That means they'll get a new actor to play William Hartnell. Which means that at least one of the classic Doctors will be recast. I wouldn't be surprised to see the same guy playing Doctor #1 alongside #11 at some point in the actual series - especially since both Gattis and Moffat are involved with both the documentary and the series.
I wonder if we'll also get to see actors portraying Susan, Ian and Barbara. Susan and Ian are still alive of course, so it'd be nice to see them in some sort of guest appearance somewhere. Pretty excited for this!
Also, some time ago I mentioned that I started watching the classic series from the beginning (including recons of all the missing episodes). At that point I'd finished the first three Doctors in order (plus the two Dalek-movies from the 60s), and I wasn't able to continue at that point because of work and travel. Well, we did manage to find enough time to continue after all, and now we've also seen every Tom Baker episode in order. Now we're really busy though, so the last three Doctors will have to wait until october at the earliest (we'll also won't be able to watch the first part of season 7 until october). It's been an amazing journey so far. I don't think I can recommend it to everyone, but if you're really enthusiastic about the world of Doctor Who you can get a lot out of it. Especially if you have someone to watch along with you (I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to do it on my own).
Obligatory list of favorite Doctors (5, 6 and 7 aren't included as I haven't seen their episodes yet).
1. Matt Smith (modern production values and writing styles help of course, but he just brings so much to the character. The perfect version, in a lot of ways).
2. Patrick Troughton (love him. The 60s were probably my favorite period of classic who so far. There's a charm during that period that really appeals to me, which is why I'm especially looking forward to that docu drama about William Hartnell)
3. Tom Baker (do I need to explain this? Lots of bad episodes though, but when he's into it, he's really good. Unsurprisingly, City of Death is my favorite Classic Who episode)
4. William Hartnell (again, love the 60s. I really grew fond of the original group of Susan/Barbara/Ian as well)
5. David Tennant (not a fan of the RTD-style of storytelling - although he did have his moments. Especially not a fan of the idea of the Doctor falling in love with his companion, and especially if they're as young as Rose. Just seems creepy too me. Still, those aren't Tennant's mistakes. He could be good. Very good. The melodrama was just turned up a bit too high during large parts of his run, which made him feel less like the Doctor than everyone above him on this list (IMO of course, please don't kill me)
6. Christopher Eccleston (the first Doctor I really watched. Odd, in a good way. Not as good as the others after having seen more of the programme, but there was something very charming about him).
7. Paul McGann (I really wish he had gotten more opportunities to show his Doctor off. I know he's really popular in the audio dramas, but I'm spending more than enough time on the programme already. Hopefully he'll return for the anniversary. Liked him, but haven't seen enough of him to really judge him)
8. Jon Pertwee (I know people want to hurt me after this, but I really didn't like his run. There where good parts, but I always ended up liking his companions and the Unit-crew a lot more than the Doctor. He's too posh, too much of an asshole and just too much unlike the Doctor I know and love. I know he's pissed of because of his excile to earth, but still. Warmed up to him after a while, but he's still at the bottom of my list)
All in all, I like all the Doctors (even Pertwee, in a weird way). Looking forward to seeing the last three Doctors in action. People keep telling me it's only downhill from here, but hey, I've come this far. No way I'm giving up now.
I'd just read about the drama, but my head replaced "drama" with "documentary" until you mentioned it hear. Yay! Now lets hope that doesn't replace a multi-doctor special.
As for them casting yet another 1st doctor, I think they'll only show them in passing. I think the show will probably focus more on the writers and producers. Behind the scenes stuff. You might get distance shots of them acting from the sidelines of the sets. That's how I'd do it anyway.
@Tjibbbe: If you do get time, and aren't bored to death of the show before you reach McGann, I would say picking up the 4 EDA series is a must. Or at least Series 1, "The Zygon who fell to earth", "An Earthly Child" and Series 4. Those to me are the replacement to the TV series, feeling much closer to the direction of the movie (and the modern series) than the main range does. Plus, there's far fewer of them (35 50 minute episodes as opposed to a bajillion 25 minute ones). EDA series 4 is the best the show has ever been. But it needs the ones I mentioned above to understand it to the fullest extent. You could probably skimp on series 1, just picking up the first two and last two, I suppose.
