David Tennant's final two episodes of Doctor Who will air on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the BBC has confirmed.
Provisional schedules for the Christmas period will see 'The End Of Time, Part One' air from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on BBC One on Christmas Day, sandwiched between episodes of EastEnders.
'The End Of Time, Part Two', in which Tennant's Doctor will regenerate into a new incarnation played by Matt Smith, will air on New Year's Day. The hour-long episode will go out at 7.30pm, again sandwiched between episodes of EastEnders and also ahead of the last ever episode of Gavin & Stacey.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Eccleston to play Lennon
Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston is to play Beatles star John Lennon in a new play commissioned by BBC Four, with Torchwood star Naoko Mori playing Yoko Ono.Lennon Naked is a 90-minute film charting Lennon's life over the period 1967-1971, as he transforms from "Beatle John" to enduring and enigmatic icon. Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says: "Securing Christopher Eccleston to play John Lennon is further testament to the calibre of drama on BBC Four. The Women We Loved season currently on air is attracting record audiences and the channel is steadily building a reputation for portraying some of this country's best loved icons."Richard Klein, Controller, BBC Four, says: "BBC Four is the place where dramas look to explore that space between artists' public works and private lives, shedding light on the artistic process while offering intelligent entertainment."Lennon Naked is currently filming in London. The 90-minute drama is written by Robert Jones (The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Party Animals) and will be broadcast in 2010. Full details from the BBC Press Office.
Gadget on Display
Gadget The Robot has gone on display at the Doctor Who Exhibition in Coventry in the West Midlands.
The exhibition, which has an extended run until January, now features the Robot along with other props and costumes from The Waters of Mars including The Water Zombie and the costume of Captain Adelaide Brooks.
Visitors to the exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum, can also see Bessie, the Third Doctor's yellow roadster car and Jon Pertwee's costume.
Chief executive of the museum, Gary Hall, said: "The Doctor Who exhibition has been a big hit, with visitors coming again and again to see the exhibition. Getting new props for Christmas provides our visitors with a fantastic opportunity to visit the exhibition during Christmas holidays. We would urge people not to miss out on seeing the fantastic new props and costumes and posing next to Bessie for a photograph."
Note that although there is a charge to see the Doctor Who Exhibition, entry to the general museum is free. Visitors can see Bessie for nothing.
The exhibition, which has an extended run until January, now features the Robot along with other props and costumes from The Waters of Mars including The Water Zombie and the costume of Captain Adelaide Brooks.
Visitors to the exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum, can also see Bessie, the Third Doctor's yellow roadster car and Jon Pertwee's costume.
Chief executive of the museum, Gary Hall, said: "The Doctor Who exhibition has been a big hit, with visitors coming again and again to see the exhibition. Getting new props for Christmas provides our visitors with a fantastic opportunity to visit the exhibition during Christmas holidays. We would urge people not to miss out on seeing the fantastic new props and costumes and posing next to Bessie for a photograph."
Note that although there is a charge to see the Doctor Who Exhibition, entry to the general museum is free. Visitors can see Bessie for nothing.
Tennant and Davies on Radio 2
The BBC Press Office has released details of the forthcoming radio programme "Who on Who?", to be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday the 29th of December at 5pm. The one-hour programme will feature David Tennant interviewing Russell T Davies about his career and the success of the Doctor Who revival, just days before the broadcast of the pair's final regular work on the programme.
Collinson joins Corrie
ITV Studios has confirmed that Phil Collinson is to join Coronation Street as the show’s new Producer, taking over in the summer of 2010.
Collinson was Producer for Doctor Who from the start of its return to production in2004 until the end of Series Four. He was one of the main creative forces behind the return, working closely with Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner.
After leaving the series he moved to Manchester as BBC Head of Drama for the region. In his book "The Writer's Tale", Russell T Davies comments that he believes the BBC offered him the Manchester job to prevent losing him to Coronation Street earlier. He will join Coronation Street next March, and after a suitable handover period will take over from current producer Kim Crowther in the Summer.
Speaking of his new role, Collinson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Corrie, the nation’s favourite street and a show I’ve been a huge fan of all my life . It goes without saying that it’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with building on Coronation Street’s success and creating the must-see storylines for 2010 and beyond. Kim will be a tough act to follow but I will be working with one of the best teams in the business and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Collinson was Producer for Doctor Who from the start of its return to production in2004 until the end of Series Four. He was one of the main creative forces behind the return, working closely with Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner.
