As reported by Dan Hall at Recon last month, the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine has a summary of the DVDs scheduled for the beginning of 2013, which includes the announcement that the recently recovered and restored third episode of the William Hartnell story Galaxy 4, Air Lock, will be released as a bonus episode on the special edition version of Season 1 story The Aztecs.

Other releases lined up for the first quarter include the previously reported Legacy Box on 7th January, the animation-enhanced The Reign of Terror on 28th January, a special edition version of The Ark in Space on 18th February, and the above-mentioned special edition of The Aztecs on 11th March. No features for the DVDs have been announced at present.

In addition, the last 'intact' story of the range, Terror of the Zygons has been announced for June (The Mind of Evil undergoing colour restoration) - features for the final Tom Baker release were unexpectedly revealed by the BBFC back in July.

Finally, DWM also revealed that Jon Pertwee's inaugural story Spearhead from Space is to be released yet again in June, this time taking advantage of the 'classic' series story's unique film recording to produce a high-definition Blu-ray presentation. Features on this release will include an extensive biography on Pertwee and an obituary for his co-star Caroline John, who died earlier this year.

Future History ...

Since our summer update the list of currently unannounced titles has diminished rapidly, with only fourteen episodes remaining to see the DVD treatment:

• The First Doctor: The Tenth Planet - three existing episodes, missing episode four
• The Second Doctor: The Underwater Menace: Episode 2
• The Second Doctor: The Ice Warriors - four existing episodes, missing episodes two+three
• The Third Doctor: The Mind of Evil - all six episodes, episode one is in the process of being colourised

In addition, several special edition versions of previously released stories are expected during the course of the year, including Inferno.

The Legacy Box has now been confirmed to be the first DVD release for 2013, coming out in the UK(R2) on 7th January and in North America(R1) on the 8th. As previously reported, the two-disc boxed set will feature the 'lost' story Shada from Season 17 and the 30th Anniversary celebratory documentary More Than Thirty Years in the TARDIS.

After months of speculation, the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine has confirmed that the main version of Shada presented will be the 102 minute, 1992 VHS release, which included added effects, music, and linking narration by Tom Baker. Though no other R2 information has been released at present, the R1 details indicate that the set will also contain the re-interpreted version of Shada featuring Paul McGann that was produced by Big Finish and released as a Flash animation during the 40th Anniversary for (and still available from) the BBC's official Doctor Who website.

Other features (R1 details) include a documentary on the troubled history of Shada's production, Taken Out of Time, a look at the story's locations in Now and Then, the first part of a feature on Doctor Who's first producer Verity Lambert in The Lambert Tapes - Part 1, memories of the Doctor's honorary companion in Remembering Nicholas Courtney, another companion profile with Doctor Who Stories - Peter Purves, plus Strike! Strike! Strike!, Being a Girl - Women in Doctor Who, and Those Deadly Divas.

Later this month Big Finish release Doctor Who – UNIT: Dominion, an epic five-disc box set that reunites the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) with his cat burglar companion Raine Creevy (Beth Chalmers) in a fight to save the universe. Joining the fray are Dr Elizabeth Klein (Tracey Childs), scientific advisor to UNIT, and a future incarnation of the Doctor (Alex Maqueen).

Producer David Richardson said:

To count down to the release, Big Finish have released a number of digital postcards, such as the ones below which feature the Seventh Doctor, Raine, the Other Doctor, Sergeant Pete Wilson, the Nexus, the Skyheads and the Mind Leeches.


The boxed set can be pre-ordered on its own, or as part of a fifteen disc bundle from Big Finish with productions Love and War, Dark Eyes, Voyage to Venus and Voyage to the New.

Fantom Publishing have announced the publication of the second part of the actress Mary Tamm's autobiography. Second Generation continues on from the first volume, with the late actress imparting her personal recollections of playing Romana during her final three Doctor Who stories from Season 16.

Publisher Dexter O'Neill said:

The book is due to be published early next year, and will be available in both paperback and a limited edition hardback with additional photographs. Pre-order details can be found via the Fantom website.

The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine (out tomorrow) speaks to Karen Gillan about leaving Doctor Who after three years as the Doctor's companion:

Also in this issue:

• The First Lady of Time: DWM looks at the life and times of Mary Tamm, the actress who played the Fourth Doctor’s companion Romana, with never-before-seen photos and tributes from her friends and colleagues including Louise Jameson, John Leeson, and Anthony Read.
• Matt's Missing Scene! Just how old is the Doctor nowadays? The clue’s in his hair, as showrunner Steven Moffat reveals, as he presents a missing scene from The Angels Take Manhattan – exclusively in Production Notes.
• The Fear Factor: There have been some truly terrifying moments in Doctor Who's 49-year history... and, just in time for Halloween, DWM 453 celebrates the very best of them! Fear-merchants Philip Hinchcliffe and Terrance Dicks are on hand to give their expert opinion, so prepare to have your blood chilled and your spine tingled, with The A-Z Of Dread...
• Rough Justice? DWM look back at the season that gave us the longest story ever, an evil future Doctor and Bonnie Langford, as The Trial of a Time Lord is put under the spotlight in Countdown To 50!
• Daleks vs Cybermen! Witness the greatest battle in history as the Daleks and Cybermen come face to face with the Tenth Doctor and Rose in Torchwood HQ. It's Doomsday – and what will The Time Team make of it all...?
• A Matter of Life and Death: It's one of the most controversial issues currently challenging fandom – the Doctor’s morality. Are there circumstances where it's acceptable for him to kill his enemies, or should this be avoided at all costs? Toby Hadoke and Johnny Candon argue the pros and cons in A Battle of Wits
• Death in Prague: The Doctor, Amy and Rory encounter a legendary monster and terrifying creatures from another dimension in The Broken Man, the brand new comic strip written by Scott Gray and illustrated by Martin Geraghty.
• The Secret Companion: Celebrate 20 years of Bernice Summerfield, as DWM talks to Paul Cornell, Lisa Bowerman, Jac Rayner, Gary Russell and Scott Handcock about one of the most enduring Doctor Who characters of all time.
• Zap! The mysterious Watcher examines the Doctor’s little-known use of weaponry (including his ray-gun), challenges readers with The Six Faces of Delusion and champions another Supporting Artist of the Month, in Wotcha!

