In recognition of his contribution to drama business for BBC Wales, Doctor Who's former lead writer Russell T Davies has had the main walkway connecting all of the new Media Village facilities in Cardiff Bay named after him, with a plaque put up denoting Russell T Davies Alley. [Standard, 16 Feb 2012]

Talking about 'walkways', film cameraman Peter Eveson has filmed and directed the debut video for the north Suffolk band Walkway. As well as Doctor Who, the cameraman also filmed and directed Zoo Days, and worked on James May's Toy Stories. [Diss Express, 19 Feb 2012]

David Tennant will be the narrator for the audio version of Silver: Return to Treasure Island, a sequel book to Robert Louis Stevenson's original novel written by Sir Andrew Motion; the author said: "I'm completely delighted David Tennant's reading Silver. I honestly can't think of anyone I'd rather hear do it.". Dominic White of audiobook publisher W F Howes Ltd added: "David Tennant really conveys the thrills of an ocean odyssey. This is the making of a modern classic in spoken word form." [Booktrade, 22 Feb 2012]

The pairing of Tennant and Catherine Tate in last year's West End production of Much Ado About Nothing was named theatre event of the year in the Whatsonstage.com awards, voted for by the public. It also scooped the best Shakespearean production award at the event, co-hosted by Sheridan Smith (Eighth Doctor companion Lucie Miller in the Big Finish audio plays). Tate also won the award for best supporting actress in a play for Season's Greetings, and James Corden was named best actor in a play for One Man, Two Guvnors. [BBC News, 20 Feb 2012]

And speaking of Sheridan Smith, she has won the title role in Mrs Biggs, an ITV Studios drama that will chronicle the life of the former wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs from when she first met him. The five-parter will also feature Daniel Mays (Alex in Night Terrors) as the notorious criminal. [ITV Press Centre, 20 Feb 2012]

Actress Katy Wix (who played Ianto's sister Rhiannon in Torchwood: Children of Earth) can be seen in the new series of Not Going Out. Talking about her blossoming career as a comedienne, she said: "At times I've felt people in the industry didn't trust me with the joke, me being a woman and all – but they're just people I don't want to work with." [Observer, 19 Feb 2012]

Tom Price will be appearing in a new comedy show for BBC3, World Series of Dating, playing the character of James Chetwynd-Talbot, described as a nervous sports journalist, unlucky with the ladies and in his first commentary role. The 8-part series, which stars American actor/comedian Rob Riggle, commences on the channel in March. [BBC Media Centre, 22 Feb 2012]

Actor Zach Braff learnt about how famous his All New People co-star Eve Myles was by meeting her fans at the stage door! "I didn't (know) until I got here. Eve does not play a very - how do I put this? - her character is not like a sex pot, hottie, and I'm seeing these pictures from Torchwood of her firing guns and these tight outfits, and I'm like 'Eve?!!' But it's become quite popular in the States, too, I have a friend who I didn't know even watched it, he was like 'you're acting with Eve Myles!' - he was freaking out. She's a wonderful, wonderful actress, and doing comedy for the first time, which people haven't seen - wait until they see how good she is at comedy. [STV, 21 Feb 2012]

Mark Ayres was recently asked about how the incidental music was handled in the classic series. When asked if music was always mixed in on the board while filming, he said: Almost always prior to 1970, yes (the show was made, as far as possible, 'as live'). After 1970, music added in post-dub.«" On whether composers saw the visuals on post-dub: "Yes, composers saw playback at BBC and made notes. From 1980-onwards (perhaps slightly earlier) they were given a time-coded VHS.« From mid-70s, Doctor Who office and Radiophonic Workshop were using Shibaden black-and-white reel-to-reel video dubs for reference.«"

The composer also added: "It's taken 15 years, but I have finally digitised all of the classic Doctor Who sound effects.«" However, "There remains a massive amount of cataloguing and documentation to complete, but the 246 tapes are done.«" A collection of Doctor Who sound effects from the 1970s has recently been re-released on CD.

The Series 6 episode The Doctor's Wife has been nominated for a 2011 Nebula Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Written by Neil Gaiman and directed by Richard Clark, it has been put forward for the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation. The winner will be announced during the SFWA's 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, which takes place from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th May in Arlington, Virgina. The Series 5 episode Vincent and the Doctor was similarly nominated last year in the 2010 awards but failed to win. [Richard Clark, via Twitter, 20 Feb 2012]

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The BBC have released the first promotional photo and details for the new series of Doctor Who:

Filming has just started on Series 7 of Doctor Who in Cardiff. This series will see the last days of the Ponds with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final, rollercoaster voyage with The Doctor. Amy and Rory have been at the Doctor's side for more than two series but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third series as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: "It's thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends."

