Torchwood International!

Monday, 7 June 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster
TorchwoodThe BBC have announced that a new series of Torchwood will be produced by the BBC Wales, BBC Worldwide, and US network Starz Entertainment.

The series will see John Barrowman and Eve Myles reprise their roles of Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen, and will comprise of ten episodes overseen by series creator Russell T Davies. Other former cast members (like Gwen's husband Rhys played by Kai Owen) have yet to be confirmed, but new faces will appear in the team, with adventures taking place around the world.

Says Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning:
We have a long history of working with many U.S. networks but it is incredibly exciting to be working with Starz for the first time, as well as to be reunited with the best of British in Russell, Jane and Julie. Torchwood will burst back onto the screen with a shocking and moving story with global stakes and locations that will make it feel bigger and bolder than ever.

Jane Tranter, EVP, BBC Worldwide Productions:
Torchwood has attracted remarkable attention and loyalty in both the UK and U.S., and in this new partnership with Starz, the next chapter will not only reward our current fans, but also introduce new viewers to the most impressive instalment yet.

Chris Albrecht, LLC, President and CEO of Starz:
We're committed to programming exceptional television that is entertaining, imaginative and provides a premium TV experience, and by any measure the new concept for Torchwood fits that mandate. I've been part of successful partnerships with Jane Tranter and the BBC previously, and I'm very much looking forward to working with them again.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Albrecht added:
It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Each season of the show, the show has evolved and "The Children of Earth" was terrific as evident in it was just named a Television Critics Press Awards nominee. I'm interested in doing sci-fi and what I like a lot about "Torchwood" is it's a very classic sci-fi entry. It's all about the story, it's not about big effects. I thought "Children of Earth" evolved the franchise to a place where it could continue to evolve on pay TV with an American partner that could bring more production resources.

At the end of "Children of Earth" Torchwood was destroyed, so when we pick up in our world the need for Torchwood arises again. A lot of this story takes place in the U.S. as well with several characters that are in the U.S. intelligence forces and end up teaming up with Gwen and Captain Jack to deal with the situation at hand.

The Hollywood Reporter also spoke to Russell T Davies:
It's very much the next step. It's not a new version, it's not a reboot. We're simply moving countries. The show was previously a format show -- monster of the week. The breakthrough was "Children of Earth" and that it became one long story. It's not going to be 'Lost' and take 20 years to find out what's going on. It's going to have a most remarkable conclusion after 10 episodes.

We're simply going to tell a good story. I wrote the pilot 7 months ago irregardless of network. BBC1 is a prime-time channel, but a brave channel. I don't worry about content.

No date for production and eventual broadcast for the series has been announced, though some media sources have suggested it premiering during Summer 2011.




FILTER: - Torchwood

Vincent and the Doctor - AI

Monday, 7 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Vincent and the DoctorVincent and the Doctor got an AI or Audience Appreciation Index score of 86.

This puts the programme once more in the excellent category and was the highest score of the day on the two main channels.

With the whole week's overnight figures now available, Doctor Who is in 30th place for the week on overnights, a position which will rise when final figures are released next Monday.

The BBC Three repeat got an audience of 0.52 million, a 2.4% share.

Saturday's Doctor Who Confidential scored an AI figure of 84.




FILTER: - Ratings - UK - Series 5/31

Australian ratings for The Hungry Earth

Monday, 7 June 2010 - Reported by Adam Kirk
The Hungry Earth has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 914,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. However, it was not the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, instead coming a close second to a new episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot which averaged 926,000 viewers. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a solid 635,000 viewers in the five major capitals.




FILTER: - Ratings - Series 5/31 - Broadcasting - Australia

Vincent and the Doctor - Overnight Ratings

Sunday, 6 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Vincent and the DoctorDoctor Who got an audience of 5.0 million viewers for episode ten, Vincent and the Doctor, according to unofficial overnight figures.

4.7 million watched on BBC One, where it was the highest rated show of the day. An additional 0.3 million watched on BBC HD, giving a total audience of 5.0 million and a share of 29.4% of the total audience. It was the 2nd highest rated show of the day.

The winner of the day was the final of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1, which had an audience of 12.3 million, becoming the most watched programme of the week.

Doctor Who is currently 26th for the week, a position which will rise when the final figures are released next week.

On BBC Three, Doctor Who Confidential had an audience of 241,000, a 1.2% share.






FILTER: - Ratings - UK - Series 5/31

Jonathan Battersby

Saturday, 5 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Jonathan BattersbyThe actor Jonathan Battersby has died at the age of 57.

Jonathan Battersby recently appeared in the second story of the current series playing Winder in The Beast Below. He also appeared in an uncredited role in Victory of the Daleks.

