Colin Baker: Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
m (Piped italics fix: P1)
m (Updating links from Season 24 to Season 24 (Doctor Who 1963))
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 12: Line 12:
|clip          = Colin Baker at London Film and Comic Con
|clip          = Colin Baker at London Film and Comic Con
|story        = [[#Credits|See Credits Section]]
|story        = [[#Credits|See Credits Section]]
}}
}}{{You may|Colin Baker (The Trial)|n1=his DWU counterpart|Colin Baker (Doctor Who?)|n2=the parodical version of himself from Doctor Who?}}
{{You may|Colin Baker (The Trial)|n1=his DWU counterpart|Colin Baker (Doctor Who?)|n2=the parodical version of himself from Doctor Who?}}
'''Colin Baker''' (born [[8 June (people)|8 June]] [[1943 (people)|1943]]<ref>[https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba04a5ec1 BFI]</ref>) played the [[Sixth Doctor]] from 1984 to 1986, beginning with an appearance at the conclusion of ''[[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]]'', continuing from ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]] ''to ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]''.
'''Colin Baker''' (born [[8 June (people)|8 June]] [[1943 (people)|1943]]<ref>[https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba04a5ec1 BFI]</ref>) played the [[Sixth Doctor]] from 1984 to 1986, beginning with an appearance at the conclusion of ''[[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]]'', continuing from ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]] ''to ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]''.


He reprised the role for the 1989 stage show ''[[The Ultimate Adventure]]'' and the 1993 [[Children in Need|''Children in Need'']] special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]'', as well as in numerous ''[[Doctor Who]]'' audio stories from [[Big Finish Productions]].
He reprised the role for the 1989 stage show ''[[The Ultimate Adventure]]'' and the 1993 ''[[Children in Need]]'' special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]'', as well as in numerous ''[[Doctor Who]]'' audio stories from [[Big Finish Productions]].


Prior to becoming the Doctor, he was cast as Commander [[Maxil]] in ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' and was considered for the roles of [[Arnold Jellicoe|Arnold Jellicole]] in ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'' ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who The Handbook: The Fourth Doctor]]''), [[Minister of Persuasion|Persuasion]] in [[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|''Four to Doomsday'']] ([[REF]]: ''[[TCH 34]]) and [[Roger Scobie|Scobie]], [[Andrew Bilton|Bilton]] and [[Sheard]] in [[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'' ([[REF]]: [[TCH 35]]).
Prior to becoming the Doctor, he was cast as Commander [[Maxil]] in ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' and was considered for the roles of [[Arnold Jellicoe|Arnold Jellicole]] in ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who The Handbook: The Fourth Doctor]]'') [[Minister of Persuasion|Persuasion]] in ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'' ([[REF]]: ''[[TCH 34]]) and [[Roger Scobie|Scobie]], [[Andrew Bilton|Bilton]] and [[Sheard]] in [[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'' ([[REF]]: [[TCH 35]]).


== Profile ==
== Profile ==
Before being selected to replace [[Peter Davison]] as the Doctor, Baker was an established [[television]] actor. His most notable role was Paul Merroney in ''The Brothers''. Baker also guest starred as Bayban the Butcher in the ''[[Blake's 7 (series)|Blake's 7]]'' episode ''[[w:c:blakes7:City at the Edge of the World (episode)|City at the Edge of the World]]''.
Before being selected to replace [[Peter Davison]] as the Doctor, Baker was an established [[television]] actor. His most notable role was Paul Merroney in ''The Brothers''. Baker also guest starred as Bayban the Butcher in the ''[[Blake's 7 (series)|Blake's 7]]'' episode ''[[w:c:blakes7:City at the Edge of the World (episode)|City at the Edge of the World]]''.


