Series Nine - Casting Update

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

David Schofield has been signed up to appear in the next series of Doctor Who.

Schofield is best known for playing King Alined in the BBC fantasy drama series Merlin. Other TV appearances include roles in Footballers' Wives, Holby City, Jekyll & Hyde and, most recently, as Police Sergeant Foley in Hugo Blick's The Shadow Line for BBC Two. Big Screen appearances include roles in An American Werewolf In London, The Last of the Mohicans, Anna Karenina and Gladiator as well as playing as Mr. Mercer in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Doctor Who Magazine reveals that Schofield will appear in episodes five and six of the new series, currently being filmed in Cardiff.

As reported last month, the episodes also feature Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams as well as comic Rufus Hound. The BBC have released a video of Hound at the script read through.

Showrunner Steven Moffat hinted to DWM that the role played by Williams is particularly significant saying she would "challenge the Doctor in very unexpected ways".

FILTER: - Production - Series 9/35

Doctor Who comes to FX India

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Worldwide have signed a deal to bring Doctor Who to the Indian channel FX.

All eight post 2005 series of the show will be screened starting 15th May 2015. The deal marks largest volume sale of the BBC series in the country. FX is owned by Star India Private Limited and is available in a million homes in the country.

Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM of BBC Worldwide in India said

This partnership marks a milestone for us. It will be the first time Whovians in India will be able to participate in the global Doctor Who phenomenon. And it is also the first time we’ve concluded a major deal with Star India.

We’ve seen an increasing interest in British drama from our partners in the last 12 months or so. Viewers now recognise the originality of British drama, and this has caused a surge in interest in our drama series like Doctor Who. We are very glad to be working with Star India to bring this very iconic series (including series 9 which is currently being filmed) to viewers in India.

A Star India spokesperson commented:

We are very excited to be bringing Doctor Who to our viewers in India. Doctor Who is distributed to over 200 territories across the world. We are very happy India will now be part of this global sensation and we’re sure that the series will resonate with our viewers.

Brian Minchin, Executive Producer, Doctor Who says:

We are delighted that Doctor Who is going to hit the screens of FX. We’re hugely proud of the show and the Doctor’s adventures in time and space. Hold on tight - there are thrills and wonders ahead! 51 years ago, the very first episode of Doctor Who was directed by Waris Hussein, born in Lucknow. I like to think we’ve finally come full circle with the new modern series launching in India on FX.

FILTER: - Broadcasting - Doctor Who - India

Interview With Ninth Doctor Comics Writer Cavan Scott

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - Reviewed by Martin Hudecek

Doctor Who News has conducted another interview with a writer for one of the Titan Comics series; this time meeting Cavan Scott - who is behind the brand new Ninth Doctor mini-series.

Scott first experienced Doctor Who during the Tom Baker era, but it was the early version of Doctor Who Magazine (when Davison's version was contemporary) that saw him become a real fan. The regular comic strip in 'Doctor Who Monthly' was pivotal in his career path of being a major contributor to the comic strip medium. He has always regarded the iconic Daleks as the best adversary to the Doctor but also rates the Zygons (who have appeared both in the classic series, as well as the anniversary special 'The Day Of The Doctor').

Scott was already producing Adventure Time strips for Titan, when the new Doctor Who licence was granted to the company. He then approached editor Andrew James, who had read the reference book 'Who-ology' (co-written by Mark Wright and Cavan).

I asked what he regarded the Ninth Doctor's greatest strengths and weaknesses:

Enthusiasm, Renewed hope. Straight-talking.

His temper. Intolerance, at times. [Flirting with ] women.

Other discussion centred on just how pleasing the hit success of Doctor Who in 2005 was.

One of the best moments of 2005 was doing a signing and seeing so many children at the event. Finally, Doctor Who was back and where it belonged - in the heart of families!

We also talked about the Ninth Doctor/ Rose/ Captain Jack dynamic that is a major focus point in the mini series, and how plot and character motivations were connected with the Time War and the universe now bereft of any Time Lords (barring of course the Doctor and the 'hidden' Master).

