UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who / Down in the London Underground

Sunday, 19 November 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster

"We deal with the odd... the unexplained. Anything on Earth... or beyond.”

Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce details of its second and third books celebrating 60 Years of Doctor Who.

UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who explores the rich history of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce – and later Unified Intelligence Taskforce – from its inception under producer and writer Derrick Sherwin, through the UNIT family days of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor, all the way to the Kate and Osgood era of recent years. With UNIT featuring in numerous other media like Reeltime Productions, Big Finish audio, and the Lethbridge-Stewart range from Candy Jar Books, the legacy of UNIT – and its importance to Doctor Who extends beyond its television appearances.UNIT is as much a part of the tapestry of Doctor Who as the Doctor, the TARDIS, or the Daleks. The organisation has been part of the show since the Cybermen first marched down the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1968’s The Invasion, and continue to be one of the Doctor’s closest allies in the battle to save humanity from the galaxy’s greatest threats.

Author, Baz Greenland, believes that the UNIT stories really get to heart of what makes good Doctor Who:

I’ve had the honour to write stories in the Lethbridge-Stewart and Lucy Wilson ranges, but this was something quite special. I’m a huge fan of the Jon Pertwee era and UNIT is a key ingredient in that. Jon Pertwee, Roger Delgado, Nicholas Courtney, Caroline John, Katy Manning, Elisabeth Sladen, Richard Franklin and John Levene all bring such warmth and energy to the show and feature in some absolutely terrific episodes – not just Pertwee’s; The Invasion, Terror of the Zygons and Battlefield are all classics in my eye and UNIT are at the heart of that.

Featuring a retro cover by 100 Objects of Dr Who artist Martin Baines, the book features exclusive interviews with writers and actors John Levene and Sophie Aldred, and explores the development of UNIT, its importance in the Doctor Who mythos and the actors that brought these iconic characters to life – from Nicholas Courtney’s stalwart Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart to Jemma Redgrave’s courageous Kate Stewart.

Baz continued:

It was quite a daunting task to delve into the mythos and creation of UNIT, but it’s been such a treat too. As a big Doctor Who fan, I feel I’ve learned more about the stories, the characters, and the actors that played them and I hope readers of the book will find something new too, that will only strengthen an appreciate for the Brig and UNIT – from 1968, all the way to the modern era as we head into the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who!

Candy Jar’s other release propels the reader right back to the Brig’s first appearance in Doctor Who. Written by popular Lethbridge-Stewart, Lucy Wilson and children’s author George Ivanoff, Down in the London Underground takes a sidestep look at the Brig’s first story, The Web of Fear

George explained:

The idea struck me when I was browsing a copy of Darth Vader and Son, a Star Wars picture book. And I suddenly thought... Candy Jar could do something like this with the Doctor Who characters and creatures they have the rights to use. So, I wrote a pitch. And Shaun jumped at the chance. The book does not feature the Brig, but instead focuses on the Army as it battles the Yeti in the London Underground.

Although aimed at young people, this picture book tries not to dodge the realities shown in The Web of Fear. Head of Candy Jar, Shaun Russell, said:

I am a big fan of the Doctor Who/Mr Men books by Adam Hargreaves and felt that this would be a great way to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th birthday. This book, however, has a slightly darker side. Death is always present in Doctor Who, and just like Grimms’ Fairy Tales, this story attempts to be a true reflection of the world in which it is set. The Yeti are here to invade, and they take no prisoners.

Down in the London Underground has been also been illustrated by Martin Baines:

I’ve always loved illustrating the Yeti, but this assignment was slightly different. I thought it was very important for my cartoon-like artwork to offset the dark nature of the book. I added a few touches of my own and I hope children and adults will enjoy this chilling adventure.

Both UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who and Down in the London Underground are available to pre-order from Csndy Jar Books.

FILTER: - Candy Jar - Books

Classic Doctor Who Now Streaming On Tubi

Thursday, 16 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Viewers in the United States and Canada can from today stream over 600 episodes of classic Doctor Who via Tubi.

Audiences will now have access to episodes from the original series as well as the recreated animated versions of stories missing from the BBC archive.

The episodes will be available for free via On-Demand and a dedicated FAST Channel.

Fans can dive into the legacy series by Doctor, as well as through the “New to Who” collection which is a great entry point for new viewers to gently climb into the Tardis.

Doctor Who is the longest-running action-adventure television series in the world spanning 60 years and winning over 100 awards. This quintessentially British show has a huge global following, with 9.6m fans across social platforms/channels and 100m video views on YouTube in the last year alone.

