Doctor Who Extra - Before the Flood

Saturday, 10 October 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC have released clips looking behind the scenes of this weeks episode of Doctor Who, Before the Flood.

Paul Kaye on playing Prentis What's it like playing a Tivolian on Doctor Who?
Slipknot on Set Corey Taylor of Slipknot fame, visits the TARDIS and lends his roar to the Fisher King!
Jenna Coleman on the Sonic Shades Jenna Coleman talks about the Sonic Shades - the Doctor's wearable technology!
Meet the Fisher King Peter Capaldi talks The Fisher King and Game of Thrones.
Strictly Come Ghosting Behind-the-scenes at 'Ghost Camp'!
Why is Clara like the Doctor? Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat discuss the development of Clara.
Doctor Who Theme: The Rock Version!Murray Gold’s arrangement of the theme, as used for Before the Flood.

A full review of the episode can be found on Doctor Who Reviews

FILTER: - Doctor Who Extra - Series 9/35

Commentaries to be released for The Enemy of the World and The Web Of Fear

Friday, 9 October 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

On the eve of the second anniversary of their publicised recovery, Fantom Films have announced a special project to provide commentaries for The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear, the two returned Season Five stories starring Patrick Troughton that were released 'vanilla' on DVD and via iTunes. Who Talk! will see cast and crew brought together to discuss the two stories, under the guidance of commentary moderation stalwart Toby Hadoke.

Toby Hadoke with Milton Johns and Mary Peach for The Enemy of the World 5 (Credit: Fantom Films)

Toby Hadoke with John Levene and Syvlia James for The Web of Fear 6 (Credit: Fantom Films)

The commentaries will be released on both CD and download formats, and will feature Deborah Watling for both stories, with Enemy represented by Mary Peach, Milton Johns, Carmen Munroe and Bill Lyons, and Web by Ralph Watson, John Levene, and Derek Martin; production reminiscences are provided by Sylvia James and Roger Bunce. In addition, the still unaccounted for episode three of the latter story will feature former BBC Archivist Sue Malden, who gives insight into the BBC policies of wiping and archiving material, as well as missing television in general.

Producer Paul WT Ballard says:

Commentaries have long been a favourite part of my viewing of any of the classic Who DVDs, and we thought it was a huge shame to let these two brilliant stories pass under the radar, and set about gathering quite a stellar line-up to commentate on them.

He also advised:

The only way we can make these and future releases viable is by fans supporting the project and buying copies, rather than bootlegging them. Were there to be any future returns - and I'm sure we're all hopeful of that - then we would want to be able to look at repeating the exercise because it's a hugely culturally important one.

The two releases will be published in November 2015, and will be available to pre-order at a discounted price. See the Fantom Films website for full details.

Who Talk: The Enemy of the World (Credit: Fantom Films)

Who Talk: The Web of Fear (Credit: Fantom Films)

Please note: these commentaries contain no BBC copyrighted elements and do not feature audio from the episodes themselves - these are designed to be played alongside the official DVD/iTunes releases.

FILTER: - Audio - Blu-ray/DVD - Fantom - Second Doctor

The Underwater Menace

Monday, 5 October 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Worldwide have now confirmed the details for the forthcoming release of The Underwater Menace on DVD, due on the 26th October 2015:

The Underwater Menace
Release date: 26 Oct 2015 UK (available for pre-order)

The Underwater Menace - DVD cover (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

Starring Patrick Troughton as Doctor Who, with Michael Craze as Ben Jackson, Anneke Wills as Polly, and Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon
Written by Geoffrey Orme
Directed by Julia Smith

Broadcast: 14 Jan - 4 Feb 1967

The TARDIS lands in the lost city of Atlantis, where the crazed Professor Zaroff has convinced the Atlanteans that he can raise their city from beneath the sea. But the Doctor discovers the terrible truth behind Zaroff’s plan – he intends to destroy the entire planet. With the doomsday clock ticking, the Doctor and his companions must battle to prevent the apocalypse...

