The Ghost Monument - Overnight Viewing Figures

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
 The Ghost Monument: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Simon Ridgway))Doctor Who: The Ghost Monument was watched by 7.11 million viewers, a share of 33.4% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The figures, although down on the season premiere, is enough to make Doctor Who the third most watched programme of the week, behind two editions of Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly took top spot for Sunday with 9.2 million watching. The main Saturday edition got 10.6 million viewers as was the most watched programme of the week.

Just before Doctor Who, Countryfile had 4.94m watching, while later the drama The Cry managed 4.59m viewers.

It was a good night for Bradley Walsh who had 4.8 million watching The Chase: Celebrity Special on ITV, directly opposite his Doctor Who appearance. ITV's highest rated programme was The X-Factor with 5.1 million viewers.

Official figures, which will be released next Monday, will include those to recorded the episode and watched it later. They are expected to be considerably higher than the initial figures.




FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37 - UK

DWAS Honours William Hartnell

Sunday, 14 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Jessica Carney
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, DWAS, has honoured the actor who played the first Doctor, William Hartnell, by producing a Blue Plaque marking his work in Film and Television.

The plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at Ealing Studios by Jessica Carney, Granddaughter of William Hartnell, who attended with her mother, William Hartnell's daughter Anne Carney and her brother Paul Carney.

Jessica Carney is the author of a book on the life of her Grandfather. She said Hartnell would have been delighted with the recognition.
I think he would be so thrilled, so overwhelmed at the thought of someone putting up a blue plaque to his work. The thought that Doctor Who is still so successful today would have thrilled him. The fans were so excited and involved with it. Whole school classes wrote to him about Doctor Who. It just captured everyone's imagination and clearly still means a lot to an awful lot of people.

This would have meant everything to him.
The ceremony was attended the surviving members of the very first TARDIS crew, Carole Ann Ford who played Susan and William Russell, who played Ian. Other guests included actor Julian Glover, who worked with Hartnell in The Crusade, Michael Imison who directed him in The Ark, Timothy Coombe who worked with Hartnell as a Production Assistant and actor Frank Williams who worked with Hartnell in the ITV comedy The Army Game.

Former Companion Peter Purves was unable to attend but sent a message.
His iconic performance as the original Doctor Who is where his real legacy lies. The lasting appeal of Doctor Who is today is because of what he and his original companions created in 1963. The conventions and wide world audiences for the show would never have taken place were it not for the originality and quirkiness he brought to the original concept. This plaque is the perfect way to remember a wonderful actor
William Hartnell worked at Ealing studios on two feature films, The Goose Steps Out and The Bells Go Down. It was here that the first dramatic filming for Doctor Who took place. The shot, filmed on Thursday 19th September 1963, was from the very end of episode one, when the TARDIS is seen having landed in prehistoric times, being overlooked by the shadow of a human

Paul Carney, Anne Carney, Jessica CarneyWilliam Russell, Carole Ann Ford


The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, has previously marked the achievements of third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, with a blue heritage plaque at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London and first producer Verity Lambert with a plaque at at London's Riverside studios.




FILTER: - DWAS - William Hartnell

Doctor Who Episodes Three and Four

Sunday, 14 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released details of Doctor Who Episodes Three and Four

Vinette Robinson playing Rosa Parks (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Three: Rosa

If she can live here her whole life, a couple of hours ain’t gonna kill me. They ain’t gonna kill me, right?

Montgomery, Alabama. 1955. The Doctor and her friends find themselves in the Deep South of America. As they encounter a seamstress by the name of Rosa Parks, they begin to wonder: is someone attempting to change history?

Guest starring Vinette Robinson and Josh Bowman.

Written by Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Mark Tonderai.
Tanya Fear (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Four: Arachnids In The UK

Something’s happening with the spiders in this city.

The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan find their way back to Yorkshire – and Yaz’s family – only to find something is stirring amidst the eight-legged arachnid population of Sheffield.

Guest starring Chris Noth and Shobna Gulati.

Written by Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Sallie Aprahamian.
The series continues with Episode Two, The Ghost Monument, later today




FILTER: - Production - series 11/37

Doctor Who Limited Edition Barbie

Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Studios and Mattel have partnered to release the first ever Doctor Who Limited Edition Barbie doll, available in Australia

Pre-sale is available via zingpopculture.com.au and ebgames.com.au and in Zing Pop Culture stores in December.

