Out of the Wilderness - A Doctor Who Timeline

[tornadobusdriver]

"You know, we nearly didn't get another series. We came so close to being axed. I don't know what saved us in the end, a split decision. But to think, we wouldn't be standing here today"
- Andrew Cartmel speaking at convention in 2013.
The Mcoy Years

1987 to 1990
"Think about me when you're living your life one day after another, all in a neat pattern. Think about the homeless traveler and his old police box, with his days like crazy paving."

Upon hearing that they would be given one more series, Sylvester McCoy decided to make this one his last. Sophie Aldred would also announce her decision to depart. John Nathan Turner would also finally move on. By all accounts this would be the last season, so they deduced to make it count.

No one is quite sure what saved the show. Grade had been pretty set on getting rid of it. Roumors range from a sudden schedule change to a higher up's poorly son having a doctor who themed birthday party.

Season 27 debuted in 1990. While still full of light hearted adventures, some stories started to feel a bit darker, a sign of soon to be producer Andrew Cartmel's influence. Ace would leave in the serial Thin Ice, being sent to join the Time Lord academy. Cartmel had wanted to include some elements of his plan to introduce more lore and mystery to the show, but was shot down as it would seem inappropriate in what could be a final season.

The final serial saw the Master return from the end of Survival, his body failing him. He would hatch a sceme that the Doctor and UNIT worked together to stop, with the Master seemgily dying for good, but at the cost of the Doctor's life.

Then the news came. The show would be picked up for the next year. It was going to survive. But now with no Doctor and no producer, a replacement would need to be found quickly.

Cartmel took the producer role, hoping to steer the show in a new direction. But a new actor was needed.

A number of actors auditioned, and a number of names where looked at, including the likes of Ian Richardson and Richard Griffiths, who quickly shot it down. In the end, a surprising choice emerged.

As the Doctor regenerated, fans where greeted with a new, but familiar, face.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The Grant Years

1991 to 1994
"I'm not running away, Raine, I'm running forwards. Towards what's out there."

Richard E. Grant was known for his role in the cult classic dark comedy film Withnail and I. In his early 30s, he was on the younger end of the actors they where looking at, but he impressed producers with his audition.

A romantic at heart, this doctor was a gentlemen. He used his charm and wits to get himself our of sickly situations. He was a thespian, fond of big elaborate speeches. But deep down lay a man running from his past, and processing the actions of his previous incarnations.

He wore a black suit with green elements. His Tardis interior was wooden and elegant. But he wasn't afraid to be silly, and shared his 4th incarnation's love of sweets.

His first companion was safe cracker Raine Cunningham, played by Julia Sawalha , a character created orginaly by Cartmell for the previous season. Sarcastic and dry, Raine would warm to the Doctor over the course of their travels together, begining to see him as a mentor figure. Raine would be his longest serving companion, being replaced in his fourth season by Lisa Bowerman as space archaeologist Bernice Summerfeild.

The big change for Grant's era was the choice to move towards singular episodes instead of serials. Grant's four season run also saw a move towards arc based story telling with the "Other" arc. Focusing on a mysterious figure from the ancient history of Gallifrey. The controversial episode Lungbarrow would imply that the Doctor may be a future verison of the Other via a technology known as Looms.

Grant's third season would mark the shows 30th anniversary, featuring the return of old foes and even a reunion with Susan. It would all lead to special feature length episode, featuring the 8th Doctor teaming up with the surviving Doctors in order to stop Rassalon from taking over Gallifrey.

The Fourth season would be Grant's last, also featuring the departure of Sawalha. Cartmell had originaly considered killing off Raine, but pressure from the BBC made him decide not to. But the idea was something he would eventually revisit. Instead Raine would go off to help out on an alien planet, having found new purpose in life after her travels with the Doctor.

Grant would leave the role at the end of his fourth season, having made his mark on the franchise. The Doctor would regenerate stopping the Cybermen from taking over a planet.

His replacement would be a surprise choice, but one who made his excitement known, being a massive fan of the series.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The Capaldi Years

"I can't promise it'll be safe, Emma. But I can promise it'll be fun."

1995 to 1999
Scottish actor Peter Capaldi was known for his roles in films like local hero and his own short film, which he directed and wrote, winning an Oscar. The producers would promote the new Doctor being an Oscar winner heavily in marketing.

He was a heart throb Doctor, bringing in a new younger audience. He would quote poetry. But he was capable of becoming violent and ruthless, something that would start to come out more after the loss of Emma.