Sooooo.... was this the plan all the time, or has Mark Gatiss just given in to demands?:D
(I'd be surprised if William Hartnell wasn't an important character in the docu-drama, as people have long been interested in - and disputed - his attitude to the young female producer and young Indian director. As to whether actor-playing-Hartnell could then take on the first Doctor role... who knows? But I'd be surprised if it happened immediately)
Oh, and yes, this would be Gatiss's second attempt at the story!
(He's lived to regret this because certain Doctors were offended. Also, the producers seem to have gone down the "any old xxxx with an equity card" route by casting a thin bloke as Mycroft Holmes!) Interesting... both comment here & on the Grauniad website recommending Peter Davison to play Hartnell. Of course, he impersonated all four preceding Doctors in his first story
Sooooo.... was this the plan all the time, or has Mark Gatiss just given in to demands?:D
(I'd be surprised if William Hartnell wasn't an important character in the docu-drama, as people have long been interested in - and disputed - his attitude to the young female producer and young Indian director. As to whether actor-playing-Hartnell could then take on the first Doctor role... who knows? But I'd be surprised if it happened immediately)
Seeing as Bill Hartnell is the only person mentioned at all in the synposis we've got, it does seem he'll be the main character. It'll obviously do the cliched yet deeply saddening ending of him leaving, expect everyone to outpour emotion how much they'll miss him but instead finding them all enjoying the new man's wisecracks on set as he leaves for the final time, followed by his quote as a ending card, reading "I can see this series going on for five years at least." - William Hartnell, 1966.
Any word on a new Torchwood? I really wana see a new series of that as well as Dr Who.
Starz was purportedly interested in a new series, but RTD wants to make a new dramedy for Showtime first, and is currently temporarily retired as his life partner has cancer and they want to spend time together.
Starz was purportedly interested in a new series, but RTD wants to make a new dramedy for Showtime first, and is currently temporarily retired as his life partner has cancer and they want to spend time together.
That's so sad. The last thing id wanna do is write story's in that situation. Miracle Day is enough Torchwood to keep my Torchwood fix.
Doctor Who returns Sept 1st on both BBC One (no time given just yet, presumably 6.20) and BBC America (at 9pm) (no word on Australian air date)
Matt has signed on to continue playing the role through the whole of Series Eight (which will air in 2014). This means, given his 42 episodes broadcast/filmed, he will officially have more time in the role than Tennant did.
Also, first six episode titles:
Asylum of the Daleks
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
A Town Called Mercy
The Power of Three
The Angels Take Manhattan
The Snowman
The final of those, the Christmas Special, is allegedly a loose adaptation of Frosty the Snowman.
@Tjibbbe: If you do get time, and aren't bored to death of the show before you reach McGann, I would say picking up the 4 EDA series is a must. Or at least Series 1, "The Zygon who fell to earth", "An Earthly Child" and Series 4. Those to me are the replacement to the TV series, feeling much closer to the direction of the movie (and the modern series) than the main range does. Plus, there's far fewer of them (35 50 minute episodes as opposed to a bajillion 25 minute ones). EDA series 4 is the best the show has ever been. But it needs the ones I mentioned above to understand it to the fullest extent. You could probably skimp on series 1, just picking up the first two and last two, I suppose.
Hey, I followed your advice! I'm pretty hungry for more Who, and I've always been interested in the Big Finish stuff, but I never knew where to start. I'm travelling a lot, so it's nice to have something to listen to. I always liked audio plays - in the past I've listened to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently, Sherlock Holmes and the Discworld stuff, all of which I loved. I guess it won't matter a lot if I haven't seen anything from Doctor 5, 6 or 7 yet?
