K9: TimeQuake

Saturday, 24 October 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

K9Official have announced plans to take K9 to the big screen:

"Move over R2D2 and C3PO"......

K9, the World's most famous robot dog traverses the dimensions of space and time to become the latest robot star of the big screen!

Having made his TV debut nearly forty years ago in the 1977 Doctor Who TV serial "The Invisible Enemy" K9 went on to become one of the most iconic characters from the BBC series.

A new look high tech K9 for today's cinema is being prepared for film stardom.

The film "K9-TIMEQUAKE" has been written by one of K9's original creators; Bob Baker, a renowned writer of classic Doctor Who serials. Bob went on to co-write with Nick Park the Oscar and Bafta winning Wallace & Gromit series of film shorts as well as the feature film Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

The new K9 will be appearing in a Multi-Million Dollar movie which promises to be a great action adventure set in deep Space. The film will be full of dashing heroes and heroines, Androids, monstrous Aliens and an ultimate foe who will also be familiar to Doctor Who fans everywhere; the megalomaniac OMEGA.

The film is to be a UK co-production with exteriors filmed overseas and studio work planned for the UK.

K9 is the perfect character to star in a movie with a whole new bunch of action heroes making this a home grown Star Wars come Guardians of the Galaxy style cinema must see film.

The film is currently slated for release in 2017 which will be K9's fortieth birthday!

The producers told Doctor Who News:

Bob and Paul are very excited about the project and having Omega in the Movie will bring a great new dimension to both characters as K9 faces his greatest challenge. The names of the Director and principle cast will be released in the new year. Regular updates will be posted over the next few months.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the book The Essential Book of K9, courtesy of the authors, simply answer the following question:

In the television series, who was the original creator of K9?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-k9essential@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Affirmative!". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 8th November 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Competitions - K9 - Movies

Big Finish releases for September

Thursday, 10 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Today sees the launch of Big Finish's latest series of tie-in adventures, this time focussing on the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood; the first in the series, The Conspiracy, features John Barrowman, reprising his role as Captain Jack Harkness. Meanwhile, the three earliest Doctors all have an outing this month, with the First and Vicki's perceptions tested in Short Trips: Etheria, the Second, Ben, Polly and Jamie encounter The Yes Men, and the Third returns (in the form of Tim Treloar) alongside Jo and Mike Yates in the Third Doctor Adventures (Vol 1). Finally, the Seventh Doctor and Mel are caught up in diminutive shenanigans in Terror of the Sontarans ...

Torchwood: The Conspiracy [order]
Written by David Llewellyn
Directed by Scott Handcock
Starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness

Captain Jack Harkness has always had his suspicions about the Committee. And now Wilson is also talking about the Committee. Apparently the world really is under the control of alien lizards. That’s what Wilson says. People have died, disasters have been staged, the suspicious have disappeared.

It’s outrageous.

Only Jack knows that Wilson is right. The Committee has arrived.

Competition

We're pleased to be able to offer readers with an active Big Finish registration the chance to win a digital download of Torchwood: The Conspiracy: to enter, simply answer the following question:

Jack has been 'reborn' many times over the course of his career with Torchwood, but name a colleague to similarly 'return from the grave'.

Please send your answer along with your name and the email address you have registered with Big Finish, plus where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-conspiracy@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Committed to the cause". The competition is open worldwide, closing date: 30th September 2015. Note: entrants must have an active registration with Big Finish in order to be eligible to receive the prize - new registrations can be easily created on the website for free and with no financial obligation.

Short Trips: Etheria (Credit: Big Finish)

Short Trips: Etheria [pre-order]
Written by Nick Wallace
Directed by Lisa Bowerman
Narrated by Peter Purves

Having escaped an ambush by pirates, the Doctor and Vicki are stranded on a strange world, in the shadow of vast rock formations and islands in the sky. The only way home is through the treacherous Etherlands, where the invisible Ether alters the perception of anyone who enters...

The Early Adventures: The Yes Men [pre-order]
Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Lisa Bowerman
Starring Anneke Wills as Polly Wright/Narrator, Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon/The Doctor), and Elliot Chapman as Ben Jackson

The Doctor, Jamie, Polly and Ben arrive on New Houston, an Earth colony in the Fourth Sector, which the Doctor previously saved from an alien invasion. He wishes to pay his respects to his late friend Meg Carvossa, but something is not quite right with New Houston’s subservient robots...

