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From gallifreyone.com (not a gaybar website... not a site that says that the Doctor is gay... at all... ever):
"In a breaking news story that is sure to cause considerable debate, Friday morning's London Daily Telegraph newspaper features a headline article (already released to their web service) entitled Doctor Who ready to come out of the Tardis for Saturday TV series by Tom Leonard, Media Editor, which states that Doctor Who will finally be coming back to television as a series (though a limited one). Outpost Gallifrey has received a few emails over the past week hinting that something "was soon to be announced," and we were just alerted that the article is now online on the Telegraph, with a similar article to run on Friday morning in the Guardian newspaper. Furthermore, author Mark Campbell ("Pocket Essentials: Doctor Who") has been asked to appear on a Welsh radio news programme on Friday morning to comment on the "return" of the show.
"The article says that "in a move that heralds the most eagerly anticipated comeback in television history, BBC1 said yesterday that it is developing a new series of the sci-fi classic." But, says the article, "in a development that may alarm purists, the new series is being written by Russell T Davies, the creator of Queer As Folk, the controversial Channel 4 drama about gay life in Manchester, and Bob and Rose, an ITV drama about a homosexual man falling for a straight woman." Davies says he wants to 'introduce the character to a modern audience'. It will also be limited, at this time, to one six-part series.
"Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC1, is apparently completely supportive (though she makes note that the Doctor will not be gay, despite the subject matter of the writer's previous material, noting that Davies was chosen because of his knowledge of Doctor Who and experience in television. (We would point out that Davies has written for Doctor Who before, as author of the Virgin New Adventures novel "Damaged Goods".) Heggessey also apparently says in the article that it is "too early to say which of the Doctor's most famous enemies, who include the Cybermen, the Master and the Sea Devils, would return, but insiders said it was unthinkable that the Daleks would not be trundling back into action." Casting has not been undertaken at press time but the article mentions Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Alan Davies as possible choices. Heggessey then discusses the rights issues. "Worldwide has now agreed," she says, "that, as they haven't made the film and I've been waiting for two years, it's only right that BBC1 should have a crack at making a series." The series is not likely be be broadcast before 2005. Says Davies: "The new series will be fun, exciting, contemporary and scary."
"The editor of Outpost Gallifrey wishes to emphasize that we are merely reprinting the report from the Daily Telegraph and any factual errors are theirs, not ours; the article can be read online by clicking here (you have to register, but it's free). While this might come as a shocking development, considering its run in respectable newspapers we have every confidence that there is at least some truth in the report. And if it is true, Doctor Who fans have cause for celebration. Outpost Gallifrey will keep you updated on any and all developments on this breaking story.
"Update 0245 GMT: The Irish Examiner has picked up the story with new quotes from Mal Young, BBC controller of continuing drama series. "It’s time to crank up the Tardis and find out what lies in store for the Doctor," says Young. "We’re thrilled to have a writer of Russell’s calibre to take us on this journey. However we’re a the very early stages of development and further details including casting will not be available for some time." We've also received reports from folks online that Sky News Radio Overnight has reported the story but it's not yet on their web service."
... um... Alan Davies. Who called it? |
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