New Doctor Announced

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Eccleston is new Doctor

Saturday, 20 March, 2004.

 

 

British film actor Christopher Eccleston has been announced as the new Doctor Who to front the cult BBC sci-fi show when it returns next year.

 

Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London the 40-year-old Salford-born actor most recently appeared in the British horror film 28 Days Later and will take "a fresh, modern approach" to the role, a BBC spokesperson confirmed this morning.

 

"Christopher was our first choice", Executive producer and writer Russell T Davies told BBC News. "This man can give the Doctor a wisdom, wit and emotional range as far-reaching as the Doctor’s travels in time and space...His casting raises the bar for all of us. It's going to be a magnificent, epic, entertaining journey, and I can't wait to start."

 

Davies recently worked with Eccleston on religious fantasy drama The Second Coming for ITV.

 

Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, said: "We are delighted to have cast an actor of such calibre in one of British television's most iconic roles. It signals our intention to take Doctor Who into the 21st century, as well as retaining its core traditional values - to be surprising, edgy and eccentric."

 

The actor first came to public attention playing Derek Bentley in the film, Let Him Have It, although he is perhaps more familiar to the general public as the doomed DCI David Bilborough in ITV crime drama Cracker.

 

Other TV and film credits include Shallow Grave, eXistenZ, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Our Friends in the North and The Others, co starring with Nicole Kidman.

 

What are your views and opinions on this news? Have your say about the casting. Great? Not so great? We want to hear your opinions!

[DrWho42 13]

Yea, I've seen this on the BBC website (click on Doctor Who picture on signature)...

Btw, can't we get a Doctor Who thread like the Star Wars one, and such?

[Data 0]

I am just excited that the show is returning. :huh:

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I am just excited that the show is returning. :huh:

Agreed. The new series should be good, especially as they are looking to compete with the American cult shows.

 

One thing I did notice was that Eccleston was fairly young when compared to the other candidates.

[DrWho42 13]

Could we have an "In Stasis" Doctor Who thread? I've been making a DW book list, and other stuff....

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You would have contact Bysty as he is the moderator for this board. Please could you do this in a PM so that this thread can keep on topic. Thanks.

 

drwho42 what do you think about the new Doctor?

[DrWho42 13]

Oh, right, ok.

Well, I'm cool with all the previous 9 Doctors, probably with this one too....

But I'd have to see the new TARDIS interior and what outfit this one wheres...

[Mike 5]

I'm so excited that they are doing another Doctor Who show.It's going to be fantastic..The actor they have selected seems like a good choice and I'm sure he'll do a great job..I would have preferred someone a little older but I'm sure he'll be just fine..Anxious to see what the new Tardis looks like..Can't wait to see this show..

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Here is an image that someone has created to help you visualise the new show:

 

Click for Spoiler:

[hangon 3]

Looks good i watched something about the new drwho on bbc this morning

cant wait myself!!!

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More Chris Eccleston Pics

 

Click for Spoiler: