Astrid Peth

Doctorwhocharacter


caption = Astrid in promotional media for
"Voyage of the Damned".
name = Astrid Peth
series = Doctor Who
affiliation = Tenth Doctor,
Max Capricorn Cruiselines
race = Unknown
planet = Sto
era = 2008
only = "Voyage of the Damned"
portrayed = Kylie Minogue

Astrid Peth is a fictional character played by Kylie Minogue in the long-running British science fiction television series "Doctor Who". She is a one-off companioncite web
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/08/14/47874.shtml
title = Companion Piece
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-08-14
accessdate = 2007-12-09] cite episode
title = Confidential at Christmas
episodelink = Confidential at Christmas
series = Doctor Who Confidential
serieslink = Doctor Who Confidential
airdate = 2007-12-25
season = 4
number = 1] of the Tenth Doctor, replacing Martha Jones in the primary companion role, and appeared in the episode "Voyage of the Damned",cite episode | title = Voyage of the Damned | series = Doctor Who | credits = Writer Russell T Davies, Director James Strong, Producer Phil Collinson | network = BBC | station = BBC One | city = Cardiff | airdate = 2007-12-25] which was first broadcast in the UK on 25 December 2007.Citation
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Radio Times
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 124
date = Cover date 22 December 2007 – 4 January 2008
year = 2007
url =
doi = 2007-12-09
id = ] Minogue's casting in the role was a major coup for "Doctor Who", her fame attracting much publicity for "Voyage of the Damned". The episode's success in terms of viewing figures has been largely attributed to Minogue's appearance in the role of Astrid Peth.

Conception

Russell T Davies announced that Astrid Peth would be the next companion after Martha Jones (played by Freema Agyeman) on 14 August 2007.cite web
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/08/14/47874.shtml
title = Companion Piece
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-08-14
accessdate = 2007-12-09] Astrid's surname, Peth, was confirmed in the Christmas edition of "Radio Times".Citation
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Radio Times
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 124
date = Cover date 22 December 2007 – 4 January 2008
year = 2007
url =
doi = 2007-12-09
id = ] Davies has stated that the character was always going to be a "one-off" even before Minogue was cast and that Astrid would demonstrate "a whole new take – again – on what a companion can be".cite web
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/08/14/47874.shtml
title = Companion Piece
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-08-14
accessdate = 2007-12-09] The fact that "Astrid" is an anagram of "TARDIS" and that "Peth" is Welsh for "part", was widely commented on before the episode's broadcast.Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Countdown To Christmas
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. 14–15] cite news
url = http://digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=18898548
title = Xmas Spoiler: What Is Astrid Perth!? And Season 4 Spoiler....
date = 2007-10-25
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] cite news
url = http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/12/dr_who.html
title = The Doctor Who disaster movie is a great success
date = 2007-12-20
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Guardian Unlimited] The episode revealed that information to be of no significance.cite news
url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a82142/im-903-years-old.html
title = I'm 903 years old
date = 2007-12-21
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Digital Spy] On "Doctor Who Confidential", Minogue describes Astrid as a "dreamer" and that meeting with the Doctor rekindles Astrid's desire to explore. Davies reveals that when he first discussed the role of Astrid with Minogue he had not yet determined the character's fate.cite episode
title =
episodelink = Confidential At Christmas
series = Doctor Who Confidential
serieslink = Doctor Who Confidential
airdate = 2007-12-25
season = 4
number = 1]

