A place to update visitors with the latest news and information about Christopher Eccleston and his work and also to inform visitors about any updates/additions to my Chris related website.
The news that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston was returning for a new series of Big Finish audio adventures was met with tremendous enthusiasm earlier this year, and with production on the comeback now underway the excitement has been dialled up further.
Now, in a brand new interview on the Big Finish podcast, the popular actor has revealed just how excited he is about reprising the role – 15 years after he last played the iconic Time Lord in the first series of the revived show.
Speaking to Doctor Who's voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs, who is an Executive Producer at Big Finish and has also written scripts for the new stories, Eccleston revealed that his return had been "seamless" thus far.
Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor in Doctor Who (BBC)
"I really enjoyed playing him again," he said. "He was always a joy to play, somebody with that amount of optimism, enthusiasm and brains – and heart… two hearts!"
Eccleston went on to praise the scripts, which he described as "beautiful" – adding that the care and knowledge that had gone into them had played a huge part in easing him back into the role after such a long time away.
"That's what made it feel seamless," he said. "I felt that you [Briggs] understood what he was all those years ago – and so it was like putting on a pair of old shoes. Running shoes!
"Doing the scripts, you do get the sense of somebody who's completely immersed in the lore of the show. I think what I realised, with all my writers, when I did the 13 episodes – and with this – is basically you're playing the writer.
"You're playing Steven Moffat, you're playing Russell T Davies, you're playing you [or] Rob Shearman… you're playing them, their projected self, as the Doctor – and that's what's nice, because he has a slightly different voice from episode-to-episode while having continuity, of course. You all wanna be the Doctor!"
Eccleston revealed that production had begun on the new audio series last week by posting a snap of a script to his Instagram account, and it didn't take long for dedicated Whovians to search for clues in the image – with Briggs' script seemingly titled 'Sphere of Freedom'.
Fans also spotted details of a character who will appear alongside the Ninth Doctor, a skilled chef from the Sphere of Freedom enlisted by the Time Lord to stop a dastardly plan.
Eccleston's return to the character was announced in August this year and came as a welcome surprise to fans, given he had previously appeared reluctant to reprise the role after a fall out with superiors during his time on the show.
Fans had been calling for his return for a number of years, but many thought the opportunity had passed when Eccleston turned down an opportunity to reprise the Ninth Doctor for the show's 50th anniversary special in 2013. However, he was more positive about the show when writing about it in his 2019 memoir.
The actor was the first person to take on the role after the show was revived in 2005, but he lasted only one series in the role before stepping down.
And while his audio return might be imminent, it seems a return to the TV series is not so likely – he claimed during an appearance on Lorraine last week that he would only return, "when hell freezes over!"
Each of the four volumes in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released as a four-disc collector's edition box set or download containing three brand-new full cast audio adventures and a selection of behind-the-scenes extras. The volumes are already available to pre-order in a range of formats from the Big Finish website.
Christopher Eccleston's return to Doctor Whomight have been announced back in August, but it's still rather exciting to get our first confirmation that the Ninth Doctor's big comeback is actually, properly, officially happening.
That moment has now arrived, with Eccleston proudly displaying a copy of a script from audio drama producers Big Finish in a new Instagram post, which they later shared on Twitter.
Eccleston's post came without a caption – not even a token "Fantastic!" – but eagle-eyed fans have been able to spot some details about the story he's recording from the script page on show.
As it stands, it appears that the first volume of the upcoming Ninth Doctor Adventures bears the subtitle 'Ravengers', with the first story (written by Nicholas Briggs) being called 'Sphere of Freedom'.
The page also reveals details of a character who appears in the story alongside the Ninth Doctor, a skilled chef from the Sphere of Freedom enlisted by the Time Lord to stop a dastardly plan.
Each of the four volumes in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released as a 4-disc collector's edition box set or download containing three brand-new full cast audio adventures, plus a selection of behind-the-scenes extras.
Doctor Who fans worldwide can now pre-order all four volumes, which are available in three formats – collector's edition CD, digital download or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl (limited to a pressing of 1000 per volume) – exclusively from the Big Finish website.
In a quote released back in August, when news of his return to Doctor Who after 15 years away first broke, Eccleston said: "It will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor's world, bringing back to life a character I love playing."
Eccleston was Doctor Who's leading man when the series made its grand relaunch in 2005. He departed the show after an initial series of 13 episodes.
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – Volume One will be released in May 2021.
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Christopher Eccleston's return to Doctor Whomight have been announced back in August, but it's still rather exciting to get our first confirmation that the Ninth Doctor's big comeback is actually, properly, officially happening.