The Third Doctor Adventures: Volume 1 (Credit: Big Finish)

The Third Doctor Adventures: Volume One [pre-order]
Written by: Justin Richards and Andy Lane
Directed by Nicholas Briggs
Starring Tim Treloar as the Narrator/The Doctor, Katy Manning as Jo Grant, and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates

Prisoners of the Lake

Captain Mike Yates is investigating the disappearance of artefacts from an archaeological site deep below Dunstanton Lake. It’s hardly a job for UNIT. But when the team discover a mysterious ancient structure buried deep underwater, all that changes.

When chief archaeologist Freda Mattingly ventures inside, she soon realises that her skills do not begin to equip her to deal with what she finds. As an ancient menace begins to stir the Doctor, Jo Grant and Mike Yates must dive down to the lake bed and discover the secrets hidden there. Secrets that could mean the end of all life on Earth…

The Havoc of Empires

The Doctor and Jo take Mike Yates on his first trip in the TARDIS, but instead of the historical cricket match they were aiming for they end up on a futuristic space station in the middle of a diplomatic crisis that might escalate into galactic war.

The alien leader of the Chalnoth Hegemony is marrying the human Director of the Teklarn Incorporation, but there are forces that will stop at nothing to disrupt the ceremony. The Doctor is accused of murder while explosions occur across the station, and only Jo Grant, pretending to be a security consultant, can save the day.

But then, there’s the Eels to consider…

Terror of the Sontarans (Credit: Big Finish)

Terror of the Sontarans [pre-order]
Written by John Dorney and Dan Starkey
Directed by Ken Bentley
Starring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush

Once it was a mining facility. Then later its corridors rang with screams generated by grotesque military experiments. However when the Doctor and Mel arrive on a hostile alien world after detecting a distress signal, the base they find themselves in is almost deserted.

But not for long. Soon the Doctor's old enemies, the Sontarans, have landed, and are searching for the remnants of their previous research team. Before long they uncover evidence of strange occurrences on the planet. Of madness and death.

They are warriors bred for war, strong of spirit and unafraid of death. To fear the enemy is an act of betrayal. Nothing holds terror for the Sontarans.

Until now...

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Competitions - Doctor Who - First Doctor - Second Doctor - Seventh Doctor

BBC Books: September/October releases

Wednesday, 9 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Two new hardback books are to be released by BBC Books in the next couple of months:

Doctor Who: The Time Lord Letters (Credit: BBC Books)

Doctor Who: The Time Lord Letters
Published 24th September 2015 [pre-order]

The Time Lord Letters is a unique collection of over one hundred letters, notes, and jottings both by and to the Doctor – correspondence by turns entertaining and inspiring, funny and flippant, brilliant and incredible.

From the Doctor’s plea to the Time Lords to help end the War Games to an extract from the written defence he submitted at his subsequent trial; from his application for the post of Caretaker at Coal Hill School to his apology to the Queen for missing dinner; from telepathic messages to the High Council on Gallifrey to his famous letter to Santa Claus – like the Doctor himself, the mood can change in an instant.

The Time Lord Letters captures the best and most dramatic moments of an impossible life. You’ll never see the Doctor in quite the same way again.

About the authors:

The Doctor was born on Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous, and graduated from Prydon Academy when he was an older man than he is now. After spending some time as a wanderer in the fourth dimension together with his granddaughter Susan, the Doctor came to regard himself as a citizen of the universe. He has travelled extensively through time and space, as well as spending a period as Scientific Advisor to the secretive UNIT organisation. Now in his twelfth incarnation (or possibly his thirteenth – accounts vary), the Doctor has been saving the Universe for as long as he can remember. Possibly longer. His real name – if he has one – is unknown.

Justin Richards has written for stage and screen as well as writing novels and graphic novels including The Suicide Exhibition and The Blood Red City. Justin currently acts as Creative Consultant to BBC Books’ range of Doctor Who titles, as well as writing quite a few himself.

Doctor Who: Time Lord Letters (sample page) (Credit: BBC Books)

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of The Time Lord Letters courtesy of BBC Books, answer the following question:

Name a moment during the television series where the Doctor is seen to write a note/letter.
(please provide the scene and story title for your entry, which comes from an episode that has been released on DVD/Blu-ray!)

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-timelordletters@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "2000 Year Scrapbook". The competition is to residents of the United Kingdom only, closing date: 30th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Impossible Worlds: A 50-Year Treasury of Art and Design (Credit: BBC Books)

Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds
Published 29th October [pre-order]

For the first time, the Doctor Who Art Department are opening their doors to reveal a unique, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most loved series on British Television.

