This week sees the release of the latest Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition, which looks in depth at Series Five of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Written and researched by Andrew Pixley, the special explores the making of the final three stories to be broadcast, Sky, The Curse of Clyde Langer, and The Man Who Never Was, plus details on the three stories that would have made up the second half of the series, Meet Mr Smith, The Thirteenth Floor and The Battle for Bannerman Road. In The Untold Tales, Russell T Davies and Phil Ford discuss how the series might have progressed into its sixth season, whilst The Stories That Never Were delves into the outlines and scripts that ultimately were never made. Plus, a previously unpublished interview with Elisabeth Sladen which was conducted back in 1993 for Thirty Years in the TARDIS.


Editor Tom Spilsbury also provided a sneak peek into the magazine: "Here's a glimpse inside the new DWM SJA Special - and what would have been the Series Five finale..."

The BBC have released new images to promote the forthcoming series, featuring portraits and moments from the first three episodes.

The titles of the first five episodes that make up the 2012 mini-season have now been confirmed:

• Asylum of the Daleks, written by Steven Moffat, directed by Nick Hurran
  
• Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, written by Chris Chibnall, directed by Saul Metzstein
  
• A Town called Mercy, written by Toby Whithouse, directed by Saul Metzstein
  
• The Power of Three, written by Chris Chibnall, directed by Douglas Mackinnon
  
• The Angels take Manhattan, written by Steven Moffat, directed by Nick Hurran
  

No date has currently been given over when the series will return to television - Steven Moffat has simply reported that it will be "soon!"


Asylum of the Daleks had its press preview tonight, revealing a redesigned title sequence with updated logo and typography for this series. The episode has a running time of 50 minutes. After the preview, a Q&A session took place hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Richard Bacon, with Steven Moffat, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Caroline Skinner. Discussion included possible plans for live events to take place during the course the 50th Anniversary year, and that Matt Smith is contracted for further episodes.

The preview was attended by cast and crew, including 1980s co-star Nicola Bryant, who said: "fabulous opening, secret weapon is a big surprise, laughed & cried & held my breath! LOVEIT". The BBC have also published some photos from the evening.


Steven Moffat also featured as a guest on Richard Bacon's afternoon show, where the two discussed several subjects including the multitude of Daleks in the first episode and the history of the police box; however, Moffat refused to be drawn over the broadcasting plans for the series next year, or whether there would be a multi-Doctor story or not! However, he did confirm that an episode would be broadcast on the 50th Anniversary day itself.

Talking about the show's iconic status, he said:
The full interview can be listened to via the BBC iPlayer (from 51:20) until the 21st August, in the DailyBacon BBC Podcast until 14th September, and a clip has also been made available via BBC News.

Doctor Who Magazine has announced that the next edition, due to be published on Thursday 23 August, will be delayed by at least a week. The delay is due to production problems which have meant the magazine has missed its allocated printing slot.

The delay has nothing to do with any potential launch date for the new series of Doctor Who, the date of which has still to be announced by the BBC.

The next Doctor Who Magazine Special Editon, Sarah Jane Smith – Volume 3, has also been delayed by a week and will now be published next Thursday 16 August.

BBC America are building up anticipation for the return of Doctor Who with a request for fans to share their first memories of the show:



Meanwhile, the channel continues its new series of documentary specials this coming Saturday with The Women of Doctor Who:
The trailer for last week's documentary, The Science of Doctor Who, is also available to watch on BBC America's YouTube channel.

The British Film Institute have announced that Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will attend the preview screening of Asylum of the Daleks on Tuesday 14th August. They will join Steven Moffat in a Question and Answer session after the episode, which will also include executive producer Caroline Skinner. The Q&A will be chaired by broadcaster (and fan) Richard Bacon.

Tickets for Doctor Who related events at the BFI are very popular, with the Asylum preview selling out within an hour of opening registration!

BBC Books have released details on the next book in their hardback range of novels, the first to feature spin-off series Torchwood; The Exodus Code is written by "Captain Jack" himself John Barrowman with his sister Carole, and is due to be published on 13th September.


The story is also due to be released as an audiobook in September.

A clean version of the cover artwork for the forthcoming special edition release of The Claws of Axos by Lee Binding has been published via the Tea-Lady Design Facebook page.

Special features have yet to be formally announced, though as well as items from the original release the new two disc set will also include a new documentary Axon Stations!, plus feature Living with Levene. Full details will be released shortly.

The special edition is currently available for pre-order at Amazon, expected to be released in the United Kingdom on 22nd October, and in North America on 13th November (cover illustration to the right).

The BBC have confirmed that a special ninety minute drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. An Adventure in Space and Time will explore the creation of the series in 1963, looking at all aspects of the process and the variety of personalities involved in bringing the longest running science fiction show to life.

It has been written by Mark Gatiss, who said:

The show was commissioned for BBC Two by its Controller Janice Hadlow, and the the Contoller of Drama, Ben Stephenson; the role of producer has yet to be announced, but was advertised in July. Executive producers for the drama are Caroline Skinner and Steven Moffat, who added:

Details about the programme, its casting and transmission will be confirmed next year.

Winning Moves are to celebrate the impending 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who with the release of a special edition of the popular board game Monopoly:


The limited edition set is expected to retail from 28th August, and can be pre-ordered from online stores such as Forbidden Planet.