Doctor Who (Powers United As One)

Title: Doctor Who

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2006 05:22 PM (GMT)

Discuss the popular British Sci-Fi show.

Who Stars' Chemistry Ignites
Russell T. Davies, executive producer and lead writer of the new Doctor Who, attributed much of the show's initial success to the winning chemistry between Christopher Eccleston, who plays the eccentric Time Lord, and Billie Piper, who plays his companion, Rose Tyler. As Davies recalled, Eccleston was an early candidate for the role, but it was assumed that he wouldn't be interested. "Mal Young, one of the other executive producers who had been campaigning at the BBC for a long time to bring Doctor Who back, had mentioned him, and having worked with Chris and having known him for years, I just gave a little wry smile to myself and thought, 'We should be so lucky!'" Davies said.
Davies added: "Out of the blue, Chris e-mailed me, and even as a huge top-line actor in Britain, he was still modest enough to say, 'Would you consider me for the part?' Anybody else would have said, 'I want that part! Give it to me!' From that point on, we did see other people as well, but it was a very simple decision, because the program's memory had become a bit of a joke, in the way that I watch American programs, and they refer to Gilligan's Island. It was a bit like that over here, because Gilligan's Island was a bit daft and funny and fondly remembered, but not a serious program at all. And casting Chris seemed to have single-handedly changed that overnight, particularly within the industry. Suddenly, a lot of people sat upright and said, 'Oh, my God, they're taking this seriously!' It was the biggest change we could effect upon the memory of the program."
Equally important was the casting of Piper, who was much more of an equal than many of the show's original companions, who were usually relegated to the role of damsel in distress. "Much as I love the old show, there wasn't much work involved in that decision, because you could not write a female lead in this day and age that was subservient and in the Doctor's shadow, who didn't have a background and a history and a personality," Davies said. "I think with any drama, you'd just get laughed off the screen if you tried to get away [with] that, so it wasn't as much a great idea of mine as just the only way to write something in 2006."
Davies said that he brought his reputation as a drama writer to Doctor Who. "So that's the sort of thing they wanted from me," he said. "I've always written strong women, so there was just no choice in it, although if you studied the history of the program, it's quite a bit of a reinvention. I can't help thinking if Doctor Who had run continuously; it would be like this now anyway. If it had gone from 1989 to 2006 in a straight line, the companion would now be like this, because that's what television is like today."
As it turned out, Eccleston would only stay on long enough to launch the first season, with actor David Tennant taking over the role for season two, which is currently in production in the United Kingdom. "We would never have replaced Chris with a lesser actor," Davies insisted. "And we're very lucky to have got David."

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2006 05:23 PM (GMT)

Who Timing Was Right
Russell T. Davies, executive producer of the hit British SF series Doctor Who, told SCI FI Wire that his revival of the long-running BBC series came about after years of waiting for the right opportunity. "I think the BBC had their eye on it as a very good property that could be resurrected," Davies said in an interview. "And the drama department, as well as the controller of BBC1, wanted to work with me, which sounds very arrogant, but it's the truth. They'd been asking me to write all sorts of things; every year, they'd phone up and say, 'Do you want to adapt A Tale of Two Cities? or 'Do you want to write another series about gay men?' [Davies was best known for his series Queer as Folk.] Or something like that, and every year I quite confidently (and cheekily) sat there and said, 'No, I just want to do Doctor Who!'"
The original Doctor Who was canceled in 1989 after 26 seasons but continued to live on in novels, radio plays, audio dramas and a 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann in the lead role. A number of producers had approached the BBC with their own ideas for a possible revival, but Davies insisted that he didn't have a direction in mind until after he came on board. "Once they asked me to do it and commissioned me, I came up with my take on it, and the miracle from my point of view was that I was given a clean slate," he said.
Davies added: "My only wariness in going to work for the BBC, especially on an in-house production, is that the BBC is a labyrinthine organization. I was very wary of the red tape, the committees, focus groups and all the systems that were in place. But, to my astonishment, I discovered that the opposite was true. When I did my treatment, I didn't have to go through 27 different committees, so I was given an enormous amount of freedom, and then they followed that up by backing it with a budget, which again was my worry. I didn't want to do a cheap version of Doctor Who, but the heads of various departments and the heads of certain channels all wanted the same thing, so everyone was in the right place, and I was lucky enough to be the one they wanted."
The first season of Doctor Who will debuted on SCI FI Channel with episodes one ("Rose") and two ("The End of the World") airing back to back, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT on March 17. "We actually asked for that in this country [Great Britain]," Davies said. "Mind you, we only asked for it, like, two weeks before transmission, when everything was fixed in stone, so they laughed us out of the building. But I think it's a brilliant idea!" As Doctor Who begins airing on SCI FI Channel, the show is currently wrapping production on its second season in South Wales and will air in the United Kingdom soon.

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2006 05:24 PM (GMT)

Star Was Who Virgin
Christopher Eccleston admitted that he wasn't a big fan of Doctor Who before signing on for the role. "As a child, I felt that the Doctor was a bit too authoritarian for my taste," said the actor, whose episodes began airing on SCI FI Channel at 9 p.m. ET/PT on March 17. "Because I didn't have a camp sensibility, the wobbly-sets thing made me think, 'Oh, I just don't believe in that!' And [I] ended up watching Star Trek instead. But now I look at the old DVDs, and I've become a massive fan. I think it's a fantastic series, and I'm proud to be part of it." Eccleston spoke at a news conference last year, before the first season of Doctor Who aired in the United Kingdom.
Eccleston is the ninth actor to officially play the Doctor, following in the tradition of William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann. After hearing that producer Russell T. Davies was reviving Doctor Who for the BBC, Eccleston quickly got in touch and asked to be considered for the role. "I'm a fan of Russell's writing and worked with him on The Second Coming, so I e-mailed him and said, 'When you draw up your audition list, put my name on it.' In a way, it was a crazy thing to do, but I really wanted to work with Russell again."
Eccleston soon discovered that playing the Doctor was a demanding job. "I think I got away pretty injury-free, but it is a very physical role, and I enjoyed that," he said. "Billie Piper [who plays the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler,] has a lot of the more complicated performance stuff to do in terms of reacting to this extraordinary creature that is the Doctor, but I'm kind of the mental and physical energy. If we rehearsed a scene, often we'd have to find out where he was going to go, which wall he was going to bounce off, and then everybody else would feed off that energy, either undercutting it or topping it. That's why it's such a tiring role, because of that constant balls-of-your-feet acting."
The first 13-episode season of Doctor Who was a ratings success when it first aired in the United Kingdom last year. American viewers will be able to decide for themselves when it begins its SCI FI Channel run. The second season of Doctor Who is currently wrapping up production in the U.K. and will begin airing there in April on BBC1, with David Tennant replacing Eccleston, who left the series at the end of season one.

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2006 05:25 PM (GMT)

New Who No Laughing Matter
Russell T. Davies, producer of the new Doctor Who, told SCI FI Wire that one of his priorities was to create a series that would be taken seriously as a mainstream drama. The original incarnation, which was canceled by the BBC in the late '80s after 26 seasons, was regarded by some executives as a bit of a joke in later years.
"That's very true," Davies said in an interview. "But all of those people are now gone, so I have to say the opposite is now true. Frankly, I have to say, the terrifying thing about this time last year was that we had just spent all that money on it. Doctor Who has a good budget; it's not the biggest budget in the world, but for the BBC to make 13 episodes of something with this sized budget is very rare. I literally can't think of another example, so an awful lot of faith and trust had been put into it. We were also put in the prime-time slot, so expectations were actually massive, and this time last year was truly scary."
Doctor Who premiered in the United Kingdom last year and became a huge hit. "The interesting thing about when the BBC approached me, I was amazed that they wanted the same thing that I did, which was that they also wanted the series to be on in prime time. You could have done a 9 o'clock, post-watershed version of Doctor Who on BBC2, which is one of our smaller channels, a more niche or elite channel, and that would have created a much more adult Doctor Who, much more like the new Battlestar Galactica, or they could have commissioned something with a much smaller budget for, say, BBC3, which is a wild youth-based channel, in which case, Doctor Who would have been possibly a [bit] Monty Python: very wild and extreme and even a bit radical and much more comedy-based. But I was delighted that they put it on for the primary channel, which is BBC1, on Saturday night."

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2006 05:25 PM (GMT)

As it turned out, the vision that Davies had for the series-about an eccentric Time Lord (played by Christopher Eccleston) traveling through time and space, accompanied by companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in a ship disguised as a police call box-struck an immediate chord when it debuted in its Saturday-night timeslot. "I know it isn't the same in the States, but in Britain, Saturday night is the ratings war night, in which we play Pop Idol [similar to the U.S. American Idol] and all the big entertainment shows, the Dance Fever shows. It's the biggest battleground of all, so the fact the BBC was investing in it so much by putting it in that prime-time slot very much determined what it should be, which is very much the sort of Doctor Who that I wanted to make anyway, which was a very inclusive version, which would include all sorts of viewers, not just niche science-fiction viewers, but was a great big, bold, wild family drama. So I was lucky that the constellations were in the right shape." Doctor Who began its first-season U.S. run on SCI FI Channel starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT on March 17.

Purple Ranger 14 - December 24, 2006 08:49 PM (GMT)

Capt. Jack Returning To Who
John Barrowman, who plays Capt. Jack Harkness on the Doctor Who spinoff series Torchwood, confirmed to SyFy Portal that his character will return for a multi-episode arc during the upcoming third season of Doctor Who. "I will be in [season] three of Doctor Who," Barrowman said in an interview. "I will be in the last three episodes of four episodes, and the scripts are being written as we speak, because I just got a text from [Doctor Who executive producer Russell T. Davies] telling me that he's finishing the script [in which] Jack returns."
Barrowman first appeared as Capt. Jack in the Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child," and remained on the show through the end of the first season. He later reprised the role in Torchwood, which premiered in October and is currently airing in the U.K. on BBC Three.
Barrowman didn't reveal the details of his reappearance on Doctor Who, but did rule out the possibility of any future crossovers on his new show. "You will never have Who crossing over into Torchwood," he told the Web site. "Doctor Who is for children, is a base for family viewing and children. Torchwood is not. The only person that will cross at this point will be Jack going back and forth, because Jack has a different persona in Doctor Who [than] he does in Torchwood, if that makes any sense. He's darker because of his circumstances, and he'll change again when [he] comes in, or he might be darker when he comes back in Doctor Who."
The first season of Torchwood wraps up in January. Doctor Who returns for a Christmas special, "The Runaway Bride," which airs in the U.K. on Dec. 25, before beginning its third season next year.
http://www.syfyportal.com/news.php?id=3008

TV Guide reported that Christopher Eccleston, who starred in the first season of the BBC's new Doctor Who show, will join the cast of NBC's new SF hit series Heroes in January as a series regular.
http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnis...E-BB2D9787CE51}

PIPER REGRETS DR WHO DECISION
  English actress BILLIE PIPER regrets her decision to quit BBC show  DOCTOR WHO after just two series. Piper, who played the Doctor's  sidekick ROSE in the hit show, admits she's "jealous" of Doctor Who's  continued success. She says, "I still desperately miss Rose and  everyone at Doctor Who. I'm jealous that I'm no longer part of it and  I'm trying to keep the green-eyed monster at bay, but on the whole it  felt like the right thing to do. "I'd done two series, and each on  takes nine months to shoot. I got so close to everybody that I thought  if I didn't ever leave I'd be too scared to ever go, and I'd get  complacent."  

Purple Ranger 14 - December 24, 2006 08:49 PM (GMT)

Torchwood Gets Second Season
The BBC reported that it has ordered a second season of Torchwood, the hit Doctor Who spinoff series, which will air on BBC Two in the United Kingdom. The series is produced by BBC Wales; the first season, starring John Barrowman as immortal time traveler Captain Jack Harkness, has broken ratings records on BBC Three.
Doctor Who creator Russell T. Davies also created Torchwood (an anagram of Doctor Who), which is set in Cardiff, Wales, and centers on an extra-governmental team of investigators who use alien technology to solve crimes, both alien and human.
Filming for the second season (called a "series" in Britain) is due to start in Cardiff next spring, and the programs will air later in 2007 in the U.K.