That moment has now arrived, with Eccleston proudly displaying a copy of a script from audio drama producers Big Finish in a new Instagram post, which they later shared on Twitter.
Eccleston's post came without a caption – not even a token "Fantastic!" – but eagle-eyed fans have been able to spot some details about the story he's recording from the script page on show.
As it stands, it appears that the first volume of the upcoming Ninth Doctor Adventures bears the subtitle 'Ravengers', with the first story (written by Nicholas Briggs) being called 'Sphere of Freedom'.
The page also reveals details of a character who appears in the story alongside the Ninth Doctor, a skilled chef from the Sphere of Freedom enlisted by the Time Lord to stop a dastardly plan.
Each of the four volumes in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released as a 4-disc collector's edition box set or download containing three brand-new full cast audio adventures, plus a selection of behind-the-scenes extras.
Doctor Who fans worldwide can now pre-order all four volumes, which are available in three formats – collector's edition CD, digital download or limited edition gatefold triple LP vinyl (limited to a pressing of 1000 per volume) – exclusively from the Big Finish website.
In a quote released back in August, when news of his return to Doctor Who after 15 years away first broke, Eccleston said: "It will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor's world, bringing back to life a character I love playing."
Eccleston was Doctor Who's leading man when the series made its grand relaunch in 2005. He departed the show after an initial series of 13 episodes.
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – Volume One will be released in May 2021.
Veteran actor Christopher Eccleston says "The A Word" is a rare treat for him, considering its lighthearted approach to storytelling.
"I've always been cast in roles which are very angry, tortured and serious," Eccleston, 56, tells The Post. "I was grateful to 'The A Word' for letting me try out a comedic role."
The BBC series (airing on Sundance TV in the US) follows the dysfunctional Hughes family, which includes kid Joe (Max Vento), parents Alison and Paul (Morven Christie and Lee Ingleby) and kooky grandfather Maurice (Eccleston). They're all grappling with the revelation that Joe has autism. Season 3, premiering Nov. 4 at 11 p.m., sees the family further dealing with the fallout from Alison and Paul's divorce.
"[The show is] life, really. All done with great humanity and love," says Eccleston. "I feel it's very important for visibility and inclusiveness. Autism touches many families in the UK. We're not soapboxing; it's presented with great humor. [Writer Peter Bowker] has famously said he writes about reality."
Eccleston says it was Bowker who first approached him about appearing in the series, which premiered in 2016.
I worked with him before on a project called 'Flesh and Blood' which was a very modest drama on BBC 2, but hugely successful on the [film festival] circuits," says Eccleston.
Maurice can be abrasive (he tells his doctor, "I'm not 60 in the way other men are! I'm not a normal man!") but, in Season 3, he settles into a relationship with music teacher and single mom Louise Wilson (Pooky Quesnel, "EastEnders").
"Maurice has found some contentment. And of course, being Maurice, he immediately tries to put a bomb in his own contentment," says Eccleston. "But we've seen his initial courtship with Louise. [This season] we see a divorce through an autistic child's point of view. For Maurice, he sees the impact of that on Joe and tries to help in his inimitable fashion. I think Maurice is ultimately a force for the good — he's just a little bit too forceful, most of the time."
In addition to characters on the autism spectrum, the show features a range of people with special needs such as Louise's son Ralph (played by Leon Harrop, who has Down Syndrome like his character).
"Myself and Leon have developed a beautiful friendship," says Eccleston. "Leon is an incredible natural actor. He's an actor's dream, because he's always in the moment. You can become quite cynical as an actor — turn up, phone your performance in, and go home. And you can't do that with him."
Eccleston's prolific career has spanned everything from long-running classic hits (playing the ninth incarnation of the iconic Doctor in "Doctor Who") to big-screen blockbusters ("Thor: The Dark World," "28 Days Later") to critically acclaimed niche shows ("The Leftovers"). He's also starred in plays such as "Macbeth" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."
"I think, as a young actor, you get this misapprehension that you've got to play Hamlet to be taken seriously, and so I went down that road," he says. "I wanted to be the serious tortured artist, but also [England] is class-bound. And if you're a working-class kid as I was, you're not really taken seriously. So you have to go after the classical heavyweight roles to make them have to [pay attention].
"You have to bloody their nose. And that's what I decided to do."
On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 5:43 AM Virginia McGovern <ednaboxe@gmail.com> wrote:
Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman, Gladiator) and Christopher Eccleston (The A Word, Doctor Who) have been set as the leads in Close To Me, a six episode psychological thriller that is being produced for Viaplay and Channel 4.
