It seems there’s always some new British invasion to follow on the heels of the last new British invasion: The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, punk-rock, ’80s electronica pop, the Spice Girls and platform shoes, emo European mullet-wearing bands, etc. But the real new new British invasion has nothing to do with music, and everything to do with the boob tube the Brits call telly. The BBC has had a remarkable last couple of years, and now the programming is finally hitting stateside. On March 17th, Little Britain and Doctor Who, two hot British properties, will vie for your attention with their season premieres, and no matter which one you choose, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Launched on the BBC in 1963, Doctor Who is Britain’s perennial favorite from the sci-fi realm. The show, famous for its cheesy graphics and rotating cast of Doctors (whom fans refer to by number), has been given a sexy, tongue-in-cheek Millenium makeover for its 27th season, perfect for those normally wary of sci-fi fantasy shows of the Trekkie variety. Top UK television writer Russel T. Davies, the genius behind Queer As Folk, has created the show’s new slant in 13 action-packed episodes. The series, which aired in the UK from March to June in 2005, stars respected thespian Christopher Eccleston (Elizabeth, The Invisible Circus) and former British pop princess Billie Piper as the time traveling Doctor and his companion, Rose. The new series’ first few episodes give a gentle crash course in the Doctor Who universe, bringing the viewer in alongside the equally clueless Rose.
More than other sci-fi shows of its kind, the new Doctor Who provides a cutting social commentary on everything from plastic surgery to sexuality, politics to media sensationalism. Airing on the Sci-Fi network may box the dramedy series in and keep away a more broad audience, but with NBC Universal behind the franchise stateside, the series is certain to enjoy ample promotion and popularity when it comes out on DVD this summer.
Series premieres March 17th at 9 p.m. on Sci-Fi.