People Roundup (a tale of three Doctors)

Thursday, 9 December 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Former Doctor David Tennant joined a number of celebrities (including current James Bond actor Daniel Craig and singer Geri Halliwell) who took to the ICAP trading floor in order to raise money for Prince Charles's charities, Youth Business International and Prince's Teaching Institute.

Having announced having a role in the forthcoming The Hobbit film back in October, the official press conference for the film formally confirms Sylvester McCoy as playing wizard Radagast the Brown; other names in the film include Martin Freeman (who plays Watson in Steven Moffat's other popular show Sherlock), Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, and the return of Cate Blanchett (who played Elven Queen Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings trilogy).

Christopher Eccleston attended a special charity screening of what he has called his most important work, Hillsborough, after which he gave a 30 minute discussion about the film with attendees; the actor had nominated the drama to be shown as part of fund-raising for the Clapperboard Youth Project.

Writer Stephen Gallagher (Warriors Gate, Terminus) will be writing and producing a new drama for Fox Television: The Danger List will be a medical thriller in which a doctor with a complicated past investigates medical abuses, crimes and conspiracies.

The latest star to join the Doctor Who 'family', Sir Michael Gambon (in this year's Christmas special A Christmas Carol), is in the Stage's shortlist for the Greatest Stage Actor; the public poll also includes the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.




FILTER: - People - David Tennant - Christopher Eccleston - Sylvester McCoy

Doctor Who Stars on Canvas - Updated

Wednesday, 17 November 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Several Doctor Who stars have contributed to a new project to raise money for a charity providing special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the United Kingdom.

Organised by The Willow Foundation and British artist, Julie-Anne Gilburt, Stars on Canvas is an exhibition of 20x20 cm canvases, each created by different stars from the worlds of sport, art, design, fashion, music and entertainment.

The charity was founded in 1999 by Bob and Megs Wilson as a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died aged 31. Anna battled cancer for five years, yet during these years she and her family and friends experienced some of their most memorable moments and quality times. The Charity's aim is to replicate the positive impact special days had on both Anna and her family for other seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the UK.

Pictures online include submissions from Freema Agyeman and Billie Piper, David Tennant, Catherine Tate and Russell T Davies.

The results will be displayed at the Catto Gallery, in Hampstead, North London from 2 to 5 December 2010.

From 26 November until 5 December 2010 each Canvas will be sold online through an eBay auction with profits going to the charity. To register your interest and receive a notification prior to the eBay auction going live, please email your name to starsoncanvas@willowfoundation.org.uk


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FILTER: - People - Russell T Davies - David Tennant - Charities

Tennant stars in Manchester United drama

Sunday, 14 November 2010 - Reported by Marcus
David TennantTenth Doctor David Tennant is to star in a new BBC drama based on the true story of Manchester United's legendary "Busby Babes", the youngest side ever to win the Football League.

United is a BBC Two film which portrays events set around the 1958 Munich Air Crash that claimed eight of the team's number number and the extraordinary spirit of a city that rebuilt the side in the wake of the disaster.

Tennant will play coach Jimmy Murphy, alongside Jack O'Connell (Skins, Dive) as Bobby Charlton, the youngest of the Babes, and Sam Claflin (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Any Human Heart) as star player Duncan Edwards. The film draws on first-hand interviews with the survivors and their families to tell the inspirational story of a team and community overcoming terrible tragedy.

The drama is written by Chris Chibnall, who wrote last year's two part Doctor Who story The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood as well as the 2007 story 42, and who has also written numerous episodes of Torchwood. It is directed by James Strong who has directed several episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Simon Heath, Executive Producer, World Productions, says:
Chris Chibnall has written an authentic and moving version of this heartbreaking story, which with the help of a great cast, we hope will be a fitting tribute to those who survived and those who lost their lives at Munich.

United starts filming later this month in and around the North East of England.




FILTER: - David Tennant

News Roundup

Saturday, 16 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus
David Tennant's return to BBC One last Sunday was watched by 5.1 million viewers according to unofficial overnight figures. The drama Single Father has received rave reviews and scored an Appreciation Index figure of 87. It continues on Sunday.

The new BBC One controller has been named as Danny Cohen. Cohen has been in charge of BBC Three since May 2007 after previously working for Channel 4 and E4. As Controller he is responsible for the commissioning and scheduling of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who Live continues its tour around the UK. Currently at the Glasgow SECC it moves to Birmingham on Monday.

British musician Mitch Benn, best known for his humorous songs performed on BBC Radio has released a song praising the output of the BBC, in which Doctor Who gets no less than three mentions. The song will be released for download from iTunes, Amazon and other reputable sites on November 1st.




FILTER: - David Tennant - BBC

Tennant goes Classic

Friday, 15 October 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Former Doctor David Tennant has returned to Doctor Who - at least in documentary form! In his first series-related work since leaving the show, the actor filmed material in June for a feature to appear on the forthcoming Revisitations II boxed set, due out next year.







FILTER: - David Tennant - Classic Series

Tennant talks to Radio Times

Wednesday, 6 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Radio TimesThe words Doctor Who once more adorn the cover of Radio Times this week, along with a picture of Tenth Doctor, David Tennant.

The magazine is promoting Tennant's latest venture, playing the lead role in Single Father, a four-part drama for BBC One about a man struggling to raise his four children after the death of his wife. Written by Mick Ford of Ashes To Ashes, the series is set in Glasgow, and tells the story of Dave, a photographer facing the seemingly impossible job of bringing up his four kids alone. Things get even more complicated when he begins to fall in love with Sarah – his wife's best friend.

