I don't know about this. He's not known for his sense of humour. That'll be okay if they're going for a darker slant on it but I doubt it ; BBC policy has always been to treat DR WHO as a children's show first and foremost. It reminds me of when they cast Ralph Fiennes as Steed in THE AVENGERS. Fiennes is excellent at playing humourless characters - totally wrong for something with such a surreal tone.
I'm sure that the new production team are well aware of the biggest failing of latter-day Who - it was more pantomime than drama. Too self-aware. Now with CE on board they have a chance to make a really good, quality science-fiction series (and hopefully add in more historical eps too). That doesn't mean "darker", though darker would be good. And why does the Doctor need to be funny? Personally, I hope he is serious (and not obnoxious), and that his companion is a Sarah-Jane, not an Ace. At its best, Doctor Who was an edgy family show which made you think, and wonder, and scramble for the back of the sofa.
One good thing about this casting - the Doctor is always turning up in places and just taking control. Christopher Eccleston is one person who I could believe would have the authority to take charge immediately.
Can't wait to see this. I've been a fan for over 20 years. It's going to be interesting to see the show, as a concept, works with CGI instead of tin-foil space ships and visible fishing line wires Someone mentioned on another forum that the best way to restart the series, would be to use the Jon Pertwee concept (3rd Doctor) by having him exiled on Earth. This would be a great way to introduce the series to a while new audience. Perhaps have the Doctor be able to travel through Earth's history at first and then eventually through time and space.
In this article there is an interesting quote from Russell T Davies, who is the main creative force behind the show.
That is the perfect description of what we want from a Doctor. I don't know about wit (I've never seen him in anything that has required it), but I know Eccleston can provide the rest.
I've seen 28 days and the Others but didn't really register his performance. I'm all for a return to the Doctor who has an edge. I grew up with Davidson and didn't think he was to bad. Watching Baker on reruns has been very enjoyable though.
Someone said Dr Who was always a family show first and foremost. Watching the Baker years as an adult doesn't give me that feeling though. If I didn't know it was a "childrens" show I certainly wouldn't have gotten that impresion from the show itself.
I only saw McCoy once and it sucked. Never saw the one after that.
This is good news and surprising because I knew nothing about this until I read this thread. Can anyone give me some links to other articles/sites on the new Dr. Who series? Also, does anyone know if and when we will get it in the USA? I get BBC America on DirecTV and thought they may carry it, anyone know?
Just so long as it doesn't take months for it to come to the US like it used to. Hopefully it'll be broadcast over cable or satellite soon after it airs in GB (if not the same week).
I don't know. It would be one thing to skip Paul McGann's single appearance as the Doctor (he's like the George Lazenby of Dr. Who), and another to skip three Doctors.
I don't know if I'm in the minority or not, but I never had a problem with Colin Baker or Sylvester McCoy. I think their performances were faithful to the spirit of Dr. Who.