Crime of the Century was a story that was to have been a part of Season 27, had Doctor Who continued to be produced beyond Survival, written by Ben Aaronovitch.
Crime of the Century would have continued straight on from Ice Time with Sam Tollinger, a character introduced in that story, calling for the Doctor's help. This story would have featured "drug smuggling, armed assaults and hardly any science fiction content"[1]. This story would also have introduced Kate Tollinger, Sam's "safe-cracking, lock-picking daughter, - and a new locale, Sam's mansion house." Which would have given the Doctor and Kate a base and a set of contacts to draw upon when they visited Earth.[1]
The planned opening was for Kate to sneak off from a garden party to crack a safe, only to find the Doctor waiting inside it for her, remarking "what kept you?" Andrew Cartmel has admitted, however, that they didn't really have an idea of what the story would include beyond that. [2]
Casting
One of the actors suggested to become Kate the Doctor's new companion was Julia Sawalha, while Tom Georgeson was suggested for the role of Sam Tollinger. [3]
Legacy
- Julia Sawalha later played a Doctor Who companion in The Curse of Fatal Death.
- The idea of a 'base' for the Doctor has featured in the BBC Wales revival of the series with the Powell Estate, Jackie Tyler and Mickey Smith. Also furthering the idea of 'contacts' for the Doctor in later series such as Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Smith.