Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50
- Publication: Evening Echo
- Date: 2013-11-23
- Author: Sarah Morgan
- Page: 3
- Language: English
ON November 23, 1963, a TV legend called Dr Who was born — without fanfare or celebration. That was partly due to the fact that U.S President John F Kennedy had been assassinated the day before, so most people's thoughts were, understandably, on that tragedy, rather than a so-called Time Lord and his adventures.
Fast forward half a decade, and the Doctor is still travelling through time and space, a fact that is marked by a special anniversary episode on BBC1 tonight at 7.50pm.
The central character has altered his appearance 10 times, had various different companions, met a host of villainous aliens and become a global phenomenon.
There's no need for a spoiler alert here as nobody involved in making tonight's 75-minute celebratory episode, entitled The Day Of The Doctor, has been willing to spill the beans on it. "It's very frustrating, isn't it?" says Ingrid Olive", who's playing a character who may (or may not) be a scientist.
She has, however, been spotted wearing a scarf resembling that worn by Tom Baker's fourth Time Lord, back in the Seventies. "I can't tell you why I've been wearing it," she declares, smiling.
At least Oliver's suitably thrilled about being part.
"I was in a hotel in Cardiff; and all these kids were there with their Doctor Who T-shirts. They'd all been to the museum, and I wanted to stand on the table and go, 'I'm in it!"' she recalls, laughing.
"It feels like such a big deal. My friends are more excited about me being in this, than if I was in a James Bond film! They call me a Doctor Who girl, and I'm thrilled with that"
In fact, everybody involved is excited about the programme, although sworn to secrecy. But we do know that John Hurt plays 'The Other Doctor', a dark soul who was revealed in the seventh season finale back in May.
Another aspect that has been made public is that action takes place in modern day Trafalgar Square where, during filming, Matt Smith was photographed dangling from the Tardis 90ft in the air.
There are also scenes in Elizabethan England and a battle in space. But the biggest draw involves the return of David Tennant as the 10th Doctor, and Billie Piper as his companion Rose.
Doctor Who has a tradition of bringing back previous Tardis residents for special editions. Jon Pertwee was Joined by both Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell in the 10th season adventure The Three Doctors, while The Five Doctors, made to celebrate the 20th anniversary in 1983, featured — you guessed it — five Doctors.
"Since I left, the expectation has been that I'd end up in this special," says Tennant, 42. "I was thrilled because it's a huge thing for Doctor Who, and it's a huge thing for television in general. So few shows run beyond a few series, and 50 years' worth is quite a legacy."
Oh, and the Daleks are back tonight too — so better book that spot cowering behind the sofa...
Caption: WHO'S WHO: The ten Doctors and (right) their arch-enemy the Daleks
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- APA 6th ed.: Morgan, Sarah (2013-11-23). Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50. Evening Echo p. 3.
- MLA 7th ed.: Morgan, Sarah. "Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50." Evening Echo [add city] 2013-11-23, 3. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Morgan, Sarah. "Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50." Evening Echo, edition, sec., 2013-11-23
- Turabian: Morgan, Sarah. "Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50." Evening Echo, 2013-11-23, section, 3 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50 | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_travel_fast_..._as_the_Doc_hits_50 | work=Evening Echo | pages=3 | date=2013-11-23 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Time travel fast ... as the Doc hits 50 | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_travel_fast_..._as_the_Doc_hits_50 | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 April 2025}}</ref>
