The Doctor Who Production Diary: 2004

January
4 The Spirit rover lands on the surface of Mars, to be followed by Opportunity three weeks later
17 Russell T Davies begins writing Rose Rose

February
4 Mark Zuckerberg and others launch thefacebook.com, which is renamed Facebook a year later

March
19 Christopher Eccleston agrees to play the Ninth Doctor The Ninth Doctor
20 Christopher Eccleston is announced as the Ninth Doctor The Ninth Doctor

April

May
3 Death of Anthony Ainley (bio), the fourth actor to play the Master
17 Massachusetts becomes the first state in the United States to allow same-sex marriage
17 Russell T Davies completes a first draft of Aliens Of London / World War Three Aliens Of London / World War Three
21 Billie Piper is cast as new companion Rose Tyler Rose Tyler
24 The BBC announces to the press that Billie Piper will play Rose Tyler Rose Tyler

June
19 Birth of Millie Gibson (bio), who played Ruby Sunday
22 Mark Thompson becomes the BBC's Director-General; soon thereafter, he makes enquiries about whether it is possible to cease work on the Doctor Who revival, but is rebuffed by BBC One Controller of Programmes Lorraine Heggessey, Controller of Drama Commissioning Jane Tranter, and executive producer Julie Gardner The Ninth Doctor
28 An interim government takes control of Iraq with the support of occupying forces from the United States and its allies
30 The BBC announces that they have been unable to come to terms with the estate of Terry Nation for the use of the Daleks in the revived Doctor Who series The Ninth Doctor

July
18 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
19 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
20 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
21 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
22 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
25 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Westminster, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
26 Recording for Rose takes place in London, at Westminster and Lambeth Rose
26 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Westminster, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
27 Recording for Rose takes place in Lambeth, London Rose
27 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Kennington, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
28 Recording for Rose takes place in London, at Westminster and Kennington Rose
28 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Kennington, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
29 Recording for Rose takes place in Kennington, London Rose
29 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Kennington, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
30 Recording for Rose takes place in Kennington, London Rose
30 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Kennington, London Aliens Of London / World War Three

August
2 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
3 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
3 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
4 The BBC confirms press reports that Noel Clarke will play a recurring role in Doctor Who as Mickey Smith Mickey Smith
4 The BBC announces that Camille Coduri will play a recurring role in Doctor Who as Jackie Tyler Jackie Tyler
4 The BBC announces that Penelope Wilton has been cast in Doctor Who, with her role later revealed to be Harriet Jones Harriet Jones
4 The BBC announces that John Barrowman has been cast in Doctor Who, with his role later revealed to be Captain Jack Harkness Jack Harkness
4 The BBC announces that a last-minute deal has been reached with the estate of Terry Nation for the use of the Daleks in the revived Doctor Who series The Ninth Doctor
4 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
5 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
6 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
8 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
9 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
10 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
11 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
12 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
13 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
16 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
17 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
18 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
19 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Pendoylan, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
20 Recording for Rose takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Rose
20 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
21 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at BBC Broadcasting House in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
22 Edvard Munch's 1910 version of his iconic painting The Scream is stolen from a museum in Oslo, Norway; it is finally recovered two years later
22 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
23 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
24 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
25 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
26 Recording for Rose takes place in Wales, at Unit Q2 in Newport and at Cardiff Rose
26 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
27 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
28 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
30 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
31 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three

September
1 Chechen terrorists take more than 1,000 people hostage at a school in Beslan, Russia; almost four hundred people are killed when Russian forces storm the school two days later
1 Recording for Rose takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Rose
1 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
2 Recording for Rose takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Rose
2 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
3 Recording for Rose takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Rose
3 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
6 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
7 Recording for Rose takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Rose
7 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
8 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
8 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
9 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
9 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
10 Recording for Rose takes place in Newport, Wales, including at Unit Q2 Rose
11 Recording for Rose takes place in Wales, at Unit Q2 in Newport and at Cardiff Rose
11 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
14 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at the BBC Model Unit Stage in Acton, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
15 Recording for Rose takes place at the BBC Model Unit Stage in Acton, London Rose
15 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at the BBC Model Unit Stage in Acton, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
16 Recording for Rose takes place at the BBC Model Unit Stage in Acton, London Rose
16 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at the BBC Model Unit Stage in Acton, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
19 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Unquiet Dead
20 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Swansea, Wales The Unquiet Dead
21 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Monmouth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
22 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Monmouth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
23 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
23 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Unquiet Dead
27 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
28 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
29 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
30 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead

October
1 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
2 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
4 The BBC announces that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has invested in the revival of Doctor Who The Ninth Doctor
4 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
4 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London Aliens Of London / World War Three
5 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
6 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
7 The BBC announces that Bruno Langley has been cast as Adam Mitchell Adam Mitchell
7 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
8 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
11 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
12 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
13 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
14 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
15 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
18 Recording for Rose takes place in Cardiff, Wales Rose
18 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
19 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
20 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Penarth, Wales The End Of The World
20 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place in Penarth, Wales The Unquiet Dead
22 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
22 Recording for The Unquiet Dead takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Unquiet Dead
25 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
26 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
27 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
28 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
29 The twenty-five members of the European Union sign the European Constitution in Rome; it is later rejected by French and Dutch voters, and replaced by the Treaty of Lisbon
29 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
30 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek

November
1 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
2 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
3 Recording for Dalek takes place in Cardiff, Wales Dalek
4 Recording for Dalek takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Dalek
5 Recording for Dalek takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Dalek
8 Recording for Dalek takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Dalek
9 Recording for The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales The End Of The World
9 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
10 Recording for Rose takes place at HTV Wales Studios in Cardiff, Wales Rose
10 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at HTV Wales Studios in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
11 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
12 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
13 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
15 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
16 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
17 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
18 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
19 Recording for Father's Day takes place at HTV Wales Studios in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
22 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at HTV Wales Studios in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
22 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at HTV Wales Studios Father's Day
23 Recording for Dalek takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Dalek
23 Recording for Father's Day takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Father's Day
24 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place in Cardiff, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
26 Recording for The End Of The World takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The End Of The World
26 Recording for Aliens Of London / World War Three takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Aliens Of London / World War Three
26 Recording for Dalek takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales Dalek
26 Recording for Father's Day takes place in Cardiff, Wales Father's Day
26 Russell T Davies completes a first draft of Boom Town Boom Town
30 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game

December
1 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
2 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
3 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
6 Recording for The Long Game takes place at the old British Telecom building in Cardiff, Wales The Long Game
7 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
8 Recording for The Long Game takes place at the old British Telecom building in Cardiff, Wales The Long Game
9 Doctor Who Magazine reveals that Shaun Dingwall will be appearing in Doctor Who Pete Tyler
9 Recording for The Long Game takes place at the old British Telecom building in Cardiff, Wales The Long Game
10 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
11 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
13 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
14 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
15 Recording for The Long Game takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Long Game
17 Recording for The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances
18 Recording for The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances takes place at Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances
26 More than 180,000 people are killed in Southeast Asia when a 9.3-magnitude earthquake creates a massive tsunami