Karen Gillan adds: "It's just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet."

Series 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when The Doctor meets a new friend. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year. Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes - each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you've never seen them before.

Casting Update

As well as Mark Williams (who was busy filming on Monday), additional guest stars for the series have now been announced:

Rupert Graves Graves has had a long film and television career, including roles in The Forsyte Saga (2002-2003), V for Vendetta (2005), and even The Famous Five (1979). He appeared alongside former Doctor David Tennant in Single Father, but is perhaps most recognisable currently as Inspector Lestrade in the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss re-imagining of Sherlock.

David Bradley Another actor with a long career, Bradley has appeared on television ranging from A Family At War (1971) through to recent series like Five Daughters (2010), and has also worked with David Tennant, in Blackpool (2004). However, the actor is no stranger to the Matt Smith era of Doctor Who, having played a Shansheeth voice in The Death of the Doctor. He is probably most recognisable to the wider audience, though, as the scraggly caretaker Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film franchise.

Production Crew: Related Vacancy

BBC Careers have listed a job within Visual Effects for BBC Wales which, though not specifically advertised for Doctor Who, will encompass the show amongst others:

Senior Visual Effects Designer (Talent Pool)

BBC Wales produces some of the BBCs best known, most popular and loved productions: Human Planet, Crimewatch, Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood, Being Human, Upstairs Downstairs, Merlin, Sherlock, Eric and Ernie, alongside a wide range of programmes for local output and S4C.

BBC Wales, Post Production and Graphic Design, is looking for visual effects designers, with experience in broadcast production, to join our highly creative and talented design team, to work on some of these high profile productions.

Requirements: You’ll have relevant experience within the Broadcast Visual Effects industry, with proven design creative ability in the field. You’ll possess strong working knowledge of customer/production bases, with a flexible/adaptable style to suit a wide range of different supervisors/customers preferred styles and strong interpersonal skills with the confidence to approach potential customers.

The role will "be responsible for delivering visual effects, to production requirements and standards, in either a support, or, lead role." Based in Cardiff, the closing date for applications is 4th March.

Related Articles: Filming underway! (20 Feb 2012)

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United Kingdom

A bit of nostalgia for Boston as 1977 saw a report on a visit to the Oldrids store by Tom Baker, who was there to autograph books about the television series and "proved a hit with the locals." [Boston Standard, 20 Feb 2012]

A Doctor Who-themed day was held at Long Close School in Slough to herald the beginning of half-term. A special poster replaced the school emblem, pupils wore costumes, time travel stories and quantum mechanics got a look-in on the curriculum, a Dalek, Weeping Angel, Cyberman, and Tardis made an appearance - and even headteacher David Brazier got in on the act by dressing up as the Ninth Doctor! [Slough and South Bucks Observer, 17 Feb 2012]

Daleks helped raise more than £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation when they appeared as part of a fund-raising day at the Ashley Centre in Epsom. [Epsom Guardian, 20 Feb 2012]

Twickenham Film Studios has gone into administration, with very little likelihood of it making movies again. Due to celebrate its centenary next year, it is, instead, being wound down between now and June. It was also host to TV productions over the years, including the BBC drama serial Our Friends In The North, which co-starred Christopher Eccleston, and Coupling, the BBC comedy created and written by Steven Moffat. On the cinematic front, An Education, which was filmed there, featured Carey Mulligan in her first leading role, while trivia buffs may like to know that the Amicus Films offering The Terrornauts featured shots of the Dalek flying saucer model from the same production company's Daleks - Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. A partial Twickenham filmography is available here. [BBC News, 20 Feb 2012]
(With thanks to Jeremy Bentham)

United States

An outdoor advertising campaign by BBC America that uses Doctor Who among its references has proved to be an internet smash. Billboards and commuter transit ads have been appearing in the New York City area to promote the network - among them posters on all three suburban commuter train lines that say "My other commute is in a TARDIS" (which has reportedly been downloaded 1,000 times) and "If you were a Time Lord, you would be home by now or 700 years ago". The channel has also logged more than 12,500 posts and likes on Tumblr, plus nearly 500 tweets of photos or comments. [Multichannel News, 10 Feb 2012] [BuzzFeed, 8 Feb 2012]

