Eighth Doctor Paul McGann has teamed up with his brother, writer Mark McGann, to embark on a short film project based on Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s poem ‘Perplexed Music’.

McGann is to be directed by his brother in the film about the cycle of devoted love, loss and rebirth. It is hoped that the project, which is being funded by a Kickstarter campaign, will be filmed in the Spring of 2017 at various locations in Wiltshire, Cornwall and Somerset.

Mark McGann started writing the screenplay for Perplexed Music after being inspired by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s poem of the same name. It will explore the temporary madness, isolation, catharsis and new beginning experienced by a middle-aged man, played by Paul, as he battles for reason, stability and the strength to continue on his journey without his life companion.

Mark McGann said Speaking of the project Paul McGann said More details about the film can be found on Facebook or on the project's Kickstarter page. An interview with Mark McGann talking about the project can be found here

Peter Capaldi has donated a 72-page Doctor Who shooting script of his first Dalek story, Into the Dalek to a fund-raising auction taking place at Sotheby's next Tuesday 13th December.

The script, complete with a lavishly illustrated title page, is a complete one-off. The lot also includes two postcards inscribed ‘Best wishes from Peter Capaldi Doctor ?’.

It is part of over 40 original illustrations up for auction, by leading artists, designers, and musicians, including Quentin Blake, Brian Eno, Eric Clapton, Oliver Jeffers, Emma Chichester Clark, David Shrigley, Peter Brooks, Peter Blake, Paul Smith, and Margaret Howell.

The auction is to raise money for House of Illustration, the UK’s only public gallery devoted to illustration, based in King’s Cross in London. The registered charity receives no public funding, raising all the money from admissions, retail and fundraising. The gallery puts on exhibitions and events, promotes new illustration talent, commissions new art work and organises an illustrator led learning programme for schools, families, students and enthusiasts of all ages.

The auction starts at 2.30pm and you can bid in person, by phone or online. The works will be displayed to the public at Sotheby’s on Friday 9th – Monday 12th December.

The artworks can also be viewed online by going to Sotheby's Website and looking for lot number 287.

Peter Capaldi has been talking about his future in Doctor Who and has revealed he hasn't decided yet whether to stay on for a fourth series.

Talking to Wales Online the actor was asked about his plans for the future. Capaldi returns this Christmas in The Return of Doctor Mysterio, followed by a twelve part series, to be shown next Spring. Next year's Christmas special will be the last story under the aegis of current show-runner Steven Moffat.

New showrunner Chris Chibnall will take over for the 2018 series, but Capaldi has not yet decided whether to stay for the transition. Capaldi has already been seen in 28 episodes of Doctor Who, with another 13 in production.

In comparison, Matt Smith has, so far, appeared in 46 episodes and David Tennant in 49. All have a long way to go to catch the record of the longest-serving Doctor, Tom Baker, who has ranked up 174 episodes.

Actor Statistics

Today sees the nationwide publication of the 'lengendary' double edition of Radio Times, which features a second interview with Peter Capaldi in as many weeks!

Speaking about where he would go if he could travel in time, the Doctor Who star reflected on his pop-idols:

The full item can be read in Radio Times, which also includes an interview with UK Prime Minister, Theresa May on all things Christmas: speaking about what her TV schedule for Christmas would include, she said:

As well as the interviews, the magazine includes an exclusive photo-shoot featuring "Doctor Who in New York" with Peter Capaldi, Matt Lucas (Nardole) and Justin Chatwin (The Ghost), plus the last part of their competition to win a piece of exclusive artwork.

And, of course, full details on this year's Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio!


The double-issue of Radio Times is on general sale nationwide today.

Nexts Wednesday sees the release of a new Titan Comic featuring the Eleventh Doctor.

ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.15

Writer: Si Spurrier / Rob Williams
Artist: Simon Fraser
Colourist: Gary Caldwell
Cover A: Tom Humberstone Cover B: Will Brooks Photo Cover C: jaKE

The latest edition of the Radio Times, out today, features an interview with Peter Capaldi in the lead up to this year's Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio.

The interview covers a variety of his views, including on being an older Doctor and how he sees the character. Commenting about how some feel that the show has now become too complicated for younger viewers, he said:


The magazine also features a competition to win the piece of artwork below, taken from their Capaldi photoshoot; readers will need to answer four questions, with the first appearing in this week's and the rest over the next threw consecutive issues.