Nicole Chungue, Licensing Manager for BBC Studios ANZ, says
This year, we’re introducing an all-new look for Doctor Who. New monsters, new stories, new characters and of course a new Doctor in Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the role.

Given Barbie’s celebration of women who have made history, as well as iconic characters from some of the best loved movies and shows, we felt it was a great opportunity to work with Mattel to create a doll based on the Thirteenth Doctor.

The Doctor Who Barbie doll offers fans and collectors a new way to celebrate the adventures of this iconic character and we’re delighted to be able to bring this to Australia through Zing Pop Culture.
Melissa Davey, Senior Buyer & Licensing for EB Games & Zing Pop Culture, said
EB and Zing couldn’t be more thrilled for the new Doctor and to be embarking on a new journey with the fans. What better way to celebrate than giving whovians the opportunity to get their hands on their very own Doctor Who Barbie
Tthe Doctor Who Barbie wears a rainbow-striped t-shirt, paired with cropped trousers and a trench coat. Additional, true-to-character details include Doctor Who signature braces and lace-up boots.




FILTER: - Character - Thirteenth Doctor

What the Fans Think: Torchwood

Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Pencil Tip Publishing is taking submissions for their new review book, What the Fans Think: Torchwood.

What the Fans Think is a new series of books where the fans will review and assess their favourite television series. Each volume will concentrate on a specific show and will feature original reviews and analyses of every episode of that particular series. The fans will have their say on what they think are the best, worst, and merely average, episodes of a series.

The first book in the series, What the Fans Think: Torchwood, will concentrate on the 2006-11 Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to the Vancouver branch of The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Submission guidelines can be found on the Pencil Tip Publishing blog




FILTER: - Books - Torchwood

River Song Series 6/7 Confirmed For Big Finish

Friday, 12 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Christopher Benjamin / Alex Kingston (Credit: Big Finish) Alex Kingston is set to reprise her role as the Doctor’s wife, River Song, in two more audio series of The Diary of River Song from Big Finish Productions – with River going back in time to clean up her husband’s timeline.

Another two series of The Diary of River Song can be confirmed, with Series Six arriving in August 2019 followed by Series Seven in January 2020.

After meeting five incarnations of the Doctor and four incarnations of the Doctor’s mortal enemy, the Master, while exploring time and space, River continues to travel the cosmos. However, she’ll be crashing into the Doctor’s timeline during some of the most famous Doctor Who stories of all time.

Big Finish will be confirming more details over the coming weeks, but today we can reveal that in the final story of The Diary of River Song Series Six, River will be travelling back to Victorian London, just before the classic Fourth Doctor story, The Talons of Weng-Chiang.

In The Talents of Greel, by Paul Morris, River will be playing detective, working out what is happening to the performers of London town, and her investigations take her to the Palace Theatre where she’ll meet Henry Gordon Jago, played by Christopher Benjamin.

Angus Wright (Kingdom of Heaven, The Iron Lady) plays Magnus Greel (reprising the role from an earlier audio adventure, The Butcher of Brisbane), Nicholas Goh plays Li H’Sen Chang and the villainous ventriloquist’s doll, Mr Sin, and Casey the Irishman is played by John Paul Connolly.

David Richardson, producer, tells us more
Working in the wonderful world of The Talons of Weng-Chiang is not unusual for me having produced so many spin-off audio adventures for Jago and Litefoot. Here we are back at the Palace Theatre, in those last days before Jago met Litefoot, when the maniac Magnus Greel is skulking below in his secret laboratory, and his servant Li H’Sen Chang is performing on stage and doing his master’s bidding.

We’ve worked hard to authentically recreate the story – think of this as episode zero of The Talons of Weng-Chiang; our guest cast all watched the original before coming to the studio. Needless to say Angus Wright, Nicholas Goh and John Paul Connolly make a fantastic Greel, Chang and Casey!
Alex Kingston told us more about side-stepping into these classic stories from the Whoniverse
I’m loving the idea of going back and utilising stories already aired… it’s a real writers’ time travel! It’s lovely to stay holding onto these series from the past, bringing back these characters and giving them life again. There’s endless opportunities! Let’s just not go to the giant maggots…

Christopher Benjamin is just delightful and extraordinary… he has a fabulous voice, and he is very funny!
You can pre-order series six and series seven of The Diary of River Song now, available for release in August 2019 and January 2020, priced at £25 on CD or £20 on download. Or save in a bundle together with both series six and series seven at £48 on CD or £40 on download.




FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish

The Ghost Monument - Next Sunday

Friday, 12 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
A number of new publicity images to promote this week's episode of Doctor Who, The Ghost Monument
The Ghost Monument

Writer: Chris Chibnall
Director: Jamie Childs

Still reeling from their first encounter, can the Doctor and her new friends stay alive long enough, in a hostile alien environment , to solve the mystery of Desolation? And just who are Angstrom and Epzo??
 The Ghost Monument: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yaz (Mandip Gill), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Yaz (Mandip Gill) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Angstrom (Susan Lynch) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Epzo (Shaun Dooley), Graham (Bradley Walsh), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Angstrom (Susan Lynch), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Ilin (Art Malik) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Simon Ridgway)) The Ghost Monument: Epzo (Shaun Dooley) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens)) The Ghost Monument: Angstrom (Susan Lynch) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))
Episode Two Trailer | The Ghost Monument | Doctor Who: Series 11

This series will debut on BBC One at 6.55pm.

Main Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSunday 14th October6:45pm BST
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSunday 14th October8.00pm EDT
CanadaSPACESunday 14th October8.00pm EDT
AustraliaABCMonday 15th October6.00pm AEST

Full listings here




FILTER: - Publicity - series 11/37

Tenth Doctor and Donna Back For More Audio Adventures

Wednesday, 10 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
David Tennant, Catherine Tate (Credit: Big Finish)David Tennant and Catherine Tate are to reprise their roles in Doctor Who for three more audio adventures in time and space, in The Tenth Doctor Adventures - Volume 3.

And they’re taking the family with them...

Jacqueline King will return as Sylvia Noble, Donna’s mother and, returning to Big Finish after an eleven-year absence, Bernard Cribbins will reprise his role as Wilfred Mott, Donna’s grandfather.

The Doctor and Donna will be back in action, with three new audio adventures coming May 2019.

3.1 No Place by James Goss

It's Haunted Makeovers! The home improvement show with a spooky twist.
The Noble family are hoping to cast out a few spirits along with the old bathroom suite, as presenter Justin joins Donna, Wilf, Sylvia and the Doctor for the latest edition of his reality TV series.
Of course, Justin knows that any supernatural phenomena can be faked. Ghosts can't possibly be real.
Can they..?
3.2 One Mile Down by Jenny T Colgan

Donna and the Doctor take a holiday - in the beautiful underwater city of Vallarasee.
Things have changed since the Doctor last swam through it: Vallarasee is now enclosed inside an airdome. Judoon patrol historic sites, and instead of tourists wearing helmets to breathe, the native Fins are forced to adapt.
But leaks have begun to trickle into the dome, and the Doctor and Donna must convince the Judoon that disaster is imminent. Or else thousands will be trapped, as the waters rise...
3.3 The Creeping Death by Roy Gill

London, 1952, and a deadly smog envelops the capital.
But something even more dangerous - and alien - is hiding within the mists.
When the Doctor and Donna get lost in the fog, they find a motley group of Londoners trying to make their way home. Soon the stakes are raised, as death creeps along fume-choked streets, and not everyone will make it out alive....
Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume Three (Credit: Big Finish) Due for release in May 2019, we can look forward to menacing threats lurk in 1950s London’s smog in a tale by Roy Gill, dangerous underwater worlds with the Judoon in a thriller by Jenny T Colgan, and James Goss taking the Doctor, Donna and family on their most treacherous journey yet... into the horrifying world of reality television!

