BBC set for extermination as the Daleks make a return
Gordon MacMillan, Brand Republic 09:00 05-08-2004
LONDON - The BBC is set to delight fans of the new 'Doctor Who' now that, after much wrangling, it has signed a deal to ensure that Britain's most loved race of evil robots will make a return in the new series next year.
The Daleks, who have been backed in their attempt to return to the small screen by a high-profile tabloid campaign in The Sun, which today features a Dalek on Page 3 with two supporting models, will make an appearance in the new 'Dr Who', starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.
Mal Young, BBC controller of continuing drama series, and Tim Hancock, agent for the Terry Nation Estate, which owns the rights to the Daleks, announced the deal last night and said the robots would be back on screens next year.
The Terry Nation Estate and the BBC had earlier failed to reach a deal that would ensure the Daleks, who were the Doctor's long-time arch enemies, would return, with talks foundering after the estate said the BBC was attempting to "ruin the brand of the Daleks" and take control of their image.
According to Young: "As well as coming face-to-face with a number of new and exciting monsters, it's good news that the Doctor will also do battle with his arch enemy, the Daleks, in a series that promises to surprise and entertain a new generation."
The new 13-part series, starring Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, the Doctor's companion, is currently filming in Cardiff and London for transmission in 2005.
The new show is being written by Russell T Davies of 'Queer as Folk' fame, and Steven Moffat of 'Coupling' and 'Press Gang' among others.
Terry Nation was a prolific writer and, as well as writing many episodes of 'Doctor Who' and creating the Daleks, also created 'Blake's 7' and 'The Survivors'.
MB