io9: the next doctor

How Many Doctors Will Be Next?

Graeme McMillan — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:00:20 PST

Just what kind of surprises await us in this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special? According to a new interview with writer and producer Russell T. Davies, more than you may think. Including more Doctors...

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 after the first press screening of "The Next Doctor" - which Davies described as "nice and scary, but healthily scary" - the producer hinted that fans may get to see more than just Davids Morrissey and Tennant strut their Timelord stuff in the new special:

It's not just the next Doctor you get to see, you get to see some old ones as well, which is rather exciting... It's a Doctorfest.

One Doctor that we definitely won't see is David Tennant's 2010 replacement, as - if he's not just playing dumb - Davies doesn't know who that'll be:

Steven Moffat and the series 5 team are casting the next Doctor, the eleventh Doctor and it's literally nothing to do with me. Everyone keeps asking me, begging me, the money I could make out of this, but I do not know what they are planning.

One actor who definitely won't be picking up the sonic screwdriver is Robert Carlysle, whose signing up for Stargate: Universe lead to this offhand remark that makes us prepare to miss Davies all the more:

Stargate, can you believe it? That was a surprise. Hasn't his agent watched it?

"The Next Doctor" is broadcast in the UK on December 25th.

Russell T Davies and the Next Doctor [BBC]

New Doctor Who Cover Brings Fashion, Hand Gestures

Graeme McMillan — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:30:40 PST

Unconvinced that David Morrissey will make a good Next Doctor? The cover to the Christmas edition of Britain's Radio Times may change your mind by demonstrating that, if nothing else, he's got the hand gesture down. Also, Dervla Kirwan channels her best Miranda Richardson as the villainous Miss Hartigan. Click through for a closer look.

New Pic Hints At The Identity Of Doctor Who's Double

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:30:00 PST

Exactly who is that mysterious figure in a garish waistcoat, in the Doctor Who Christmas special, "The Next Doctor"? Is the episode's title just plain misleading, a huge hint, or a clever trick? Some new promo pics have come out, and they raise an interesting possibility. Potentially huge spoilers ahead.

Just what is that pocket watch the two Doctors (David Tennant and David Morrissey) are looking at? Is it a special pocket watch? Fansite Whovian Galaxy says it might be, but Planet Gallifrey has blown up the picture to maximum magnification and doesn't see any Time Lord-y markings. (For what it's worth, Planet Gallifrey's blown-up pic is so blurry, I can't see one way or the other.)

Of course, all we know about Morrissey's character is that he's a brash man who claims to be a Time Lord named the Doctor. So how exactly would that square with him being a Time Lord who's turned himself into a human? (Maybe he lost most of his Time Lord memories, but got confused by the ones that remained? Maybe he's a different Time Lord who's stuck as a human, and now thinks he's the Doctor? Could he be.... Romana?) For what it's worth, I think the watch is a red herring. But you never know.

Next Doctor Teases Tennant Replacement Rumors

Graeme McMillan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:00:58 PST

David Morrissey, who's guest-starring in this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special as a character called The Doctor, seems to be enjoying the speculation that he will officially take over the role following David Tennant's departure at the end of next year, telling reporters that he's exactly what the show's producers are looking for.

Charlie linked to the interview in What's On Stage in yesterday's Morning Spoilers, pointing to Morrissey's description of his character in December's "The Next Doctor" episode, but what I'm more interested in is his response to the rumor that his appearance as a man calling himself The Doctor isn't the one-off that it's been advertised as:

As for any talk of me taking over as the next Doctor, well, if or when they do choose someone, they would have to be totally different to David - which I am.

How this fits in with Steven Moffat's comment about the next Doctor needing to be "weird looking" depends on how you feel about the physical attributes; we wouldn't call him weird per se, but... well, let's just say that we could definitely why Moffat would feel that way.

Morrissey responds to 'Dr Who' rumours [Digital Spy]

Christmas Starts In November For Doctor Who

Graeme McMillan — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:00:15 PDT

Fans waiting for this year's Christmas episode of Doctor Who will have less of a wait than anticipated - A two-minute teaser for the show will be broadcast more than a month earlier than expected, as part of the BBC's annual November charity event, Children In Need. And then, undoubtedly, will appear on the internet seconds later. Mild spoilers ahead.

The two-minute clip will not only feature David Tennant, but also the first official appearance of guest star David Morrissey as the "other" Doctor that gives the special episode its title: "The Next Doctor." A red herring or hint of things to come? Our money's on the former.

While the BBC have yet to confirm that the Christmas episode will continue the tradition of a Christmas Day transmission date, the Children In Need teaser has been scheduled for broadcast on Friday, November 14th.

Doctor Who festive teaser planned [BBC]