Anyway, I picked up the first EDA series. So far, I've listened to both parts of Blood of the Daleks and Horror of Glam Rock. I'm not completely sold on it yet. The actors are all great though, and I'm really enjoying Paul McGann so far. Sheridan Smith seems a pretty standard companion in these first couple of episodes, but she's not annoying me or anything. Production values and editing are good as well, good use of sound effects and music. As for the stories themselves: I probably enjoyed Blood of the Daleks the most, although it was a pretty average Dalek-story. Good atmosphere, but nothing special. Didn't like Glam Rock that much. Again, good actors, but a rather weak story. It's all enjoyable enough to listen though, and I do like having some brand new adventures (and a brand new doctor!) to explore. Still, I'm hoping the stories will get a bit better as time goes on.
Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll probably finish this set of McGann-episodes (and if I'm enjoying it enough I'll try to stick with it until the fourth season). I'm interested in picking up a couple of the recent Fourth Doctor-stories as well. Any advice on that? There seems to be an overarching storyline with these McGann episodes (which I really enjoy), is it the same for the Tom Baker episodes? I know Tom did some episodes for the BBC (starting with Hornet's nest) before he went to Big Finish. Are those two things totally seperate or is it the same production team and storyline? I'm obviously saving all the other Doctor-stuff until I've seen their television-stories.
Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll probably finish this set of McGann-episodes (and if I'm enjoying it enough I'll try to stick with it until the fourth season). I'm interested in picking up a couple of the recent Fourth Doctor-stories as well. Any advice on that? There seems to be an overarching storyline with these McGann episodes (which I really enjoy), is it the same for the Tom Baker episodes? I know Tom did some episodes for the BBC (starting with Hornet's nest) before he went to Big Finish. Are those two things totally seperate or is it the same production team and storyline? I'm obviously saving all the other Doctor-stuff until I've seen their television-stories.
Tom's first series has has an okay reception; mostly, people haven't liked Tom in the two-part hour long format (although 1.05 and 1.06 form a four-parter). There's nowhere near as much linking overarching story, as well. Judging purely by fan reception (I haven't gotten any of them either, yet!), it's probably only worthwhile to get The Renaissance Man and the Wrath of the Iceni. However, there's the Lost Stories box set, which has a six parter and a four parter, which has been acclaimed as some of BF's best output. Tad on the pricey side for just two stories, though.
Tom Baker's series for the BBC and for Big Finish are entirely seperate.
The BBC series comprises three seasons, "Hornet's Nest", "Demon Quest" and "Serpent Crest". These are partly narrated - particularly "Hornet's Nest" and partly acted-out. Tom Baker takes a while to get back into character - in the early episodes of "Hornet's Nest" he sounds like a narrator even when he's acting - but all in all I'm enjoying these immensely. Not least because each individual episode is semi-self-contained, so I can spread out the cost of buying the CDs or downloads by only listening to one (an hour long) every month or so. Whereas I find it difficult to restrict the four episodes/two hours of Big Finish to as many days!
Hey, I followed your advice! I'm pretty hungry for more Who, and I've always been interested in the Big Finish stuff, but I never knew where to start. I'm travelling a lot, so it's nice to have something to listen to. I always liked audio plays - in the past I've listened to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently, Sherlock Holmes and the Discworld stuff, all of which I loved. I guess it won't matter a lot if I haven't seen anything from Doctor 5, 6 or 7 yet?
Anyway, I picked up the first EDA series. So far, I've listened to both parts of Blood of the Daleks and Horror of Glam Rock. I'm not completely sold on it yet. The actors are all great though, and I'm really enjoying Paul McGann so far. Sheridan Smith seems a pretty standard companion in these first couple of episodes, but she's not annoying me or anything. Production values and editing are good as well, good use of sound effects and music. As for the stories themselves: I probably enjoyed Blood of the Daleks the most, although it was a pretty average Dalek-story. Good atmosphere, but nothing special. Didn't like Glam Rock that much. Again, good actors, but a rather weak story. It's all enjoyable enough to listen though, and I do like having some brand new adventures (and a brand new doctor!) to explore. Still, I'm hoping the stories will get a bit better as time goes on.
Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll probably finish this set of McGann-episodes (and if I'm enjoying it enough I'll try to stick with it until the fourth season). I'm interested in picking up a couple of the recent Fourth Doctor-stories as well. Any advice on that? There seems to be an overarching storyline with these McGann episodes (which I really enjoy), is it the same for the Tom Baker episodes? I know Tom did some episodes for the BBC (starting with Hornet's nest) before he went to Big Finish. Are those two things totally seperate or is it the same production team and storyline? I'm obviously saving all the other Doctor-stuff until I've seen their television-stories.
Glad to hear you decided to give the EDA's a go. They can be a bit hit and miss (Especially series 3), but stick with it, Series 4 has the best storylines I've seen/heard in the show. It reduced me to tears, which the show has only managed to do once, to a lesser extent.
As someone has already said, The Tom Baker audios by the BBC are essentially audiobooks, narrated by him. I couldn't stand them myself.
Odd timing to post that, as it was confirmed this morning that it'd be returning on the first of the month in "all major markets" (somehow Australia is not a major market for Doctor Who anymore). BBC1 airtime confirmed for 7.20, though!
There'll also be a series of five mini-episodes next week showing what the Ponds have been up to.
Similarly; American trailer! Prepare for very corny and cheesy final line.
Odd timing to post that, as it was confirmed this morning that it'd be returning on the first of the month in "all major markets" (somehow Australia is not a major market for Doctor Who anymore). BBC1 airtime confirmed for 7.20, though!
There'll also be a series of five mini-episodes next week showing what the Ponds have been up to.
Similarly; American trailer! Prepare for very corny and cheesy final line.
Only on BBC AMERICA? That's not too cheesy. :-P
And it's also false. It's also on BBC One, and BBC One HD. And it doesn't premier on BBC America either, Yay pedantics!
Last night Channel 4 showed "Whatever happened to Harry Hill?", a clipshow/spoof reunion of his C4 series (to be repeated about a gazillion times). It included a clip of Peter Davison.... AS CAPATAIN KIRK!
Unfortunately, I can't find the original piece on youtube. Drat.
Comments
I wonder if we'll also get to see actors portraying Susan, Ian and Barbara. Susan and Ian are still alive of course, so it'd be nice to see them in some sort of guest appearance somewhere. Pretty excited for this!
Also, some time ago I mentioned that I started watching the classic series from the beginning (including recons of all the missing episodes). At that point I'd finished the first three Doctors in order (plus the two Dalek-movies from the 60s), and I wasn't able to continue at that point because of work and travel. Well, we did manage to find enough time to continue after all, and now we've also seen every Tom Baker episode in order. Now we're really busy though, so the last three Doctors will have to wait until october at the earliest (we'll also won't be able to watch the first part of season 7 until october). It's been an amazing journey so far. I don't think I can recommend it to everyone, but if you're really enthusiastic about the world of Doctor Who you can get a lot out of it. Especially if you have someone to watch along with you (I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to do it on my own).
Obligatory list of favorite Doctors (5, 6 and 7 aren't included as I haven't seen their episodes yet).
1. Matt Smith (modern production values and writing styles help of course, but he just brings so much to the character. The perfect version, in a lot of ways).
2. Patrick Troughton (love him. The 60s were probably my favorite period of classic who so far. There's a charm during that period that really appeals to me, which is why I'm especially looking forward to that docu drama about William Hartnell)
3. Tom Baker (do I need to explain this? Lots of bad episodes though, but when he's into it, he's really good. Unsurprisingly, City of Death is my favorite Classic Who episode)
4. William Hartnell (again, love the 60s. I really grew fond of the original group of Susan/Barbara/Ian as well)
5. David Tennant (not a fan of the RTD-style of storytelling - although he did have his moments. Especially not a fan of the idea of the Doctor falling in love with his companion, and especially if they're as young as Rose. Just seems creepy too me. Still, those aren't Tennant's mistakes. He could be good. Very good. The melodrama was just turned up a bit too high during large parts of his run, which made him feel less like the Doctor than everyone above him on this list (IMO of course, please don't kill me)
6. Christopher Eccleston (the first Doctor I really watched. Odd, in a good way. Not as good as the others after having seen more of the programme, but there was something very charming about him).
