Fan Productions roundup

Saturday, 9 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

This roundup features three fanzines, two of which are first issues, a new album from a Time Lord Rock band and the first completed work by the Doctor Who Fan Orchestra.

Doctor Who Fan Orchestra - I Am The Doctor

DWFO: "I Am The Doctor", "socksofbalhoon", via YouTube

Whotopia - Issue 21

In this issue:

Nicholas Courtney & Elisabeth Sladen Tributes - Michael S Collins, Gary Phillips, Bob Furnell, Thomas Willam Spychalski and Claire Chaplin pay tribute to two fo the series' most acclaimed actors.
Jean-Marc L'Officier Interview - Jez Strickley talks to the author and translator about the original Doctor Who program guide, French comics and a certain Docteur Omega...
Music for Ming Mongs - David MacGowan takes us on an innovative tour of Doctor Who by way of the indie rock band, the Gossip.
Wholife: Dressing Up - Grant Bull joins Whotopia's team of columnists with an ireverent look at dress sense in Doctor Who.
Dalek's Advocate: In Defence of Michael Grade - Jon Arnold don's the mantle of Skarosian lawyer to defend former BBC Controller Michael Grade.
The Fanzine Corner - With the world of fanzines at his fingertips, Bob Furnell spotlights one of fandoms enduring features in the all-new column.
They Think It's All Over - Michael S. Collins mind turns to a tournament of galactic proportions.
Audio Tomb - Matthew Kresal explores the audio version of The Tomb of The Cybermen with an eye on its TV counterpart.
Who's Catchphrase Craze - Emily Jones considers how certain catchphrases have come to define the new series.
Sarah Jane Adventures: Series Four Reviews - Jon Arnold, Grant Bull, Brendan Kennedy, Dan Rushton, Thomas Willam Spychalski and Ian Wheeler tell us about the latest offerings from the successful spin-off series.
K-9 Series One Review - How did the much-anticipated K-9 series fare? Gary Phillips tells all.
Target Trawl - Wirrn and Axons are on the menu in another lively instalment from our resident Target books reader, Nick Mellish.
Screwdrivers, Scaries and Scarves: The TARDIS - A look at the Doctor's longest-standing 'companion' by Jez Strickley.
Sacreligious Thoughts - Bob Furnell offers explanations why he's not in love with Doctor Who like he use to be.
A Christmas Carol Review - Just how special was Matt Smith's first Christmas outing? Gary Phillips gives us his view.
Fiction: The Thoughts of a Time Machine - New original fiction from British writer Martin Hearn.

All this and more in Whotopia issue 21. Available to download for free in PDF format.

Fanwnak - Issue 1

In this issue:

Interview - Toby Hadoke on moths, the BBC and running through corridors...
Doctor Who's Big Fat Gypsy Massacre!
Jeff's Internet History Lessons
Shada Reconstruction News
Philip Hinchcliffe's Production Notes
Fan Fiction - The Silent Space
William Shakespeare
My Heretical Error
Gumblejack
Mo' Hanky-Panky In The TARDIS
The Unloved
Six Years Of New Doctor Who
Doctor Ooh!
Comic Strip - At Home With The Who's
Trying Not To Get Lost
Doctor Who And The Victorians
Letterbox

And more...

Submissions needed for Issue 2:

In order to survive, every printed publication needs high quality contributors. (Hopefully, that's you!) In an age where online publication is the now the norm, it is instantly gratifying to get your work/thoughts out to the world for virtually free and getting a printed fanzine off the ground is hard. FANWNAK Issue 1 eventually launched with much acclaim after months of development. Now it's your chance to contribute to the upcoming Issue 2. Just email me at snhbuk@gmail.com if you'd like to help out. I am accepting comic strips (in full glorious colour) and articles for either the new or classic series of Doctor Who whether they be funny or serious, I'd appreciate your support. Thank you!