Writing for Washington University's independent newspaper in St. Louis, David Sargeant rates Doctor Who amongst the best of British shows: "Arguably the most popular British show of all time, Doctor Who is the easiest show to jump into and the sole entry on this list still in production. The Doctor is an alien with a time machine, a fondness for humans and an out-of-this-world personality. He travels through time and space with a human companion, confronting various alien menaces and setting an example of tolerance and cool logic. The franchise is approaching its 50th anniversary but has yet to show its age." [Student Life, 20 Feb 2012]

Andrea Shelton reflects on her experience at the GallifreyOne Convention that took place in Los Angeles last weekend: "This weekend I made my first trip to the 23rd installment of Gallifrey One – a Doctor Who convention held annually in LA – and it was nothing short of OUTSTANDING. The defining characteristic of this event is that it is 100% fan-run. This means every staff member and volunteer is participating out of sheer love and enjoyment of the series, and it shows in every detail of the programming. The charm of this convention goes beyond the quality of programming. Just as important to the overall experience is the character of the fans. I am pleased to say I have never been surrounded by so many friendly, enthusiastic, and kind people that I immediately felt a connection with. This convention has everything a Doctor Who fan could ask for, and I am already counting down the days until next year. It is a trip worth saving for, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year’s 50th Anniversary special." [What Culture, 21 Feb 2012]

Lastly, a selection of photos taken at the convention. [LA Weekly, 20 Feb 2012]

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AudioGo have released details on audio titles in their spoken word range due to be released next month, with the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory continuing their adventures in Darkstar Academy and Gwen and Rhys embroiled in post-Miracle Day shenanigans in Army of One. Plus, the new novelisation of Shada, reported last week.

Darkstar Academy
Written by Mark Morris
Read by Alexander Armstrong
Released 8th March 2012 (CD) (pre-order)

When the TARDIS is buffeted by ‘time slippage’, the Doctor experiences a terrible vision of the end of everything. Tracking the source of the disruption, he takes Rory and Amy to what appears to be an English public school in the 1950s.

But as the friends are about to discover, there are some very unusual things about Darkstar Academy. For a start the prefects carry guns, and then there is the strange forcefield that surrounds the perimeter. Not to mention the foot-long, crab-like creatures with spiny, armoured bodies...

When the Doctor learns the truth about the Academy, he also discovers that the whole place is in terrible danger. But with a swarm of creatures on the loose, what can he, Amy and Rory do to help prevent a terrible disaster?

Army of One
Written by Ian Edginton
Read by Kai Owen
Released 8th March 2012 (CD) (pre-order)


Washington D.C., post-Miracle. The city has been hit by a spate of very unusual serial killings.
The victims are different ages and genders and the locations vary, but each body has one thing in common – it has been reduced to a dried-up, desiccated husk.

Special Agent Lucas Avery has dealt with some tricky puzzles in his time, but this is stranger than anything he has ever encountered. His one lead is a pair of names: ‘Gwen’ and ‘Rhys’...

For Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams, still recovering from the recent, traumatic events that shook the world, life is about to get difficult and dangerous again. For it’s not just Homeland Security on their trail, but something else – something alien, terrifying and deadly...

Related Articles: Shada (13 Feb 2012)

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This morning saw filming begin in earnest for the next series of Doctor Who!

A brief summary of activities appear below, which though we do not consider as spoilers (there are no plot points for the episode being filmed), some readers may prefer not to continue reading!

Cast

The first guest star for the series has been revealed as the comic/actor Mark Williams. Having come to fame as one of the faces of The Fast Show, Williams has appeared in a variety of television and films, most recently on Sunday evenings as vampire lore-master Regus in Toby Whithouse's supernatural show Being Human. Arguably, though, the actor is now recognisable worldwide though his role as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise.

On Location

Recording took place inside a private house in Church Road, Penarth, which had been dressed to represent the Amy/Rory household. Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan were on set, as was Mark Williams.

Resident Grace Jenkins kept Twitter followers appraised of activities inside, including set-dressing the week before:

Fri 12:20pm Living room has been cruelly disfigured so they can film Doctor Who in it.
Fri 4:26pm Rory and Amy Pond's wedding photos are now on my living room wall and will be all weekend as they're filming Monday.

