Albert Finney to Appear in ‘Doctor Who’
With the news that Albert Finney has been cast for one of the Doctor Who 2009 Specials, speculation is running at Blogtorwho that he will reprise Winston Churchill, a part he’s played on television in the past.
So, it’s probably best to sum up all that we know to date about the four Specials and the annual Christmas story so we can keep fact from fiction straight.
The 2008 Christmas Special, entitled "The Next Doctor" according to the BBC, will guest star David Morrissey (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Dervla Kirwan (True Dare Kiss) and air on the BBC in December. No American airdate has been announced.
The four 2009 specials have two written by producer Russell T. Davies, one written by Davies and Phil Ford and one by Davies and Gareth Roberts. Two are expected to be filmed in the United States. One will feature the characters of Donna Noble(Catherine Tate) and her grandfather, Wilf (Bernard Cribbins). The Master (John Simm) will be back for one story. Brian Blessed has been announced but either as Yrcanos or someone new. George Moffett will be back as the Doctor’s daughter Jenn.
As for opponents beyond The Master, the site says a scene from the season finale featuring Cybermen aboard the TARDIS was cut (but is expected on the DVD release) and may set up the first Special. The Sea Devils, last seen in 1984’s “Warriors of the Deep”, are said to be coming back.
The first special is currently scheduled to air in the UK next April. The second special may not air until Christmas time and then the final two are set to run the week following.
Finally, a new Children in Need special is rumored as being planned fopr their November 14 broadcast which will feature former Doctors Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker. To raise funds, a behind-the-scenes tour of the studios where Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood are filmed is being offered as a prize in this year’s BBC Children In Need appeal.
Cardiff will play host to 100 competition winners, who must be UK residents, and their friends and families on November 8 and 9, during a brief gap in the production schedule.
Russell T. Davies said in a release, "This is so exciting. Giving fans the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at where we film Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures is just brilliant.
"It’ll be the perfect opportunity for the whole family to experience something unique and truly extraordinary. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and the best thing is that all the money raised will go towards BBC Children in Need."
To be in with a chance of winning a place on the tour, people will have to correctly answer a multiple-choice question. This will be announced on Friday, September 26 on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. It will also be available on the official Doctor Who website, along with the full terms and conditions.
“How many of the “things we know” are confirmed and how many are just rumors? “
You beat me to it. I’m thinking Sturgeon’s Law applies to all this news, and that may be an underestimation. The only facts to date are the title of the Christmas special, as that came straight from the BBC, and the plot synopsis as mentioned by Davies last week.
The fact that the ’09 Specials won’t start filming till next year just adds to the idea that anything else we’ve heard is “at best apocryphal, or at least wildly innacurate”.
But that’s never stopped us talking about it before.
That’s a big part of the fun of it all. When things are “official,” we’ll report it as such.
Remember, though, the stigma of movie actors appearing on television is nowhere near as string in Britain. Over there, acting is acting and actors are more likely to take whatever parts that appeals to them, if they have the time for it. The financial imperative doesn’t seem to be as consuming, either.
How many of the "things we know" are confirmed and how many are just rumors? The Sun and the other tabloids have, as I've said, a really poor track record when it comes to rumor vs. fact. I haven't seen any actual confirmation of either the Donna/Wilf rumor or the John Simm one, to give two examples. Heck, I don't even think we have official confirmation that the show will be filming in the US yet. Bob, do you have sources beyond the tabloids?Not that there's anything wrong with reporting rumors, but calling them "things we know" might be a bit hasty. After all, last year this time, we "knew" Madonna and Dennis Hopper would both be appearing in the fourth season, with Woody Allen playing Davros!
The 2008 Christmas Special, entitled "The Next Doctor" according to the BBC, will … air on the BBC in December. No American airdate has been announced.Probably Boxing Day. Only not on ScFi or whatever on cable…
The Sun in truth has about a 50-50 track record of getting some things right so enough already.
But I would really love to see the current Doctor tackle the Simm Master for one more adventure. The Master seldom if ever was as cunning and ruthless as when John Simm did the part. And yes I do count Eric Roberts who was nothing if not original and did more as a serious adversary than other Masters in past serials.
As for the CIN with the three 80s Doctors-good for them if true! A chance to get the classic Doctors onscreen in character is always a welcome sight. Especially as apart from the reclusive Tom Baker, they are the only ones still living from the first seven Doctors.