Bernice would carry over from Grant's run, leaving at the end of the first series, replaced by Emma, played by Kate Winslet. A young history student from modern day london. Capldai and Winslet would become an extremely popular companion and Doctor paring. Controversialy, Emma would die during an adventure, something Cartmel had proposed for Raine in the previous season. This would be a huge turning point in the course of the series. .

Capaldi's era would become known for the Timewyrm arc, focusing on powerful beings from the beginning of time. It would also see the introduction of Fraction Paradox. An eldritch cult from a future war between the Time Lords and a great enemy, they would become a recurring foe of this era.

The 9th Doctor would die stopping the Fraction Paradox's leader, Grandfather Paradox, from unleashing a Timewyrm on the universe. He would send the Paradox back to their home dimension and seal them away, at the cost of his life.

Capaldi would do five full series. He constantly ranks high on fan polls.

Cartmel would leave with Capaldi, writer Paul Cornell becoming the new show runner. Capaldi's replacement would be a familiar face to television viewers.

 

[kirbopher15]

The Capaldi Years
View attachment 726970
"I can't promise it'll be safe, Emma. But I can promise it'll be fun."

1995 to 1999
Scottish actor Peter Capaldi was known for his roles in films like local hero and his own short film, which he directed and wrote, winning an Oscar. The producers would promote the new Doctor being an Oscar winner heavily in marketing.

He was a heart throb Doctor, bringing in a new younger audience. He would quote poetry. But he was capable of becoming violent and ruthless, something that would start to come out more after the loss of Emma.

Bernice would carry over from Grant's run, leaving mid way through the first series, replaced by Emma, played by youg English actress Samantha Womack. A history student from modern day london. Capldai and Womack would become an extremely popular companion and Doctor paring. Controversialy, Emma would die during an adventure, something Cartmel had proposed for Raine in the previous season. This would be a huge turning point in the course of the series. The Doctor would then travel with Amanda, a nurse played by Nicola Walker. They would be joined by Ross Adams, a unit soilder played by Idris Elba.

Capaldi's era would become known for the Timewyrm arc, focusing on powerful beings from the beginning of time. It would also see the introduction of Fraction Paradox. An eldritch cult from a future war between the Time Lords and a great enemy, they would become a recurring foe of this era.

The 9th Doctor would die stopping the Fraction Paradox's leader, Grandfather Paradox, from unravelling space and time. He would send the Paradox back to their home dimension seal them away, at the cost of his life. As a parting gift for dealing with the Paradox, the Time Lords would return Emma to life, though the Doctor would choose to leave her be in order to keep her safe.

Capaldi would do four full series, and a special in 1999 to mark the millennium. He constantly ranks high on fan polls.

Cartmel would leave with Capaldi, writer Paul Cornell becoming the new show runner. Capaldi's replacement would be a familiar face to television viewers.

A cross between David Tennant and Tom Baker I like it plus the fact that he gets to play the doctor earlier then expected is good too I think I know who will succeed him https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Mayall

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The O'Hanlon Years

(2000 to 2003)
"That’s what I am: just a traveler. Just me and the Box."

Irish actor Ardel O'Hanlon was extremely familiar to viewers for his role as Father Dougal McGuire in the popular Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. There was some controversy when he was cast due to his comedy roots.

Portrayed as a bumbling sort of figure, this doctor was notably more silly than his past few incarnations, but had a hidden depth. He was still hurting from his previous incarnation.

His main companion would be Sheridan Smith as Lucie Miller, a troubled young student from Manchester, they would later be joined by Smith's Royle Family and Two Pints co-star Ralf Little as her boyfriend Will. Will and Lucie would become extremely popular, the Doctor acting as a mentor figure. They would help him learn to be the Doctor again.

O'Hanlon's run would see the return of the Master after many years, played to scenery chewing perfection by Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules.

The shows 40th anniversary would see a special episode aired in which the Doctors teamed up to defeat the Master and an alliance of monsters.

After the lore heavy Capaldi era. The O'Hanlon era would see a return to basics, with battles against the Daleks, the Cybermen, and more classic monsters. Though smaller arcs would be present through out.

O'Hanlon would leave the role in 2003, with Cornell deciding to do so with him. Famed writer Neil Gaiman would take over as show runner.

The 10 Doctor would regenerate fighting the Daleks. He would be scooped up the Time Lords, Will and Lucie being sent away. The war the Fraction Paradox had been talking about was about to come true, and their great enemy would be the Daleks.

War was coming to Gallifrey, and a new kind of Doctor was needed. The new Doctor would be someone whose name had been attached to the role in the past.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The McGann Years

(2004 to 2007)
"I'm a Doctor. I won't fight your wars."

Paul McGann's name had been attached to the series twice, first to succeed McCoy, and then to succeed his former Withnail and I Co Star Richard E. Grant.

