The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine reveals two directors instead of one for the next production block for the new series. Brian Grant, whose directoral credits include "Clocking Off," "Bugs," "Hex," "As If," "Love Bytes," "Highlander: The Raven" and "She-Wolf of London," will be directing episode 7, currently entitled "The Long Game" and written by Russell T Davies, which itself is noted as "block 4A". James Hawes, whose directing work includes "Sea of Souls," "Holby City," "The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries," "The Bill" and "Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World," is the director of "block 4B," which consists of Steven Moffat's two-part story "The Empty Child" set in the 1940's. We believe that this block of filming has already commenced. The reason for two separate directors for this block of filming has been reportedly due to an unusual length of special effects and production needed for episode 7.

Also in the new DWM, some brief updates on casting. American-born actor Corey Johnson (Agent Clay in "Hellboy" and part of the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of "A Sound of Thunder) plays the role of Henry in episode 6, which also stars Anna-Louise Plowman (best known to SF fans as Osiris, formerly Sarah Gardner, Daniel Jackson's ex-girlfriend on "Stargate SG-1") as Diana, while Shaun Dingwall ("Touching Evil," "Villa des roses," "Soldier, Soldier") is in episode 8 playing the role of Pete. More details as they're available.

According to the DVD Bits website, Roadshow has changed its DVD release schedule... to be expected considering the UK dates. The Claws of Axos will now be released on July 7, because the story isn't out in the UK until May. Horror of Fang Rock will be released on April 7. (Thanks to "Cyberman Dan")

December 1's icWales published an interview with Noel Clarke (Mickey), called "This time it is Auf Wiedersehen" discussing the end of that series (which Clarke stars in as Wyman) and his next job, the new Doctor Who series. "It seems to be that whenever they're rehashing a show from 20 years ago, I get a call!" he tells icWales. "Actually, I wish it was like that because I'm sure there'll be more old stuff coming up. ... I watched both of the series when I was young and to grow up and then be in them is really rare. It's fun and just what you imagine it would be like, especially with Dr Who. When I was little I dreamed about running from monsters and Daleks and 20 years later here I am doing just that. I got really excited when I went inside the Tardis for the first time." He notes that his relationship with Rose (Billie Piper) will be "a Ross and Rachel thing. You want them to get together but you're not sure if they're going to." (Thanks to Paul Engelberg)

Billie Piper (Rose) was interviewed for the January issue of the "Marie Claire" women's fashion magazine. "My Life After Chris - Her first Interview since the split" is the title of the article, in which she talks about her life and relationship, auditioning for parts, why she wanted to begin acting... and then the interview turns to Doctor Who. When asked what it's like working with Eccleston: "He's so brilliant. What a top bloke." Piper is told that lot of actresses must have wanted the job of Doctor Who's assistant: "Yeah, apparently they saw a sh*tload of people and then, I don't know, it just worked straight away, it really did." About the unspoken sexual frisson between the characters of Doctor Who and his assistant: "Yeah ... absolutely. I think in the past, though, it's been played differently to how it's being played now. The great thing about this Doctor Who is that as much as it's sci-fi, it's so much about the Doctor's and Rose's dynamic and their journey and about educating each other. About him expanding and challenging her ideas and, you know, just showing her stuff that she would have never seen. And it's her teaching him to be more human and be sympathetic towards things. So they're kind of like a good friendship or a good marriage or whatever. Of course, you desperately want them to get together." The interview then continues on about her time with Chris Evans and her new found singleness, along with photos. (Thanks to Danny Lamb)

New series guest star Simon Callow was on The Frank Skinner Show on ITV1 on December 2 talking about Phantom of the Opera and the new series of Doctor Who. He said that Doctor Who fans were "weird" and that he was aware that "once you're in the series you're part of Doctor Who forever." He claimed that fans would turn up during the filming in Cardiff at 3am dressed in Doctor Who costumes amid the paparazzi who were climbing on things to take pictures (though we know that the only people in costume were actually working on the series!) Callow noted that his character Charles Dickens "teams up with the Doctor to save the Earth from alien infestation." (Thanks to Gavin Rymill)

Outpost Gallifrey has seen several articles noting that BBC employees have been "inundated" with death threats from crazed Doctor Who fans who are making changes to their beloved series. Fear not - these are actually massively overhyped tabloid articles based on rumors and hyperbole (including comments picked up right on our very own forums!) These same papers are reporting that Billie Piper has a new "boyfriend". The lack of journalistic credibility and integrity on the part of these reporters stuns us. (That's sarcasm! - Ed.)

