AUTON

An Auton is a fictional humanoid automaton from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. In the series, Autons are animated by the Nestene Consciousness, a powerful, planet-spanning intelligence that can control matter at a distance. Autons first appeared in the late 1960s to early 1970s as part of the show’s classic era and have since become one of the franchise’s best-known adversaries.

Autons are typically depicted as lifelike mannequins or ordinary plastic objects brought to life. They blend into human environments by mimicking everyday forms, allowing them to infiltrate towns and facilities as part of larger Nestene invasion plans. Although each Auton is a single unit, their actions are coordinated by the Nestene Consciousness, giving them collective strategic capabilities and a unified purpose.

In appearance and behavior, Autons are often characterized by their blank facial features and their uncanny stillness before activation. They are generally shown as relentless, single-minded performers of the Nestene’s will, capable of rapid deployment and mass production. Over the years, various television stories have expanded the range of Auton types, including different costumes and equipment, while keeping the core concept of animated plastic beings acting under an external control.

The Autons have had a lasting impact on Doctor Who lore, appearing in multiple eras of the series and in related media such as audio dramas and comics. They are frequently cited as early examples of the show’s iconic “monster in everyday life” motif, reflecting the tension between familiar environments and hidden threats.

See also: Doctor Who, Nestene Consciousness, Plastic mannequins, Autonomy in fiction.