Canada Ratings

Wednesday, 5 November 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Bellmedia PR have released a statement over how the new series of Doctor Who has been received in Canada.
SPACE Logo (Credit: SPACE)
Season 8 of DOCTOR WHO is the Most-Watched Series in Space History and Saturday Night’s Most-Watched Series

Just days shy of the Season 8 finale of DOCTOR WHO, Space confirms its #1 series of all time has hit epic proportions this season. Now averaging 773,000 viewers for Peter Capaldi’s debut season as the Twelfth Time Lord, Season 8 of DOCTOR WHO is the most-watched season of the program to date, up nearly 25% compared to Season 7 and ranking as the #1 TV series on Canadian specialty television. In fact, DOCTOR WHO is the most-watched television program on Saturday nights in Canada during its 9 p.m. ET timeslot among total viewers and all key demos.




FILTER: - Canada - Press - Ratings

November Audio Releases

Wednesday, 5 November 2014 - Reported by Harry Ward
193. Masters Of Earth (Credit: Big Finish)Masters Of Earth available to pre-order (UK), (US), (DE)
Starring Colin Baker as The Doctor, with Nicola Bryant as Peri

The year is 2163. Ten years since the Daleks invaded the Earth. One year until the Doctor, in his first incarnation, will help bring the occupation to an end. But for now, their reign of terror goes on.

The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Peri to Scotland – enslaved, like everywhere else on the planet. But there are rumours of Dalek-free islands off its coast. Places where resistors and refuseniks are coming together, gathering arms and armour, preparing to strike back against the enemy.

When the Doctor falls in with an unlikely group of freedom fighters making that dangerous journey to Orkney, he finds himself trapped – but not only by the Daleks, their robotised henchmen and their human collaborators.

By history.

Because history shows that for another year, resistance is useless...

The rebellion must fail – and as a Time Lord, the Doctor can do nothing to help

Writer Mark Wright says:
The setting came out of discussions between myself, Cav and Alan Barnes to see what would be suitable as a setting for a desolate road movie on Dalek occupied Earth. There was a notion at one point that we might go for an Australian setting, but I argued that we were more likely to find an ensemble of Scottish actors closer to home than we were Australian.
Co-Writer Cavan Scot says:
Writing for the Daleks, well, it’s the dream of every Doctor Who writer isn’t it? And set during one of my favourite Who stories too. The Daleks of Invasion are basic, and I’m not being derogatory there. Perhaps a better way of saying it is that they’re ‘pure’ Daleks. They exist to conquer and kill. When writing Masters of Earth we kept pulling out lines and concepts that were too 21st century Who, to try and make sure we kept the Daleks close to their roots.
The Early Adventures 1.3. The Bounty of Ceres (Credit: Big Finish)The Bounty of Ceres available to pre-order (UK), (US), (DE)
Starring Maureen O’Brien as Vicki/Narrator, Peter Purves as Steven/Narrator with Richard Hope as Moreland.

Ceres. A tiny, unforgiving ball of ice and rock hanging between Mars and Jupiter. It’s no place to live, and it takes a special kind of person to work there.

The crew of the Cobalt Corporation mining base know exactly how deadly the world outside their complex is, but the danger isn’t just outside anymore. The systems they rely on to keep them safe are failing and the planet is breaking in.

When the TARDIS strands Steven, Vicki and the Doctor on the base, they have to fight a foe they can barely comprehend to survive.

Writer Ian Potter says:
I’d enjoyed the way Simon Guerrier had explored Steven’s astronaut background in his Companion Chronicle and fancied doing something a little similar. That lead me to coming up with quite a ‘nuts and bolts’ near future SF story, in a sort of Arthur C Clarke-style (funnily enough that still makes it a historical adventure for Steven and Vicki) and it built from there.
Dark Eyes 3 (Credit: Big Finish)Dark Eyes 3 available to pre-order (UK), (US), (DE)
Starring Paul McGann as The Doctor with Ruth Bradley as Molly O'Sullivan, Nicola Walker as Liv Chenka, Natalie Burt as Dr Sally Armstrong and Alex Macqueen as The Master.

