Doctor Who Renewed for 2nd Season; Christopher Eccleston Departs
In two stunning announcements on March 30th the BBC have announced that Doctor Who will be returning for a second new series of 13x45 minute episodes in 2006 as well as a 60 minute Christmas special prior to that in December 2005 _ and a few hours later announced that the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston will not be returning to the show for the second new series. The reasons cited for leaving the role included the grueling schedule and fears of typecasting.
It has been reported that the BBC are in talks with actor David Tennant to play the role of the Tenth Doctor. Tenant is star of the BBC series Casanova (also penned by Russell T. Davies, the main writer and Executive Producer of the new series of Doctor Who), who has also appeared in several Doctor Who audio plays released by Big Finish.
Billie Piper will return in the second series and Christmas special as Rose. It is unknown at the time of writing if a regeneration scene (the moment when one Doctor transforms on screen into the next actor to play the part) will feature in the Christmas special or the start of the second series.
Russell T. Davies, lead writer and executive producer has written the Christmas special and it is understood, the first 6 episodes of the new series.
DWIN wishes Christopher Eccleston all the best for the future and thanks him for his great work in what is shaping up to be an excellent first (and for Eccleston, only) year of the new series of Doctor Who!
Outpost Gallifrey: The Doctor Who News & Information Magazine