This Doctor would try to find light in the darkness, trying his best to help those in need.

Controversialy, the Doctor would not have a full on companion this era, but rather a series of guest stars in the Tardis.

It was decided that after so many years on the air, Doctor Who needed a refresh. This was the era of darker reboots. 2005 saw the release of Christopher Nolan's Casino Royale, starting Michael Fassbender, and 2006 saw David Fincher's Batman: Year One, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular Dark Knight detective.

A new arc was created, co credited to frequent guest writer Russel T. Davies, known as the Time War. The Time Lords and the Daleks where at war, the war acting as a back drop to the seires. There would be unconnected stories, but most where connected in some ways.

The 11th Doctor would try his best to avoid fighting in the war. He would be on the run from both the Daleks and the Time Lords, slowly feeling their influence effect the Galaxy.

The seires would delve into high concept sicfi and cosmic horror, showing the horrors of the war in full force.

The series introduced many recurring foes including the Weeping Angels, the Vashta Nerada and the Judoon. Along with John Jules's Master, It also saw the return of the Rani, played by ER star Alex Kingston, and the introduction of a new time Lord, the Corsair. The Fracion Paradox would return for the first time since the Capaldi era, being shown as the result of one possible future of the war.

2006 also saw the launch of the popular UNIT: Earth Defence spin off, starring Jemma Redgrave, Russel Tovey, and Freema Agyeman and featuring Nicholas Courtney in guest appearances. It would run for four series.

McGann's series finale was the darkest the show had done to date. As the Time War came to its boiling point, the universe itself started to unravel. The Doctor was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, he destroyed the Daleks, but was forced to lock Gallifrey in a pocket universe, effectively becoming the last of the Time Lords.

The Doctor regenerated, broken but with hope that he could reach them again one day, as the Tardis fell to Earth. Gaiman would depart the role of show runner. Russel T Davies would be offered the role, but turned it down to pursue other ventures. Instead the role would go to Life on Mars creator Matthew Graham.

The new Doctor would be announced at the end of McGann's final episode, it would be a familiar face to British science fiction fans, and one connected to the new show runner.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The Glenister Years

(2008 to 2010)
"Thats who I am, Alex. I'm the man that the monsters are scared of. "

Actor Phillip Glenister was well known to British audiences for his role as foul mouthed anti PC detective Gene Hunt in the scifi crime drama Life On Mars.

The 12th Doctor is an angry man, when we first meet him there has been a time skip and he has been traveling alone since the end of the Time War. He's notably more outwardly violent than his previous incarnations, but is shown to be capable of great warmth, especially around Alex.

He wore a black jacket and tie, trying to dress low key, as he no longer felt like the over the top Doctor anymore.

The era's main companion would be Alex Drake, a character previously thought up for a potential spin off series to Life On Mars had John Simm not decided to stay on for a third and final seires. But he did, thus the series was scrapped, but elements where worked into Graham's run on Doctor Who, as referenced by the opening episode title. "Ashes to Ashes."

A police woman who was obsessed with the mysterious murder of her parents. Alex would be played by actress Keely Hawes. There would be hints of romantic feelings and attraction between them.

The mystery behind her parents death would be the major arc for the first series. The whole thing would turn out to be a ploy by the Master, now played by Scottish actor David Tenant, in order to draw out the Doctor. This Master, having escaped the Time War, was insane and unhinhed, a terrifying modern version of the character.

A major turning point in the series would be the seires 2 finale, which saw the Daleks return. This would bring out the true anger inside the Doctor.

The Doctor would regenerate at the end of the third series, having defeated the Master and learnt to love the universe again. Dispite the darker incarnation, this would be a happier end.

The more character focused era was considered a fresh break from the cosmic madness that was the Gaiman era. Glenaster and Hawes would leave after three seires. Matthew Graham would leave with them, making way for new show runner Steven Moffat.

The next doctor would make headlines with their annoucment as a new step for the franchise.

 

[kirbopher15]

David Tennant as the 13th doctor

 

[Ogrebear]

Interesting selection of Doctors.

You do seem to have a 'fixed' 4 years here for each Doctor and seemingly each showrunner- I am fairly sure TV is not quite as regular as this. What was stopping McGann or Capaldi from doing six years for example?

Danny John-Jules as the Master? Lovely casting.

"Rassalon, who was played by Patrick Stewart" - that casting must have cost a lot of money in 1993 given Stewart was a huge star by then.

Ian Richardson would still make a great Doctor...

 

[tornadobusdriver]

The Harewood Years

(2010 to 2014)
"Just this once, Clara, everybody lives!"

