Members of the Scottish Green Party have insisted the next era of Doctor Who should be based and filmed in Glasgow, bringing long-term jobs, training, and investment to Scotland’s screen sector.
Glasgow Proposed as New Home for Doctor Who
The long-running BBC show has predominantly been filmed in England and Wales since it first began in 1963, with Cardiff a key shooting location throughout the modern era. Spin-off Torchwood was also mainly set in the city.
A BBC economic impact study found that Doctor Who in Wales contributed approximately £134.6 million to the Welsh economy between 2004 and 2021. Now, Scottish Green Councillor Anthony Carroll and Patrick Harvie MSP, the former co-leader, have insisted it should be Scotland's turn next.
The call comes after the BBC’s decision to axe River City after 24 years and the subsequent demolition of its Shieldinch set in Dumbarton, which had provided regular employment and a crucial training ground for generations of Scottish actors and production workers.
Scottish Connections and Recent Spotlight
Doctor Who already has strong links to Scotland, with four of the actors who played the Doctor all being Scottish, including the most recent Timelord, Ncuti Gatwa. As well as Gatwa, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi have played the iconic role, while Sylvester McCoy flew through time and space in the TARDIS in the 1980s.
More recently, the legendary blue police box was even spotted in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro. King Charles and Queen Camilla emerged from the TARDIS at the beginning of the spectacular show on Thursday, May 23.
The BBC announced last month that it will put production of the iconic series out to competitive tender this year as it prepares for the programme’s next phase.
Quotes from Scottish Greens
Councillor Carroll said: “Glasgow has many police boxes already on its streets, it's time we see another added. This time, it will be one that can help make Glasgow the beating heart - or two - of the television production industry in Scotland, providing vital opportunities to the sector.”
He added: “Scotland has had four actors play the Doctor on camera, now we should bring the local talent behind the camera, into the world's longest running sci-fi TV show.”
Patrick Harvie MSP said: “The BBC has been under pressure to show commitment to Glasgow and Scotland, after controversial changes including recent redundancies in journalism and the loss of River City.
“Now that they are deciding what the next regeneration of Doctor Who will look like, there could not be a better time for Glasgow to make our case to be the new home of the Doctor.
“Glasgow has already doubled for cities across space and time, with productions from Spider Man to Indiana Jones filmed right on our doorsteps. Our city has shown that it already has everything needed to bring the Doctor here.
“We have the locations, facilities, creativity and local talent. What we need is a commitment from the BBC to secure this production opportunity. It would give our screen sector the kind of boost that Doctor Who did for Wales. The next time the TARDIS lands, it should land in Glasgow.”
