Russell T Davies defends the BBC

Friday, 25 September 2015 - Reported by Marcus
Russell T Davis with Alison Graham at the Radio Times Festival (Credit: Maggie Gibbons) Russell T Davies has made a strong defence of the BBC and the licence fee and the values it stands for, but warned the battle may already be lost.

Speaking at the Radio Times Festival, he urged people to consider the alternatives to the compulsory licence fee, such as a subscription model and to look at the schedules of current subscriber services such as the American premium cable network HBO and see what subscribers get for their money. He said: "couple of high class dramas. No news. No soaps.no weather, no radio stations. Google their schedules and see if that is what you want?"

Davies was being interviewed by Alison Graham for the first ever Radio Times Festival, which is being held at Hampton Court in West London. He said his favourite memory of working on Doctor Who was the laughter he had. "It was hard work but we did have fun". He revealed he most enjoyed writing dialogue for Daleks. "They are so clever. I love them".

He also spoke of how proud he was of Doctor Who. "It's indestructible. Imagine if they tried to cancel it now. There would be riots in the streets".

Speaking on writing for the Doctor: "you get the secret of writing for the Doctor when you realise he is much cleverer than you are. Then it falls into place".

He talked about how he started in the industry and advised aspiring writers to just write. "get all the experience you can, not necessarily on your pet project but say for your local youth theatre".

He talked about his current project, a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the BBC. "It's something I've always wanted to do, he told the audience. It has a fantastic cast, and the whole play finishes with a joyous dance choreographed by Arlene Phillips. It's going to be on Saturday night in prime time. Only the BBC would do that".

Davies finished the session by talking to fans and signing autographs.

(Maggie Gibbons for the photo)




FILTER: - BBC - Radio Times - Russell T Davies - Special Events

The Witch's Familiar: publicity photos

Tuesday, 22 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released a number of publicity images for episode two of the new series.

The Witch's Familiar: synopsis

Trapped and alone in a terrifying Dalek city, the Doctor is at the heart of an evil Empire: no sonic, no TARDIS, nobody to help. With his greatest temptation before him, can the Doctor resist? And will there be mercy?

Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Hettie Macdonald
Producer: Peter Bennett

The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)The Witchs's Familiar (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jon Hall)


The Witch's Familiar: Known Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSat 26 Sep 20157:45pm
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSat 26 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
CanadaSPACESat 26 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
Asia PacificBBC EntertainmentSun 27 Sep 201510:00am SGT(3:00am BST)
New ZealandPRIMESun 27 Sep 20157:30pm NZST(8:30am BST)
AustraliaABCSun 27 Sep 20157:40pm AEST(10:40am BST)
Europe (Benelux)BBC FirstTue 29 Sep 20159:00pm CEST
United KingdomBBC TwoFri 2 Oct 20151:45am(British Signed Language)
FinlandYLE2Mon 5 Oct 20156:05pm EEST
South AfricaBBC FirstSat 24 Oct 20156:45pm SAST
GermanyFOXThu 3 Dec 2015~10:00pm CET(dubbed into German)




FILTER: - BBC - Publicity - Series 9/35

The Magician's Apprentice: new publicity images

Tuesday, 15 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have now released a number of new images for the forthcoming series premiere, The Magician's Apprentice, featuring various characters and scenes you can expect to see during the episode. (Previous images can be found here.)

The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)The Magician's Apprentice - Publicity Images (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway/Jack Barnes/Jon Hall)
Missy, from The Magician's ApprenticeMissy, from The Magician's ApprenticeMissy, from The Magician's ApprenticeMissy, from The Magician's ApprenticeMissy, from The Magician's Apprentice

The Magician's Apprentice: Synopsis:

Where is the Doctor? When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from?

As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible.

Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Hettie Macdonald
Producer: Peter Bennett
Cast: Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman

Guest cast: Michelle Gomez, Jemma Redgrave, Kelly Hunter, Clare Higgins, Jaye Griffiths, Harki Bhambra, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Joey Price, Aaron Neil, India Ria Amarteifio, Dasharn Anderson, Demi Papaminas, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Benjamin Cawley, Stefan Adegbola, Shin-Fei Chen, Lucy Newman-Williams, Barnaby Edwards, Nicholas Pegg, Jonathon Ojinnaka.

