Season 40

## Season 40 (2003)

**18 episodes, comprising of 10 serials and a special, starting with *The Will of Prominence***

### Companions

Philip Chandler
Korinna Foster

## Series Info

### Format

18x45 minutes
5x60 minutes

**Season 40** of *Doctor Who* ran between 5 July 2003 and 29 November 2003. It starred Fiona Shaw as The Doctor, Cillian Murphy as Philip Chandler and Emily Watson as Dr. Korinna "Kori" Foster. The season opened with *The Will of Prominence* and ended with the five-part 40th Anniversary Special *Zagreus*.

## Overview

This season consisted of ten serials and eighteen forty-five minute episodes, along with a five part special with each episode being an extended sixty minutes. Another anniversary season has come along, and with the previous season being a bit more well liked in the eyes of fans, the BBC thought this would be the perfect situation to fully win them over with this Doctor. BBC wanted stories that matched the tone of previous eras and every aspect of the Doctor up until this point being utilized. In addition, they upped the runtime of each episode from 25 minutes to 45 minutes to match with some of the American dramas. As well as taking the episode count from 24 to 18, so they could have a big epic special this season and have a ton of returning villains. Due to the high demands of the BBC, Steve Lanning almost quit the show, but Lance Parkin convinced him otherwise and to stick to the plan they had. Due to the reaction of the previous anniversary special being lukewarm at best, Parkin wanted to go full experimental. He contacted longtime fan, as well as previous writer, Gary Russell, to make something truly "insane" for the 40th Anniversary. Along with additional writer, Alan Barnes, they created a story involving anti-time, Gallifrey, a being named Zagreus, as well as an in-depth look at the lore of the Whoniverse. It was also announced that Emily Watson would leave at the end of the season, as her character would be dealing with the heavy consequences of time travel and dealing with this Doctor. The stories featured this season are, *The Will of Prominence* involving a king gone power mad due to alien weaponry. *Cataclysm of the Cybermen* with the Doctor putting aside her differences to possibly save one of her worst enemies. *Retribution of the Silurians*, another tribe of Silurians being discovered and this time wanting to work with the humans and the Doctor smells something off. *The Blood People*, extremely evolved beings who need to quench their thirst with the entire universe's blood. *The Regime* a personal episode with The Doctor wanting to save people from the death sentence. *Parasitus* The Doctor and company going undercover in a hospital to uncover an alien parasite. *The Shadow of the Scourge* dealing with an ancient ritual at a hotel. *Wirrn Dawn* a bloody war in one of the worst events in human history dealing with horrible monsters. *Oculus of the Master* The Master keeping his eyes on The Doctor throughout time and space due to another event that could change her life. *The Negativity Proclamation*, a world where anything that can harm someone is banned. Then finally, *Zagreus*.

## Cast

* Fiona Shaw as The Doctor
* Cillian Murphy as Philip Chandler
* Emily Watson as Dr. Korinna "Kori" Foster