Radio Times at Christmas

Tuesday, 9 December 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Radio Times (13-19 Dec 2014) (Credit: Radio Times)Doctor Who on Christmas Day is now a firm tradition on British television, and the Radio Times has been there each year to celebrate with the Doctor; 2014 will be no exception as the 13th-19th December issue's front cover features the tenth festive adventure for the Doctor, Last Christmas.

This issue features an interview with guest star Nick Frost, during which he discusses the iconic character he brings to life in the episode:
My Santa is cross, mean and curt as well as cheery and funny. He's got a little bit of Robert De Niro in Mean Streets. And he has history with the Doctor: it's not talked about explicitly but they have a beef with each other from way back.
He also is very supportive of the show's writer:
Steven Moffat is a very clever man - taking Doctor Who somewhere completely different isn't easy. And he was happy to allow me to improvise on set and push things out a bit.
Moffat himself comments on the Doctor's latest encounter and his performer:
It does look like the most insane moment when Santa turns up, but we haven't gone off our rockers. No, Santa is written in properly, in a science-fiction way, into Doctor Who. I've always had a very clear impression of Santa, but when we got Nick Frost, well, first of all how perfect is his name! Nicholas Frost. It's the nom de plume that Santa Claus would use, isn't it? Nick is ideal. He's what Santa should be in Doctor Who land.

Radio Times (20 Dec 2014 - 2 Jan 2015) (Credit: Radio Times/Judith Kerr)Meanwhile, the magazines 'legendary' double issue features an interview with the Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, who reflects on his first series and the attention it has brought:
What’s now shocking is I can’t say anything publicly without it having a life. Not because I have extraordinary views but because people are keen on conflict, so they’ll make that the story. They love to make out that Steven Moffat and I have disagreements. But that’s business as usual. It made me realise how awful it must be to be a politician. I’m a lot more sympathetic to Malcolm Tucker’s views now.
He also comments on the whirlwind World Tour that preceeded the series' broadcast:
That was extraordinary. People tell you the show’s successful abroad but until you actually see it, you don’t realise. You’re effectively joining a boy band or the Beatles. You arrive at the airport and there are packs of people screaming and holding up pictures of you. We’d do press events all day and then in the evening a public screening and Q&A, and people went bananas. In South Korea the venue seated 1,500 people, and 50,000 people applied for tickets. I was benefitting from Chris Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith making the show so beloved – I swept in on their coat-tails and got all the adoration and BA first-class treatment.

The full interviews can be found in their respective editions of the Radio Times, with the 13th-19th December issue in the shops now and the double issue covering 20th December - 2nd January due out tomorrow.

Christmas Covers in Previous Years

2005 (The Christmas Invasion)2006 (The Runaway Bride)2007 (Voyage of the Damned)2008 (The Next Doctor)2009 (The End of Time)2009 (Christmas Issue)2010 (A Christmas Carol)2011 (The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe)2012 (The Snowmen)2013 (Time of the Doctor)




FILTER: - Peter Capaldi - Radio Times - Series Specials - Steven Moffat

Advent Calendar - Day Nine

Tuesday, 9 December 2014 - Reported by Willy Phantom


Scary knight, robot knight,
Laser's armed, firing bright...







FILTER: - Advent

Lethbridge-Stewart novel series announced

Monday, 8 December 2014 - Reported by Josiah Rowe
Candy Jar Books has announced a new series of novels featuring Colonel Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Created by writers Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln and played by Nicholas Courtney, Lethbridge-Stewart first appeared in the 1968 serial The Web of Fear. He subsequently became a major recurring character in the classic series, appearing on television with six Doctors and returning decades later in The Sarah Jane Adventures. (Including appearances in books, audios and comics, Lethbridge-Stewart has appeared with ten Doctors in authorised Doctor Who stories.) The character was referred to in several 21st-century episodes of Doctor Who before Nicholas Courtney's death in 2011; the Doctor learned of Lethbridge-Stewart's demise in the 2011 episode The Wedding of River Song, and a version of the character appeared in this year's Death in Heaven.

The new novel series will feature the young Lethbridge-Stewart, and will be set shortly after the events of The Web of Fear. The novels, which will be released quarterly, are:
  • The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen
  • Horror of Det-Sen by Lance Parkin
  • The Schizoid Earth by David A McIntee
  • Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters

The novels are fully licensed by the executor of the Haisman Literary Estate, Mervyn Haisman’s granddaughter Hannah Haisman, and endorsed by Henry Lincoln. The first novel will be released on February 22, 2015, four years after the death of Nicholas Courtney.

Lethbridge-Stewart Coming Soon banner (Credit: Candy Jar Books) Lethbridge-Stewart: The Forgotten Son cover (Credit: Candy Jar Books)
The series can be ordered from Candy Jar Books here. The full press release from the publisher can be found below:
Available from People’s Book Prize winning publisher, Candy Jar Books, Lethbridge-Stewart is a new series of novels revealing the untold story of Colonel Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart set shortly after the 1968 serial, The Web of Fear, fully licensed by the Executor of the Haisman Literary Estate, Mervyn Haisman’s granddaughter Hannah Haisman, and endorsed by Henry Lincoln.