"Molly O'Sullivan? Hello you."

In his quest for universal domination, the Master plans to exploit the terrifying Infinite Warriors of the mysterious Eminence. The Doctor's friend, Molly, is key to that plan's execution, and now, aided by corrupted genius Sally Armstrong, the Master is close to success.

Paranoid and perplexed after his recent experience, the Doctor skirts the fringes of the fifty-year conflict between humanity and the Infinite Armies. Wary of changing the course of history, he fears that to fight the Eminence would be to do the Daleks' bidding. But when Time Lord CIA agent Narvin provides the impetus for the Doctor to act, Liv Chenka joins him in a desperate race to save their friend and stop the Master.

As the Doctor goes head to head with his oldest and deadliest rival, this war is about to get very personal indeed...

Writer Ian Potter says:
After the release of Dark Eyes, I had a meeting with Nick and Alan Barnes, ahead of Dark Eyes 2, and had some ideas about where we would end up in Dark Eyes 4, so there was a plan to work towards with regards to the Doctor and the Dalek Time Controller – and the Master and the Eminence. When Nick passed Dark Eyes 3 on to Ken Bentley to direct, and to David on the production side, I’d already decided to do a series that was Dalek-free for a change, and David came with a a brief saying, ‘Let’s make it the Doctor versus the Master,’ and I loved that, so ran with it.
Doctor Who: The Blood Cell (Credit: BBC Worldwide)The Blood Cell available to pre-order (UK), (DE)
Read by Colin McFarlane

An asteroid in the furthest reaches of space – the most secure prison for the most dangerous of criminals. The Governor is responsible for the cruellest murderers so he’s not impressed by the arrival of the man they’re calling the most dangerous criminal in the quadrant. Or, as he prefers to be known, the Doctor.

But when the new prisoner immediately sets about trying to escape, and keeps trying, the Governor sets out to find out why.

Who is the Doctor and what’s he really doing here? And who is the young woman who comes every day to visit him, only to be turned away by the guards?

When the killing finally starts, the Governor begins to get his answers...

Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters (Credit: BBC)Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters available to pre-order (UK), (DE)
Read by Katy Manning

The Doctor and Jo land on a cargo ship crossing the Indian Ocean in the year 1926. Or so they think. Far away on a planet called Inter Minor, a travelling showman is setting up his live peepshow, watched by an eager audience of space officials. On board ship, a giant hand suddenly appears, grasps the TARDIS and withdraws. Without warning, a prehistoric monster rises from the sea to attack...

What is happening? Where are they? Only the Doctor realises, with horror, that they might be trapped...





FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish

Doctor Who nominated in People's Choice Awards 2015

Wednesday, 5 November 2014 - Reported by Alex F
Listen (Credit: BBC,  Ray Burmistan) Doctor Who has been nominated in the 2015 People's Choice Awards in the U.S.

The nominees were announced on Nov. 4 at a media event at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Doctor Who was named to the Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show category following an initial round of online voting. Fans are now invited to cast votes for this and many other TV, film and music categories in advance of the awards being presented during a live broadcast on CBS on Jan. 7, 2015.

Competition for Doctor Who in the category consists of American Horror Story, Game of Thrones, Outlander (based upon a series of novels whose creator has credited companion Jamie McCrimmon as an inspiration and which is reportedly to feature Frazer Hines in a guest role), and The Walking Dead. Last year, the category incorporated both network and cable series and was won by Beauty and the Beast. Doctor Who was previously nominated in similar categories for the 2008 and 2013 editions, but did not win (it was beaten by Stargate Atlantis in 2008 and Supernatural in 2013). This year, the award was split into network and cable categories (with Beauty and the Beast nominated in the network category). Appropriately, Doctor Who's nomination was announced by Karen Gillan's Selfie co-star, John Cho. (Selfie, which co-stars David Harewood, is also nominated in the Favorite New TV Comedy category.)