In addition, DWM catches up with former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and chats exclusively with him about his brand new show – Wizards vs Aliens – and just why Doctor Who fans will want to watch...

PLUS! All the latest official news, the latest episodes, DVDs, books and CDs reviewed, sneak previews of forthcoming merchandise, a prize-winning crossword, FIVE fantastic competitions and much, much more!

The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff played host to two special guests today in the form of Matt Smith and Steven Moffat, who were there to have their hand prints immortalised in cement to become a permanent display within the exhibition.

Matt Smith said:
Steven Moffat added:

Several new exhibits have also been unveiled today, which include Oswin's dress and boots - as worn by new sidekick Jenna-Louise Coleman in Asylum of the Daleks - Solomon and Nefertiti's costumes from Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, the Robots from the same story, and the chained Weeping Angel and Cherub Angels from The Angels Take Manhattan.

Matt added:

Note: this article includes items discussing future and potential future casting/plot points, and may be considered as spoilers.


Filming has now commenced on episode six, the first episode of next year's run of episodes; it is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Colm McCarthy, with Simon Dennis taking up the reins as Director of Photography. The episode is provisionally entitled The Bells of Saint John.

McCarthy recently posted a photo featuring himself with two of this year's other directors: "Directors UK Roath Lock branch meeting with Farren Blackburn and Saul Metzstein." [Colm McCarthy via Twitter, 28 Sep 2012]

Rumours over the possible appearance of previous companions for the 50th Anniversary continue, fuelled by the usual "insider" gossip: "Next year is massive for the show. They are going to be pulling out all the stops - the 50th anniversary show is set to feature stars from the past and present. There will be plenty of nods to the show's remarkable history and some old faces are likely to be reappearing. Karen and Billie are two of the Doctor's greatest companions and it's hoped they will be involved." Other names being bandied around include former Doctor David Tennant and the Doctor's original travelling companion Susan as played by Carole Ann Ford. [Express, 8 Oct 2012}

Downton Abbey actor Thomas Howes has his eye on being a future Doctor: "There are a lot of dream roles I'd love, like James Bond and Indiana Jones. But I'd never get a look in there. Doctor Who is probably the only one that I could play because he's quite quirky – and he regenerates, so he can be anyone. So one day, who knows, I might have a chance. I'd love to play that part." [The Sun, 6 Oct 2012]

When asked about possibly being the next Katherine Jenkins, actress Jaye Jacobs exclaimed that she'd love to sing in Doctor Who! [Daybreak, 10 Oct 2012]

BBC Worldwide have announced that they are to utilise the new UltraViolet technology for future DVD and Blu-ray releases, with the Doctor Who: Series 7 Part 1 boxed set forming one of the initial releases to benefit.

UltraViolet is a new approach to help combat video piracy by enabling purchasers to "buy one, play anywhere" - a digital version of the item they have bought is also made available, which can then be played on up to twelve different devices, such as computers, mobiles and tablets, as well as streaming and download for online/offline viewing.

As well as Doctor Who, the initial range includes Top Gear Special Commission, Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild, Rollercoaster (John Bishop). To enable UltraViolet, BBC Worldwide have teamed up with content delivery provider Flixster to provide the digital copies.

Claude London, Digital Director for BBC Worldwide Consumer Products, said:

Doctor Who: Series 7 Part 1 is available to pre-order in the UK on both DVD and Blu-Ray formats.

After several months delay, BBC Worldwide have finally launched Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock for the Sony PS Vita platform; the game is available to download now from the US and European PS Stores.


BBC Worldwide's executive producer Simon Harris explained via the Playstation Blog how the Vita version improves on the original PlayStation release:

The game, featuring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Alex Kingston as River Song, was originally released for the Sony PS3 back in May, with Matt commenting on the experience:

A PC version of the game is still in development.




You can follow the official game feed on Twitter.

Doctor Who could make it on to the cover of the prestigious and long-running American weekly listings publication TV Guide for the first time.

The programme is among the 10 nominated shows for the magazine's third annual Fan Favorites Cover Poll, and whichever programme wins will feature on the cover of the edition for the week starting Monday 10th December.

Polling ends on Sunday 28th October at midnight Pacific Time, and people can vote as often as they want to, although they have to "Like" the publication on Facebook first.

The other programmes nominated by TV Guide are: Fringe, Grimm, Happy Endings, Parks And Recreation, Pretty Little Liars, Scandal, Spartacus, The Vampire Diaries, and The Walking Dead.

Votes can be cast via this link.

TV Guide was first published on 3rd April 1953 and currently has a total paid, verified, and analysed non-paid circulation average of 2,010,879 copies a week.