Tubi is the most-watched free TV and movie streaming service in the U.S. As an ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company offers audiences a personalized experience and offers the world’s largest content library of over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 FAST channels. Tubi is part of the Tubi Media Group, a division of Fox Corporation that oversees the company’s digital businesses.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Tubi

The Daleks in Colour - First Look

Tuesday, 14 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has released images from the colourised version of the second Doctor Who story, The Daleks, due to be screened on BBC Four on the 23rd of November 2023.

The story follows the very first crew of the TARDIS as they land in a petrified forest on an alien planet. Determined to explore, the Doctor (William Hartnell) leads his companions into the metal city, where they discover danger at every corner and what will become his deadliest enemy, the mutant Daleks.

Originally broadcast as seven 25-minute episodes, the Terry Nation story has now been edited down to 75 minutes by Benjamin Cook and the result colourised.

With brand new sound and a new score - created by Mark Ayres - The Daleks has been gloriously updated, whilst ensuring the original classic story remains as thrilling as it was when it was first seen back in 1963.

The colorised version will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, and as a Steelbook next February.

This DVD release also includes the original seven episodes in black & white, as they were first broadcast plus a 15-minute exclusive featurette and all special features from the previous release.

The set can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

William Hartnell as The Doctor, Jaqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell as Ian Chesterton and Carole Ann Ford as Susan (Credit: BBC)

Susan (Carole Ann Ford) and Alydon (John Lee) (Credit: BBC)

Two Daleks plotting the destruction of their enemies the Thals (Credit: BBC)

Jaqueline Hill as Barbara Wright (Credit: BBC)

FILTER: - First Doctor - Season 1

Doctor Who Press Launch

Tuesday, 14 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Sylvester McCoy, Russell T Davies and Colin Baker (Credit: Jeff Spicer/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)

The BBC has published images taken from the Press launch of the three upcoming specials starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.

The launch took place at the refurbished Battersea Power station on the south bank of London's River Thames. The former power station was left as a ruin in the 1964 story The Dalek Invasion of Earth but in this time zone has been repurposed as an entertainment and housing centre with high-end apartments for sale.

The screening was attended by many of the cast and crew of the three specials made by Bad Wolf for the BBC and for Disney +

The event was attended by several stars from the classic series of Doctor Who including Doctors number 6 and 7, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy

Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor's Granddaughter Susan in the first series of Doctor Who was there along with Wendy Padbury, Janet Fielding, Nicola Bryant and Sophie Aldred.

The first of the three specials will be shown on BBC One on Saturday 25th November 2023 with the following two specials being seen over the following two weeks.

The specials are expected to be made available outside the UK on Disney Plus shortly after they have been seen in the UK.

FILTER: - Publicity

Nicola Coughlan Joins Doctor Who

Monday, 13 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

NICOLA COUGHLAN (Credit: James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is set to trade the ballroom for the TARDIS, as she joins the cast of Doctor Who.

The Galway-born actress has made a huge impact in film and television having starred in roles such as Clare Devlin in the award-winning drama comedy series Derry Girls, Penelope Featherington in the regency-era international sensation Bridgerton, and not to forget one of the Barbies in mega-blockbuster Barbie, alongside the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa.

Coughlan is now set to make a big impact when she takes a trip through time and space in this undisclosed role.

On joining Doctor Who, Nicola Coughlan says:

I’m excited to join the Whoniverse under the leadership of the inimitable Russell T Davies. I’ve been a fan of Ncuti Gatwa for some time and getting to share the screen with him as the Doctor has been an absolute joy

Showrunner, Russell T Davies says:

This has been the most brilliant shoot, with Nicola lighting up the set and bringing joy. From Derry, via Bridgerton, to the TARDIS, it’s the trip of a lifetime.

Nicola Coughlan will appear in Doctor Who next year

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 air over the festive period.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production

Doctor Who in Children in Need

Monday, 13 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Children In Need 2023 (Credit: Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)

Doctor Who is set to blast this year’s BBC Children in Need broadcast into outer space with an exclusive scene.

Ahead of the three specials for the 60th anniversary, the brand new exclusive scene will sees David Tennant star as the Fourteenth Doctor who shares an encounter with a mysterious new character, played by actor and comedian Mawaan Rizwan. It is then that the Doctor uncovers an age-old mystery involving one of his oldest foes…

Written by Doctor Who Showrunner Russell T Davies, this other-worldly special is made specifically for BBC Children in Need, just before viewers hop back into the TARDIS for a brand new set of adventures for three special episodes set to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary this November.

BBC Children in Need viewers will also get a glimpse at the creation of the scene, as newly announced companion series Doctor Who: Unleashed will also feature a special treat as part of the broadcast with an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip.

