As we approach the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who, revisit the story of Doctor Who, the occasional series written for the 50th Anniversary, explaining the origins of the programme.
Episode 11 - An Unearthly Series - The Origins of a TV Legend: First published 20 May 2013
Star of stage and screen Bonnie Langford will once again reprise her role as Melanie Bush as she returns to Doctor Who, this time starring alongside Ncuti Gatwa who plays the Fifteenth Doctor in the new series.
Bonnie first entered the world of Doctor Who in 1986 as the companion to the Sixth and Seventh Doctors played by Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, before returning in a cameo role in Jodie Whittaker’s final episode as the Thirteenth Doctor.
Making her West End debut at just seven years old in ‘Gone with the Wind’ at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Bonnie has since gone on to lead an outstanding career. From her countless performances on both Broadway and West End, such as ‘Chicago’, ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Cats’, to her award-winning role as Carmel Kazemi on EastEnders.
Now Bonnie is back, as Melanie returns for another epic adventure.
Bonnie Langford said:
I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Melanie Bush back. To be part of the exceptional cast, crew and production team led by the force of nature that is Russell T Davies is a career highlight. I’m so privileged and proud to have been a member of the Doctor Who family since the classic era and to be included in the new generation is phenomenal.
“Open those TARDIS doors wide, because Bonnie’s back! What an honour, delight and hoot to welcome back the character of Melanie, after too long away. And this isn’t just a cameo, Bonnie is right in the thick of the action, battling monsters and chaos and cliffhangers, right at the Doctor's side, just like the old days.”
Candy Jar Books has announced the second book in its final series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels.
It Came from the Isle of Man
Written by John Peel
Artwork by Paul Cooke
It was possibly the kindest, most humane invasion ever. Nobody was killed; nobody was even bruised by it. At least, not at first.
Three landings, three countries. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart soon realises this is too big for the Fifth Operational Corps, and so plans are put into place for an international operation, with Bill Bishop and Anne Travers sent to the US to work alongside Colonel Hickenlooper, Colonel Douglas goes to the USSR to liaise with Major Bugayev, and Lethbridge-Stewart is joined in the UK by an old American ally from his National Service Days.
Just what is going on, who are the Engineers, and why do they insist they have an agreement with the King of Earth?
Lethbridge-Stewart finds himself having to deal with international politics and inter-galactic agreements, while Anne has to cope with a Russian spy, and a trip to an alien world…
Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:
John Peel said:
I had tremendous fun while writing On His Majesty's National Service and introducing some new characters to the world of Lethbridge-Stewart, so when I was asked to write another entry in the series, I couldn't resist bringing some of them back again to help him out. Or are they helping him?”
I wanted to write something a bit different this time around, though, so I decided to avoid the customary alien invasion theme. This time around, the aliens aren't determined to conquer the Earth – but what they have in mind might be a greater disaster than a simple invasion. It was also fun working with Jonathan Blum (with a bit of assistance from Simon Forward) to find ways to link these final books together, to walk the path to UNIT…
As with many Lethbridge-Stewart books the title underwent something of a change. Andy explained:
Rgular contributor Paul Cooke provided the art.
This cover was slightly different to my earlier ones in that rather than an idea of what the story elements were, I was given a passage of the novel to illustrate. The description of the sea monster is vivid and when I sat down to design it, I was influenced by one artist in particular. Way back when, when I was at school, a favourite artist of mine was Rowena Morrill, who sadly died a couple of years ago. She painted strange, fantasy hybrid creatures that had an otherworldly colour palette perfect for this subject, I felt. The scale of the creature is helped with the poor Minke victim, though I did move the ship closer than in the story for visual impact. Lethbridge-Stewart was always a hands-on sort and Andy asked for him to be in action mode. What better than showing him running into battle, urging his men forward? The breaking ice behind him hints at a location for the story, and there is a clue to another location for the keen Doctor Who fan.
