Doctor Who director recalls how classic episode Father’s Day was almost very different

On Father’s Day, we witness the devastating consequences that occur when The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) travel back to 1987. During their visit, Rose inadvertently releases unsuspected terrors into the timeline as she alters history in an attempt to save her father Pete Tyler’s (Shaun Dingwall) life.

At a recent gathering at BFI Southbank, in collaboration with the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, director Ahearne remarked: “This particular episode is quite intriguing. Many viewers classify it as Rose’s story due to its focus on her, yet it’s crucial to remember that the Doctor plays a significant role in it as well.

Originally, things were planned differently; the episode’s initial script had the Doctor taking a backseat due to a personal issue that caused Eccleston to be absent from the Cardiff filming location.

“He wasn’t going to be in it as much as he ended up being in it,” Ahearne recalled.

As I recall, his father must have been unwell during that period. At some stage, a narrative circulated among us where the Doctor was situated in another dimension, communicating only through voice.

Fortunately, Eccleston’s father recovered, allowing him to play a larger role in the episode. The character of the Doctor was absent for most of it, but he returned briefly for the last act. This part saw Pete Tyler voluntarily giving up his life to set time back on course and save an innocent wedding party from the terrifying Reapers.

In just one season, David Tennant (replacing Eccleston) and Billie Piper’s joint performances as the Doctor and Rose significantly boosted Doctor Who’s appeal among fresh viewers.

2020 saw me stepping back into the shoes of the Ninth Doctor once more, in a collection of captivating audiobooks brought to life by Big Finish Productions. This marked my first venture back into the role since 2005, rekindling memories and emotions associated with this iconic character.

The audio collection known as The Ninth Doctor Adventures continues the storyline of the Ninth Doctor, introducing fresh characters as allies and enemies, beyond what was shown on TV.

In the year 2025, Eccleston and Piper came together once more after a span of twenty years for a fresh collection of audio dramas. The series consists of twelve episodes, planning to reexplore familiar locales such as the Powell Estate, with beloved characters like Jackie Tyler (Camille Coduri) making their return.

The television series, Doctor Who, will resume this coming Saturday, 17th May. In the United Kingdom, you can watch new episodes beginning at 8am on Saturdays on BBC iPlayer, with additional airings on BBC One later in the day. For those outside of the UK, you can find the series on Disney+.