Theta Morbius Times - Issue 1

In this issue:

We pay tribute to the incredible lives of Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney in Who's News
TMT exclusively interviews Baelcolour and Aquatics64, two highly regarded fan film creators about their life, their craft and their future
Memorial is a tragic and moving strip about grief and loss. Find out what makes it so succesful in the Archive
And in another comic strip feature, TMT investigates the incredible world of the Doctor's comic strip companions in the Fundamentals
We review the first two episodes of Series Six and find out what makes these episodes work in Who's Views
In an incredible exclusive we interview Rich Morris, the creator of the incredible comic strip The Ten Doctors in the first part of our Serialised Comic
Plus regular features such as Novelisational, the Escapists column and reviews of both new and old episodes and merchandise.

All this and more in the latest issue of Theta Morbius Times!

Chameleon Circuit - Still Got Legs

Release Date: July 12, 2011

You can listen to the whole album for free in the player below courtesy of Alex Day.

More products from Chameleon Circuit can be found here.

FILTER: - Fan Productions

UK Classic DVD update: The Sun Makers

Friday, 8 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

2|Entertain have now released details on next month's DVD release, The Sun Makers; this story marks the completion of Season 15 on DVD, the penultimate adventure under producership of Graham Williams, and brings the remaining list of Fourth Doctor adventures still to be released down to four (five if the incomplete Shada is included).

The Sun Makers
Release Date: 1st August 2011 (available for pre-order)

Starring Tom Baker as Doctor Who, with Louise Jameson as Leela
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Pennant Roberts

Broadcast: 26th November 1977 - 17th December 1977

Far in the distant future, Earth has become uninhabitable, forcing mankind to colonise first Mars, and then Pluto...

No longer the coldest planet in the Solar System, Pluto is now warmed by a series of artificial suns. But access to the sunlight is limited to a select few... The majority of the citizens of the vast Megropolis cities are being overworked and overtaxed by the ruling elite, led by the Gatherer, and the sinister Collector.

When the Doctor, Leela and K9 arrive they discover that all is not well on Pluto. The human population is being totally exploited, while deep in the Undercity, a small band of rebels seeks to overthrow the mysterious 'Company' that controls all aspects of everyday life.

As the situation gets more desperate, the Doctor is forced to fight the oppression of the evil corporate rulers of Pluto. And their taxes...!

Special Features

Commentary with actors Tom Baker, Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts.
Running from the Tax Man – a retrospective look at the making of the story and the science behind it. With actors Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts, writer and historian Dominic Sandbrook and astronomer Marek Kukula.
Outtakes
Trailer – the original BBC1 trailer for the story.
The Doctor’s Composer – Part Two – the concluding part of the series looking at the career of prolific composer Dudley Simpson, covering his work on the show in the seventies.
Photo Gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
Coming Soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
Programme subtitles
Subtitle Production Notes

Meanwhile, the Classic Doctor Who team have continued to keep readers appraised with the developments on future releases over Twitter (summary over the last month detailed below). Amongst the tidbits are the completion of Revisitations 3 - due to be released next year, and that while Elisabeth Sladen sadly hadn't recorded any further commentaries, Nicholas Courtney will feature on The Ambassadors of Death, and Barry Letts on The Mind of Evil.

05 Jun Mark Ayres: 4 seconds missing from VHS & US tx masters returned to @classicdw
Colony in Space for DVD. Restores 2 lines of dialogue.
06 Jun ClassicDW: Cracking doc on THE DAEMONS from Chris Chapman signed off.
Sue Hedden worth the price of DVD alone. What a great character!
06 Jun Mark Ayres: Colony in Space - restored soundtracks and mixed commentaries for
@classicdw DVD release done and delivered via ftp.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Enjoyable doc from James Goss signed off.
First in a series, and featuring Louise Jameson.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: Happiness Patrol making-of being heavily cut down today. Some of cut
material may be uploaded by @classicdw on youtube if you ask him nicely
08 Jun ClassicDW: Many have asked whether there are any unreleased commentaries featuring
N Courtney, L Sladen or B Letts.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Sadly there are none unreleased Elisabeth comms.
Nick appears on AMBASSADORS OF DEATH, and Barry on MIND OF EVIL.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: @classicdw worth RTing that Barry will also appear in vision discussing all
of his serials except 'Death to the Daleks', and other features
08 Jun ClassicDW: Final PARADISE TOWERS sleeves approved and off to the printers!
09 Jun Mark Ayres: Much of the week so far spent working on @classicdw @Thetamation @bigfinish
Reign of Terror. Now: a day-trip to Svartos.
12 Jun Ed Stradling: I am crap at deciding programme titles. I have "Studio Svartos" for the
Dragonfire making-of. Can any #doctorwho fans think of a better one?
13 Jun Ed Stradling: @Xander, @Babelcolour and @NicholasPegg "Fire and Ice" is now the title
of the Dragonfire doc.
14 Jun Ed Stradling: Shooting with Shaun Ley for a feature on the Happiness Patrol DVD
@classicdw http://t.co/4HWOQ0A
15 Jun ClassicDW: REVISITATIONS 3 completed! Sterling work from the team. Looking at release
first half 2012. VidFIRED TOMB looking great. :)
16 Jun Ed Stradling: Very very busy on graphics and title bumpers for DW Happiness Patrol.
17 Jun James Loosemore: Just finishing off the final mixes of my arrangement of the
Doctor Who Theme for @classicdw
18 Jun Chris Chapman: Seems like my next @classicdw shoot will be in late July - all
outdoors on location, always a bonus!
21 Jun Chris Chapman: Have a feeling that our Reign of Terror @classicdw doco could be
one of the best topics we've tackled - now just need a bit of good luck!
22 Jun Ed Stradling: krotons already commissioned for a making-of. Not sure about ice warrs.
23 Jun Ed Stradling: Dragonfire DVD doc finished and playing out to tape.
24 Jun Mark Ayres: Mastered audio for @classicdw Dragonfire and The Happiness Patrol DVDs
all complete and delivered.
25 Jun ClassicDW: Changes made to the VAM packages for KROTONS and PLANET OF GIANTS
following suggestions from @edstradling. Should be good! :)
26 Jun ClassicDW: Some lovely First Doctor character tests through from @thetamation
for REIGN OF TERROR.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off menus for DAY OF THE DALEKS - Special Edition DVD.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off cracking promo for ACE BOX featuring DRAGONFIRE and HAPPINESS PATROL.
New graphics in there, marvellously "Breakdance"!
28 Jun Chris Chapman: Opening animation for my @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco shaping up
nicely! Nice and moody...
28 Jun Mark Ayres: It's very hot in the studio today.
I put it down to unstable matter interfaces. Nightmare!
29 Jun Ed Stradling: Up bright and early for some GV shots! @classicdw http://t.co/BhbzhzV
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Our @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco is into the home stretch -
running at around 27mins at present. Feels like a good one!
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Quotes from @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco include:
"I think Terry Nation was taking the mickey!"
06 Jul Mark Ayres: Given that I have aleady restored this @classicdw title for audiobook,
DVD mastering should be easy...
07 Jul Chris Chapman: @0tralala I've done what you asked for! The Death to the Daleks Target book
is in the @classicdw DVD doco - ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?? :-)
07 Jul Chris Chapman: I'm taking requests (caveat: which I can totally ignore) for things YOU
want to see in the @classicdw GreatestShow and ReignOfTerror docos!
08 Jul Chris Chapman: Right! I've just sent @classicdw my nearly-final cut of our
Death to the Daleks doco - 'Beneath the City of the Exxilons'. Hope he likes it!

Some artwork has also been released for Italian versions of classic Doctor Who stories, which are distributed by DNC Entertainment; a number of titles have been mentioned including I Dalek Invadono La Terra, Gli Inizi, I Semi Della Morte, L'Invasione and Il Lardo Di Menti.

via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter
via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter

FILTER: - Italy - UK - Tom Baker - International Broadcasting - Classic Series - Latin America -

BBC responds to complaints over Torchwood scheduling

Friday, 8 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC has posted a response to complaints from UK fans over the scheduling of Torchwood: Miracle Day. BBC One will broadcast episodes six days after the US broadcast and five days after the Australian and Canadian broadcasts which has angered some fans. The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian blogged about the delay.