The Underwater Menace is the fifth serial of the fourth season, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 14 January 1967 to 4 February 1967. The story introduces Jamie McCrimmon's (Frazer Hines) on his first journey with the Doctor as a travelling companion. This special release will contain the two re-mastered existing episodes, with the two missing episodes represented with restored audio and surviving stills, as well as over an hour of extras.

Special Features:

Commentary - For episode 1, Interview with actor Michael Troughton Part 2 (from The Ice Warriors). For episodes 2 and 3, a commentary with actors Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines and Catherine Howe, special sounds supervisor Brian Hodgson and floor assistant Quentin Mann. For episode 4, archive material featuring Patrick Troughton, directors Julia Smith and Hugh David, and producer Innes Lloyd. Moderated and linked by Toby Hadoke.
A Fishy Tale (Feature, dur. 28’ 30”) – cast and crew look back on the making of the story. With actors Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines and Catherine Howe, AFM Gareth Gwenlan, production assistant Berry Butler and new series writer Robert Shearman. Narrated by Peter Davison.
The Television Centre of the Universe – Part Two (dur. 32’ 10” ) – Yvette Fielding continues her tour of BBC Television Centre in the company of actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson, with contributions from former colleagues along the way. With senior camera supervisor Alec Wheal, AFM Sue Hedden, former BBC producer and writer Richard Marson, exhibitions assistant Bob Richardson, production assistant Jane Ashford and videotape engineer Simon Anthony.

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Patrick Troughton - Second Doctor

TARDIS Eruditorum Volume 6

Thursday, 1 October 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Eruditorum Press has released the latest volume of TARDIS Eruditorum covering The Peter Davison and Colin Baker Years.

Included in this edition

Revised editions of every TARDIS Eruditorum post from the Peter Davison and Colin Baker eras.
A book-exclusive Pop Between Realities, Home in Time for Tea essay on the musical Time, an oft overlooked influence on Trial of a Time Lord, and the expansion of another one to include Box of Delights and Robin of Sherwood.
New essays in praise of Tegan, addressing the stuff left out of the Enlightenment essay, exactly and precisely whose fault the cancellation was, and a completely rewritten essay on "A Fix With Sontarans."
New Time Can Be Rewritten essays on Burning Heart, Dave Stone's Doctor Who/quasi-Judge Dredd mashup, Peri and the Piscon Paradox, Nev Fountain's two-Doctor timey wimey fish farce, and The Holy Terror, Rob Shearman's first-ever Doctor Who story.
A pair of Now My Doctor essays looking at the Fifth and Sixth Doctor eras as wholes.

Plus a forty page long interview with Rob Shearman about his work with Colin Baker at Big Finish and his genuine love for the Eric Saward era.

THis magazine is available in the following editions at these links: US Print ($17.99); US Kindle ($4.99); UK Print (£13.99); UK Kindle (£3.99); Other eReaders/Smashwords ($4.99).

FILTER: - Books - Fan Productions - Fifth Doctor - Sixth Doctor

A Colin Baker Experience

Wednesday, 30 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Sixth Doctor's Costume (Credit: Chuck Foster)

Colin Baker is to visit the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff on Saturday 10th October, and will also take part in a Q&A session:

Colin played the Sixth Doctor from 1984 – 1986 and was an explosion of colours, words and emotions. Passionate, sometimes quick to anger, this was a Doctor you did not want to make enemies with. Baker recently returned to the role and has featured in the Big Finish Productions Audio Drama, The Last Adventure. Colin returns to the Doctor Who Experience after he filmed the Five (ish) Doctors Reboot in 2013 with Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy for the 50th Anniversary, and will be available for photos and signings during the day. And, if you are keen to cosplay as the Sixth Doctor there couldn’t be a better day to visit! There is no charge for this event and is included in the price of a standard ticket.

