UK to get individual Series 1-4 Blu-ray sets

Wednesday, 26 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

BBC Worldwide are releasing individual Blu-ray sets for Series 1-4 of Doctor Who in the UK on 31 August 2015. The discs, upscaled to 1080i HD originally formed part of the Series 1-7 box set in 2013. Australia have had the individual Series 1-4 Region B sets since 2013.

Doctor Who News has been informed that the new 1-4 releases are identical in specifications as the 1-7 set. This means the discs will play at 24fps instead of the native 25fps.

Doctor Who - The Complete First Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete First Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 13 episodes from the first series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, written by Russell T. Davies and starring Christopher Eccleston as the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor meets new companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) while saving her from the living-plastic Nestene Consciousness, before taking her on adventures through time and space, where she meets Charles Dickens (Simon Callow), tries to save her father from dying when she was a child, and helps the Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) battle the evil Daleks and save the world.

The episodes are: 'Rose', 'The End of the World', 'The Unquiet Dead', 'Aliens of London', 'World War Three', 'Dalek', 'The Long Game', 'Father's Day', 'The Empty Child', 'The Doctor Dances', 'Boom Town', 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the second series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the tenth Doctor takes companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) to New Earth and struggles to overcome the effects of regeneration. In the opening Christmas episode London is deluged by Santa Claus impersonators and Christmas trees intent on malice. Mankind is threatened by a planetary invasion and there's only the Prime Minister to battle it out.

The episodes are: 'The Christmas Invasion', 'New Earth', 'Tooth and Claw', 'School Reunion', 'The Girl in the Fireplace', 'Rise of the Cybermen', 'The Age of Steel', 'The Idiot's Lantern', 'The Impossible Planet', 'The Satan Pit', 'Love and Monsters', 'Fear Her', 'Army of Ghosts' and 'Doomsday'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the third series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor is joined by new companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) as he encounters old enemies including the Daleks and the Master (Derek Jacobi).

The episodes are: 'The Runaway Bride', 'Smith and Jones', 'The Shakespeare Code', 'Gridlock', 'Daleks in Manhattan', 'Evolution of the Daleks', 'The Lazarus Experiment', '42', 'Human Nature', 'The Family of Blood', 'Blink', 'Utopia', 'The Sound of Drums' and 'Last of the Timelords'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Fourth Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Fourth Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the fourth series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor is joined by new companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) as the pair venture through time and space, visiting ancient Pompeii and the planet of the Ood while also meeting the mysterious River Song (Alex Kingston).

The episodes are: 'Voyage of the Damned', 'Partners in Crime', 'The Fires of Pompeii', 'Planet of the Ood', 'The Sontaran Stratagem', 'The Poison Sky', 'The Doctor's Daughter', 'The Unicorn and the Wasp', 'Silence in the Library', 'Forest of the Dead', 'Midnight', 'Turn Left', 'The Stolen Earth' and 'Journey's End'.

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Doctor Who - Merchandise - Ninth Doctor - Series 1/27 - Series 2/28

Germany: Pandastorm Pictures changes DVD release schedule

Monday, 24 August 2015 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann

Pandastorm Pictures (Credit: Pandastorm Pictures)

German DVD distributor Pandastorm Pictures sent out a newsletter today announcing changes to the DVD format and to the release schedule.

Instead of the previously reported two volumes of Sixth Doctor adventures (containing Season 22 plus The Twin Dilemma and Season 23), Pandastorm is going to release three sets now, splitting Season 22 in two parts.

Here is the complete newsletter, translated from German:

Dear Doctor Who fans,
while many of you are still waiting in excitement for the release of The Five Doctors this week, we are currently working on the releases of the sixth Doctor. The first volume will be out on 27th November 2015.

We originally planned to release the dubbed episodes of the sixth Doctor in two volumes. At the time we didn't know that the included bonus features of Volume 1 would make it 10 DVD's instead of the planned 7 DVD's. Because of very expensive authoring, post-production and production of this set, we would have to increase the price - which would lead to lower sales in the retail stores.

That is why we decided to produce a 5-disc-set for Volume 1, making it three volumes instead of two. We hope you understand.