Baker made his ''Doctor Who'' debut as Commander [[Maxil]] in ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' in 1983. On the strength of that performance, as well as a wedding party at which he impressed producer [[John Nathan-Turner]], he was cast as the [[Sixth Doctor]] following Peter Davison's decision to leave the series. His era on ''Doctor Who'' began in 1984 and was interrupted by the show's cancellation a year later. After fan backlash, this was reduced to an eighteen-month hiatus<ref>https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/doctor-who-is-axed/</ref>, ostensibly because the show was moved from the spring to the autumn schedule. In the interim, Baker voiced the Doctor in the radio drama ''[[Slipback (audio story)|Slipback]]''.  
Baker made his ''Doctor Who'' debut as Commander [[Maxil]] in ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' in 1983. On the strength of that performance, as well as a wedding party at which he impressed producer [[John Nathan-Turner]], he was cast as the [[Sixth Doctor]] following Peter Davison's decision to leave the series. His era on ''Doctor Who'' began in 1984 and was interrupted by the show's cancellation a year later. After fan backlash, this was reduced to an eighteen-month hiatus<ref>https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/doctor-who-is-axed/</ref>, ostensibly because the show was moved from the spring to the autumn schedule. In the interim, Baker voiced the Doctor in the radio drama ''[[Slipback (audio story)|Slipback]]''.


Following the conclusion of Season 23, Baker was dismissed as the Doctor at the insistence of [[BBC]] management, who wanted to refresh the show. The [[Controller of BBC One]] at the time, [[Michael Grade]], believed ''Doctor Who'' had become outdated, with overly violent, farcial storylines. Baker was asked to return for the [[Time and the Rani (TV story)|first serial]] of [[Season 24|the next season]] to pave the way for the next Doctor, but he declined, not wishing to miss out on other work in the meantime. He in turn offered to do the whole season and have the Doctor regenerate at the end, but was himself rejected. An interview with ''The Sun'' in which he criticised Grade<ref name=":0">https://drwhointerviews.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/colin-baker-1987/</ref> ensured he would never return.  
Following the conclusion of Season 23, Baker was dismissed as the Doctor at the insistence of [[BBC]] management, who wanted to refresh the show. The [[Controller of BBC One]] at the time, [[Michael Grade]], believed ''Doctor Who'' had become outdated, with overly violent, farcial storylines. Baker was asked to return for the [[Time and the Rani (TV story)|first serial]] of [[Season 24 (Doctor Who 1963)|the next season]] to pave the way for the next Doctor, but he declined, not wishing to miss out on other work in the meantime. He in turn offered to do the whole season and have the Doctor regenerate at the end, but was himself rejected. An interview with ''The Sun'' in which he criticised Grade<ref name=":0">https://drwhointerviews.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/colin-baker-1987/</ref> ensured he would never return.


Years later, Baker would express regret for refusing the BBC's request, claiming he was being "selfish" and "not thinking about the fans".  
Years later, Baker would express regret for refusing the BBC's request, claiming he was being "selfish" and "not thinking about the fans".


As of 2022, Baker is the only actor to play the Doctor who has been fired by the BBC. Prior to his dismissal, he claimed he would gladly have done the show for as many as eight years.  
As of 2022, Baker is the only actor to play the Doctor who has been fired by the BBC. Prior to his dismissal, he claimed he would gladly have done the show for as many as eight years.


=== Post-departure ===
=== Post-departure ===
Baker's post-Who filmography includes guest appearances in BBC series ''[[Casualty]]'' and ''Jonathan Creek'', [[Al Murray|Al Murray's]] sitcom ''Time Gentlemen Please'' (as Professor Baker), [[Channel 4]]'s adaptation of ''A Dance to the Music of Time'', and ''The Young [[Indiana Jones (film series)|Indiana Jones]] Chronicles''. As himself, Baker has been a 'Dictionary Corner' guest on the daytime quiz show ''[[Countdown (TV series)|Countdown]]'' and competed in [[ITV]]'s reality series ''[[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!|I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!]]''.  
[[File:Dit Behind the scenes 2.jpg|thumb|left|Colin on the set of [[TV]]: ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]'')]]
Baker's post-Who filmography includes guest appearances in BBC series ''[[Casualty]]'' and ''Jonathan Creek'', [[Al Murray|Al Murray's]] sitcom ''Time Gentlemen Please'' (as Professor Baker), [[Channel 4]]'s adaptation of ''A Dance to the Music of Time'', and ''The Young [[Indiana Jones (film series)|Indiana Jones]] Chronicles''. As himself, Baker has been a 'Dictionary Corner' guest on the daytime quiz show ''[[Countdown (TV series)|Countdown]]'' and competed in [[ITV]]'s reality series ''[[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!|I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!]]''.


