Doctor Who at the BBC: A Legend Reborn

Interviews and behind-the-scenes features from Doctor Who from 2005-2009, narrated by the late Sarah Jane Smith actress, Elisabeth Sladen.

In 2005, after sixteen years off-air, Doctor Who returned to BBC Television – and soon became more popular than ever before. In this special anthology of clips and interviews, featuring newly-released material, Elisabeth Sladen journeys back to the recent past to delve into the show’s dazzling success. With the help of extracts from radio programmes as diverse as Go 4 It, Jo Whiley, PM, Newsbeat and The Now Show, she explores the run-up to the launch of Series 1 and follows the programme’s progress right up to 2009, with the the impending departure of David Tennant. Featuring the voices of David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Christopher Eccleston, Kylie Minogue, Freema Agyeman, Russell T Davies and many others, this is an absorbing retrospective look at how Doctor Who returned to our screens to capture the hearts of millions of fans.

Review from Kasterborous.com:

This all-new compilation of interviews and behind-the-scenes pieces from the last few years of Doctor Who is the usual mixed bag of goodies we’ve come to expect from this series. Elisabeth Sladen is once again on presenting duties with Andrew Pixley behind the material selection and linking script. Clips come mainly from BBC radio such as Go 4 It, Jo Whiley, Newsbeat and Simon Mayo. I won’t reveal all that’s covered just so you can listen out for some gems yourself.

For starters we get to hear from Christopher Eccleston who was interviewed by Jo Whiley in 2005. Though she resorts to some rather lame questions (“Does the TARDIS have a toilet?”) she’s able to encourage some fantastic (pun intended) answers from the northern star. Christopher is on fine form, giving clues all the way as to how his Doctor would evolve through his tenure but makes sure he doesn’t give too much away. He even comments of Rose’s “love” for the Doctor. This is followed by the announcement of Eccleston’s resignation from the role only 5 days after the first episode was broadcast.

As you’d expect this 2-disc set covers Tennant’s 10th Doctor more than Eccleston’s 9th. Even though these pieces have broadcast over the last five years I was surprised by how much I’d forgotten. Did you download any of those extra episodes made specifically for Season 2 and designed to be viewed on your mobile? Those so-called TARDISodes?

Peter Fincham (Controller of BBC1 in 2006) pops up to talk to Simon Mayo about the Doctor Who Christmas Day episode, The Runaway Bride. Freema Agyeman also drops in and chats to Simon Mayo who seems to be quite excited to meet her. Freema’s enthusiasm is wonderful; you can almost hear her smile. She’s always been a favourite of mine, a cruelly underused character who deserves just one more trip in the TARDIS.

The disc doesn’t have much comedy but Mitch Benn’s song from The Now Show, originally broadcast April 2007 is a stand-out moment. Though a football ditty it’s use of Doctor Who is ingenious and we get to almost hear Lis say a naughty word!

This is wonderful nostalgic trip into recent Doctor Who history. It may not be the most played disc in your collection but it is fun.