The BBC has been criticised by the owners of the Lulworth Estate in Dorset after the regeneration scene during Jodie Whittaker's final episode of Doctor Who saw the TimeLord regenerate on top of famous landmark Durdle Door. Sparking a safety row, the Weld family, who have owned the estate where the beautiful coastal spot sits, since 1641, claimed that if they'd known what they were going to film, permission wouldn't have been granted.
The final scene of last Sunday's centenary special, The Power of the Doctor, saw Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor regenerate into her fourteenth incarnation, played by former Doctor actor David Tennant. The 200ft limestone arch is popular with tourists and attracts thousands of people each year. It is also a known hotspot for daredevils to try "tombstoning" - an action that sees adrenaline seekers scale the landmark and jump the huge distance into the water below. In 2020, at least three people were seriously injured attempting the jump.
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Following transmission of the dramatic scene, there have been concerns that people will now flock to the dangerous area and a family member of the clan who own the Estate have said that the BBC weren't transparent about their filming plans.
Special effects were used while filming using drones, meaning no actors actually scaled the arch. However, it's been said that had the BBC provided an accurate description of what they had planned, the scenes would not have gone ahead.
James Weld, whose family has owned the land since 1641, explained to The Sun that the filming request would have been denied and claimed he may now turn down any future filming requests from the BBC. He said: "If we had known we would not have agreed because of the encouragement that this may give to some of our visitors to put themselves in a dangerous position. We are disappointed that the BBC chose not to be honest with us."
A spokesman for the company responded to the comments, saying: "Doctor Who’s Centenary Special regeneration scene was a tightly kept secret.
“Although we were granted permission to film with a drone we weren’t asked how the location would be portrayed on screen.”
Doctor Who is set to return next year, celebrating 60 years of traveling in time and space. With both David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles for the celebrations, it has been announced that they will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023. Ncuti Gatwa will then take control of the Tardis, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023. It has recently been revealed that Disney+ has joined forces with the BBC on future series of the show.
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