7. Paul McGann (I really wish he had gotten more opportunities to show his Doctor off. I know he's really popular in the audio dramas, but I'm spending more than enough time on the programme already. Hopefully he'll return for the anniversary. Liked him, but haven't seen enough of him to really judge him)
8. Jon Pertwee (I know people want to hurt me after this, but I really didn't like his run. There where good parts, but I always ended up liking his companions and the Unit-crew a lot more than the Doctor. He's too posh, too much of an asshole and just too much unlike the Doctor I know and love. I know he's pissed of because of his excile to earth, but still. Warmed up to him after a while, but he's still at the bottom of my list)
All in all, I like all the Doctors (even Pertwee, in a weird way). Looking forward to seeing the last three Doctors in action. People keep telling me it's only downhill from here, but hey, I've come this far. No way I'm giving up now.
As for them casting yet another 1st doctor, I think they'll only show them in passing. I think the show will probably focus more on the writers and producers. Behind the scenes stuff. You might get distance shots of them acting from the sidelines of the sets. That's how I'd do it anyway.
@Tjibbbe: If you do get time, and aren't bored to death of the show before you reach McGann, I would say picking up the 4 EDA series is a must. Or at least Series 1, "The Zygon who fell to earth", "An Earthly Child" and Series 4. Those to me are the replacement to the TV series, feeling much closer to the direction of the movie (and the modern series) than the main range does. Plus, there's far fewer of them (35 50 minute episodes as opposed to a bajillion 25 minute ones). EDA series 4 is the best the show has ever been. But it needs the ones I mentioned above to understand it to the fullest extent. You could probably skimp on series 1, just picking up the first two and last two, I suppose.
Sooooo.... was this the plan all the time, or has Mark Gatiss just given in to demands?:D
(I'd be surprised if William Hartnell wasn't an important character in the docu-drama, as people have long been interested in - and disputed - his attitude to the young female producer and young Indian director. As to whether actor-playing-Hartnell could then take on the first Doctor role... who knows? But I'd be surprised if it happened immediately)
Oh, and yes, this would be Gatiss's second attempt at the story!
http://www.bleedingcool.com/forums/front-page-comic-news/61477-bbc-officially-announce-their-new-drama-about-genesis-doctor-who-adventure-space-time-2.html
(He's lived to regret this because certain Doctors were offended. Also, the producers seem to have gone down the "any old xxxx with an equity card" route by casting a thin bloke as Mycroft Holmes!) Interesting... both comment here & on the Grauniad website recommending Peter Davison to play Hartnell. Of course, he impersonated all four preceding Doctors in his first story
Seeing as Bill Hartnell is the only person mentioned at all in the synposis we've got, it does seem he'll be the main character. It'll obviously do the cliched yet deeply saddening ending of him leaving, expect everyone to outpour emotion how much they'll miss him but instead finding them all enjoying the new man's wisecracks on set as he leaves for the final time, followed by his quote as a ending card, reading "I can see this series going on for five years at least." - William Hartnell, 1966.
We've got the audios, if that's any consolation. And they've even got PC Andy in them!
Starz was purportedly interested in a new series, but RTD wants to make a new dramedy for Showtime first, and is currently temporarily retired as his life partner has cancer and they want to spend time together.
That's so sad. The last thing id wanna do is write story's in that situation. Miracle Day is enough Torchwood to keep my Torchwood fix.
http://news.sky.com/story/972097/harry-and-amelia-most-popular-baby-names
(Mind you, since when is Amy Pond married to Harry? Why isn't Rory such a popular name?!)
Doctor Who returns Sept 1st on both BBC One (no time given just yet, presumably 6.20) and BBC America (at 9pm) (no word on Australian air date)
Matt has signed on to continue playing the role through the whole of Series Eight (which will air in 2014). This means, given his 42 episodes broadcast/filmed, he will officially have more time in the role than Tennant did.
Also, first six episode titles:
Asylum of the Daleks
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
A Town Called Mercy
The Power of Three
The Angels Take Manhattan
The Snowman
The final of those, the Christmas Special, is allegedly a loose adaptation of Frosty the Snowman.
At least you guys in America don't have to wait ages after it airs in the UK.