Torchwood, Scheduling, BBC One
Publication date: 8 July 2011

Complaint

We received complaints from viewers unhappy that the new series of Torchwood will be broadcast in America before the UK.

The BBC's Response

We are pleased to announce that Torchwood will return to BBC One at 21.00 on Thursday 14 July.

Starz in the US have the contractual right to the World Premiere, that relates to the deal that was done and ultimately this has created better value for licence fee payers.

Contractually, the broadcasters in other territories can transmit from the next day onwards but being as close to the transmission in the US is not the only factor in the scheduling decision. We have identified what we think is the best slot for BBC One viewers and have also ensured that it's within a week of transmission in the US.

Eve Myles was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter and gave her thoughts about the fan reaction to the delay of the UK broadcast.

THR: We’re sure you’ve heard the rancor out of the UK about BBC’s delayed premiere of the show. What would you like to say to those fans?

Myles: We never, ever, ever wanted to take this show away from the original fans. What we always wanted to do with the show was give them a gift every year, something wonderful, a big, big present. And if that present isn’t good enough, we aren’t going to give it to you. We’ve made you the best, best series yet. And it works out that it will be a week after the U.S. showing. And obviously we have nothing to do with that -- me nor John [Barrowman] or [showrunners Russel T. Davies and Julie Gardner]. But, just hold on tight. I’d just like to remind them that they’re our fans. We want them to sit back and enjoy it, be proud of it like we are, and to stick with us. If it was up to me and John, we’d have it to them straight away. But, it’s not.

THR: So, do you understand where they’re coming from?

Myles: Oh my God, of course I do. I was the biggest Six Feet Under fan in the world. And if that had happened, it went out there first and it didn’t come out here. That did happen with the first series. It went out there and we had to wait. And the reason why I was so frustrated and kind of pissed off about it is because I couldn’t wait to see it. I was so excited about seeing it. You just want to get to see it, don’t you? I mean fair play. These people have waited just over two years for this next season. You know, they’ve waited long enough. I wish I had the ten episodes here and I can invite them to my house and we could all watch them together. You know, tonight. Unfortunately, my house isn’t big enough and I only have one [episode] myself [she laughs]. Yeah, I’d like to say that if I had something to do with it that this wouldn’t be happening. But, sit tight, because it is a fantastic ride.

FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4) - Broadcasting - BBC

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Episode 1

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Starz have now released the first part of Torchwood: Web of Lies for iOS devices in the US, and have also made it available to watch worldwide online:

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Episode 1, Starz, via YouTube

There are also two introductory videos featuring the characters of Gwen and Holly:

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Holly, Starz, via YouTube

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Gwen, Starz, via YouTube

The secret of immortality revealed? Find out in "Torchwood: Web of Lies", a unique 10 part companion to the new Russell T Davies series "Torchwood: Miracle Day." This completely original episodic interactive experience fuses together incredible motion comic graphics and gameplay to tell a digital-exclusive Torchwood story.

Players participate in a parallel narrative to the "Torchwood: Miracle Day" that delves deeper into the dramatic events which unfold in the TV series. "Torchwood: Web of Lies" includes lead characters Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper – voiced by John Barrowman and Eve Myles – AND introduces Eliza Dushku as the voice of Holly, a young woman intent on finding out what has happened to her brother and the world.

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of Torchwood like never before as you crack codes, break locks and race across landscapes in search of the real truth behind Miracle Day.

What happened to Jack and Gwen on that "missing day" back in 2007 - the day that neither remembers? Is it possible that a young, paranoid conspiracy theorist actually stumbled into the chilling truth and what it means for Miracle Day? The ONLY place to find out is in "Torchwood: Web of Lies."

Torchwood: Web of Lies is written by HUGO award winner Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott and Executive Produced by Russell T Davies.

This first FREE download gives you Episode 1 of Torchwood: Web of Lies. Then watch Torchwood: Miracle Day every week and return to the app the DAY AFTER for an opportunity to get a new episode of Web of Lies. Every episode includes more original story told through motion graphics AND new gameplay, culminating in a thrilling interactive finale in Episode 10.

