Michael Sheen in Doctor Who

Monday, 21 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Michael SheenFilm star Michael Sheen is to voice a character in the fourth episode of the upcoming series of Doctor Who.

Sheen revealed his involvement during a talk to students at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and this was confirmed later by writer Neil Gaiman who penned the story that will feature the vocal talents of the actor.

Sheen is best known for his movie portrayals of well-known public figures. He played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in The Queen, TV interviewer David Frost in Frost/Nixon and former Football manager Brian Clough in The Damned United.

Sheen was born in Newport in Wales in 1969. He was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth theatre, where he was a contemporary of former showrunner Russell T Davies.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production

Minister of Chance

Sunday, 20 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
A new audio drama featuring the vocal talents of two former Doctors has just been released.

The Minister of Chance is described as a new form of entertainment, a radiophonic drama, made using a combination of film and radio techniques and delivered by podcast.

The series, which has won rave reviews from industry insiders, boasts an impressive cast with the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy playing The Witch Prime and the Eighth Doctor, Paul McGann playing Durian.

Julian Wadham of The English Patient and The Madness of King George, plays The Minister, Jenny Agutter plays Professor Cantha and Paul Darrow plays Lord Rathen. The cast also features Gethin Anthony, Lauren Crace, Stuart Fox, Peter Guinness, Lloyd Hutchinson, Mark Lewis and Jay Taylor.

The character of the Minister of Chance first appeared in Death Comes to Time, a BBC Doctor Who webcast first broadcast on the BBCi Cult website in the summer of 2001, where the character was played by Stephen Fry.

Six episodes of this new series, which does not feature the character of The Doctor, are planned, of which the first two have been recorded. The completion of the series depends on the success of these episodes. A prologue and the first episode, The Broken World, can be downloaded now.




FILTER: - Audio - Sylvester McCoy - Paul McGann

Doctor Who Comics Come to iTunes

Sunday, 20 March 2011 - Reported by Jeremy Bement
IDW Publishing announced at this weekend's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) that their line of Doctor Who comics will be available worldwide for the iPad, iPhone and other iOS devices through Apple's iTunes effective immediately. They will also be launching the line of comics on the Sony PSP within weeks.

Until now, IDW's original Doctor Who comics were only available in North America which left many fans unable to view the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor's adventures. With this announcement, fans will be able to purchase and view not only IDW's original line of Doctor Who comics but also many of the classic comics from Doctor Who Magazine which have been digitally colored for the first time.

Doctor Who Comics! The complete comic book adventures of the Doctor, all in one app. Only from IDW Publishing, the leader in digital comics.

IDW Publishing presents the critically acclaimed DOCTOR WHO comic book series. The Doctor Who Comics app features all-new adventures of Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor, as well as the 10th Doctor, David Tennant, and classics from decades past.

Includes 3 free comics, with over 40 comics available!

Each comic has been formatted to view as the entire page or custom crafted panels for the iPhone and iPod touch that make reading easy and fun. Shop for new issues in a familiar, easy to use store front, and view your collection on your virtual bookshelf.

Check out iTunes for the Doctor Who Comic app and Comic Book Resources for more information.




FILTER: - Online - Comics

SFX Blog Awards - Nominees

Sunday, 20 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
SFXThe website SFX has launched the SFX Blog Awards, honouring SF sites that were created for the love of the genre, and maintained by people out of love rather than money.

Nominations have been drawn up from suggestions made by members of the SFX Forum, SFX team members and the SFX Bloggers and include a number of Doctor Who sites including The Doctor Who News Page which is nominated as Best SF News Blog.

Gallifrey Base is nominated as Best SF Fan Community and Doctor Who Podshock as Best SF Podcast.

Life, Doctor Who And Combom and Who Fix are both nominated as Best SF Franchise Specific Site.

Paul Cornell, James Moran and Neil Gaiman are all nominated for Best Celebrity Blog.

You can vote in the awards at the SFX website.




FILTER: - Magazines - Awards/Nominations

Fan claims ownership of Davros

Sunday, 20 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
DavrosA Doctor Who fan is suing the BBC for breach of copyright, claiming that he invented the character Davros first seen in the series in 1975.

According to the Daily Mail, Steven Clark claims that he came up with the idea for the character when he was just 13 and entered a drawing competition run by TV Action magazine in 1972. Clark claims that he invented the name Davros and sent in a drawing of the character along with a handwritten essay called The Genesis Of The Daleks: The Creation Of Davros.

Clark has launched High Court proceedings to try to prove that the BBC has been using the character without his permission for nearly four decades and claiming damages, or a sum equivalent to the profits generated from the character over the years.