==== ''Doctor Who'' and Big Finish ====
==== ''Doctor Who'' and Big Finish ====
Despite the circumstances of his departure from ''Doctor Who'', Baker has remained involved with the franchise. He reprised his role as the Doctor in the play ''[[The Ultimate Adventure]],'' replacing [[Jon Pertwee]], and on television in the 1993 charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]''. In the [[BBV Productions]] video series ''[[The Stranger (series)|The Stranger]]'', he played the eponymous character, who was similar to the Doctor.  
Despite the circumstances of his departure from ''Doctor Who'', Baker has remained involved with the franchise. He reprised his role as the Doctor in the play ''[[The Ultimate Adventure]],'' replacing [[Jon Pertwee]], and on television in the 1993 charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]''. In the [[BBV Productions]] video series ''[[The Stranger (series)|The Stranger]]'', he played the eponymous character, who was similar to the Doctor.


Since 1999, he has acted in audio dramas produced by [[Big Finish Productions]], usually as the Doctor. Occasionally, however, he has played alternate versions of the Doctor, such as the [[Burner Doctor]] in ''[[Disassembled (audio story)|Disassembled]]'' and [[the Curator]] in ''[[Stranded]].'' In the ''[[Gallifrey (audio series)|Gallifrey]]'' story ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'', he returned to the role of Maxil for the first time since ''Arc of Infinity.''  
Since 1999, he has acted in audio dramas produced by [[Big Finish Productions]], usually as the Doctor. Occasionally, however, he has played alternate versions of the Doctor, such as the [[Burner Doctor]] in ''[[Disassembled (audio story)|Disassembled]]'' and [[the Curator]] in ''[[Stranded]].'' In the ''[[Gallifrey (audio series)|Gallifrey]]'' story ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'', he returned to the role of Maxil for the first time since ''Arc of Infinity.''


In 2015, Baker finally acted in a Sixth Doctor regeneration story, the Big Finish anthology [[The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure|''The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure'']]. In the commentary included with the release, he remarked this finally put to bed his jest that he had never handed over the role. Baker has waited the longest of the Doctors to perform a regeneration scene, at 28 years since his exit from ''Doctor Who''; only [[Paul McGann]], who regenerated in ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'' 17 years after the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|TV movie]], comes close.
In 2015, Baker finally acted in a Sixth Doctor regeneration story, the Big Finish anthology ''[[The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure]]''. In the commentary included with the release, he remarked this finally put to bed his jest that he had never handed over the role. Baker has waited the longest of the Doctors to perform a regeneration scene, at 28 years since his exit from ''Doctor Who''; only [[Paul McGann]], who regenerated in ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'' 17 years after the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|TV movie]], comes close.


Baker has also played himself in the context of ''Doctor Who''. In ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]'', he, Peter Davison, and [[Sylvester McCoy]] attempt to appear in the 50th anniversary special ''[[The Day of the Doctor (The Zygon Isolation)|The Day of the Doctor]]'', while in ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'', a promotional mini-episodes produced for ''Doctor Who'': ''[[The Collection]]'' — ''[[Season 23]]'' [[Blu-ray]] boxset, a [[Colin Baker (The Trial)|a properly in-universe Baker]] is put on trial for an unpaid [[parking fine]].
Baker has also played himself in the context of ''Doctor Who''. In ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]'', he, Peter Davison, and [[Sylvester McCoy]] attempt to appear in the 50th anniversary special ''[[The Day of the Doctor (The Zygon Isolation)|The Day of the Doctor]]'', while in ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'', a promotional mini-episodes produced for ''Doctor Who'': ''[[The Collection]]'' — ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 23]]'' [[Blu-ray]] boxset, a [[Colin Baker (The Trial)|a properly in-universe Baker]] is put on trial for an unpaid [[parking fine]].


[[Doctor Who Magazine|<nowiki/>]][[Doctor Who Magazine|<nowiki/>]]
[[Doctor Who Magazine|<nowiki/>]][[Doctor Who Magazine|<nowiki/>]]
Line 54: Line 54:
From 1995 to 2019, Baker wrote a column for the ''Bucks Free Press'' called ''Look Who's Talking''. In 2010, [[Hirst Books]] published a volume of a hundred of these columns, also called ''Look Who's Talking''. In 2012, they released a second collection of Baker's writing, including his ''Doctor Who'' stories, entitled ''Gallimaufry.''
From 1995 to 2019, Baker wrote a column for the ''Bucks Free Press'' called ''Look Who's Talking''. In 2010, [[Hirst Books]] published a volume of a hundred of these columns, also called ''Look Who's Talking''. In 2012, they released a second collection of Baker's writing, including his ''Doctor Who'' stories, entitled ''Gallimaufry.''


