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Fifth Series Plans Announced
 Following much media speculation,
the BBC have confirmed their future plans for Doctor Who.
After the
fourth series (due in Spring 2008 and a Christmas special at the
end of 2008), starring David Tennant as the Tenth
Doctor, the Doctor
Who production team, led by Russell T Davies, will be working
on three Doctor Who specials due for release throughout
2009. These specials will be instead of a full series - which is
scheduled for 2010.
The media
speculation was sparked by reports that David Tennant had been cast
in the title role of Hamlet, in a production for the Royal Shakespeare
Company from July to November 2008. This role would have conflicted
with filming a fifth series if it was to be shown in the spring of
2009.
Rumors therefore
over the last few months have spread that the show would be going
on a sort of 'temporary hiatus' after the fourth series. The BBC's
media release has confirmed the facts behind these rumours and has
emphasized that the series will return for a full fifth season. However,
it is still not known whether Russell T Davies will continue in the
helm of the series when it does return for the 2010 series.
The press release included the following quotes:
| Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC
Fiction, says: "Doctor Who is one of the BBC's best
loved and most successful dramas. Its journey over the past
three series has been one of the most ambitious and exciting
that we have had, and I'm delighted to be able to confirm
not only three exciting specials for 2009, but a fifth series
in 2010."
Menna Richards, Controller, BBC Wales, says: "The
success of Doctor Who is a fantastic tribute to the
dedication and expertise of the production team at
BBC Wales who have worked on the project from the outset.
This announcement is marvellous news for all involved,
and more importantly for the programme's amazing fan
base and audience. BBC Wales is looking forward to
producing the fifth series."
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At least we now know that Doctor Who is to continue
to the end of this decade at least.
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