8:18am I just met Mr Weasley!
8:51am What a lovely group of people.
9:18am Karen Gillan keeps playing my piano.
10:18am Blows my mind how many people it takes to make a tv show. I've counted at least 50.
1:58pm SO glad I can finally just get a bloody cup of tea without tripping over camera leads.

(with thanks to Grace Jenkins and Ryan Farrell)

Related Articles: Production Roundup (14 Feb 2012)

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Speaking at the GallifreyOne convention in Los Angeles, Patrick Troughton's son Michael said that he had recently recorded a commentary on the life of his father to be included as a feature for The Ice Warriors. There are no details as yet over whether the incomplete story will be an individual DVD release or form part of a boxed set.

On the subject of incomplete stories, Nicholas Pegg reported on Twitter that he was "into the final furlong of the Shada DVD production subtitles, and still unearthing previously unknown trivia bombshells!«" Earlier he said: "Researching the full facts and events of the Shada cancellation for the DVD info text. It's awfully sad. They so nearly made it!«"

Ed Stradling has made the following appeal: "if any Doctor Who fans out there know the whereabouts of any of the original models from Terror of the Zygons, could you let me know? Thanks«"

Talking about the forthcoming The Face of Evil (out 5th March), Chris Chapman said on Twitter: 'Into the Wild' features an exclusive chat with the child voice of Xoanon, then-schoolboy Anthony Frieze! Yes, I can tell you are excited!« It also features Louise Jameson, Philip Hinchcliffe, Austin Ruddy, Mat Irvine and an archive interview with Pennant Roberts.« But the big star of the doco is Mat Irvine's AMAZING Tom Baker mountain face!«"

Chapman also discussed the documentary The Show Must Go On, to be included on the DVD of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy: "The guest line-up (Aldred, Wareing, Reddington, Laskey, Tucker, Cartmel and JNT archive) now has an added cameo from the Bus Conductor Robot!« Worth saying that the doco and commentary feature an almost completely different line-up of guests - virtually no crossover!« Doco is clocking in just over 30mins, which I think is our longest yet.« It includes the words 'doormat', 'rat-bucket' and 'I was a bit too male for that'« ... Fiddling on with our doco - one last scan through the 'studio' footage... looking for things that went wrong!« ... Just added a bit of swearing - will have to bleep that one out!«" Today, he added: "We're just finishing our Greatest Show doco - which is a great chance to say how flippin' brilliant Who was at that time!«".

The latest edition of Nothing at the End of the Lane reports that some 90 seconds of behind-the-scenes footage had been captured on 8mm film during the recording of Robot on location at Wood Norton Hall by an extra in the story, Roger Squires; the material may appear on a future DVD release.

DVD range producer Dan Hall updated Doctor Who Magazine on the status of the recently rediscovered episodes of Galaxy 4 and The Underwater Menace: "There's one release that hasn't been announced yet which will provide a home for one of them. And there's a potential release that will provide a home for the other one as well. People aren't going to see them out on DVD in 2012, though. But they are on our schedule."

Hall also indicated that other special editions might be on the way: "I'm hoping that Vengeance on Varos will be the first of our single Revisitations imprint. So we'll see how Varos does and I've certainly got my sights on some future titles. (on choosing the titles) It's a mixture of things. I'll sit down with the Restoration Team and say 'What do you think could look a lot better now than it did on its first release?' Another consideration is looking at the extras that are on the existing DVD, and seeing if there's really basic stuff missing. I'm very proud of the idea that the DVDs form a kind of encyclopaedia."

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Big Finish are to run a special sale of Eighth Doctor audio adventures over the course of this week, with a different season every day. The series features Paul McGann reprising his role as the Doctor, alongside Sheridan Smith as Lucie Miller.

Day	Season	Complete Season Price	Episode Price
Monday 20th February	Season One (eight episodes)	£35 (US $60)	£5 each (US $9)
Tuesday 21st February	Season Two (eight stories)	£35 (US $60)	£5 each (US $9)
Wednesday 22nd February	Season Three (eight stories)	£35 (US $60)	£5 each (US $9)
Thursday 24th February	Season Four (ten stories)	£40 (US $75)	£5 each (US $9)

The first Eighth Doctor Adventure Blood of the Daleks is also available to download for free until midnight tonight (Sunday), US time.