Character history

Astrid appears in the episode "Voyage of the Damned". She is introduced aboard the starship "Titanic" as a waitress from the planet Sto with a dream of seeing the stars. Meeting the Tenth Doctor aboard "Titanic", she quickly befriends him. She accompanies the Doctor on a trip organised by "Titanic"'s resident historian, Mr Copper, teleporting with some "Titanic" passengers down to Earth where she and the Doctor meet Wilfred Mott. Upon their return to the ship, she and the Doctor discover the plan of Max Capricorn to destroy the "Titanic", its passengers and the nearby people of Earth with his villainous angelic robots, the Host. As they attempt to save the ship, Astrid grows increasingly fond of the Doctor, kissing him as part of what she assures is an "old tradition" on Sto. In the episode's climax, Astrid sacrifices herself to save the Doctor from Capricorn by driving Capricorn off a platform with a forklift truck and both appear to fall to their peril. Later, realising Astrid was still wearing a teleporter bracelet, the Doctor attempts to recall her atoms in an attempt to resurrect her, but there is insufficient power aboard the damaged "Titanic" to do so. Astrid reappears spectral and bewildered, as the Doctor kisses her a goodbye before freeing her sentient atoms (described as "stardust") to roam space as energy.cite episode | title = Voyage of the Damned | series = Doctor Who | credits = Writer Russell T Davies, Director James Strong, Producer Phil Collinson | network = BBC | station = BBC One | city = Cardiff | airdate = 2007-12-25]

In "Journey's End", Davros taunts the Doctor about the countless deaths he has caused. A clip from "Voyage of the Damned" featuring Astrid is shown as part of a montage depicting various characters who died owing to their association with the Doctor.cite episode | title = Journey's End | series = Doctor Who | credits = Writer Russell T Davies, Director Graeme Harper, Producer Phil Collinson | network = BBC | station = BBC One | city = Cardiff | airdate = 2008-07-05]

Casting

The BBC officially announced that Minogue was to feature as Astrid in the episode "Voyage of the Damned" on 3 July 2007. The official announcement followed rumours regarding Minogue's casting having already circulated in the press, although the episode's writer Russell T Davies had denied these rumours in in-house BBC publication "Ariel" in an attempt to keep the news secret for longer. Furthermore, Minogue herself had confirmed that she would be appearing in the episode in "InStyle" magazine, whilst the London paper "Standard Lite" published a photograph of Minogue's creative director Will Baker carrying a 'to do list' with a note about a Doctor Who script on it, thus indicating that Minogue would be in the episode. Minogue had also been sighted filming for "Doctor Who" by members of the public before the official announcement of her casting.cite web
url = http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=4-2007#newsitemEEZZyAkuyFYdszfwjy
title = Davies dismisses Kylie rumour
publisher = Ariel
date = 2007-04-27
accessdate = 2007-12-28] Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Countdown To Christmas
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. 14–15] cite web
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/07/03/46771.shtml
title = Step Back In Time
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-07-03
accessdate = 2007-12-09] Baker, a long-term "Doctor Who" fan, was largely responsible for Minogue's casting by setting up a meeting between her, Davies and Julie Gardner.Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Countdown To Christmas
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. 14–15] Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Star Girl
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. Cover, 16–20] Davies has claimed that Minogue was keen to appear on "Doctor Who" to relaunch her acting career.cite news
url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a82057/kylie-minogue-wants-more-tv-roles.html
title = Kylie Minogue wants more TV roles
date = 2007-12-20
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] cite news
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/frontpageshowbiz/2007/12/20/kylie-back-to-acting-89520-20260541/
title = Kylie 'back to acting'
date = 2007-12-20
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Mirror.co.uk]

Publicity

Minogue posed with a Dalek in an exclusive photo shoot for "Doctor Who Magazine"Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Star Girl
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. Cover, 16–20] cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22978043-2,00.html
title = Dr Who scares Kylie fans
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = NEWS.com.au] promoting "Voyage of the Damned". The shoot paid homage to actress Katy Manning's (who portrayed Jo Grant) famous nude photo shoot with a Dalek.Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Countdown To Christmas
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. 14–15] Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant interviewed Minogue about her role as Astrid Peth on BBC Radio 2 in "X-Amining Kylie" first broadcast on 27 November 2007.cite episode
title = X-Amining Kylie
episodelink =
series = BBC Radio 2
serieslink =
airdate = 2007-11-27
season =
number = ] Lengthier discussion about her involvement in "Voyage of the Damned" was included in the extended repeat of "X-Amining Kylie", entitled "Re-X-Amining Kylie", broadcast on Boxing Day 2007.cite news
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/musicclub/doc_xaminingkylie.shtml
title = Re-X-Amining Kylie
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = BBC Radio 2] It was leaked to "The Sun" and other media outlets correctly that Astrid would kiss the Doctorcite news
url = http://digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=18898548
title = Xmas Spoiler: What Is Astrid Perth!? And Season 4 Spoiler....
date = 2007-10-25
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] cite news
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/frontpageshowbiz/2007/12/19/dr-who-kisses-kylie-89520-20260176/
title = Dr Who kisses Kylie
date = 2007-12-19
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Mirror.co.uk] cite news
url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a82103/david-tennant-discusses-kylie-kiss.html
title = David Tennant discusses Kylie kiss
date = 2007-12-20
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] and would exit by "spinning into space"cite news
url = http://digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=18898548
title = Xmas Spoiler: What Is Astrid Perth!? And Season 4 Spoiler....
date = 2007-10-25
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] before the episode's broadcast.