David Tennant said:

Every year that I was on Doctor Who we did something for BBC Children in Need, so it only feels right to be doing something this year. Children in Need is a national tradition, it’s certainly a BBC tradition and Doctor Who is part of that. I’m so glad we’re able to give Children in Need viewers this little extra treat.

Mawaan Rizwan said

It was such an unbelievable joy to work with my Whoniverse idols David Tennant and Russell T Davies. My inner child was losing his mind on set.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner says

Doctor Who has a fine tradition of supporting BBC Children in Need, and I hope that fans and new viewers alike will be able to watch, enjoy, and contribute to this wonderful cause.

Tune in to BBC Children in Need at 7 pm on Friday 17th November to see the Fourteenth Doctor in his first adventure on BBC One and iPlayer.

Both the exclusive scene, and an extended look behind the making of it, will also be found in the Whoniverse on iPlayer.

FILTER: - Children in Need - Fourteenth Doctor

Bargain Hunt - Doctor Who Special

Friday, 10 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

A special Doctor Who themed edition of Bargain Hunt will be screened on the 60th Anniversary of the series.

The daytime antique show, presented by Eric Knowles will be shown at 12.15 pm on the 23rd of November on BBC One.

After encountering a Dalek and escaping into a TARDIS, Knowles is transported to a Carmarthen antiques fair where he meets two teams of die-hard fans, each hoping to exterminate their competitors and find some stellar bargains. Their companions for the day are experts Richard Madley and Kate Bliss, both dressed as two well-known Doctors.

But which team will win the cosmic battle to make the biggest profit at auction?

Knowles also chats to a super-fan with an extraordinary and valuable collection of original Doctor Who props, some of which date back to the show’s early days - including alien outfits, Cybermen masks, and of course a dreaded Dalek.

FILTER: - 60th Anniversary

Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 597

Thursday, 9 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Issue 597 of Doctor Who Magazine is out today.

Highlights include:

Previews of the new Doctor Who Specials The Star Beast and Wild Blue Yonder.
Tête-à-Tate – Catherine Tate is interviewed (with interruptions from David Tennant!)
A preview of The Daleks in colour.
Madness in the Air – an extensive set report from the recording of The Star Beast, with contributions from cast and crew.
60th-Anniversary poll results – the top 10 revealed.
Neil Patrick Harris is the Toymaker – the man behind the returning villain.
Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies on the Great Seismic Shifts in Doctor Who.
Production Diary – script editor Scott Handcock files his latest report, direct from Doctor Who’s HQ.
Taster Before the Feast – a look forward to tales of Tales of the TARDIS.
Liberation of the Daleks Part Fourteen – the adventures of the Fourteenth Doctor conclude in the epic comic-strip adventure written by Alan Barnes and illustrated by Lee Sullivan.
The Fact of Fiction unlocks the secrets of the acclaimed Twelfth Doctor episode Heaven Sent.
60 Objects, 60 Years – the final instalment of the series that tells the story of one object from every year of Doctor Who’s history.
Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news.
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 597 is on sale Thursday 9 November from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £8.99 (UK).

Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £7.99.

FILTER: - DWM

Doctor Who - 60 Moments in Time

Tuesday, 7 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

To mark the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who, the makers of Doctor Who Magazine are publishing 60 Moments in Time, a special publication marking the series' anniversary

Over the course of 60 years, Doctor Who has transcended the realm of popular entertainment to become ingrained in popular culture.

How did it achieve this remarkable feat?

And how should Doctor Who Magazine – a faithful chronicle of that journey for the last 44 years – celebrate this very special birthday?

The makers of DWM present their biggest-ever publication – a lavishly illustrated journey through the lives and times of the world’s greatest science-fiction program.

This deluxe bookazine goes beyond the familiar stories, highlighting 60 landmark moments and exploring the many facets of a television legend on its diamond anniversary.

This 224-page limited edition features all-new articles illustrated with rare and previously unseen images. The publication is packaged in an exclusive slipcase.

Doctor Who: 60 Moments in Time is on sale Thursday 9 November from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £19.99 (UK).

Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £18.99.

FILTER: - DWM

Children of the Circus

Friday, 3 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Sylvester McCoy, with AUK Studios CEO, Paul Andrews (Credit: AUK Studios)

A new audio musical drama, Children of the Circus, is reuniting the cast of the seventh Doctor story, The Greatest Show in the Galaxy for a unique special.

The limited edition CD set will be released on December 14th, 2023, exactly 35 years to the day that the first episode of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy was broadcast on BBC One.

Once upon a time, there was a circus.

A Psychic Circus, to be precise. A glorious haven for the misfits of the universe.

But then, as is so often the way, it was hijacked by a trio of malevolent Gods.

Things grew unpleasant.