Leaving Dr Who makes me cry
  December 21, 2006
  BILLIE Piper reveals today how quitting Doctor Who still makes her  cry — and admits she won't be able to watch the new series.   Blonde Billie adored playing the Timelord's helper Rose Tyler — but  felt it was time to go in case she became "complacent" .  She says: "It was such a hard decision. I still cry about it, I'm  such a cry baby.   "I don't know if I'll be able to watch the next series. I'll  probably have to sit behind the couch with a cushion over my eyes."  Critics were surprised when, in 2004, former teen popstar Billie won  the role of Rose.  She had spent a few years in the professional wilderness with ex- hubby Chris Evans after walking away from her stressful singing  career.  But she excelled to help produce a ratings winner for the BBC — and  revive a much-loved telly sci-fi classic. Billie, 24, won two  National TV Awards for her role as bolshie Rose, so it was a shock  when she decided to leave during filming for the second series.  She explained: "I just thought it was time to do something new — not  because I felt tired, the material was crap or the people were  nasty — but just because I felt like doing something else.  "I'd spent nine months filming in Cardiff and that's a long time to  be away from your family and friends.  "I'm a real London girl, I absolutely love it. I found it  increasingly hard to be away.  "I felt like if I'd stayed there any longer I would have become a  bit complacent.   "And, suddenly, you've been doing it for five years and you're too  scared to leave."  The hardest part was telling show writer Russell T Davies. Billie  says: "He was upset and I was upset, but he's such a wonderful man  and completely supported me.   "But life has to move on and there are great things happening in  British TV. I just hope I don't regret leaving!" In Rose's final  scene the Doctor (David Tennant) tries to tell her he loves her as  she is left on a world to which he can't return.  Billie says: "I cried about that too . . . it's so sad because it's  the end of a love story."  And Billie says she's "met a really good friend in David". She  continues: "He's a lovely guy, super-duper down to earth, super- duper smart. Women love him, my mum and her mates obsess over him."   When asked if SHE fancies him, Billie replies: "I've always thought  he was good-looking guy, but if I'd fancied him badly it would have  been quite hard working with him."  She raises eyebrows over rumours they got too close, saying: "Every  person I do a job with — I'm going out with them, that's just the  way it goes . . . it becomes quite an intensive relationship. "  She adds: "I think David will be the Doctor for a while, he really  loves the show. It has certainly completely changed my life and has  given me confidence to try to do other things.   "I had been quite scared about doing something new."  Billie will be seen playing Victorian heroine Sally Lockhart in the  Beeb's Ruby In The Smoke over Christmas, then Fanny Price in Jane  Austen's Mansfield Park for ITV next year.   She laughs: "I do like a feisty woman." On going to Hollywood,  Billie says: "It would have to be the right project. I've been  acting properly for only three years, so it's a bit soon."  After the chaos of her teens, she is settled and happy.  She says: "I have a nice home life and great circle of friends. I  feel very chilled. I think it's because I love my work so much.  RUBY In The Smoke can be seen on BBC1 on December 27 at 8.30pm.   Source: The Sun Url: http://www.thesun. co.uk/article/ 0,,2001320029- 2006590153, 00.html 

Racnoss revealed
Racnoss revealedSpider woman Sarah Parish on the web...
Monster maker Neill Gorton has revealed the pain behind his most challenging creation yet - the Racnoss Empress from The Runaway Bride, played by Sarah Parish.
"We've fitted all manner of prosthetics to hoardes of tough stuntmen over the years," said Neill, "but Sarah is, without doubt, the hardiest person we've ever had the pleasure to work with!"
Parish had to endure punishing 14-hour days to become the sinister half-spider, half-human Empress of the Racnoss. This included a full two hours in the prosthetics department each morning of the three-day shoot, where she was fitted with a prosthetic head, contact lenses and dentures.
Wearing a body suit, she then took her place within the complex set, having to contort her body into a kneeling position and arch her back for the entire 11 hours of shooting, before spending a further hour at the end of the day having everything removed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../19/39112.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - January 4, 2007 07:31 PM (GMT)

Who knows first?
Who knows first?David tells DWA what's cool about being the Doctor.
In the Christmas issue of Doctor Who Adventures, David Tennant reveals the best bit about being TV's top time traveller.
"Getting to read the scripts before anyone else," he says. "It's when you find out where you are going next - and that's great!"
David also discusses life without Rose: "I am missing Rose, of course! I miss Billie because she's such a great friend and such a great actress. But Freema, who you'll see next year, is filling that gap beautifully and brilliantly!"
Also featured in the issue are chats with the cast of The Sarah Jane Adventures, including Elisabeth Sladen, plus inside info on the special, a Fact File on the Doctor and how to make monster decorations for your Christmas tree.
The issue comes with a free Dalek trainer bag, a set of four Doctor Who badges and a bonus pull-out poster section.
Doctor Who Adventures Issue 19 is published on Wednesday 13 December.

Purple Ranger 14 - January 13, 2007 08:59 PM (GMT)

Heroes To Preview On Leno
Masi Oka, who recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Hiro Nakamura on the NBC series Heroes, will reveal an exclusive clip from upcoming episode on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the network announced. The actor will show a preview of the episode titled "Godsend," guest-starring former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston as a mysterious man whose special power is hinted at in his name—Claude. "Godsend," the first new episode of the year, airs Monday, Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Purple Ranger 14 - January 19, 2007 05:57 PM (GMT)

Doctor Who DVDs delayed by a week.
2Entertain have advised that they're running a bit late with their New Beginnings set.
Originally due for release on 22 January 2007, the trilogy of tales will now materialise in the shops on 29 January.
As previously announced, the set comprise The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva - adventures that saw both the return of the Doctor's arch-enemy the Master, plus the transition from Tom Baker's Doctor to Peter Davison's.

Purple Ranger 14 - February 7, 2007 09:24 PM (GMT)

Doctor Who: The Complete Second Series
The cult BBC series was regenerated with great fanfare in 2005, with the dour-looking Christopher Eccleston as the good doctor. In this second series, Who is played by David Tennant, whose oddball antics recall the quintessential timelord, Tom Baker. With assistant Billie Piper in tow, Who's reunited with familiar faces including the robotic pup K9 and the dreaded Cybermen. Packed with Brit wit and cutting-edge ideas, this is as good as TV sci-fi gets right now. With Tennant's video diaries.

Doctor Who Link: http://shop.vh1.com/Doctor-Who--The-Comple...3VVviewprod.htm

Doctor Who: The Complete Second Series DVD
The Time Lord incarnates with a new face—but unfortunately, his newest Companion won't be around to enjoy it for long
By Adam-Troy Castro
Following an overdose of energy from the Tardis in the prior season's closer, the Doctor returns in the form of David Tennant, whom you may remember as a particular reptilian villain in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
... achieves emotional resonance well beyond its heights of silliness ...
Less an action hero than Christopher Eccleston's Doctor, quirkier in his line deliveries, but just as delighted whenever oddities abound around him, this Doctor continues to squire the resourceful Rose (Piper) throughout time and space in a season that is unfortunately more uneven than the last, but which nevertheless continues to deliver its share of high points.
"The Christmas Invasion," written by Davies, presents us with, among other things, a buzzing hacksaw of a Christmas tree that makes kindling of the flat belonging to Rose's mom Jackie (Coduri). "Tooth and Claw," also by Davies, sends Rose and the Doctor back in time to stand between a werewolf and one Queen Victoria, who is most definitely not amused. And "The Girl in the Fireplace," by Steven Moffatt, takes advantage of the telescoping effects of time travel to offer us a friendship between the Doctor and a girl living at the time of Louis XIV ... a relationship that fills her entire life, but from the Doctor's viewpoint seems to last an hour or two. It's equally passionate on both sides.
Wonder and terror in a police call box
The oddest of the stand-alones is "Love & Monsters," which is only barely about Rose and the Doctor at all, focusing instead on a hapless contemporary bloke named Elton (Marc Warren), one of a small band of contemporary Doctor cultists determined to track down the mysterious figure who has touched (and, by providing reason for obsession, blighted) their lives. Alas, they make the tragic mistake of accepting help from the wrong alien. The most touching performance comes from Shirley Henderson, Moaning Myrtle of the Harry Potter movies. Her character, Ursula Blake, suffers an unusual fate that, in the strangest of all the season's denouments, doesn't stand in the way of domestic bliss with Elton. But, seriously: Ewwww.
One two-parter delivers Rose, the Doctor and grumbling third wheel Mickey (Clarke) to an alternate Earth, providing a fine opportunity for the Cybermen to return and Mickey to rise to the occasion. Another, which provides the season's scariest cliffhanger, confronts our heroes with a creature who claims to be, literally, Satan.
But it all comes down to an epic battle centering on a secret government facility called Torchwood, and an epic battle between the Cybermen and Daleks (who, unsurprisingly, do not get along). Developments restore some version of Rose's shattered family, but lead to a tearful, heartbreaking goodbye as Rose and the Doctor find themselves separated by the unbreakable barriers of spacetime.
As before, Doctor Who achieves emotional resonance well beyond its heights of silliness by paying full attention to the emotions of its characters. That goodbye scene, in particular, remains hard to take, in large part because of the persuasive grief of Billie Piper's Rose. She acts the hell out of the moment but is an engaging and charming heroine throughout, communicating both her delight in the remarkable adventure her life has become and the terror she feels whenever she realizes she's in over her order. It's a remarkable performance, crucial to this incarnation's charm, and—seriously—to hell with anybody sans better things to do with their time who burned a hole in the Internet posting diatribes condemning her for being "fat." Her best moment here may be her goodbye, but she still had us with hello.
The Cybermen/Dalek battle was, as usual, resolved with hand-waving gobbledygook, but this Doctor Who is far better at making such doubletalk work as human drama than certain starship-bound franchises whose characters spent far too much time pushing buttons. —Adam-Troy
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw14713.html

Purple Ranger 14 - February 7, 2007 09:26 PM (GMT)

Purple Ranger 14 - February 7, 2007 09:28 PM (GMT)

Tennant Talks Who Season 3
David Tennant, who plays the iconic role of the Doctor in the revived Doctor Who series, told SCI FI Wire that it was difficult shooting the final scene with fellow cast member Billie Piper, who left the show at the end of the second season. "Of course that scene meant that Billie was leaving the show (although it wasn't the final scene she shot), and that was very sad," Tennant said in an e-mail interview. "She is a great actor and had become a great friend. It's also a beautifully written scene, and even when we ran through the lines together on the makeup bus that morning, we started sniffling. In fact, in the video diaries on the DVD you can see us both have a good old weep about the whole thing."
In the recent special The Runaway Bride, which aired on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom, the Doctor did not take on a new companion, but he won't be on his own for long. Freema Agyeman will join the show in the third season on the BBC as medical student Martha Jones. "The Doctor and Martha have a very different relationship to the Doctor and Rose," Tennant said. "The Doctor doesn't really think he needs a new traveling companion at the moment, but Martha makes herself indispensable."
Tennant said that he understands what it's like to take over for a popular Doctor Who cast member; he replaced former Doctor Christopher Eccleston in the second season of the show. But he let Agyeman find her own way of dealing with the pressure. "Oh, she doesn't need any advice, and I wouldn't be pompous enough to offer it," he said. "Freema hit the ground running and has inhabited Martha Jones from day one without a hint of trepidation or nervousness. I found myself quite envious of her confidence. She is going to be brilliant."
But don't expect the Doctor to get over Rose so quickly. "As with any big relationship, it takes time for the scars to heal," Tennant said. "Perhaps the Doctor feels like he's dealt with it, but Martha might disagree." The second season of Doctor Who was released on DVD on Jan. 16. The third season will begin airing in Great Britain on the BBC this spring.

Collins cast
Former EastEnder and West End star guests on show.
Michelle Collins, best known for her role as scheming Cindy Beale in BBC soap EastEnders, will guest star in an episode of the new series of Doctor Who, playing McDonnell.
Although details of her character have yet to be revealed, Collins will feature in episode seven, written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Graeme Harper.
Michelle previously worked with Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson on the first series of Sea Of Souls, and has since gone on to perform in the hit West End Musical Daddy Cool.

Nomytaker - March 21, 2007 04:34 PM (GMT)

Just saw an ad for the new epi's that starts at the end of this month.

What you see is Martha saying "I tackle Textbooks."
Then you see The Doctor saying "I tackle Baddies"
Back to Martha saying "I save my pennys"
Doctor "I save... the planet".
Martha "I want to be a Doctor"
Doctor "....I am The Dcotor!"
The Two appear on screen with a divide between them, then the screen moves back and you see the two standing each side of the Tardis. As they go to get in it, Martha Says "I hope it's big enough for both of us." Then you see a load of clips of future programs.... It's going to be sweet.

Purple Ranger 14 - March 21, 2007 04:53 PM (GMT)

I got A LOT of Who articles to post here.

