Doctor Who: Moris Farhi, writer of two unmade First Doctor stories, dies aged 84

Moris Farhi, writer of two unmade Doctor Who serials intended for the first ever season, has passed away, aged 84.

Moris Farhi was a Turkish author who’d written several novels. But he had also done far more than that. Before he was vice-president of PEN International, he campaigned for over two and a half decades for writers who had been persecuted or imprisoned due to repressive regimes. He was even awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to literature in 2001. He certainly had quite the impressive life.

But while he had written a great deal in general, Moris Farhi didn’t get to write much for Doctor Who. In fact, neither of the two stories he wrote – Farewell, Great Macedon and The Yellow Arc of Fragrance – ever made it to the screen.

But while his overall contribution was small, it was also somewhat legendary. Particularly Farewell, Great Macedon, which fans had often heard about and were fascinated to learn more. Indeed, when Doctor Who Magazine covered the unmade story back in 2000, the broad description they were able to give of the serial sounded very intriguing.

Moris Farhi’s two unmade stories were finally adapted in 2010 by Big Finish Productions.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/Big Finish Productions.

Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)

Farewell, Great Macedon

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Naturally, fans wanted to know more about this unmade historical that focused on the final days of Alexander the Great. And, over time, fans did learn more. In 2009, the whole script was published by Nothing at the End of the Lane, a magazine focused on researching Doctor Who, particularly the early years of the programme.

The story was later adapted by Big Finish Productions as part of their Lost Stories range. And, despite using only three actors instead of a full cast, it’s definitely one of their very best stories in the range.

William Russell and Carole Ann Ford do a fantastic job not just as Ian and Susan, but also on narrative duties and essentially filling in for most of the characters. John Dorney, who’s usually known more for his work as a writer at Big Finish, gives a great performance as Alexander.

But the strongest reason why it’s so great is, of course, Farhi’s story. It’s an absolute wonder why this was never made on-screen. It’s contains so many key elements of the best stories, not just in Doctor Who, but in drama. There’s politics, philosophy and of course tragedy. The story feels like a genuine historical epic, even with a small cast of characters. It’s an absolutely essential story to listen to, really.

It’s a shame that Farewell, Great Macedon was never made on-screen, as it would almost certainly have lead to Farhi becoming recognized as one of Doctor Who‘s best writers during the Sixties.

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But it’s clear that he achieved even greater things in his life, and even his unmade Doctor Who work has left a significant impact on the fandom. It’s clear he will be missed by many.

Moris Farhi died in his home on March 5th, 2019, aged 84.

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