An English actor who played Paul Merroney in the BBC drama series The Brothers from 1974 to 1976 and the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who from 1984 to 1986. Baker’s tenure as the Doctor proved to be a controversial era for the series, which included a hiatus in production and his subsequent replacement on the orders of BBC executive Michael Grade. [Wikipedia]
| Name | Colin Baker | ||
| Born | June 8, 1943 | Died | – |
Roles in Science Fiction on television, radio, or on film
The Adventures of Don Quick
(1970)
Baker played “Rebel” in an episode of this British science fiction comedy series for ITV. Kate O’Mara, who played the Rani in Doctor Who, also appeared.
Blake’s 7
(1980)
Baker played “Bayban” in an episode of this BBC science fiction series. Valentine Dyall, who played the Black Guardian in Doctor Who, also appeared.
Doctor Who
(1983, 1984-86, 1993)
Colin Baker first appeared on Doctor Who as Commander Maxill in the Season 20 opener “Arc of Infinity”, in which he shoots the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison). The following year, baker took over from Davison in the role and his first adventure was the final serial of season 21, “The Twin Dilemma”, and in the following season he faced the Cybermen, the Master and the evil Time Lady, the Rani, Sontarans (helped out by the Second Doctor), and the Daleks. The show then went on an 18-month hiatus, due to BBC One controller Michael Grade objecting to the violence depicted during the season, and while the BBC decided whether to continue. Season 23 was known as “The Trial of a Time Lord”, and Grade insisted the series contained less violence and more humour. At the end of the season, he dismissed Baker, who refused to return for the regeneration scene with Sylvester McCoy. During the hiatus, he recorded the audio story, “Slipback”. He later reprised the role, taking over from Jon Pertwee on stage in “Doctor Who – The Ultimate Adventure”; he appeared in the Children in Need/30th anniversary special “Dimensions in Time”, and he has done many audio adventures since 1999.
The Stranger
(199195)
Baker starred in this series of six straight-to-video films and four audio dramas, featuring a character initially only known as “The Stranger”. In the first three stories, his character seemed to be Doctor Who-like. In those, he starred alongside Nicola Bryant (Peri from Doctor Who), playing Miss Brown. Bryant did not appear in later stories, and the character of the Stranger changed. Other Doctor Who alumni involved include Michael Wisher (Davros), sophie Aldred (Ace), Louise Jameson (Leela), and Caroline John (Liz Shaw).
The Airzone Solution
(1993)
Baker played “Arnold Davies” in this British straight-to-video science fiction film, alongside Doctor Who alumni including Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, and Sylvester McCoy. It was written by Nicholas Briggs who has been involved in Doctor Who (voicing Daleks and Cybermen in the revived series) and its various spin-offs.
The Zero Imperative
(1994)
Baker played “Peter Russell” in this British straight-to-video science fiction film, alongside Doctor Who alumni including Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, and Sylvester McCoy. It was written by Mark Gatiss (who has written for the revived series of Doctor Who) as the beginning of the P.RO.B.E. series of films.
Sci-Fi TV UK 