Baker has served as honorary President of the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society]] since [[Nicholas Courtney|Nicholas Courtney's]] death in 2011.  
Baker has served as honourary President of the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society]] since [[Nicholas Courtney|Nicholas Courtney's]] death in 2011.


Colin Baker is of no relation to [[Tom Baker]], who played the [[Fourth Doctor]].
Colin Baker is of no relation to [[Tom Baker]], who played the [[Fourth Doctor]].
Line 60: Line 60:
== In the DWU ==
== In the DWU ==
{{Main|Colin Baker (The Trial)}}
{{Main|Colin Baker (The Trial)}}
[[Colin Baker (Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors)|Colin Baker]] was mentioned to exist in the [[DWU]] in [[WC]]: ''[[Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors (webcast)|Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors]]'', and he appeared another webcast, ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'', where the real world Baker played himself being put on trial for an unpaid parking fine which he received whilst filming new material for ''[[Doctor Who (N-Space)|Doctor Who]]'' [[Doctor Who Season 23|Season 23]].
[[Colin Baker (Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors)|Colin Baker]] was mentioned to exist in the [[DWU]] in [[WC]]: ''[[Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors (webcast)|Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors]]'', and he appeared another webcast, ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'', where the real world Baker played himself being put on trial for an unpaid parking fine which he received whilst filming new material for ''[[Doctor Who (in-universe)|Doctor Who]]'' [[Doctor Who Season 23|Season 23]].


== Credits ==
== Acting Credits ==
as the [[Sixth Doctor]]
as the [[Sixth Doctor]]
=== Television ===
=== Television ===
==== Doctor Who ====
==== Doctor Who ====
Line 87: Line 86:


=== Webcasts ===
=== Webcasts ===
==== ''Doctor Who'' ====
==== Doctor Who ====
* ''[[Real Time (webcast)|Real Time]]''
* ''[[Real Time (webcast)|Real Time]]''


==== ''The Collection'' ====
==== Tales of the TARDIS ====
* ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'' - [[Colin Baker (The Trial)|Colin Baker]]
* ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TotT TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]''
* ''[[The Eternal Mystery (webcast)|The Eternal Mystery]]'' - The [[Sixth Doctor]] (voice) (uncredited)


=== Home videos ===
==== The Collection ====
==== ''The Collection'' ====
* ''[[The Eternal Mystery (webcast)|The Eternal Mystery]]'' - voice, uncredited
* ''[[A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|A Fix with Sontarans]]''


=== Other ===
=== Other ===
* ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''
* ''[[A Fix with Sontarans (home video)|A Fix with Sontarans]]''
* ''[[Untitled (1986 TV story)|Untitled]]''
* ''[[Untitled (1986 TV story)|Untitled]]''
* ''[[Famine Appeal]]''


=== Audio ===
=== Audio ===
Line 267: Line 263:
** ''[[Reverse Engineering (audio story)|Reverse Engineering]]''
** ''[[Reverse Engineering (audio story)|Reverse Engineering]]''
** ''[[Chronomancer (audio story)|Chronomancer]]''
** ''[[Chronomancer (audio story)|Chronomancer]]''
* ''[[Purity Unleashed (audio anthology)|Purity Unleashed]]''
** ''[[Broadway Belongs to Me! (audio story)|Broadway Belongs to Me!]]''
** ''[[Purification (audio story)|Purification]]''
** ''[[Time-Burst (audio story)|Time-Burst]]''
* ''[[Purity Unbound (audio anthology)|Purity Unbound]]''
** ''[[Girl in a Bubble (audio story)|Girl in a Bubble]]''
** ''[[The Corruptions (audio story)|The Corruptions]]''
** ''[[The Wrong Side of History (audio story)|The Wrong Side of History]]''


