Companion for second 2009 special: Lindsay Duncan

[Brendan Moody]

So says The Daily Record. With quotes from RTD and Duncan herself, so I'm guessing it's legitimate, and since production on it will start soon now's the right time for an announcement.

Since the article specifically says she'll be in the second special and RTD has said that there'll be an older woman at Christmas 2009, I'm taking this as confirmation that there won't be an autumn special.

 

[ArgentomaximusI]

Looks like we posted at the same time

 

[Brendan Moody]

Apparently her character is named Adelaide, further confirmation that RTD has a strict rule about only using old-lady names for his companions.

 

[StCoop]

Just like last month someone's broken the Embargo Date on the Press Release, so expect the Official one with photo(s) tomorrow or Friday.

Not a name I'd considered for the "older female companion" role that RTD had mentioned was coming but a very good choice none the less.

(And two posh companions in a row. Who'd have thought in in New Who?)

 

[wamdue]

this is odd news, last I heard the final specail was going to have an older female companion, not the second.

 

[Brendan Moody]

this is odd news, last I heard the final specail was going to have an older female companion, not the second.

That was based on assumptions rather than facts. RTD said a couple months ago that there would be an older female companion "next Christmas." Some people guessed that that meant in a two-part finale aired at Christmas and New Year's. But this announcement combined with that report makes it sound like there's one special at Christmas and then the two-part finale in the days following. Either that, or scheduling plans have changed in the past couple months.

 

[wamdue]

that or they have decided to use the same companion across the remaining specials

and playing the Doctor's most strong-minded companion yet."

that is starting to sound very cliché

 

[Brendan Moody]

that or they have decided to use the same companion across the remaining specials

RTD also said that there would be a different companion in each story, so that's out too. And really, that's not a decision you could make at the last minute.

 

[wamdue]

true, it would take some impressive rewriting, but its not like any filming has taken place, however I would guess things like locations have been booked.

 

[Brendan Moody]

Replacing one character with another at the last minute would be a logistical nightmare requiring rather more than "impressive rewriting." And there have been enough sudden problems (Tennant's back injury, the damaged bus) with the already-tight specials production schedule. RTD's good at rewriting on the fly, but there are limits. Given that there was never any actual evidence that the older companion was planned for the final story, why invent fanciful scenarios to extend the possibility?

 

[StCoop]

This news has reminded me it's well past time I watched GBH (one of the greatest British drama series of all time*) again.


*And one whose funniest moments happen during a Doctor Who convention!

 

[StCoop]

Small world...

 

[captcalhoun]

This news has reminded me it's well past time I watched GHB (one of the greatest British drama series of all time*) again.


*And one whose funniest moments happen during a Doctor Who convention!

don't you mean GBH?

 

[Starkers]

Hey maybe she'll be playing Maggie, just imagine what RTD would get away with then

 

[wamdue]

Small world...

in that case I hope she isnt around to dress the 11th Doctor.

 

[Samurai8472]

I'm calling it right now: An episode that resembles the movie Logan's Run, where the Doctor and his older companion travel to a world or future where people over a certain age are either killed or separated from the rest of society, creating an episode where the Doctor has to rescue his companion and shake-up society so that they learn to respect their elders and reintegrate them.

 

[StCoop]

Officially confirmed by the Beeb now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7897518.stm

Maybe they should consider not e-mailing out their Press Releases until after they've put the story up at their own site in future!

 

[ClayinCA]

Apparently her character is named Adelaide, further confirmation that RTD has a strict rule about only using old-lady names for his companions.

"Donna" is an "old-lady name"??

 

[wamdue]

old lady names? or names of Aussie citys, watch out it will be Sydney or Erinsborough next

 

[Brendan Moody]

Apparently her character is named Adelaide, further confirmation that RTD has a strict rule about only using old-lady names for his companions.

"Donna" is an "old-lady name"??

Enough of one for the sake of the joke, sure.