Reception

The episode was seen by 12.2 million viewers, with 13.8 million watching at its peak, according to overnight ratings, when it was first broadcast on Christmas Day on BBC One.cite news
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/12/26/51751.shtml
title = Titanic Success!
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-26
publisher = BBC] The ratings success of "Voyage of the Damned" has been partially and fully attributed to Minogue's casting in the role of Astrid.cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22978043-2,00.html
title = Dr Who scares Kylie fans
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = NEWS.com.au] cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22977010-2,00.html?from=mostpop
title = Kylie appearance makes 'best ever' Dr Who episode
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = NEWS.com.au] cite news
url = http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=191711&command=displayContent&sourceNode=191710&contentPK=19364062
title = Kylie sends Dr Who ratings soaring
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Press and Journal] cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22972435-7642,00.html
title = Kylie Minogue's star power boosted Dr Who's ratings
date = 2007-12-25
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = couriermail.com.au] cite news
url = http://www2.skynews.com.au/showbiz/article.aspx?id=209029
title = Kylie Who
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Sky News] Younger viewers who were fans of pop star Kylie were left distraught by Astrid's death and had to be convinced that Kylie was not dead in real life.cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22978043-2,00.html
title = Dr Who scares Kylie fans
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = NEWS.com.au] cite news
url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22977010-2,00.html?from=mostpop
title = Kylie appearance makes 'best ever' Dr Who episode
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = NEWS.com.au] cite news
url = http://www2.skynews.com.au/showbiz/article.aspx?id=209029
title = Kylie's Screen Death
date = 2007-12-29
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Sky News]

Although she received some positive reviewscite news
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/tv/todaystv/2007/12/24/doctor-who-89520-20265290/
title = Doctor Who
date = 2007-12-24
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Mirror.co.uk] cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7160000/newsid_7160300/7160347.stm
title = Super fan reviews Doctor Who special
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = BBC News] and it has been asserted that her appearance in the episode has helped her make "a full return to the limelight",cite news
url = http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=191711&command=displayContent&sourceNode=191710&contentPK=19364062
title = Kylie 'deeply touched' by OBE
date = 2007-12-29
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Press and Journal] Minogue's appearance was not universally praised. Gareth McLean, a TV writer for "The Guardian", described Minogue as "not that good...she's blank and insipid". McLean wrote:

"There's no chemistry between Astrid and the Doctor, she delivers her lines with a real lack of conviction and thus we never really believe in Astrid as a character. Where Catherine Tate's Donna in last year's special was overbearing, Kylie Minogue's Astrid is hardly there at all. It does make you wonder why casting Kylie was regarded as a coup. She's a pop star of course she's going to say yes to being beamed into millions of homes in the run-up to Christmas. She's got a duff album to sell. In truth, Kylie should be grateful to ["Doctor Who"] ."cite news|first=Gareth|last=McLean|title=The Doctor Who disaster movie is a great success|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/12/dr_who.html|publisher=Guardian Unlimited|date=2007-12-20|accessdate=2007-12-28]