This application is made by BBC Worldwide. BBC Worldwide is a commercial company that is owned by the BBC. The profits BBC Worldwide make from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes.

Episode 1 of Torchwood: Miracle Day, The New World, premieres on Friday 8th July on Starz at 10pm ET/PT. You can find the full schedule, including repeats at This Week In Doctor Who.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Online - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Competition Roundup (7th July 2011)

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Here is a list of the currently known open competitions related to Doctor Who - if you come across any competitions not listed please feel free to let us know!


Doctor Who Adventures	10 Jul	Win a family ticket to The Crash of Elysium (on 17 Jul). UK residents only.
What's On Stage	12 Jul	Win a family ticket to The Crash of Elysium (on 17 Jul). UK residents only.
Doctor Who Adventures	13 Jul	Win six Doctor Who audio books. UK residents only.
Watch	13 Jul	Win tickets to the Doctor Who Experience. UK residents only.
Cinema Blend	15 Jul	Win the first three series of Torchwood on DVD (R1). US residents only.
Cultbox	15 Jul	Win a copy of the book The Man Who Invented The Daleks. UK residents only.
Chicago Tribune	15 Jul	Win Torchwood goodies. US residents only.
Doctor Who News	18 Jul	Win one of five copies of the book Torchwood: First Born. UK residents only
Eye of Horus	25 Jul	Win one of ten copies of Paradise Towers on DVD (R2). Open Worldwide.
DrWho Online	31 Jul	Win one of three copies of Paradise Towers on DVD (R2). Open Worldwide
DrWho Online	31 Jul	Win one of three copies of The Eye Of The Jungle on CD. Open Worldwide
Nova FM	unknown	Win $2500 to celebrate the return of Torchwood. AU residents only.
Blu-ray Disc Reporter	unknown	Win a copy of Doctor Who Series 6 Pt 1 on blu-ray.

FILTER: - Competitions

Coming Soon: Dead of Night

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have now updated their programme information for Week 30 with details of Torchwood: Miracle Day's third episode, Dead of Night, which will premiere in the UK on BBC1/BBC1HD at 9:00pm, 28th July.

The following is the plot synopsis for Dead of Night which might be considered a spoiler

Torchwood goes on the run – and finds a new enemy. But as they launch a raid on PhiCorp headquarters, Jack must confront the mysterious Oswald Danes.

Episode three includes guest stars Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park, Seinfeld), Dillon Casey (The Vampire Diaries) and Richard Gilliland (Desperate Housewives).

FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Press - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Episode 1 preview clip

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

The official BBC Torchwood website has released a 2 minute 49 second preview clip of episode one of Miracle Day, The New World.

Torchwood: Miracle Day - The New World preview, BBC, via BBC Torchwood - may not play outside of the United Kingdom

[8 July 2011] The BBC has now released a trail for episode 1.

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Episode 1 trail, BBC, via BBC Torchwood - may not play outside of the United Kingdom

FILTER: - Torchwood - Online - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: Miracle Day - BBC Press pack

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

With the news series of Torchwood due to begin airing next Thursday in the UK, the BBC Press Office has released interviews with the main cast and crew of Torchwood: Miracle Day.

An interview with John Barrowman ahead of the new series of Torchwood, BBC, via BBC Press Office - may not play outside of the United Kingdom

John Barrowman on Jack's relationship with Gwen Cooper:

Jack's relationship with Gwen is – he is very fond of her, but it's more than that. He is very protective of her. Gwen was always the heart of the group, but she has evolved herself. She's still the heart, but now is a bit of the muscle. And Jack, through the process of them being together, has taught her the art of fighting, gun slinging and all that stuff. She has come a very long way. But their relationship is funny, because it's almost like a brother and sister relationship and it's almost like a husband and wife relationship. But there's nothing sexual between them, it's the type of thing where she might finish one of his sentences or vice versa because they know each other so well. And, between Jack and Gwen, if they're in a sticky situation, all it needs is a look from one of them and then they know exactly what they're thinking.