The Magician's Apprentice: Known Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSat 19 Sep 20157:40pm
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
CanadaSPACESat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
Asia PacificBBC EntertainmentSun 20 Sep 201510:00am SGT(3:00am BST)
New ZealandPRIME20 Sep 20157:30pm NZST(8:30am BST)
AustraliaABCSun 20 Sep 20157:42pm AEST(10:40am BST)
Europe (Benelux)BBC FirstTue 22 Sep 20159:00pm CEST
United KingdomBBC TwoFri 25 Sep 20153:35am(British Signed Language)
FinlandYLE2Mon 28 Sep 20156:00pm EEST
South AfricaBBC FirstSat 24 Oct 20156:00pm SAST
IndiaFX"coming soon in 2015"date tbc
GermanyFOXDecember 2015date tbc(dubbed into German)
ItalyRAI4Early 2016date tbc(dubbed into Italian)





FILTER: - BBC - Publicity - Series 9/35

BBC America Premiere Ticket Giveaway

Thursday, 10 September 2015 - Reported by Marcus
BBC America is giving fans in the United States, the chance to attend an exclusive première screening of The Magician’s Apprentice .

The screening will be held at the SVA Theatre in New York on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. and will be introduced by Michelle Gomez.

To enter follow the link here. Entries must be received by 11.59pm Today, Thursday September 10th. The draw is only open to legal residents of the United States, who are at least 18 years of age at time of entry.




FILTER: - BBC America - Series 9/35

The Magician's Apprentice: UK broadcast premiere confirmed

Wednesday, 9 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (Credit: BBC/David Venni)The BBC have finally confirmed the time when the new series of Doctor Who will have its world premiere television broadcast, with The Magician's Apprentice showing on BBC One on Saturday 19th September at 7:40pm. The episode has a scheduled length of 50 minutes. The evening lineup has yet to be finalised, but it is expected that the episode will be preceded by an edition of Pointless Celebrities and then followed by The National Lottery: In It To Win It. Details of whether Doctor Who will precede or follow BBC One's annual Autumn dance extravaganza Strictly Come Dancing - which kicks off the following weekend - should be confirmed next week.

In New Zealand, PRIME have also confirmed the broadcast time for The Magician's Apprentice, which will be shown prime-time Sunday evening at 7:30pm. This means that those in the islands will get to see the episode narrowly ahead of those in 'nearby' Australia, who see it around two hours later (though the latter's broadcaster ABC will make it available online via their iView service earlier in the morning!). This is the first time since the series returned in 2005 that New Zealand viewers will be able to watch a regular series episode of Doctor Who within a day of its UK premiere.


The Magician's Apprentice: Known Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSat 19 Sep 20157:40pm
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
CanadaSPACESat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
Asia PacificBBC EntertainmentSun 20 Sep 201510:00am SGT(3:00am BST)
New ZealandPRIME20 Sep 20157:30pm NZST(8:30am BST)
AustraliaABCSun 20 Sep 20157:42pm AEST(10:40am BST)
Europe (Benelux)BBC FirstTue 22 Sep 20159:00pm CEST
FinlandYLE2Mon 28 Sep 20156:00pm EEST
South AfricaBBC FirstSat 24 Oct 20156:00pm SAST
IndiaFX"coming soon in 2015"date tbc
GermanyFOXDecember 2015date tbc(dubbed into German)
ItalyRAI4Early 2016date tbc(dubbed into Italian)




FILTER: - BBC - Broadcasting - International Broadcasting - New Zealand - Series 9/35 - UK

The Magician's Apprentice: broadcast update

Friday, 4 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (Credit: BBC/David Venni)The BBC have now updated their Programme Information Guide with details for the week commencing 19th September, one of the highlights of which is of course the forthcoming premiere of The Magician's Apprentice on BBC One:
Where is the Doctor? When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from?

As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible.
Broadcast time has yet to be confirmed; the early evening is taken up by the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying highlights, which is currently scheduled to finish at 6:45pm.

As reported last weekend, Australia have confirmed a 7:40pm broadcast for the episode on the Sunday, but have yet to indicate if there will be an early morning simulcast. The ABC highlights for the week said:
The highly anticipated ninth series of Doctor Who explodes onto ABC TV and it promises to be one hell of a journey.

During this electrifying new 12-part series, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is joined by Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) for time travel on a cinematic scale. Having the time of their lives, the pair meets new and old monsters, and embark on a journey that takes them to deadly alien planets, creepy underwater bases, Viking villages, a global Zygon uprising, and which leads them through hidden alien dens to the very end of time itself.