The New Zealand television station Prime TV have announced that they've picked up the new Doctor Who series, according to a press release on their website. "BBC Worldwide announces today the licence of the new series of the cult classic Doctor Who to Prime Television New Zealand," says the release. "Only the second international deal to be finalised, the new series will deliver to Prime Television in the first quarter of 2005. Starring Christopher Eccleston (The Second Coming, Cracker, Elizabeth) and Billie Piper (Canterbury Tales) and written by a team led by Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk) the series sees Doctor Who, the alien loner and his companion Rose forge a friendship across time and space. Fans out there should brace themselves for some exhilarating experiences and deadly confrontations. This ninth Doctor will take viewers from the natural end of the world far in the future to Victorian times for an encounter with Charles Dickens, from gaseous monsters with deadly plans for humanity to alien crash-landings and conspiracies that lead to the very heart of the government. The show delivers all the excitement of good drama, with a hero who never carries a gun. The human race will survive, but only with the DoctorÆs help! It has been over 40 years since Doctor Who hit our screens and sparked a fan base that spans the world. International conventions, fan clubs with members numbering in the thousands and books, videos, DVDs and merchandise are just part of the on-going phenomenon that is Doctor Who. David Vine, BBC Worldwide Managing Director Asia Pacific, says, 'This series has been long anticipated. We are very excited that Prime will bring the new Doctor to New Zealand audiences. If you are a long-time Doctor Who fan you wonÆt be disappointed but equally if you are someone who has never heard of a Tardis or a Time Lord you will be able to climb on board and travel through time and space for the first time. Prepare for brand-new, spell-binding adventures.' PrimeÆs Programming Manager Andrew Shaw says, 'I am delighted to have acquired this fantastic new drama from the BBC. Doctor Who promises to be an outstanding series. We very much look forward to placing it in our primetime schedule. This series will captivate a whole new generation of fans who have never experienced the legend that is Doctor Who.'" (Thanks to Paul Scoones, Jon Preddle, Alden Bates, Dean Brown, Christopher Feyrer, Paul Engelberg)

A press release today from the BBC (which has been covered in several media outlets today) mentions the new Doctor Who series as part of the "Winter Highlights," noting the forthcoming series as being targeted for debut in 2005. "Acclaimed actor Christopher Eccleston hits our screens this winter as Doctor Who with Billie Piper as the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler. More details will be released early next year," says the press release. An expanded version of the release is also online from the Drama department, with more details: "Acclaimed actor Christopher Eccleston plays Doctor Who in a new series for BBC One next year," says the press release. "Billie Piper, who made her acting debut in the critically acclaimed Canterbury Tales - The Miller's Tale, stars alongside Eccleston as the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler. Travelling through time and space, the Doctor and Rose come face to face with a number of new and exciting monsters - as well as battling with the Doctor's arch-enemy, the Daleks. The series, which promises to surprise and entertain a new generation, also features Penelope Wilton, Noel Clarke, Annette Badland, Camille Coduri and John Barrowman, Bruno Langley and celebrated theatre, film and television actor Simon Callow. Filming in Cardiff until 2005 for transmission on BBC One, Doctor Who is written by Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Paul Cornell and Robert Shearman." It is important to note that, while the appearance of the item intimates an early 2005 time frame -- noting the show "hits... screens this winter," there is still no guarantee whatsoever that the show will appear during that time, as the show is currently around the halfway point in filming, with at least six episodes of 13 that have not as yet gone before the cameras, and will depend on how quickly the show is completed before an actual debut is set. (Thanks to everyone who passed along the press release and media links...)

Reports in today's Mirror that Zoe Wanamaker -- the esteemed character actress best known for her roles in the sitcom "My Family," as broom instructor Madame Hooch in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and as Clarice Groan in the BBC adaptation of "Gormenghast" -- has been cast in the new Doctor Who series. Read the spoiler-tagged section as the report in the Mirror also includes spoilers about the episode she's in...

The BBC Shop website has released details of the extras in the forthcoming UK DVD release of The Mind Robber. Included is a commentary (as we previously reported) with actors Wendy Padbury, Frazer Hines and Hamish Wilson (the "alternate" Jamie) as well as director David Maloney; "The Fact of Fiction," a 34-minute featurette featuring the actors and production team recalling working on the story; "Highlander," a 22 minute interview with Frazer Hines looking back on his career in Doctor Who and beyond; plus production notes, photo gallery and an easter egg. "The Mind Robber" is due out in the UK in March from BBC Video.

Outpost Gallifrey has received the cover illustration for Horror of Fang Rock, the January 2005 UK DVD release starring Tom Baker. Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet.)

The latest issue of Dreamwatch magazine, #124, contains a couple of spoilers including two possible episode names; click on the spoiler tag below for more details. Dreamwatch 124 also features an interview with Insect Design about the development of the new Doctor Who logo... and, revealingly, how it reflects the interior design of the new TARDIS. Insect Design also confirms that the logo will be animated for the opening sequence. The issue is on the newsstands on November 25.

SFX's Christmas issue is out this week, and producer Phil Collinson is interviewed. "I can confirm that the Daleks WILL say exterminate - it would be madness to stop that happening," he tells SFX, confirming what was reported in the press some time ago. "But other than that, we do see this episode as very, very important, for both old and new viewers... It would be a shame to give away too much. But I can tell you that the Daleks will be doing things they've never done on screen before... If ever you've laughed at them, prepare to have the smile frozen on your face..." Collinson also talks about the possibility of the new series having pre-title "teaser" sequences. "All the early episodes have got the potential to do this, in the edit, and we're starting to like it so much that we're actually writing them in to later episodes." But, he adds, "If we sit in the edit and don't like them, we can change our minds at the last minute." (Thanks to SFX Magazine and BBCi)