Hey, I followed your advice! I'm pretty hungry for more Who, and I've always been interested in the Big Finish stuff, but I never knew where to start. I'm travelling a lot, so it's nice to have something to listen to. I always liked audio plays - in the past I've listened to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently, Sherlock Holmes and the Discworld stuff, all of which I loved. I guess it won't matter a lot if I haven't seen anything from Doctor 5, 6 or 7 yet?
Anyway, I picked up the first EDA series. So far, I've listened to both parts of Blood of the Daleks and Horror of Glam Rock. I'm not completely sold on it yet. The actors are all great though, and I'm really enjoying Paul McGann so far. Sheridan Smith seems a pretty standard companion in these first couple of episodes, but she's not annoying me or anything. Production values and editing are good as well, good use of sound effects and music. As for the stories themselves: I probably enjoyed Blood of the Daleks the most, although it was a pretty average Dalek-story. Good atmosphere, but nothing special. Didn't like Glam Rock that much. Again, good actors, but a rather weak story. It's all enjoyable enough to listen though, and I do like having some brand new adventures (and a brand new doctor!) to explore. Still, I'm hoping the stories will get a bit better as time goes on.
Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll probably finish this set of McGann-episodes (and if I'm enjoying it enough I'll try to stick with it until the fourth season). I'm interested in picking up a couple of the recent Fourth Doctor-stories as well. Any advice on that? There seems to be an overarching storyline with these McGann episodes (which I really enjoy), is it the same for the Tom Baker episodes? I know Tom did some episodes for the BBC (starting with Hornet's nest) before he went to Big Finish. Are those two things totally seperate or is it the same production team and storyline? I'm obviously saving all the other Doctor-stuff until I've seen their television-stories.
Tom's first series has has an okay reception; mostly, people haven't liked Tom in the two-part hour long format (although 1.05 and 1.06 form a four-parter). There's nowhere near as much linking overarching story, as well. Judging purely by fan reception (I haven't gotten any of them either, yet!), it's probably only worthwhile to get The Renaissance Man and the Wrath of the Iceni. However, there's the Lost Stories box set, which has a six parter and a four parter, which has been acclaimed as some of BF's best output. Tad on the pricey side for just two stories, though.
The BBC series comprises three seasons, "Hornet's Nest", "Demon Quest" and "Serpent Crest". These are partly narrated - particularly "Hornet's Nest" and partly acted-out. Tom Baker takes a while to get back into character - in the early episodes of "Hornet's Nest" he sounds like a narrator even when he's acting - but all in all I'm enjoying these immensely. Not least because each individual episode is semi-self-contained, so I can spread out the cost of buying the CDs or downloads by only listening to one (an hour long) every month or so. Whereas I find it difficult to restrict the four episodes/two hours of Big Finish to as many days!
Glad to hear you decided to give the EDA's a go. They can be a bit hit and miss (Especially series 3), but stick with it, Series 4 has the best storylines I've seen/heard in the show. It reduced me to tears, which the show has only managed to do once, to a lesser extent.
As someone has already said, The Tom Baker audios by the BBC are essentially audiobooks, narrated by him. I couldn't stand them myself.
He's called Rory Neeson apparently.
That's in the US, so it could be the week before in the UK.
EDIT: Whoops! Looks like someone jumped the gun with that!
It's actually airing on the 1st in the UK, US and Canada.
There'll also be a series of five mini-episodes next week showing what the Ponds have been up to.
Similarly; American trailer!
Only on BBC AMERICA? That's not too cheesy. :-P
And it's also false. It's also on BBC One, and BBC One HD. And it doesn't premier on BBC America either, Yay pedantics!
Hey, that's Mark A. Sheppard (Canton / Countless Sci-Fi Show Villains, inc. Firefly and Supernatural)!
Unfortunately, I can't find the original piece on youtube. Drat.
Part One!
Part Two!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGSahdrH1IQ&feature=g-all-lik
Also, part three is up.Here.
I cant count the times thats happened to me!
They're horrible monstrosities that are heavily shaming to all involved. Free isn't cheap enough.