171 – "The Girl in the Fireplace" | |||||
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Doctor Who episode | |||||
The Doctor searches Madame de Pompadour's mind.
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Cast | |||||
Others
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Production | |||||
Directed by | Euros Lyn | ||||
Written by | Steven Moffat | ||||
Script editor | Helen Raynor | ||||
Produced by | Phil Collinson | ||||
Executive producer(s) |
Russell T Davies Julie Gardner |
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Incidental music composer | Murray Gold | ||||
Production code | 2.4 | ||||
Series | Series 2 | ||||
Length | 45 minutes | ||||
Originally broadcast | 6 May 2006 | ||||
Chronology | |||||
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"The Girl in the Fireplace" is the fourth episode of series two of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 6 May 2006 on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), was directed by Euros Lyn and is the only episode in the 2006 series written by Steven Moffat. Sophia Myles guest-starred as the historical figure Madame de Pompadour. The episode is inspired by Audrey Niffenegger's novel The Time-Traveler's Wife.
In the episode, the Doctor—an alien time-traveller played by David Tennant—and his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke) find time windows on a 51st-century spaceship leading to 18th-century France and a group of clockwork androids using them to stalk Madame de Pompadour throughout her life.
The programme's executive producer Russell T Davies, who conceived the idea while researching for Casanova, described the episode as a love story for the Doctor. The episode was filmed in England and Wales. It was well received by most critics, was nominated for a Nebula Award and won the 2007 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.