Nomytaker - March 21, 2007 06:03 PM (GMT)

Only have one Saturday to go, then the Saturday after that it returns. So I'm going to pay no attention to any Spoilers.

Purple Ranger 14 - March 21, 2007 06:20 PM (GMT)

I have a Doctor Who forum that needs to be brought back to life. Can ya help me please??? http://s14.invisionfree.com/The_TARDIS_Forum/

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2007 05:52 PM (GMT)

Who Joins Heroes?
Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston will appear in several episodes of NBC's hit Heroes as an invisible-man character aptly named Claude, after Claude Rains, star of the 1933 classic SF film The Invisible Man, Tim Kring, creator and executive producer, told SCI FI Wire. "So far, he's been in four [episodes], and then we're trying to work out his dates with his movie that he's doing," Kring said in an interview at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 17. "We'd like to have him come and play with us for a while."
Eccleston's character will first appear in "Godsend," the next new installment, which airs on Jan. 22. "His character acts as a sort of mentor for Milo's [Ventimiglia] character, Peter, who's having trouble controlling all of these crazy powers that he seems to have," Kring said.
Kring added: "So he runs into this character, literally, and forces him, basically, to teach him what's going on and to tell him what's going on. And it's the first indication for the audience that these powers have been around longer than we seem to have sensed it as an audience based on what we've seen so far." Heroes returns with all-new episodes starting Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Billie's stage fright
Piper chats to BBC Somerset as new play launches.
Billie Piper, currently starring in the stage play Treats at the Theatre Royal, Bath, took time out to talk with BBC Somerset.
Follow the link to find out what she had to say about the play, her favourite music, stage fright and, of course, Doctor Who.
You'll need RealPlayer to hear the interview.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../08/40671.shtml

Doctor Who’s Elisabeth Sladen Interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/artic...w_feature.shtml

Eccleston Joins Dark Cast
Christopher Eccleston (Heroes) and Gregory Smith have joined the cast of The Dark Is Rising, 20th Century Fox and Walden Media's adaptation of Susan Cooper's best-selling fantasy books, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Marc Platt and Ron Schmidt are producing the picture, which is being helmed by David L. Cunningham.
Dark tells the story of a teenager (newcomer Alexander Ludwig) who learns that he is the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the dark. Traveling back and forth through time, he hunts for clues while encountering the forces of evil and discovers that the future of the world rests in his hands.
Eccleston (Doctor Who) is playing the movie's villain, the Rider. Smith is playing the teen's older brother, an edgy young man with piercings and tattoos who questions their father's authority.
Also in the cast are Amelia Warner (Aeon Flux), Emma Lockhart (Batman Begins), Gary Entin, Edmund Entin, Jonathan Jackson and John Benjamin Hickey. Ian McShane and Frances Conroy have already been cast. The movie is slated to begin filming Feb. 26 in Romania.
Eccleston is currently stealing scenes as an invisible man on NBC's Heroes.

David Tennant bids farewell to Billie Piper and welcomes Freema Agyeman into the Doctor Who fold
By Cindy White
When David Tennant took over for the departing Christopher Eccleston in the second season of the reimagined Doctor Who, he wasn't exactly a household name, especially in the United States, where he was probably known best for playing a small role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But Tennant grabbed onto the role with gusto and proved that he was well up to the task of portraying the Time Lord. Just 13 episodes later, he's become a bona fide star and Doctor Who is more popular than ever.
As the third season approaches, another casting change will test whether the show is bigger than any single actor. Billie Piper, who played Rose in the first two seasons, will be replaced this year by Freema Agyeman as the Doctor's new companion, Martha Jones.
SCI FI Weekly conducted an interview with Tennant via e-mail about the coming third season, as well as the recently completed second season, which was released on DVD on Jan. 16.
Going into the second series, what were your feelings about taking on such an iconic role? Did you feel massive amounts of pressure?
Tennant: Well, of course, taking over a role from someone who's been very successful in it is daunting, and taking on a character that people have such fondness for and such expectations of can feel a little overwhelming, but of course it's those very pressures that make it such an exciting job to take on.
Each actor has played the Doctor a little differently, and made the character his own. How did you develop your particular take on him?
Tennant: I've been watching Doctor Who since I was 3 years old (along with just about everyone else of my generation who grew up in Britain), so I had probably made a whole host of unconscious decisions about how I was going to do it years before it was an actual possibility. But to be honest, when it actually happened, I didn't sit down and draw up a list of quirks that I wanted to fit in to my performance. As with any other part, you take your lead from the script and what that character says and does. Once that is filtered through your own perspective and experiences, then hopefully it will be particular and unique. I was always aware of avoiding any kind of self-conscious eccentricity. The Doctor may be a 900-odd year old Time Lord from the other side of the galaxy, but he still has to be a believable character, or the whole thing collapses.
Did you do any commentary or special features for the upcoming release of your first season on DVD?
Tennant: I did commentary on five episodes, and I also contributed about an hour and a half of video diaries. I'd been filming bits and pieces of the production for my own amusement, really, and then they asked if they could look at what I'd got for the DVD release. I think I handed over about 20 hours of stuff eventually.
Which episode of the second series is your favorite to watch and why?
Tennant: Oh, I don't have favorites. That would be like ranking your children.
That final beach scene with Billie Piper was so moving. What was it like to film that?
Tennant: Of course, that scene meant that Billie was leaving the show (although it wasn't the final scene she shot), and that was very sad, because she is a great actor and had become a great friend. It's also a beautifully written scene, and even when we ran through the lines together on the makeup bus that morning, we started sniffling. In fact, in the video diaries on the DVD you can see us both have a good old weep about the whole thing.
It seems that the appeal of Doctor Who is reaching across the pond now more than ever. Were you aware of or surprised at the response to the show overseas?
Tennant: To be honest, I'm so caught up in making the show down here in Wales that I'm not always aware of what it's doing around the world. I've heard that Canada have taken to us in quite a big way, which is great, as I've got family there. I believe we've also sold to South Korea, which isn't the first place you'd expect to find Doctor Who, but I'm delighted that it's there. I'm not sure of all the other countries that have taken the show, but it would seem to be just about everywhere. And, of course, I'm really chuffed that we're showing in the States now, too.
Moving on to the upcoming third series, you have a new companion now—Martha Jones. What does Freema Agyeman bring to the show?
Tennant: Well, you'll have to wait and see. The Doctor and Martha have a very different relationship to the Doctor and Rose. The Doctor doesn't really think he needs a new traveling companion at the moment, but Martha makes herself indispensable.
Freema's position now is somewhat similar to yours going into The Christmas Invasion. You both came in to replace a popular outgoing cast member, and you both had to essentially win the audience over. Did you have any advice for her?
Tennant: Oh, she doesn't need any advice, and I wouldn't be pompous enough to offer it. Freema hit the ground running and has inhabited Martha Jones from day one without a hint of trepidation or nervousness. I found myself quite envious of her confidence. She is going to be brilliant.
You dealt a little with the Doctor's loss of Rose in The Runaway Bride. Will that continue? Or do you come to a point where you just need to move on and concentrate more on the future, rather than dwelling on the past?
Tennant: As with any big relationship, it takes time for the scars to heal. Perhaps the Doctor feels like he's dealt with it, but Martha might disagree.
It appears from the trailer that the Daleks are coming back in the third series. Any other blasts from the past?
Tennant: Oh yes, but it's more than my job's worth to reveal what they are.
You've done a lot of Shakespeare, so what was it like filming the episode where the Doctor gets to meet him?
Tennant: The Shakespeare that the Doctor meets is a bit more rock and roll than you might expect. Very much the Elizabethan celebrity enjoying his status and his wealth, not the more traditional enigmatic Bard of legend. But the Doctor is absolutely thrilled to meet him and for once recognizes someone almost as brilliant as he is.
What's the production schedule like for you? Do you have any time between seasons?
Tennant: Uncharacteristically for a British show, we make 13 episodes plus a Christmas special every year. So when we finish on the final episode our Christmas show has already gone out, and the first is being broadcast. By the time the 13 episodes have transmitted, it's time to start work on the next lot.
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw15151.html

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2007 06:04 PM (GMT)

Doctored questions
Cast grill crew.
Producers Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson have been given a grilling - by their own colleagues.
They reveal to Doctor Who Magazine whether Michael Sheen is going to be the Eleventh Doctor, why Julie Gardner's windows have been nailed shut, and what the bathrooms are like in the TARDIS. Plus this from a certain David Tennant: "Are the Zarbi coming back?"
"Phil, you'd better take that one!" laughs Julie.
"Well, we have agonised, actually, whether or not to bring back the Zarbi." Phil replies.
"Which ones were the Zarbi?" asks Julie.
"The Zarbi were in a story [The Web Planet] in like 1965 or something," Phil explains. "They were great big giant ants, which were actually ballet dancers in black tights, with a fibreglass ant on top of them. They would look rather marvellous in colour, it's true to say, but I can exclusively reveal that we are not going to be bringing back the Zarbi, I'm sorry David. He's lobbied hard for them, but we just think they're going to be too frightening for young children."
Perhaps they could feature in Torchwood?
"Yes, I'll take them!" pipes up Julie. "Phil, hand me your Zarbi!"
Also this issue, there's a full preview of Smith and Jones, and David Tennant and Freema Agyeman discuss recording vocals for the new Doctor Who cartoon, The Infinite Quest, whilst trying to draw themselves.
Doctor Who's longest-serving crewmember, director Graeme Harper, series script editor Terrance Dicks and writer Stephen Greenhorn also make tme for interviews and comic strip The Warkeeper's Crown wraps up.
On top of all this, there's a free CD from Big Finish and a Space Cake in Production Notes. Yummy!
DWM 380 is on sale from Thursday 1 March 2007, priced £3.99.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../27/41154.shtml

DVD update
New titles and dates announced.
April 2 sees the DVD release of the Runaway Bride, followed by the previously-announced Survival on April 16 (Link to Survival cover below).
Volume 3.1 of the new series will be released after Survival, although the exact date will obviously depend on the transmission schedule of the show itself.
May 28 sees the release of Tom Baker's first story, Robot.
June could well see two releases, Volume 3.2 of the new series at some point, plus Colin Baker's time travel and tinsel extravaganza Timelash on June 25.
Details of extras have yet to be announced, but we hope to be able to update you with these soon.
As always, all dates and details subject to change.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../27/41133.shtml

Bille gets into Gear
Piper to guest on Top Gear.
Billie Piper will be joining Jeremy Clarkson and his motoring pals for this Sunday's edition of Top Gear.
The actress, currently starring in West End play Treats, will take to the test track as this week's Star In A Reasonably Priced Car.
Top Gear can be seen on Sunday 4 March, at 8pm on BBC Two. It's repeated on Wednesday 7 March at 7pm on BBC Two and Saturday 10 March at 7pm on BBC Three.

Who's on You Tube?
David and Freema's video diaries now online.
The BBC has struck a deal with YouTube, the web's most popular video sharing website, to showcase a range of news and promotional material from its shows.
Always at the forefront of technology, Doctor Who is represented on the site by two exclusive video diary clips, filmed by the series' stars.
In the first, David Tennant reveals his new costume, whilst in the second, Freema Agyeman talking about the fun of her first day on set.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../02/41296.shtml

Classic DVD Update
More details emerge regarding Robot and Timelash.
The Restoration Team have unveiled details of the extras planned for the recently-announced Robot and Timelash DVDs, as well as revealing some of the technical work that has gone into cleaning up both stories for release.
Robot:
* Commentary by Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, producer Barry Letts and writer Terrance Dicks
* Are Friends Electric? (dur. 38' 58"). A documentary, which looks at Tom Baker's introduction as the Doctor and the making of his first story. It features interviews with actors Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Alec Linstead, Patricia Maynard, Michael Kilgarriff and Edward Burnham, producers Barry Letts and Philip Hinchcliffe, script editor Terrance Dicks, director Christopher Barry and production unit manager George Gallacio.
* The Tunnel Effect (dur. 13' 47"), a look at the creation of the Tom Baker Slit Scan title sequence
* A clip from Blue Peter, recorded on the Robot sets
* Photo gallery, production subtitle notes and Radio Times listings in pdf format
Timelash
* Commentary by Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant and Paul Darrow
* The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (dur. 25' 01"). documentary which looks at the making of the story. It features actors Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Paul Darrow, David Chandler, Robert Ashby, script editor Eric Saward, writer Glen McCoy and journalist Paul Lang, and is narrated by Terry Molloy
* The release will be the first to feature a Coming Soon trail which will act as a taster for the next DVD
* Photo gallery, production subtitle notes and Radio Times listings in pdf format
Robot is due for release on 28 May 2007, followed by Timelash on 25 June.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../06/41393.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2007 06:08 PM (GMT)

Runaway Bride DVD
Musical bonus for DVD release of the Chrismas Special.
Details of the single disc DVD of The Runaway Bride have been announced by 2Entertain.
As well as the full 60-minute adventure (watched by 9.35 million viewers, making it the highest rated BBC single drama of 2006) the release will also feature Music and Monsters - the Doctor Who Confidential Special.
This extended one-hour show, broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day 2006, goes behind the scenes of Doctor Who - A Celebration, the one-off concert featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and staged at the Welsh Millennium Centre on 19 November 2006 in aid of Children In Need.
The Runaway Bride is released on 2 April 2007, priced at £15.99.

