We now have our first ever female Doctor Who and to celebrate this momentous moment and the launch of the new series, here are some interesting facts you might not know about the Doctor:
- Original concept was kids’ series
Although generations of kids have loved Doctor Who, it was originally planned to be an educational programme for teaching kids about both history and science.
- Real-life health problems provided the inspiration for regeneration
William Hartnell played the First Doctor between 1963 and 1966 but suffered health problems towards the end of his time on the show. To tie in a change of character so Hartnell could retire form the role and not upset viewers, it was agreed the doctor’s ability to regenerate would be written into the Timelord’s story.
- Ridley Scott and the Daleks
It would have been fascinating to see what Scott would have created for the Daleks, seeing as he created both Blade Runner and Alien. Scott was working for the BBC at the time Doctor Who was created and was tasked with designing the great foe of the Doctor. Sadly, he left the network before the project was completed to focus on being a director.
- Almost the end for the Daleks
We were thrilled to see the series reprised in 2005, but we almost got the Doctor back minus the Daleks. Terry Nation, who had designed the Daleks and passed away and his estate tried to block further use of the Daleks, worried that the brand would be ruined. Such was the stalemate that the BBC even created a new monster villain. Thankfully, an agreement was reached, and the Daleks were able to return. Don’t miss the return of the Doctor’s most fiendish foes, get your TV signal sorted out with Bristol TV Aerials at http://aerial-installations-bristol.co.uk/installation-and-repair-services/tv-aerial-installation-bristol
- A long time to trademark
After many years of selling Tardis merchandise, the BBC wanted to trademark it. Unfortunately, they got some resistance from the Metropolitan Police who argued that the Tardis is essentially a police box. Six years after the first trademark attempt, the BBC won their case in court in 2002.
- The episode that contained both a future doctor and future companion
In 2008, an episode of Doctor Who aired that featured both a Doctor-to-be and a future companion. ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ featured two guest stars – Peter Capaldi was cast as a sculptor and Karen Gillan, a soothsayer.
- The lost episodes
During the 1960s and 1970s, archiving was not an onerous, time-consuming and physical process. It was also not particularly secure. As a result, more than 100 Doctor Who episodes were either lost, deleted or ruined. Thankfully, fans of the show have come to the rescue and built up the BBC library once more with their own personal copies of the lost episodes.