After leaving the series he moved to Manchester as BBC Head of Drama for the region. In his book "The Writer's Tale", Russell T Davies comments that he believes the BBC offered him the Manchester job to prevent losing him to Coronation Street earlier. He will join Coronation Street next March, and after a suitable handover period will take over from current producer Kim Crowther in the Summer.
Speaking of his new role, Collinson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Corrie, the nation’s favourite street and a show I’ve been a huge fan of all my life . It goes without saying that it’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with building on Coronation Street’s success and creating the must-see storylines for 2010 and beyond. Kim will be a tough act to follow but I will be working with one of the best teams in the business and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Rob Shearman interview
Rob Shearman interview: his brand new book, writing Doctor Who and resurrecting the Daleks
Doctor Who: Just Who Did Martha Marry?
Just a tiny thing. But enough to inspire Doctor Who fanfic writers the world over. I understand from well-connected-fan-chatter combined with a little birdie at BBC America that in the end-of-year Doctor Who specials, and yes I am eeking this out a bit so that there are no spoilers for the front page of Bleeding Cool, I’ve got in enough trouble for that before and I really don’t want to be threatened by a sharpened sonic screwdriver again… okay is that it? I think that’s it. Okay. Where were we?
Oh yes. Anyway, in Torchwood, we were told that Martha Jones was on her honeymoon. And most people presumed that she was hitched to Tom Milligan, the nurse from Last Of The Time Lords. Well, in the end of year Christmas Doctor Who specials I understand that we will learn that somewhere, somewhen, Martha Jones married… no not Nurse Tom, sorry people, but…
Mickey Smith, Rose Tyler’s ex.
Is this the first time one Doctor Who companion has officially got together with another (in series canon)? Yes, I think it is. There had been some chatter about this kind of thing back in the summer, but a lot of it was dismissed. Well, now it seems that bells are going to chime.
I can see that, I mean who else can you share stories about Daleks on those long winter nights?
The last time we saw her in Doctor Who was with Captain Jack, with Mickey racing to catch up with them. At the time Martha was intended to appear in the next Torchwood series, but the actress Freema Agyeman’s decision to jump to Law & Order: UK with ex-Torchwood producer Chris Chibnall scuppered that, with some series resulting rewrites (we got the joyous wonder of Children of Earth as a result though, so hey, no worries there)
source
Oh yes. Anyway, in Torchwood, we were told that Martha Jones was on her honeymoon. And most people presumed that she was hitched to Tom Milligan, the nurse from Last Of The Time Lords. Well, in the end of year Christmas Doctor Who specials I understand that we will learn that somewhere, somewhen, Martha Jones married… no not Nurse Tom, sorry people, but…
Mickey Smith, Rose Tyler’s ex.
Is this the first time one Doctor Who companion has officially got together with another (in series canon)? Yes, I think it is. There had been some chatter about this kind of thing back in the summer, but a lot of it was dismissed. Well, now it seems that bells are going to chime.
I can see that, I mean who else can you share stories about Daleks on those long winter nights?
The last time we saw her in Doctor Who was with Captain Jack, with Mickey racing to catch up with them. At the time Martha was intended to appear in the next Torchwood series, but the actress Freema Agyeman’s decision to jump to Law & Order: UK with ex-Torchwood producer Chris Chibnall scuppered that, with some series resulting rewrites (we got the joyous wonder of Children of Earth as a result though, so hey, no worries there)
source
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Radio 4 documentary to focus on Shada
A forthcoming BBC Radio 4 documentary is to examine what led to the cancellation of Shada - the six-part Fourth Doctor story originally intended to end Doctor Who's 17th season.Shelved takes a look at three TV programmes that were made in 1979 but which never aired because of socio-political, industrial or cultural problems.
The three comprise a particularly violent episode of ITV show The Professionals, the last episode of BBC series Secret Army, and Shada.
Interviewers for the Shada segment are Tom Baker, director Pennant Roberts and Jeremy Bentham - the Doctor Who historian, author, former associate editor of Doctor Who Magazine and co-founder of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society.
The story, which was never completed at the time because of a BBC strike, would have been broadcast in January and February 1980.The 30-minute documentary is scheduled to be broadcast on Saturday, December 12 at 10.30am, and it is understood it will make a key revelation relating to Doctor Who through documentation unearthed by producer/presenter Shaun Ley. Recording of the documentary took place at the BBC's Westminster studio on Thursday, November 5.
