Doctor Who “has always been political”, says Sylvester McCoy

As a film enthusiast who grew up watching Doctor Who during the late 80s and early 90s, I can wholeheartedly agree with Sylvester McCoy‘s assertion that the iconic series has always been political. Having experienced the socio-political turmoil of my youth through the lens of this extraordinary show, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of kinship with the Doctor and his companions as they navigated their way through the labyrinthine corridors of power.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to share my perspective on Sylvester McCoy, who captivated us all as the lead in Doctor Who during the late 1980s. This remarkable BBC sci-fi series, according to McCoy, has always carried a political undertone – right from its inception.

At a recent BFI showing of the 1988 TV series “The Happiness Patrol,” McCoy delivered remarks, commemorating the launch of “Doctor Who: The Collection Season 25” on Blu-ray.

In Graeme Curry’s narrative, the plot unfolds in a world where expressing unhappiness is forbidden, serving as a sharp critique or commentary on politics. The character of Helen A, played by Sheila Hancock, was created to resemble former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a more exaggerated manner.

Regarding the manner in which the narrative of the show includes a political perspective, McCoy – who played the Seventh Doctor from 1987-89 and again in 1996 – commented: “I became captivated by Doctor Who during the ’60s, and the primary reason was due to its subtly embedded politics.”

In the ’60s, things began to shift, changes were afoot… It felt like a revolution, a tranquil yet extraordinary transformation, and Doctor Who stood as one of the few quality programs on the BBC that spoke politically to my generation during that time.

“So it’s always been political, as far as I’m concerned.”

Doctor Who “has always been political”, says Sylvester McCoy

As a cinephile, I’d like to share some thoughts about “The Happiness Patrol,” a movie masterfully directed by Chris Clough. This talented visionary has since scaled new heights in television production, with his latest project being the critically acclaimed drama, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office on ITV. In my opinion, Chris Clough believes that all compelling dramas should carry a political undertone.

“If you perform drama aimlessly, it dissipates and becomes as insubstantial as chewing gum,” he remarked.

In other words, every drama must contain a source of influence (or message), which typically involves a discussion or conflict related to politics. If not, one might wonder what else the drama could be focusing on.

This situation revolves around individuals battling against an obstacle, or striving to achieve something meaningful in life, only to encounter an opposing force.

In agreement with his remarks, fellow panelist Sheila Hancock stated, “That’s what art, as well as the Post Office, serves for – it reflects the state of the nation. It is our responsibility to convey this information.”

Doctor Who: The Season 25 Collection encompasses all 14 initial episodes, including acclaimed tales like “Remembrance of the Daleks” and “The Happiness Patrol.” Additionally, it offers extended, special versions that incorporate additional scenes and improved visual effects.

Additional highlights will feature “The Making of Doctor Who,” a 1988 retrospective documentary, an in-depth interview with Sophie Aldred, who played Ace, as well as a documentary reflecting on the life and career of the late Dursley McLinden, who starred in Remembrance of the Daleks.

On the 28th of October, you can get your hands on Doctor Who: The Collection Season 25. Pre-orders are already being accepted!

The beloved Doctor is set to make a comeback on both BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas! If you’d like to catch up on earlier seasons, they can all be found streaming on BBC iPlayer.

2024-09-02 21:34

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