Though it has yet to be televised, the spring series of Doctor Who has already been made available for pre-order. The two-disc set (to be released in both DVD and Bluray formats) is due out on 11th July 2011.
The synopsis for the set is included, which reveals a little of what we might expect in the coming weeks, plus a version of the cover art. However, no special features have been listed at present, and existing details are subject to change as the release/content is finalised.
Series 6: Part 1 Release Date: 11th July 2011 RRP: £24.99
Starring Matt Smith as the Doctor, with Karen Gillan as Amy Pond and Arthur Darvill as Rory Williams Written by Steven Moffat (episodes 1,2 & 7), Steve Thompson (3), Neil Gaiman (4) and Matthew Graham(5 & 6) Directed by Toby Haynes(episodes 1 & 2), Jeremy Webb (3), Richard Clark (4), Julian Simpson (5 & 6) and Peter Hoar (7)
The Doctor returns, alongside newly weds Amy and Rory, to face monsters and mysteries and adventures all across time and space, in a thrilling new series of Doctor Who. Together they'll find themselves in sixties America, battling the invasion the world forgot, then journey on the high seas of 1696 aboard a pirate ship, to solve the mystery of the Siren.
In a bubble universe at the very edge of reality, the Doctor will meet an old friend with a new face, and in a monastery on a remote island in the near future, an industrial accident will take on a terrible human shape. And waiting for them, at the end of all this, is the battle of Demon's Run, and the Doctor's darkest hour. Can even the truth about River Song save the Time Lord's soul?
Only two things are certain. Silence will fall. And a good man is going to die...
Part One of Series Six is available to pre-order now in DVD and Blu-ray formats in our Amazon Shop.
Australia joins the list of countries that have now confirmed the broadcast date for Matt Smith's second series of Doctor Who. TV Tonight have reported that ABC1 will premier The Impossible Astronaut on Saturday 30th April at 7:30pm. The show will also be made available on the company's iView service (though there is no confirmation of if episodes will premier on the service like last year).
An ABC spokesperson told the site:
ABC TV has scheduled the new series of Doctor Who to screen Saturdays at 7.30pm on ABC1, which we believe is the best slot to reach the family audience. (We are) not able to broadcast Doctor Who until after it screens in the UK. So, in anticipation that the BBC will launch the new series over Easter in the UK, we have scheduled the series to start the following weekend.
The BBC have yet to reveal when The Impossible Astronaut will premier in the UK - this is likely to be confirmed in a week's time via the Press Office's Programme Information Page, if not sooner.
BBC America have now made a 60 second version of the trailer available via their YouTube channel - this is an extended version of the 30 second trailer that has been broadcast by the channel.
The video is markedly different to the UK version, with alternative scenes and characters represented, and focusses on the two-part opening story - The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon - which is set in the USA.
The Impossible Astronaut premiers on BBC America on Saturday April 23rd at 9/8c. According to their TV schedule, Part Two, Day of the Moon will broadcast on April 30th. Promotion for the new series has begun in the States. BBC America have been posting photos of Doctor Who adverts; on the side of a New York City bus and on banners in San Francisco at WonderCon. A Doctor Who panel (Neil Gaiman, Mark Sheppard, and Toby Haynes) will take place at WonderCon on Sunday April 3rd from 11:30-12:15. More information here.
The BBC Torchwood Twitter account has announced that the current composer for Doctor Who, Murray Gold, will be returning to the series to compose music for Torchwood: Miracle Day.
The announcement was made via Twitter at 9:41pm BST on 31st March:
THIS JUST IN: The 'Doctor Who' veteran Murray Gold will be composing Torchwood: Miracle Day. BRILLIANT.
Gold co-wrote music with Ben Foster for the first two series of Torchwood with the music being performed by the National Orchestra of Wales. He has also composed music for the computer-animated film, Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil which is due for release on April 29, 2011.
The BBC have now released a full length, 60 second trailer for Doctor Who, which is available via their YouTube channel; the trailer introduces a mixture of clips and teasers for the forthcoming series due to commence this Easter.
The trailer was broadcast on the main BBC channels at 8:00pm in the evening (Wednesday) - however, there was a subtle difference between this and the online version in some regions, indicating that - like the teaser - there are (at least) two versions being broadcast!
In the online version at 24 seconds in, there a clip with the Doctor and crew by the "exploding console"; this was replaced in the broadcast version by a close-up of an alien, believed to be a Silent:
Unfortunately the BBC1 premier, shown just before Waterloo Road, suffered from a technical fault in several regions leading to a blank screen for the first twenty seconds or so.
Shortly after the trailer was released online, an announcement was made on the BBC Doctor Who website for a competition to win tickets to an exclusive screening of The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon in London on Monday, 4 April, 2011 at 6:30pm.
