The Unforgettable Journey of Doctor Who: A Timeless Legacy Shaped by Devoted Fans
Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, pays tribute to the indomitable Doctor Who fandom and their profound impact on the series, which thrived despite its cancellation in 1989 A testament to the enduring legacy created by devoted fans
Summary
Sylvester McCoy reflects on Doctor Who's original cancellation and credits the show's fans for ensuring its survival and eventual revival.
Despite being cancelled, Doctor Who managed to survive through the medium of audio dramas and novels, providing an avenue for fans to actively engage and contribute to the expansive universe of the show.
The dedicated efforts of fans-turned-creatives such as Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat were instrumental in the triumphant revival of Doctor Who, guaranteeing its enduring prosperity for years to follow.
Sylvester McCoy reflects on the original cancellation and eventual return of Doctor Who. He believes that the show could never die because of its dedicated fans. McCoy played the Seventh Doctor during the series' original run, with his final episode in 1989 marking the end of the show's classic era. Despite the cancellation, McCoy had the opportunity to pass the torch to Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor in a TV movie in 1996. He later returned to the role in audio dramas and made a cameo appearance in 2022's "Power of the Doctor". In a recent interview for his 90th birthday, McCoy expressed his belief that the show's passionate fanbase would ensure its enduring legacy. He also praised Russell T Davies, a fan-turned-showrunner, for successfully reviving the series.
How Doctor Who Fans Shaped The Series Following Its 1989 Cancellation
Doctor Who's immortality was ensured by the unwavering devotion of its fans. In fact, it was the fans themselves who orchestrated its revival - one of them being Russell T Davies! During a recent conversation with him, he nostalgically recounted his adolescent years when he was an ardent supporter of the show. The news of its cancellation shattered his heart. However, in an act of defiance, the fans ingeniously infiltrated the premises of the BBC, their determination resolute in resurrecting their beloved series.
While enthusiasm for the 60th anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who in 2023 and the upcoming season 14 led by Ncuti Gatwa demonstrate its enduring popularity, the show faced significant challenges in the 1980s leading up to its cancellation. It was perceived by influential figures, such as then-BBC controller Michael Grade, as unable to compete with other popular science fiction shows of the time. Consequently, the series underwent a prolonged hiatus, underwent changes in airing times, experienced creative control issues that resulted in the departure of Colin Baker, the actor preceding Sylvester McCoy, and ultimately culminated in the show's cancellation. Despite hopes of a revival through an American TV adaptation, the TV movie failed to attract a substantial viewership in the US, resulting in the abandonment of Paul McGann's potential season.
Despite being off television for 15 years, Doctor Who has continued to live on through audio dramas and novels, providing an opportunity for fans to contribute their own stories within the universe. The writers behind these novels and audio dramas, including Davies, Gatiss, and Shearman, eventually played a role in the show's revival in 2005. Additionally, fellow showrunner Steven Moffat, alongside director Ian Curtis, developed a comedic Doctor Who tribute called "The Curse of Fatal Death" for Red Nose Day, which playfully poked fun at the series in a lighthearted but affectionate manner.
What sets Doctor Who apart is that showrunners like Davies, Moffat, Chibnall, and other key creatives involved in the revival were actually fans of the series themselves. McCoy's comments perfectly capture this unique situation. Despite a decline in viewership and interference from executives, these fan-turned-creatives successfully reestablished Doctor Who as a highly successful property for the BBC. Furthermore, as more and more fans become involved in the show, the Doctor Who fandom ensures that there will be many more exciting adventures in space and time for years to come.
Source: Radio Times