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Matt Smith is to feature on Top Gear as the "star in the reasonably priced car" - recorded last Wednesday, his attempt will appear in the episode due to be broadcast at 8:00pm, 26th February on BBC2/BBCHD. Both of his predecessors have attempted this in the past, with Christopher Eccleston in 2005 (completed in 1:53:4) and David Tennant in 2007 (1:48:8, watch here).

Alex Kingston talks about the period setting on Upstairs, Downstairs (returning to BBC1 tomorrow evening at 9:30pm): "Oh yes, setting this series just before the Second World War is clever. In 2012, our world is changing radically and that is reflected in Upstairs Downstairs, too. These characters are on the verge of something, they don’t know what is going to happen and people will identify with their fears. This is the beginning of the modern world and here is a society just clinging onto what they know, but it is going to change irrevocably." [What's on TV, 16 Feb 2012]

Sylvester McCoy will be playing the lead role as Mr Peters in Plume by the Tron Theatre Company in Glasgow; it runs from 1st-17th March. The actor will also be a guest on Janice Forsyth's show on BBC Radio Scotland on Saturday. [JaniceForsyth, 16 Feb 2012]

The CBeebies animated series Tree Fu Tom, featuring the vocal talents of Sophie Aldred and David Tennant, starts on Monday 5th March. [BBC Media Centre]

Cosima Shaw (Steffi Ehrlich, The Waters of Mars) plays Emma, Colin McFarlane (Alien Voices, Voyage of the Damned) Terrence, and Miranda Raison (Tallulah, Daleks In Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks) Kate in the new three-episode series of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, based on the books by Douglas Adams. The transmission date and time are yet to be confirmed, but it is currently due to start on BBC Four during the week beginning Saturday 3rd March. [BBC Media Centre]

The theatrical version of The King's Speech, featuring Ian McNeice as Winston Churchill and which premiered in Guildford earlier this month, is to transfer to Wyndham's Theatre on Thursday 22nd March for a four-month West End run, following its provincial tour. [BBC News, 17 Feb 2012]

John Simm is appearing on stage as Jerry in Betrayal by Harold Pinter at The Crucible in Sheffield from Thursday 17th May to Saturday 9th June. [@john_simm]

Just opened in the West End - appropriately enough at the Noel Coward Theatre - is Hay Fever, Coward's classic comedy of bad manners, with Lindsay Duncan (Adelaide Brooke in The Waters of Mars) leading a cast that also includes Kevin McNally (Hugo Lang in The Twin Dilemma), Olivia Colman (Mother, The Eleventh Hour),and Sam Callis (Security Guard, Bad Wolf). It is on until Saturday 2nd June. [Broadwayworld.com, 17 Feb 2012]

Brian Cox (Voice of Elder Ood, The End of Time: Part One) and Ron Donachie (Steward, Tooth and Claw) are to star in a new three-part TV comedy called Bob Servant Independent. Set in Dundee and airing on BBC Four later this year, the show's origins lie in the hit BBC Radio Scotland comedy The Bob Servant Emails and the best-selling Bob Servant books, and will see the title character, played by Cox, bid to become the MP for Broughty Ferry. [BBC Media Centre, 16 Feb 2012]

Ronnie Corbett has received his CBE from the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace. As reported previously, the comedian, who played Ambassador "Rani" Ranius in the 2009 Sarah Jane Adventures special for Comic Relief, was recognised in this year's New Year Honours list for services to entertainment and charity. [BBC News, 16 Feb 2012]

The latest Doctor Who crewmember that can be followed on Twitter is James Strong (@jimmystrong); the David Tennant-era director's work has most recently been seen on screen in Law and Order UK and Downton Abbey, and the film United (which also featured Tennant).

In Memoriam

Fight choreographer and fencing Olympian Bob Anderson has died aged 89. He had just one role in Doctor Who - that of Fighting Guard in episode 4 of The Enemy of the World - but achieved great acclaim in the film industry, working with - among others - Errol Flynn and coaching Charlie Sheen and Johnny Depp. Most notably, perhaps, he played Darth Vader in fight scenes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, standing in for Dave Prowse. [The Stage, 14 Feb 2012]

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Filming kicks off next week

Rehearsals have been taking place over the last week in the lead-up to filming commencing on Monday 20th February. It now seems likely that the first block is to include further European filming, with Spain cited as a destination (see "Cast", below) - the series previously filmed in the country back in August 1984, in and around Seville for the following year's adventure The Two Doctors.

