BBC Worldwide today concluded its first major pre-sale for the new Doctor Who series with Canadian public broadcaster, CBC Television.

 

The new series stars Christopher Eccleston (Shallow Grave, The Others) and Billie Piper (The Canterbury Tales, The Calcium Kid), and is due to air on BBC Television in 2005.

 

Russell T Davies, celebrated creator of Queer as Folk, Bob and Rose and the Second Coming, reinvents TV's favourite two-hearted Time Lord for a new generation.

 

He said: "Doctor Who has a remarkable 'fandom' but equally it’s the new audience that I care about. Someone who has never heard of a TARDIS or a Dalek, whether in Toronto or Swansea, will be able to start with this new series, climb on board with Christopher and Billie, and travel the whole of time and space."

 

Slawko Klymkiw, executive director programming, CBC Television said: "This was an exciting opportunity for CBC to bring the popular Doctor Who to fans – new and old alike – across the country. We are pleased to be working closely with BBC to bring Canadians this exceptional new series."

 

Hilary Read, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Worldwide Canada added: "The CBC is the perfect partner for this fantastic new production. We're delighted to be bringing such a classic series to new audiences."

 

Fans of the world's longest running sci-fi television series can look forward to 13 brand new episodes in the first series, and the welcome return of time-honoured favourites, Daleks and the Doctor's TARDIS.

 

Doctor Who will join a number of BBC series already airing on CBC Television including A Year At Kew, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot, and upcoming programmes Hiroshima and Eroica.

 

BBC WORLDWIDE