Murray Gold

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Lore & Background

Gold created a new arrangement of the Doctor Who theme, originally composed by Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire. His initial version omitted the "middle eight" portion but reinstated it for the 2005 Christmas episode, which carried into the 2006 series. He composed distinct themes for characters including Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, the Master, Astrid Peth, and the Daleks, as well as two specific themes for the Doctor: "The Doctor's Theme" and "The Doctor Forever." For the Eleventh Doctor in Series 5 (2010), he introduced new identities like "I Am The Doctor" and "A Madman With A Box," replacing earlier motifs. Gold also composed music for spin-offs, creating theme tunes for The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood (alongside Ben Foster), as well as variations for Totally Doctor Who and Doctor Who Confidential.

In Their Own Story

Gold's approach to scoring shifted significantly over his tenure. While the 2005 series relied largely on orchestral samples, arrangements from "The Christmas Invasion" onwards became more acoustic, often recorded by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with vocal contributions from Melanie Pappenheim and others. A standout moment was "Abigail's Song" from the 2010 Christmas special "A Christmas Carol," sung by Katherine Jenkins; its soundtrack released in March 2011. This orchestral style contrasted sharply with the electronic feel of the classic 1963–1989 series produced by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Gold also made on-screen appearances, wearing a false moustache in the 2007 Christmas special "Voyage of the Damned" and playing himself as a pianist in the Series 14 episode "The Devil's Chord" in 2024.

Reader's Guide

Gold stepped down as composer in February 2018 after serving since 2005, with Segun Akinola taking over for the eleventh series under executive producer Chris Chibnall. In April 2023, Gold was announced to return as composer for the show's revival through 2025. His return included composing "The Goblin Song" for the 2023 Christmas special "The Church on Ruby Road," which reached Number 1 on the UK iTunes Top Songs chart and peaked at number 12 in the UK Official Singles Chart, with proceeds donated to Children in Need. His work has been celebrated in live concerts, including the Doctor Who Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2024, and "Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration" in 2023.

Did You Know?

• Gold was nominated for five BAFTAs for Best Original Television Music for Vanity Fair, Queer as Folk, Casanova, and twice for Doctor Who.
• He made a cameo appearance wearing a false moustache in the 2007 Christmas special "Voyage of the Damned".
• His track "The Goblin Song" reached Number 1 on the UK iTunes Top Songs chart upon release in December 2023.
• Gold wrote the radio play Kafka the Musical, which won the 2013 Tinniswood Award for Best Original Radio Drama and starred David Tennant.
• He composed the theme tune for the Channel 4 series Shameless.