Incoming Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner tried to remount Shada, but those attempts failed and production was formally abandoned in June 1980. In 1992, the recorded footage was released on video with linking narration by Tom Baker completing the story. It was subsequently reworked as an audio play by Big Finish Productions, featuring the Eighth Doctor and with Paul McGann in the lead role. This version was webcast on BBCi in 2003 and broadcast on digital radio station BBC7 in December 2005, with a repeat the following year. The webcast is currently available to listen to on the official Doctor Who website (may only be available within the UK).
The three comprise a particularly violent episode of ITV show The Professionals, the last episode of BBC series Secret Army, and Shada.
Interviewers for the Shada segment are Tom Baker, director Pennant Roberts and Jeremy Bentham - the Doctor Who historian, author, former associate editor of Doctor Who Magazine and co-founder of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society.
The story, which was never completed at the time because of a BBC strike, would have been broadcast in January and February 1980.The 30-minute documentary is scheduled to be broadcast on Saturday, December 12 at 10.30am, and it is understood it will make a key revelation relating to Doctor Who through documentation unearthed by producer/presenter Shaun Ley. Recording of the documentary took place at the BBC's Westminster studio on Thursday, November 5.
Incoming Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner tried to remount Shada, but those attempts failed and production was formally abandoned in June 1980. In 1992, the recorded footage was released on video with linking narration by Tom Baker completing the story. It was subsequently reworked as an audio play by Big Finish Productions, featuring the Eighth Doctor and with Paul McGann in the lead role. This version was webcast on BBCi in 2003 and broadcast on digital radio station BBC7 in December 2005, with a repeat the following year. The webcast is currently available to listen to on the official Doctor Who website (may only be available within the UK).
WoM commentary available
The Commentary track for The Waters of Mars aired last night/early this morning on BBC Radio 7 and can heard on the BBC iPlayer for the next 6 days HERE.
Classic Series on YouTube
BBC Worldwide have released a number of Classic Series episodes onto their YouTube Channel.Stories uploaded so far are
1st Doctor - The Edge of Destruction
2nd Doctor - The Krotons
3rd Doctor - Carnival of Monsters
5th Doctor - The Caves of Androzani Although originally blocked in the UK these episodes can now be viewed globally. Viewers in the UK can also view classic episodes on MSN Video, which is currently showing The Web Planet, The Tomb of the Cyberman and Planet of the Spiders, and BlinkBox which is also showing Tomb of the Cybermen and The Krotons.
1st Doctor - The Edge of Destruction
2nd Doctor - The Krotons
3rd Doctor - Carnival of Monsters
5th Doctor - The Caves of Androzani Although originally blocked in the UK these episodes can now be viewed globally. Viewers in the UK can also view classic episodes on MSN Video, which is currently showing The Web Planet, The Tomb of the Cyberman and Planet of the Spiders, and BlinkBox which is also showing Tomb of the Cybermen and The Krotons.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Richard Curtis Spoils His Episode...
Talking to Shortlist magazine, Richard Curtis has ended weeks of speculation regarding the identity of the historical figure appearing in his upcoming episode in Matt Smith's first season as the Doctor.
"I've got Van Gogh stabbing a monster," he told the magazine, going on to say that said monster is yellow. Van Gogh joins the already confirmed Churchill from the Dalek episode to the roll call for Steven Moffat's first season in charge. Thanks to Blogtor Who for the tip-off.
"I've got Van Gogh stabbing a monster," he told the magazine, going on to say that said monster is yellow. Van Gogh joins the already confirmed Churchill from the Dalek episode to the roll call for Steven Moffat's first season in charge. Thanks to Blogtor Who for the tip-off.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Moorcock to write an original Who novel
Moorcock's Miscellany (Michael Moorcock) has Looks like it's official, I'll be doing a new Dr Who novel (not a tie-in) for appearance, I understand, by next Christmas. Still have to have talks etc. with producers and publishers but we should be signing shortly. Should be fun.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Sarah Jane Adventures: series finale pictures!
Click on the pic for rest of the pics and original article
As The Sarah Jane Adventures draws to a close, here’s a boatload of pictures of the final two-parter, The Gift…
It's been a good year to be a Doctor Who spin-off. Torchwood: Children Of Earth finally realised the promise of a proper, grown-up sci-fi show aimed at an older audience but based in the same world as Who, while The Sarah Jane Adventures has continued to excel, also featuring David Tennant's last filmed scenes as the Doctor.
Next week, the third series of The Sarah Jane Adventures draws to a close, with some familiar-looking faces from Raxacoricofallapatorian making an appearance. But are these the Slitheen of old? Or is there something a little different this time?
The episodes will be shown on 19th and 20th of November, and we've got - courtesy of the BBC - a gallery of images from the final two-parter.
As The Sarah Jane Adventures draws to a close, here’s a boatload of pictures of the final two-parter, The Gift…It's been a good year to be a Doctor Who spin-off. Torchwood: Children Of Earth finally realised the promise of a proper, grown-up sci-fi show aimed at an older audience but based in the same world as Who, while The Sarah Jane Adventures has continued to excel, also featuring David Tennant's last filmed scenes as the Doctor.
Next week, the third series of The Sarah Jane Adventures draws to a close, with some familiar-looking faces from Raxacoricofallapatorian making an appearance. But are these the Slitheen of old? Or is there something a little different this time?
The episodes will be shown on 19th and 20th of November, and we've got - courtesy of the BBC - a gallery of images from the final two-parter.
Doctor Who star David Tennant pretended to be timelord as kid
Doctor Who star David Tennant spent his childhood pretending to be the famous timelord, his sister has revealed.
David, 38, will leave his role as the Doctor this year and he is currently filming his final scenes before new Doctor Matt Smith takes over.
His sister Karen said that he was a "geeky" boy but knew he wanted to be an actor.
She said: "He was a gorgeous little boy… running about, playing Doctor Who. It has been a life-long love of his, Doctor Who.
"He told everyone who was prepared to listen, from a very young age, that he wanted to be an actor."
Karen also hinted that her brother may be in line for a Hollywood role following his run as the timelord.
She said: "David likes to keep things very close to his chest until they're absolutely cut and dried. But it will be bigger and better things."
source: Splash News
Chris D'Oyly John
Former Production Unit Manager Christopher D'Oyly John has died.D'Oyly John worked on many stories from the classic era of Doctor Who. He was an Assistant Floor Manager on the William Hartnell story The Ark, before working as Production Assistant on several Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee stories.As Production Unit Manager, he worked on six Tom Baker stories working with producer Philip Hinchcliffe on some of the most-loved stories in the series history, including The Robots of Death and The Talons of Weng-Chiang.His work outside of Doctor Who included The Bill, Poldark, House of Elliot and EastEnders.He died peacefully at his home in Eastbourne on 21st October.
Hollywood star joins cast list for Tennant's swansong
Writing in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Russell T Davies confirms that the preview of the Christmas special, to be shown on this year's Children in Need programme, will not be the pre-titles sequence, but rather a specially packaged clip from the story. This is because the pre-titles sequence from the story is too plot-heavy to work as a standalone preview.The title of David Tennant's penultimate episode has still not been revealed, but according to Davies it will be six words long, the longest title yet. Final casting for the final episodes took place as late as October, when what is described as a "wonderful and distinguished" Hollywood actor provided the voice for one of the aliens in the story. The voice will be used in the trail for the Christmas episodes which will air directly after The Waters of Mars.
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In the run up to the UK showing of The Waters of Mars, David Tennant has been co-hosting the breakfast programme on Absolute Radio. To celebrate the fact, the station mocked up a TARDIS façade for the front of the station. In the first programme Tennant announced that he is to auction off his own bed live, which is in is own words "a nasty old bed that's seen some action." All proceeds of the auction will be going to Children in Need. Tennant will be with the programme for the rest of the week, and a podcast of the first programme can be heard via the Absolute Radio website, along with a photo gallery and a video diary.
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In the run up to the UK showing of The Waters of Mars, David Tennant has been co-hosting the breakfast programme on Absolute Radio. To celebrate the fact, the station mocked up a TARDIS façade for the front of the station. In the first programme Tennant announced that he is to auction off his own bed live, which is in is own words "a nasty old bed that's seen some action." All proceeds of the auction will be going to Children in Need. Tennant will be with the programme for the rest of the week, and a podcast of the first programme can be heard via the Absolute Radio website, along with a photo gallery and a video diary.
RTD says Torchwood not dead yet
If you watched Torchwood's last season, the Children of Earth miniseries, it felt a lot like the end of the whole thing.
Well, that may not be the case, TV Guide reported (mild spoilers ahead):
Torchwood might not have concluded its run at the end of the thrilling miniseries Children of Earth after all—Ianto's tragic death not withstanding. The new year could bring some "very good news" for fans of the sexy sci-fi series, creator Russell T. Davies tells TV Guide Magazine.