Battersby, as well as being a well respected actor, was well known in financial circles. After graduating from RADA in 1972, he worked as an actor for a number of years, including a spell in the National Theatre. In 1981 he left acting and joined the financial industry, rising to become president of the Life Insurance Association.

He retired from the LIA in 2004, and returned to his previous career as an actor, winning roles in Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Emmerdale as well as Doctor Who.

Battersby was first diagnosed with prostate cancer during his LIA presidency. He died peacefully on 22nd May 2010, at Trinity Hospice, Clapham.




FILTER: - People - Obituary - Series 5/31

Blue Box

Friday, 4 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
A new Doctor Who fanzine has been published in the UK and is now available to order.

Published by Grant Bull, issue 1 includes an interview with David J Howe conducted by Grant Bull and an in-depth interview with Paul Cornell conducted by Gareth Kavanagh.

Also in the fanzine
  • Towering Ambitions by Jez Strickley
  • Writing to the Doctor by Ian Wheeler
  • Playing Games by David Mac
  • Finding Light in a Dark Place by Bob Furnell
  • Doctor Who – A Loving Obsession by Grant Bull
  • Looking Back: Death to the Daleks by Richard Farrell

There is art throughout and the beginnings of a comic strip by Ellis Hampton and Erin. All wrapped in a cover by Draculasaurus.

The Fanzine costs £1.50 in the UK and £2.50 worldwide. Paypal orders to dalek82@hotmail.co.uk or email for more details on the same address.





FILTER: - Fan Productions

Doctor Who Adventures 169

Friday, 4 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Adventures 168In this week's issue, Doctor Who Adventures takes a look at Rory and reveals what's cracking the universe.

The Magazine looks ahead to find out what is in store for the Doctor and Amy in their next adventure in the top-secret guide to Vincent and the Doctor.

This issue comes with an inflatable TARDIS!




FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

Manning's walk for life

Friday, 4 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
Katy ManningFormer Doctor Who companion Katy Manning will be doing the Crusaid Walk For Life this Sunday, 6th June, in London.

Manning played Jo Grant, assistant to the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, from 1971-1973, and will return to the character when she stars alongside new Doctor Matt Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures later this year.

She volunteered to do the walk with the deputy editor of GT magazine, Darren Scott, when she heard he had agreed to do the walk in a novelty Dalek costume. Referring to her infamous naked Dalek photoshoot from the 70s, she joked that the pair should recreate the pose, albeit fully clothed.

Crusaid’s Walk for Life is Europe’s largest fundraising walk for HIV and AIDS. The pair can be sponsored via the event website.




FILTER: - People - Special Events - UK

Doctor Who Night in Tasmania

Friday, 4 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
The ABC Shop Rosny Park, Tasmania, Australia, will be holding its 3rd annual Doctor Who night on Saturday 26th June 2010, between 7 and 9pm. The event will take place both in and outside the ABC Shop in Eastlands Shopping Centre and in attendance will be a full- size replica of the TARDIS, a Dalek and K-9 loaned by Wayne Ottaway of Dalek Downunder.

The last Doctor Who night, held in 2008, attracted over 1000 people. During the course of events, there will be spot prizes, giveaways, a quiz, a theatrical piece tentatively entitled "The End of Time Crash" and the chance to purchase Doctor Who related products, some of which have not yet been released in Australia.

Other retailers such as Gloria Jeans coffees, Wendy’s Ice Cream, Donut King, Little India, What’s New and Tassie Cameras will also offer special deals for the evening.

The event is free and all are welcome.




FILTER: - Special Events - Australia

The Pandorica Opens - Press Details

Thursday, 3 June 2010 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC Press Office has released details for the penultimate episode of the current series, The Pandorica Opens.

The story is written by Steven Moffat and is scheduled for Saturday 19th June.
The Doctor's friends unite to send him a terrible warning; the Pandorica – which is said to contain the most feared being in all the cosmos – is opening, as the time travelling drama continues. But what's inside, and can the Doctor stop it?

The previous week's schedule has now been confirmed with Doctor Who moving to 6.45pm for Episode Eleven, The Lodger, on Saturday 12th June.

On BBC One, Doctor Who will be sandwiched between Total Wipeout: The Legends and The National Lottery: In It to Win It.

While the Doctor plays football with James Corden on BBC One, viewers to ITV 1 can see live coverage from Rustenburg where England face the USA in the first round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The coverage starts at 6.15pm and runs right to 9.15pm right across Doctor Who's time slot although the actual match doesn't start until 7.30pm, just as Doctor Who finishes.

There is more sport on BBC Two, which is showing Formula 1: Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying, live coverage from Montreal. Channel 4 has Channel 4 News followed by the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility while five has the 1992 film Accidental Hero.




FILTER: - UK - Series 5/31 - Broadcasting