The first series consists of The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen, Horror of Det-Sen by Lance Parkin, The Schizoid Earth by David A McIntee and Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters.

Brigadier Sir Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart has been an essential element of Doctor Who since 1968. He was created by authors Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln for the six-part Doctor Who serial, The Web of Fear. A one-off character. Until over a year later when he was brought back to Doctor Who, promoted to Brigadier and the head of UNIT. Forty-six years on and the Brigadier has become one of the most iconic characters in Doctor Who, having appeared with ten different Doctors in countless TV episodes, books, audio dramas and comic strips! The character’s death was acknowledged in the 2012 Doctor Who series starring Matt Smith, and was resurrected briefly in the 2014 series finale starring Peter Capaldi. On TV the character’s story is over, but there is so much more to tell.

Andy Frankham-Allen has been a Doctor Who fan since his childhood and serves as line editor for the series, as well as penning the opening novel. Andy is the former line editor of Untreed Reads Publishing’s series Space: 1889 & Beyond, and has penned several Doctor Who Short Trip stories for Big Finish and Candy Jar’s very own celebration of Doctor Who, Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants. He said: “It's an insane privilege and responsibility to put this series together, to reveal the real story behind such a legend of Doctor Who.”

Lance Parkin has written over twenty books and audio dramas for Doctor Who since 1996, including the 35th Anniversary novel, The Infinity Doctors, and the 2008 Tenth Doctor novel, The Eyeless. He also worked on British soap Emmerdale and wrote Magic Words, the definitive biography of Alan Moore. Lance said: “Lethbridge-Stewart was always a steady presence in the Doctor's life. Even in The Web of Fear, he instinctively trusted the Doctor from almost the moment he met him. I wrote for the character in The Dying Days, and that was the version of the Brigadier we all think of now, I think, an old soldier, semi-retired, seen it all. It's been interesting writing for a younger, hungrier Lethbridge-Stewart – not even a Brigadier at this point in his life. It's also been nice writing a story that's set in the aftermath of The Web of Fear, with Lethbridge-Stewart only just starting to realise that the Earth's facing a whole new type of enemy."

David A McIntee has written novels for Star Trek, Final Destination and Space: 1999 and over fifteen books and audio dramas for Doctor Who since 1993, including the Brigadier-centric novel, The Face of the Enemy. David said: “To be honest it (the series) is something I'm amazed hasn't been done before – it’s just such a natural and obvious thing. The form it's taking is also cool because it has the flexibility to move between styles and genres – thriller, SF, horror, etc – while maintaining a definite identity. As for the Brig himself, he's one of those characters where the casting was so perfect that it just made the character so memorable, and who (usually) feels so right.”

Nick Walters has written five novels for Doctor Who since 1998. Nick said: “After the Doctor himself the Brigadier is the best-loved character in Doctor Who. I met Nick Courtney a number of times and he really is a splendid fellow. He brought a real humanity and vulnerability to the role without compromising the essential toughness of the character. Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is the chap you'd want on your side in a fight – any fight – and it is a real privilege to be exploring what made him into the character we came to know and love.”

Simon Williams, the man behind the cover art, is a former artist for Marvel UK having drawn for The Transformers, The Hulk, Spider-Man and Death’s Head. Simon said: “I’ve always been a big fan of Doctor Who and the Brigadier and having the opportunity to draw this iconic character is a huge privilege.”

Hannah Haisman said: “This project has been a long-time coming. I had to be certain that I was entrusting my grandfather’s legacy to a publisher and authors who would respect what he created. Candy Jar and Andy have assembled a team that are sympathetic to the Brigadier, and these are very exciting times that we can all be proud of.”

Doctor Who first appeared on our screens in 1963, running for twenty-six years until 1989. It was then re-launched in 2005 attracting old fans and new. Doctor Who is now one of the most prestigious shows on British television, loved and watched by millions, and the character of the Brigadier has been an essential part of that institution for forty-six years.

Lethbridge-Stewart will be launched on 22nd February 2015, the fourth anniversary of Nicholas Courtney’s death, the actor behind the Brigadier. The first series of novels will be released one book per quarter throughout 2015.

Also available as part of a bundle:
Bundle 1 (Get all four as they are released)
For the reduced price of £35 you can receive all four Lethbridge-Stewart books before general release.

The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen
Horror of Det-Sen by Lance Parkin
The Schizoid Earth by David A. McIntee
Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters

Bundle 2 (Get Companions now)
Pre-order Lethbridge-Stewart: The Forgotten Son and get Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants for just £6 straight away.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Nicholas Courtney

MediaGuardian 100

Monday, 8 December 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat continues his steady rise up through the ranks of the Media Guardian's top 100 most powerful people in UK Media.

The writer and producer comes in at number 84 in this years chart, a rise of three places from the 2013 list. Moffat entered the chart in 2011 as number 92.