His competition entry was a pencil sketch coloured in with felt pens which he claims shows a ‘half-man half-Dalek’ with an additional eye in the centre of his forehead, a headset, epaulettes, a withered left hand and finger-like switchgear on the Dalek base.

The original competition was run independently of the BBC, but the judges included the then producer Barry Letts, script editor, Terrance Dicks, and the current Doctor, Jon Pertwee. Clark did not win the prize of a Colour Television and claims he was shocked when he saw his creation in the 1975 story Genesis of the Daleks.

He said he considered legal action at the time, but had lost his copies of the competition entry. However he claims the entries turned up 20 years later, when he found them hidden in a set of family encyclopaedias.

Clark said: 'The money aspect of it is not my primary motivation. I am proud of the character I created and I just want my work to be recognised. It would be nice to be finally linked to the character after all this time.' His lawyer Richard Kempner said: 'If they used the drawing, it’s only fair that they acknowledge it.'

Davros is one of the most popular Doctor Who villains, who has appeared regularly in the series since his first appearance in Genesis of the Daleks. Four actors have played the character which was brought into the revived series in 2008 in the story The Stolen Earth.

The character was always thought to have been invented by Dalek creator Terry Nation. Nation died in 1997 but agent for the estate, Tim Hancock, said he was aware of the claims and is to meet Nation’s widow Kate to search the family archives. BBC Worldwide have said 'We have received a claim from Mr Clark relating to matters from the Seventies.'




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production - Classic Series - Press

First series trailer due?

Saturday, 19 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Publicity have indicated the possibility of a 10 second teaser trailer being broadcast on BBC1 at some point today, though this has not been finalised at the time of writing and may occur at a later date.

A longer "Coming Soon" compilation trail is currently expected to launch from next Saturday (26th March).




FILTER: - Series 6/32

Comic Relief: Space and Time

Friday, 18 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Tonight saw BBC's Comic Relief broadcast a special mini-episode of Doctor Who in two parts, Space and Time. Both have now been added to the BBC's official YouTube channel.


SPACE


Watch the first part via YouTube

TIME


Watch the second part via YouTube

Matt Smith himself appeared on the charity show at around 11:20pm, portraying the Doctor who arrives in the TARDIS and gives presenters Jonathan Ross and Claudia Winkleman a brief 'review' of what was to come up later in the evening!

The Doctor Drops In


Watch the second part via YouTube




Please show your appreciation for this special episode of Doctor Who by donating to Comic Relief, which you may do so via the official donation site.




FILTER: - Specials - Charities

Title for Series Six confirmed

Friday, 18 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have now confirmed the title for episode one of the new series as The Impossible Astronaut, which will be broadcast at Easter; the title and date were given at the end of the Comic Relief Doctor Who special sketches broadcast this evening.

BBC America confirmed the date for the US premier last week.

 
The BBC's Doctor Who site is planning to mark the start of the series with a specially prepared prequel:
We'll be launching the Prequel to the series' opening two-parter very soon. It's an eerie sequence written by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who's Lead Writer, Executive Producer and writer of the opening story) that sets the scene in scary and mysterious style. It introduces us to the world the Doctor will collide with in the next adventure and watch carefully... was that the new monster..?

The first prequel stars Stuart Milligan and introduces us to story strands that will bind the Doctor - and enthral his audience - throughout the weeks ahead. We'll bring you more details soon, but be warned, it's a scary one...


This article has been amended to correct a dating error which could lead to confusion..




FILTER: - Series 6/32

BBC Books: Classic Novelisation reprints

Friday, 18 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Books are to launch a range of classic novelisations from this July, with the republication of several books from the original Target range of the 1970s - the only way for fans to visit the old adventures of the Doctors in the days before video and DVD!

The series kicks off with six novelisations, using their original cover designs by artist Chris Achilleos and inside illustrations, with a new introduction especially written for each book by a well-known Doctor Who fan/writer.

Doctor Who and The Daleks (available for pre-order)
by David Whitaker
with introduction by Neil Gaiman

The mysterious Doctor and his granddaughter Susan are joined by unwilling adventurers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright in an epic struggle for survival on an alien planet.

In a vast metal city they discover the survivors of a terrible nuclear war – the Daleks. Held captive in the deepest levels of the city, can the Doctor and his new companions stop the Daleks’ plan to totally exterminate their mortal enemies, the peace-loving Thals? More importantly, even if they can escape from the Daleks, will Ian and Barbara ever see their home planet Earth again?

This novel is based on the second Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 21 December 1963 – 1 February 1964. Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell, and his companions Susan, Ian and Barbara.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in May 1973; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo in the boxed set Travels in Time and Space on CD, read by William Russell.
Doctor Who and The Crusaders (available for pre-order)
by David Whitaker
with introduction by Charlie Higson

Arriving in the Holy Land in the middle of the Third Crusade, the Doctor and his companions run straight into trouble. The Doctor and Vicki befriend Richard the Lionheart, but must survive the cut-throat politics of the English court. Even with the king on their side, they find they have made powerful enemies.