Back with a bang!
New official promo pic released.
Things are hotting up for David Tennant and Freema Agyeman, as the start of series three draws ever closer.
We've just received this fabulous pic to promote the new series, and thought you might like it as a desktop wallpaper. We've spruced up our PCs with it already.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../08/41444.shtml

Lone Jones
Martha goes it alone with Doctor Who Adventures.
"She's very independent," Freema revealed in the latest issue of the magazine. "Martha lives on her own and you get the sense that the Doctor interrupts her life! She's spent a very long time training to be a doctor herself – and is close to qualifying."
"My first day on set was without David Tennant," added Freema. "It involved walking through corridors and taking notes. Martha had arrived!"
The issue also previews Smith and Jones and offers the chance for one lucky reader to win a life size Dalek Sec. It goes on sale on 14 March 2007.

Creatures and Demons
Details of third Doctor Who monster book revealed.
BBC Books will follow up follow their best selling Aliens and Enemies and Monsters and Villains guides with Creatures and Demons.
Written by Justin Richards and designed by Lee Binding, the book will feature a further selection of exclusive photographs, concept drawings, diagrams and fx models.
Doctor Who: Creatures and Demons will be published by BBC Books on 10 May 2007.
Follow the link below to see a larger version of the cover.

Question Time
BBC Radio Wales needs your help to quiz the Who team.
The team behind BBC Radio Wales' documentary series Doctor Who - Back In Time, have announced plans for three special shows to celebrate the launch of Series Three.
One of them is called Interrogation, and will be a chance for fans ask the cast and crew the questions they've always wanted to ask.
Send us your question! http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/interrogation.shtml
"A couple of months ago I was giving a talk to my son's Primary School about the kind of work I do," explained Back In Time Producer and presenter Julian Carey. "When they realised I had even the tiniest amount of contact with the world of Doctor Who I got bombarded with loads of questions about the series - most of which I couldn't answer!
"The thing was they asked some fantastic questions - some of which I would never have come up with so I thought it might be a good idea to let normal everyday fans of the Doctor have the chance to ask any member of the team the questions that have been bugging them for the last three years."
Interrogation is just one of three exciting Back In Time specials that will tie-in with the launch of the new series. The team will also be exploring the world of new companion Martha Jones and seeing the effect Doctor Who has on the people and places where it's filmed.
BBC Radio Wales will be running a special Doctor Who-themed day on the Friday before the first episode, Smith and Jones.

Web TV
Classic episode gets BBC Four screening.
A vintage slice of Doctor Who can be seen as part of the Tube Night themed evening on digtal channel BBC Four this Sunday.
Episode one of The Web of Fear features Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, fighting robot Yeti in the tunnels of the London Underground.
It's the only remaining episode of this six-part adventure. The other five are missing from the BBC's archives.
The Web of Fear episode one will be shown at 8.35pm on Sunday 18 March 2007.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../16/41658.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2007 06:12 PM (GMT)

The TARDIS Index File: A Doctor Who Wiki
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
By Ken Newquist
Attempting to follow Doctor Who through the twisting eddies of space and time left by a fleeing TARDIS can be a daunting task, particularly for those whose only exposure to the Time Lord has come from his recent television revival.
Fortunately, the TARDIS Index File exists to help make sense of the decades-old universe. The fan-created and -edited wiki covers all 29 seasons of the series, from the very first one, launched in 1963, to the more recent 21st-century episodes. Biographies of all 10 of the Doctor's incarnations are offered, including notes about the actors who played him, lists of appearances, character mysteries and key life events.
From there the wiki extends out in a labyrinthine sprawl in which fans should enjoy getting lost. There are more than 3,000 entries on the site, with categories covering the series cast and crew, companions of the Doctor, astronomical objects and, of course, time travel. The site is at its strongest when focusing on the fictional aspects of the series and those real-world elements directly connected to it. It comes up short on Doctor Who memorabilia outside of a few book tie-ins—visitors shouldn't expect to find coverage of the 1992 Doctor Who video game or the more recent TARDIS USB hub—but a steady stream of Doctor news helps makes up for that shortcoming.

Monster Vote
Which is the scariest new series creature? You decide.
With the new series of Doctor Who almost upon us, we wanted to find out which alien menace has scared you the most since the series returned.
Could it be the Daleks? The Cybermen perhaps? Maybe the Ood send shivers down your spine? Or do you run for your mummy when the Empty Child appears?
Choose the scariest monster!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../20/41734.shtml

Weakest Link Special
Stars from Doctor Who face Anne Robinson.
With the start date of Doctor Who Series 3 now confirmed as 31 March 2007 (exact time still to be confirmed), it's shaping up to be a Who-tastic weekend in general.
The party starts at 8.30pm, BBC One on Friday 30 March with the screening of a special Doctor Who edition of The Weakest Link
David Tennant, Camille Coduri, Noel Clarke, John Barrowman, Nicholas Briggs, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Claire Rushbrook, Andrew Hayden-Smith and K9 all took part in the special, filmed late last year. Hopefully none of them were zapped onto a Dalek spaceship at any point.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../21/41755.shtml

Series Four confirmed
The show will go on, according to Russell T Davies.
Doctor Who will return for a fourth series in 2008, executive producer and lead writer Russell T Davies confirmed last night.
"Series four is officially existing," he announced at the launch of Series Three in London. "I'm very excited, but we have known for ages."
Series Three of Doctor Who starts on Saturday 31 March 2007 on BBC One.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../22/41793.shtml

New trailer and pics
Martha appeals to the Doctor's bedside manner.
The Doctor will get up close and personal with new companion Martha Jones in the first episode of Series 3.
The Doctor, played by David Tennant wastes no time in getting acquainted with Freema Agyeman's Martha in the first episode, which goes out next Saturday, 31 March 2007.
"One minute I was working behind the desk at Blockbusters, the next I'd landed the role of Martha," noted Freema. "Before I knew it I had been transported to the Moon and was faced with the prospect of kissing The Doctor!"
We've been given some pics of the impressive kiss in question, plus three new desktop wallpapers. Just follow the link below to check out the new images.
We've also got the brand new, second 40-second trailer for you
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../22/41791.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - March 22, 2007 06:18 PM (GMT)

Doctor Who Companion Chronicles: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../22/41852.shtml

SpiderX - March 26, 2007 02:25 PM (GMT)

Billie Piper Rushed To The Hospital
Swindon star Billie Piper has had to be rushed to hospital after  collapsing in pain.  The 24-year-old former Bradon Forest pupil was preparing to appear in  West End show Treats on Friday night when she doubled over in agony.  She was taken to a nearby hospital and examined by a specialist.  Billie then dropped out of Friday night's performance, but was well  enough to appear on Saturday.  Onlookers said she looked pasty and frail as she walked to the theatre  with lover and co-star Laurence Fox.  Billie's spokesman said the star had been suffering from "women's  problems and a possible kidney infection".

Purple Ranger 14 - March 29, 2007 06:28 PM (GMT)

I have A LOT more Who articles than that.

Nomytaker - June 26, 2007 01:27 PM (GMT)

The new series of Doctor Who have been ace so far, the last epi, is on this coming Saturday. I can't wait.

Purple Ranger 14 - July 20, 2007 04:56 PM (GMT)

The Yang to the Doctor's Yin returns.

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:05 AM (GMT)

Doctor Who TARDIS Playset: http://www.scifi.com/sfw/cool/sfw15357.html

Who Gets Fourth Season
The latest incarnation of the iconic British series Doctor Who has been renewed for a fourth season, the BBC announced. At a special preview screening of the first two episodes of season three on March 21 in London, executive producer Russell T. Davies said that he has known about the renewal for a while, but hasn't been allowed to comment on it until now. "Series four is officially existing," Davies told BBC News. "I'm very excited, but we have known for ages."
It was also confirmed at the event that John Simm, who plays time-traveling cop Sam Tyler in the BBC series Life on Mars, will guest-star in the final two episodes of the third season of the new Doctor Who. He will play a mysterious politician known as Mr. Saxon. It has been rumored that Simm's character will be revealed as (spoiler alert!) the Doctor's old nemesis, the Master.
The third season of the new Doctor Who—starring David Tennant as the Doctor and introducing Freema Agyeman as his new companion, Martha Jones—will begin airing in the U.K. on March 31. Davies did not say whether Tennant will return for the fourth season, which is set to air in 2008.

DWM Date Change
Everything comes to those who wait...
Due to the changing launch date of the new series of Doctor Who on BBC One, issue 381 of Doctor Who Magazine, containing an extensive feature on the making of Smith and Jones, will now be published one week later than previously advertised, on Thursday 5 April.
This is so that readers don't discover what happens in the episode before they get the chance to see the story on television!
Subsequent issues will all be bumped by a week too.
The next DWM Special Edition, In Their Own Words Volume 3: 1977-1981 has also moved its publication date, to Thursday 19 April.
We'll have more details on both of these very soon.

Who's on at 7pm?
You knew the date. Now you know the time.
To all of you who have been emailing in to say, "I'm going on holiday and need to set the video - when's it on?", we can now reply, "Why are you going on holiday on the most important day of the year?"
Seriously, it's now been confirmed by BBC Scheduling that episode one of Doctor Who, Smith And Jones, can be seen on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday 31 March 2007.
We're staying in to watch it, then rushing around to put exciting things on the website afterwards.

The Meaning of Martha
Freema explains all to Radio Times.
"Martha is very different from Rose," explains Freema Agyeman in a special 16-page new series guide in the new edition of Radio Times.
"She's academic and very independent. She has her own flat and she's almost qualified to be a doctor, whereas Rose was living at home with her mum, and there was that feeling of slight disgruntlement with her life. She was searching for something when the Doctor came along and helped her find herself.
"With Martha, it's more a sense of interruption," she adds. "She seems very grounded and happy with where she's at, then the Doctor comes along and kind of blows everything out of the water for her. She goes with him more out of curiosity than need.
"She comes from this bustling family, and when we first see her, they're all turning to her for advice. Even though she's not the eldest, she seems to be the boss. Martha has an old head on young shoulders and that's what makes her more challenging of the Doctor. She wants answers.
"We're all slightly different around different people, so Martha brings out different facets of the Doctor that maybe the audience hasn't seen before. There's a freshness and an openness and a directness to Martha. Shes quite tough."
The special also coverage also includes interviews with David Tennant, exclusive information on the new monsters plus a complete episode guide by Russell T Davies. It's also got two collectors edition covers - hurrah!

Doctor Who’s Tennant Talks: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../10/42532.shtml

BAFTA Cymru Awards
Doctor Who heavily nominated in 2007 honours.
Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood have chalked up a massive 21 BAFTA Cymru Award nominations between them.
The awards, of which Doctor Who won several last year, celebrate achievements by film and television productions made in Wales.
This year, David Tennant and John Barrowman are nominated for the Best Actor award, Billie Piper and Eve Myles are up for Best Actress and both shows will compete for Best Drama.
All the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Cardiff Arena later this month.

Dave Martin
Classic Series writer passes away.
It's our sad duty to report the death of one of Doctor Who's most prolific writers, Dave Martin. He was 72.
Working with long time writing partner Bob Baker, Dave wrote eight stories from the Classic Series, including The Claws of Axos and anniversary tale The Three Doctors.
Martin may, however, be best remembered as the co-creator of K9, the metal dog who proved such a hit last year when he returned in School Reunion. He's also due to star in his own animated series soon.
Before Doctor Who, Baker and Martin had previously worked together on several stage plays, before breaking into television with scripts for police drama Z Cars in the early 1960s.
According to reports, Martin was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Doctor Cool
Tennant tops poll of laid-back TV icons.
David Tennant's Doctor has been voted the coolest character on television.
In a poll of over 4,000 people conducted by the Radio Times, David beat 24's Jack Bauer, Gene Hunt from Life Of Mars, the Cat from Red Dwarf and even the Fonz from Happy Days.
"David Tennant is so hugely popular as the Doctor - he looks like becoming a bit of an icon," said Radio Times deputy TV editor David Butcher.