Plus, the Doctor will come face-to-face with Missy (Michelle Gomez), a city of Daleks, deadly mercenaries called the Mire, terrifying ghosts, and far more.

As previously announced, taking up guest roles in the new series are rising young star Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), and comedian and award-winning writer Reece Shearsmith (An Adventure in Space and Time, The League of Gentlemen). Plus UNIT are back with Jemma Redgrave and Ingrid Oliver (Osgood) also returning for series nine. Also confirmed for guest appearances are Rebecca Front, Rufus Hound, Paul Kaye, Joivan Wade and Sophie Stone.

The ninth series has been written by lead writer Steven Moffat, Toby Whithouse, Jamie Mathieson, Peter Harness, Mark Gatiss, and new writers, Sarah Dollard and Catherine Tregenna; and directed by Hettie Macdonald, Daniel O'Hara, Ed Bazalgette, Daniel Nettheim, Justin Molotnikov, Rachel Talalay; and produced by Tracie Simpson, Derek Ritchie, Nikki Wilson and Peter Bennett.

Star India have announced that its entertainment channel, FX, will also be broadcast in high definition later this month; Indian Telvision reports:
FX is also ramping up its weekend programming with the soon to be launched show - FX Torrents. Through the show, viewers will be able to watch the latest episodes of series like Homeland season 5, Affair season 2, Empire season 2 and Doctor Who season 9, right after the international telecast.
The Magician's Apprentice: Known Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSat 19 Sep 2015time tbc
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
CanadaSPACESat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
Asia PacificBBC EntertainmentSun 20 Sep 201510:00am SGT(3:00am BST)
AustraliaABCSun 20 Sep 20157:40pm AEST(10:40am BST)
Europe (Benelux)BBC FirstTue 22 Sep 20159:00pm CEST
FinlandYLE2Mon 28 Sep 20156:00pm EEST
New ZealandPRIMESep 2015date tbc
South AfricaBBC FirstSat 24 Oct 20156:00pm SAST
IndiaFX"coming soon in 2015"date tbc
GermanyFOXDecember 2015date tbc(dubbed into German)
ItalyRAI4Early 2016date tbc(dubbed into Italian)




FILTER: - BBC - Broadcasting - International Broadcasting - Series 9/35

Video roundup

Wednesday, 2 September 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward
Various videos have been popping up over the last few weeks in anticipation of the new series. Included at the bottom is our audio recording from the press Q&A at the German fan event in July.


Back in July Doctor Who News was invited to a press Q&A with Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman at the German fan event. We can now present the full audio recording of the session. The text can be read here.




FILTER: - BBC - Doctor Who - Publicity - Series 9/35

BBC Audio: September releases

Wednesday, 2 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This month sees two classic Target novelisations released as audio books: the sixth/second Doctor adventure The Two Doctors by Robert Holmes, originally published in December 1985 and read here by the sixth Doctor himself, Colin Baker; and The Curse of Fenric by Ian Briggs, featuring the seventh Doctor and originally published in November 1990, here read by "Davros" actor Terry Molloy (this latter release having been brought forward in the schedule from November, swapping places with Royal Blood).

Further audio books based on novelisations will continue into the next year. December sees the first historic pairing of Sarah Jane Smith and K-9 in Terence Dudley's K-9 And Company, whilst in the new year the fourth Doctor encounters an ancient Time Lord menace in Doctor Who and the State of Decay (by Terrance Dicks). February then jumps a time track back to the first Doctor's visit to The Space Museum (by Glyn Jones), followed in March by an exploration of one the seven wonders of the universe by the third Doctor in Death to the Daleks (also by Terrance Dicks). In April its 'friends reunited' as the second Doctor and the Brigadier face the Cybermen in The Invasion (by Ian Marter), and then in May the fifth Doctor becomes one of "The King's Demons" and confronts an old adversary in 13th Century England (also by Terence Dudley). Note: schedules for these and other BBC Audio releases are subject to change.

The Two Doctors (Credit: BBC Audio)The Two Doctors
Written by Robert Holmes, read by Colin Baker
Released 3rd September 2015 [order]

Colin Baker reads this exciting classic novelisation of a Sixth Doctor TV adventure

Disturbed by the time travel experiments being conducted on Space Station J7, the Time Lords send the second Doctor and Jamie to investigate. Arriving on the station in deep space, they are attacked by a shock force of Sontarans, and the Doctor is left for dead.

