Squirrelecto
20-03-2004, 10:01 AM
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Ecclestone to be ninth Doctor Who
By Jem Maidment
Christopher Eccleston is to be the ninth Doctor Who when the cult sci-fi show returns to our screens next year, it has been announced.
Eccleston, star of Flesh and Blood and The Second Coming, will appear as the eccentric timelord in the 13-part BBC1 series to be shown in 2005.
Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, said the 40-year-old would take the famous doctor into the 21st century. "We are delighted to have cast an actor of such calibre in one of British TV's most iconic roles.
"We have chosen one of Britain's finest actors to play what, in effect, will be an overtly modern hero."
Salford-born Ecclestone will follow in the footsteps of some famous names in his new role.
William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann have all played the character since the hugely popular show arrived on British TV screens in 1963.
Eccelston first shot to prominence in the 1994 film Shallow Grave, alongside Ewan McGregor, and later found further fame in the TV series Our Friends in the North and as DCI David Bilborough in hit ITV1 drama Cracker.
Executive producer and writer Russell T Davies added: "We considered many great actors for this wonderful part, but Christopher was our first choice.
"This man can give the Doctor a wisdom, wit and emotional range as far-reaching as the Doctor's travels in time and space. ``His casting raises the bar for all of us. It's going to be a magnificent, epic, entertaining journey, and I can't wait to start.''
Filming for the new Doctor Who will start in Cardiff later this year.
http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/040320/128/ep1rq.html
Ecclestone to be ninth Doctor Who
By Jem Maidment
Christopher Eccleston is to be the ninth Doctor Who when the cult sci-fi show returns to our screens next year, it has been announced.
Eccleston, star of Flesh and Blood and The Second Coming, will appear as the eccentric timelord in the 13-part BBC1 series to be shown in 2005.
Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, said the 40-year-old would take the famous doctor into the 21st century. "We are delighted to have cast an actor of such calibre in one of British TV's most iconic roles.
"We have chosen one of Britain's finest actors to play what, in effect, will be an overtly modern hero."
Salford-born Ecclestone will follow in the footsteps of some famous names in his new role.
William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann have all played the character since the hugely popular show arrived on British TV screens in 1963.
Eccelston first shot to prominence in the 1994 film Shallow Grave, alongside Ewan McGregor, and later found further fame in the TV series Our Friends in the North and as DCI David Bilborough in hit ITV1 drama Cracker.
Executive producer and writer Russell T Davies added: "We considered many great actors for this wonderful part, but Christopher was our first choice.
"This man can give the Doctor a wisdom, wit and emotional range as far-reaching as the Doctor's travels in time and space. ``His casting raises the bar for all of us. It's going to be a magnificent, epic, entertaining journey, and I can't wait to start.''
Filming for the new Doctor Who will start in Cardiff later this year.
http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/040320/128/ep1rq.html