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:07 AM (GMT)

BAFTA Nominations
Doctor Who crew could be honoured in Craft awards.
Series Two of Doctor Who has been nominated for two BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
The computer effects team at the Mill are up for an award in the Visual Effects category, whilst Crispin Green is is under consideration in the Editing: Fiction/Entertainment category.
Outside of Doctor who, Minature Effects Supervisor Mike Tucker has been nominated for his work on Krakatoa, and Prosthetics guru Neill Gorton could win for his Catherine Tate Show creations.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 22 April 2007.

In Tom's own words
Classic interviews feature in new DWM special.
"I was the great children's hero. I was known all over the world. I didn't need credit cards, I was welcomed into everybody's house. The Doctor isn't just what I did in the studio, you see.
"I had to carry the concept of this semi-perfect man into my own life so that, of there were children around, I wouldn't be seen as a disappointment! It was very, very exhausting at times, but rewarding as well. Being Doctor Who comes with this responsibility..."
TOM BAKER
For almost 30 years, Doctor Who Magazine has documented the making of this unique television series. This Special Edition gathers together the best of these interviews, as the cast and crew themselves recall their part in the history of Doctor Who.
This third, photo-packed volume covers the final years of Tom Baker's Doctor - providing a complete primer for newcomers, and a valuable refresher for hardened aficionados.
Find out the story of the creation of K9, discover what lay behind the Doctor's season-long quest for the Key to Time and learn what prompted Tom Baker to lay down his scarf after seven years of intergalactic adventuring...
Featuring contributions from Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Graham Williams, John Leeson, Robert Holmes, Mary Tamm, Douglas Adams, Lalla Ward, John Nathan Turner, Christopher H Bidmead, Matthew Waterhouse and hundreds more - plus an Afterword by Shakespeare Code writer Gareth Roberts!
Doctor Who Magazine: In Their Own Words Volume 3: 1977-1981 is on sale now price £5.99.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../18/42913.shtml

Daleks Most Horrid
They maybe over 40 years old but they've still got it.
We asked you to vote for the scariest villain of the new series. Over 21,000 voted, with the Daleks - set to take Manhattan this Saturday - coming out on top.
Those creepy gas-masked zombies from The Empty Child were deemed the second most chilling, with The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit's the Beast coming in at third.
Of the win, Nick Briggs, the voice of the Daleks, said they "seem to have stood the test of time".
Here's the top ten in full:
1. The Daleks
2. The Empty Child Zombies
3. The Beast
4. The Cybermen
5. The Clockwork Droids
6. The Ood
7. The Empress of Racnoss
8. The Werewolf
9. The Autons/Nestenes
10. Chloe's Dad
Tune in on Saturday at 6.35pm, to see if the Daleks live-up to their reputation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../20/43015.shtml

Judoon in the Room
BBC Writers Room offer Smith and Jones script download.
Russell T Davies has given his blessing for the BBC Writers Room to put the full shooting script for Smith and Jones online.
It features cool stuff like this:
THE JUDOON are big and brutish, stocky, thickset, in uniforms of studded black leather panels; the lower half is a leather skirt, like Roman centurions; hefty boots below.
Heads are covered with shiny black helmets, in the strangest shape, like the thick head juts forward, on to the chest, then twists up at the end. It's hard to work out, until the JUDOON CAPTAIN twists a clasp at his neck - the hiss of depressurisation - and lifts off his helmet.
The BBC Writers Room identifies and champions new writing talent and diversity across BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's programmes.
Follow the link below to get the script. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader (It's probably on your computer anyway) to read it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../20/43016.shtml

'Doctor Who' Season Three Travels to Sci Fi
New season promises a new companion, Daleks and the Bard.  Sci Fi Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas has acquired the third  season of the popular time travel series "Doctor Who" for premiere  on Sci Fi in July.  Season Three stars David Tennant as the tenth actor to play the  titular timelord and introduces Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones, his  new companion who replaces last season's Rose Tyler (Billie Piper).  The Doctor's new adventures kick off with the "Doctor Who Christmas  Special: The Runaway Bride," guest-starring award-winning comedy  actress Catherine Tate.  "'Doctor Who' has become a favorite among Sci Fi audiences," says  Chris Regina, the channel's Vice President of Programming. "We are  happy to bring the show back for its third season and look forward  to following the Doctor's continuing adventures with his newest  companion."  The series' executive producer and lead writer Russell T. Davies  adds, "We were delighted and honored by the second series' success,  and we can promise new thrills, new laughs and some terrifying new  aliens. The Doctor and Martha are destined to meet William  Shakespeare, blood-sucking alien Plasmavores, The Judoon -- a clan  of galactic stormtroopers -- and a sinister Dalek plot in 1930s New  York."  "Doctor Who" is the longest-running science fiction TV series to  date and was revived recently starring Christopher Eccleston  ("Heroes") as the ninth incarnation of the Doctor. Tennant replaced  him last season, which aired on Sci Fi to solid viewership. 

Daleks Voted Scariest Who Villains
The Daleks have been voted the scariest villain in the Doctor Who universe in survey of 21,000 fans, the BBC reported. The news comes as the Doctor's old enemies are about to return in the third season of the latest incarnation of the long-running BBC series. The Daleks will feature in a two-part story set in 1930s New York, featuring David Tennant as the Doctor and Freema Agyeman as his new assistant, Martha Jones.
"Every time the Daleks return, we make them bigger and better than ever before, and this time, their plan is the most audacious Dalek scheme yet," said Russell T Davies, creator and executive producer of the series.
The Daleks were created by Terry Nation and first appeared on screen in 1963. Nick Briggs will once again provide the voice for the Daleks, whose familiar battle cry "exterminate!" has become an iconic part of the series.
A full list of the top 10 villains follows.
1. The Daleks
2. The Empty Child Zombies
3. The Beast
4. The Cybermen
5. The Clockwork Droids
6. The Ood
7. The Empress of Racnoss
8. The Werewolf
9. The Autons/Nestenes
10. Chloe's Dad

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:09 AM (GMT)

Sting Of The Zygons
Review: Monster hit or a loch less than expected?
With the help of organiser (and enormous Doctor Who fan) Daniel Abbott, the Year 6 kids at Millbrook Combined School, High Wycombe tackled Stephen Cole's latest novel, Sting of the Zygons.
Here's what Asim, Cynthia, Destiny, Naomi and Neelam had to say:
What is the book about?
The Doctor and Martha arrive in the Lake District in 1909, where they find the local inhabitants hunting a monster in the nearby lake. What they actually uncover is a more sinister presence - that of the shape-shifting Zygons and their Skarasens.
What were the characters like?
Neelam: It was well written, because you couldn't tell what the intentions of the 'guest' characters were - they might be good or bad.
Cynthia: They seem to be smiling, but they may be covering up what they are. We weren't told what they were thinking and it added to the mystery of who really were Zygons.
Destiny: I liked Martha - she had attitude. The author made her seem like she did what she wanted, but sometimes she did need the Doctor's reassurance.
Asim: The main characters were well written. Their speech sounded just like the real thing, on television.
Was it exciting?
Naomi: Yes! You didn't know what was going to happen; you couldn't guess how they would solve the problems.
Asim: They used ellipsis to keep you guessing. You really wanted to find out what would happen next...(!)
What were your favourite bits?
Neelam: I liked the bit where the Zygons chased Edward off the cliff. It was really well described, especially what he did, what he saw and how he felt.
Asim: I liked the end where they were fighting; where the Doctor was winding up the Zygon.
Cynthia: The conversation - it made me feel like I was talking to the Doctor.
Naomi: Where they find the Zygons and describe them as 'mushroom-heads'!
Cynthia: Oh yes, and mine! They gave lots of description. It was very funny!
Destiny: Mine was where Martha found the Doctor for the second time. She was very edgy because she wasn't sure if he was the Doctor, or a Zygon trying to kill her.
What were your least favourite bits?
Neelam: The description of Mrs. Unswicks' breakfast. It sounded disgusting!
Cynthia: I thought there was too much description - I just wanted to get on with the exciting story.
Which age group do you think it's suitable for?
Some of the language was difficult to understand. We think slightly older people should read it.
Would you recommend it?
To those who love Doctor Who, it is a 'must' read! We gave it 9 out of 10.
Special thanks to Katharine Harper, Librarian, for all her assistance.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../24/43232.shtml

Macra Magic
David gets crabby in new DWM.
"If you had to make a poll of monsters least likely to make a reappearance," grins David Tennant, "the Macra would probably be fairly near the top!"
"So it's kind of cool, isn't it?" he tells Doctor Who Magazine as they go behind the scenes of Gridlock. "If you're gonna do giant crabs, there's no point them being anything other than Macra, seeing as they already exist.
"It's one of the joys of being involved with a series which has got all this history for free. You can just sprinkle in all these nuggets of recognition for those who'll get them."
Elswhere, the David vs Freema Shakespeare Quotes Quiz separates the Bards from the boys.
"It's unfair, 'cos David's done loads of Shakespeare," says Freema. "I hope my old English teacher doesn't read this..."
If theat wasn't enough, James Strong opens up his frank and funny Daleks in Manhattan journal to DWM readers in the first of a major two-part feature, Paul Cornell tells us all about writing the Doctor's Human Nature and The Time Team celebrate reaching 600 episodes with The King's Demons and The Five Doctors!
DWM 382 goes on sale from 3 May 2007, priced £3.99.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../25/43332.shtml

Robot DVD Cover
Heavy metal look for next release.
2Entertain have released the cover image for upcoming Classic Series DVD Robot.
As previously announced, Robot, which features Tom Baker's debut as The Doctor, will feature the following extras:
* Commentary by Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, producer Barry Letts and writer Terrance Dicks
* Are Friends Electric? (dur. 38' 58"). A documentary, which looks at Tom Baker's introduction as the Doctor and the making of his first story. It features interviews with actors Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Alec Linstead, Patricia Maynard, Michael Kilgarriff and Edward Burnham, producers Barry Letts and Philip Hinchcliffe, script editor Terrance Dicks, director Christopher Barry and production unit manager George Gallacio.
* The Tunnel Effect (dur. 13' 47"), a look at the creation of the Tom Baker Slit Scan title sequence
* A clip from Blue Peter, recorded on the Robot sets
* Photo gallery, production subtitle notes and Radio Times listings in pdf format
Robot is due for release on 28 May 2007.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../25/43314.shtml

SCI FI Picks Up Who Year 3
SCI FI Channel announced that it will air the third season of BBC's Doctor Who, beginning in July. The new season will kick off with the Doctor Who Christmas special "The Runaway Bride," guest-starring award-winning British comedy actress Catherine Tate.
In season three, David Tennant returns as the time-traveling Doctor, joined by a new companion, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman). The first episode of the season is called "Smith and Jones."
In the third season, which is already airing in the United Kingdom, the Doctor and Martha meet William Shakespeare, deal with bloodsucking alien Plasmavores, encounter the Judoon (a clan of galactic stormtroopers) and uncover a Dalek plot in 1930s New York.
The second season of the new Doctor Who earned impressive ratings during its airing on SCI FI, delivering an average of more than 1 million viewers each week.
Doctor Who is produced by Phil Collinson. Executive producers are Julie Gardner, the head of drama, BBC Wales, and Russell T. Davies, who is also lead writer.

SCI FI Summer Dates Announced
SCI FI Channel announced the summer release dates of new and returning series, including a new version of Flash Gordon, the investigative adventure reality series Destination Truth and the third season of Doctor Who.
Flash Gordon premieres Aug. 10. It puts a 21st-century spin on the SF classic. SCI FI's contemporized version stars Eric Johnson.
Destination Truth debuts June 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The one-hour weekly series invites viewers along on one man's search for the truth while investigating stories of the unexplained across the globe. Josh Gates stars.
The as-yet-untitled Derren Brown Project premieres July 25 at 10 p.m. The series stars British mentalist Derren Brown.
Among returning series, Ghost Hunters comes back June 6 at 9 p.m., Doctor Who July 6 at 9 p.m., Eureka on July 10 and Who Wants to Be a Superhero? July 25 at 9 p.m.

