2009 Specials

Between the end of Series 4 and the beginning of Series 5 are five specials to be broadcast at various points in 2008-2009. Of the five specials, one has been scheduled for Christmas 2008, one for Easter 2009, and one for Christmas 2009, leaving two unscheduled as of July 2008. These five specials will be overseen by Davies and Julie Gardner, but traditional line producer, Phil Collinson will not be returning for them. All will reportedly star David Tennant.[1]

[edit] Series numberingAlthough it was initially thought that the "interval" season of specials might come to be known as Series 5, or Series 4.5, however at present it appears that the BBC will not be assigning a series "number" to the specials, much as the previous Christmas specials and mini-episodes do not technically belong to any particular season.

[edit] WritersRussell T Davies is solely writing only the Christmas 2008 special and two others, but will co-write the others.[2] One of the specials will be co-written by Gareth Roberts, and one will be co-written by Phil Ford.[3] These particular specials will be historic in that they will be the first two episodes of the BBC Wales production of Doctor Who to formally credit a co-writer. With the inclusion of Ford, 2009 will mark the fifth straight year that Doctor Who has included at least one new writer for the show, and make Ford the only writer other than RTD himself to write for Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who.

[edit] Christmas 2008Little is known about any of the specials as of mid-2008. However, the Christmas 2008 special was teased at the end of Series 4. The Cybus Cybermen are therefore known to be returning. Also, actors Dirvla Kirwan and David Morrissey are involved, as is a probable setting of Victorian England. Setting confirmed as Christmas Eve 1851 by a trailer shown at a San Diego Comic Convention in 2008. The trailer also showed what appeared to be a Dalek at one point.[2]