I do like the Scots Guard hat (glengarry) so am pleased I was able to paint it. I find it can be quite tricky to get right in the way it sits on the head as the angles look wrong. Fortunately, I have one (too small for me, unfortunately) but it fits a polystyrene bust I have (don’t ask!). This allowed me to get it just right. I’m a big believer in reference material; you can guarantee that if you get something wrong someone will always notice. This caused quite the headache when trying to draw Lethbridge-Stewart’s service revolver, as I’d chosen an angle that I couldn’t find any reference of, so had to piece it together as best I could. I hope I’ve got it right!
I’ve been really fortunate with my association with the Lethbridge-Stewart books. I bought the first one and loved it; so much so that I felt the urge to create some fan art. Andy saw it and later offered me a try-out. So not only am I a fan, Andy give me the opportunity to become a part of it. It is sad for me to know this is my last cover as the series draws to a close, but what a ride it’s been! Massive thanks to Andy for creating such an enjoyable series of books, and for taking a chance on me. (I know he will want to edit this out, but I hope it stays)
It Came from the Isle of Man is available to order fromt the Candy Jar website, and is included in a subscriptiomn to their books.
After a successful launch last year, a new quick read novel has been published this year:
The Analysis Bureau: Roseblood
Written by Tom Dexter
Artwork by Lee Sullivan
The Analysis Bureau does not exist. Ask any questions about it, and the same answers always greet you. There's no trace of any department matching that name in any branch of Government, only speculation and wild rumours.
May 1967, Puppet on a String is high in the charts, and people are wearing flowers in their hair as the 'Summer of Love' begins. However, in the backstreets of Whitechapel, near one of the last variety theatres to survive the Blitz, a ghost has been spotted. A ghost who seems to be screaming in terror.
At the Analysis Bureau, in the aftermath of Incident Three, Mr Quebec is ordered to investigate. He sends Flower on a solo mission, but how does this lead her to encounter the legendary movie star, Orson Welles? And what does the word Roseblood mean to him?
When Professor Travers tries to save a figure who seems to have fallen through a breach between dimensions, Flower ends up underground in the worst way imaginable...
Author Tom Dexter said:
The reaction we’ve had about the first book centred on the fact that it featured a strong female lead character, who our readers seem to have wholeheartedly embraced, working alongside classic Doctor Who characters such as Professor Travers and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The latest short story takes a new twist, and brings the iconic film actor and director, Orson Welles into the mix.
There’s a famous Spitting Image sketch from years ago,” Tom adds, “where they basically said that Orson Welles lived his career in reverse, starting with the remarkable success of Citizen Kane and ending with financing being more than scarce for anything he wanted to direct.
Set immediately after the climactic end of the first volume, this new book sees Welles heading for England to stop production of a horror parody of Citizen Kane being filmed, only to find that his past starts to haunt him in a very startling way. The Analysis Bureau step in to not only try to save his live, but also figure out what the connection is to the planet Mars.
Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar said:
The book can be ordered via the Candy Jar website.
An updated paperback version of Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos has been published, featuring an unpublished Peter Capaldi illustration by the artist, plus contributions from his daughters, Esther and Anna, his nephew Thomas, and his wife, Natasha.
Natasha said:
Chris painted the image of Capaldi in time for the LFCC when he was invited to be a guest at the Heavy Metal stand as he knew Peter was attending. Capaldi was one of my favourite doctors and we both liked his gruffness and welcomed a return to an older representation of the Doctor. Chris remarked how much he enjoyed painting his characteristics – the eyes being particularly a feature as Capaldi’s look is quite striking. Chris liked to draw interesting, older faces as ‘they were a more interesting subject’ to paint.
Shaun Russell said:
Before Chris sadly passed away, we had been discussing doing something else, but this never came to pass. Since then, knowing that we had one more piece of artwork, I wanted to showcase this. We are now releasing this version of the book to celebrate his life.
You can read more about the book in our original news article on its release. It can be purchased from Candy Jar Books from their website.
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, DWAS, has published the 5th issue in the current run of TARDIS magazine.
TARDIS was one of the original Doctor fanzines, having been first published in 1975. A year later it became the primary journal of the newly formed Doctor Who Appreciation Society and continued as a fan favourite for many years.
