Could Doctor Who Spinoff Class Lead to Return of Ian Chesterton?
By David Hill
As Doctor Who’s popularity continues to grow, so does the interest in various spinoff series. Torchwood was certainly a success, and Big Finish has done an amazing job in bringing different areas of the Whoniverse to life. Now, another spinoff is set to begin next fall, as Class, set at Coal Hill School, will be broadcast on BBC3.
This spinoff is certainly intriguing, as it will be a glimpse into the life of the normal people in the Whoniverse, who have to deal with various alien threats on a somewhat continual basis. And, being set in the school where Clara Oswald and Danny Pink had worked, there is a convenient way for a bit of a crossover with Doctor Who, should the Doctor decide to make an appearance.
This spinoff could also bring back a bit of history to the Whoniverse. Back in the beginning, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, who would become companions of the First Doctor, taught at Coal Hill. After their adventures, they returned to the school, only to find that two years had passed. However, they were able to continue their careers as the Doctor continued on his adventures.
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Perhaps, with the return to Coal Hill in this spinoff, we can get another glimpse of Chesterton. In the years that passed, he continued to move through the ranks, and was listed as Chairman of the Governors on a sign seen last season outside the school. With the myriad of alien threats, and given Chesterton’s time with the Doctor, it certainly makes sense that he would still be involved, in some capacity, with the happenings of the school. After all, who better to set up the different protocols for these threats than someone who has theoretically seen these creatures before?
This spinoff could even result in the reintroduction of Ian Chesterton to the Whoniverse. William Russell, who played Chesterton during his time with the First Doctor, is going to be 91 years old in the middle of November, so he would not likely be able to have more than a cameo or two in the series. However, he did make an appearance in An Adventure in Time and Space, appearing as Harry the security guard. Perhaps Russell would be able to reprise his role as Chesterton one more time.
As it stands, Class promises an interesting look at the Whoniverse through completely different eyes. The possibility, however remote, of having Ian Chesterton appear on the show makes this spinoff all the more intriguing. Let us hope that this can happen.