DALEK WEEK

The Experience will also be holding a Dalek Day later in the month:

Following the explosive two part opener of Doctor Who Series 9, and the return of the terrifying Daleks along with their creator Davros, The Doctor Who Experience is celebrating one of the Doctor’s greatest foes with a Dalek Day event on Saturday 24th October followed by a week of Dalek half term activities for fans and families. Visitors to the Doctor Who Experience will be able to

Go on an interactive adventure and visit Skaro - the home of the Daleks
Get up close to the fearsome Daleks who will be roaming throughout the Experience
See the Daleks that featured in the opening two-parter of Doctor Who Series Nine
Learn how to operate a Dalek and take part in a Q&A session with a Dalek operator
See the revealing of the restored original Davros by Mike Tucker, part of Doctor Who Experience refurbishment programme

More details about the Dalek Day/Week will be available shortly.

FILTER: - Colin Baker - Doctor Who Experience - Special Events

More guests added to the Sydney Doctor Who Festival

Thursday, 24 September 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Doctor Who Festival - Australia, 21-22 November 2015 (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

BBC Worldwide has announced further guests to the Australian Doctor Who Festival. Sylvester Mccoy, Billie Piper and Dan Starkey will join Peter Capaldi, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss in Sydney on the 21st and 22nd November 2015. Piper and McCoy will appear on stage at the festival in a series of fan Q&As hosted by Adam Spencer. Billie Piper’s attendance at the Doctor Who Festival is subject to her filming commitments.

Sylvester Mccoy said:

I’m over the moon, quite literally, as I’ll be coming by TARDIS!

Dan Starkey said:

I made a flying visit to Australia a few years ago and I'm really looking forward to coming back and spending a little longer this time. In his long and illustrious military career I'm sure that Strax has conquered jet-lag and I'm certain I will too!

Doctor Who Festival 2015 - Ticketek Australia

New! Millennium FX Monster Show - see the work that goes into creating some of the iconic monsters from Doctor Who with a live monster make-up demonstration and, as a special treat for fans, a brand new never-before-seen series nine monster will also feature on stage.
New! Drama School With The Monsters – alongside Dan Starkey (Strax) and Jon Davey (monster actor), learn what it takes to be a monster on the set of Doctor Who in this hands-on drama school session.
New! Production Village – get a glimpse of life on set in the ‘Production Village’ with Gary Russell (Script Editor). Learn about the different roles in television production and what it’s really like to work on set. How early are the call times? Who arrives first and who leaves last? Who has the most difficult role, and most importantly, who looks after the key to the TARDIS? In the Production Village these questions and more will be answered, as fans are offered an exclusive insight into the many parts involved in bringing them the world’s longest running sci-fi program.
New! Science Of Doctor Who - on this amazing journey through space and time, comedian Rob Lloyd explores the scientific mysteries of Doctor Who. Featuring original scenes from the iconic BBC television series, this interactive session investigates the science of time travel, asks if regeneration is possible, and explains how the TARDIS can be bigger on the inside.
New! Iconic Set - direct from Cardiff a unique setting from this season’s Doctor Who will be coming to Australia for the first time ever.
Q&As - see the writers and cast from the series as they talk about how to make an idea become reality on a series as big and bold as Doctor Who.
Photo And Autograph Opportunities - a limited number of opportunities for photos and autographs with selected talent.
Writers’ Masterclass – ask Mark Gatiss how a Doctor Who script is crafted and discover the techniques behind the art of dramatic scriptwriting and how to get work published.
SFX Display – witness first-hand some of the spectacular effects seen in the series such as explosions and fireballs, elemental and atmospheric effects, mechanical rigs and pyrotechnics.
Wardrobe Department – a fantastic exhibition of costumes and props.
Cosplayers’ Showcase - fans can showcase their impressive Doctor Who-themed outfits with a special prize awarded to the best dressed.
Doctor Who Quiz – this is the ultimate Doctor Who quiz, where fans can show off their in-depth knowledge of the Doctor, his adversaries and the many adventures he’s had through space and time.
The Fan Challenge - fans young and old can battle it out and test their Doctor Who knowledge.

(BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand)

FILTER: - Australia - Doctor Who - Special Events

Doctor Who Extra

Saturday, 19 September 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC have released clips looking behind the scenes of tonight's series opener of Doctor Who, The Magician's Apprentice.

