Gallifrey: Series 1 (2000)

Introduction

Gallifrey would have been the first official spin-off of Doctor Who.

In 1997, during the talks with HBO about co-producing the franchise. HBO had made it clear that to go along with Doctor Who, they wanted a more adult-oriented show to go along with the main show. A show that would target more of HBO's core demographic. The BBC were hesitant about this as, even during the more adult and darker era's of the show, such as the Philip Hinchcliffe, John-Nathan Turner and Diana Barton era's of the show. It was primarily a show targeted for the whole family to watch. But, one of the shortcomings of the Barton era was that the family-friendly nature of Who was too light-hearted for the Gallifrey setting to work. So, the BBC agreed to HBO's demands of a more adult-oriented spin-off with them deciding to continue the story of the Gallifrey serials from 1994-1998. And in mid-1998, during the airing of Season 34 of Doctor Who, Gallifrey was officially commissioned by the BBC and HBO for an early 2000 air date.

To create the show, Doctor Who showrunner Jed Mercurio and the BBC Head of Drama Mal Young decided to scout out new talent for the show and give it to someone who had little to no previous work on the franchise. This included names from both the US and UK markets, but both preferred it to be a Brit. And they found that name in Paul Abbott. Who, along with Mercurio and Young, be credited for creating the show "Gallifrey".

When it came to developing the show and scheduling it's filming dates. It was with the mind that all four regulars from the Barton era (Romana (Lalla Ward), Roiyden (Paul McGann), Azmana (Chloe Annett) and Reiven (Susannah Harker)) would reprise their role for the show. But, this did not come into fruition. First off, Paul McGann was already slated onto another project when filming was supposed to be happening on the first series. And then Lalla Ward, Chloe Annett and Susannah Harker did not want to do the show with Annett and Harker wanting to move onto other projects and Ward wanting to retire from acting altogether, with her also not being a fan of the proposed mature content of the show. While McGann, Annett and Harker were not movable. Ward was convinced to return for one single series. And if the show was picked up for additional series, a brand new actress would take up the role of Romana for future series of the show.

With Romana locked in. Abbott, with additional help from Mercurio and fellow writer Russell T Davies, build up the new Roiyden, Azmana, Reiven and a new regular cast to join the original four. Which includes two human characters as well as a new Time Lord villain.

For the role of the new Roiyden, several actors were thrown around as possible names. With Abbott, Young and Mercurio wanting to stride a fine line between what Paul McGann had done in the 90s and bring something new to the table, specifically to add in new layers to Roiyden, who was pretty much seen as not the best person in the room and also sell the dynamic Roiyden has with Romana. In the end, English actor Matthew Macfadyen was casted in the role of Roiyden. Macfadyen, at the time, was pretty much an unknown name with Gallifrey being his first major role.

When it came to Azmana. HBO had some more demands with her as well. With Romana's actress staying the same and Abbott was determined to cast the new Roiyden as a Brit. HBO had made the demand that like, Doctor Who, there would be an American on the main cast. So, Azmana was made of the main four to be played by an American actress. With several rounds of audition's, actress Bellamy Young was casted in the role. Unlike the other main four, Young was a relatively unknown face at the time. With her biggest claim to fame being a guest spot on two different episodes of Law & Order.

For Reiven, it was decided to go the complete opposite route to what Susannah Harker had portrayed with Reiven. With her Reiven being a posh badass, it was decided to drop the poshness of Reiven and make Reiven more... middle class. With this, it was decided to go for a more unknown name like with the new Roiyden and Azmana. And after several rounds of auditions. English actress Lisa Faulkner was casted in the role of Reiven. Before joining the cast of Gallifrey, Faulkner was a regular on the BBC medical drama, Holby City.

While the returning four characters were locked. Abbott and Mercurio as well as Davies and writer Simon Ashdown, one that Mal Young suggested to Abbott and Mercurio, fleshed out the other main characters of the show. Which included a human character that could act as an audience surrogate, a human political rival for Romana and a Time Lord villain who would be someone that would be apart of a "Eat the Rich" movement.

The main surrogate character would be a human from the Space Security Service, first seen in the Doctor Who serial The Daleks' Master Plan, this human would be a down to Earth data analyst. Who gets tied up in the Gallifrey and Earth politics. This analyst, Penny Stevenson, would have both Americans and Brits audition for the role. And in the end American actress Sasha Alexander was cast in the role.

