Story Stating End of Doctor Who — “Absolute Rubbish!”

Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Staff Journalist)

Over the weekend, the British tabloid paper “The Sun” published the rumor that actress Freema Agyeman was being forced out of her role as Martha Jones on “Doctor Who”: at season’s end. This rumor was categorically denied by the BBC, Agyeman and just about everyone officially involved with the show.

Now, the tabloid is at it again, only they’ve upped the stakes. A story appeared in today’s “Sun” stating that after the next series (the fourth), the BBC is planning to pull the plug on the iconic, hit sci-fi show.

“The heavy workload — nine months of 16-hour days every year — has started to take its toll,” a source reportedly told The Sun. Apparently, Davies and his senior staff have “hatched a plan” that would have them give BBC a “group resignation” a year from now.

“It was decided the best thing for the show was go out at the top next year,” the source reportedly said.

Legitimate British newspaper “The Guardian” through the popular “Doctor Who” fan site Outpost Gallifrey has responded that this story is “absolute rubbish.”

“Russell has always said that he wouldn’t be with the show forever, and he has made no secret that the hours are quite exhausting,” an unnamed source told the newspaper. “But there isn’t any way [the show] would be axed even if he left. He loves the show and he does feel that maybe it would benefit from some new blood.”

Davies’ current contract with the show runs through the fourth season. “If Mr. Davies does leave ‘Doctor Who,’ the BBC will want to keep such a popular show going by bringing in a new executive producer to take over his creative responsibilities,” the source said.

The BBC has yet to officially respond to “The Sun’s” article. When they do, we will bring you the official word.

For now, don’t put too much stock in an article from a tabloid that while occasionally getting a scoop right, has a long track record of being wrong. Also, consider that the original series survived multiple transitions of executive producer over its 26 year run and the new series has shown the ability to adapt in front of the cameras–from the transition of Christopher Eccleston to David Tennant as Doctor to the depature of Billie Piper and introduction of Agyeman. Also, take into account the ratings for “Doctor Who” regularily place it as the top rated show on Saturday evenings in the UK and the top ten in the British charts. That, along with the revenue from the world-wide sales and success of the show suggest that the series won’t be going fading off into the vortex any time soon.

However, as I said before–we’ve heard nothing official from the BBC. But, for now, it might be best for all the “Doctor Who” fans world-wide to take the advice of one-time script editor Douglas Adams and “Don’t panic.”