==== Classic Doctors, New Monsters ====
==== Classic Doctors, New Monsters ====
Line 272: Line 276:
* ''[[The Carrionite Curse (audio story)|The Carrionite Curse]]''
* ''[[The Carrionite Curse (audio story)|The Carrionite Curse]]''
* ''[[Together in Eclectic Dreams (audio story)|Together in Eclectic Dreams]]''
* ''[[Together in Eclectic Dreams (audio story)|Together in Eclectic Dreams]]''
==== Once and Future ====
* ''[[Past Lives (audio story)|Past Lives]]''
* ''[[The Artist at the End of Time (audio story)|The Artist at the End of Time]]''
* ''[[Two's Company (audio story)|Two's Company]]''
* ''[[The Union (audio story)|The Union]]''


==== The Stageplays ====
==== The Stageplays ====
Line 291: Line 301:
* ''[[Murmurs of Earth (audio story)|Murmurs of Earth]]''
* ''[[Murmurs of Earth (audio story)|Murmurs of Earth]]''
* ''[[To Cut a Blade of Grass (audio story)|To Cut a Blade of Grass]]''
* ''[[To Cut a Blade of Grass (audio story)|To Cut a Blade of Grass]]''
* ''[[The Hoxteth Time Capsule (audio story)|The Hoxteth Time Capsule]]''


==== Doctor Who Unbound ====
==== Doctor Who Unbound ====
Line 319: Line 330:
* ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' - [[Maxil|Commander Maxil]]
* ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'' - [[Maxil|Commander Maxil]]
* ''[[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|The Power of the Doctor]]'' - [[Guardians of the Edge|Guardian of the Edge]]
* ''[[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|The Power of the Doctor]]'' - [[Guardians of the Edge|Guardian of the Edge]]
=== Webcasts ===
==== The Collection ====
* ''[[The Trial (webcast)|The Trial]]'' - [[Colin Baker (The Trial)|Colin Baker]]
=== Other ===
* ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''
* ''[[Famine Appeal]]''


=== Audio ===
=== Audio ===
Line 328: Line 347:
* ''[[Crossed Lines (audio story)|Crossed Lines]]'' - [[The Curator]]
* ''[[Crossed Lines (audio story)|Crossed Lines]]'' - [[The Curator]]
* ''[[The Keys of Baker Street (audio story)|The Keys of Baker Street]]'' - The Curator
* ''[[The Keys of Baker Street (audio story)|The Keys of Baker Street]]'' - The Curator
==== Once and Future ====
* ''[[The Artist at the End of Time (audio story)|The Artist at the End of Time]]'' - [[The Curator]]


==== Doctor Who Unbound ====
==== Doctor Who Unbound ====
Line 379: Line 401:
==== Short Trips ====
==== Short Trips ====
* ''[[The Wings of a Butterfly (audio story)|The Wings of a Butterfly]]''
* ''[[The Wings of a Butterfly (audio story)|The Wings of a Butterfly]]''
== Documentary appearances ==
* ''[[Showman - The Life of John Nathan-Turner (documentary)|Showman - The Life of John Nathan-Turner]]''


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
Line 430: Line 456:
[[Category:The Legacy of Time voice actors]]
[[Category:The Legacy of Time voice actors]]
[[Category:The Sixth Doctor Adventures voice actors]]
[[Category:The Sixth Doctor Adventures voice actors]]
[[es:Colin Baker]]
[[Category:Tenth Doctor Adventures voice actors]]
[[Category:Tenth Doctor Adventures voice actors]]
[[Category:Doctor Who actors who played themselves]]
[[Category:Doctor Who actors who played themselves]]
[[Category:Doctor Who actors that exist in the DWU]]
[[Category:Doctor Who actors that exist in the DWU]]
[[ru:Колин Бейкер]]
[[Category:Stranded voice actors]]
[[Category:Stranded voice actors]]
[[Category:Big Finish Doctor Who Unbound voice actors]]
[[Category:Big Finish Doctor Who Unbound voice actors]]
[[Category:1963 Doctor Who cast reprising their roles in 2005 Doctor Who]]
[[Category:1963 Doctor Who cast reprising their roles in 2005 Doctor Who]]
[[Category:Once and Future voice actors]]
[[Category:Peladon voice actors]]
[[Category:Sontarans vs Rutans voice actors]]
[[es:Colin Baker]]
[[ru:Колин Бейкер]]
[[Category:Actors who portrayed multiple incarnations of the Doctor]]

Latest revision as of 20:15, 22 April 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for his DWU counterpart or the parodical version of himself from Doctor Who?.

