New Series Updates

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine features some late breaking updates on the new series. As expected, there is now confirmation of our earlier report that there will be single, on screen episode titles for each episode of the new series. FX house The Mill has completed the new title sequence for the series, which will feature at the start of each episode (previous thoughts about pre-titles sequences have been abandoned, or so we've heard.) The issue confirms that Joe Ahearne will return as director, but notes that Ahearne is directing the final two parter (one episode of which is called "The Parting of the Ways") as the 'sixth block' of filming. However, they state that no director has yet been announced for the 'fifth block', consisting solely of episode 11 (it states that the final two parter is "too ambitious" to allow a third episode into this block; however, this does not discount Outpost Gallifrey's earlier report that Ahearne is directing episode 11, which could indeed be the case but is not 'official.')

The issue also has some new casting additions: In "The Long Game," Colin Prockter plays the Head Chef, and Judy Holt plays Sandra; the issue has several comments about this casting by exec producer Russell T Davies. Also in that story, previously announced cast members Christine Adams and Anna Maxwell Martin have now been confirmed as Cath and Suki respectively. For "The Empty Child" and its second episode, "The Doctor Dances," Florence Hoathplays Nancy; and in roles yet to be announced, Cheryl Fergison, Damian Samuels, Robert Hands, Martin Hodgson, Joseph Tremain, Jordan Murphy and Brandon Miller. The issue also confirms the arrival of John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness in the two-parter. Finally, Davies' production notes is a lengthy discussion of spoilers and the real instigators of such, the British press; he notes that it is very likely full synopses of each episode will be out prior to their broadcast, accusing the British press of being potential 'ruiners' of the series.