Big BAFTA wins
Great night for Who in Welsh awards.
Doctor Who triumphed in eight categories at this year's Bafta Cymru Awards.
David Tennant won best actor, and lead writer Russell T Davies best screenwriter.
Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood also won four awards, including best drama series and best actress for Eve Myles.
Doctor Who's accolades this year included: best lighting director - not camera; best editor; best original music soundtrack; best make-up; best costume, and best director: drama.
Torchwood, meanwhile, also picked up best director of photography: drama, and best design.

Here Comes The Flood
New Eighth Doctor graphic novel released.
Doctor Who magazine has announced the forthcoming publication of The Flood, a collection of Eighth Doctor comic strips.
Stories featured in the book include: Where Nobody Knows Your Name, Doctor Who and the Nightmare Game, The Power of Thoueris, The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack, The Land of Happy Endings, Bad Blood, Sins of the Fathers and The Flood.
Bonus content includes an in-depth article from writers Gareth Roberts and Scott Gray.
"I wanted The Flood to have a 'Doctor Who's Greatest Hits' feel to it," said Scott, "and pack it with as many familiar pieces of imagery as possible: monsters burning through walls, then slowly walking down corridors, shrugging off gunfire.
"Most of all, I wanted to remind everyone what a terrific character Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor really was – a likable, romantic, fallible, compassionate hero. I wanted the readers to really miss him when he departed."
You can also discover the important part that showrunner Russell T Davies played in the development of this story, and find out his views on the the Doctor Who strip as a whole.
"Without getting romantic," wrote Russell to DWM's editor in 2004, "I think this is the history of the strip. The whole series, in fact. A history of bumps and setbacks and accidents and emergencies, and even idiocies, through which creative people keep working, and come up with something new and clever. The strip's had the maddest history ever!"
The Flood also features:
* Newly-extended conclusions to Sins of the Fathers and The Flood.
* Never-before-seen sketches from artists Martin Geraghty, Roger Langridge, John Ross, Mike Collins, Anthony Williams and Adrian Salmon.
* The original illustrated pitch document by Scott Gray outlining Destrii's future as the Doctor's new companion.
* Flood Barriers: learn about the regeneration that never was in an eye-opening 8-page feature by Clayton Hickman on the new TV series' effect on the comic strip.
* In full, the alternative, unused script for Part Eight of The Flood.
The Flood is published in early May 2007.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../01/43557.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:11 AM (GMT)

Time Delay
Doctor Who takes time out as Scooch Fly The Flag.
He may have thwarted the Daleks last week, but the Doctor has finally met his match with the Eurovision Song Contest.
After some severe spreadsheet shuffling in Scheduling (try saying that fast) it's been decided that an early start for episode seven, Chris Chibnall's 42, wasn't a good idea.
The episode will now be shown a week later, on Saturday 19 May.
42 sees former EastEnder Michelle Collins making her Doctor Who debut as McConnell, the strong willed captain of a doomed spaceship hurtling out of control towards a boiling sun. With only 42 minutes to uncover the saboteurs, and with a mysterious force starting to possess the ship's crew, the Doctor and Martha are running out of time!
We hope you'll support Scooch in their bid for Eurovision glory, and appreciate that seven days is only a handfull of heartbeats to a Time Lord.
Please don't email the website about this, as we want 42 to be on as much as you do. There is, however, a Feedback page on the BBC website if you feel the need to comment. Follow the link below to learn more.
Meanwhile, we're exploring other options to keep you amused on the 12th if Eurovision really isn't your thing.

Something Special
Don't miss The Lazarus Experiment. Not that you would!
We're all as disappointed as you are that you'll have to wait an extra week between episodes six and seven of Doctor Who because of the Eurovision Song Contest.
However... even though there's no episode on 12 May 2007, the Doctor Who team have been working away feverishly to prepare a special treat for you at the end of this week's episode, The Lazarus Experiment.
Hopefully it'll make the wait for 42 seem a little shorter.
You'll also be able to to see it here on the website as soon as it's been on TV, and possibly behind the red button too if we can sort things out in time...
Stay tuned!

DVD update
Revised schedule, plus Time-Flight and Arc of Infinity.
2Entertain have announced some ajustments to their DVD release schedule, plus a new two-story release from the Fifth Doctor era.
The schedule from late June is now:
25 June: Series 3, Volume 2
9 July: Timelash
23 July: Series 3, Volume 3
6 August: Time-flight / Arc of Infinity
The Restoration Team have unveiled provisional details of the Time-Flight / Arc of Infinity release:
Time-Flight:
* Audio commentary from Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and script editor Eric Saward
* Mouth on Legs - the first ever on-screen interview with Janet Fielding on a Classic Series DVD release
* Deleted and Extended Scenes package, taken from both broadcast quality and timecoded viewing copies of the studio recordings and early edits
* Jurassic Larks - behind-the-scenes action from the studio recording sessions
* Out-takes - a collection of humorous fluffs and technical gaffs from the story's production
* Peter Grimwade interview from 1987, in which the late writer / director talks to Nick Briggs about his writing work on this story
* Photo gallery
* Coming Soon trailer
* Production information subtitles
* 1983 Doctor Who Annual and Radio Times listings in PDF files
Arc of Infinity:
* Audio commentary, featuring Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Colin Baker
* Anti-Matter from Amsterdam - a new documentary which looks at the making of Arc of Infinity. Featuring actors Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sarah Sutton, Ian Collier, Paul Jerricho and Alistair Cumming, along with script editor Eric Saward, with writer Johnny Byrne and narrator Sophie Aldred filmed on-location in Amsterdam
* The Omega Factor in which writers and actors involved in the various Omega stories look at the character and motivations of the renegade Time Lord. Featuring co-creator Bob Baker, writer Johnny Byrne, actors Stephen Thorne and Ian Collier, and writer Nev Fountain, who continued Omega's story in an audio play from Big Finish
* Deleted Scenes package, taken from a timecoded viewing copy of an early edit of the last episode.
* Under Arc Lights - behind-the-scenes studio footage, courtesy of timecoded viewing copies of some of the studio recording sessions
* A CGI Effects option, giving the viewer the option to watch the story with eighteen of the original video effects sequences replaced by new CGI versions.
* Isolated music track
* BBC1 trailer and continuity announcements
* Photo gallery
* Coming Soon trailer
* Production information subtitles
* Radio Times listings
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../04/43792.shtml

Hot Stuff!
Michelle Collins feels the heat for 42.
"We were running around in vests and combats," Michelle Collins reveals in the new edition of Radio Times, "covered in baby oil and sprayed with water" (to simulate the sweat from being trapped in a spaceship heading towards the sun).
"It was very uncomfortable," she added, recalling her Doctor Who debut as cargo spaceship captain McDonnell. "Baby oil makes you feel really yucky, and I had to have it on my hair and hands, and my hands had to be filthy."
42 was certainly a break from some of the former EastEnder's more glamorous roles. "You got used to it," says Collins. "It was quite liberating not wearing even a bit of mascara, because if I had done it would have been all over my face in two minutes.
"I was a bit worried about that no-make-up look to start with, then I just thought, 'Oh, go for it!'"
The new edition of Radio Times, featuring the full interview, is out today.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../15/44331.shtml

Gareth Roberts
The Shakespeare Code author chats to us.
It only seems like the other week that they were on the telly, but the first three episodes of Doctor Who Series Three arrive DVD next Monday.
We caught up with Gareth Roberts, author of episodes two, The Shakespeare Code, for his thoughts on the Bard, DVD extras and Eurovision.
What was the most unexpected thing about writing proper TV Doctor Who, as opposed to the many other books, audios etc. you've written.
I was surprised that it was much harder than all those jobs put together. You have to establish a new location, keep the story moving and give your characters a rich emotional life of their own, and that's tough.
What was the best bit of advice you were given when writing The Shakespeare Code?
Russell gives me advice all the time, and for free! His best bit during The Shakespeare Code was to break the rules of normal TV writing and explain the situation to the audience clearly all the way through.
Apart from the witches and aliens, what was the biggest liberty you took with established Shakespearian history when writing the story?
That was having the plays at the Globe performed at night. In those days there was no electricity and so Shakespeare's plays were performed in the afternoon, but there was no way to shoot in the Globe during the day. And it wouldn't have looked as good!
What's hardest to write - a full script or a tiny TARDISODE?
Full script definitely. The TARDISODES were a series of set-pieces really; a full script requires a lot more thought on dialogue and characterization.
Did you attend the filming, and if so, what was the highlight of watching it being made?
I went to the Globe and I saw a scene recorded in Shakespeare's room. The highlight was meeting Freema - she's lovely.
We get loads of readers asking how they can one day write for the show. What advice would you give them?
Write! Not just Doctor Who - write stories or keep a diary, practice as much as you can at creating characters or situations of your own, and don't be afraid to take advice. Unless you're a genius, and like me you probably aren't, get some books about writing out from the library. And live! Get out of the house a bit, experience new and different things. I should have done that when I was young.
How do you think Shakespeare might fare if he was alive now and writing for Doctor Who?
I think Shakespeare would love Doctor Who - but I'm not sure how good he'd be at writing action scenes. In his day you just wrote alarums and excursions when there was action in the script. He'd have to be a bit more specific than that nowadays or Russell would sack him.
Your Sarah Jane Smith special was very well received. Will you be writing more adventures for her?
Yes - I've written two of the five stories in the TV series coming up later this year, and it's been a joy. The second one in particular I'm very pleased with - I think it's the best thing I've ever done.
Which of Shakespeare's plays do you really wish was missing, and why?
Ooh, it would have to be Titus Andronicus. It's like a silly horror movie - enjoyable and daft but nowhere near as good as the others. It was a massive hit in Shakespeare's day though.
If you could create any DVD extra for your episode, what would it be?
I'd love to hear Murray Gold's brilliant score on its own.
Doctor Who was off air last week because of Eurovision. You famously co-wrote a Doctor Who audio adventure set at the Intergalactic Song Contest. Where do your loyalties lie?
With Doctor Who! I don't like Eurovision any longer - everyone feels like they're in on the joke, and it seems to last longer than a world war. Plus I've seen 42 and it's absolutely unbelievably amazing, so I want everyone else to see it as soon as possible!
Doctor Who Series 3.1 is released on DVD by 2Entertain on 21 May 2007.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../17/44471.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:13 AM (GMT)

Books Bonanza
Magrs, Morris and Michalowski pen new novels.
BBC Books have announced details of the next three titles in their range of Doctor Who novels.
Wetworld by Mark Michalowski
When the TARDIS makes a disastrous landing in the swamps of the planet Sunday, the Doctor has no choice but to abandon Martha and try to find help. But the tranquillity of Sunday's swamps is deceptive, and even the TARDIS can't protect Martha forever.
The human pioneers of Sunday have their own dangers to face: homeless and alone, they're only just starting to realise that Sunday's wildlife isn't as harmless as it first seems. Why are the native otters behaving so strangely, and what is the creature in the swamps that is so interested in the humans, and the new arrivals?
The Doctor and Martha must fight to ensure that human intelligence doesn't become the greatest danger of all.
Forever Autumn by Mark Morris
It is almost Halloween in the sleepy New England town of Blackwood Falls. Autumn leaves litter lawns and sidewalks, paper skeletons hang in windows, and carved pumpkins leer from stoops and front porches.
The Doctor and Martha soon discover that something long-dormant has awoken in the town, and this will be no ordinary Halloween. What is the secret of the ancient tree and the mysterious book discovered tangled in its roots? What rises from the local churchyard in the dead of night, sealing up the lips of the only witness? And why are the harmless trappings of Halloween suddenly taking on a creepy new life of their own?
As nightmarish creatures prowl the streets, the Doctor and Martha must battle to prevent both the townspeople and themselves from suffering a grisly fateå
Sick Building by Paul Magrs
Tiermann's World: a planet covered in wintry woods and roamed by sabre-toothed tigers and other savage beasts. The Doctor is here to warn Professor Tiermann, his wife and their son that a terrible danger is on its way.
The Tiermanns live in luxury, in a fantastic, futuristic, fully-automated Dreamhome, under an impenetrable force shield. But that won't protect them from the Voracious Craw. A gigantic and extremely hungry alien creature is heading remorselessly towards their home. When it gets there everything will be devoured.
Can they get away in time? With the force shield cracking up, and the Dreamhome itself deciding who should or should not leave, things are looking desperate...
We'll be sending out our request for school reading groups to review these novels very soon.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../18/44612.shtml

Jack's Back!
And he's brought an exclusive clip with him.
John Barrowman will be one of the special guests on this evening's edition of Tonight With Jonathan Ross.
John will be talking about Captain Jack's return to Doctor Who in episode 11, Utopia, and will be premiering an exclusive clip from that story.
As Tonight With Jonathan Ross is a lively late-night show with plenty of adult humour, parents of young fans might want to record and view it before deciding if all of the interview is appropriate.