Cast

Karen Gillan discusses her decision to leave the series this year: Actually, I called Steven Moffat and basically told him roughly when I wanted to go. He told me where the story was at and where it was going and then we kind of together came up with it. So it was really pleasant, actually. That was ages ago, so I've known for ages! I wanted to go on a high. Also, Steven Moffat comes up with endless, amazing ideas anyway, but I wanted to make sure that I went on a high when the character was at her prime. There's just something quite nice and appealing about that to me. I don't know… It just felt right! I like to go on instinct." And on the finality of her departure: " I want to see her go with everything that she wants, because initially, when we met her, she was just seeking what she wants, you know what I mean? And she was kind of in this lost, transitional period, where she didn't have a stable life. So I just want to see her get what she wants. I really, really want to have a final exit and then be able to look back on that as a final exit. I don't know... I just don't want to take away from that exit by making cameos in the future. I'd quite like it to be final and for people just to remember it fondly. [IGN, 16 Feb 2012]

According to CastingCallPro, actor Rob Cavezos will have a role in the series, with his entry stating: "currently filming a role in 'Rush', a new feature written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard, followed by an episode of 'Doctor Who'.. Further to this, his agent Shepperd-Fox Theatrical Agents report in their latest news that he "shortly flies to Spain to play Walter in the new series of 'DOCTOR WHO' (BBC)." The Mexican actor is relatively new to television, having studied at the East 15 Acting School in Essex and worked primarily in the theatre; as one might expect, his CV indicates that he is fluent in Spanish! [Ruther2 via Twitter, 17 Feb 2012]

Crew

Toby Whithouse (doesn't) speak about his new script: "I can't tell you anything about it because if I did Steven Moffat would come round here and kick me in the shin. It's very exciting, it’s not like any episode I’ve written before and I really enjoyed writing it. But I love writing Doctor Who. Even after all these years there's still a very special thrill that comes from writing 'INTERIOR: TARDIS' at the top of the scene." On the new series: I'm not allowed to say. They would absolutely kill me but it's very, very exciting and I'm really honoured and excited to be part of it." [Independent, 15 Feb 2012]

Stephan Pehrsson has also confirmed that he will be working on the first block of new series; the Director of Photography worked on a number of episodes from the last series, most recently on the Christmas Special The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe. [Twitter, 17 Feb 2012]

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A deal has been struck to show Doctor Who in Japan via the on-demand website subscription service Hulu.

As of today, BBC Worldwide is making available some 600 hours of TV - covering drama, comedy, music, lifestyle, natural history, science, and history - on the multi-device platform. It is said to be the largest volume of BBC Worldwide content on any platform in Japan.

Also among the titles in the initial phase of the multiple-year agreement is Little Britain, narrated by Tom Baker.

The Hulu service allows people to watch unlimited content on multiple internet-connected devices.

Joyce Yeung, general manager and senior vice-president for BBC Worldwide Sales and Distribution Asia, said:

We're excited to be expanding our business in the Japanese digital sector by becoming the first British distributor to partner with Hulu in Japan. Hulu's versatile service opens up a new audience for our catalogue, which covers everything from entertainment formats and international drama productions to cutting-edge science documentaries and world-renowned natural history titles.

Doctor Who has previously been shown in Japan, as detailed by BroaDWcast.

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Figures out today for Doctor Who Magazine and Doctor Who Adventures show both titles experiencing a drop in total average net circulation per issue, with the latter falling beneath the 50,000 mark.

In the results, part of the Audit Bureau of Circulations reports for consumer magazines over the period covering July to December 2011, DWM registered a negligible decrease of 0.2 per cent to 30,614 per issue from 30,682 over the preceding six-month period (January to June 2011), while DWA's circulation fell by 3.1 per cent to 48,470 from 50,013.

When compared against the similar period of July to December 2010, however, both publications showed a far more significant drop, with Panini's DWM recording an 8.8 per cent fall from 33,554 and Immediate Media Company's DWA sliding by 14.4 per cent from 56,648.

During the July to December 2009 period, DWM's circulation figure was estimated to be about 29,000 (this was before it was included in the ABC figures) and DWA's was 44,664.

For the official certificates for each title, which include a comprehensive statistical breakdown, click here for DWM and here for DWA.

The next set of circulation figures, covering January to June 2012, will be published on 16th August.