Looking for Barbara, Ian is ambushed – staked out in the sand and daubed with honey so that the ants will eat him. With Ian unable to help, Barbara is captured by the cruel warlord El Akir. Even if Ian escapes and rescues her, will they ever see the Doctor, Vicki and the TARDIS again?

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 27 March – 17 April 1965. Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell, and his companions Ian, Barbara, and Vicki.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in May 1973; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo in the boxed set Travels in Time and Space on CD, read by William Russell.
Doctor Who and The Cybermen (available for pre-order)
by Gerry Davis
with introduction by Gareth Roberts

In 2070, the Earth’s weather is controlled from a base on the moon. But when the Doctor and his friends arrive, all is not well. They discover unexplained drops of air pressure, minor problems with the weather control systems, and an outbreak of a mysterious plague.

With Jamie injured, and members of the crew going missing, the Doctor realises that the moonbase is under attack. Some malevolent force is infecting the crew and sabotaging the systems as a prelude to an invasion of Earth. And the Doctor thinks he knows who is behind it: the Cybermen.

This novel is based on ‘The Moonbase’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 11 February–4 March 1967. Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton, and his companions Polly, Ben and Jamie.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in February 1975; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo on CD, read by Anneke Wills.
Doctor Who and The Abominable Snowmen (available for pre-order)
by Terrance Dicks
with introduction by Stephen Baxter

The Doctor has been to Det-Sen Monastery before, and expects the welcome of a life time. But the monastery is a very different place from when the Doctor last came. Fearing at attack at any moment by the legendary Yeti, the monks are prepared to defend themselves, and see the Doctor as a threat.

The Doctor and his friends join forces with Travers, an English explorer out to prove the existence of the elusive abominable snowmen. But they soon discover that these Yeti are not the timid animals that Travers seeks. They are the unstoppable servants of an alien Intelligence.

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 30 September – 4 November 1967. Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton, and his companions Jamie and Victoria.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in November 1974; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo on CD, read by David Troughton.
Doctor Who and The Auton Invasion (available for pre-order)
by Terrance Dicks
with introduction by Russell T Davies

Put on trial by the Time Lords, and found guilty of interfering in the affairs of other worlds, the Doctor is exiled to Earth in the 20th century, his appearance once again changed. His arrival coincides with a meteorite shower. But these are no ordinary meteorites.

The Nestene Consciousness has begun its first attempt to invade Earth using killer Autons and deadly shop window dummies. Only the Doctor and UNIT can stop the attack. But the Doctor is recovering in hospital, and his old friend the Brigadier doesn’t even recognise him. Can the Doctor recover and win UNIT’s trust before the invasion begins?

This novel is based on ‘Spearhead from Space’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 3 – 24 January 1970. Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee, and his companion Liz Shaw and the UNIT organisation commanded by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in January 1974; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo on CD, read by Caroline John.
Doctor Who and The Cave Monsters (available for pre-order)
by Malcolm Hulke
with introduction by Terrance Dicks

UNIT are called in to investigate security at a secret research centre buried under Wenley Moor. Unknown to the Doctor and his colleagues, the work at the centre has woken a group of Silurians – intelligent reptiles that used to be the dominant life form on Earth in prehistoric times.

Now they have woken, the Silurians are appalled to find ‘their’ planet populated by upstart apes. The Doctor hopes to negotiate a peace deal, but there are those on both sides who cannot bear the thought of humans and Silurians living together. As UNIT soldiers enters the cave systems, and the Silurians unleash a deadly plague that could wipe out the human race, the battle for planet Earth begins.

This novel is based on ‘The Silurians’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 31 January – 14 March 1970. Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee, and his companion Liz Shaw and the UNIT organisation commanded by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.


The novelisation was originally published by Target in January 1974; it is also available to listen to from BBC AudioGo on CD, read by Caroline John.

The books are due to be published on 7th July.




FILTER: - Merchandise - Books

Preview: Lords of the Red Planet

Friday, 18 March 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
2|Entertain have released a short video on their YouTube channel previewing Lords of the Red Planet, a feature on the upcoming re-release of the Patrick Troughton adventure The Seeds of Death, part of the Revisitations 2 boxed set due on the 28th March.

 

2|Entertain / @ClassicDW, via YouTube

A look back at the creation of the Ice Warriors and their re-appearance in the 'The Seeds of Death'. With actors Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines, director Michael Ferguson, script editor Terrance Dicks.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD