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.

Issue #350 of Doctor Who Magazine has again reached subscribers early (over a week) and will shortly be available on newsstands. Here's a preview of what to expect; click on the thumbnail cover for a larger version.

One note, though, from DWM Assistant Editor Tom Spilsbury: "A few subscribers have alerted us to the fact that their subscription copy of DWM 350 has arrived with pages 11-18 and 35-42 missing, and 3-10 and 43-50 duplicated in their place. Fortunately this problem doesn't appear to be very widespread (touch wood!), and most other subscribers I have checked with seem to have a copy without the problem. All the copies we have had in the office seem to be fine, so if you are one of the people who are affected, could you please send us your copy and we will replace it for you ASAP. The address to send them to is, of course: Doctor Who Magazine, Panini House, Coach and Horses Passage, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5UJ. Hope this doesn't spoil the anniversary celebrations too much!" (Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)

There's been a recent flood of rumors and stories floating around the net the past two weeks, and in addition, the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (#350) has some further details. So, here's a quick rundown of the info that Outpost Gallifrey has heard:

Story Titles: Steven Moffat's two-parter (episodes 9 and 10), set during the Blitz, is currently called The Empty Childaccording to DWM. Both episodes of Aliens of London (episodes 4 & 5) will have episode-specific subtitles. There are other titles that have been rumored, but at this point none are confirmed (though the title The Unquiet Dead has been touted as a likely title for episode 3) and will likely change by time of broadcast.

Casting: For "Rose" (episode 1), Elli Garnett plays Caroline Finch; Adam McCoy plays her son. In "The End of the World" (episode 2), Yasmin Bannerman ("Red Dwarf" and "Cold Feet") plays Jabe. "The Unquiet Dead" (episode 3, tentative title) features Alan David and Eve Myles in unknown roles; Huw Rhys as Redpath; Jennifer Hill (from Russell Davies' "Mine All Mine") as Mrs. Peace. In "Aliens of London" (episodes 4-5), David Verrey (who's also been in "Red Dwarf") as Joseph Green; Basil Chung and Fiesta Mei Ling as the previously-reported "Chinese couple"; Morgan Hopkins as Sergeant Price; Eric Potts as Oliver Charles; Steven Speirs as Assistant Commissioner Strickland; Lachele Carl and Jack Tarlton as television reporters. Bruno Langley (as Adam Mitchell) appears in episodes 6 and 8; we believe this indicates that the broadcasting order for episodes 7 & 8 will be reversed (for reasons we can't disclose, sorry!) Nicholas Briggs, writer/producer who voices the Daleks for Big Finish, will be doing the same in the new series starting in episode 6 (and likely in episodes 12-13).

Production: Lowri Thomas is the Unit Manager; Patrick Begley is the Props Manager; Ian Richardson is the Sound Manager. Block four of production consists solely of episode 7, to go before the cameras in late November; block five will be the two-parter by Steven Moffat, episodes 9-10, and block six will be comprised of episodes 11-13. Block one (episodes 1, 4 and 5) is currently complete and is being edited.

Music and Sound: The current hope is to apparently use the Ron Grainer version of the theme tune in the series. Mark Ayres has remastered the TARDIS sound effect for use in the show, other familiar sound effects might crop up.

Broadcasting: The current word on the start date of transmission is the third or fourth week of March, although this is not completely set and will likely not be finally decided until the end of the year at the earliest. Nevertheless, it's likely to run from late March through the end of June. BBC Books is currently altering its schedule to accommodate. A second series is "by no means a done deal" and will depend on ratings, but there are plans being made for scripts for the second season prior to being commissioned. No word as yet on when this might arrive on television, but speculation is it would be the fall of 2006. The Doctor Who Confidential documentary series will likely not be on the DVD's; however, according to producer Phil Collinson, while "people won't have to wait for DVD extras to see how the show is put together ... we hope the DVDs will still have extras all of their own!"

Writing: Author Mark Gatiss is interviewed this week in the Guardian newspaper, mostly about his new novel but also briefly about his Doctor Who novels and his episode in the new series.

We've now gotten the regular image of the cover for issue #349 of Doctor Who Magazine, which as we reported yesterday was received by subscribers almost two weeks early due to a rapid turn-around at the magazine's printers. Among the items in the issue are interviews with new series director Joe Ahearne, writer Rob Shearman and producer Phil Collinson, a feature on the Doctor Who radio dramas, and much more; pick up the issue when it comes out on your local newsstand. Click on the cover thumbnail at right, meanwhile, for a larger version of the cover.