Related Articles: Jan-Jun 2011 circulation (20 Aug 2011); Jul-Dec 2010 circulation (17 Feb 2011)

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Karen Gillan was voted the second favourite Valentine's TV Crush in a poll run by Freeview; top spot went to This Morning's Holly Willoughby. On the male side, NTA host (and honorary TARDIS traveller!) Dermot O'Leary just pipped Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch to the top. [Freeview, 14 Feb 2012]

The Radio Times also ran a Valentine's poll: for male TV stars Benedict Cumberbatch topped the list at 43.93% ahead of former Doctor David Tennant at 37.46%, with the top six also populated with Martin Freeman (6.23%), John Barrowman (3.12%), the current TARDIS incumbent Matt Smith (1.63%) and John Simm (1.40%); for female TV stars Doctor Who luminaries again did well though once more pipped at the post, with Louise Brealey taking 26.98% of the vote versus Billie Piper with 18.83%, the runners up being Lara Pulver (13.83%), Karen Gillan (13.45%), Alex Kingston (9.1%) and Freema Agyeman (3.24%). [Radio Times, 14/15 Feb 2012]

John Barrowman and sister Carole have continued their promotion of their new book, Hollow Earth; when asked about Torchwood's future on Live With Gabby (15th February), John mentioned that whilst the series itself was on hiatus, the show hasn't been forgotten: "I would love Torchwood to come back as I know thousands and millions of people would. We're writing a Torchwood novel, and can I just say to all the Torchwood fans out there the first chapter, what happens to Jack, is amazing - and I want that to go on screen!"

The pair were also presented with photos of the town of Millport on the Ilse of Cumbrae, the area of which features prominently in their book (transposed to the fantasy setting of Auchinmurn Island). [Largs and Millport News, 15 Feb 2012]

As part of the Charles Dickens bicentenary celebrations, Simon Callow, who has played the writer twice in Doctor Who, was among the star attendees at an event hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Also at the reception was Rowan Atkinson, who played the Doctor in Steven Moffat's 1999 Comic Relief spoof The Curse of Fatal Death. In addition, Callow and Barbara Windsor were in the audience for the specially-created play Mr Dickens And The Actors, which featured Sir Derek Jacobi and Samantha Bond among the actors and was performed in front of the Queen at the Guildhall in London.[Mirror, 14 Feb 2012]

Callow continues his association with the writer by presenting a monologue in a production In Love With ... Dickens, to be broadcast on Sky Arts on 21st February. This series will also hear Karen Gillan performing the voiceover to Brief Encounter in In Love With ... Coward on the 12th March. Other Who names associated with the In Love With series include Sheila Hancock (Coward), Paterson Joseph (Wilde), and Russell Tovey (Wilde). [Stage, 15 Feb 2012]

In Memoriam

Whose Doctor Who documentary participant and former consultant physician Dr Eric Sherwood-Jones has died aged 90 from the blood disorder Wegener's granulomatosis. The pioneer of intensive-care units in the UK, who worked at Whiston Hospital on Merseyside, appeared in the 1977 BBC2 programme as an enthusiastic advocate of Doctor Who, remarking that it had far too wide an appeal to be categorised as either eccentric or immature. He added of the Doctor: "We're delighted and relieved that, like ourselves, he makes mistakes or errors and we envy his problem-solving capacity, because intensive care requires problems to be solved very quickly." Colleagues also commented how they had to keep up with the show to be on Dr Sherwood-Jones's wavelength! [St Helens Reporter, 16 Feb 2012]

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BBC Worldwide have announced that Karen Gillan will be a guest at the Official Doctor Who Convention, taking place in Cardiff on 24th and 25th March. Speaking of the confirmation that she would also be there, the actress enthused: "I'm really looking forward to the Convention and meeting all of the wonderful Doctor Who fans!"

The news means that the full current TARDIS crew of Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill and Karen will be headlining alongside lead writer Steven Moffat, plus the many other actors, production crew and activities previously announced for the two, one-day conventions.

The Convention brings the makers of Doctor Who together for a full day, in-depth event designed to reveal the inner workings of the series. On the main stage live pyrotechnic demonstrations will thrill attendees, while in detailed prosthetics masterclasses fans will see a monster made flesh in front of their eyes. Throughout these sessions the secrets of their craft will be revealed by masters of the trade including Danny Hargreaves, Doctor Who’s SFX Supervisor and Neill Gorton co-director of Millennium FX, Europe’s leading supplier of cutting-edge prosthetics, animatronics and special make-up FX.