DVD News
Further Classic adventures announced.
2Entertain have revealed two more Doctor Who DVD releases for late 2007.
First up, on 3 September, is The Time Warrior. Starring Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor, the story also marks the first appearances of the Sontarans and the timeless Sarah Jane Smith.
Following that on 23 September is the long-awaited Region 2 release of The Key To Time. The epic Fourth Doctor six-story box set has been available in America for several years, but only now will it come with the full extras it deserves.
More details on all the bonus material will follow just as soon as we get it.

Who Am I?
David Tennant explains the nature of new role to DWM.
"Playing the same character every week in a long-running series is great, and very inspiring and exciting," David Tennant reveals in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine.
"But it's such an unexpected bonus to be asked to portray a whole new character, halfway through the shoot, which by definition must be unlike the character you're playing every other day."
So who, exactly, is this John Smith character, asks the mag?
"He looks like the Doctor and doesn't sound much like him, but he must be a different man, says David cryptically. "Well, he must be a man, rather than a Time Lord..."
DWM also catch up with guest star Jessica Hynes, writer Paul Cornell, and Russell T Davies about this very different - and even more terrifying than usual! - Doctor Who adventure...
DWM will also reveal who'll be scripting Series Four, chatting to Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and director James Strong and giving us 42 fantastic facts about 42!
Meanwhile, Russell T Davies will be flying the flag (for Who) in Production Notes...
DWM 383 goes on sale from Thursday 31 May priced £3.99.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../25/44977.shtml

Agyeman Not Leaving Who
A fan Web site of Freema Agyeman, who plays Martha Jones on the third season of the BBC's Doctor Who, shot down rumors that the actress would be leaving the series. The site posted a statement from the BBC: "It is absolute rubbish that Freema Agyeman has been axed or sacked from Doctor Who. However we do not comment on future storylines."
The statement came in reaction to a story published in the British tabloid The Sun, which said that Agyeman was being axed because "show chiefs think her performance is not as strong as in her earlier episodes."
Agyeman joined the series opposite star David Tennant at the beginning of season three, following in the footsteps of Billie Piper, who played the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler, in the first two seasons.
The third season of Doctor Who is currently airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One. It will begin airing in the United States on SCI FI Channel in July.
http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/05/26/shame-on-the-sun/

Script Doctors
Series Four writers revealed.
The writing team about to embark on the fourth series of Doctor Who have been announced.
Heading the list is, of course, Russell T Davies. He'll be tackling the 2007 Christmas Special and another four episodes.
Steven Moffat will become the only other writer to work on all four seasons of the show when he delivers a two-part story - his first since The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances.
Also back for a double-bill is Helen Raynor, responsible for this year's Daleks In Manhattan / Evolution Of The Daleks.
Gareth Roberts (The Shakespeare code) Tom MacRae (Rise Of The Cybermen / The Age Of Steel) and Stephen Greenhorn (The Lazarus Experiment) all return for single episodes.
The season also boasts two newcomers - James Moran and Keith Temple.
Moran has written an episode of Torchwood's next series, and co-wrote the screenplay for the film Severance. Temple has worked on such shows as Children's Ward and Byker Grove.
Series Four of Doctor Who starts filming soon.

The Sontaran Experiment
Review: We assess the new DVD.
Not unlike a Sontaran, BBC DVD's first 'budget' Doctor Who release is compact but powerful.
Visiting a desolate future Earth, the TARDIS crew battle lone Sontaran warrior Field Major Styre, who has been sent on a day trip to assess its invasion potential.
Oddly, the planet poses such little threat (it's more deserted than Milton Keynes bus station on a Sunday afternoon) that the poor Styre has to torture some unsuspecting colonists instead.
Despite this gaping chasm in the plot, and a very wobbly robot, The Sontaran Experiment is never less than dark, thrilling and gorgeous to look at.
Tom Baker has a great time confronting people, while companions Sarah and Harry lend admirable support. Such is their chemistry with Baker, it's hard to believe that this is only the second story they filmed together.
Sladen, co-writer Bob Baker and producer Philip Hinchcliffe make for a lively commentary team, recalling the 'fun' of being stuck half way up a mountain in the pouring rain.
The disc's single documentary, Built for War, takes us through the history of the Sontarans and their arch enemy the Rutans. With contributions from former script editor Terrance Dicks, Elisabeth Sladen, Colin Baker and others, it's framed by new footage of a lone Sontaran wandering around Dartmoor. The sun even came out this time around.
The usual info text and picture gallery round off the release.
This might be a minimal release by Doctor Who standards, but it's hard to feel short-changed by such a fun story and enjoyable bonus material. A worthy experiment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../05/36782.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:16 AM (GMT)

The Family Of Books
Jones clan will read latest novels.
BBC Audiobooks are set to publish audio version of the three most recent Doctor Who novels - The Last Dodo, Wooden Heart and Sting of the Zygons - on 02 July 2007.
Each of the audiobooks is read by a member of the Jones family from Series Three of Doctor Who.
The Last Dodo:
Civilisations rise and fall, time moves on – and species die out. Extinction is a fact of life in the universe. But extinction doesn't have to be forever. The TARDIS arrives in the Museum of the Last Ones – a facility dedicated to preserving the final specimens of every species in the universe. But all is not well, and before long the Doctor and Martha are in deep trouble.
How will Martha react to the stasis cabinets and preservation techniques? What will happen if – and when – the stasis fields break down and the specimens escape? And how will the Curator of the Museum react to the arrival of the last surviving Time Lord?
Abridged reading by Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones). Written by Jacqueline Rayner.
Wooden Heart:
The Castor, a vast starship, seemingly deserted, spinning slowly in the void of deep space. Martha and the Doctor explore the drifting tomb, and discover that they may not be alone after all... Who survived the disaster that overcame the rest of the crew? What continues to power the vessel? And why has a stretch of wooded countryside suddenly appeared in the middle of the craft? As the Doctor and Martha journey through the forest, they find a mysterious, fogbound village - a village traumatised by missing children and tales of its own destructionå
Read by Adjoa Andoh (who plays Francine Jones in the TV series). Written by Martin Day.
Sting of the Zygons:
The TARDIS lands the Doctor and Martha in the Lake District in 1909, where a small village has been terrorised by a giant, scaly monster. The search is on for the elusive 'Beast of Westmorland', and explorers, naturalists and hunters from across the country are descending on the fells. King Edward VII himself is on his way to join the search, with a knighthood for whoever finds the Beast. But there is a more sinister presence at work in the Lakes than a mere monster on the rampage, and the Doctor is soon embroiled in the plans of an old and terrifying enemy. And as the hunters become the hunted, a desperate battle of wits begins - with the future of the entire world at stake...
Abridged reading by Reggie Yates (Leo Jones in the TV series). Written by Stephen Cole.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../07/45506.shtml

Future Boy
Blue Peter competition winner on Utopia role.
Doctor Who Adventures has caught up with the lucky boy who won a Blue Peter competition to appear in the Doctor Who episode Utopia.
"John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack, kept thinking it was his name being called by the director when they were calling for me!" nine-year-old John Bell revealed in the latest issue of the magazine. "So he nicknamed me Little John.
"David Tennant and I are both Scottish and John Barrowman was born in Scotland, so it was a bit of a Scottish invasion! John kept slipping into a Scottish accent and would ask if I'd like a 'Wee cup of tea?'"
Issue 31 of Doctor Who Adventures goes on sale on 07 June 2007.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../07/45505.shtml

DVDs Regenerate
Bringing the classic series to a new audience.
On the 2 July 2007, 2Entertain will release a special run of eight classic DVD's aimed at bringing classic Doctor Who to a new audience.
For a limited period, the DVD's will be available at a lower price to entice fans of the new series to try some of the Doctor's classic adventures.
The eight specially chosen titles will be:
* The Five Doctors
* Genesis of the Daleks
* Spearhead from Space
* Earthshock
* Remembrance of the Daleks
* The TV Movie
* The Hand of Fear
* Revelation of the Daleks
Each DVD is identical to the previously released version, but will come with a specially designed outer cardboard sleeve.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../13/45731.shtml

Back In Time
The cast and crew answer your questions.
BBC Radio Wales Doctor Who - Back In Time show returns for two new editions.
Tomorrow's show, Made In Wales, looks at how the series impacts on the country and features interviews with Russell T Davies, Phil Collinson and Edward Thomas - along with local prop builders, extras, location suppliers and more.
Next Saturday, Interrogation will feature David Tennant, Freema, Agyeman, Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Edward Thomas, Murray Gold and Nicholas Briggs answering the questions you submitted via the Doctor website
Tune in to see if your question was answered!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../15/45894.shtml

Doctor Who’s Billie Piper Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/t...dio/4431260.stm
Doctor Who’s Tenth Doctor: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4396961.stm
Doctor Who’s Ninth Doctor: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3552913.stm
Doctor Who Companions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/3744067.stm

Short Story Comp
Winner of Big Finish competition announced.
Michael Coen's What I Did On My Holidays has won the Big Finish Doctor Who short story competition, launched on our website and aimed at previously unpublished new writers. The story – which features the second Doctor and his friends Jamie and Zoe – will be published in the Defining Patterns anthology, in September of this year.
Norman's homework worries his teacher. Instead of a trip to the beach or the zoo, it's about meeting a man from the future. Norman of course knows better than to talk to strange men, but this is his own grown-up self. Surely he can't mean any harm... Can he?
"To have actually won the competition is a huge surprise and an absolute delight," says Michael. "I can't wait to see my story in print and I'm also looking forward to reading the stories from other entrants, which I'm sure are equally deserving."
The competition aimed to give one new author their 'first break'. Open to anyone who had never had a work of fiction professional published, the brief was to write a 2,500-word story based on the theme How The Doctor Changed My Life.
The response was massive. With more than 1,000 full-length entries, the judges read the equivalent of 50 new series hardback novels before picking Michael's as their favourite.
"It's a lively, funny and strangely moving story," enthuses chief-judge Simon Guerrier. "Michael keeps you guessing all the way along. And, very importantly, he's really brings the second Doctor to life."
"Having now fulfilled one of my life's ambitions," says Michael, "I can start to work my down the rest of the list – travelling in space (and time, if possible), finding a cache of missing Doctor Who episodes, meeting [actress] Anneke Wills... And, of course, trying to persuade Big Finish to accept some more submissions from me!"
What's more, though the competition was aimed at finding just one winner, the judges were so impressed with the quality of many entries they've decided to extend the prize.
"We had an incredibly strong shortlist of the best 25 entries," explains Guerrier. "Defining Patterns will see Michael's story published alongside many established and well-known writers. But we felt our shortlist was of such quality that it deserved a whole book of its own."
This special anthology, deftly titled How The Doctor Changed My Life, will be published in late 2008. The 24 runners up are:
Violet Addison; Steven Alexander; Mike Amberry; Arnold T Blumberg; Anna Bratton; John Callaghan; Dann Chinn; Stephen Dunn; Richard Goff; Peter Hallbright; Tim Lambert; JR Loflin; Nick May; James C McFetridge; Simon Moore; Michael Montoure; LM Myles; Einar Olgeirsson; Bernard O'Toole; Andrew K Purvis; Michael Rees; Mark Smith; Chris Wing; Caleb Woodbridge.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../19/46091.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:18 AM (GMT)

2008 Already!
Info on the 2008 Story book.
It's that time of year again when we receive details of the upcoming Doctor Who 2008 story book.
In this year's edition, the TARDIS takes the Doctor and Martha to previously unexplored corners of the universe in a new selection of adventures, all lavishly illustrated in full colour!
The book contains eight action-packed stories, including writers from the TV series itself:
* Cats and Dogs by Tom MacRae (writer of TV episodes Rise of the Cybermen and The Age of Steel)
* The Body Bank by Gareth Roberts (The Shakespeare Code and Attack of the Graske)
* The Box Under the Tree by Robert Shearman (Dalek)
* Zombie Motel by Paul Magrs (acclaimed fantasy author)
* The Iron Circle by Nicholas Briggs (voice of the Daleks and the Cybermen)
* Kiss of Life by Justin Richards (editor of BBC Books' Doctor Who range)
* Deep Water by Nicholas Pegg (Dalek operator)
There's also a new comic strip, Sunscreen by Jonathan Morris, and A Letter from the Doctor – as told to showrunner Russell T Davies!
It also features stunning new illustrations from Brian Williamson, Andy Walker, Martin Geraghty, Adrian Salmon, Ben Willsher, Daniel McDaid and David A Roach, and a beautiful new cover painting from Alister Pearson.
Released August 2007, priced at £7.99
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../20/46231.shtml