Now, years later, the Gods are gone, but the scars of those who survived the Circus remain. After all, you can't change the past.

Unless you're the Children of the Circus... and you're willing to sing.

Based on the Season 25 story by Stephen Wyatt, Children of the Circus is a brand-new, original, musical play on audio from AUK Studios; written by Kenton Hall (with songs by Christopher Guard) and based on an idea by Barnaby Eaton-Jones.

The special features the return of Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor) and Sophie Aldred (who played the Doctor’s traveling companion, Ace). But not as you’d expect. McCoy plays the High Poet; all befuddled charm and with a whisper of duplicity and danger. Aldred gives two magnificently different characters in the form of Captain Gren (the gruff owner of a Time Ship) and AJ (a sentient piece of rust, who navigates the Time Ship).

McCoy himself sums it up

To return to the worlds of Stephen Wyatt's imagination, but as a wholly new character called the High Poet, means I get to be involved with the Psychic Circus rather than fighting against it! As a lover of the circus myself, juggling this new role was a joy (though I'm sad I didn't get to play the spoons).

What fun to be reunited with all the wonderful cast from 'The Greatest Show in the Galaxy' again, 35 years later, and I hope you'll all enjoy this time-sliding, sidestepping sequel from Barnaby Eaton-Jones and his bunch of clowns!

Toyah Willcox, Ian Kubiak, Christopher Guard, Barnaby Eaton-Jones, Dee Sadler, Kenton Hall, Ian Reddington, and Sophie Aldred (Credit: AUK Studios)

Joining the cast in a major role is 1980’s icon (singer/actress/songwriter), Toyah Willcox. It’s long been known she was a fan of Doctor Who, as she appeared in Kevin Jon Davies’ acclaimed documentary 30 Years in the TARDIS, but to get her to create a multi-voiced role as The Band of Infinite Harmony (and get her own solo song, which can heard in full after the end credits as a bonus extra track) was something she clearly relished…

At last, I get to play all four members of the band and still have the last say…. love it. Seriously it was wonderful to play THE BAND and equally wonderful to hear this rather fab story unfold, a rock and roll odyssey of comic proportions.

Ever since producer/director Barnaby Eaton-Jones saw the original broadcast of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, he was fascinated by the world that Stephen Wyatt had created…

There was such a wild mix of horror, science fiction, music, and fantasy, that it blew my adolescent mind; with images and characters forever stuck in my head. I wanted to revisit some of the characters and introduce new ones. With the permission of Stephen Wyatt (who came up with the title for this new production), and the help of writer Kenton Hall and actor/musician Christopher Guard, we were able to create something rather unique in the audio medium

Kenton Hall himself says:

Like most swinging, modern people, I receive a daily deluge of emails that begin with the fateful words “would you be interested in…” As a result, I have developed a tendency to give them, at best, a brief, withering glare.

In this case, however, it read “would I be interested in playing in the sandbox of Stephen Wyatt’s marvellous ‘The Greatest Show in the Galaxy’?”

Does the lesser spotted gumblejack smell faintly of cinnamon?

Spoiler: the answer to both questions is yes.

Songwriter, Christopher Guard, who played Bellboy in the original TV serial, added…

As with all the best things in life, I don't remember quite how or when it began. I think I'd sent some of my songs - recent and ancient - to Barnaby just as he was dreaming up a sequel to ‘The Greatest Show in the Galaxy’. It was more a shooting star than a light bulb moment. Irresistible synchronicity had struck, and ‘Children of the Circus’ was a THING!

It was just a question of time. Or timelessness.

Stephen Wyatt blessed us, Kenton Hall seized his cosmic pen, and the rest is mystery. Unravelled. With music.

How amazing to act and sing with so many of the original cast, to slip into Bellboy's loons once more, and to travel seamlessly beyond our wildest dreams.”

Starring Christopher Guard as Bellboy, Dee Sadler as Flowerchild and Ella, Sophie Aldred as Captain Gren and AJ, Toyah Willcox as The Band of Infinite Harmony, Ian Reddington as Delios and the Chief Clown, and Sylvester McCoy as the High Poet.

With Daisy Dunlop, Verity White, Kim Jones, Kenton Hall, Barnaby Eaton-Jones and Ian Kubiak.

Special guest appearances by Ricco Ross as The Ringmaster, Jessica Martin as Mags, Chris Jury as Deadbeat, Deborah Manship as Morgana, Gian Sammarco as Whizz Kid, Daniel Peacock as Nord, and Dean Hollingsworth as the Bus Conductor and Station Announcer.

Produced and directed by Barnaby Eaton-Jones, for AUK Studios.

A preview can be heard here

Limited Edition CD available to pre-order now:

FILTER: - Seventh Doctor

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