Close To Me tells the story of Jo Harding (Connie Nielsen), a woman who seems to have it all – a beautiful house in the country, a loving family and a devoted husband (Christopher Eccleston). But following a fall, an entire year suddenly vanishes from Jo's memory.
As she struggles to piece events together, Jo discovers that her life wasn't quite as perfect as she imagined – and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her. Rounding out the cast is Tom Taylor (Us), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist: The Angel Of Darkness), Susan Lynch (Unforgotten), Leanne Best (Young Wallander), Henning Jensen (Below The Surface), Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes), Ray Fearon (Da Vinci's Demons), Nick Blood (Strike), Jamie Flatters (Liar) and Lorraine Burroughs (Hard Sun).
The drama series, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Amanda Reynolds, is produced by NENT Studios UK, The Development Partnership and Dopamine. Angela Pell penned the scripts, while Michael Samuels is directing. The executive producers are Gina Carter, Robert Taylor and Ed Clarke of TDP, Dave Clarke from NENT Studios UK and Connie Nielsen. Filming on the series is now underway in London, Hertfordshire and East Sussex. NENT Studios UK is handling global sales.
"The team has gathered an exceptionally talented, high-profile and very current cast for Close To Me, with the perfect mix of popular established stars such as Susan Lynch, Leanne Best and Henning Jensen, as well as rising hot properties such as Tom Taylor and Rosy McEwen", said Richard Halliwell, CEO of NENT Studios UK. "We are thrilled to have attracted such talent to our first original production and are confident that the on-screen talent, in conjunction with the terrific off-screen team already announced, promises to make this drama a 'must-see' in 2021."
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Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman, Gladiator) and Christopher Eccleston (The A Word, Doctor Who) have been set as the leads in Close To Me, a six episode psychological thriller that is being produced for Viaplay and Channel 4.
Close To Me tells the story of Jo Harding (Connie Nielsen), a woman who seems to have it all – a beautiful house in the country, a loving family and a devoted husband (Christopher Eccleston). But following a fall, an entire year suddenly vanishes from Jo's memory.
As she struggles to piece events together, Jo discovers that her life wasn't quite as perfect as she imagined – and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her. Rounding out the cast is Tom Taylor (Us), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist: The Angel Of Darkness), Susan Lynch (Unforgotten), Leanne Best (Young Wallander), Henning Jensen (Below The Surface), Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes), Ray Fearon (Da Vinci's Demons), Nick Blood (Strike), Jamie Flatters (Liar) and Lorraine Burroughs (Hard Sun).
The drama series, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Amanda Reynolds, is produced by NENT Studios UK, The Development Partnership and Dopamine. Angela Pell penned the scripts, while Michael Samuels is directing. The executive producers are Gina Carter, Robert Taylor and Ed Clarke of TDP, Dave Clarke from NENT Studios UK and Connie Nielsen. Filming on the series is now underway in London, Hertfordshire and East Sussex. NENT Studios UK is handling global sales.
"The team has gathered an exceptionally talented, high-profile and very current cast for Close To Me, with the perfect mix of popular established stars such as Susan Lynch, Leanne Best and Henning Jensen, as well as rising hot properties such as Tom Taylor and Rosy McEwen", said Richard Halliwell, CEO of NENT Studios UK. "We are thrilled to have attracted such talent to our first original production and are confident that the on-screen talent, in conjunction with the terrific off-screen team already announced, promises to make this drama a 'must-see' in 2021."
Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman, Gladiator) and Christopher Eccleston (The A Word, Doctor Who) have been set as the leads in Close To Me, a six episode psychological thriller that is being produced for Viaplay and Channel 4.
Close To Me tells the story of Jo Harding (Connie Nielsen), a woman who seems to have it all – a beautiful house in the country, a loving family and a devoted husband (Christopher Eccleston). But following a fall, an entire year suddenly vanishes from Jo's memory.
As she struggles to piece events together, Jo discovers that her life wasn't quite as perfect as she imagined – and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her. Rounding out the cast is Tom Taylor (Us), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist: The Angel Of Darkness), Susan Lynch (Unforgotten), Leanne Best (Young Wallander), Henning Jensen (Below The Surface), Ellie Haddington (Enola Holmes), Ray Fearon (Da Vinci's Demons), Nick Blood (Strike), Jamie Flatters (Liar) and Lorraine Burroughs (Hard Sun).