"The recession has hit British television, but fingers crossed, it will be a go. We expect things to start to move in January. We've got great ideas for the show. I think there's a further lease on life for many years to come, but certainly for a [fourth season]," Davies says.
Well, that may not be the case, TV Guide reported (mild spoilers ahead):
Torchwood might not have concluded its run at the end of the thrilling miniseries Children of Earth after all—Ianto's tragic death not withstanding. The new year could bring some "very good news" for fans of the sexy sci-fi series, creator Russell T. Davies tells TV Guide Magazine.
"The recession has hit British television, but fingers crossed, it will be a go. We expect things to start to move in January. We've got great ideas for the show. I think there's a further lease on life for many years to come, but certainly for a [fourth season]," Davies says.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Timothy Bateson (1926-2009)
The Guardian newspaper in the UK has published an obituary for actor Timothy Bateson, who died in September at the age of 83. Bateson enjoyed an acting career stretching from the 1940s to the present decade, and in 1955 appeared in the first London production of the play "Waiting for Godot". He appeared in Doctor Who only once, in the 1978 serial The Ribos Operation, where he portrayed Binro the Heretic. In this role he took part in the scene where Binro explains that be believes there are other planets and other stars; this is frequently regarded as one of the most memorable scenes from Doctor Who, most recently acclaimed as such in Doctor Who Magazine's "200 Golden Moments" special edition. The serial, along with the others in the 1978 "Key to Time" series, is due to be re-released on DVD next week, following its previous limited edition issue.
Waters of Mars - Confirmed Canadian Date
The Waters of Mars will come to Canadian Television on Saturday 19th December when it premiers on SPACE at 9pm ET. This is the same date the special will be shown in the US on BBC America.The final two specials are expected to be shown over the Christmas holiday.The Waters of Mars is now scheduled in most of the English speaking world with premiers confirmed in Australia, Canada and the United States, all less than 6 weeks after the special has premièred in the United Kingdom.
Ambassadors DVD Commentary
Speaking at the Missing in Action convention, the actor Nicholas Courtney reported that he has just recorded a commentary for the seventh season story The Ambassadors of Death, alongside other members of cast and crew including Terrance Dicks, Peter Halliday and Derek Ware.It should be remembered that commentaries are often recorded way in advance of DVD release (years in some cases!), so this is no indication that the story is currently scheduled to appear in the shops soon!
Chicks dig timelords
Two-minute Time Lord has 2MTL 78: Tara O'Shea on "Chicks Dig Time Lords", in the last of my interviews from Hurricane Who, Tara O'Shea and I have a wide-ranging conversation about female Doctor Who fandom on two different continents
Alan Chuntz has died at the age of 81
The Doctor Who News Page has Alan Chuntz 1927-2009, the actor and stuntman Alan Chuntz has died at the age of 81. Chuntz appeared in at least 15 stories from the classic series. He was a member of HAVOC, the team that provided much of the stunt work for the programme. He played Omega's champion in The Three Doctors and had a rare speaking role as the Chauffeur in The Seeds of Doom.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Tennant to play a lawyer on NBC comedy
Scottish actor David Tennant is moving out of the cosy confines of the Tardis time machine and into U.S. television comedy.
Tennant, the lead actor in BBC's Dr. Who, is to play a Chicago lawyer who coaches his clients to represent themselves in court in the new NBC sitcom Rex Is Not Your Lawyer.
The comic role hast Tennant playing a lawyer so prone to panic attacks he cannot be relied on in the courtroom.
Tennant has played Dr. Who in the sci-fi series for the past five years but announced he would leave the show last year.
"I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome," he said.
Tennant is known in Britain for roles in TV dramas such as Blackpool and Casanova, and he also starred in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He played Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company earlier this year.
The U.S. comedy is to be directed by David Semel, who worked on episodes of House and Heroes.
Tennant, the lead actor in BBC's Dr. Who, is to play a Chicago lawyer who coaches his clients to represent themselves in court in the new NBC sitcom Rex Is Not Your Lawyer.
The comic role hast Tennant playing a lawyer so prone to panic attacks he cannot be relied on in the courtroom.
Tennant has played Dr. Who in the sci-fi series for the past five years but announced he would leave the show last year.
"I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome," he said.
Tennant is known in Britain for roles in TV dramas such as Blackpool and Casanova, and he also starred in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He played Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company earlier this year.
The U.S. comedy is to be directed by David Semel, who worked on episodes of House and Heroes.
First Dreamland clip
I really don't like the jimmy neutron animation going on here. I would have thought something closer to an amine would be the way to go.
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