We’ve always known the BBC was going to slowly roll out their Doctor Who 50th anniversary plans, and many fans were hoping to see a lot of Classic Doctor content, but now we have some concrete info. But then why are Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, and Colin Baker protesting outside BBC TV?
This is a curious story but let’s go with what we know for sure first. Doctor Who TV has up information, since deleted from the BBC website, of anniversary details including the name of the actual anniversary special.
A 75-minute special called The Day Of The Doctor will star the soon-to-leave Matt Smith and David Tennant.
Smith said: “Hope you all enjoy. There’s lots more coming your way.”
Other highlights include a BBC Two lecture by Professor Brian Cox on the science behind the hit show and the drama An Adventure In Space and Time, written by Mark Gatiss.
The one-off programme stars David Bradley, of the Harry Potter films, as William Hartnell – who was the first Doctor in 1963.
BBC Four will introduce new audiences to Hartnell, with a re-run of the first ever story. The four episodes are being shown in a restored format, not previously broadcast in the UK.
BBC Two’s flagship arts programme The Culture Show is to present Me, You and Doctor Who, with lifelong fan Matthew Sweet exploring the cultural significance of the BBC’s longest running TV drama.
A 90-minute documentary on BBC Radio 2 will ask “Who Is The Doctor?” – using newly-recorded interviews and exclusive archive material to find an answer – while BBC Three will be home to several commissions.
The anniversary episode sees the return of the Daleks For those less familiar with the show, Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide will provide a handy primer.
Certainly a lot of content, though there’s no information as to whether or not all of these will be available immediately worldwide like the anniversary special. On BBC America, we’ve been getting specials on each of the past Doctors, including interviews with those still alive and their Companions. But should we be worried some of the Classic Doctors aren’t happy with the small amount of coverage?
Also from Doctor Who TV, comes a report of Doctors 5, 6, and 7 holding what appears to be a protest outside of the BBC TV Centre:
The banners read: “No Classics? No 50th!” and “Have a heart, Classic Doctors want a part!”
So what is going on here? Is this genuine, or a clever publicity stunt to build anticipation for the big occasion?
There have also been suggestions that it could be a special clip or DVD extra as the event was being filmed.
All possibilities of course but I’m really hoping this is part of something and not an actual protest. I don’t think I could handle the emotions.
(via io9)
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