For the main human villain as well as a rival for Romana. The character would be the President of Earth and be a neoconservative politician, with inspiration taking place from American Republican politicians as well as select members of the UK Conservative party. With the character hell bent on gaining more political power with their war-hawk ideologies. Like for the character of Penny, both American and Brits were auditioned for the role. With American actress Emily Procter winning the role of President Diane Turner. Out of all of the American cast members, Procter was the one who had the most experience, having numerous guest roles on television as well as feature films.

The main time lord villain, would be on the far-left side of the political scale, this was made to give a different villain type to contrast President Turner. The villain "Volres" was made to be a Time Lord councilor in a region of the Capitol, who would be an outspoken critic of not just the main four characters, but the Gallifreyan elite altogether. While the BBC and HBO were wanting a nationality-blind casting for the role. Davies suggested to Abbott, Mercurio and Pryor that the role should be played by either a Northerner or a Scot. The trio agreed with Davies and they ended up casting Northern native Christopher Eccleston for the role. Eccleston was a get for the show. With him making a name for himself in the 90s with such roles as Derek Bentley in Let Him Have It and Jude Fawley in Jude.

For the production of the show, production would take place at BBC Wales in Cardiff with Hilary Bevan Jones, a previous collaborator of Abbott acting as producer for the show. Filming was done over four months in Cardiff, Wales with additional filming taking place in London, England for outdoor scenes. With the outdoor scenes in post-production giving the orange hue that Gallifrey emanates. For the writing of the series, Paul Abbott wrote half the season with writers Russell T Davies and Simon Ashdown handling the other half of the season.

Test screenings for the show for both the BBC and HBO were highly positive and this led them to do a high amount of marketing leading up to the show premiering.

On the 23rd of January 2000, Gallifrey premiered on BBC One and HBO.

Episode One: GALLIFREY

Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 23 January 2000

The very first episode of the show, would have been that. An episode one. With it introducing all of the characters of the show. With the story-arcs taking a back seat.

We get introduced to Romana, Roiyden, Azmana and Reiven first with them on Gallifrey. Romana showing that her current incarnation is starting to show her age. With her considering going under regeneration or passing the torch over to Roiyden. Roiyden deciding that he needs to put himself in a better place for politics. With him needing a wife. Looking at both his long time flame Azmana as well as Reiven, who he has gotten closer to in recent years.

Volres is introduced, also on Gallifrey, with him rallying anti-government sentiment on Romana's administration and her political ideology of "Unityism" (which is properly introduced as Romana's way of governing involving all six political chapters on Gallifrey). And he rallies on how unityism is stopping proper progress on Gallifrey. And that their sister chapter, the Arcalians are bowing to the will of Lady President Romana.

Penny is introduced on the planet of Peladon. With her being attached to the Peladon's Space Security Service station. As she intercepts some conversations between President Turner of Earth and an unknown person from Gallifrey. With the conversations seemingly plotting to undermine Romana and boost President Turner as she is a year away from re-election.

Finally, Diane is not introduced until the final part of the episode as she prepares for a state visit to Gallifrey to discuss trade negotiations. As well as her seemingly trying to embarrass Romana with an up and coming summit.

Episode Two: TRADE

Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 30 January 2000

This episode would continue off of the first episode. With an intergalactic trade conference on Gallifrey. With Gallifrey's capitol city hosting the conference. And the GBC (Gallifreyan Broadcasting Corporation) covering the event in a neutral setting.

Romana is attempting to get some tariffs lowered from Earth. With President Turner undermining Romana at the conference with her making a fool of Romana, by providing false calculations about the deficit the Gallifreyan government would need for them to be lowered.

This causes repercussions throughout the planet as Volres continues his anti-government sentiment, Roiyden starts talking with cabinet members about asking Romana to step aside for someone younger (aka himself) to take control. Finally, Penny tries to discreetly send messages to Romana about President Turner's mysterious plan on taking her down. But, Romana does not receive the messages. Instead, Roiyden receives them.