Eve Myles on Gwen's life since Torchwood disbanded:

At the end of Children Of Earth, both Jack and Gwen went their separate ways. Jack went off somewhere and Gwen moved to a very quiet part of the country into hiding because she was being hunted. She's been wanted because she's the last remaining member of Torchwood. She goes away and has a baby and lives there with her husband, and they've got quite a perfect, chocolate box kind of cottage, and it's idyllic.

But she is so bored. She's in limbo land and she never switches off. She's constantly in Torchwood mode and always on alert. So when this particular event happens and Captain Jack turns up, he couldn't have turned up at a better time for her, because she was lost.

Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson) describes his character:

I wouldn't describe Rex as arrogant but I think he's certainly set in his ways. There's a certain amount of edge to him. I think he's determined and strong and focused. And I think once he has it set in his mind that he wants to do something, that's what he goes out and does. He just goes out and makes it happen, He's very much a black or white person – he's not a grey area guy.

When Rex first meets Captain Jack, they just flat out don't like each other. John's a great guy in person – really funny – loves life. And he's always singing and dancing around and saying crazy things, so I just love the guy. But our characters, definitely in the beginning, clash, there's no question about that. We definitely have different approaches to things. And I haven't figured him out yet.

Russell T Davies on moving production for the new series to America:

Coming to the US for Torchwood (the organisation) is like another case. They've dealt with galaxies and universes, so another country is not that big of a deal. It is, however, a big deal for Gwen. She's separated from her husband and from her child. She's arrested and taken to America, so it's heartbreaking on that level. But for Jack, he hits the ground running. For many years Torchwood (the series) has had an American actor in the lead role, so in that sense it feels entirely natural. For the show to hit America, I think it's a new start without being a reboot. That's what's exciting about it. This is simply a new horizon. We have different producing partners, and it has added a new influx of imagination, and frankly, a bigger budget as well.

Julie Gardner reassures new viewers:

If you haven't watched Torchwood before, the first important thing to say is – don't be afraid. You don't have to know anything about the show or its history. Everything is explained from the beginning. In that way, it's a completely welcoming new show for a brand new audience. And you should watch because it should be a lot of fun. It's a thriller that is properly answered in 10 episodes. It's not the type of show where you have to hang on for five years and at the end of that you're weeping trying to understand who everyone is and how stories have properly been tied together.

Bill Pullman (Oswald Danes):

Our story really begins in a very precarious moment for the earth and my character in particular. He is getting three lethal injections, because he has been convicted as a murderer/paedophile. And the surprise is that he doesn't die. He survive a very horrendous experience, but his body is still alive.

And then everyone in the hospital realises that other people haven't died in that hospital and in that city, in the country, in the world for 24 hours or so. They realise this is a new paradigm of how and what it is to be human. For Oswald, it begins a journey of beginning to realise that he is going to survive and that he's going to be free because they haven't been able to kill him.

Alexa Havins (Esther Drummond):

Torchwood as we all know changes life drastically, and Esther gets a firsthand knowledge of that. There's intrigue and her curiosity pretty much gets the best of her. We start with Esther's very safe, comfortable 9-5 job. But all of a sudden, once she steps into the world of Torchwood, she's launched into a whole different path. Quickly we find her on the run. She's trying to survive, but her instincts kick in. So it's interesting watching this person that doesn't have the experience and training as Jack or Gwen or Rex would. I love watching her as a character and playing her and reading the scripts. She's trying to get out of life and death situations and she stumbles a little because she's still a newbie

Lauren Ambrose (Jilly Kitzinger):

Jilly Kitzinger works in public relations. She's a sleek, slick, clever PR person who works for the potentially evil corporation PhiCorp, a giant pharmaceutical company. She's always on the move, seems to always be traveling on a different airplane going to a different city.

Bill Pullman plays a death row prisoner who's about to be executed and he doesn't die, so he becomes a media star and I want him for my company. We want him – we want to use him. I find him and I convince him that he needs me. He of course doesn't need me, but I have other plans for him.