David Harewood was thinking of qutting acting before he got the audition for the Doctor. He quickly impressed producers with his take.

Harewood's Doctor would be more upbeat than his last incarnation. He would see the wonder in things and had a wordly, teacher like nature about him. But he was capable of being angry or dangerous when pushed.

Tina would leave in the first series. Being replaced by Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman. Clara would be the main companion for almost all of Harewood's era. The mystery behind her existence would become the major crux of 14's arc. Harewood and Coleman would become extremely popular due to their chemistry.

David Tennent's Master would return as a major antagonist for this era. He would become increasingly popular with certain parts of the fandom.

It would turn out that Clara had splintered herself across the Doctor's timeliness in order to save him from the Master's plan. The Doctor would save her, which would lean in to the 50th.

The show's 50th anniversary would see the Glenister and Mcgann doctors return. This episode would see the return of Gallifrey to the normal universe and would finally see some closure for the 11'th Doctor, getting to see that in the end he does save Gallifrey.

13's final season would see him trying to find Gallifrey, never quite being able to. Clara would leave in his final series. The Doctor would invite Shona McCullough, played by Faye Marsay, to join him in the Tardis.

Moffat would stay on for the next Doctor's run. The new choice would be an extremely controversial one.

 

[drporter357]

So who is it?

 

[tornadobusdriver]

(2015 to 2018)
"I'm just a mad woman in a box."

The casting of actress Hayley Atwell was contravseal amoung parts of the fandom due to being the fiest female doctor. But she quickly won over a lot of pepole, becoming one of the most popular actors to play the character.

Atwell's Doctor would he a return to form. A fun adventurer who saw wonder in the universe. She was extremely protective of her companions.

Shona would stay for the first series, being joined by John Boyega as Rigsy. Shona would be revealed as a lesbian, with her girlfriend Sarah, played by Pearl Mackie, joining the team in Atwell's second seires. This trio would become iconic to the Atwell Doctor. She would be joined in her last series by Adam, a Unit scientist played by Sacha Dhawan.

This era would see the Doctor facing off against classic villains including the Daleks, the Cybermen, The Ice Warriors and the Zygons.

The theme of the run would see the Doctor's past catching up with her. The finale of her third season would see the return of Gallifrey, with the reveal that Rassalon, played by Charles Dance, had been meddling with events over the past few years, in an attempt to break into the universie, even if it meant destroying it. The Doctor would be forced to face her own people.

She would defeat Rassalon by using an ancient Gallifrean machine. She would be offered the role of Gallifrean president after the defeat of Rassalon, but would instead give it to Romana, who had returned, played by T'Nia Miller. This would lead to the popular Gallifrey Chronicles spin off series .

She would do a final series in 2018, facing off with the Cybermen and finally regenerating.

Russell T. Davies would take over as showrunner, announcing big plans for the franchise.

 

[Ogrebear]

Good casting choice there. Atwell would be a good Doctor.

Still sticking with the 3 season Doctors. Someone should stay for longer imho.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

"I'm more than just a crazy lady in box. I'm a Time Lord. And I'm the one who's going to stop you."
(2019 to 2023)

Irish actress Katie McGrath had already developed a following due to her various roles in genre television.

McGrath would take cues from the 7th Doctor, being fun and starry eyed, but being capable of manipulation.

The companions for most of her run would be Arthur and Jenny, played by Sope Dirisu and Dasiy Ridley. The two would be a police detective and a journalist who discover the TARIDS.

Her first series would see the full return of Davros and the Daleks. It would also see the return of UNIT to the main show, their spin off having ended. It would also see a lot of new alien races introduced.

Her second series would feature the return of the Master, this time played by Jodie Whittaker. The Master would become a recurring foe in the third and fourth Mcgrath Seasons. The two would team up in the last episode, finialy fighting side by side.

This era would also see the launch of another spin off, ACE Investigations, starring Sophie Aldred as Ace, who returned in Mcgrath's first Season. The series sees Ace leading a group of young people on supernatural and alien investigations.

She is set to leave in the upcoming 60th anniversary special.

 

[tornadobusdriver]

(2023 to ???)

Not much is known about the upcoming 60th special. But at the end of Mcgrath's last series it was announced that it would see the debut of the next Doctor.

Rahul Kohli is a known face in fandom culture due to his various appearances in genre shows like IZombie. He is set to debut in the feature length special, with a full seires shortly after, which will introduce influencer and actress Abigail Thorn as the next companion.

RTD is set to stay on for the future, though is looking to pass on the torch soon.

 

[Ogrebear]

UNIT and Ace spin-off, diverse actors, some interesting new aliens and no break- I'd say Doctor Who is in good hands here.

Nice timeline.