The Two Masters
Simm and Jacobi speak to DWM.
Derek Jacobi and John Simm speak exclusively in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine about breathing new life into the Doctor's old nemesis...
"I've tried to explain to my son that his dad is going to be, like, the epitome of evil," John Simm laughs, "but if I say, 'I have a fight with Doctor Who (sic),' and ask him who he wants to win, he'll say Doctor Who! It's one of those opportunities, though, to impress your son in a massive way, and that was just too good to turn down.
"Julie Gardner was trying to find something for me to do in it, and I kept saying, 'Look, I'm not being painted blue!' And then Julie and Russell T Davies said, 'What about the Master?' As soon as they said that, I was like,'You're kidding? Oh yeah!' I got really excited about it, but I just had to sit on the news. I wanted to tell people, 'I'M GOING TO BE THE MASTER!!!' But it was a secret. Hmft."
Russell T Davies is also on hand to tell the story of how he resurrected the Master ("Did you hear me say that I didn't like the Master, and didn't want him back? Well, I was lying!") and DWM visits a haunted house to find out how Blink was brought to our screens.
Meanwhile, there's a look at the darker side of the Doctor's nature, the mag goes all Smash Hits as they speak to top pop group McFly (honestly!) and look back at Doctor Who's many celebrity cameos.
Comic strip The Woman Who Sold the World concludes, and Steven Moffat pens Production Notes.
DWM 384, available with two Masterful covers, goes on sale from Thursday 28 June, priced £3.99.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../20/46259.shtml

Doctor Who clips
Media on the move - please bear with us.
As our New Series streaming media clips are so massively popular, they're putting a bit of a strain on our servers here at the BBC.
So today we're moving the broadband ones to a new home, where they should hopefully run more smoothly from now on.
As there are so many to deal with, a few are bound to go a bit strange during this process. Please bear with us today and tomorrow as we test them.
If they're still playing up on Saturday, drop us an email telling us what's not working and we'll take a look.
This doesn't effect Classic Series clips or the lower resolution ones.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../21/46211.shtml

Marsters Guests On Torchwood
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast member James Marsters will have a guest role in the second season of the BBC's Torchwood, an adult spinoff of the network's hit Doctor Who, the GallifreyOne Web site reported, citing JamesMarstersLive.
The site offered no details about Marsters' appearance. Marsters' former Buffy castmate, Anthony Stewart Head, made a guest appearance on Doctor Who.
Marsters has previously appeared as a guest star on The CW's Smallville, playing Dr. Milton Fine.
http://www.gallifreyone.com/cgi-bin/viewne...style=feedstyle

Two Times Radio Times
Double cover and inside look at Last Of The Time Lords.
"The fate of the world is in Martha Jones's hands," reveals Who supremo Russell T Davies in this week's Radio Times. "The final episode is a massive quest, it's very stirring, and there are some very dark moments in amongst the fun.
"It's Martha's time to pay back everything that the Doctor has done for her, to live up to his faith in, and expectations of, her."
The mag sports double Doctor Who Collectors Edition covers (which you can order posters of), features behind-the-scenes pictures and more comments from Russell and Freema Agyeman.
Asked why he didn't give the Master his classic Tissue Compression Eliminator weapon, Russell admits, "I loved that! But by the end of episode 12, the Master's pulled so many tricks on the Doctor, I thought, 'I can't include that as well, or he'll need a helluva big jacket!' But I loved that – a gun that turns people into dolls."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../26/46471.shtml

More Martha!
Relax - she's coming back, and branching out too...
While the final episode of Series Three, screened last Saturday , saw The Doctor's companion Martha leave to care for her devastated family, and to break the cycle of unrequited love she feels for The Doctor, the production team has now confirmed that the character is set to make a triumphant return in the fourth series.
Freema Agyeman is also set to join the cast of Torchwood, where she will continue to play the character in three new episodes before returning to Doctor Who in the middle of the fourth series.
As Doctor Who's Executive Producer and head writer, Russell T Davies notes: "Series three has gained outstanding reviews and Freema has been a huge part of that success, gaining rave notices for her portrayal of Martha. Now we are taking the character of Martha into brand new territory with a starring role in Torchwood".
"I can't wait to start filming on Torchwood and the new series of Doctor Who," said Freema. "It's a huge new challenge for me and I'm delighted Russell has decided to expand the character of Martha Jones.'"
The new announcement leaves a vacant space in the TARDIS. A new companion for The Doctor, who will join the new series for the entire 13 week run, will be announced shortly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../02/46692.shtml

Kylie Minogue in Christmas Special - Official
July 3, 2007 • Posted By Shaun Lyon
Confirming long-standing rumors in the British tabloid press, Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue will join the Doctor in the 2007 Christmas Special, Voyage of the Dammed, according to a press release issued this evening on Minogue's official website. The 39-year-old actress and singer will have a "major lead role" in the hour-long special, says the site.
Minogue has one of the longest and most successful careers as a performer in contemporary pop music, and in Europe and Australia she has become one of her generation's most recognisable celebrities and sex symbols. Says Minogue, "It is an incredible thrill to be joining David and the entire Dr Who production for this year's Christmas special. Dr Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that."
The episode has been written by Doctor Who's executive producer and head writer Russell T Davies, who noted that "We are delighted and excited to announce that Kylie Minogue will be joining the Doctor. Doctor Who Christmas specials are always a joy and we feel very confident that this will be the most ambitious and best Christmas episode yet." Minogue's official site notes that "The production team has also confirmed that the storyline will follow on directly from the ending of series three where viewers witnessed The Titanic crash through the Tardis walls..."
The news was apparently due to be released after a press embargo expires at midnight tonight; such sites as Digital Spy and the Daily Mail reported the story before pulling it off their feeds later. Minogue's official website, however, is still confirming the story. More news as we get it.
UPDATE: According to a glimpse of tomorrow's story in The Sun, Minogue plays a waitress on the Titanic.
http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php#newsi...FuEkkykpblMTaOB

Step Back In Time
Kylie Minogue on board for Titanic festive special.
We're all feeling lucky, lucky, lucky that Kylie Minogue is to take a major lead role in the hour-long Doctor Who Christmas special, to be broadcast in December 2007.
Especially for you, Kylie will be travelling light years to join David Tennant for the episode, Voyage Of The Damned, which starts filming in July in Cardiff.
"We are delighted and excited to announce that Kylie Minogue will be joining the Doctor," revealed Executive Producer and lead writer Russell T Davies.
"Doctor Who Xmas specials are always a joy and we feel very confident that this will be the most ambitious and best Christmas episode yet."
"It is an incredible thrill to be joining David and the entire Doctor Who production for this year's Christmas special," added Kylie. "Doctor Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that."
The production team has also confirmed that the story, written by Russell, will follow on directly from the ending of series three where viewers witnessed the Titanic crash through the Tardis wallså
Full details are currently under wraps, with more information to be announced shortly. We'll confide in you as soon as we can. The fourth series of Doctor Who will be back in the Spring of 2008.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../03/46771.shtml

Purple Ranger 14 - July 21, 2007 02:20 AM (GMT)

Donna says "I do!"
Catherine Tate accepts proposal to star in fourth series.
Catherine Tate is set to return to the TARDIS for the complete 13 week run of Series Four of Doctor Who.
Award winning comedian Tate will reprise her role as Donna, the runaway bride from last year's Christmas special, despite turning down the Doctor's invitation to travel with him at the end of that adventure.
When Catherine was asked if she would like to become The Doctor's new companion at the press screening of The Runaway Bride, she replied, "I would love to, but no one has asked!" Well, now they have.
"Catherine was an absolute star in The Runaway Bride and we are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series," announced Doctor Who's executive producer and head writer, Russell T Davies. "Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."
Catherine Tate added : "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."
Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, The Doctor's companion throughout the critically acclaimed third series, will return to the show to join The Doctor and Donna mid series.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../04/46831.shtml

Doctor Who’s The Master Gallery: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../05/46914.shtml

Agyeman Re-Ups For Who
The BBC confirmed that Freema Agyeman, who plays companion Martha Jones on the hit Doctor Who series, will return for a fourth season and will also appear in the spinoff series Torchwood. But a second companion is slated to join Doctor Who for the first half of the fourth season.
The season-three finale aired on June 30 in the United Kingdom; season three began airing in the United States on SCI FI Channel on July 6.
Agyeman is also set to join the cast of Torchwood, where she will play Martha Jones in three new episodes before returning to Doctor Who in the middle of the fourth season.
"[Season] three has gained outstanding reviews, and Freema has been a huge part of that success, gaining rave notices for her portrayal of Martha," executive producer and head writer Russell T. Davies told the BBC. "Now we are taking the character of Martha into brand-new territory with a starring role in Torchwood."
The new announcement leaves a vacant space in the TARDIS. A new companion for the Doctor, who will join the new season for the entire 13-week run, will be announced shortly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../02/46692.shtml

Minogue Follows Doctor's Orders
Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue will join the cast of the BBC's hit SF series Doctor Who for its special Christmas episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Britain's publicly funded broadcaster said that Minogue, 39, would play a "major lead role" alongside the Doctor (David Tennant).
The hourlong episode, "Voyage of the Damned," will start filming this month in Cardiff, Wales.

Tate Joins Doctor Who
British comic actress Catherine Tate will play the Doctor's newest companion in the BBC's upcoming fourth season of Doctor Who, the BBC announced. Tate will reprise the role of Donna, the runaway bride from the 2006 Christmas special.
Tate will join star David Tennant for the complete 13-week run of the new season, which is due to begin filming in Cardiff, Wales, later this month.
Freema Agyeman, who played the Doctor's companion, Martha Jones, in the third season, will return in the middle of the coming season. The third season of Doctor Who recently ended in the United Kingdom; it begins running on SCI FI Channel in the United States on July 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Agyeman, meanwhile, will play Martha Jones in three episodes of spinoff show Torchwood, which producers have said will expand her character.
The fourth season of Doctor Who is due to debut on BBC One in spring 2008. A Christmas special starring Tennant and Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue will air in December in the United Kingdom.

Doctor Who Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6211584.stm

Kylie Boards Titanic!
First picture from Xmas released along with new cast details.
The first picture from the set of the Doctor Who Christmas Special - Voyage of the Damned has been revealed.
Kylie who plays Astrid - a waitress on The Titanic - began filming in Cardiff this week for the special which will air on BBC 1 during Christmas 2007.
She stars alongside David Tennant in a story that follows on directly from the ending of series three where viewers witnessed The Titanic crash through the TARDIS walls.
We can also confirm that Britain's best loved sitcom actors, Geoffrey Palmer and Clive Swift will play lead roles in the Christmas episode. With Geoffrey taking the helm of the Titanic in his role as Captain.
Voyage of the Damned will also feature Gray O'Brien who recently appeared in the Oscar winning film The Queen, Debbie Chazen; star of the BBC comedy series The Smoking Room, Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe, Russell Tovey from the smash hit film The History Boys, Jimmy Vee who has previously been in Doctor Who as the Moxx of Balhoon and George Costigan who starred in The Long Firm and the acclaimed film Rita Sue and Bob Too.
Doctor Who series four will return to our screens in Spring 2008.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/n.../11/47099.shtml

SpiderX - September 26, 2007 12:57 PM (GMT)

The good Doctor made a cameo appearance on the Star Wars episode of Family Guy, which aired last Sunday. (It's one of the past Doctors, that much I could figure out on my own.) He appears when they go into lightspeed. Thought you might get a kick out of it. :ph43r:

Purple Ranger 14 - October 7, 2007 07:11 PM (GMT)

The Sontarans return next season!!!!!!

Nomytaker - January 18, 2008 06:08 PM (GMT)

New series of Torchwood started in the UK this wednesday. I believe that the person that played Spike in Buffy, appear in this one.

Very good story.

Purple Ranger 14 - January 21, 2008 09:07 PM (GMT)

I know.

Purple Ranger 14 - February 6, 2008 10:04 PM (GMT)

THE SONTARANS & ROSE ARE RETURNING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nomytaker - April 5, 2008 07:22 PM (GMT)

At the death of Torchwood last night saw the birth of a new TV program.

Doctor Who returned the next night. So here I am just watched the first episode of the new series.....Very Good. Catherine Tate was actually watchable this time around. Already setting up the "Rose" return. (Which kind of ruins it for me (I've been trying to not read spoilers))

Only down part to the story was that Catherine got on my nerves near the end.

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