The list, which has been running since 2001, attempts to quantify the people with the most influence over the British media and is complied by a team of judges drawn from across the industry.
The debate is not whether Moffat warrants inclusion, but which of his BBC1 shows is more important. Doctor Who wins in terms of sheer volume, plus there was the 50th anniversary special and Peter Capaldi’s debut in the lead role. But it was Sherlock (reinvented by Moffat with Mark Gatiss) that won a hat-trick of Emmys, and it is hard even for a time lord to outshine the star power of its leads, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Not only are they two of BBC1’s most important dramas, they are also among the biggest earners of the corporation’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.
Other BBC personnel listed include the current controller of BBC Drama commissioning Ben Stephenson at number 71, controller of BBC One, Charlotte Moore, at number 25, and the Director of BBC Television, Danny Cohen at number 12. The current Chief Executive of the BBC, Director General Tony Hall was the top British listing coming in an number 4 while the new head of the BBC Trust, the governing body of the BBC, Rona Fairhead, was number 17.

The head of the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, Tim Davie, and the man ultimately responsible for selling Doctor Who around the world, was number 42.

The most influential actress is deemed to be Sheridan Smith at number 62. The former Big Finish actress was lauded for he role playing Cilla Black in the recent ITV biopic.

The top three places in the list were taken by the heads of Google, Facebook and Apple respectively.




FILTER: - People

Last Christmas - Transmission times

Monday, 8 December 2014 - Reported by Marcus
ABC Australia has confirmed the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, Last Christmas, will be broadcast on ABC 1 on Friday 26th December at 7.30pm

Transmission times have now been confirmed for the UK, Christmas Day at 6,15pm, the USA and Canada, Christmas Day at 9pm ET and Germany, Christmas Day at 9.30pm

Other broadcasts follow during the week with full details listed here.




FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Canada - UK - USA

Advent Calendar - Day Eight

Monday, 8 December 2014 - Reported by Willy Phantom


Looks like that trifle is going to be gone soon,

The Doctor has arrived and he's brought along his spoon.







FILTER: - Advent

Advent Calendar - Day Seven

Sunday, 7 December 2014 - Reported by Willy Phantom


The idea of a good Dalek may be considered shocking,

Especially when one decides to hang up a Christmas stocking.





FILTER: - Advent

Doctor Who Adventures Magazine 359

Saturday, 6 December 2014 - Reported by Marcus
This month in BBC Doctor Who Adventures you’ll find the first pictures from the Christmas episode plus an exclusive interview with actress Jenna Coleman who talks about the upcoming episode.
It’s about what’s real and what isn’t and about dreams. And Father Christmas is in it – with elves! It’s not your traditional Christmas but there are definitely some traditional elements in there.
Coleman also tells what she likes about Christmas Day, the first Christmas she remembers and what present she thinks the Doctor would get her.
A mask – because he’s always commenting how she looks tired. A mask with his own face on it probably!
The issue comes with a free monster kit, which includes four characters to build.

Plus
  • 25 awesome facts for every day until Christmas.
  • What would the Doctor’s enemies get him for Christmas?
  • A seasonal adventure for the Doctor and Clara in an exciting comic strip.
  • Race Against Time with a cool board game.
  • Cut out a scary Snowman mask!
  • Read a guide to Christmas monster invasions.
  • Make Monster gift tags for your presents.
  • Read a festive behind-the-scenes feature.
  • Mega prize page, puzzles and four posters – including a stunning image from the Christmas special. You can win the Complete David Tennant years and loads of Doctor Who books, too.
The new Christmas issue of BBC Doctor Who Adventures, Issue 359, is on sale for four weeks from 3 – 30 December, priced £3.99.




FILTER: - DWA

Advent Calendar - Day Six

Saturday, 6 December 2014 - Reported by Willy Phantom


Clara hopes to find a soldier underneath her Christmas tree,
Let's hope it's Danny Pink and not the one we see!





FILTER: - Advent

Last Christmas - New Pictures

Saturday, 6 December 2014 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released new pictures from this year's Christmas special, Last Christmas.

The story can be seen on BBC One at 6.15pm on Christmas Day, followed by screenings around the world.

Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Santa Claus (NICK FROST) (Credit: BBC / David Venni) Santa Claus (NICK FROST) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Wolf (NATHAN McMULLEN), Ian (DAN STARKEY) (Credit: BBC / David Venni)
Santa Claus (NICK FROST) (Credit: BBC / David Venni) Clara (JENNA COLEMAN) (Credit: BBC / David Venni) Wolf (NATHAN McMULLEN), Ian (DAN STARKEY) (Credit: BBC / David Venni) Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / David Venni) Santa Claus (NICK FROST), Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Santa Claus (NICK FROST), Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Santa Claus (NICK FROST) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Wolf (NATHAN McMULLEN), Ian (DAN STARKEY) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers)
Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Bellows (Maureen Beattie) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Clara (JENNA COLEMAN) (Credit: BBC / David Venni)
Bellows (Maureen Beattie) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Ashley (NATALIE GUMEDE) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Shona (FAYE MARSAY) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Professor Albert (MICHAEL TROUGHTON)
Professor Albert (MICHAEL TROUGHTON) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers)Clara (JENNA COLEMAN) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers) Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Adrian Rogers)




FILTER: - Series Specials