you are the Dr Who Showrunner (2005 show)

[Caledfwlch]

I thought this might be a fun thread to have!

It is 2004, the BBC have just phoned up and asked you to bring back Dr Who, so what would your Series 1 look like? Who will be the Doctor, Companion, and what will Episode 1 be like?

For me, I would have hired a chap called Christopher Ecclestone for the role!! in all seriousness, I wish the old BBC Message Boards had not vanished after the announcement that DW was coming back those boards were of course rife with people touting particular Actors as being perfect for the role, Alan Davies etc etc.

In 2003, RTD made the awesome Second Coming featuring Eccles as a new Son of God. Just as the Who comeback came out, my DVD of Second Coming arrived, and there were several scenes, especially the "you stupid, stupid people" speech at the football crowd, and I thought OMG he would be a stunning Doctor. And when I suggested him, other posters were laughing at me. I ended up having the last laugh of course!

My Episode one would have involved a pretty low level monster, the Doc meets his new companion, they kick ass, they go back to the Tardis, and most of the rest episode would be on the riff of Victoria joining the 2nd Doctor's Crew.
The first few minutes would be in 60's style colour, to give the impression of "age" I know original Dr Who was B&W, but I hate look backs that go to B&W unless they are using genuine footage. This would be filmed with lookalike's of the 1st Doctor and Susan showing them escaping Gallifrey.

 

[BAYLOR]

I would have told RTD to Paul McGann in the role. of the Doctor, lest him be the character for a few seasons.

 

[SilentRoamer]

I would probably have just picked Matt Smith - he is easily my favourite doctor which I know isn't a popular opinion (although I've never been on DW forums).

Matt Smith just nailed the range of emotions. While I really liked Eccleston (who I have actually met in real life prior to him being the Dr.) and Tennant I just think Matt Smith out-acted both of them.

 

[SilentRoamer]

Then again Eccleston was fresh out of the time war and probably did the "Dr just out of war" as well as it could have been done.

I just invalidated my last post - way to go SR!

 

[Brian G Turner]

In the early 90's I was convinced that one day I would be able to take control of the Dr Who franchise. Maybe one day I still will...

I would have played Dr Who, of course.

I would also have the plot reveal it was set in an alternative universe - partly, to avoid existing continuity problems, but also because I wanted to bring Time Lords in as supporting characters (Galifrey lives!). Daleks and Cybermen would have been merged into a single new race to modernise them.

My incarnation would have lost an arm (Tennant's later did).

When my incarnation died, it would have regenerated into a black woman.

It would still rock. But nowadays I'll concede that I'm perhaps not the best actor for the lead role...

 

[Frost Giant]

I don't think I would've changed too much the 2005 series, Eccleston did a great job. So did Tennant. It was from 11 onward that things started to disintegrate into the what they have now. I didn't like the Slitheen, I would have found a way to bring back the Rani instead of having a story featuring the Slitheen.

 

[Narkalui]

I would have had Paul McGanne too.

 

[BAYLOR]

I would have had Paul McGanne too.

I liked him as the Doctor.

 

[Narkalui]

I loved him as The Doctor but I hated the script. That was awful.

 

[Narkalui]

Apparently RTD did actually offer the part to Paul McGanne in 2004 but it didn't happen because McGanne refused to wear a wig. Shame really.