Variety confirmed the American revamp of the British sci-fi series will end this season, but ABC has informed producers so they can resolve the story in 17 episodes. Ironically, the British original ran only 16 episodes as a closed-ended series. That show then spun into the 1980s with Ashes to Ashes, a show following Lt. Gene Hunt. No such luck for the American series.

The American version was troubled from the beginning, undergoing a total overhaul and recastings before the pilot aired. It was generally well received by critics, but after a strong showing for its heavily advertised premiere ratings kept dipping.

I’m just going to save the phrase “generally well-received by critics but still canceled” and keep copying/pasting for future reference. Still, if there’s a silver lining here it is that the show will get to wrap up its storyline. Hopefully that’s the beginning of a trend not just at ABC, but at all the networks.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: SF Universe

now loading…
the best visual content,
for the best publishers

Dr Who Series Four…

Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Read more

 
 
 

Dr Who Series Four – Press…

LONDON – APRIL 01: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Actor David Tennant arrives at the press launch of ‘Dr Who’ series 4 at the Apollo West End on April 1, 2008 in London, England. The first episode of the new series is due to air on BBC 1 on April 5 at 18.20 GMT. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty…

Doctor Who fans are bracing for another regeneration, as David Tennant has dropped the bombshell that 2009 will be his last year aboard the Tardis. BBC News reports the wildly popular actor made the announcement after winning the Outstanding Drama Performance Award at the National Television Awards.

Tennant told the BBC News that he wanted to go while there was a chance people might miss him, rather than overstaying his welcome. Nobody will likely miss him more than the BBC, who have reaped the ratings bonanza of the revamped Who series. Almost 10 million viewers watched as the doctor began the process of “regeneration” that usually signals the casting of a new actor, although he didn’t complete it.

Tennant will appear in a Christmas special and film four more specials before closing that chapter of his career. He joked that if he doesn’t make this leap now, they’ll have to wheel him out of the Tardis in his bath chair.

The series will continue and there will be immense pressure on the next actor to play the famous Time Lord. A 2006 poll in Doctor Who magazine crowned Tennant the favorite Doctor of all-time. Bookmakers Paddy Power have already placed odds on the next actor to step in and they think Joseph Paterson will become the first Black Doctor Who.  They’re offering 3-1 odds on that happening. Other favorites include Life on Mars star John Simm and David Morrissey from the political drama State of Play.

Post from: SF Universe