Evolution of the Toy DalekBookmark and Share

Friday, 18 August 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Evolution of the Toy Dalek (Credit: Alex Storer) A free eBook is available exploring the evolution of Dalek toys throughout the 60 years since the creatures were first created. 
EVOLUTION OF THE TOY DALEK
 
Marx, Palitoy, Dapol, Product Enterprise and Character Options are just some of the names instantly synonymous with Dalek toys and models. From those vintage 1960s toys to the stunningly lifelike replicas we enjoy today, the Dalek toy has evolved over the decades.
 
Evolution of the Toy Dalek offers a retrospective critique of the various scale models and toys from each decade, examining the gradual improvements in their design and production alongside nostalgic reflections on Dalek merchandise collecting.
 
The book is by Alex Storer who previously produced books on the Blackpool Doctor Who exhibitions and the 1983 Longleat Celebration.
 




FILTER: - Fan Production

Lenny Rush Joins Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Thursday, 15 June 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Lenny Rush (Credit: BBC Studios)

Award winning actor Lenny Rush is to appear in the next series of Doctor Who. 

Having just won a BAFTA at the age of fourteen, Rush takes on the role of Morris in the 2024 series of Doctor Who, starring alongside Ncuti Gatwa.

Lenny Rush has starred in numerous shows including ‘Dodger’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ but it was his starring role in Daisy May Cooper’s ‘Am I Being Unreasonable’ that won him the BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme this year.

Now Rush is about to join the team travelling time and space as he takes on his new role as Morris.

Speaking about joining Doctor Who, Rush said:

It’s an absolute honour to be part of Doctor Who, one of the most iconic shows on television and wow what a dream come true!

Showrunner, Russell T Davies said:  

This is what Doctor Who's all about, brand new talent from the next generation, and no one’s more talented than Lenny! He joins the TARDIS team just in time for the Doctor’s greatest nightmare, so hold on tight!

 





FILTER: - Production - Series 13/39

Mel Returns to Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 7 June 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Bonnie Langford (Credit: BBC Studios)

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.

 Showrunner, Russell T Davies said:

“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.”

 





FILTER: - Production

Indira Varma is The DuchessBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Indira Varma (Credit: BBC Studios / Disney)

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:

I’m thrilled to be in Doctor Who and particularly excited to be crossing cosmic paths with Ncuti, as the Doctor, and look forward to creating interplanetary mischief with him. I loved playing Suzie Costello for Russell T Davies in Torchwood so am thrilled to be entering this world again.

Showrunner, Russell T Davies says:

I’m overjoyed to be reunited with Indira after our Torchwood days, and this part is truly spectacular! A whole new audience will be hiding behind the settee when the Duchess unleashes her terror.

 





FILTER: - Production - Series 14/40

Specials Titles RevealedBookmark and Share

Saturday, 13 May 2023 - Reported by Marcus
2023 Logo (Credit: BBC Studios)

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:

The titles are just the beginning of the Doctor’s biggest adventure yet.  Autumn is coming, with three hours of danger, Donna and disaster about to be unleashed!

 

        

Doctor Who 2023 - 60th Anniversary Specials Trailer | BBC
Doctor Who returns with three special episodes ❤️❤️➕🔷





FILTER: - Series 14/40 - production

New Picture ReleasedBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 10 May 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Jonathan Groff with Ruby Sunday (MILLIE GIBSON), The Doctor (NCUTI GATWA) (Credit: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf)

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.

 





FILTER: - Production - Series 14/40

Jonathan Groff Joins Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Friday, 5 May 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Jonathan Groff  (Credit: BBC)

Award-winning star of stage and screen Jonathan Groff is set to appear in the new series of Doctor Who.

The casting was announced today by BBC Studios who said the actor will have a "key role" in the series. 

