More Doctor Who for Sci-Fi Channel

Posted Apr 23, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Apr 23, 2007 at 10:33 AM

    Sci-Fi Channel today announced a third season of Doctor Who. The series will debut on Sci-Fi in July 2007, kicking off with a “Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Runaway Bride,” guest-starring award-winning comedy actress Catherine Tate. 

  In season three, David Tennant returns to his role as the mysterious, time-traveling Doctor.  American audiences will meet the Doctor’s brand-new sidekick, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), in the first official episode of the season, “Smith and Jones.” 

  Chris Regina, Vice President of Programming, Sci FI Channel, said “‘Doctor Who’ has become a favorite among Sci Fi audiences.  We are happy to bring the show back for its third season and look forward to following the Doctor’s continuing adventures with his newest companion.”

Executive Producer and Lead Writer Russell T Davies says, “We were delighted and honored by the second series’ success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs and some terrifying new aliens. The Doctor and Martha are destined to meet William Shakespeare, blood-sucking alien Plasmavores, The Judoon – a clan of galactic stormtroopers – and a sinister Dalek plot in 1930s New York.”

The deal, brokered by Lisa Hofer, Vice President of Co-Production & Sales, BBC Worldwide Americas, with the Sci Fi Channel grants Sci Fi the exclusive first-run rights for Season Three.  The second season of the new Doctor Who earned impressive ratings during its airing on Sci Fi, delivering an average of over one million viewers each week.

Candace Carlisle, COO, BBC Sales Company, commented, “Sci Fi Channel has been a fantastic platform for the Doctor Who Series in the US.  We’re excited for the Season Three launch and think American audiences will simply love the Doctor’s hip new companion.”

BC Video will continue to work with Sci Fi Channel on joint marketing promotions to support the Doctor Who brand in the US.