The artist Andrew Skilleter has launched a new website featuring much of his work on the Doctor Who range during the eighties and nineties.
Skilleter is best known for his prolific body of work on the Doctor Who Target range. Over a fifteen year period he provided cover artwork for around forty nine of the novelizations as well as working on feature books, video releases, calenders and prints.
In 1983 he designed the Radio Times cover for the Twentieth anniversary story The Five Doctors, the image also being used for the video release.
Away from Doctor Who he is an official Star Wars artist and provided a substantial body of work for Gerry Anderson creations, including Thunderbirds. The site features some of Skilleter's work in the new Fantasy, Sc-Fi, Narnia and Ruth Rendell galleries.
The website was set up by Skilleter in December 2010 and contains links to a calendar and archival prints of some of the many Target book covers as well as a section where you can buy original artwork.
A quieter fortnight in terms of news filtering out from the ongoing production of Miracle Day - at this point, principle photography was taking place on episode five, with production meetings taking place for episodes seven and eight. However, public announcements over the course of the two weeks more than made up for quieter set reporting!
Last week saw the first official poster released by Starz for Miracle Day, announcing the launch date in the United States for Friday 8th July 2011, with a press release indicating the time as 10pm ET/PT. The United Kingdom broadcast date is yet to be confirmed, but is widely expected to be close to the the same date.
However, publicity photos have yet to be released for the series, though shoots for these took place in Swansea (28th January) and in Los Angeles (5th March). It seems likely that the publicity engine will kick into full gear at the MIPTV Media Market in Cannes on Monday 4th April; as previously reported, the show is one of several being showcased at the event, with principle stars John Barrowman and Bill Pullman there to help with promotion, alongside executive producer Julie Gardner.
The press release for this event also indicates that the series will consist of ten 50 minute episodes.
Another name associated with the new series is Olivia Hallinan; listed on IMDB as playing "Emma / Kate Dysart", the actress has appeared in Torchwood before in the Series One episode Out of Time, where she played Emma-Louise Cowell, the only time traveller from that story to continue her life in the present day. However, there has been no official confirmation of the actress's casting, or if "Emma" is indeed the same character.
Production-wise, the BBC Production Office reported that special effects and makeup supervisor Greg Nicotero had joined the production team; previous television projects include The Walking Dead, The Pacific and Deadwood, and films like Predators, Surrogates, Sin City and Kill Bill Vols 1+2.
Times cited within reports below are in Los Angeles local time.
Monday 14th March
Back to the beach! The production returned to Venice Beach for further filming during the day, this time along Westminster Avenue; scenes involved John Barrowman, Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins, with action including Rex being taken away in the back of an ambulance.
Jeremy Burleson was visiting the beach that day and saw some of the activity, even ending up in the background for a shot!
14:56 At this movie shoot on Venice Beach!!!!!!!! Wow 14:57 Literally at a Movie shoot right now. 15:01 They bout to start filmin. 15:11 Mann!! We get to be In the Background of this movie.. 15:16 Torch 1.. 16:31 Naww its a Tv Show 17:16 haha naww it was some white actors.. We was in the background tho 21:21 I still can't believe we got to be in the Background of this TV show they was filming in LA today.
At this TV shoot in Los Angeles (via TwitVid) (note: some browsers may need to right-click, "reload frame" to see video)
Other filming-related tweets include:
14:11 CF Walking down Venice and ran into the #Torchwood team filming a scene there! So random and cool :) 15:18 SBA I just went to get coffee on westminster in venicebeach venice beach #losangeles and walking into the torchwood Scifi set filming today lol 16:55 BBC We're having our first spotting session for Episode #1 RIGHT NOW! While the crew films at the beach. Here's to great Mondays. 17:09 AS Life's a beach. http://twitpic.com/49kgv3
Photos from the shoot were also published of the cast members by the Visual Press Agency, and may be seen via Padabee.
Tuesday 15th March - Friday 18th March
Documentation reported that filming would be taking place at Angels Gate Park at San Pedro for the rest of the week, though little was to be heard of the crew whilst there, Kai Owen also indicated further work at Venice Beach on Wednesday, though of course he could just have visited as a tourist!
Jane Espensonrevealed on Tuesday that Brad Bell, aka "Cheeks", would be guesting on the show; an artist who experiments in the world of music, art and the media, he has become a popular icon on the Internet. This will be one of his first television roles.
On Wednesday the BBC Production Officereported that Greg Nicotero was on board to build an alien for the show - the first indication that there is more to the mysterious 'immortality' that pervades the 'Miracle Day' than meets the eye!