Arlene Tur (Dr. Vera Juarez):

My character, Dr. Juarez, starts off having a pretty normal day, and all of a sudden, everybody starts coming in to the hospital and staying there – they're not dying. Rex comes in, after he's impaled in his accident, and because of the miracle, I am able to work on him and save his life. I'm Rex's liaison to keep him pain free.

So the miracle saved his life, and as the show goes on, you see all the troubles that come with over-population and everything that we have to deal with – from the government to lack of medication and how we're going to deal with that.

See the press pack for the full interviews.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Press - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Beth Willis leaves Doctor Who

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who executive producer Beth Willis, is to leave the series to return to her former employers Kudos Film and Television.

Willis will leave the BBC at the end of this month, a couple of months before fellow executive producer Piers Wenger leaves the BBC to join Film 4.

The news means a new executive team will join showrunner Steven Moffat as the programme gears up for production on the 2012/2013 series of the show leading into the 50th anniversary year.

Willis has been an Executive Producer on the series for the past two years. She joined the series with Wenger at the same time as showrunner Steven Moffat, taking over for the arrival of Eleventh Doctor at the conclusion of The End of Time. Both have been responsible for 27 episodes of the Show.

Wills will leave the series at the end of this month with Wenger departing the BBC at the end of September. The BBC hopes to find a replacement for Willis in time for the filming of the Doctor Who Christmas special. It will then recruit a second executive producer before filming for the 33rd series begins.

Beth commented:

Working with Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger and Matt Smith on the last two series of Doctor Who has been the most fantastic experience and I will miss them hugely... The plans taking shape for the next series of Doctor Who and for the 50th Anniversary are beyond exciting - and with Steven Moffat at the helm, this incredibly special time for the show is in very safe hands.

The BBC's Drama controller Ben Stephenson praised Willis for her work on Doctor Who.

Much of its current success is down to her vision and ambition for the show. She has been an inspiring and instrumental force and I know will be much missed by all of us, and especially Matt Smith and Steven Moffat.

Steven Moffat added:

We couldn’t keep her forever, though God knows I tried. She is off to be brave and brilliant in brand new ways, and the sad news for Doctor Who is that it will be somewhere else.

Willis returns to Kudos where she produced the first two series of Ashes To Ashes. Chief executive of Kudos, Jane Featherstone, said

I’m chuffed to bits to be welcoming her back to Kudos, where her creative instincts and no-nonsense work ethic will make her a force to be reckoned with in the drama world.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production - BBC

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in Hollywood

Wednesday, 6 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan will be in Hollywood on 26 July to sign copies of Doctor Who: Series 6, Part 1. They will be appearing at the Los Angeles based Amoeba Music store.

Matt Smith (The Doctor) and Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) will be at Amoeba Music to celebrate the release of Doctor Who: Series Six, Part 1 (on DVD and Blu-Ray). Limited to 200 purchasers of Doctor Who: Series Six, Part 1 (available for purchase starting July 19th at Amoeba). Fans can get ONE item of their choice signed as long as they have purchased Series Six, Part 1 on DVD or Blu-Ray.

Doctor Who DVD Signing
Tuesday July 26th 7pm - Hollywood

6400 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan make their triumphant return as the Doctor and his companion in an all-new series of Doctor Who! In Part 1, the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves in Sixties America, battling the invasion the world forgot, then journey on the high seas of 1696 aboard a pirate ship, to solve the mystery of the Siren. In a bubble universe at the very edge of reality, the Doctor meets an old friend with a new face, and in a monastery on a remote island in the near future, an industrial accident takes on a terrible human shape. And waiting for them, at the end of all this, is the battle of Demon's Run, and the Doctor's darkest hour. Can even the truth about River Song save the Time Lord's soul? Only two things are certain. Silence will fall. And a good man is going to die...

Part 1 of the new season delivered record ratings on BBC AMERICA, earned rave reviews including an “A” and a spot “The Must List” from Entertainment Weekly, and was featured on NBC’s Today show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Beth Willis, Piers Wenger and Toby Whithouse, will be in the US to attend San Diego Comic Con on Sunday 24 July where they'll be showing attendees new footage from the second half of Series 6.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Special Events - USA - Series 6/32

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