The original round of elimination voting had included Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman shortlisted for acting categories, but they did not make it through to the final round. David Tennant, however, received a nomination for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series for his work on Gracepoint.

Fans can cast their votes online by going to PeoplesChoice.com.




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Doctor Who

Doctor Who Adventures 358

Wednesday, 5 November 2014 - Reported by Harry Ward
Doctor Who Adventures 358 (Credit: Immediate Media Co) This week's issue of Doctor Who Adventures begins the countdown to Christmas with a free advent calendar full of mini monster figures.

Also this issue:
  • A sneak preview of the final Doctor Who episode and a round-up of the series so far.
  • The Alien Babies take a day trip to the moon.
  • There’s a spooky comic strip for the Doctor and Clara called Witch Work written by former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel.
  • Check out our guide to the Cybermen – you’ll need it because they’re everywhere in the final episode of Doctor Who!
  • Monsters pair up for Strictly Monsters Dancing! Discover which pairing are the winners. The judges are harsh.
  • Cut out a Cyberman mask.
  • Go behind the scenes on this year’s Dalek episode.
  • More fact figures to cut out and keep.
  • Mega prizes, puzzles and four posters! Win the Series 8 box set and an iPad.

The new issue of Doctor Who Adventures, Issue 358, is on sale for four weeks from 5 November – 2 December, priced £4.99




FILTER: - DWA

BBC responds to Dark Water storyline complaints

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 - Reported by Harry Ward
The BBC Complaints department have issued a response to complaints about the storyline in Dark Water which involved themes that some viewers found disturbing.

The following text contains plot details from Dark Water.
BBC One logo Doctor Who, BBC One, 01 November 2014

Complaint:

We received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy with a storyline about death and cremation.


BBC Response:

Doctor Who is a family drama with a long tradition of tackling some of the more fundamental questions about life and death. We were mindful of the themes explored in ‘Dark Water' and are confident that they are appropriate in the context of the heightened sci-fi world of the show.

The scene in which a character reveals 3W's unconventional theory about the afterlife was preceded by the same character warning the Doctor and Clara several times that what they were about to hear could be distressing. When the Doctor does hear these claims, he immediately pours scorn on them, dismissing them out of hand as a "con" and a "racket". It transpires that he is correct, and the entire concept is revealed to be a scam perpetrated by Missy.




FILTER: - BBC - Series 8/34

The Essential Doctor Who - Alien Worlds

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 - Reported by Harry Ward
The latest in Doctor Who Magazine's special bookazine releases, The Essential Doctor Who, is on sale now at WH Smiths and all good newsagents, priced at £9.99.
The Essential Doctor Who - Alien Worlds (Credit: Panini UK) Issue 3 of The Essential Doctor Who comprises 116 pages of all-new material devoted to the numerous planets we have seen the Doctor visit. This comprehensive guide begins at Alfava Metraxis and ends at Zolfa-Thura. In between are entries on such significant locations as Karn and obscurities such as Tigus.

As well as this exhaustive encyclopedia, Alien Worlds includes an introductory overview by Toby Hadoke, an article by the Public Astronomer Dr Marek Kukula, a feature by Mark Wright on the history of Doctor Who production design and an interview with the lead writer and editors of Doctor Who Magazine’s comic strip. Other highlights include maps of Marinus, Dulkis and Spiridon by illustrator Paul Smith.

“Alien Worlds is a departure from the style of earlier issues,” says editor Marcus Hearn. “The encyclopaedic format has enabled us to cover everything from 1963 to 2014, and to harmonise the sometimes complicated histories of worlds such as Skaro, Trenzalore and the Moon. We’ve packed in a huge amount of information, but designer Peri Godbold has ensured that each page looks beautiful.”




FILTER: - DWM - Magazines

New Comic Adventures for Ninth Doctor

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 - Reported by Ben Morton
Titan ComicsThe Ninth Doctor played by Christopher Eccleston is to return in a brand new comic series by Titan, due to hit the book shelves next March.

