another day, another series rumor...

Sunday, 16 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

It's been a while, so it's about time someone ran another "Doctor Who is returning" article. The March 16 edition of the Sunday Mirror ran an article entitled "Time For Dr. Who To Return" by Ben Dowell, mentioning that the folks behind "The League of Gentlemen" (specifically, actor/author Mark Gatiss, who has written Doctor Who novels and audios for Big Finish) are in talks with the BBC. This is all based on old news and speculation, and shouldn't be taken as further progress on a new series at this time. The full article can be read by clicking here. (Thanks to Nigel Potter, Adam Bradley, Rob Davis, Christian Morris)

FILTER: - Press

saturday night: made for who

Sunday, 16 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

An article on the dearth of watchable Saturday evening television in the UK that ran in the Observer on March 16 includes comments from Jane Tranter, the Head of Drama for the BBC, who has a horror of "relentlessly pretentious middle-class wank, drama all about people having writer's block, that absolutely nobody watched." Tranter goes on to note that her fantasy Saturday television line-up is as follows: "I'd like to do a modern version of Doctor Who starring someone like Judi Dench, go into an entertainment show like Pop Idol, then Casualty at 8pm, and at 9pm, I'd like to run a made-for-television Saturday-night movie of the week. Maybe like Edge of Darkness, but run over two nights." You can read the article online by clicking here. (Thanks to Steve Tribe, Neil Feist, Paul Kirkley)

FILTER: - Production - Press

wolfsbane & deadly reunion

Friday, 14 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Books has released the cover blurb for the forthcoming Wolfsbane by Jacqueline Rayner, a Fourth Doctor and Eighth Doctor crossover novel with Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan, as previously announced. They've also confirmed the title of the November book written by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts which we announced some months ago -- it'sDeadly Reunion and features the Third Doctor, Jo and UNIT. The blurb for "Wolfsbane" is as follows:

WOLFSBANE by Jacqueline Rayner

Harry is dead. Having left him abandoned and alone in pre-war Britain, the Doctor and Sarah try to solve the mystery of his death. But the only witness is in a lunatic asylum, driven mad by what he has seen. He tells of murder and mutilation, of living trees and long-dead legends, of wolfmen and war... And of a mysterious stranger known only as the Doctor.

Can it be true that Harry discovered the last resting-place of the Holy Grail? Why are the flowers and trees in a Somerset village in full bloom at Christmas? And is it just a coincidence that Harry died under a full moon?

FILTER: - Books

bbc calls the doctor

Sunday, 9 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

British toy trade magazine "Toy News" reports in its newest (March 19) issue, in a news item headlined "BBC calls the Doctor," that "Doctor Who is a focus for BBC Worldwide this year..." Says the article, "Doctor Who celebrates his 40th anniversary in 2003 and the BBC is searching for new licensees to commemorate the milestone. The brand's first new style guide has been put together, with a core target of ages 18 - 34 with an interest in retro style. 'We have streamlined the existing licensee base to ensure a unity of design and the highest standards of quality and accessibility, and we're now looking for new licensees to get involved,' explained Siobhan Williamson, head of global adult licensing at BBC Worldwide." (Thanks to Mark Murphy, David Harold)

FILTER: - Merchandise

updates from invasion 3 convention

Monday, 3 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Two items of note that came out of the Invasion 3 convention yesterday held by the Tenth Planet store in the UK. First, actor William Russell (Ian Chesterton), in his appearance, noted to the group that he had recently recorded a commentary for The Dalek Invasion of Earth DVD release, which he did not specify as to a release date (though several retailers and TV Zone Magazine, as we previously noted, report this as a rumored June 2003 release, but nothing official has yet come out of the BBC.) Also, Gary Russell of Big Finish confirmed that, following the release this November of "Zagreus," their 40th anniversary special, actor Paul McGann has agreed to participate in four new Eighth Doctor audios which he stated would be released from December 2003 through March 2004. (Thanks to Kris Stevens, Phillip Madeley, Doug Holguin, James Hadwen, James van-der Heiden)

FILTER: - Conventions

another day, another series rumor...

saturday night: made for who

wolfsbane & deadly reunion

bbc calls the doctor

updates from invasion 3 convention

Amazon Associate paid Link. Doctor Who News is supported by qualifying purchases.

This Week in Doctor Who

ARCHIVE

FILTER