<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Colin Baker is a British actor who is probably best known to science fiction fans as the sixth incarnation of the Doctor, the title character in the BBC's long running series Doctor Who.

Born in London on June 8, 1943, Baker attended St. Bede's college in Manchester. Though he studied law and eventually became a solicitor, he had little interest in his initial profession. By the age of 23, he had decided he wanted to become an actor. To this end, he attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

By 1970, Baker had earned his first television role on the BBC's drama series Roads to Freedom. This led to additional television work and between theater and television roles, he soon became a very busy actor. He gained fame as a regular on Britsh prime time soap opera, The Brothers from 1974 to 1976. On that program, he played bad guy Paul Merroney, who audiences apparently loved to hate.

Science fiction fans may also remember him as another villain, Bayban the Butcher, in the "City at the Edge of the World" episode of Blake's 7 (1980).

In 1984, Baker was cast to succeed Peter Davison on Doctor Who. He had appeared as another character on the show (Commander Maxil in "Arc of Infinity") just the season before. Baker and the current production team decided that they would attempt to make this incarnation of the Doctor initially unlikable, slowly revealing a warmer side over several seasons. Although Baker delivered a remarkable dramatic performance in his tenure, the plans to make the Doctor initally unlikable succeeded a little too well. Upper management at the BBC instructed producer John Nathan-Turner to dismiss Baker after only two seasons in the role. Offered just four episodes in the following season, Baker declined, leaving the already recorded season 23 as an unplanned last appearance.

After his departure from Doctor Who, Baker returned largely to the theater, where he remains a successful actor. He has since reprised his role as the Doctor in the stage show Doctor Who: The Ultimate Adventure and in the Doctor Who audio dramas by Big Finish Productions.

External Links

• Colin Baker at IMDB.com
• Upcoming TV Schedule by IMDB.com

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