Episode Three: INSIDE HELP

Written by Russell T Davies
Directed by Julian Jarrold
Air Date: 6 February 2000

This episode shifts the focus to Roiyden as he tries to decipher who is sending him the messages, the ones that are intending for Romana. This takes him most of the episode as he uses his contacts in the Chancellery Guard (which are developed more into Gallifrey's police force) and the CIA (which are developed into Britain's MI6, Australian's ASIO and... well the US' CIA). He ends up being able to send a message back to the one who is sending them. From what we know is Penny. And they agree to meet at a location of Roiyden's choosing.

Along with that storyline we get intercutted with storylines around Romana trying to get a foreign aide package for a dwindling planet in the Panopticon. Azmana works with some Cerulean councilors in her constituency. And Reiven does some talent spotting for new chapter members and goes to watches one of Volres' speeches.

Episode Four: ROMEO

Written by Simon Ashdown
Directed by Geoffrey Sax
Air Date: 13 February 2000

While most mid-season Doctor Who seasons go for big and bombastic serials. Abbott made the conscious decision to have Gallifrey be a slow burn for the middle portion of the season. With a pseudo two part story written by Simon Ashdown. Who decided to put two characters front and center in this two part story.

Roiyden and Penny take the main focus for the episode as the two of them meet for the first time, over coffee at a cafe in the heart of the Capitol. For the majority of the episode switches between Roiyden and Penny and a couple other of the main characters.

Roiyden and Penny, during their first meeting, end growing quite close to each other. With Roiyden opening up to her about how he does not want Romana to retire. As she is like a mother to him more than anything. With Penny asking him if he had a rough childhood. Roiyden giving a... distant look. But, admitting that Romana is all he really has. Penny chuckling at this and points to how the public show off his relationships with both Azmana and Reiven. Roiyden admitting that with them, it's mainly political. And that while he and Azmana go back to their days at the Time Lord academy. He doesn't have any real feelings for her. And Reiven, while elements of romanticism is there. It's nothing more than a romantic friendship. And that he wishes he could be with someone who really understands him.

Penny then opens up about herself and her past. With her talking about how she comes from a liberal leaning military family on Earth. But, she never wanted to join the Earth army and only joined the Space Security Service to keep them quiet about her doing "her duty".

Roiyden smiles at this and he says, "I know what it's like being apart of the family business." Penny looking confused for a minute but then wipes it away.

Before I finish with them. Let me run by several of the other arcs that are ongoing throughout the episode.

Romana holds a private video conference with several intergalactic allies. Including the King of Peladon, Prime Minister of Drahva and the King of Draconia. Where she talks about President Turner's increasing hostility.

Reiven has a conversation with Volres and after seeing him speak. Thinking he is cut out for the Panopticon. And offers to put him on a shortlist for an upcoming by-election. As long as he switches chapters from Dromeian to Arcalian. To which, he laughs in her face. Saying he isn't gonna become a traitor to his ideals so that he can reach a higher rung on the ladder.

Azmana makes a quiet trip to Earth to have conversations with President Turner. In which, we see a new side of Turner. Where she is more relaxed and feels like she can talk with Azmana without having a headache of dealing with Romana.

Finally the episode ends with Roiyden laying on his bed in the Vice Presidential Estate and Penny lays in bed with him. And the two of them kiss.

Episode Five: TO MEET THE FAMILY

Written by Simon Ashdown
Directed by Julian Jarrold
Air Date: 20 February 2000

The second part of the pseudo two part story takes place in two vastly different settings. With the upper echelons of Time Lord life and the slums of Gallifrey's capitol city.

About a week after the events of the previous episode, Roiyden and Penny have a special dinner with Romana, Azmana and Reiven. Where it was basically Roiyden introducing his new girlfriend to his family for the first time. Azmana and Reiven are extremely jealous with Roiyden clearly choosing neither of them, and Romana shows her support as a loyal and supporting mother. This is the backdrop of Penny first meeting Romana and Penny informing Romana about President Turner's clear distaste for Romana. However, her motives are unknown.

The B-Plot of this episode focuses on Volres going to his home town, a slums in Gallifrey's capitol city. With him visiting his ailing mother, who at the end of the episode, succumbs to her cancer battle. This episode flushes out Volres with introducing his dying mother, as well as his wife and two kids. Showing a different side to Volres in the shade of an anti-hero and not a full blown villain like was previously shown with him.

