The Doctor - A 900-year-old timelord from the planet Gallifrey. HIs planet and people were destroyed by the Daleks in the Last Great Time War, leaving him the last of the Timelords.

T.A.R.D.I.S. (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) - Disguised as a 1940's police box and bigger on the inside than the outside, this is the Doctor's famous ship. It can travel through both time and space, enabling the Doctor and his companion to visit different planets and different times. Originally, it was made to be able to change so as to blend in with the surroundings, but it got stuck that way!

Daleks - Metal Tanks whose most famous saying is, "EXTERMINATE, EXTERMINATE." They are the Doctor's worst enemies.

Rose Tyler - She used to live on a large London housing estate with her mother, until the shop she worked in was blown up by Autons and she bumped into the Doctor. She became the Doctor's first companion of the series.

Captain Jack - A conman and time traveller from the the 52nd century, he joined the Doctor and Rose on the T.A.R.D.I.S. after his ship was destroyed. (Episode: "The Doctor Dances" )

Mickey - Rose's boyfriend who is always left behind by her and the Doctor but who, nevertheless, is such a nice person that he is always there when she needs him.

Jackie Tyler - Rose's mother who worries about her a lot when she is away.

The long running television show, Doctor Who, has recently finished the airing of its first new series for 15 years. The huge success of the series has prompted the BBC to create a second and even third series, although starring new doctor, David Tennant.

What has made this revivsal of Doctor Who so successful? What could possibly make the adventures of an eccentric Gallifreyen timelord and his companion so entertaining as to capture the attention of so many people each Saturday evening?

The answer lies in the sheer brilliance of the new series. Keeping the iconic T.A.R.D.I.S in the shape of a 1940's police box and, of course, the dreaded Dalek's, this new series has brought Doctor Who right up to date without losing any of the original spirit. No more are the monsters crawling robots covered in bubble wrap but CGI wonders worthy of even Star Wars. No longer is the companion there only to be the eyes and ears of the television audience - she is tied up in the story, her past and present are essential to it.

Much of the success of the new series is also hugely due, of course, to the outstanding performances of two highly talented leads. Namely, Christopher Eccleston as the doctor, and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, his companion. So convincing were their performances that both of them and Doctor Who have been nominated for Awards at the National Television Awards. The actual show for best drama, Christopher Eccleston for Best Actor, and Billie Piper for Best Actress.

Due to the huge demands on his time, Chris has decided to leave his part of the Doctor, making way for the first regeneration of the se
ries and the tenth doctor. New Doctor David Tennant is a 33-year-old Scot who is playing the part of Barty Crouch Juniour in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Incidentally, I saw David in "Look Back in Anger" at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. He played the part well and is a good actor; although I wonder if he, or anybody else for that matter, will be able to show so much feeling in one subtle facial expression or a look in the eye, as Christopher Eccleston.

The overall reason for the success of the new series is that it has everything: excitement, monsters, emotional moments, love, fear, and joy.