Tweets over the next couple of days:
15 18:17 KO Beautiful LA evening off out for a burger and beers with @natiejay. 16 10:32 WK Finished Shooting Torchwood in L.A. and its a buuuuzzz. I feel this is my best role since Nedry. Your in for a treat folks! watch this space 16 12:02 NS Working background on Torchwood today. But we talk about Doctor Who, not Torchwood. 16 16:03 AF Torchwood tomorrow! 17 01:03 AF Ah, but you shall not see me for I be but a stand-in. :) 16 18:50 KO Been down Venice Beach today! Crazy place. 16 20:11 ST Crazy busy day Started on location two hours away Raced back to WB for fitting with JB,new ep to break down, budget meetings I <3 my job :-) 16 20:13 ST Late call tomorrow so I get to drive my kids to school. Bonus :-) 16 20:52 BBC Looks like tomorrow is the start of our late night shooting. Team Torchwood, nocturnal entertainment like you've never seen before...
Back in Week Five, Shawna Trpcic posted this photo via Twitpic of a 'mystery man' posing alongside herself and John Barrowman. Filming on the day (11th February) had revolved around a bar, with the storyline reported of Jack picking up a barman for the evening. The man of mystery has now been revealed as actor Dillon Casey, who talked about his experiences with Torchwood and John Barrowman in his blogging video:
Living in LA With Dillon Casey! Episode 7: Gay Day! (via Funny or Die)
As reported above, night shoots were on the way, with schedules indicating long production days of 09:00-04:00 (17th) and 09:00-05:00 (18th), the final evening this week assuming its usual 'Fraturday' designation!
17 21:45 ST Moulin rouge inspiration 17 22:48 ST A visiting DP asked us to cover red soles of shoes huh... Any one know why NOT! 17 23:25 JE Production meeting in the morning. So it's time to put what's left of the pies back in the fridge and close my eyes. Z! 18 09:43 ST Concept meeting with @JaneEspenson and the dept heads for episode 8. This show is amazing!! 18 12:01 AS Tree trimming outside my hotel room at 8am (on the morning I get to sleep in) makes me not a very happy camper. Happy Friday!
After late nights, it's early calls for next week!
19 07:37 ST Monday call for 3 of my crew is 4:30am @ location 2 hours away rest of us in at 6:42am we r shooting in rain possibly laced w/ radiation :-/ 19 07:37 ST Love my job though. :-)
Monday 21st March
Monday saw filming return (according to schedules) to Angels Gate Park, with Brad Bell filming his first scene and rumours of Greg Nicotero's creation being on set too!
"Arriving at location. So pretty!" - Jane Espenson, via Twitpic
06:08 BB Long drive. Rain. Aliens. 06:28 JE Arriving at location. So pretty! 06:41 JE Luckily, California is not playing the role of Wales today. 07:47 JE Rumors of more rain on the way. But right now, #torchwood set is dry and dramatic. And cheeky. 09:07 JE Torchwood shooting going so well. Ep 5 hits hard. 10:06 JE Pouring rain can't dampen our torchthusiasm! 10:39 AS Omfg... Seriously, miserable does not begin to describe this. 11:08 BB The set is incredible! ...and drenched. Shot my scene with @Mekhi_Phifer. Awesomely nice dude. Chatting w/ Alexa Havins. Trying to stay dry. 11:13 BB You're gonna DIE for the new season! It's unreal! So excited for the fans & as a fan, I'm quite excited to see it myself! 11:26 BB Already asked what I could share. "The fans are gonna wanna know!" Answer: Top Secret. Gotta wait til summer... 13:06 ST Wow @JaneEspenson LOVE!! The rewrites on episode 7. Really really love it. Wow. Powerful stuff! 13:12 JE Thank you much @Trpcic ! The last polish was the work of RTD, and it put the frosting on it. I'm so proud of it!
Tuesday 22nd March
Tuesday was another quiet day, believed again to be the park; meanwhile, plans for the next photoshoot for Captain Jack were also unveiled ...
10:29 KO Just been for a run around the park. Great way to start the day. 16:43 BBC We can't say who yet but we're prepping for some serious publicity for tomorrow's shoot. We're finally all back on the lot! 18:07 JE We are sharing the writing credit on episode ten. It's still very much his baby-- he'll do all the final writing on it. 18:10 ST One crew working 5am to 5pm one crew working 3pm to 3am. And a promo shoot with Captain Jack headed for a TV near you. Busy costume dept :-)
Wednesday 23rd March
Today it was reported that filming would be taking place at the Alexandria Hotel, though the famous iconic site may have been used for the Captain Jack promotional shoot mentioned on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Jane Espenson further elaborated on Russell T Davies's importance to the show:
12:46 Torchwood does not require prepping with Doctor Who. 13:37 Jane Espenson: It's Russell's show. I'm just riding on top and enjoying the breeze! 14:14 Worry not. Original producers with hands firmly on wheel. Feels like same show.
