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BBC launches new Doctor Who - online
This afternoon saw the launch of the ninth incarnation of the BBC's classic science-fiction character Doctor Who - in the animated web drama, The Scream of the Shalka.
Written by Paul Cornell and produced by Manchester-based animation studio, Cosgrove Hall Films, the web series features the voice of Richard E Grant (Withnail & I, Bram Stoker's Dracula) as Doctor Who. The voices of Derek Jacobi and Diana Quick also appear.
The first instalment of the 85-minute series is currently downloadable from the BBCi website, with new episodes available each Thursday for the next six weeks. The web drama, animated in Flash, coincides with the good doctor's 40th anniversary.
Producer Steve Maher said: “Doctor Who is a huge phenomenon and the idea of bringing an animated version to life was a big responsibility - there are literally thousands of fans out there waiting to see if we get it right."
With the series described as "darker than the recent TV series", the first webisode sees the Tardis touch down in rural Lancashire, with the almost vampire-esque Doctor teaming up with a new dreadlocked female assistant.
After the six-week webcast, the series will be released on DVD by BBC Worldwide. Cosgrove Hall also produced BBCi's first web drama, The Ghosts of Albion, a horror yarn written by some of the team behind Buffy the Vampire-Slayer.
Meanwhile, the BBC is also developing a new TV series following the inter-dimensional adventures of the world's most famous Timelord. The family series will be penned by Queer As Folk scribe, Russell T Davies, whose other credits include The Second Coming and Bob & Rose.
The writer will also exec produce the project along with the controller of BBC continuing series, Mal Young, and BBC Wales' head of drama, Julie Gardner. BBC Wales will oversee production of the show, to air in 2005.
The link to the show is
here. .