So who will be the new Doctor?
- Publication: Belfast Telegraph
- Date: 2004-03-12
- Author: Ben Lowry
- Page: 13
- Language: English
IDENTITY CRISIS OVER MAN WHO WILL TAKE CHARGE OF THE TARDIS IN RETURN FOR CULT TV SHOW
ULSTER fans of Dr Who are keenly awaiting the unvelling of the actor who will play the Time Lord for the revived version of the science fiction series.
The BBC has drafted In top television writing talent for the return of the cult series, which is expected on the screen early next year.
The Identity of the ninth Doctor may become public In a couple of weeks time, with Love Actually actor Bill Nighy considered front-runner.
Tom Baker, who began his seven-year stint in the role 1974, wants to see the comic Eddie Izzard take over.
Robert Lindsay, of GBH, has emerged as a candidate, as has Paul Bettany, who was in the film Master And Commander.
John Magee, a long-standing Dr Who fan from Co Down, has no strong preference as to who gets the role, "so long as they are a good actor and British".
"It is a very British character," the 32-year-old Bangor man said.
"My favourite was Peter Davidson," said Mr Magee, who started watching the programme aged nine.
Mr Magee has been collecting Dr Who videos, novels and audio tapes since they started coming out. He uses the Internet to keep in touch with other Dr Who fans globally.
"There is a main website which I would check most days. I have made friends with people In America and Australia."
Russell T Davies, writer of Queer As Folk, is leading a team of writers In scripting the 13-part series for BBC One, including Mark Gatiss, of The League Of Gentlemen, and Steven Moffatt of Coupling. "They have all contributed to the novels or audio series before," sald Mr Magee.
But he is concerned at reports of racier story lines for the new series. "The series has existed In some form for 40 years without gimmicks," said Mr Magee.
He Is opposed to Dr Who losing his asexuality. "It makes him a unique character. He is a Time Lord."
But Davies has said: "If we can think of the perfect story for him to fall in love then he will. The purists may be up in arms, but there is no pure Doctor Who."
Magee realises Dr Who fans have an anorak reputation. "I do not see any difference to being really keen on a football team." he said.
Caption: Five versions of the BBC TV timelord Dr Who (left to right) Richard Hurndall (who plays the late William Hartnell, the first Doctor); Peter Davidson (seated on robot dog K-9); a waxwork model of Tom Baker; the late Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton
Spelling correction: Peter Davison
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- APA 6th ed.: Lowry, Ben (2004-03-12). So who will be the new Doctor?. Belfast Telegraph p. 13.
- MLA 7th ed.: Lowry, Ben. "So who will be the new Doctor?." Belfast Telegraph [add city] 2004-03-12, 13. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Lowry, Ben. "So who will be the new Doctor?." Belfast Telegraph, edition, sec., 2004-03-12
- Turabian: Lowry, Ben. "So who will be the new Doctor?." Belfast Telegraph, 2004-03-12, section, 13 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=So who will be the new Doctor? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/So_who_will_be_the_new_Doctor%3F | work=Belfast Telegraph | pages=13 | date=2004-03-12 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=2 June 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=So who will be the new Doctor? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/So_who_will_be_the_new_Doctor%3F | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=2 June 2025}}</ref>