Tennant was asked about the timing of his departure from Doctor Who.
It felt right to pass the baton on and for it to continue to thrive. I think that was all exactly as I would wish it to be. There’s a downside to playing the role, but in my experience it’s grossly outweighed by the upside because I loved doing it so much that I wouldn’t have missed that opportunity for anything. It was just wonderful and it created many, many more opportunities than it closed down. I think my life is in a very different place and my career is in a very different place to what it was before I did Doctor Who and that is 90 per cent positive.
Tennant was also asked about the recent series and new Doctor, Matt Smith
I’m very nervous to say anything, because anything I say is turned into some soundbite and used by the Daily Mail as proof that I’m a… Genuinely, I think it’s been brilliant. I’ve loved every second of it. It’s a thrill for me to be watching it as a viewer again. I knew Matt was going to be fantastic and he is. He’s a great choice and he’s knocked it out of the park.




FILTER: - David Tennant - Radio Times

New Christmas Clips

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released a Drama Showreel showcasing the new drama output coming up on the BBC over the next six months, featuring clips from the 2010 Christmas Special of Doctor Who.



The showreel was previewed at an event marking two years in post for BBC Controller of Drama, Ben Stephenson.

Other dramas featured include performances from the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctors:

  • Christopher Eccleston stars in an episode of Accused, a new drama series from Jimmy McGovern for BBC One.
  • David Tennant plays Dave in Single Father coming to BBC One on Sunday 10 October.
  • Matt Smith plays Christopher Isherwood in Christopher and his Kind coming to BBC Two next month.







  • FILTER: - Specials - Matt Smith - David Tennant - Christopher Eccleston - Press

    News Round Up

    Sunday, 19 September 2010 - Reported by Marcus
    Doctor Who Live has launched an official Twitter account. The feed provides news and updates from the team behind the live show, due to tour the UK this Autumn.

    Details of David Tennant's new 4 part drama series, Single Father, have been released by the BBC Press Office. In the series, filmed in Glasgow, Tennant plays a photographer facing the seemingly impossible job of bringing up four kids alone after the sudden death of his wife, Rita. The Daily Record has been reporting on how Tennant prepared for the role.

    A Doctor Who inspired stage adventure is being performed at the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre in Carshalton in South West London. Hell Blossom, by Ian Wheeler, is part of a trilogy of Doctor Who plays. It runs from 30th September - 2nd October.
    The story begins when our time traveller and his companion, Shaatara, a Valkyrie warrior from the New Asgard colony, visit Professor Gardener, another time lord, now living in exile in Victorian London. The Professor is helping Chief Inspector Potts with his investigation into a series of grisly murders in the East End. A strange creature is responsible for the murders - and, when it kills, a mysterious man is seen near the scene of the crime, whose incredible get-aways have earned him the nick-name 'Spring-heeled Jack'.


    The actress Margaret Hickey has died. Hickey played Mary Smith, an inhabitant of Salamander's underground community, in the Second Doctor story The Enemy Of The World.




    FILTER: - Obituary - Online - David Tennant

    Dead Air named Best Audiobook - Updated

    Saturday, 18 September 2010 - Reported by Marcus
    Doctor Who: Dead AirThe Doctor Who Audiobook Dead Air has been named the 2010 Audiobook of the Year.

    Written by James Goss and read by David Tennant the story was the seventh and final exclusive-to-audio adventure to feature the Tenth Doctor.

    The award was selected by voters visiting the Audiobook store. It beat other books nominated including Adrian Mole, The Prostrate Years, Othello, Animal Farm, Shakespeare in Love and War Horse.

    James Goss told the Doctor Who News Page he wished to thank all the fans who voted for the story.
    I'm absolutely thrilled that Doctor Who: Dead Air has won - it's an amazing reading by David Tennant, and I'm really chuffed that it's gone down as well as it has, not just with Doctor Who fans but with the public as well.


    Michael Stevens, Commissioning Editor for AudioGO said
    This is a gratifying achievement which pays tribute to the combined talents of writer James Goss, reader David Tennant, and the AudioGO production team who created a multi-layered adventure for the Doctor combining voice, music and atmospheric special sound.

    The winner was announced at 5pm on Saturday 18th September, at Chiswick Book Festival.




    FILTER: - David Tennant - Books - Awards/Nominations

    People News

    Saturday, 4 September 2010 - Reported by Marcus
    David_TennantTenth Doctor David Tennant has been spotted on a banner taken from the remake of the 1985 horror film Fright Night. In the film due to be released next year, Tennant plays Peter Vincent, a master of illusion. The film also stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Toni Collette and Imogen Poots.

    Steven Moffat and his wife Sue Vertue will be giving a BAFTA master class exploring how the modern day version of Sherlock Holmes arrived on our small screens this summer. The event on Thursday 9th September is part of the Kaleidoscopic Festival taking place at Glyndŵr University and Wrexham Library in North Wales. Limited tickets are available from BAFTA.

    Sixth Doctor Colin Baker has been talking to the Yorkshire Post prior to his arrival at the Grand Opera House York later this month to play Inspector Morse in a new murder mystery, House of Ghosts. He told the paper "I loved my time on Doctor Who, loved it, for three years it was among the happiest times of my career".






    FILTER: - Steven Moffat - David Tennant