And of course, todsy was when Starz unveiled the launch date for Miracle Day for the United States - 107 days and counting!
Back to the backlot it seems, and at least Kai Owensounded happy: "On set today with some fine WELSH talent."
Meanwhile, production meetings continued apace:
13:35 BBC Production meeting for Episode 7 happening upstairs! @JaneEspenson it sounds fun up there what's happening?? 13:54 JE @BBC_Torchwood it IS fun! Ironing out all the production details for eps 7 and 8. 14:16 BBC A look inside our production meeting! #Torchwood. Going to set, will report with more news soon.
Plenty of faces to recognise around that table!
Onto Friday, and two views from Torchwoodland, courtesy of Shawna Trpcic:
View outside torchwood offices misty California morning. Photo: Shawna Trpcic, via Twitpic
Sunset near the Torchwood set. Photo: Shawna Trpcic, via Twitpic
08:08 All TW offices are in "houses" that are used on lot as sets. 14:06 Wow running like wild today, 2 units costumes in every one. Background as well as actors all new. My cutter/fitter is going crazy Sew sew sew 21:18 1st and 2nd units still shooting. Been here since 6:30 I'm starting to drag :-) waiting to move on to next big scene to establish new looks 00:18 JB is awesome!! 00:21 Still going @Team_Barrowman just encouraged the crew got applause
Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); AS - Alana Stone (fashion designer); BB - Brad Bell; BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); CF - Chrissie Fit; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); NS - Nick Salter; SBA - SB Arts TV; ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer); WK - Wayne Knight
For Week 12, Cris D'Annunzioreported that he would have a guest role on the series. And Kai Owen has suggested that next week he'll be joined by his 'partner in crime', Tom Price:
18:55 @pricetom looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday mate.
And finally, to whet our appetites: "Monday morning beautiful sunny day. All is peaceful as we shoot and continue to prep biggest ep yet ..."
TV Tonight blog reports Torchwood: Miracle Day will be fast-tracked to Australia on UKTV Australia in early July, immediately following its global premiere on Starz.
Jana Bennett, the new President for BBC Worldwide Networks and Global iPlayer, said:
Torchwood: Miracle Day is a courageous and exciting piece of drama which will resonate with audiences all over the world. I’m genuinely delighted that Torchwood will add to UKTV’s compelling selection of first-run drama in 2011.
Julie Dowding, Sales Director for BBC Worldwide Australia, added:
Torchwood: Miracle Day is set to be one of the most exciting dramas we’ve brought to Australia this year. UKTV audiences and Torchwood fans alike are in for a huge treat with this latest chapter from Captain Jack and the team.
Canadian broadcaster SPACE have now confirmed that, like the USA, the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who, The Impossible Astronaut will be broadcast on Saturday 23rd April 2011 at 8:00pm ET/PT.
Announced via their Spacecast blog, the channel reports:
This just in! The new Season of DOCTOR WHO will be coming to SPACE SATURDAY APRIL 23 at 8E/P. We're thrilled to be airing a new season of heart-pounding adventures, with Matt Smith as 11th Timelord and Karen Gillan as his feisty partner-in-time, Amy Pond.
The series will be preceeded by a marathon of Doctor Who, kicking off on 21st April with the final four episodes of the Tenth Doctor, followed by Eleventh's first series leading into the premier, with Christmas specials following later that evening.
Having whetted our appetites with the two teaser trailers last week, the first episode prelude a couple of days later, and then an "iconic" image for the episode itself, the BBC are now about to unleash a new 60 second trailer which will premier on BBC1 on Wednesday.
No time has been confirmed for the trailer at present, though it is expected to during primetime viewing in the evening.
The trailer will also be broadcast on the CBBC channel, but in a shortened 20 second form to remove some of the 'scarier' scenes, as BBC Publicity clarified:
The trailer is a 60" and we usually play them on CBBC as well (for obvious reasons). We think this will be the first that will need to be edited down to a 20" to make it suitable and remove the scary bits (remember that we have six year olds and younger watch CBBC as well as twelve year olds)
The 20" is just for CBBC. The 60" also has a 40" cut-down version that will be rotated in.
Update: the 60" trailer was originally reported for Tuesday evening, but has been put back to Wednesday.
Series 6: Part 1
Series 6: Part 1
Australia joins the list of countries that have now confirmed the broadcast date for Matt Smith's second series of Doctor Who. 
The BBC Torchwood Twitter account has 
The artist Andrew Skilleter has launched a new 
Canadian broadcaster SPACE have now confirmed that, like the USA, the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who, The Impossible Astronaut will be broadcast on Saturday 23rd April 2011 at 8:00pm ET/PT.
Having whetted our appetites with the two teaser trailers 
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