When Big Finish Productions did audio stories before 2005 they had a female doctor, played by Arabella Weir. Weir appears with Bill Bailey in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe. Does anyone know if that is the writers using her on purpose in a little Easter egg way, or whether they just used her because they needed an actress?
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It could be a coincidence; Weir is a well known comic actress in The UK. Frequent mention of the connection to Big Finish has been made, but no mention of whether it played into the casting decision is readily located. If it was an intentional Easter egg, the production staff have kept silent about it.– Politank-ZCommented Dec 3, 2015 at 19:08
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I sort of feel like the show has been too clever for it not to be a purposeful decision though....– Chris PfohlCommented Dec 3, 2015 at 20:05
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When I saw the original version of this title, I was worried I’d been spoiled for Saturday’s episode. phew– alexwlchanCommented Dec 3, 2015 at 20:56
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oh right sorry i should of realised i just put female doctor and in the trailer it looks like the doctor is being forced regenration i do apologise!– danielCommented Dec 4, 2015 at 14:15
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1 Answer
It’s possible, but seems unlikely.
If she was chosen for that reason, the BBC have kept very quiet about it. Although fans often point to Weir’s role in Big Finish, I’ve been unable to find a mention of it by anybody associated with the television show. (Let alone a suggestion that she was chosen for that reason.)
It seems much more likely she was chosen because she’s a fairly well-known comedic actress in the UK. In the press release announcing her casting, no mention is made of her role as the Doctor:
A stellar guest cast including Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Bill Bailey (Black Books), Arabella Weir (The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller), join Matt Smith in the emotional festive special, packed full of Christmas thrills and chills.
Like the other three guest stars, she’s much better known for her comedy than her role in a radio play made nearly eight years prior.
If they knew, it might have made the casting director chuckle – but I think it unlikely it was any significant factor in her role.
answered Dec 3, 2015 at 20:55
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i had searched up and down for some press release also but got nowhere, i just thought there might of been a obscure one– danielCommented Dec 4, 2015 at 14:16