It’s one of the great ‘what if?’ moments in Doctor Who history. Had the 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann been followed by a full series, what might it have looked like?
And one of the biggest questions surrounding the series-that-never-was is… Would Dr Grace Holloway (Daphne Ashbrook), who appeared in the film as a guest star but fulfilled the companion role, have returned?
The TV movie ends with Grace and the Doctor parting ways – she even politely rejects his invitation to board the TARDIS. But Ashbrook has now revealed that discussions were underway for her to come back had a series been green-lit.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com ahead of the release of new documentary Doctor Who Am I about the legacy of the film, Ashbrook revealed what her actual obligations were if they were to go to series.
“So I wasn’t under contract, I was just a guest star really,” she explained. “But about a week before we wrapped shooting, [the movie’s writer] Matthew Jacobs asked me while we were on the set if FOX picked it up, would I be interested in coming back and doing the series?
“I said ‘Of course!’ In fact, I think I screamed and then hugged him and almost made him pass out – I might’ve frightened him a little!”
Ashbrook added: “I believe if it had got picked up, I probably would have been able to at least appear in a few more episodes anyway.”
The TV Movie was unfortunately not picked up for a full series order, but perhaps most unfortunate is Ashbrook’s inability to return to the character of Grace in any spin-off media as a result of rights issues.
That’s not to say that Ashbrook doesn’t have ideas for where we might find Grace, almost 30 years later.
“I think she would’ve become a healer of sorts – her mind was blown by the whole experience of meeting the Doctor, so I believe she would’ve found a way to follow in his footsteps. Finding different ways to help people, pushing science forward to try new things.”
Read more about Doctor Who:
- Matt Smith says his Doctor Who exit could have been “better”
- Doctor Who star pays tribute to Jodie Whittaker: ‘Best I’ve worked with’
- Stephen Fry recalls childhood memory of falling in love with Doctor Who
- Jodie Whittaker says “rage” over Doctor Who casting was “terrifying”
- Doctor Who “would not exist” outside of the BBC, says Chris Chibnall
Doctor Who Am I is released in UK cinemas on 27th October, and on Blu-ray, DVD & digital download from 28th November.
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
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