New Series Update

Outpost Gallifrey has learned that production on the second series of "Doctor Who" begins this coming Friday, 22 July. Like last year, it is expected that the first day to several days will incorporate action sequences with the principal actors - Billie Piper and David Tennant - joining the production within the week. Locations have been scouted for the first production, The Christmas Invasion, which includes locations in Newport; as we previously reported, this will include Christmas-time decor in storefronts, and several area retailers have cooperated with the production.

Meanwhile, the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (issue #359) reports that David Tennant has been confirmed for both the second and third series, and talks are indeed underway with Elisabeth Sladen (as previously rumored) to be included in an episode. It does mention, however, that "[à The BBC] cannot comment any further at this point with regards to K9." Confirming the news that a third series was commissioned in June, producer Phil Collinson says that Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner (BBC head of drama and Doctor Who executive producer) "had forgotten to tell Russell [T. Davies] and I about the second Christmas Special. We didn't know until it was announced from the stage!" Davies comments that, able now to plan further ahead, he has already moved one scene from Series Two, Episode 1 into the third series (but emphasis that this does not mean that another regeneration is on the way).

The issue confirms the running order as it currently exists for the series, as well as confirms at elast one new title. Episodes 1 and 2 are written by Davies; episode two is tentatively entitled Tooth and Claw. Episode 3, School Reunion, is written by Toby Whithouse, with episode 4 by Steven Moffat, episodes 5 and 6 by Tom MacRae and episode 7 by Mark Gatiss. Episode 8 is The Satan Pit by Matt Jones, with Jones also penning episode 9. Episode 10 is by Davies, episode 11 will be written by a writer to be announced, and the last two are by Davies, with episode 12 entitled Army of Ghosts. James Hawes will direct "The Christmas Invasion" plus episodes 1 and 3, while Euros Lyn will direct episodes 2 and 4, and Graeme Harper episodes 5 and 6 as well as two others to be confirmed.

Also, replacement costume and make-up designers have been announced. Louise Page, whose previous credits include The Wedding Date and The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, replaces Lucinda Wright as costume designer. The new make-up designer is one of the few members of the production team to have worked on the series during its original run: Sheelagh Wells provided the æageing' make-up for Nyssa and Tegan in "Mawdryn Undead" in 1983, as well as working on several series of Blake's 7. Page and Wells have also worked together before, on an episode of The Strangerers ("The Streets of Laredo", 2000).