The five-part mini-series will mark the tenth anniversary of Doctor Who coming back to television. This will be the fourth Doctor Titan have published comics for. The writer of the comic series is Cavan Scott who previously co-wrote Who-ology and Wit, Wisdom and Timey Wimey Stuff.

Cavan Scott has confirmed the comic series is to take place after Rose and feature Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). The first issue is to be released in February.

Yes, I’m writing a Ninth Doctor Doctor Who comic book series for Titan Comics! There’s not much more I can say at the moment, other than the fact that I am very, very excited.




FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor

The Tenth Doctor #4

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 - Reported by Harry Ward
Titan Comics have released details for the next instalment of their Tenth Doctor series. The Tenth Doctor #4 will be available from all good comic book stores across the US from 5 November or can be purchased digitally from comiXology (UK) / (US).
Cover A: Art cover by Verity Glass (Credit: Titan Comics)

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor #4
Written by Nick Abadzis
Artist: Elena Casagrande
Colorist: Arianna Florean
Publisher: Titan Comics
Release Date: November 5, 2014
In exchange for the invaluable assistance she offered defending New York – and to say sorry for dropping into her life like a tornado! – the Doctor has promised Gabby one trip – just one trip! – in the TARDIS.

With the whole universe laid before her, all of time and space, where will Gabriella Gonzalez choose to go? What will they find when they get there… and can one trip in the TARDIS ever be enough?

More importantly, the Tenth Doctor has been hurt by the fate of his companions before – and recently! With Donna still fresh in his mind, can Gabby convince him that he shouldn’t travel alone, for just a little while longer?

Nick Abadzis and Elena Casagrande take the new Tenth Doctor era to the next level!

Plus: every packed issue includes bonus humor strip content!

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor #4 comes with three covers to collect:

- Cover A: Art cover by Verity Glass

- Cover B: Photo cover

- Cover C: Art cover by series artist Elena Casagrande

For more information visit: titan-comics.com/c/110-doctor-who-the-tenth-doctor




Cover B: Photo cover (Credit: Titan Comics)Cover C: Art cover by series artist Elena Casagrande (Credit: Titan Comics)Preview panel (Credit: Titan Comics)Preview panel (Credit: Titan Comics)Preview panel (Credit: Titan Comics)Credits (Credit: Titan Comics)




FILTER: - Comics - Tenth Doctor

Death in Heaven - New Pictures

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 - Reported by Marcus
New pictures have been released from the 2014 Doctor Who season finale Death in Heaven.

With Cybermen on the streets of London, old friends unite against old enemies and the Doctor takes to the air in a startling new role.

Can the mighty UNIT contain Missy? As the Doctor faces his greatest challenge, sacrifices must be made before the day is won.
Death in Heaven (Credit: Adrian Rogers; Steve Brown; Lee Binding, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), and Osgood (Ingrid Oliver) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in heaven, Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and Osgood (Ingrid Oliver) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven, Cybermen (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven (Credit: Jack Barnes, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven,  Colonel Ahmed (Sanjeev Bhaskar) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Missy (Michelle Gomez) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014) Death in Heaven, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014)Death in Heaven,  Missy (Michelle Gomez) and Cybermen (Credit: Adrian Rogers, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE 2014)




FILTER: - Press - Series 8/34

Death In Heaven comes to Bletchley Park

Monday, 3 November 2014 - Reported by Ben Morton
Bletchley Park, home to Second World War codebreakers, is to screen Peter Capaldi’s series finale Death In Heaven at a film event this Saturday (8th November).

The event at Bletchley Park called Station X is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust and funded by the BFI with 14 classic Sci-Fi films being shown around the venue.

Bletchley Park is based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and is home to the National Museum of Computing.

Tickets for Station X are now on sale through Eventbrite.




FILTER: - Series 8/34 - Special Events