Also, in the issue is a note about issue #350, which celebrates 25 years of the magazine in print. "So as well as the concluding instalment of our DWM history feature Happy Times and Places? to chew over," says the preview, "we also present a FREE digitally restored reprint of the magazine that started it all back in 1979 - Doctor Who Weekly issue 1! PLUS! We've invited some old friends back to celebrate, so there's a chance to enjoy all new special editions of Fluid Links, The Life and Times of Jackie Jenkins, It's the end, but... and UNIT hotline, a new Doctor Who? strip from Quinn and Howett and the return of Leighton Noye's Doctor Oho! On top of that Sorvad will be choosing the best letters of all time in Who cares? and the BBC Wales production team will be answering your queries in a Matrix Data Bank special! NOT TO MENTION...We turn the clock back to the serial that was being screened when DWW first appeared as The Fact Of Fiction investigates the City Of Death! New series scribe Steven Moffat tells us how his episodes are coming along! More intrigung Production Notes from RTD! An extended does of comic strip action in a special 9-page instalment of The Flood! Plus all the latest news from the Doctor Who set and the best previews and reviews...Don't you dare miss it." (Thanks to Tom Spilsbury, Steve Tribe, Simon Hogarth)

According to the latest DWM, BBC Audio will release an unabridged reading of Doctor Who In An Exciting Adventure With The Daleks, the novelisation of the series' second story "The Daleks," as an MP3-CD in March 2005; William Russell (Ian) will be doing the reading. Also confirmed are our earlier reports about the release of The Pescatons in January and The Underwater Menace in February, but it notes that Anneke Wills (Polly) has done the narration and also does an interview on the CD. Meanwhile on the Big Finish front, Short Trips 12: Seven Deadly Sins has been announced, edited by David Bailey, scheduled for March 2005, with seven stories: 'Envy' by Tara Samms; 'Gluttony' by Rebecca Levene; 'Wrath' by Mark Wright; 'Pride' by John Binns; 'Sloth' by Gareth Wigmore; 'Lust' by Paul Magrs; 'Avarice' by David Bailey and with additional linking material by Jacqueline Rayner. Also, the forthcoming release of The Game, the January Big Finish audio starring Peter Dvaison, will still be 6 episodes but only on two discs; the magazine also has the cover illustration for The Juggernauts which will hopefully be on the Big Finish site in the near future.

Some new developments now known for the new Doctor Who series. The latest issue of DWM confirms our earlier story about Joe Ahearne being the director for the third block (which it says is comprised of episodes 6 and 8) and notes that the Daleks are in one of these episodes, as well as confirming that George Gerwitz is the first assistant director for block one. New details are that actor Rupert Vansittart plays the role of General Asquith, while Naoko Mori (who plays Saffron's best friend Sarah on "Absolutely Fabulous") plays Dr. Sato; both of these actors were in the very first scene shot for the new series. Also, the BBC Doctor Who website recently confirmed (in their "WhoSpy" photo series) that the make-up assistant on the series is Linda Davie and the sound recordist is Ian Richardson (with two other chaps, Tim the production runner and someone named Dafydd.)

The newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine confirms that The Mind Robber is the second DVD release of 2005, confirming rumors from the past two months. The Patrick Troughton serial, also starring Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury, was one of the series' only five-part serials. No extras have been revealed at this time. Also noted in DWM is that "The Claws of Axos" is "under consideration for late 2005," though Outpost Gallifrey still believes it to be the third release of 2005, due in May.

Big Finish's plans for the forthcoming UNIT audio miniseries are being reported in the latest issue of DWM. Set in the modern day, the UNIT series stars Nicholas Courtney as retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, who is joined by Siri O'Neal ("Full Fathom Five") as Colonel Emily Chaudhry; Nicholas Deal as Colonel Robert Dalton, UNIT's new commanding officer; and Robert Curbishley as Lieutenant Will Hoffmann. The first two stories have already been recorded; part one is written by Iain McLauglin and Claire Bartlett and directed by Jason Haigh-Ellery, while part two is by Jonathan Clements and directed by John Ainsworth. More details soon.

According to the new issue of DWM, progress on filming the new Doctor Who series will continue throughout the fall and into early 2005, as the deadline for finishing actual production is February. DWM also breaks down the five "blocks" of production, each with a different director: episodes 1, 4 and 5, directed by Keith Boak, are already shot; episodes 2 and 3 directed by Euros Lyn were underway at the magazine's press time. Block 3, which Outpost Gallifrey noted several days ago would be directed by Joe Ahearne, will consist of episodes 6, 7 and 8, while blocks 4 (episodes 9 & 10) and 5 (episodes 11-13) will see work with later directors. Some brief notes on casting include those of John Barrowman and Mark Benton, which we previously reported, as well as a comment from Phil Collinson about a guest appearance from David Jason: "We read the reports of David Jason's casting with some surprise! ... if the right part came along, we would be delighted to approach him. But for the moment, I have to confirm that he's not on board."

Issue #348 of Doctor Who Magazine will be out on September 16. The following is the press release for the new issue; click on the thumbnail image for a larger version of the cover.