Scott also stated how he sees both fiction and non-fiction as story-telling processes that should somehow 'hook' the reader or viewer, and how the diversity in his projects keeps his creative energies going.

When asked about other programs he rates highly, he mentioned 'Star Trek', 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel'. Ultimately though Doctor Who was the standout for its 'infinitely flexible' premise and scope.

Cavan Scott's Ninth Doctor mini-series has already seen release with Issue 1 available online or at all good comic book stores and newsagents.

Full Interview

FILTER: - Comics

Radio Times Nominated for Cover of the Year

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Radio Times (23-29 Aug 2014) (Credit: Radio Times)

The Radio Times cover, from the issue which announced the arrival of Peter Capaldi as The Doctor, has been nominated as the Cover of the Year by the PPA.

The Professional Publishers Association have listed the cover as one of ten nominated for the award. Radio Times was nominated last year for the cover celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, but lost out to Metal Hammer when the results were announced.

This year Radio Times faces competition from The Big Issue, Crumbs, GQ, ShortList, Country Life, Elle, n, Red and Time Out.

Voting can be done via the PPA website.

The winner will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London's Mayfair on the evening of Thursday, July 9.

FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Radio Times

Rare Lalla Ward interview Recovered

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

A rare interview with a very young Lalla Ward has been released on YouTube.

Ward was just fourteen when she was featured on the BBC Arts programme A Whole Scene Going. First shown on the 9th March 1966, the film looks at the work of the young poet and artist. The item was directed by John Crome who uploaded the feature, which is missing from the BBC archives, to his YouTube Channel

Ward would go on to play the fourth Doctor's companion Romana from 1979 to 1981

Lalla Ward interview 9 March 1966 (YouTube)

FILTER: - People

Doctor Who wins BAFTA

Sunday, 26 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who has won the British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Special, Visual & Graphic Effects in 2015

The award goes to Milk VFX, Real SFX and BBC Wales VFX for their work on the 2014 series.

It is the second year running Doctor Who has won this award, this year beating the nominees for Atlantis, David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D, and Ripper Street.

Danny Hargreaves of RealSFX tweeted

We did it !!!!!@BAFTA What a great team we make #DoctorWho @realsfx @MilkVFX @Millennium_FX and the BBC VFX team

The winners were announced Sunday evening at the Brewery in East London.

2015 TV Craft Awards: Special Visual Graphic FX Winner (YouTube)

FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Doctor Who - Series 8/34

Doctor Who: Legacy Update

Sunday, 26 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studio have launched the next section of Chapter 4 of their story.

Chapter 4 adds a number of beloved characters to Doctor Who: Legacy including Donna Noble, Professor River Song, Jackson Lake, Polly Wright, Reinette (Madame de Pompadour) and more to be announced soon including several classic companion favourites.

This is the beginning of what will be a weekly roll-out of new story, much like the episodic nature of the television series.

The Legacy team have been joined by a new designer at Seed Studio, Kuenda Lee.

I am the new designer of Doctor Who: Legacy. The past 3 months have been crazy -- you would know what I mean if you're making a Doctor Who game. In the next few months, we'll be releasing new episodes on a more frequent basis. I wish I could tell you how exciting the new episodes are, but that would be SPOILERS!

Doctor Who: Legacy (Credit: Tiny Rebel Games)

FILTER: - Games

London Marathon Runners

Saturday, 25 April 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Tomorrow is the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon and some faces from the world of Doctor Who will be taking on the challenge. Jonathan Bailey, Mark Lewis Jones, Greg James and Lindsey Russell (current presenter of Blue Peter) will run the 26.2 miles for their chosen charities.

Details below on how to donate:

Jonathan Bailey - MND Scotland (fundrasing page)
Mark Lewis Jones - Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research (donation page)
Greg James - Lord's Taverners (fundrasing page)
Lindsey Russell - Children in Need (donation page)

You can follow the marathon across the BBC from 8.30 tomorrow.

