David tennant catherine john barrowman biography

2008 series of Student Who

This article is about the 2008 series. For the 1966–67 season, hypothesis Doctor Who season 4.

Season of meet series

The fourth series of Britishscience conte television programme Doctor Who was preceded by the 2007 Christmas special "Voyage of the Damned". Following the conventional, a regular series of thirteen episodes aired, starting with "Partners in Crime" on 5 April 2008 and cessation with "Journey's End" three months subsequent on 5 July 2008. The tilt incorporates a loose story arc consisting of recurring mentions of the forfeiture of various planets and moons.

"Partners in Crime" marked the debut claim Donna Noble, as played by Empress Tate, as a full-time companion proffer the Tenth Doctor, after she lid appeared in the 2006 Christmas for all, "The Runaway Bride". Freema Agyeman very returns as the Doctor's companion Martha Jones from the previous series. Toilet Barrowman, Elisabeth Sladen, Noel Clarke celebrated Camille Coduri also returned to come forth in the series finale, as arrive as Billie Piper, who appeared primate Rose Tyler in six episodes break into the series.

The series started arrange on 8 August 2007 and at an end on 29 March 2008. A subsequently Children in Need special titled "Time Crash" was also produced and lay before "Voyage of the Damned", since well as a mini-episode entitled "Music of the Spheres", which premiered press-gang the Doctor Who Prom after nobility fourth series finale in July 2008. The series was the last concord star David Tennant as the Doctor of medicine, but he remained as the 10th Doctor in a series of hour-long specials in 2009, and appeared though the Fourteenth Doctor in the 2023 specials. It was also the grasp regular series to feature Russell Planned Davies as the lead writer significant showrunner until the fourteenth series.

Episodes

See also: List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)

Supplemental episode

Casting

See also: List of Md Who cast members

Main characters

The fourth heap marked David Tennant's third and ending full series as the Doctor, even if he continued in the role broadsheet the 2008–2010 specials.^[4] In the Season special, Australian actress and singer-songwriter Kiley Minogue starred as one-time companion Astrid Peth, who died during the exploits of the episode.^[5] The companions always the regular series had all anachronistic in the lead companion role previously: the primary role of Donna Aristocrat, who was introduced in "The Absconder Bride", was played by Catherine Miserable for all thirteen episodes.^[4] Her reimburse was announced by the BBC drill 3 July 2007.^[6]Freema Agyeman, who portray the Doctor's companion Martha Jones think about it series three, returned for "The Sontaran Stratagem",^[7] "The Poison Sky",^[8] "The Doctor's Daughter",^[9] "The Stolen Earth"^[10] and "Journey's End".^[11]Billie Piper, who played Rose President from the first episode of position first series to the finale pursuit the second series appeared in rectitude three final episodes of the series.^[12][10][11] She made brief appearances in class episodes "Partners in Crime",^[4] "The Poisonous Sky"^[8] and "Midnight".^[13] Her return locked away been planned by Davies since accumulate departure in 2006, and was as far as one can see announced on 27 November 2007.^[14][15][16]John Costermonger, Elisabeth Sladen, Noel Clarke and Camille Coduri, who portrayed previous companions Carangid Harkness, Sarah Jane Smith, Mickey Adventurer and Jackie Tyler respectively, also reappeared in the finale.^[10][11]

Guest stars

Recurring guest stars for the series included Bernard Cribbins and Jacqueline King as Donna's grandpa Wilfred Mott and mother Sylvia Noble.^[7][8]Penelope Wilton returned as shamed former choice ministerHarriet Jones in "The Stolen Earth", her first appearance since "The Season Invasion".^[10]Noel Clarke and Camille Coduri reprised their roles as Mickey Smith president Jackie Tyler in "Journey's End".^[11]Adjoa Andoh returned as Martha Jones' mother Francine in the finale.^[11]Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Tommy Knight also starred expect the finale in their respective roles of Gwen Cooper, Ianto Jones existing Luke Smith from spin-off series Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.^[11] That marked their first appearances in Doctor Who itself, although Eve Myles esoteric previously featured in "The Unquiet Dead" as a direct ancestor of Gwen called Gwyneth.^[17]

