sp; The BBCThe new "Doctor Who", Christopher Eccleston, appeared on BBC Breakfast TV this morning and confirmed some new facts about his character.
First up he chose the project on the strength of the writing - "We've got some fantastic scripts, that gives me a safety net to rely on. We can do a good job". He won't be wearing any scarves or hats, although he has a 'thing' but refuses to say what - "I don't think he's going to be as eccentric and as foppish as he was in some of his incarnations".
The first script has been written and contains something along the lines of "'most of all, this is a man who enjoys himself'...I think he should have a slight dark side, but it would be quite nice to bring out something in me which I've not done a great deal of, which is the lighter side".
Rose Tyler is his sidekick (they're auditioning now) and there will be an emotional journey for Rose to explain why she joins the doctor. The series will also be addressing social and political issues - "My concern, without getting on a soapbox, is that the show can address social issues, and address what's going on around us. You can parallel things with a science-fiction scenario, threats to mankind can always be highlighted".
Eccleston expects the show to rely on a lot of computer-generated effects - "Technology's moved on greatly, and there's great things to be done... but I'll be concentrating on the character". He'll be using his own (semi-northern) Salford accent rather than received pronunciation. Filming begins in Cardiff in July". Eccleston finally revealed that his fave old foes are the Sontarans.
Thanks to 'Geoff', 'The Kamster' & 'Excalibur'.