Across the gulfs of Time and Space, the Sixth Doctor discovers that his former incarnation is very much alive. Together with Peri and Jamie he must rescue his other self before the plans of scientist Dastari, and the ruthless augmented Androgum Chessene, reach their deadly and shocking conclusion...

Colin Baker, who played Sixth Doctor in the BBC TV series, reads Robert Holmes' complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1985.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the audio book The Two Doctors courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:
What race does Jamie first mis-identify Chessene as, before the (sixth) Doctor corrects him?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-twodoctorscd@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Yes, Jamie, it is a big one...". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 27th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
The Curse Of Fenric (Credit: BBC Audio)The Curse of Fenric
Written by Ian Briggs, read by Terry Molley
Released 3rd September 2015 [order]

Terry Molloy reads this exciting classic novelisation of a Seventh Doctor TV adventure

At a North Yorkshire naval base in 1943, Dr Judson is using his ULTIMA code-breaking machine to decipher the runic inscriptions in the crypt of the nearby church.

Meanwhile, Commander Millington is obsessed with his research into the toxic bombs that he insists will hasten the end of World War Two. When a squad of the Russian Red Army lands on the nearby coast, with instructions to steal the ULTIMA machine, they are unaware that Millington had turned it into a devastating secret weapon.

Into this scenario materialises the Doctor and Ace. Ace isn't impressed with the security arrangements or the fashions - but the Doctor had graver matters on his mind. Beneath the waters at Maidens Point, an ancient evil stirs. The Doctor uncovers mysteries concealed within villainous plots - but what connects them all to a thousand-year curse?

Terry Molloy, who played Davros in Doctor Who, reads Ian Briggs' complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1990.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the audio book The Curse Of Fenric courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:
What is the trigger word to release the toxin hidden inside the ULTIMA machine?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-fenriccd@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Flip Flops are ace!". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 27th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.




FILTER: - Audio - BBC Audio - Competitions - Seventh Doctor - Sixth Doctor

Germany: Series 9 available with German subtitles on iTunes

Tuesday, 1 September 2015 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann
Credit: BBCThe official Doctor Who Facebook site announced today that German fans will be able to see Series 9 sooner than expected. From 20th September on, every Sunday, iTunes will make the episode that was broadcast the day before in the UK, available.

Not long from now and the Doctor will return - in his 9th Series for the first time in English with German subtitles! Pre-order your season pass now and don't miss any episodes from the 20th September on.

You can pre-order the season pass for the German subtitled episodes here: http://apple.co/1PIoaHe

More international season passes:

UK: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play

US: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video

CA: iTunes

Series 9 will be broadcasted dubbed in German on FOX in December.




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide - Germany - International Broadcasting

Russell T Davies returns to BBC with Shakespeare

Friday, 28 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward
Russell T Davies, Executive Producer Charlotte Moore, controller of BBC One, announced at the Edinburgh Television Festival on Wednesday that former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies is to adapt William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for BBC One, with the help of the Doctor Who production team. Davies was spotted in Cardiff with David Tennant earlier this month which led to speculation amongst fans as to what the pair were doing in the city. The cast for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is still to be announced.

The feature will be directed by David Kerr, produced by Nikki Wilson and executive produced by Russell T Davies, Faith Penhale and Brian Minchin.

Russell T Davies says:
I’ve wanted to make this for the BBC for my entire adult life - and only the BBC can put on a play like this, for all the family, smack-bang in the heart of primetime. With a riot of prosthetics, CGI, magic and action, it needs the brilliant Doctor Who team in Cardiff to bring it to life.
For one night only, BBC One becomes the Globe, with a bold and accessible 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Adapted by Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, Cucumber), it is a truthful version of the play - the original play, the original words, the original Shakespeare. Warm and funny, it will have as much attitude and invention as any theatrical interpretation.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a much-loved comedy by William Shakespeare, set in the tyrannical court of Athens and the magical forest around the city. The single drama will be for everyone: children, who can laugh at Bottom and his Mechanicals and marvel at the fairies’ awesome powers; for adults, who know those broken hearts and star-crossed lovers all too well; for whole families, united in front of the television to enjoy the play’s dazzling world of danger, jokes, scares, poetry, thrills and fun.
The BBC Cymru Wales production will be filming in Roath Lock, Cardiff for transmission in 2016 as part of BBC’s Shakespeare Season.




FILTER: - BBC - Russell T Davies