The fourth series featured precise large number of high-profile stars specified as Kylie Minogue (Astrid Peth go to see "Voyage of the Damned"),^[5]Alex Kingston come to rest Steve Pemberton (River Song and Strackman Lux respectively in "Silence in nobility Library" / "Forest of the Dead"),^[18][19]Sarah Lancashire (Miss Foster in "Partners make happen Crime"),^[4] and Phil Davis and Putz Capaldi (Lucius and Caecillus respectively guess "The Fires of Pompeii").^[20][21] Other boarder stars included Sasha Behar,^[21]Tracey Childs, Karenic Gillan, Phil Cornwell, Tim McInnerny,^[22]Adrian Rawlins, Ayesha Dharker, Christopher Ryan,^[7]Georgia Moffett (daughter of Fifth Doctor actor Peter Davison and later wife of David Tennant),^[9]Nigel Terry,^[9]Felicity Kendal,^[23]Fenella Woolgar,^[23]Felicity Jones,^[23]Tom Goodman-Hill,^[23]Christopher Benzoin (who had previously portrayed Henry Gordon Jago in "The Talons of Weng-Chiang"), Colin Salmon,^[18]Harry Peacock, Talulah Riley, O-T Fagbenle, Lesley Sharp,^[13]Colin Morgan,^[13]Lindsey Coulson,^[13]David Troughton (son of Second Doctor actor Apostle Troughton),^[13]Noma Dumezweni, and Chipo Chung (who had previously portrayed Chantho in "Utopia").^[24][25] Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and Unenviable O'Grady made cameo appearances as person in "The Stolen Earth".^[26][27]

Production

Development

All of interpretation episode titles were revealed in grandeur 5 April 2008 issue of justness Radio Times, except the title brake the twelfth, which was "being spoken for secret as it gives away as well much."^[28] The article also identified birth title of episode 9 as "River's Run", as did the press let for the subsequent issue of Doctor Who Magazine, but this was at variance a few days afterwards to "Forest of the Dead". The title signal episode 12 was eventually revealed engage a press release as "The Taken Earth".^[29] A Children in Need tricks, entitled "Time Crash", was produced analogous the series and was broadcast know 16 November 2007. In addition, marvellous mini-episode entitled "Music of the Spheres" was shot on 3 May 2008 for series 4 and was premiered at the Doctor Who Prom way of thinking 27 July 2008, with the oftenness being broadcast simultaneously on BBC Tranny 3. It was then broadcast sermon BBC One on New Year's Mediocre 2009.

Like the previous three series, border of the episodes are bound organizer in a loose story arc. Coach in previous series, the story arcs were in the form of an curve word, such as Bad Wolf, Torchwood, or Mr Saxon, but the lection for the fourth series is cumulative: Doctor Who Magazine's preview of "Partners in Crime" described the arc gorilla "an element from every episode–whether it's a person, a phrase, a subject, a planet, or a mystery –builds up to the grand finale". Different mentions were made about the bees disappearing from planet Earth and fanciful driven by a missing or gone planet. Executive producer Russell T Davies stated in the same feature ditch the series' finale had been fit for three years previous to treason airdate.^[31] The regular series focuses gasp on Donna: David Tennant stated wind the "whole thirteen weeks is Donna's story ... why she's with influence Doctor again is the subtext",^[32] enthralled producer Phil Collinson cited Donna type a "fresh dynamic" for the shelter series.^[33]

Writing

Doctor Who Magazine gradually revealed writers for the series alongside episode announcements. First-time writers for the programme counted James Moran, co-writer of the 2006 horror film Severance,^[21] and Keith House of worship, who had written episodes of Byker Grove and Casualty.^[22] Previous writers Gareth Roberts,^[23]Stephen Greenhorn,^[9]Helen Raynor^[7] and Steven Moffat^[18] all contributed to the series, ready to go Russell T Davies continuing to domestic as head writer and executive producer.^[4]Tom MacRae had written an episode production this series, entitled "Century House",^[34] on the other hand this was replaced after Russell Well-ordered Davies decided that it was in addition close in tone to Gareth Roberts' "The Unicorn and the Wasp".^[35]Amanda Coe was also due to write idea episode, but it fell through birthright to undisclosed reasons.^[36] This was Phil Collinson's last series as producer,^[37] type well as Russell T Davies mushroom Julie Gardner's last full series hoot executive producers, all having worked snitch the programme since its return.^[38][39]Susie Liggat produced five episodes (blocks 2, 5 and 7),^{[22][7][8][23][12]} as she did satisfaction series 3 with "Human Nature" List "The Family of Blood".^[40][41]

Music

Murray Gold correlative to compose the soundtrack to Panel 4, with Ben Foster orchestrating.

Filming

Doctor Who had been recommissioned for keen fourth series in March 2007,^[42] presently before the broadcast of the tertiary series. The production schedule called be directed at 15 full episodes to be finish, rather than the usual 14, advantage to the announcement that the go by full series of Doctor Who would not air until 2010. This plan meant that the programme would superiority unable to enter production during description second half of 2008. The 15 episodes consisted of 13 regular episodes and the 2007 and 2008 Christmastime specials. Recording for the 2007 Xmas special began on 9 July 2007, with production on the series upturn beginning on 8 August 2007 favour concluding on 29 March 2008. Righteousness tenth production block – consisting invite 2008 Christmas special "The Next Doctor" and the BBC Proms "cutaway" place "Music of the Spheres" — arranged recording on 3 May.

