- The Stranger (video series)
"The Stranger" was a series of direct-to-video (and audio CD)
science fiction dramas made byBBV and starringColin Baker . They are now available on DVD.The series began in 1991 with "Summoned by Shadows", co-produced with the
BBC Film Club . Partly as a knowing homage to the long-running British science fiction television series "Doctor Who ", of which BBV founder Bill Baggs was a fan; and partly in a pragmatic attempt to take advantage of the consequent pre-existing audience. "Summoned by Shadows" was a "Who"-style tale of strange doings on a distant planet featuring three actors known for their roles in "Doctor Who" and playing not dissimilar characters.The unnamed protagonist (listed in the credits as 'The Stranger') was played by Colin Baker, his assistant Miss Brown by
Nicola Bryant , who had played the Doctor's assistantPeri Brown opposite Colin Baker for two years, and the villain of the piece byMichael Wisher , who had been the first actor to playDavros .The second story, "More Than A Messiah", adapted the "Doctor Who"
Audio Visuals story of the same name, but with the Stranger and Miss Brown substituted for the Doctor and original companion Ria (who was modeled after Peri). In a further connection, it co-starredSophie Aldred , better known as Ace from "Doctor Who", andPeter Miles , who had co-starred (opposite Wisher) in the series' "Genesis of the Daleks " – both in completely different roles."In Memory Alone", the third film, found the Stranger and Miss Brown stranded without their mysterious transport (never seen or referred to as the
TARDIS ) in a desolate train station withamnesia , and battling a robot and a mysterious man played byNicholas Briggs (who also wrote the film along with others in the Stranger series). Most releases of this film (including VHS) include a behind-the-scenes featurette and ablooper reel.While the first three may be (and usually were) taken as "Doctor Who" by another name, the departure here of the Miss Brown character (for which Nicola Bryant had not used her Peri Brown American accent, it should be noted) and 'the Stranger' himself being likewise 'returned to his proper time and place' at the story's conclusion allowed for a move to divorce the series from any such notions. The adventures of the Stranger ran in all to six videos (and four audio dramas, although the second audio drama was much the same as the sixth video), in the later half of which the series established its own style and distinct back story, abandoning any pretence of being the further adventures of the
Sixth Doctor under another name (or lack thereof). The Stranger was thus eventually given an identity: Solomon, a reluctant former assassin and terrorist leader, as the series' continuity was tied up.The series' re-release on DVD began in 2003Fact|date=March 2008.
The videos in the series are:
#"Summoned by Shadows" byChristian Darkin
#"More Than A Messiah" byNigel Fairs
#"In Memory Alone" byNicholas Briggs
#"The Terror Game" byNicholas Briggs (featuringLouise Jameson , who had played Leela in "Doctor Who")
#"Breach of the Peace" byNicholas Briggs (featuringCaroline John , who had playedLiz Shaw in "Doctor Who")
#"Eye of the Beholder" byNicholas Briggs The four audio dramas are:
*"The Last Mission" byNicholas Briggs (featuringElisabeth Sladen , who had playedSarah Jane Smith in "Doctor Who")
*"Eye of the Storm" by "Arthur Wallis" (Nicholas Briggs) - remade as "Eye of the Beholder"
*"The Coming of Shadows" by Stuart Robinson and James Potter (a bonus audio drama on the DVD release of "Summoned by Shadows")
*"Force of Nature" by Stuart Robinson and James Potter (a bonus audio drama on the DVD release of "More Than a Messiah")Another BBV production, "
The Airzone Solution ", is sometimes erroneously listed as part of the Stranger series. In fact, it is a standalone 'ecological thriller' that, other than its cast, has no connection to either The Stranger or "Doctor Who". Nicholas Briggs, meanwhile, went on to write and star in numerousBig Finish "Doctor Who" audio spin-offs and to voice theDaleks and other monsters in the TV series itself.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.