Doctor Who TV movie director reflects on series hopes: ‘Paul McGann was looking at apartments in Vancouver’

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Geoffrey Sax, the director of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, has spoken about the possibility of the film leading to a new series with Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. He revealed that McGann was actually looking at houses in Vancouver, anticipating a longer-term commitment to the role.

The special, starring Paul McGann as the Doctor, originally aired in the UK on May 27, 1996. It was a collaborative effort between the BBC, Universal, and Fox, intended to bring back Doctor Who for a modern audience.

Sax now remembers there was hope the project might continue, but he doesn’t recall much talk on set about making another series.

He told TopMob he had no recollection of ever talking about it. They were focused solely on making the movie, and that was their only priority.

When I received the call, it sounded like they had just received approval and wanted to start filming immediately.

Sax mentioned that when he got to Vancouver, filming had already begun in earnest. He said a complete crew was in place, and they had already started building the TARDIS and the Eye of Harmony room – which was surprisingly fast.

Usually, the director and designer would meet to discuss the visual style, but that process had already begun.

Honestly, things moved so fast, we didn’t even have a chance to talk about possibilities like turning it into a TV show or anything beyond the immediate project. It all just happened really quickly!

Despite the uncertainty, Sax felt the project had a chance of going forward if the TV movie did well. They even started looking at possible locations in Vancouver for filming, and showed McGann some potential housing options.

I understand that Paul McGann was shown several apartments and houses because the producers told him that if the show continued as a series, he’d need to relocate and it would be a significant, long-term commitment.

“There was that excitement about: this could happen, and relocation to Vancouver.”

Sax mentioned that if the TV movie had been developed into a series, he thought Daphne Ashbrook and Yee Jee Tso – the actors who played Grace Holloway and Chang Lee – might have reprised their roles.

They seemed to really want another invitation, as it would have been enjoyable for them.

Sax expressed his disappointment that the TV series never materialized. He explained that a successful pilot in the United States often leads to more opportunities, as networks are eager to work with creators who have already proven their ability to deliver a hit show.

Honestly, I think taking on that project would have meant a ton of effort, but it also felt like a chance to really prove myself and create something people would actually love. It wasn’t just about the work, it was about the satisfaction of achieving something great.

Although the TV movie didn’t lead to a complete series with Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, he continued playing the role in audio adventures and made a return appearance on screen in the 2013 short episode, ‘The Night of the Doctor’.

A newly restored 4K version of the TV movie was shown at BFI Southbank, and after the screening, actors Sax and McGann answered questions from the audience.

This remastered version is being released alongside a new 4K and Blu-ray disc set. The TV movie has been newly restored from the original film to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

The movie will be released in several formats, including a special Limited Edition Steelbook with both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions of the 90-minute film. Standard 4K and Blu-ray editions will also be available.

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You can now watch Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer. For a complete guide to the show, including episode reviews from 1963 to the present day, details on the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes information, and exclusive content from the TopMob archive, check out our Doctor Who story guide.

I’m so excited to tell you about Doctor Who! You absolutely have to add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Seriously, download it now – it gives you daily TV recommendations, cool features, and so much more. You won’t regret it!

Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television expert on programs like BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

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2026-05-29 11:44