Karen Gillan joins a full contingent of Doctor Who professionals ready to give fans an unrivalled glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of Doctor Who. Everyone from the Production Designer Michael Pickwoad, responsible for Doctor Who’s eye-popping visuals, to Casting Director Andy Pryor revealing what it takes to find a Doctor will be gathering in one place to celebrate the creativity (and elbow grease!) that goes into the series.

The Official Doctor Who Convention line-up includes: Matt Smith; Steven Moffat; Karen Gillan; Arthur Darvill; Mark Sheppard; Nick Briggs; Ian McNeice; Raquel Cassidy; Neill Gorton; Danny Hargreaves; Tom MacRae; Toby Haynes; Barnaby Edwards; Caroline Henry; Stephan Pehrsson; Michael Pickwoad; Andy Pryor; Gary Russell; Simon Fisher-Becker and Marcus Wilson.

Related Articles: Guest Update (1 Feb 2012); Toby Haynes (11 Feb 2012)

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An assistant script editor is being sought for Doctor Who as production of the new series gets under way.

BBC Careers has advertised the post online, with the fixed-term contract seeing the successful applicant providing research support to the script team, ensuring script and serial continuity, and providing general support on the programme.

The assistant script editor reports to the script executive, executive producers, and series producer in the first instance, and provides editorial and research support to the team.

Also listed among the key responsibilities is keeping the official website up to date.

A similar vacancy was advertised last year for internal applicants. Although this latest one appears to be open to external as well as internal applicants, previous experience of script reading and writing script reports is essential. The advert also states that applicants should already have practical experience of TV production as well as:

• A good knowledge of Doctor Who

• Experience of dealing with drama script writers

• Experience of script reading and writing script reports with an ability to demonstrate sound editorial judgement and sensitivity, both verbally and on paper

• Experience of establishing and maintaining office and administration systems plus the ability to communicate information effectively to a wide range of production and non-production personnel, internal and external to the BBC

• Experience of handling confidential and/or controversial information with tact and sensitivity

Knowledge of final draft and screenwriter script packages would also be useful.

The closing date for applications for this job is 16th February. For more details, go to the advert here.

Related Articles: Assistant Script Editor Vacancy (20 Sep 2011)

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Matt Smith spoke to the Guardian about returning for a new series of Doctor Who, which starts filming from 20th February; he said: I'll be shooting sort of now until December on Doctor Who. It's a long shoot, but we've got four or five scripts which look in really good shape, and the casting is going very well - I had a lovely bit of news this morning, actually, about someone who's going to be in it, I couldn't possibly tell you but it's exciting. You'll know him ... or her! Looking forward to it, I love making it."

The director for the first block of the new series has been named as Saul Metzstein, whose previous work includes the BBC's 2010 revival of Upstairs Downstairs (The Cuckoo), 2009's dramatisation of Sinclair/Acorn micro 'war' of the 1980s in Micro Men, and his award-winning comedy Late Night Shopping from 2001 (for which he won Best Director in the BAFTA Scotland awards).

During an interview published in the University Observer on the 8th February, lead writer Steven Moffat commented on production of the new series: "We just had our official day commencing pre-production on Doctor Who, so as for knowing when it's actually going to be shown is a little bit optimistic. But we'll definitely show it, and I'm pretty sure it will be the autumn." And on Amy and Rory's departure: I'm writing that right now, the big Rory and Amy heartbreaking finale. It will be quite heartbreaking, I think you’ll be in trouble watching it."

The series will be produced at the the BBC's Roath Lock Drama Village in Cardiff Bay. The site is to have its official opening in March, and has already been awarded a Breeam outstanding certificate - the first industrial complex in the UK to receive the highest possible environmental rating. The old port area surrounding it is to be further redeveloped, creating new shops, restaurants and homes. Business Minister Edwina Hart said: "Porth Teigr represents a long term investment by the Welsh government in the future of Cardiff our capital city and 2012 promises to be a significant year as we enter the next phase of regeneration and development. The presence of the BBC Wales studios provides a strong focal point around which we want to create a central hub and cluster for the creative industries across South Wales where companies can work together, share ideas and develop collaborative links with other facilities in the area." [BBC News, 13 Feb 2012]

Related Articles: Roundup (7 Feb 2012); Writers (8 Feb 2012)

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