Slashdot Mirror
BBC To Revive Doctor Who Next Year
Jordan writes: "Orange Today is reporting that the BBC has hired a scriptwriter from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to work on a new Doctor Who series, in celebration of the show's 40th anniversary. And Buffy's Anthony Head, who plays Giles, may be up for the role of the doctor." Update: 07/03 12:27 GMT by T : LoadStar writes: "The Beeb has an official denial that a new Who series is in the works with members of the Buffy production team, as reported yesterday on Slashdot. They report 'Whilst the Cult team quite like the idea of Tony Head as the Doctor in a show guided by members of America's finest fantasy production team, the BBC aren't currently making any such plans.'"
"The rumors are flying... but as usual, media reports have gotten ahead of the truth. Following the interview in the recent Dreamwatch Magazine with David Fury ("Buffy, The Vampire Slayer"), as we reported a few days ago, several online news sources (such as the usually wildly inaccurate Ananova, plus Peoplenews and other sources) are now reporting that Anthony Stewart Head (Giles in "Buffy" and recently a guest star in the Big Finish Doctor Who "Excelis" trilogy) will be a new Doctor in a new series produced next year. Even the Daily Express paper has picked it up (as an 'exclusive')... But it's not true. Producer Dan Freedman ("Death Comes to Time") did visit the Buffy producers, and there was a bit of talk about procedure... but nothing came of it and Freedman has moved to other projects. A quote by Tony Head in the Dreamwatch interview was taken out of context by these news 'sources'. Meanwhile, we continue to get tons of email this morning about it (it's not true, folks) and the official BBC website BBCi even issued a statement about it this morning: "Whilst the Cult team quite like the idea of Tony Head as the Doctor in a show guided by members of America's finest fantasy production team, the BBC aren't currently making any such plans."
As noted, the BBC web site confirms this is a rumor. Anthony Stewart Head has done some fine work in the Excelis series of Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas though.
-fh
Most Buffy fans I know are in their 40s, and have a strong opinion on Dr. Who. You'd be surprised at who exactly comprises the Buffy fandom.
Incidently, the BBC was supposed to be doing a new Buffy series starring Giles (Anothony Head's character) reprising his role back in England (much in the same way Angel spun off in LA). The series, often referred to as Ripper, hit budget snags, but Mutant Enemy and the BBC forged a relationship there. I'm curious if this series is connected in any way to ME... who are also doing a new SF series, Firefly, soon.
As for ASH (I've been a fan of his stagework for many years), he's currently doing the BBC series Manchild, kind of a "Sex in the City" with men instead of women. It's also shown on BBC America. David Fury is the "good" Buffy writer, or at least has a much better fannish reputation than Marti Noxon, who is widely "credited" with the Season Six (just finished) change in tone. Since many people despise S6, they aren't too keen on MN, either. Joss, of course, is the creator and head writer, and has no following whatsoever in Fandom - he does have a large group of fervent worshippers, however. ;)
As an aside, David Fury is in the musical - he's the one singing about how they got the mustard out. Marti Noxon is the one who got the parking ticket and tells the officer she's not wearing underwear. ASH is, of course, the quite excellent vocalist he's always been since the days he was Frank'n'Furter in the Rocky Horror Show (not to be confused with the movie version which starred Tim Curry in that role).
--
Evan
"$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
"Didn't TB marry her in real life? Or is that just an awful rumor (or should I say "rumour")"
:)
It's true. They divorced too. I'd say 'pity', but the problem is I see the Doctor and Romana getting married, not Tom Baker and.. er... whatever her real name was. I have no idea what the actors were like, heh.
Of course, I wish them the best.
PSst: The E-Space trilogy can be purchased at Suncoast. Romana is in it. (So'z K-9 and Adric)
Sadly, the Beeb deny this here.
When are they going to realise that Dr Who could be a major money spinner and stop being so phobic towards anything science fictional? Sigh.
So long as they stick to the following formula:
1) The exterior portion of a dalek is basically just a miniature tank equipped with armor, a powerful gun, a manipulator arm or two, and sensory equipment. Along with bumps.
2) The interior is an almost formless, devolved mutation of a humanoid species. It has reasoning powers, ruthlessness, and a definite survival instinct, but it lacks the capability for independent original thoughts. It doesn't function well if it isn't in a group and taking orders from a superior dalek. Quite unlike the doctor, who has a definite independent streak.
3) They like exterminating everything.
It's on hold until Joss has time to work with it. He's got a lot on his plate right now.
Don't worry. Not going to happen, at least according to the BBC. Right on the Doctor Who official page on the BBC, they have an official denial that they are working with any of the Buffy production team.