Jacqueline King who plays Donna’s mother, the incomparable Sylvia Noble, told us about returning to the role:
Doctor Who has been the gift that keeps on giving. I started, believing I was to appear in one Christmas episode, then was thrilled to appear in more. I recently returned to the role with Big Finish and it was like putting a cherished old sweater back on. That old sweater will have to be washed and conditioned ready for this episode with the A team back in full. Can’t believe my luck. I’m guessing it might actually feel a bit emotional.
Producer David Richardson says
Three box sets in and my excitement about working on The Tenth Doctor Adventures is as strong as ever. When we first started thinking about this new set of stories, I emailed Russell T Davies to ask about including Sylvia. He suggested we should try for Wilf too – it had never occurred to me that we might be able to get Bernard Cribbins involved. But a call to Bernard’s agent revealed how delighted he was by the prospect, and there we had it – the Noble family together again, nine years after they last appeared on TV.
Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume Three (Limited Edition) is available now for pre-order. A five-disc collector’s edition – limited to 5,000 copies – is available on CD in deluxe bookset packaging for a pre-release price of £35, with the download version for £25.

Included with the limited edition CD release, Doctor Who and Blake’s 7 costume designer June Hudson has created costume designs for the creatures and aliens, and writer and SFX specialist Mike Tucker has created storyboards for the new stories. With behind-the-scenes interviews from some of the cast and crew as well, this limited edition makes for an unmissable audio package.

The three episodes, No Place, One Mile Down and The Creeping Death can also be bought individually for £8.99 on download and £10.99 on CD. Or you can buy all three individually but together in a bundle for £22 on download and £25 on CD.




FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Catherine Tate - David Tennant - Tenth Doctor

DWAS Hartnell Plaque - Update

Tuesday, 9 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is making a final push to raise money to fund a blue heritage plaque honouring first Doctor William Hartnell at Ealing Studios.

With the planned unveiling date edging nearer, two more items available at the Society's eBay store, to help raise the money needed.

Cosmic Masque Issue 1 - 1977

Many people have written Doctor Who fan fiction over the years. Some have gone on to be professional writers working on the show itself.

An early example of fans publishing their own fiction is Doctor Who Appreciation Society's Cosmic Masque, from 1977. John Peel and Steven Evans wrote stories covering the eras of all four Doctors.

Over forty years later, DWAS is republishing this title to raise funds for the William Hartnell Heritage Plaque. This version is largely faithful to the original, with the addition of a full colour rear cover by 'Fletch' and a new foreword by John Peel (author of Virgin and BBC novels as well as a reference work with Terry Nation).

The title is bound with a glossy colour front and rear cover and runs to 40 pages total. Despatch will commence week commencing 15th October 2018.

Magazines cost £7-99 including free Uk delivery.

Unveiling Tickets

Ealing Studios is a working facility and as such, the unveiling is open to a small number of invited guests only. However there is still an opportunity for fans to attend.

On Friday a competition will be launched for anyone who is either a DWAS member or who has helped raise funds for the plaque by buying items from the ebay store, to win a free ticket.

Before then, there are two places at the unveiling up for auction. The winning bidder will receive two tickets and will need to be available on Sunday 14th October 2018 in the Ealing area, between 2-30pm and 4-00pm. the winner and their friend will be able to attend the unveiling and then a reception at a local venue along with the other guests. Please be aware that as this is not a convention, it is a condition of entry that autographs are not sought from other guests.

Online Auction Site




FILTER: -

The Woman Who Fell to Earth - Overnight Viewing Figures

Monday, 8 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Woman Who Fell to Earth: Grace (Sharon D Clarke), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Ben Blackall))Doctor Who: The Woman Who Fell to Earth was watched by 8.2 million viewers, a share of 40.1% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The audience grew throughout the episode, peaking at 8.52 million for the final fifteen minutes.

The rating makes Doctor Who the third highest rating of the week, just behind two editions of Strictly Come Dancing.

It is the highest overnight rating for the series for a regular episode for over ten years. The debut episode of the Twelfth Doctor, Deep Breath, had an overnight rating of 6.8 million viewers, while the debut episode of The Eleventh Doctor, The Eleventh Hour, had 7.7 million, with 0.3 million also watching on BBC HD, making a total of 8.0 million. The last regular episode to top this figure was Journey's End in 2008, with an overnight figure of 9.4 million.

The highest rating for Sunday was for the results show of Strictly Come Dancing with an average of 9.04 million watching.

ITV's highest-rated programme was The X Factor, with 4.69 million watching. Against Doctor Who, 5 Gold Rings had 2.71 million watching.

Official figures, which will be released next Monday, will include those to recorded the episode and watched it later. They are expected to be considerably higher than the initial figures.




FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37