Series 7 confirmed by BBC

[23skidoo]

If you blinked you probably missed the rather intense cancellation panic that just happened with Doctor Who.

Apparently a few media outlets, including Private Eye, were reporting rumors that the BBC planned to rest the show for a year. This was supported by Matt Smith's recent interview in which he said he was looking for movie work in Hollywood.

An example of the fan response can be seen in the Kasterborous news page:

http://www.kasterborous.com/2011/06/series-7-postponed/

Perhaps expecting a flood of "it's cancelled" negative publicity, however, the BBC and Steven Moffat both announced - via Twitter, yet - that not only have 14 more episodes been commissioned, but Matt Smith is returning as the Doctor:

http://www.kasterborous.com/2011/06/panic-over-series-7-confirmed/

http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/06/dwn070611173008-bbc-confirms-fourteen.html

Presumably the 14th episode is the Christmas special, though it would be nice if the regular season got pumped up a bit.

Now the question is whether they'll split the season, and who else will be returning for Series 7. But at least there will, indeed, be a Series 7. (Something even that report of John Fay writing an episode wasn't a guarantee of.)

PS - this might have been mentioned in other threads, but the renewal - and the cancellation panic - should have their own discussion.

Alex

 

[StCoop]

Given that they're spending millions of pounds building a new studio to shoot it in, there was never any doubt there'd be a new series next year, or the year after for that matter. I could see another "gap year" followed by a relaunch after that though.

And with KG and AD both having other work lined up (and talking about the series as being in their pasts in interviews) I'll take the lack of a mention here as final confirmation of their departure.

Of course the problem with the split series is we'll know who their replacement(s) are before they're gone.

 

[MacLeod]

Agreed it's back for at least 2 years, it would be suicide not to have any who on 2013. But we'll want something big. I'd imagine they'll probable do a DW theme night. Hopefully on 23-11-2013. No doubt they'll dust off "AN Unearthly Child" for it.

 

[Tom]

hmmm.. did the 2009 gap really really help i wonder? It really was not a gap when you have four 60 minute episodes thats like having 6 normal 40 minute episodes, half a season.

 

[Jax]

I think 2012 will be the final full season for Matt Smith though some specials for the 50th birthday in 2013 might, I hope see specials bringing back the 9th/10th & 11th

BBC will most likely do the gap again because of the 2012 Euro Championships though if it performs very strong in the fall this year they might move it all 13 to September onwards though they could have 12 and use the Easter weekend for a special.

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

It's not a GAP year, but it was a BREAK year, since you had to wait three months between one-hour doses. I didn't mind it, as it helped remind the audience that Doctor Who could be an event instead of a yearly 13-week routine. I don't think they need another one until after 2013 though, and I do hope they won't build Smith's inevitable departure into it. Tennant's departure was foreshadowed for two whole years (almost all of season 4 and the whole break year) and removed some of the fun factor IMO. Let the Doctor have his fun, and don't have his death hanging over him and the audience for ages.

Mark

 

[captcalhoun]

bringing back the 91th/10th & 11th

bringing back the 91st Doctor from the future, i presume?

Ecclestone's rather unequivocally said he will NOT return to Who.

 

[PorthosShadow]

bringing back the 91th/10th & 11th

bringing back the 91st Doctor from the future, i presume?

Ecclestone's rather unequivocally said he will NOT return to Who.

You know what, if Alan Wilder could get back on stage with Depeche Mode for one song then I don't see Christopher Eccleston's return as impossible.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Seriously! I mean, even Tom Baker is doing Audios now, and says he wished he'd not turned down the opportunity to be in The Five Doctors. So there's always the chance that Eccleston will make another appearance.

 

[PorthosShadow]

Seriously! I mean, even Tom Baker is doing Audios now, and says he wished he'd not turned down the opportunity to be in The Five Doctors. So there's always the chance that Eccleston will make another appearance.

Hell, I've lost track of how many times Leonard Nimoy said he was retiring from acting.

 

[starsuperion]

Eccleston will return so long as they keep RTD away and captain Jack..

 

[PorthosShadow]

Eccleston will return so long as they keep RTD away and captain Jack..

I'm thinking that a new show runner could help make the decision a little bit easier.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Eccleston will return so long as they keep RTD away and captain Jack..

I'm thinking that a new show runner could help make the decision a little bit easier.

In Eccleston's case, I don't see that. Even after praising Moffat's writing, Eccleston told Graham Norton he would never return.

The door isn't just closed. The hallway to the door has been incinerated.

 

[Jax]

bringing back the 91th/10th & 11th

bringing back the 91st Doctor from the future, i presume?

Ecclestone's rather unequivocally said he will NOT return to Who.

Ecclestone is a right spoil sport and one of the reasons I don't hold the 9th Doctor high up is he never really wanted the gig nor embraced it. A one off special to celebrate the 50th year with the Doctors from this Modern NuWho would be great.

 

[Mr Awe]

Great news, although not unexpected. But, nice to have it officially confirmed!

Nah, the BBC won't need or want a gap year. As long as it brings in the money, doing well in the UK, etc, it'll be on the air. Yeah, I know, the BBC isn't so into ratings but there's just no reason for a rest as long as the show is doing well.

Mr Awe

 

[Sindatur]

bringing back the 91th/10th & 11th

bringing back the 91st Doctor from the future, i presume?

Ecclestone's rather unequivocally said he will NOT return to Who.

Ecclestone is a right spoil sport and one of the reasons I don't hold the 9th Doctor high up is he never really wanted the gig nor embraced it. A one off special to celebrate the 50th year with the Doctors from this Modern NuWho would be great.

This is so startling. Back when Eccelstone's Series hit SyFy Channel, the story I "knew" was simply that he took the gig with the understanding it was only for a single Series, because he's a commitment-phobe afraid of being typecast, and simply didn't like long term commitments in general. But, boy, there really, really seems to be some bad blood bubbling underneath it all.

And great news on confirmation of Matt Smith being around next Series (as well as confirmation of renewal). Though, it's surprising that anyone had any doubts. With BBC recently watching their pennies so closely, one would think one of their biggest money-makers would be in no doubt whatsoever.

 

[Candlelight]

Eccleston will return so long as they keep RTD away and captain Jack..

I'm thinking that a new show runner could help make the decision a little bit easier.

I hope Moffat disappears soon. I really don't like his story telling style. Season's 5 and 6 haven't been the most enjoyable.

 

[davejames]

Too bad that Karen and Arthur probably won't be returning. As excited as I am at the prospect of seeing the 11th Doctor paired up with some new companions, those three HAVE made an excellent team.

 

[Jax]

I hope Moffat disappears soon. I really don't like his story telling style. Season's 5 and 6 haven't been the most enjoyable.

I think Moffat will leave when Smith does but the majorty hopes they stay for a while.

 

[davejames]

bringing back the 91th/10th & 11th

bringing back the 91st Doctor from the future, i presume?

Ecclestone's rather unequivocally said he will NOT return to Who.

Ecclestone is a right spoil sport and one of the reasons I don't hold the 9th Doctor high up is he never really wanted the gig nor embraced it. A one off special to celebrate the 50th year with the Doctors from this Modern NuWho would be great.

I still love his 9th Doctor, but yeah it's a shame they couldn't have cast someone who was a bit more appreciative of the role (as Tennant and Smith clearly are), and wasn't using it simply to give his career a boost.