Doctor Who is one of the longest-running and most beloved TV shows in the history of British television. With a legacy that spans six decades, the show has constantly evolved, adapting to new generations while remaining a cornerstone of science fiction. However, there’s one season that never made it to screens: Season 27.
In this article, we’ll dive into the history of Doctor Who Season 27, exploring why it was cancelled, what the planned episodes entailed, and how it impacted the show’s future. We will also answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and conclude with an understanding of why this “lost season” still fascinates Doctor Who fans.
The Cancellation of Doctor Who (1989)
Doctor Who’s original run, which began in 1963, faced a turbulent time during the late 1980s. After years of declining viewership and budget cuts, the BBC decided to place the show on indefinite hiatus in 1989, after the airing of the final episode of Season 26, titled Survival. This marked the end of the classic series, leaving fans disappointed and wondering if they would ever see their favorite Time Lord again.
Season 27 was already in the planning stages when the show was shelved. Various scripts were written, and several exciting storylines were mapped out. Unfortunately, due to the hiatus, these episodes were never produced, leading to the birth of the “lost season” mythos.
Why Was Doctor Who Season 27 Canceled?
The cancellation was a combination of factors:
Declining Viewership: Ratings had been steadily falling since the mid-1980s.
Budget Cuts: The BBC slashed the show’s budget, leading to lower production quality.
Internal Struggles: The BBC’s upper management was reportedly divided over the show’s future.
These factors created a perfect storm, causing the BBC to stop production. While the show wasn’t officially canceled, it was effectively put on an indefinite break, which lasted for 16 years until its return in 2005.
What Would Season 27 Have Been About?
While Season 27 never made it to production, thanks to interviews with showrunners, writers, and actors, we have a good idea of what could have been. The most notable aspect of Season 27 is that it would have continued to feature Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, with plans to introduce a new companion.
Here’s a breakdown of the key stories and developments that were planned for the season:
1. The Doctor’s Darker Side
Under Andrew Cartmel, the script editor for the final seasons of classic Who, the Doctor had begun to take on a more mysterious and manipulative persona. This would have been further explored in Season 27. The show was steering away from the “bumbling professor” image of earlier Doctors, making McCoy’s Doctor more enigmatic, with hints that he had a far more complex and powerful history than previously thought. This concept, often referred to as the “Cartmel Masterplan,” aimed to make the Doctor a more god-like figure, perhaps even revealing that he was more than just a Time Lord.
2. Ace’s Departure and New Companion
One of the most significant storylines planned for Season 27 was the departure of Ace, played by Sophie Aldred. Ace had become one of the show’s most beloved companions, a tough, streetwise teenager with a troubled past. However, it was planned that her time with the Doctor would come to an end in Season 27.
The original plan was to have Ace attend the Time Lord Academy on Gallifrey, where she would train to become a Time Lord herself. This would have marked the first time a companion received such an honor, showcasing Ace’s evolution from a troubled youth into a heroic figure in her own right.
In her place, a new companion was set to be introduced, though details about this character were never fully fleshed out due to the show’s cancellation.
3. Return of the Ice Warriors
One of the classic Who villains that was set to return in Season 27 was the Ice Warriors. These formidable Martian warriors, who first appeared during the Second Doctor’s era, were planned to feature in an epic storyline. The Ice Warriors would have been depicted in a more complex light, exploring their culture and motives in greater depth.
4. The Monster of the Week Format with a Twist
Season 27 was designed to feature several self-contained stories, much like earlier seasons. However, each episode would have contributed to the overarching mystery of the Doctor’s true identity and the Cartmel Masterplan. The tone of the stories was meant to be darker and more mature, reflecting the changing tastes of TV audiences at the time.
What Happened After the Cancellation?
While Doctor Who was put on hiatus after Season 26, its legacy was kept alive through other mediums. Big Finish Productions began producing Doctor Who audio dramas, many of which explored unproduced stories from the show’s lost years. Some of the ideas for Season 27 were eventually adapted into these audio dramas, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been.
The hiatus also saw the production of the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie, starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. While it was meant to reboot the series, the film wasn’t successful enough to warrant a full revival at the time.
However, in 2005, Doctor Who made a triumphant return with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, and the show has been running ever since, continuing to explore the mysteries of the Time Lord from Gallifrey.
The Impact of Season 27 on Modern Doctor Who
Despite being canceled, Season 27’s ideas weren’t completely lost. Many of the concepts that were to be introduced in this lost season made their way into the revived series in one form or another.
The Doctor’s Mysterious Past: The Cartmel Masterplan’s idea of making the Doctor’s origins more mysterious was revived in Steven Moffat’s era as showrunner, particularly in the “The Day of the Doctor” and “The Timeless Child” arcs, where the Doctor’s origins were significantly expanded.
Ace’s Legacy: Sophie Aldred reprised her role as Ace in various Big Finish audio dramas and novels. In fact, Ace’s legacy is explored in “Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 26”, where her story’s continuation is detailed in special features.
FAQs
Why was Doctor Who Season 27 canceled?
Season 27 was canceled due to declining viewership, budget cuts, and internal struggles within the BBC. While it wasn’t officially canceled, the show was placed on indefinite hiatus after the airing of Season 26.
Who was supposed to be the Doctor in Season 27?
Sylvester McCoy was set to continue as the Seventh Doctor in Season 27. However, plans for his departure were also being considered as the showrunners debated whether to introduce a new Doctor mid-season or in the following season.
Was Ace supposed to become a Time Lord?
Yes, one of the most exciting storylines in Season 27 was Ace’s journey to Gallifrey to train as a Time Lord. This would have been a groundbreaking moment for the show, as no previous companion had ever been given this opportunity.
Were any of the Season 27 stories ever produced?
While none of the stories were produced for TV, some scripts were adapted into Big Finish audio dramas. Additionally, parts of the planned Season 27 arcs, like the Ice Warriors’ return, were reimagined in later seasons of the revived show.
Did the cancellation of Season 27 influence the modern Doctor Who series?
Yes, many elements from the canceled Season 27, including the exploration of the Doctor’s mysterious past, were later incorporated into the modern series. The Cartmel Masterplan’s ideas influenced both the Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat eras of the show.
Will we ever see Season 27 on screen?
While it’s unlikely that the exact version of Season 27 will be produced, elements of its planned storylines continue to influence Doctor Who’s ongoing narrative. Fans can still explore these stories through Big Finish audio dramas and novelizations.
How did Doctor Who return after its cancellation?
Doctor Who returned in 2005 after a long hiatus, with Russell T Davies serving as showrunner. The revival introduced new actors as the Doctor, starting with Christopher Eccleston, and brought the series into the modern era while honoring its rich history.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Lost Season
Although Doctor Who Season 27 never saw the light of day, its planned storylines and ideas have continued to captivate fans. The cancellation marked a temporary end to the classic series, but it laid the groundwork for the modern version of the show. The concepts of a darker Doctor, Ace’s evolution, and the ongoing exploration of the Time Lord’s past would later be revisited in the revival.
Doctor Who’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to reinvent itself, and even the lost moments in its history, like Season 27, contribute to its rich and complex mythology. Fans who are curious about what might have been can delve into the audio dramas and books that preserve the spirit of this lost season, ensuring that Doctor Who’s journey through time and space remains as captivating as ever.
To read more, Click here