Episode Six: EARTH

Written by Russell T Davies
Directed by Geoffrey Sax
Air Date: 27 February 2000

This episode puts the main plot of the series in the backseat and focuses on world building. With Azmana making a quiet visit to Earth while President Turner is dealing with an issue with the Earth legislature. With us learning that the Earth legislature making up of two chambers. The upper chamber being the Earth Senate, which is controlled by Turner's ruling Conservative party. And the lower chamber being the General Assembly, which is controlled by Turner's rival party. The Earth Liberal party. (With both parties being a message on the Republican party and the Democratic party respectively.)

President Turner is trying to get legislation passed through the General Assembly. And working with the Speaker of the Assembly. (Which, unlike the Speaker of the Panopticon, is a very partisan figure in the General Assembly.) With us seeing how the President of Earth handles a divided government through the eyes of Azmana. And seeing President Turner as somewhat of a coward for making compromises with Earth's Liberal party.

The B-Plot of the episode has Roiyden back on Gallifrey having lunch with the Ambassador for Gallifrey from Earth. Trying to see if they have any inkling of President Turner's end goal. In which, Roiyden learns that all of this is a game by Turner to increase her chance of re-election in the next year to come off as the woman who stands up to possible intergalactic threats like Romana.

Episode Seven: THE ASSASSINATION, PART ONE

Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 5 March 2000

Part one of the finale of the first series begins with a cold open of Romana speaking at a political rally with her speaking about her recent actions against President Turner. While Romana is speaking, we see a sniper setting up a rifle. They load it, and have Romana in their sights. And then... pulls the trigger as a loud gunshot rings out, as we cut to the opening titles.

After the title sequence we cut to a title card saying, "24 Hours Earlier".

Throughout the episode we build tension as we know what is coming. With Romana exposing Turner's plot and she announces sanctions against Turner, her government and Earth overall. Volres makes a speech with anti-human rhetoric, Reiven finally accepts Roiyden's choice as he prepares to propose to Penny and Azmana is trying to worm her way out if she is exposed as apart of Turner's plot.

All of this comes to ahead when Romana goes to speak at the political rally with her talking about a new dawn for Gallifrey. But, to not blame the humans for one woman's political gambles. And with Romana ending the speech, we see the cold open again and Romana is shot in the chest as she looks down and sees blood from her chest and she collapses to the ground as the camera slowly zooms out and then cuts to a card saying, "To Be Continued", with no next time trailer following the episode.

Episode Eight: THE ASSASSINATION, PART TWO

Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 12 March 2000

The finale of the first series continues with the cliffhanger of the previous episode of Romana being shot by an unknown gunman. With Romana being rushed to a nearby hospital. Romana is mostly absent throughout the episode and we focus on the drama around Roiyden, Azmana, Reiven and Penny. With Roiyden trying to come to terms that a woman he looks up to like a mother is dying as well Azmana and Reiven grieving about their mentor.

We see that the assassin is shot dead by the Chancellery Guard as well as the CIA. And it is revealed that the assassin was human. With evidence of Romana's assassination being a state ordered by President Diane Turner, which she publicly denies. We also see Volres get involved in this as a speech he gives where he says he loves all alien races, but President Turner needs to take accountability for her actions.

With five minutes left on the episode, Romana's surgeons ask Roiyden to join them. Roiyden asks why, the surgeon says "The regeneration process is going to begin soon." Roiyden joins Romana on her bed. She tells him that something is up, and once it is completed, they need to find out who shot her. And with a smile she nods at the surgeon. The surgeon flicks a switch and a golden glow surrounds Romana's body as she regenerates. And after a few seconds. Romana sits up in her new body (played by Michelle Forbes). Romana smiles and asks Roiyden, "What do you think of number three?" Roiyden simply nods, stands up and says, "It's time to call an election."

We then cut to someone's private study as Romana makes a speech in her new body announcing that she'll soon be dissolving the Panopticon. So that a general election can happen alongside a new presidential election. We then see someone turn off the television. And we see it is Azmana as she looks towards a person in the shadows and says, "They failed to kill her. So, we must do it politically." And with that, the episode and series ends.

Season Conclusion

So that was the first series of Gallifrey. The spin-off received positive reactions from both critics and fans on both sides of the pond. With this being the Americans introduction to regeneration, which went down fantastically with American audiences as they realized both shows could change over time.

But, this was only half of the franchise's content in 2000...

Come Back Next Time for Doctor Who: Season Thirty-Six