No New Doctor Who Season in 2009

So, is this good news or bad news?

Well, in my opinion it is fantastic. The BBC have confirmed that instead of a 2009 series there will be three “specials” as well as a 2008 Christmas special, and David Tennant will be in all of them. This has ended all of the speculation, at least that he might be leaving at the end of season four. The production block that would have been season five will now consist of probably four specials (perhaps 3 if the 2009 Christmas episode is filmed as part of the season 5 production block). And they have confirmed a full season for 2010, so the only debate will be whether or not Tennant will be in it.

My guess is that he will be. They will finish filming season four in March or April next year, and assuming they film the 2008 Christmas special in June like they usually do, if they film the other specials then as well the whole output of Who for 2009 could be filmed by the end of September, which means that Tennant will then have until June the following year (nine months off instead of three) to persue other projects. (Although it is more likely that they will shoot each special individually, which would tie in with his RSC appearance). He could then do another nine months on (Season 5, which has been confirmed even if he hasn’t) then leave. So he will have been the Doctor on screen for five years, even though he will have only done four full seasons. Or even if he leaves at the end of 2009, he will still have outlasted all but Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee. I suspect this has all been about keeping him, I think the BBC would rather reduce their output next year rather than loose him, which given his popularity is an excellent move.

No doubt some fans out there will moan, and view it as a “cancellation” of sorts, but I think it is just the Beeb protecting the show. Hey, we might even see Tennant in a cameo in Torchwood Season Three (assuming there is one).

I just hope that we have a regular companion throughout the specials. I also hope that RTD doesn’t write them all. It would also be nice if we get something TV movie length rather than 45 minutes to 1 hour. Time will tell, but this really is good news. It means that David Tennant, one of the most popular Doctors in the history of the show, and also a charming ambassador for the show, will be around for at least two more years. Fantastic!