This issue will support Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, a charity chosen by former Doctor Who companion Carole Ann Ford.
The magazine was relaunched by DWAS under its current editor, Robbie Dunlop in 2021. The latest issue runs to 64 colour A4 pages and its contents include:
The magazine costs £9.99 inc UK delivery at the DWAS website and £10.49 at the DWAS eBay store.
BBC Studios has teamed up with Reality+ to launch a collection of immersive experiences in the metaverse based on the BBC’s world-famous brands including Doctor Who.
BBC Studios has partnered with Web3 specialist Reality+ to create a metaverse experience in The Sandbox where fans will be able to interact with immersive content from their favourite brands, including Top Gear and Doctor Who, and enjoy a BBC events space.
The joint venture between BBC Studios and Reality+ marks the first time the BBC will have a home in the metaverse, following a handful of brand activation experiments with metaverse platforms. Part virtual real estate, part amusement park, The Sandbox fully embraces the idea of the metaverse as a continuous shared digital space, in which players and brands can build, own, and monetise their experiences on blockchain.
BBC Studios joins over 400 other entertainment brands who have entered The Sandbox to date, including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, and Adidas.
Nicki Sheard, President Brands & Licensing, BBC Studios, said,
Tony Pearce, Co-Founder, Reality+ said,
Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder at The Sandbox, added,
BBC Studios’ metaverse space in The Sandbox will launch later this year and further details will be released in due course.
Reality+ helps worldwide brands transition to Web3 with bespoke product, community and development strategies, backed by an award-winning technology platform. It has previously partnered with BBC Studios to develop the Doctor Who: Worlds Apart digital trading card game.
The BBC has released story details for Doom’s Day the new multiplatform story celebrating Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary
Fans will follow Doom’s Day as she travels through all of time and space in pursuit of the Doctor to save her from the ever-approaching Death. She only has 24 hours and a vortex manipulator to save herself before her fate is sealed forever.
Sooz Kempner is the face and voice of Doom, and a number of characters will feature along her journey.
Doom’s story begins on 5th June on the Doom’s Day website and Doctor Who digital channels with the story’s first one-hour adventure, followed by the next four hours of Doom’s final day in Doctor Who magazine from 22nd June.
Titan Comics, East Side Games, Penguin Random House, BBC Audio and Big Finish then countdown as Doom’s search for the Doctor continues before the final instalment on Doctor Who digital channels in September.
More detailed story information about each hour of Doom’s Day is available now on doctorwho.tv/dooms-day
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 591 is now available.
Highlights of the new issue include:
The Runaway Pride – showrunner Russell T Davies discusses the casting of Yasmin Finney as Rose, as DWM celebrates the most significant LGBTQ+ characters from the show’s history.
Professor XXX – in her first major interview with DWM for many years, Alex Kingston remembers her time as River Song, the Doctor’s wife.
Express Delivery – award-winning writer Jamie Mathieson looks back on his episodes: Mummy on the Orient Express, Flatline, The Girl Who Died and Oxygen.
Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies discusses the titles for the Fourteenth Doctor Specials.
The DWM 60th Anniversary Poll – the analysis of the results continues, with this issue looking at the rankings of the Fifth and Sixth Doctor’s adventures.
Liberation of the Daleks Part Eight – the adventures of the Fourteenth Doctor continue in the epic comic-strip adventure written by Alan Barnes and illustrated by Lee Sullivan.
Memory Worm – a new series of articles begins, as actor Dan Starkey puts his knowledge of his Doctor Who roles to the test.
Production Diary – script editor Scott Handcock files his latest report, direct from Doctor Who’s HQ.
Location, Location, Vocation – Alex Moore reveals what it’s like to work as an assistant location manager on the new series of Doctor Who.
Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news, including cast announcements.
60 Objects, 60 Years – the latest instalment of the series that tells the story of one object from every year of Doctor Who’s history.
The Fact of Fiction explores the Second Doctor’s encounter with the Cybermen aboard The Wheel in Space.
Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
Previews, reviews, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser and more.
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 591 is on sale Thursday 25 May from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £7.99 (UK). Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £6.99.
The BBC has announced that award-winning actress Indira Varma will join the next series of Doctor Who.
The actress first encountered the world of Doctor Who when she played Suzie Costello in Russell T Davies’ spin-off series Torchwood, It was a role she repeated for Big Finish Audio productions.
Varma now steps aboard the TARDIS in her new mysterious role as the Duchess.
Indira Varma has made her mark onscreen, from her recent role as Ingrid in the thriller series Obsession to her performance as Ellaria Sand on the multi-award-winning Game of Thrones. She now joins Doctor Who from across the galaxy after recently starring in Disney+’s record-breaking Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Varma has also been celebrated onstage, winning an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Liz Essendine in Present Laughter as well as starring in other major theatre productions including the acclaimed Man and Superman and Jamie Lloyd’s production of Chekhov’s The Seagull.
Speaking of joining Doctor Who, Indira Varma says:
Showrunner, Russell T Davies says:
BBC Books has announced a new novelisation of one of the second Doctor's classic stories, The Evil of the Daleks, written by former companion Frazer Hines.
The new version is an inventive new retelling of one of Doctor Who’s all-time classic adventures first screened in 1967.
The Evil of the Daleks was the last story of Season Four, written by Doctor Who's original Script Editor, David Whitaker. An novelisation by John Peel was published in 1993, the last story of the original series to be published under the Target imprint.
This new adaptation of the adventure tells the story from the point of view of Jamie McCrimmon, companion to the second Doctor and played by Hines.
After defending a space station from a Cyberman incursion, the Doctor and Jamie learn that young astrophysicist Zoe wishes to join them on their travels. To give her fair warning of the dangers she may face, the Doctor places the TARDIS outside time and space and uses a mind projector to share one of their most harrowing adventures…
And so, Jamie is forced to relive his encounter with the Daleks at their most evil and calculating. In a complex plot that dragged him from modern-day London to Victorian times and finally, to the Dalekworld of Skaro, he endured ordeals that tested his courage, strength – and his friendship with the doctor – to the limit. He presents his own version of some of those events to Zoe; events that still anger him.
And while fact and fiction blur inside the TARDIS, a malevolent force watches from outside. Soon, Jamie finds himself lured from the safety of the ship into dangers that could end Zoe’s travels before they begin – and all their lives, as well.
The Evil of the Daleks by Frazer Hines (BBC Books, £20) is out in hardback on 26th October 2023.
The BBC has released a new trailer for Doctor Who revealing the titles of the three specials to be screened later this year.
Moments before the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final came live from Liverpool, viewers were treated an explosive new trailer which gave viewers a glimpse of what to expect later this year when the TARDIS lands in time to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and it exclusively revealed the titles of the three special episodes.
In the weeks leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, three mysterious coded teasers were scattered through the BBC One schedule. Each teaser included a binary code which gave eagle-eyed fans clues to one of the three special episode titles. The teasers all pointed to a big reveal on the night of the Eurovision Grand Final when the new trailer announced the titles as:
· Special One: THE STAR BEAST
· Special Two: WILD BLUE YONDER
· Special Three: THE GIGGLE
The exclusive trailer also gave a look of what’s to come with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, alongside Catherine Tate who has reprised her role as Donna Noble, with further teasers of other epic moments which include leading stars Neil Patrick Harris and Yasmin Finney who step into the world of Doctor Who for the 60thanniversary special episodes.
Russell T Davies, Showrunner said:
Doctor Who 2023 - 60th Anniversary Specials Trailer | BBC
Doctor Who returns with three special episodes ❤️❤️➕🔷
The BBC has released a new image from the next series of Doctor Who.
The image shows Hollywood star Jonathan Groff who has landed in Wales and has begun filming on Doctor Who.
It gives a first look at him in character in his mysterious key role alongside Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday.
Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary.
Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will then air over the festive period.
Doctor Who will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland.
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