The drama series, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Amanda Reynolds, is produced by NENT Studios UK, The Development Partnership and Dopamine. Angela Pell penned the scripts, while Michael Samuels is directing. The executive producers are Gina Carter, Robert Taylor and Ed Clarke of TDP, Dave Clarke from NENT Studios UK and Connie Nielsen. Filming on the series is now underway in London, Hertfordshire and East Sussex. NENT Studios UK is handling global sales.
"The team has gathered an exceptionally talented, high-profile and very current cast for Close To Me, with the perfect mix of popular established stars such as Susan Lynch, Leanne Best and Henning Jensen, as well as rising hot properties such as Tom Taylor and Rosy McEwen", said Richard Halliwell, CEO of NENT Studios UK. "We are thrilled to have attracted such talent to our first original production and are confident that the on-screen talent, in conjunction with the terrific off-screen team already announced, promises to make this drama a 'must-see' in 2021."
Time out for former Dr Who star Christopher Eccleston as he pays a visit to Van Morrison's home
Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston took the bright side of the road yesterday when he visited the east Belfast home of rock superstar Van Morrison on the eve of the singer's 75th birthday.
DOCTOR WHO companion Rose Tyler made her debut on the BBC sci-fi drama over 15 years ago, however, one eagle-eyed fan seems to have uncovered a blunder from the first-ever episode she starred in back in season one.
Rose (played by Billie Piper) travelled in time and space with the infamous Time Lord for two seasons when Doctor Who was revived in 2005 following a 16-year hiatus from screens. The beloved character, therefore, became the Gallifreyian's first companion in as many years and the pair went on to form a strong bond. By the end of her run on the BBC sci-fi drama, the young east Londoner had fallen in love with David Tennant's, 49, incarnation of the double-hearted alien. However, they were ripped apart when she was plunged into a parallel universe following a battle with the Daleks and the Cybermen. Though, it was her first appearance which seems to have left one viewer very confused as they've discovered a continuity error.
Season one premiered with an episode entitled Rose, centred around the companion of the same name having a chance meeting with The Ninth Doctor (played by Christopher Eccleston) which would change her life forever.
Before battling a sinister force later on in the instalment, Rose's debut began from space as viewers got a glimpse of the Earth from above.
The shot then focussed in on London and more precisely, the beloved character's bedroom where her alarm clock was beeping.
It wasn't long before the Time Lord's companion was carrying on with her mundane life and headed off to work at a department store.
However, it was the very first, opening shot which seemed to raise some questions about a continuity error regarding the direction of the sun from outer space and the time on Rose's alarm clock.
Commenting on the moviemistakes.com blogging platform, one eagle-eyed viewer wrote about the opening shot: "Look again at the start of that sequence.
"It shows that it's daylight over the UK - and over the USA. This is, of course, impossible," they explained.
"When it is 7:30am in London, it is 2:30am in New York, as Eastern Time is 5 hours behind UK time. In New York at 2:30am it is not daylight, because it is the middle of the night.
"In addition, later episodes make it clear this episode is set in March. The North Pole is fully sunlit, which it never is in March, due to the equinox that happens that month."
It seems the time-travelling drama might not have been too specific with the placement of the Earth, but the first episode of season one still proved to be full of drama.
Warning: This programme contains strong language and reference to adult themes.
Known for roles in award-winning shows such as Our Friends in the Northand Dr Who, as well as films like 28 Days Later and Gone in 60 Seconds, Christopher Eccleston is one of the UK's best loved stars of stage and screen.
Lemn Sissay MBE is a BAFTA nominated International prize-winning author, poet and playwright. Roles such as the official poet of the London 2012 Olympics have solidified Sissay as one of Britains most recognisable poetic voices.
Both Eccleston and Sissay were born and raised in working class households in the north of England in the 1960's. Eccleston's autobiography I Love the Bones of You and Sissay's My Name Is Why were both published to critical acclaim in 2019.
Here we present a unique insight into the lives and experiences of two of our most loved and respected Northern artists, both of whom have overcome great hardship to join us here and tell their stories.
I saw this and thought it might interest you...Christopher Eccleston tells RadioTimes.com why it's so hard playing Maurice – and why BBC drama The A Word is
The drama series, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Amanda Reynolds, is produced by NENT Studios UK, The Development Partnership and Dopamine. Angela Pell penned the scripts, while Michael Samuels is directing. The executive producers are Gina Carter, Robert Taylor and Ed Clarke of TDP, Dave Clarke from NENT Studios UK and Connie Nielsen. Filming on the series is now underway in London, Hertfordshire and East Sussex. NENT Studios UK is handling global sales.