This is the new release schedule:

Release

Discs

Content

Release date

Sechster Doktor – Volume 1

5 DVD's

Zweimal Einstein (The Twin Dilemma)
Angriff der Kybermänner (Attack of the Cybermen)
Revolte auf Varos (Vengeance on Varos)
Die Rache des Meisters (The Mark of the Rani)

27th Nov 2015

Sechster Doktor – Volume 2

5 DVD's

Androiden in Sevilla (The Two Doctors)
Das Amulett (Timelash)
Planet der Toten (Revelation of the Daleks)

26th Feb 2016

Sechster Doktor – Volume 3

tba

Season 23

27th May 2016

Pandastorm's current release Fünf Doktoren (The Five Doctors) will be out this week on 28th August 2015 and can be pre-ordered via Amazon Germany.

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Germany - Pandastorm - Sixth Doctor

New Series 9 images

Friday, 21 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC have released new images for the upcoming series of Doctor Who.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Publicity - Series 9/35

Second Series 9 Trailer Released

Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC have this evening released a second trailer for new series of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who Series 9 Trailer #2

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Series 9/35

Tenth and Eleventh Doctor Comics - Sneak Preview

Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release of the penultimate Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor by Nick Abadzis and Rachael Stott with Leonardo Romero, and the finale of Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor penned by Al Ewing and Rob Williams and art by Simon Fraser.

DOCTOR WHO: TENTH DOCTOR #14

Separated by an ancient force from the centre of the galaxy, the Doctor takes a cosmic trip into the history of the universe, while Gabby must negotiate with an unearthly intelligence for the sake of the planet!

DOCTOR WHO: TENTH DOCTOR #14 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #15

It's the end... But the moment has been prepared for! The first year of the Eleventh Doctor finishes on an astounding high!

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #15 (Credit: Titan)

FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor - Tenth Doctor

Doctor Who: Glamour Chronicles

Monday, 10 August 2015 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Books have announced three new novels in the Doctor Who: Glamour Chronicles series, featuring the 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi.

The novels Royal Blood by Una McCormack, Big Bang Generation by Gary Russell, and Deep Time by Trevor Baxendale, are all released on Septmeber 10th

DOCTOR WHO: ROYAL BLOOD

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY UNA McCORMACK, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

“The Grail is a story, a myth! It didn’t exist on your world! It can’t exist here!”

The city-state of Varuz is failing. Duke Aurelian is the last of his line, his capital is crumbling, and the armies of his enemy, Duke Conrad, are poised beyond the mountains to invade. Aurelian is preparing to gamble everything on one last battle. So when a holy man, the Doctor, comes to Varuz from beyond the mountains, Aurelian asks for his blessing in the war.

However, all is not what it seems in Varuz. The cityguards have lasers for swords, and the halls are lit by electric candlelight. Aurelian’s beloved wife, Guena, and his most trusted knight, Bernhardt, seem to be plotting to overthrow their Duke, and Clara finds herself drawn into their intrigue...

Will the Doctor stop Aurelian from going to war? Will Clara’s involvement in the plot against the Duke be discovered? Why is Conrad’s ambassador so nervous? And who are the ancient and weary knights who arrive in Varuz claiming to be on a quest for the Holy Grail?

Una McCormack is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written two Doctor Who novels featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory: The King's Dragon and The Way through the Woods, as well as several audio dramas for Big Finish. She lives in Cambridge with her partner, Matthew, and their daughter, Verity.

DOCTOR WHO: BIG BANG GENERATION

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY GARY RUSSELL, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

“I'm an archaeologist, but probably not the one you were expecting.”

Christmas 2015, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Imagine everyone's surprise when a time portal opens up in Sydney Cove. Imagine their shock as a massive pyramid now sits beside the Harbour Bridge, inconveniently blocking Port Jackson and glowing with energy. Imagine their fear as Cyrrus "the mobster" Globb, Professor Horace Jaanson and an alien assassin called Kik arrive to claim the glowing pyramid. Finally imagine everyone's dismay when they are followed by a bunch of con artists out to spring their greatest grift yet.

This gang consists of Legs (the sexy comedian), Dog Boy (providing protection and firepower), Shortie (handling logistics), Da Trowel (in charge of excavation and history) and their leader, Doc (busy making sure the universe isn't destroyed in an explosion that makes the Big Bang look like a damp squib).

And when someone accidentally reawakens The Ancients of Time, things get a whole lot more complicated...

Gary Russell has worked widely as an actor, magazine editor, reviewer, novelist, audio producer and script editor. His non-fiction work includes books on the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, The Simpsons and Frasier. He is a former editor of the official Doctor Who Magazine, the author of several Doctor Who novels and non-fiction books, and was producer for Big Finish Productions of the monthly New Doctor Who Adventures from 1998 to 2006. He is now a member of the script-editing team on Doctor Who and Torchwood.

DOCTOR WHO: DEEP TIME

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY TREVOR BAXENDALE, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

‘I do hope you’re all ready to be terrified!’

The Phaeron disappeared from the universe over a million years ago. They travelled among the stars using roads made from time and space, but left only relics behind. But what actually happened to the Phaeron? Some believe they were they eradicated by a superior force. Others claim they destroyed themselves.

Or were they in fact the victims of an even more hideous fate?

In the far future, humans discover the location of the last Phaeron road – and the Doctor and Clara join the mission to see where the road leads. Each member of the research team knows exactly what they are looking for – but only the Doctor knows exactly what they’ll find. Because only the Doctor knows the true secret of the Phaeron: a monstrous secret so terrible and powerful that it must be buried in the deepest grave imaginable...

Trevor Baxendale has written both Doctor Who and Torchwood novels for BBC Books, including Eater of Wasps, The Undertaker's Gift and the award-winning Prisoner of the Daleks. His novel Fear of the Dark was reprinted in 2013 as part of Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary celebrations. He has also written scripts for Big Finish's Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Highlander audio plays, and most recently the full cast audio drama Blake’s 7: Scimitar. His Blake's 7 novel, Criminal Intent, was published in November 2014. He has also written various adaptations for schools in Pearson’s Bugclub range. Deep Time is his 10th novel.

FILTER: - Books - Twelfth Doctor

Doctor Who Comic Previews

Wednesday, 29 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

This Wednesday sees the release of three Doctor Who comics, featuring the Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth Doctors.

The Ninth Doctor, Jack and Rose are caught between a heavily-armed intergalactic standoff, while The Tenth and Twelfth Doctors are Earthbound, Stateside. The Tenth Doctor is challenged with protecting New York city from an ominous looming pyramid and the Twelfth Doctor and Clara take on a toxic mix of mobsters and invading aliens in 60's Vegas!

Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor #3

Writer: Cavan Scott - Artist: Blair Shedd

The hotly-anticipated Weapons of Past Destruction continues, as the Doctor, Rose and Jack are trapped in an alien bazaar, caught in a heavily-armed standoff between the overpowered Unon and the Lect – as the nearby star threatens to go supernova!

Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor #3 (Credit: Titan)

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #13

Writer: Nick Abadzis - Artist: Elena Casagrande

Eisner award-winning writer Nick Abadzis (Laika) and fan-favorite Elena Casagrande (Suicide Risk) race the Tenth Doctor and Gabby towards the conclusion of Year One!

A terrifying pyramid has appeared in the skies above New York City, and it’s here to claim an ancient secret – buried in the body of a very-much alive movie star!

As the Doctor attempts to unravel the conflict, Gabby and Cindy’s friendship is stretched to breaking point. Has Gabby changed too much in her short time away – or has she changed just enough to save the day?!

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #13 (Credit: Titan)

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #10

Writer: Robbie Morrison - Artist: Brian Williamson

Thrillingly explosive action on the '60s Las Vegas strip as the Doctor and Clara battle the mob AND an alien invasion force!

• The Doctor gambles with humanity – with the highest stakes and the longest odds!

• Has his morality been compromised – or has Clara's?!

• Sharp fashions, sharp minds – sharper weapons!