Groff shot to fame when he landed the role of Jessie in the musical comedy drama Glee. He has since been internationally celebrated for his work on-screen, from starring as Eric in the box-office hit Knock at the Cabin, to playing Holden Ford in the critically acclaimed series ‘Mindhunter’. As well as having a leading role as the new Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections, Groff is renowned for his major voice acting roles in the ‘Frozen’ films

Groff has also made his mark on Broadway, dazzling audiences with his performance as King George III in Hamilton, where he was nominated for not only a Tony Award, but also a Primetime Emmy Award for the live stage recording. 

On joining Doctor Who, Jonathan Groff said:

I am so thrilled to jump into the extraordinary mind of Russell T Davies and watch the incredible Ncuti Gatwa soar in this iconic role!

Showrunner, Russell T Davies said:

This is an incredible coup, and a great honour, to get such a huge star striding onto our set. So strap on your space boots, this is going to be a blast!

 





FILTER: - Production - Series 14/40

Murray Gold returns to Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Monday, 24 April 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Murray Gold (Credit: Richard Ecclestone (Navymaroon) )

The award-winning composer Murray Gold is returning to Doctor Who this Autumn. 

Murray Gold originally joined Doctor Who when Russell T Davies first revived the show in 2005. He composed the music for Doctor Who for over 12 years, throughout the eras of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors, scoring some of the most iconic moments in Doctor Who’s history.

From revamping the theme tune to creating the music for the Dalek and Cybermen to name just a few, Gold has been widely celebrated for his role in forging a new musical identity for the show.

Murray Gold will once again work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with his musical scores appearing when Doctor Who returns in November for three special episodes celebrating the show's 60th anniversary and starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor

He will score the fortieth season of Doctor Who when Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor with his first episode airing over the festive period.

On returning to Doctor Who, Murray Gold says:

I’m so happy to be invited back for another joyful ride in the TARDIS. I didn’t think twice. Working with Russell and his team is just a pleasure.

 





FILTER: - Production - Music - Murray Gold

New Images of the Fifteenth Doctor ReleasedBookmark and Share

Thursday, 20 April 2023 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor (NCUTI GATWA), Ruby Sunday (MILLIE GIBSON) (Credit: BBC/Bad Wolf/Disney)The Doctor (NCUTI GATWA), Ruby Sunday (MILLIE GIBSON) (Credit: BBC/Bad Wolf/Disney)

The BBC has released new images featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the fifteenth Doctor.

The images are from the story currently being filmed for the series that will air in 2024.

Alongside Gatwa as The Doctor is Millie Gibson who plays Ruby Sunday, the companion in the story. 

It’s official, the TARDIS has landed in the 60’s!

A first look at the Doctor and Ruby as they arrive in the swinging 60’s, as filming continues for the new series.

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.





FILTER: - Fifteenth Doctor - Production - series 14/40

Jinkx Monsoon joins Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Monday, 3 April 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Jinkx Monsoon  (Credit: Alec White Photography)

The award-winning actress and singer Jinkx Monsoon is to join the cast of Doctor Who. 

Monsoon is a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race and has recently completed a sell-out run in Chicago on Broadway. 

She has cultivated an international fanbase after winning two seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race including an All-Stars season where she was crowned “Queen of Queens”, competing against other winners of the show.

Monsoon joins Doctor Who after completing her sell-out run on Broadway, where she made her highly-anticipated debut as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in Broadway’s longest-running show, Chicago. Her run on Broadway was a historic moment for the LGBTQIA+ community, as she became the first drag queen to play the role of Mama Morton, breaking box office records in her extended 8-week run.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner said:

In a galaxy of comets and supernovas, here comes the biggest star of all. Jinkx Monsoon is on a collision course with the TARDIS, and Doctor Who will never be the same again!

Jinkx Monsoon, said:

I’m honoured, thrilled, and utterly excited to join Doctor Who! Russell T Davies is a visionary and a brilliant writer - I can’t wait to get into the weeds with him and the crew! I hope there’s room in the TARDIS for my luggage.

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.





FILTER: - Production