Colin Baker (born 8 June 1943[1]) played the Sixth Doctor from 1984 to 1986, beginning with an appearance at the conclusion of The Caves of Androzani, continuing from The Twin Dilemma to The Ultimate Foe.

He reprised the role for the 1989 stage show The Ultimate Adventure and the 1993 Children in Need special Dimensions in Time, as well as in numerous Doctor Who audio stories from Big Finish Productions.

Prior to becoming the Doctor, he was cast as Commander Maxil in Arc of Infinity and was considered for the roles of Arnold Jellicole in Robot, (REF: Doctor Who The Handbook: The Fourth Doctor) Persuasion in Four to Doomsday (REF: TCH 34) and Scobie, Bilton and Sheard in Time-Flight (REF: TCH 35).

Profile[[edit] | edit source]

Before being selected to replace Peter Davison as the Doctor, Baker was an established television actor. His most notable role was Paul Merroney in The Brothers. Baker also guest starred as Bayban the Butcher in the Blake's 7 episode City at the Edge of the World.

Baker made his Doctor Who debut as Commander Maxil in Arc of Infinity in 1983. On the strength of that performance, as well as a wedding party at which he impressed producer John Nathan-Turner, he was cast as the Sixth Doctor following Peter Davison's decision to leave the series. His era on Doctor Who began in 1984 and was interrupted by the show's cancellation a year later. After fan backlash, this was reduced to an eighteen-month hiatus[2], ostensibly because the show was moved from the spring to the autumn schedule. In the interim, Baker voiced the Doctor in the radio drama Slipback.

Following the conclusion of Season 23, Baker was dismissed as the Doctor at the insistence of BBC management, who wanted to refresh the show. The Controller of BBC One at the time, Michael Grade, believed Doctor Who had become outdated, with overly violent, farcial storylines. Baker was asked to return for the first serial of the next season to pave the way for the next Doctor, but he declined, not wishing to miss out on other work in the meantime. He in turn offered to do the whole season and have the Doctor regenerate at the end, but was himself rejected. An interview with The Sun in which he criticised Grade[3] ensured he would never return.

Years later, Baker would express regret for refusing the BBC's request, claiming he was being "selfish" and "not thinking about the fans".

As of 2022, Baker is the only actor to play the Doctor who has been fired by the BBC. Prior to his dismissal, he claimed he would gladly have done the show for as many as eight years.

Post-departure[[edit] | edit source]

Colin on the set of TV: Dimensions in Time)

Baker's post-Who filmography includes guest appearances in BBC series Casualty and Jonathan Creek, Al Murray's sitcom Time Gentlemen Please (as Professor Baker), Channel 4's adaptation of A Dance to the Music of Time, and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. As himself, Baker has been a 'Dictionary Corner' guest on the daytime quiz show Countdown and competed in ITV's reality series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.

Doctor Who and Big Finish[[edit] | edit source]

Despite the circumstances of his departure from Doctor Who, Baker has remained involved with the franchise. He reprised his role as the Doctor in the play The Ultimate Adventure, replacing Jon Pertwee, and on television in the 1993 charity special Dimensions in Time. In the BBV Productions video series The Stranger, he played the eponymous character, who was similar to the Doctor.

Since 1999, he has acted in audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions, usually as the Doctor. Occasionally, however, he has played alternate versions of the Doctor, such as the Burner Doctor in Disassembled and the Curator in Stranded. In the Gallifrey story Appropriation, he returned to the role of Maxil for the first time since Arc of Infinity.

In 2015, Baker finally acted in a Sixth Doctor regeneration story, the Big Finish anthology The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure. In the commentary included with the release, he remarked this finally put to bed his jest that he had never handed over the role. Baker has waited the longest of the Doctors to perform a regeneration scene, at 28 years since his exit from Doctor Who; only Paul McGann, who regenerated in The Night of the Doctor 17 years after the TV movie, comes close.

