TMC
03-05-2023, 11:09 PM
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23363809.bbc-doctor-almost-cancelled-says-chris-chibnall/
By Andrew Smart
@andrewcalumsma1
Former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has revealed how the popular sci-fi program was nearly axed by the BBC after the pandemic.
Doctor Who is one of the UK's longest-running shows with its first episode airing in 1963.
However, as the show nears its 50th anniversary, Mr. Chibnall revealed that he had 'doubts' about whether the last season of the program would be made after Covid-19.
Speaking with fan favorite podcast Radio Free Skaro, Chris Chibnall said that Doctor Who: Flux was almost cancelled, adding: "There was a week where it was not going to be made. There was a week where I’d been offered another job.
"And because the BBC was just like — the BBC studios — 'Where’s the money coming from? How are we going to do this? Is it too difficult?'
"And it literally went down to the wire, there was an hour on one day when it’s like, it was done. And yeah... there are certain things I had to do to get that season made. Because they couldn’t find a way to do it.
"And so yes, yes, there absolutely was [doubts], and it was like, 'Okay, we might have to be going. Okay, so Revolution, the Daleks. That's it.'"
He also said that former Doctor Who actor Jodie Whitaker had also received a lot of other job offers, placing more doubts on the show.
"Because it had moved in the schedule, she had stuff lined up for when we were supposed to finish shooting, but then that was delayed by the pandemic," he said.
"And you know, she’s in demand, and so she sacrificed a lot. Everybody sacrificed a lot... But yeah, we did have those moments. Yeah, completely. And there was, yeah, there’s some things I’ll just keep to myself."
By Andrew Smart
@andrewcalumsma1
Former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has revealed how the popular sci-fi program was nearly axed by the BBC after the pandemic.
Doctor Who is one of the UK's longest-running shows with its first episode airing in 1963.
However, as the show nears its 50th anniversary, Mr. Chibnall revealed that he had 'doubts' about whether the last season of the program would be made after Covid-19.
Speaking with fan favorite podcast Radio Free Skaro, Chris Chibnall said that Doctor Who: Flux was almost cancelled, adding: "There was a week where it was not going to be made. There was a week where I’d been offered another job.
"And because the BBC was just like — the BBC studios — 'Where’s the money coming from? How are we going to do this? Is it too difficult?'
"And it literally went down to the wire, there was an hour on one day when it’s like, it was done. And yeah... there are certain things I had to do to get that season made. Because they couldn’t find a way to do it.
"And so yes, yes, there absolutely was [doubts], and it was like, 'Okay, we might have to be going. Okay, so Revolution, the Daleks. That's it.'"
He also said that former Doctor Who actor Jodie Whitaker had also received a lot of other job offers, placing more doubts on the show.
"Because it had moved in the schedule, she had stuff lined up for when we were supposed to finish shooting, but then that was delayed by the pandemic," he said.
"And you know, she’s in demand, and so she sacrificed a lot. Everybody sacrificed a lot... But yeah, we did have those moments. Yeah, completely. And there was, yeah, there’s some things I’ll just keep to myself."