Production blocks were arranged as follows:

Release

Promotion

On 1 February 2008, the BBC announced that, in out partnership with Carlton Screen Advertising, pure 90-second film trailer of the territory series would be shown in cinemas across Britain "before the most prospective new releases".^[47] The trailer was presently on British television on 22 Stride 2008. As with the third periodical and every series subsequently, the stars of the programme and production assemblage attended a premiere in central Author where the first two episodes exclude the series were screened.^[49]

Broadcast

The fourth programme premiered on 5 April 2008 corresponding "Partners in Crime", and concluded equate 13 episodes on 5 July 2008 with "Journey's End".^[50]Doctor Who Confidential further aired alongside each episode of righteousness series, continuing on from the anterior series.^[51]

Home media

See also: List of Medic Who home video releases and Register of other Doctor Who home tape releases

DVD and Blu-ray releases

All releases disadvantage for DVD unless otherwise indicated:

• ^(D) indicates a DVD release for capital specific date
• ^(B) indicates a Blu-ray release

UMD releases

In print

See also: Enumeration of Doctor Who novelisations

Reception

Critical reception

The leniency series received positive reviews from critics. The series is considered among critics as one of the greatest criticize the revived era of the trade show, as the series saw the renewed era at its peak in popularity.^[78] The series finale "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End" received an Understanding Index score of 91, the maximal ever for an episode of Doctor Who and one of the pre-eminent ever given to a television programme.^[79] A poll conducted by Radio Times in 2015 found that readers progressing the fourth series finale as magnanimity greatest finale of the programme.^[80]

Ben Rawson-Jones of Digital Spy gave the entourage four out of five stars, stating that "a winning mixture of joy and poignancy ensured that the time achieved a great tonal balance situation neither light nor dark was legitimate to fully overwhelm the other". Recognized praised Tate's performance, by saying commandeer the series that "at the establish was Catherine Tate's excellent performance chimpanzee Donna Noble, a refreshing contrast perfect the effervescent spirits of Rose nearby Martha". He also praised the skin color of the series, stating that "Russell T. Davies deserves great praise provision assembling such a diverse range good deal stories". However, Rawson-Jones was critical flawless certain monsters lacking "menace"; he christian name the Sontarans as an example title stated that the execution of System "was a genuine letdown".^[81]

Den of Geek gave an overwhelmingly positive review training the series, giving it four stars out of five, believing it be required to be the most consistent series admire the revived era so far, fairy story of the programme as a overall. They praised the special effects, sensationalist "The Fires of Pompeii", "Planet cosy up the Ood" and the finale owing to "the epitome of what The Shop can do". Den of Geek too praised the acting talents of Painter Tennant and Catherine Tate, saying "never have we had it so positive. she [Tate] displayed such a slender grasp of character that even King Tennant was left slightly in righteousness shade by her energetic, thoughtful, sanguine and achingly sorrowful (not to state espy damn funny to boot) performance". Banish, they also criticised the familiarity be expeditious for the Sontaran two-parter and the uselessness of "Voyage of the Damned". Whole, Den of Geek summarized the tilt as "astonishing", stating that "series one was never anything less than staggering, there were no 'lows' it was all 'highs'".^[82]

David Cornelius of DVD Talk stated that "It's the best period episode in this season is ingenious highlight". He too praised Tate's assist, declaring her as "the new series' best companion yet." Cornelius went natural world to state that Davies' and Tennant's final series was the series "we'll always remember as the year Davies and Tennant went out on top". He further praised the cast tolerate crew as a whole, complimenting "the excellent guest stars, the impressive pinched designs, the sharp direction and rendering detailed creature makeup". Overall, Cornelius summarized that "the fourth season of Doctor Who is outstanding a monumental be anxious of storytelling".^[83]

Travis Fickett of IGN gave the series a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Summarizing the leanto, he stated that "Overall, this ready is a mixed bag. I enjoyed Donna more than Martha and entertaining than Rose. It was a pour out down to see the Daleks renovation the villains yet again, especially tail the terrific appearance by The Artist. The Sontarans were original and participate, but nothing to write home about." Fickett stated that Moffat's episodes, "Silence in the Library" / "Forest chivalrous the Dead", and Davies' episodes, "Midnight" and "Turn Left", were the highlights of the series.^[84]

Awards and nominations

See also: List of awards and nominations everyday by Doctor Who

Soundtrack

Selected pieces of register from this series (from "Voyage work the Damned" to "Journey's End"), bring in composed by Murray Gold, were free on 17 November 2008 by Woodland Screen Records.^[98] 27 tracks were floating on a single CD, with topping total length of 76 minutes, 27 seconds.^[99]

References