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #10 (Credit: Titan)

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Tenth Doctor - Twelfth Doctor

Germany News Roundup

Monday, 20 July 2015 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann

Peter Capaldi in Berlin (Credit: FOX International Channels Germany)

The last week has seen the cast of Doctor Who visiting Berlin, in a country where the show has grown in popularity for the last few years. Here is a news update on current and upcoming developments in Germany:

FOX announced that Series 9 will premiere in December, almost three months after the UK. This is a departure from the near simulcast broadcasts from recent years. Last year, problems with the BBC's delivery of the material needed to dub Series 8 in time, resulted in near simulcast airings of the episodes in English with German subtitles.

Books publisher Cross Cult announced the release of a monthly e-books series called Zeitreisen (Time Trips). Book 1 Die Todesgrube ("The Death Pit") by A.L. Kennedy will be released on 26th October 2015. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon Germany.
More upcoming printed titles include the eighth Doctor novels Silhouette by Justin Richard on 24th August 2015 and Der Kriechende Terror ("The Crawling Terror") by Mike Tucker on 8th February 2016. November will see the release of the novelisation of City of Death, written by James Goss, with the German title Die Stadt des Todes.

German online audio books platform Audible has announced the release of Gareth Robert's Shada novelisation. It will be unabridged and read by Michael Schwarzmaier, who dubbed Tom Baker in the German versions of The Five Doctors and in Day of the Doctor. The audio book can be pre-ordered on Amazon Germany.

The first German convention for fans of Doctor Who, the TimeLash Event, has now sold out. Guests include Paul McGann, Nicholas Briggs, Catrin Stewart, Nicola Bryant, Terry Molloy, Toby Hadoke, Nev Fountain, Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel and many more. It takes place in Kassel on the 24th to 25th October 2015.

DVD distributer Pandastorm Pictures has released a trailer for the upcoming German DVD boxed set of Die Fünf Doktoren (20th anniversary special The Five Doctors). The 3-disc-set will contain the 90 minute TV-version, the three-parter that was shown in Germany in 1995 and the 100 minute special edition. The set will be released on 28th August 2015. The trailer can be viewed below.

The Five Doctors trailer on YouTube

FILTER: - Audio - Books - Cross Cult - Fifth Doctor - FOX - Germany - International Broadcasting

Doctor Who Series 10 Confirmed

Tuesday, 14 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Hidden away on page 32 of the BBC Worldwide Annual Review, published today, is the first official confirmation of the commissioning of Doctor Who Series 10

On page 32 of the report, detailing with Corporate governance the text reads

During the year matters under review included plans to launch the global genre brands BBC First in Australia and New Zealand on Foxtel and BBC Brit and BBC Earth in Poland; and investments in The Musketeers S3 and Doctor Who S10. Additionally, during the year WEx reviewed people policies and development opportunities across the company.

Full report on the review here here

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Leading News - Series 10/36

Titan Comics Announce Eighth Doctor Mini-Series

Monday, 13 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Titan Comics have announced that they will publish a brand-new miniseries featuring The Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann.

The series will hit comic stores October 28 and will be penned by writer George Mann (New York Times-bestselling Doctor Who novel Engines of War!) with art by Emma Vieceli (Breaks, Alex Rider: Scorpia, Dead Boy Detectives, Vampire Academy, Manga Shakespeare).

Issue #1 comes with four covers to collect: a special art cover by Alice X. Zhang; a photo cover; art cover by Warren Pleece and a blank sketch variant.

"I'M THE DOCTOR, AND I'D VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN MY HOUSE..."

Get ready for an all-new season of comics adventures featuring the Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann in the Doctor Who movie, fan-favorite minisode Night of the Doctor... and over fourteen years (and counting!) of astounding Big Finish audio spectaculars!

Five amazing, interconnected new stories take the Doctor on a rollercoaster of threat and misadventure, as he investigates the mysteries surrounding his new companion Josie. Victorian magic shows, murderous trees, lost books, crystalline life-forms, barges in space crammed with the undead... and the grand journey all begins in a sleepy Welsh town... besieged by living paintings!

Buckle up for a wild ride that embraces all the Gothic Romance and interstellar terror of the Doctor's eighth incarnation!

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan)

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan/Alice X Zhang)

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan/Warren Pleece)

FILTER: - Comics - Eighth Doctor

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