New Series

[Nick]

I think they should put a plot into the script where it is found out the last doctor (Paul McGann) was an impostor..and just forget about it...I have

[RitaLittlewood]

LOL! Great idea, Nick. Paul can be the Peter Cushing of TV Who. After all, the script was based of previously filmed stories.

Patsy

[RitaLittlewood]

From BBC Online:

Eccleston quits Doctor Who role

Actor Christopher Eccleston has quit as Doctor Who after just one episode of the new series has been screened, the BBC has confirmed.
Eccleston, whose first appearance as the ninth Time Lord attracted around 10 million viewers, feared being typecast.

Talks are taking place to replace him with Casanova star David Tennant.

A second series of the new Doctor Who, which will again be written by Russell T Davies and produced by BBC Wales, has already been commissioned.

Billie Piper, who plays Dr Who's assistant Rose, is expected to star again.

'Incredible reaction'

Eccleston - whose last appearance is expected to be in a Christmas special - said he was also planning new projects and that he found filming the series gruelling.

"The audience's response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it and I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series," he said in a statement issued through the BBC.

A BBC spokesman said the corporation would issue a formal statement later on Thursday and that it had hoped, rather than expected, that Eccleston would continue in the role.

He said that although talks to make David Tennant the 10th Doctor were taking place, other names may be put forward.

Bill Nighy was also considered for the Eccleston role, while Richard E Grant starred in a BBC web drama version of Doctor Who.

Period drama Casanova, which moves to BBC1 from BBC3 on Monday, added to Tennant's reputation after his success in the drama Blackpool.

'Jittery time'

The BBC announced on Wednesday that it had commissioned the second Doctor Who series, which will again feature 13 episodes.

Russell T Davies said: "It's fantastic news. It's been a tense and jittery time because the production team has been working on plans.

"It's particularly good for BBC Wales. This is a major flagship show for the region, and their staff and crews are the best you could find. It's a tribute to them that Doctor Who is returning."

Dr Who was relaunched last Saturday weekend following a 16-year hiatus.

With 9.9 million viewers, it beat Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

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Not happy about this. Another wasted regeneration. Thank goodness Billie Piper has loyalty. If he didn't want to do a second series, why sign knowing there was a possibility? Maybe they'll do the regeneration in the Christmas ep. At this rate it'll become more like the Comic Relief version!

Patsy

[sootycat]

This doesn't come as too much of a suprise, after hearing him say he wasn't sure about signing up for another series.

Sad though, I thought he was good.

I have to say I like David Tennant, it will be interesting to have a younger actor playing him.

Although, I expect there may be quite a few actors putting their names forward.

[RitaLittlewood]

I still don't get the typecasting bit. Troughton and Davison continued their careers. Typecasting isn't anywhere near as bad as it was when the series was originally on because TV companies tend to hire the same 'names' so he'd hardly be offered any Doctor-type roles.

Patsy

[sootycat]

Exactly, and look how well Peter Davidson is still doing.
He's never off the screen.

I have heard that another name in the frame to play the Doctor is Eddie Izzard.
If he gets it, that will be me not watching it anymore.

[RitaLittlewood]

According to Teletext (can't remember the page but could be 133) Eddie Izzard has put himself out of the frame. I can't believe people are already suggesting Alan Davies! And a lot are slagging off David Tennant. I've never seen him and will happily admit that. There was a piece in the Mail today about CE saying he thought the Doctor was "effeminate" and "too fey". I mean, for crying out loud! He's probably done his career more harm that good. Would any producer hire him for a series which has the possibility of going into two when he could walk out there too? Have to see I suppose but I wouldn't be surprised if no one wants to take the risk.

Peter Davison was never really off our screens, was he? But he'll be forever known as 'the wet vet' or the Doctor. Doesn't bother him in the slightest. CE has shot himself in the foot money-wise. When the work dries up he could have made a nice little packet for himself on the convention circuit.

Patsy

[pearly queen]

Tonight: who else are you going to meet at the end of the world? Sexy tree woman, bling bling gift-givers and rolled-out pastry dough villainess 'moisturise me! moisturise me!' Fantastic.

[RitaLittlewood]

The make-up was good. The CGI was better than last week at times. Anyone think the sun filter was like Kane's death in Dragonfire? I was expecting melting! I was bored with tonight's ep. It had an interesting premise but the CGI 'spiders' were feeble. They reminded me of the ones in Full Circle but not as lethal. I hope RTD hasn't destroyed Gallifrey for good like Ben Aaronovitch did with Skaro in Remembrance. But it wouldn't surprise me if the Daleks had something to do with it. I couldn't help thinking in that tunnel with Lope or whatever tree woman was called when he realised she knew, he looked just like Davros! And what's this about being the last of his people? What about Susan? Romana's about somewhere. The Monk? The Master's also got to be around somewhere since the McGann film was crap and doesn't count. Besides, as the good Doctor's always said, time is relative therefore he can pop back in time whenever he likes to catch up with his Time Lord friends and Leela.

Did enjoy DW Confidential tonight too despite no convention footage. Nice array of monsters there and seeing the clips of the original Autons (RTD got that wrong about 35 years - has he, a Whovian, forgotten Terror of in 1971?) made me wish last week's had been more like them even more.

Patsy

[RitaLittlewood]

From the Sunday Mirror:

DR WHO TOLD BEEB HE'D STAY IN SHOW
Apr 3 2005

By Danielle Lawler Tv Reporter


DOCTOR WHO quitter Christopher Eccleston promised BBC bosses he WOULD return in the next series.

But he made an abrupt U-turn after winning rave reviews for his portrayal of the Time Lord.

Now BBC bosses are "livid" with Eccleston, who they claim has used and abused them for his own career.

In an interview for the BBC's Doctor Who website, he said: "I will film Dr Who for seven months over the next two to three years and as long as I'm not too tired I'll do theatre in between." The interview was quickly taken off the internet when he announced he was ditching the show.

The Sunday Mirror has learned that Eccleston is already talking to Hollywood producers about major filmroles.

A BBC insider said: "Bosses were fuming about Christopher walking out. He had made a gentleman's agreement to stay for at least another series. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth."
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Carole Malone writes:

WHO'S HE THINK HE IS?

DR Who's Christopher Eccleston has quit after just one series because he says he has "artistic aspirations".

Artistic pretensions more like! Why go after a part which more than anything requires continuity and familiarity if you're going to walk out after 13 episodes?

Most actors would cut out their tongue to get a part like Dr Who, which drew an audience of 10 million on its first outing.

And I wonder how Mr Eccleston will feel about his "artistic aspirations" in 10 years time when all he's aspired to is a season at Burnley Rep.

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Hear, hear! That would be funny. ;D

Patsy

[Nick]

they should sue the arse off him

[RitaLittlewood]

Get his wages back. Good idea, Nick. ;D Would anyone have him to a convention even if he was willing to go? Probably not. I can see Billie going to them.

Patsy