An exclusive preview of the forthcoming Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio, has been shown as part of this year's Children in Need charity evening on BBC One; the Doctor also made a guest appearance in a Fantastic Beasts Special sketch featuring a host of stars!



The episode itself will be shown on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC America, with other channels to confirm shortly.

It was fifty years ago today, on Saturday 5th November 1966, that we welcomed Patrick Troughton to the role of The Doctor.

The signing of Patrick Troughton was a major coup for the production team. At the time he was one of the best-known actors on British Television, having worked in the medium ever since it restarted after the second World War.

Troughton was born in North London in 1920, the son of a solicitor. His first acting role was at Mill Hill school, later attending the Embassy School of Acting studying under Eileen Thorndike. He won a scholarship to the Leighton Rallius Studios at the John Drew Memorial Theatre on Long Island in New York City.

His acting career was interrupted by war and the ship returning him to England sunk after hitting a mine in the English channel, forcing him to escape by lifeboat. Not put off by the sea he joined the Royal Navy serving with Royal Naval Reserve, earning the 1939-45 Star and the Atlantic Star as well as being mentioned in dispatches. Troughton made his Television debut in 1947, playing the young Thomas Culpepper in the play The Rose Without a Thorn, a production which starred Richard Hurndall, another actor who would inherit the role of the First Doctor. He found himself particularly suited to Television, where all drama was transmitted live. He relished the large audience the medium could reach, and the majority of his career would now focus on Television and to a lesser extent movies.

He was prolific in the medium appearing The Invisible Man, The Old Curiosity Shop, Kidnapped, The Count of Monte Cristo, Ivanhoe, Dial 999, Danger Man, Maigret, Compact, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Third Man, Crane, Detective, Sherlock Holmes, No Hiding Place, The Saint, Armchair Theatre, The Wednesday Play, Z-Cars, Adam Adamant Lives!, A Tale of Two Cities, Smuggler's Bay, The Splendid Spur, The Naked Lady, The Scarf, The Rebel Heiress, Benbow and the Angels, Clementina, The Royalty and Softly, Softly. In 1953 he became Television's first Robin Hood, becoming a tea-time favorite for the nation's children and in 1960 made a huge impression on Sunday afternoons as Paul of Tarsus.

Dispite his huge body of work, Troughton was not the only choice, or indeed the first choice to take over from Hartnell. Brian Blessed, fresh from a leading role in police drama Z-Cars was offered the role, but declined because of scheduling conflicts. Rupert Davies, Valentine Dyall and Michael Hordern were all approached but none wanted to commit to a long-running series.

Troughton was offered the role in June 1966, while working on the Hammer film The Viking Queen. He had doubts about accepting. He himself was a fan of Doctor Who, and had watched every single Hartnell episode. But he thought the series had probably run its course. Troughton was eventually persuaded to take the role and signed the contract for 22 episodes on 2nd August. He initially had the idea of playing the character in heavy make-up, in order to prevent being type-cast, but the look eventually settled on was that of the cosmic hobo. The characterisation was worked out between Troughton and script editor Gerry Davis, who explained. Troughton would hold the role for three years. His success would guarantee the series longevity, and Troughtons place in the Television hall of fame.

BBC America has released a short video previewing this year's Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio.

Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie will be heading to Canada next month and SPACE are offering fans a chance to meet their heroes at a special event in Toronto. The team will also be appearing on a special edition of Space’s flagship daily entertainment talk show, InnerSpace.

The special event will also feature showrunner Steven Moffat and Executive producer Brian Minchin. It takes place on October 5.

Tickets are only being given away through contests, with the first contest taking place this weekend at Fan Expo Canada.

One prize consists of two tickets to the event. One ticket includes One meet and greet with the Doctor Who team in attendance and one ticket to the taping of InnerSpace Presents: Doctor Who.

To enter you need to follow Space on Twitter for a daily riddle and then head to the Space Booth at Fan Expo Canada. Entrants must be 19 or older.

There will be four riddles (one each day), so four chances to enter via riddle.

A fifth chance to win is by signing up to the CraveTV newsletter, also at the Space Booth, when you’ll be entered into an additional draw.