David Belcher of "The Herald" wrote that Minogue looked too old to play a waitress.cite news
url = http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.1926915.0.The_old_ones_arent_always_the_best.php
title = The old ones aren't always the best
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Herald] Sam Wollaston of "The Guardian" claimed Kylie's performance was "disappointing" and did not live up to those of Freema Agyeman or Billie Piper in "Doctor Who".cite news
url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/27/television2?gusrc=rss&feed=media
title = Last night's TV
date = 2007-12-27
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Guardian Unlimited] Jim Shelley of "The Mirror" stated that Minogue did not "look vivacious enough to be worth all the fuss".cite news
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/12/27/eastenders-saves-the-day-89520-20266441/
title = EastEnders saves the day
date = 2007-12-27
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Mirror.co.uk] Conversely, Paddy Shennan of the "Liverpool Echo" accused the makers of cynically including shots of Minogue's cleavage and legs.cite news
url = http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-life/liverpool-lifestyle/2007/12/29/sugar-coated-tv-100252-20294161/
title = Sugar-coated TV
date = 2007-12-29
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Liverpool Echo.co.uk] Tim Teeman of the "Times Online" described Astrid as "gutsy", but commented on Minogue's "older" appearance and likened her "breathy delivery" to her performance as Charlene Mitchell in "Neighbours".cite news
url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3095298.ece
title = Christmas Day TV: Doctor Who; EastEnders; Coronation Street
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Times Online]

Billie Piper, who portrayed former companion Rose Tyler, commented that it was a "great idea" to cast Minogue, and was disappointed to miss meeting and befriending her on the set of "Doctor Who" as Tennant had done.cite news
url = http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=191711&command=displayContent&sourceNode=191710&contentPK=19352915&folderPk=112383&pNodeId=191800
title = Billie: I want to be Kylie's friend
date =
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Press and Journal] cite news
url = http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/feature-news/2007/12/29/don-t-mind-your-ps-qs-billie-piper-91466-20295984/
title = Don't Mind Your Ps & Qs: Billie Piper
date = 2007-12-29
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = Western Mail] "The Sun"'s selection of top TV babes of 2007 included Minogue as Astrid Peth as well as Agyeman for her Martha Jones "Doctor Who" role and Piper for her role as Belle de Jour in "Secret Diary of a Call Girl".cite news
url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article624564.ece
title = Who is 2007's top TV babe?
date = 2007-12-27
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Sun] In reference to Minogue's appearance in "Voyage of the Damned", actor John Barrowman, who portrays companion Captain Jack Harkness, suggested he would love for Kylie's sister, Dannii to appear in "Doctor Who" spin-off series "Torchwood".cite news
url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article619091.ece
title = Dannii's set for Doctor spin-off
date = 2007-12-26
accessdate = 2007-12-29
publisher = The Sun]

Merchandise

Character Options has produced an action figure of Astrid for inclusion in a "Voyage of Damned" action figure box set.cite news
url = http://www.doctorwhotoys.net/sets.htm
title = Figure Sets
date = 2008
accessdate = 2008-03-21]

Possible return

Despite Davies stating that the companion in "Voyage of the Damned" was "always going to [be] a one-off...little knowing that it would be Kylie Minogue",cite web
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/08/14/47874.shtml
title = Companion Piece
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-08-14
accessdate = 2007-12-09] he has since stated that he would cast Minogue again "like that".cite news
url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a82057/kylie-minogue-wants-more-tv-roles.html
title = Kylie Minogue wants more TV roles
date = 2007-12-20
accessdate = 2007-12-28
publisher = Digital Spy] "The Daily Express" has quoted Minogue as saying there has been talk that her character could be reintroduced at a later date.Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Countdown To Christmas
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. 14–15] Davies refused to comment when "Doctor Who Magazine" asked him about the rumours regarding Minogue's return to "Doctor Who".Citation
date=2008-01-09 (cover date)
title=Star Girl
last = Cook
first = Benjamin
periodical=Doctor Who Magazine
issue=390
pages=pp. Cover, 16–20]

References

External links

*DWcompanions|id=astrid|character=Astrid Peth|new=y