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Campaign to bring Doctor Who down under

A Doctor Who-loving Federal MP wants to see the BBC film an episode in Australia.

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Queensland-based Federal MP and Doctor Who fan George Christensen (pictured) wants the BBC series to film an episode in Australia.

The Queensland Nationals politician told News Ltd, “As an avid Dr Who fan, I would love to see the TARDIS materialise in Australia and, most importantly, it would be a tremendous boost to tourism in Bowen and the Whitsundays, as well as to the local economy,” he said.

In a letter to creator Steven Moffat, he said Doctor Who was inextricably linked to Australia because the very first episode, An Unearthly Child, was written by Aussie Anthony Coburn, two companions, Tegan Jovanka and Jo Grant, were played by Australians Janet Fielding and Katy Manning (the latter later became an Australian citizen).

A petition is now online at Doctorwhodownunder.com.au

TV Tonight has previously heard whispers that BBC sources had sounded out costs for an Australian-based episode but so far nothing more has eventuated. I’d be voting for a ‘Dreamtime / Outback’ episode though, rather than the Whitsundays.

The show first aired in Australia on Tuesday, 12th  January, 1965.

14 Responses

  1. What I don’t get is why does it have to be an either/or New Zealand or Australia idea. Wouldn’t it be better if we combined costs if there had to be money contributed to the project. So they could film an episode or two in New Zealand. Plus an episode or more in Australia. Separate stories but same area of the world so shared costs. Although I hope they don’t write cheesy or embarrassing stories if they ever write for such a project. The best I’d hope for is they remember to write a story about Doctor Who that shows off the locations. Like the start of last season with the Silence.

  2. This isnt that hard to achieve, if ABC are willing to stump up some cash, they can a couple of episodes (or a special / Christmas episode) as a co-production. Worked for BBCAm and “The Impossible Astronaut / Day Of The Moon”

  3. From the people who bought you Barnaby Joyce, I’m all for Doctor Who visiting but like Sydney2K has pointed out NZ has Peter Jackson we’ve got this guy. Yeah I don’t like our chances, maybe we need to recruit Katy Manning and Janet Fielding.

  9. Strictly speaking, the Kiwis do have the claim of being the first in the world after the UK to show Doctor Who, with Australia following some months afterwards, so their claim does have some merit. Plus who is the more sexier? The director of the Lord of the Rings movies or an Australian politician?

    ’nuff sed.

  11. I’d love this but don’t want some cheesy shot of an Australian land mark but having an Australia as a location for a mystery would be cool. As long as it’s shot locally and not using too my CGI shots on a sound stage. Bit like they do when they go to NYC.

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