Baker has also played himself in the context of Doctor Who. In The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot, he, Peter Davison, and Sylvester McCoy attempt to appear in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor, while in The Trial, a promotional mini-episodes produced for Doctor Who: The Collection — Season 23 Blu-ray boxset, a a properly in-universe Baker is put on trial for an unpaid parking fine.

In 1994, Baker became the first Doctor to write a Doctor Who story, penning The Age of Chaos, a graphic novel published by Marvel UK featuring the Sixth Doctor and Frobisher. He has since written short stories about the Sixth Doctor for Doctor Who Magazine's annual Yearbooks, the anthology The Target Storybook, and the first volume of Big Finish's Short Trips. It was not until the release of Tom Baker's Scratchman that another Doctor would be credited for writing published Doctor Who fiction; although Matt Smith is known to have written stories featuring the Doctor in preparation for his role as the Eleventh Doctor[4], they were never released.

Personal life[[edit] | edit source]

Baker was first married to Liza Goddard; the two later divorced. He later remarried and had five children. His son Jack died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 1983, leading to Baker's support for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. His wife and four daughters, including Rosie Baker, played themselves in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.

From 1995 to 2019, Baker wrote a column for the Bucks Free Press called Look Who's Talking. In 2010, Hirst Books published a volume of a hundred of these columns, also called Look Who's Talking. In 2012, they released a second collection of Baker's writing, including his Doctor Who stories, entitled Gallimaufry.

Baker has served as honourary President of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society since Nicholas Courtney's death in 2011.

Colin Baker is of no relation to Tom Baker, who played the Fourth Doctor.

In the DWU[[edit] | edit source]

Main article: Colin Baker (The Trial)

Colin Baker was mentioned to exist in the DWU in WC: Peter Capaldi and Simon the Shy Cyberman Invite You to Breakfast with 7 Doctors, and he appeared another webcast, The Trial, where the real world Baker played himself being put on trial for an unpaid parking fine which he received whilst filming new material for Doctor Who Season 23.

Acting Credits[[edit] | edit source]

as the Sixth Doctor

Television[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who[[edit] | edit source]

Mini-episodes[[edit] | edit source]

Stage[[edit] | edit source]

Webcasts[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who[[edit] | edit source]

Tales of the TARDIS[[edit] | edit source]

The Collection[[edit] | edit source]

Other[[edit] | edit source]

Audio[[edit] | edit source]

BBC Radio[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who Main Range[[edit] | edit source]

Special Releases[[edit] | edit source]

The Lost Stories[[edit] | edit source]

The Sixth Doctor Adventures[[edit] | edit source]

Classic Doctors, New Monsters[[edit] | edit source]

Once and Future[[edit] | edit source]

The Stageplays[[edit] | edit source]

The Tenth Doctor and River Song[[edit] | edit source]

Out of Time[[edit] | edit source]

The Companion Chronicles[[edit] | edit source]

Short Trips[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who Unbound[[edit] | edit source]

The Diary of River Song[[edit] | edit source]

Peladon[[edit] | edit source]

Jago & Litefoot[[edit] | edit source]

The Lives of Captain Jack[[edit] | edit source]

Other Roles

Television[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who[[edit] | edit source]

Webcasts[[edit] | edit source]

The Collection[[edit] | edit source]

Other[[edit] | edit source]

Audio[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who Main Range[[edit] | edit source]

Stranded[[edit] | edit source]

Once and Future[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who Unbound[[edit] | edit source]

As The Warrior

Bernice Summerfield[[edit] | edit source]

Gallifrey[[edit] | edit source]

Audiobook readings[[edit] | edit source]

Target Novelisations[[edit] | edit source]

BBC Audio[[edit] | edit source]

Doctor Who Audio Annuals[[edit] | edit source]

Writing Credits[[edit] | edit source]

Comics[[edit] | edit source]

Short Stories[[edit] | edit source]

Brief Encounters[[edit] | edit source]

The Target Storybook[[edit] | edit source]

Audio[[edit] | edit source]

Short Trips[[edit] | edit source]

Documentary appearances[[edit] | edit source]

Footnotes[[edit] | edit source]

  1. ↑ BFI
  2. ↑ https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/doctor-who-is-axed/
  3. ↑ https://drwhointerviews.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/colin-baker-1987/
  4. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8580985.stm

External links[[edit] | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://tardis.wiki/w/index.php?title=Colin_Baker&oldid=3779508"