Missy and The Doctor - Doctor Who Extra Peter Capaldi, Michelle Gomez and Steven Moffat on Missy and the Doctor’s friendship.
The Doctor's Guitar - Doctor Who Extra Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman riff on the Doctor's new guitar!.
Colony Sarff - Doctor Who Extra Go behind the scenes to learn the ssssecrets of Colony Sarff!
The Grand Entrance - Doctor Who Extra Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat discuss the Doctor's grand entrance.

A full review of the episode can be found on Doctor Who Reviews

FILTER: - Doctor Who Extra - Series 9/35

The Doctor's Meditation

Friday, 18 September 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC has released The Doctor's Meditation to UK fans on the official Doctor Who Facebook page. The video is region locked and can only be viewed from a UK IP address. Fans in other parts of the world can watch the "prequel" on TV. BBC America will be airing it tonight at 10pm and will be repeated in the early hours of Saturday at 1am. Canadians will be able to watch it on SPACE tonight at 6pm. On the other side of the world in Australia, ABC 2 will be showing The Doctor's Meditation on Saturday evening at 7.30pm and again on Monday evening at the same time.

The video is available to download from iTunes, Amazon Instant Video and Google Play.

The Doctor prepares for his deadliest confrontation - distractions permitting...

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Series 9/35

Jenna Coleman to leave Doctor Who

Friday, 18 September 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Jenna Coleman and Clara (Credit: BBC/David Venni)

The BBC has officially confirmed the departure of Jenna Coleman from Doctor Who. The actress revealed the news exclusively on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show. She told presenter Nick Grimshaw: "I have left the tardis - it's happened, I've filmed my last scenes." ITV has also confirmed she is to play a young Queen Victoria in their new drama Victoria. Coleman said: "I am delighted to be cast as Queen Victoria in this ambitious drama of her life. She is a vivid, strong, inspirational and utterly fascinating woman in British history and I can't wait to tell her story." The series will be produced by Paul Frift (In The Forest Of The Night, Last Christmas).

Adventures to last me a lifetime. Thank you @bbcdoctorwho. But as they say 'It ain't over till it's over' - Jenna Coleman on Twitter.

Coleman made her first appearance in Doctor Who with a surprise role in 2012's Asylum of the Daleks, where she played the fateful Oswin Oswald, a Junior Entertainment Manager on the starliner Alaska. She returned later that year in The Snowmen, this time playing a Victorian barmaid/governess. Again, her character didn't survive the episode... Her first regular companion role came in 2013's The Bells of Saint John, which started the "Impossible Girl" story arc.

Jenna Coleman tells Grimmy she's leaving Doctor Who! - BBC Radio 1

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Jenna Coleman

BBC keeping quiet on Jenna Coleman's future

Wednesday, 16 September 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Jenna Coleman as Clara (Credit: BBC / David Venni)

Jenna Coleman's involvement with Doctor Who beyond 2015 is in doubt again after the Mirror reported the actress has "quit" the show to play a young Queen Victoria in a new ITV drama. The article states: "She is thought to have already filmed her final scenes, and will bow out before the Christmas special."

This year's Christmas special will feature Alex Kingston back as River Song but there has not been an announcement of Jenna's involvement. She is also missing from November's Doctor Who Festival guest lineup.

The news that Jenna Coleman has "quit" has been published in other British papers including The independent, The Telegraph and The Guardian. The BBC has reported the story on their news website but the Doctor Who production team have declined to comment.

The Mirror previously reported that Jenna Coleman had quit and would leave at the end of Last Christmas. Steven Moffat wrote in Doctor Who Magazine 484 that Death in Heaven was to be her last episode but she had changed her mind:

That was her last episode. And then she asked me if she could be in Christmas? So I said, 'Okay, I'll write you out in Christmas.' She came to the read through and did the 'write out' version - and again changed her mind.

But the truth is I never wanted her to go. I didn't really want Death in Heaven to be her last episode. And with Last Christmas, I'd already written the alternative version where she stayed, and I preferred that version. For Christmas Day it's a bit nicer. Frankly, I didn't want to lose her. She's an amazing actress, and she never stops working to make Clara better. I was very happy to go the extra mile to make sure we could keep her.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Jenna Coleman - Press

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