Tom Baker Talks About His Return to ‘Doctor Who’
Tom Baker
Tom Baker, who is now 75 years old, is the longest serving Doctor having played the fourth Doctor for seven consecutive Doctor Who seasons across 173 episodes from 1974 to 1981. Back in July we learned that Baker was reprising his iconic role in the five episode BBC audio drama Doctor Who: Hornet’s Nest.
So what made him return to the role all these years later? Baker tells Wired.com:
The BBC caught me at a good moment. And part of the bait was dear Nicholas Courtney, who was to play the Brigadier. Unfortunately, he was unwell and had to be replaced before recording. So I carried on and pretended Nick was there.
Despite being “caught at a good moment”, Baker is quick to clarify that he never stopped being the Doctor.
Playing the role is easier than putting on an old pair of boots. I said that I never stopped being Doctor Who — not when I walked off the set every day in the ’70s and not since I left the show. I said ‘never’ and I mean it. How could I stop? The Doctor was just Tom Baker. No acting. So, when it came time to record [Hornet's Nest], I just dropped into the studio and picked up the script and away we went. Just like the old days.
Fans have waited a long time for Baker to return to the role, and many will be wondering whether or not Doctor Who: Hornet’s Nest will be Baker’s last outing as the Doctor. Baker answers that question in no uncertain terms.
If the fans like them, then there will be more
Full details on Doctor Who: Hornet’s Nest here.
Source: Wired.com
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I am so looking forward to seeing Mr. Baker again. He was the only Doctor I knew growing up. It took me a while to warm up to the other “Doctors” over the years, but thanks to imaginative writing and good acting…I eventually came to accept them. Thank you for keeping all the doctors alive and saving us from harm
December 17th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I have only learned of this just now- before Christmas! I fell into the world of Doctor who when the 9th Doctor was on. It led to long period of curiosity about the show’s history. I found and watched numerous older episodes, became familiar with the doctors, and Tom Baker grew on me. I cant wait to see this. I don’t know much about this series, but I sure hope there is another way/opportunity to see it since I had no idea about it til 5 minutes ago! Yay!