Although it was the first major anniversary not to feature a TV special (if you can call Dimensions In Time a special that is), the BBC still celebrated the shows 40th birthday with a number of releases. There were two more webcasts, Shada was a remake of the incomplete Tom Baker story which featured Paul McGann, and Scream of the Shalka featured Richard E. Grant as a brand new ninth Doctor. Alongside Executive Producer and showrunner Russel T. Davies however, fans all over the world had finally been given the one thing they most desired, when it was announced that Doctor Who would be returning to TV screens a regular fixture once more.
2004
Knowing that the show would be returning got audiences asking the biggest question of the new millennium, who would play the Doctor? The name of virtually every well known and respected British actor was mentioned, but in the end it was announced that star of such diverse projects as Our Friends In The North, and Gone in 60 Seconds, Christopher Eccleston was cast. Although this casting was received with much applause, the reaction to former teenage pop star Billie Piper as his companion wasn't as enthusiastic.
2005
This was the year everyone was waiting for, as Doctor Who finally, and permanently, returned to TV screens. While a new format of 13 x 45 minute episodes (not only more modern, but also fitting the US model attractive to international broadcasters) didn't keep the serials, it did include the series long Bad Wolf arc which somewhat tied the episodes together. Although all these episodes kept well and truly within Earth's orbit rather than explore the rest of the universe it was an unbridled success, and even though it had only just begun, it ended with yet another regeneration and the introduction of David Tennant.