FILTER: - Charities - People

Moffat talks Turkey

Saturday, 25 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has given an exclusive video interview to YouTube channel Brilloxians, which just happens to be run by his son Louis.

In the chat Moffat explains why he left twitter, what he most likes in a sandwich and how Mark Gatiss manipulates him with Maltesers.

Steven Moffat Interview (Feat Sue Vertue) (YouTube)

FILTER: - Steven Moffat

Series 8 Soundtrack: track listings / competition

Friday, 24 April 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Silva Screen have now updated us with the complete track listings and lengths for the forthcoming soundtrack release of the music from Series Eight:

DISC ONE

Doctor Who Theme (Series 8) (1:15)

Deep Breath
A Good Man? (Twelve’s Theme) (7:34)
Something It Ate (2:38)
Concussed (3:27)
It’s Still Him (2:00)
Pudding Brains (5:30)
Breath (4:45)
Hello Hello (3:17)
A Drink First (2:00)
Missy’s Theme (1:38)

Into The Dalek
Aristotle, We Have Been Hit (0:55)
We’re Still Going To Kill You (3:55)
Tell Me, Am I A Good Man? (4:00)
What Difference A Good Dalek? (3:30)
The Truth About The Daleks (2:06)

Robot Of Sherwood
Old Fashioned Hero (2:15)
This Is My Spoon (2:05)
Robert, Earl of Loxley (2:00)
The Legend of Robin Hood (2:18)
Robin of Sherwood (3:10)
The Golden Arrow (1:45)

Listen
Listen (2:25)
Rupert Pink (3:56)
Fear (2:52)

DISC TWO

Time Heist

The Architect (1:25)
Rob The Bank (0:50)
Account Closed (2:05)
Open Up

The Caretaker
The Caretaker (5:18)

Kill The Moon
Are You Going To Shoot Me? (1:57(
When I Say Run (1:44)
That Is The Moon (2:00)

Mummy On The Orient Express
Start The Clock (1:32)
There’s That Smile (2:25)
The Sarcophagus Opens (3:57)
The Artefact (2:05)
Study Our Own Demise (2:15)

Flatline
Not Knowing (3:02(
Siege Mode (1:23)

In The Forest Of The Night
In The Woods (2:21)
We Weren’t Asleep That Long (1:00)
Forgetting (1:45)
The Song of Danny and Clara (2:43)

Dark Water

Throw Away The Key (4:13)
Browsing (2:24)
They Walk Among Us (2:20)

Death In Heaven
There is No Clara Oswald (0:57)
Missy And Her Boys (1:17)
A Good Man, An Incredible Liar (1:39)
Freefall (1:44)
I Need To Know (5:01)
Missy's Theme - Extended (2:08)
Missy's Gift (2:04)
(The Majestic Tale of) An Idiot With a Box (2:19)

DISC THREE

Last Christmas

3 Perfectly Ordinary Roof People (4:19)
Do You Really Believe In Santa? (1:00)
Unsealing the Infirmary (2:50)
Ghosts (1:50)
What Seems to be the Problem? (1:06)
We Don’t Know What’s Real (2:36)
Thinking About It (1:16)
Clara’s Dream Christmas (3:57)
The Doctor’s Dream Christmas (5:42)
Dreams Within Dreams (4:55)
Believe in Santa (1:30)
Sleigh Ride (2:48)
A Reunion (3:15)
Every Christmas is Last Christmas (3:50)

The CD set is now available to pre-order from our Amazon Shops in the United Kingdom (released 18th May), and in North America (released 26th May).

Series 8: Packshot (Credit: Silva Screen)

Doctor Who: Series 8 (Credit: Silva Screen)

Competition

Thanks to Silva Screen we have five copies of the CD collection up for grabs. In order to be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question:

Unfortunately the "live" song featured in Mummy on the Orient Express was unable to be included in this release - but who was the singer and which song was performed in the episode?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-silvascreen@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Fierce!". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 18th May 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Competitions - Murray Gold - Music - Series 8/34

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