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Doctor Who: The Inside Story
In March 2005 a 900-year-old alien made a triumphant return to our television screens. This book is the definitive account of how the new Doctor Who came to our screens. Gary Russell has talked to everyone on the show from David Tennant, to executive producer Russell T Davies, to the people normally hidden inside the monster suits.
With unparalleled access to design drawings, backstage photographs, costume designs, previously unpublished photographs and with an in-depth look at each of the 26 episodes of series one and two, as well as an exclusive look ahead to the Christmas special and series three, this is the book no Doctor Who fan can afford to be without.
With unparalleled access to design drawings, backstage photographs, costume designs, previously unpublished photographs and with an in-depth look at each of the 26 episodes of series one and two, as well as an exclusive look ahead to the Christmas special and series three, this is the book no Doctor Who fan can afford to be without.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2006
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764 people want to read
About the author
Gary Russell
197 books171 followersGary Russell is a British freelance writer, producer and former child actor. As a writer, he is best known for his work in connection with the television series Doctor Who and its spin-offs in other media. As an actor, he is best known for playing Dick Kirrin in the British 1978 television series The Famous Five.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2020
This is a wonderfully detailled book, behind the scenes stuff about the two new seasons and the 2005 christmas episode, with even a sneak peak at season three and The Runaway Bride. It has quotes from the production group, and the actors and interesting tidbits about the filming of the series.
Most interesting this the section about casting the main characters and styling them. Each episode is looked at, with the two parters having extra pages, because they are obviously longer!
A nice guide to the backstory and filming of new Who, with lots of interesting pictures. I only wish there were a few larger pictures.
Most interesting this the section about casting the main characters and styling them. Each episode is looked at, with the two parters having extra pages, because they are obviously longer!
A nice guide to the backstory and filming of new Who, with lots of interesting pictures. I only wish there were a few larger pictures.
December 5, 2018
A really wonderful detailed guided the focuses on the first two series of New Who.
As you’d expect from any program guide, this has plenty of pictures from the episodes along with tons of trivia.
A really fun read!
As you’d expect from any program guide, this has plenty of pictures from the episodes along with tons of trivia.
A really fun read!
September 28, 2025
a really detailed, fun behind the scenes glance into s1&2 of doctor who!! it was nice to first be offered a broad overview of the key people behind the revival, then a breakdown of each episode. quotes from the costume designers especially were really interesting, the way they described the changing style of rose throughout the series. i also liked the little glimpses into crew arguments, like the director of doomsday saying billie piper got really angry at him for letting her continue a take of the final beach scene with snot running down her face lmao.
absolutely devoured this in two sittings - i love doctor who!!!!!!!!!!!!
absolutely devoured this in two sittings - i love doctor who!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 3, 2019
All Whovians will appreciate this book which gives details on how stories, characters, plot twists, costumes and so much more is explained. With the resurgence of Doctor Who, technology brought the entire show into the 21st century; no more aluminum foil Cybermen!
June 14, 2022
An interesting look at the inner workings of the beginnings of one of my all-time favourite sci-fi series. A pleasure to read. So glad I managed to stumble upon this copy at my local bookfest. 4 stars.
September 5, 2012
This book is terrific for any level of fan of the Doctor's recent adventures!
The first half of the book covers behind the scenes happenings in a very general way: everything from the efforts to bring the show back to casting to costumes to effects to sound. It never gets too technical and the way it's put together it flows very nicely from one topic to the next giving you an idea of just how many people are needed to make this show work.
The second half of the book is sort of an episode guide for the first two seasons. Each episode (or pair of episodes) gets four to six pages of what was going on behind the scenes for that particular episode. There's plenty of little trivia, photos from the set and production art as well.
The last few pages take a look "forward" to season 3 and if I had any "complaints" about the book it's that it doesn't cover seasons 3 and 4 but hopefully another book will come out to cover those.
Allons-y!
The first half of the book covers behind the scenes happenings in a very general way: everything from the efforts to bring the show back to casting to costumes to effects to sound. It never gets too technical and the way it's put together it flows very nicely from one topic to the next giving you an idea of just how many people are needed to make this show work.
The second half of the book is sort of an episode guide for the first two seasons. Each episode (or pair of episodes) gets four to six pages of what was going on behind the scenes for that particular episode. There's plenty of little trivia, photos from the set and production art as well.
The last few pages take a look "forward" to season 3 and if I had any "complaints" about the book it's that it doesn't cover seasons 3 and 4 but hopefully another book will come out to cover those.
Allons-y!
November 11, 2010
For a scant five-pounds (what a deal!), this BBC Books hardback – purchased this past summer when I hit up Forbidden Planet’s flagship store northeast of Trafalgar Square and west of Oxford Circus in London – is easily worth more than I paid for it. In its two hundred and fifty-some pages, Russell chronicles the revival of Doctor Who in when the creators of the new series got together in 2003 to begin their journey, and includes detailed interviews with not just the creators, but also the directors, designers, costumers, and actors from all of the episodes from the first two seasons.
Outside of the annuals published by Panini and the writing staff of Doctor Who Magazine, Russell’s well-researched provides plenty of love and insight to delight any fan of the titular Time Lord.
Outside of the annuals published by Panini and the writing staff of Doctor Who Magazine, Russell’s well-researched provides plenty of love and insight to delight any fan of the titular Time Lord.
October 30, 2011
As a huge Doctor Who fan i was expecting a lot from this book. I really love books and TV shows which go into detail about the behind the scenes elements of producing a TV show.
The book starts from the beginning of 'New Who' and records the details of the 9th and 10th Doctors episodes. The detail is incredible.
The behind the scenes phots are also spectacular!
The book starts from the beginning of 'New Who' and records the details of the 9th and 10th Doctors episodes. The detail is incredible.
The behind the scenes phots are also spectacular!
April 21, 2016
Loved the pictures and hearing about what goes into making Doctor Who. I wish there could have been more from the actors and writers concerning character and plot. I guess that is what the confidential shows were for. If you like the new series of Who you will love this book!
April 26, 2016
A brilliant read that kept me interested the whole way through! It's bitter sweet reading this book as it shows you how amazing and well thought out doctor who used to be compared to the pile of crap it is now.
February 28, 2018
A thoroughly-detailed account of everything that went into the first 2 series of Doctor Who, involving both the pre-production, production, and post production stages.
It also goes into detail on each individual episode from Series 1 & 2 giving some interesting tidbits that you may not have known.
It also goes into detail on each individual episode from Series 1 & 2 giving some interesting tidbits that you may not have known.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews