Shortt named as new Doctor - BBC

aidan_walsh · 01-04-2008 1:08am #1

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6267682.stm

Actor and writer Pat Shortt has been named the new Doctor Who in a bid to take the show in a "new direction".

As the new series of the Time Lord's adventures ready for airing this weekend, the announcement of Shortt's arrival on the show in a greater capacity than any previous is not entirely a shock, according to BBC One controller Jay Hunt.

"Its long been acknowledged that we have wanted to take the Doctor in a new direction" said Hunt, "why else would we have let that Davies fellow near it at all?"

"And with Davies ready to move on, we felt it was time to bring the Doctor somewhere completely new. I always felt Gallifrey was a very Celtic sounding name, and with BBC Wales in charge and Tennant a Scot, that only left Ireland left to explore."

Shortt will play not only the titular Time Lord, but also his companion. He has also been signed to write several episodes.

"We were very impressed with the way Shortt could portray so many unique characters in his shows" gushed Hunt.

Though unavailable for comment, friends of Shortt said that he was "only ****ing delighted" with the news.

Basq · 01-04-2008 1:15am

Couldn't have chosen a better Doctor tbh.

lizardfudge · 01-04-2008 1:19am

That's cool that he's also playing the companion... I think it should be an american character for a change as we know Shortt can do a great american accent as we've seen it in the Pat the Baker adverts

ixoy · 01-04-2008 8:04am

Excellent news. The Irish connection works well as Galllifrey has been mistaken before for Galway, so it fits into established canon.

The idea of Shortt being companion too is intruiging - it'll allow both diversity and yet close companionship. Fascinating and a brave move by the Beeb. By the Hand of Omega, I think this is the best move they've made in years.