German television for 28 years due to the depiction of Nazi uniforms.


(via Frenchks)

Leonard Nimoy and his son, Adam, made up as a Vulcan child, on the set of TOS


(via reddit)

The Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) is in trouble in this publicity still


(via Doctor Who)

The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) poses with Daleks and a Cyberman, 1974

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(Photo by Frank Barratt/Stringer/Getty Images)

The Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999 (1975-1977)


(via Space: 1999)

Tom Baker, relaxing between takes during the shooting of The Ark In Space, 1974


(via BBC)

Filming a scene in the Moonbase corridors during the second season of Space: 1999 (1975-1977)


(via Space: 1999)

The Eagle pilot section, from Space: 1999


(via Space: 1999)

A man from the special effects team on the miniature set representing planet Psychon's starship junkyard, from the Space: 1999 Season 2 premiere episode, "The Metamorph".


(via Space1970)

Romana (Lalla Ward) and K9


(via Doctor Who)

Sylvester McCoy and the Cybermen


(via Doctor Who)

Patrick Stewart, as Locutus of Borg, assimilating the Script, on the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1990


(via Trekmovie)

Ambassador G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas) in the make-up chair, Babylon 5 (1994-1998)


(via fyeahb5)

Bill Mumy (Lennier of the Third Fane of Chu'domo) takes a lunch break on the set of Babylon 5. Look at his real ear above the fake one.


(via fyeahb5)

On the set of Stargate SG-1 (Bloodlines, S1E11, 1997)


(via Stargate)

Catherine Schell prepares for the close-up shot of her pupil, for Maya's "standard transformation." The wooden blocks keep her head steady, from Space: 1999 (1975-1977)


(via Space: 1999)

On the set of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)


(via Flavorwire)

The Doctor, from Star Trek: Voyager


(via TrekCore)

The Enterprise bridge in Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)


(via Brain Knowns Better)

A Wraith on the set of Stargate Atlantis (2004-2009)


(via ToddOfdensencastiel)

Maras, an Orion slave girl in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode Bound, 2005


(via Trekcore)

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy) and Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran Stark) playing cards between takes, during the filming of the Game of Thrones pilot, 2009


(via reddit)

Raining during the filming of Season 1 of Game of Thrones, 2009


(via fanpop)

Director Alan Taylor checking out props on set of Game of Thrones


(via Digititles)

Grunhilda (Miriam Margoyles) drinking behind the shooting of a Series 3 episode


(via Merlin Wiki)

Alex Kingston (River Song) and Matt Smith (The Eleventh Doctor) in the back door of a transport truck in the Utah desert, during the filming of The Impossible Astronaut, 2011


(via Kasterborous)

On the Iron Throne, from Game of Thrones


(via AcidCow)

A trampoline, on the set of The Angels Take Manhattan, a Season 7 episode of Doctor Who


(via BBC)

Anna Torv (Olivia Dunham) on the set of Fringe (Enemy of My Enemy, S4E9)


(via Give Me My Remote)

A ship from Game of Thrones


(via fanpop)

A Cyberman on the set of Nightmare in Silver, 2012


(via BBC)

Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) and Matt Smith (The Eleventh Doctor) The Making of The Rings of Akhaten, 2012


(via BBC)

Bradley James (King Arthur) and Angel Coulby (Queen Guinevere) from Merlin


(via Merlin Wiki)

Shooting the 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who, on the Trafalgar Square, London


(via doctorsafraid)

From the set of The Day of The Doctor, a special episode of Doctor Who


(via Doctor Who)