Whether it’s iconic sets like the TARDIS console room, recurring villains like the Daleks or the Cybermen, or the smallest hand prop featured in the briefest of scenes, this book showcases the work of the Doctor Who art department in glorious detail.

Discover how the designers work with the costume, make-up and special effects teams to produce the alien worlds, and how the work has evolved from the programme’s ‘classic’ era to the panoramic alien worlds and technologies that delight audiences today.

Featuring hundreds of never-before-seen sketches and concept artworks, Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds opens the doors to 50 years of astonishing creative work from one of the most inventive shows on television.

About the authors:

Stephen Nicholas was the supervising art director for Doctor Who, and helped oversee the regeneration of the art department for the new series in 2004. The longest serving member of the Doctor Who art department, he also art directed Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures. He lives in Cardiff. This is his first book.

Mike Tucker is the author of numerous books for film and television, including several original ‘Doctor Who’ novels. A former member of the BBC’s Visual Effects Department, he now runs The Model Unit, which recently won a BAFTA Craft Award for its miniature effects work on the 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode ‘The Day of the Doctor’. He lives in London.

Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds (sample page) (Credit: BBC Books)

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of Impossible Worlds courtesy of BBC Books, answer the following question:

Name an "impossible world" visited by the Doctor in the television series.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-impossibleworlds@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "But that's ...". The competition is to residents of the United Kingdom only, closing date: 31st October 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - Merchandise

BBC Audio: September releases

Wednesday, 2 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

This month sees two classic Target novelisations released as audio books: the sixth/second Doctor adventure The Two Doctors by Robert Holmes, originally published in December 1985 and read here by the sixth Doctor himself, Colin Baker; and The Curse of Fenric by Ian Briggs, featuring the seventh Doctor and originally published in November 1990, here read by "Davros" actor Terry Molloy (this latter release having been brought forward in the schedule from November, swapping places with Royal Blood).

Further audio books based on novelisations will continue into the next year. December sees the first historic pairing of Sarah Jane Smith and K-9 in Terence Dudley's K-9 And Company, whilst in the new year the fourth Doctor encounters an ancient Time Lord menace in Doctor Who and the State of Decay (by Terrance Dicks). February then jumps a time track back to the first Doctor's visit to The Space Museum (by Glyn Jones), followed in March by an exploration of one the seven wonders of the universe by the third Doctor in Death to the Daleks (also by Terrance Dicks). In April its 'friends reunited' as the second Doctor and the Brigadier face the Cybermen in The Invasion (by Ian Marter), and then in May the fifth Doctor becomes one of "The King's Demons" and confronts an old adversary in 13th Century England (also by Terence Dudley). Note: schedules for these and other BBC Audio releases are subject to change.

The Two Doctors
Written by Robert Holmes, read by Colin Baker
Released 3rd September 2015 [order]

Colin Baker reads this exciting classic novelisation of a Sixth Doctor TV adventure

Disturbed by the time travel experiments being conducted on Space Station J7, the Time Lords send the second Doctor and Jamie to investigate. Arriving on the station in deep space, they are attacked by a shock force of Sontarans, and the Doctor is left for dead.

Across the gulfs of Time and Space, the Sixth Doctor discovers that his former incarnation is very much alive. Together with Peri and Jamie he must rescue his other self before the plans of scientist Dastari, and the ruthless augmented Androgum Chessene, reach their deadly and shocking conclusion...

Colin Baker, who played Sixth Doctor in the BBC TV series, reads Robert Holmes' complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1985.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the audio book The Two Doctors courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:

What race does Jamie first mis-identify Chessene as, before the (sixth) Doctor corrects him?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-twodoctorscd@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Yes, Jamie, it is a big one...". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 27th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

The Curse of Fenric
Written by Ian Briggs, read by Terry Molley
Released 3rd September 2015 [order]

Terry Molloy reads this exciting classic novelisation of a Seventh Doctor TV adventure

At a North Yorkshire naval base in 1943, Dr Judson is using his ULTIMA code-breaking machine to decipher the runic inscriptions in the crypt of the nearby church.

Meanwhile, Commander Millington is obsessed with his research into the toxic bombs that he insists will hasten the end of World War Two. When a squad of the Russian Red Army lands on the nearby coast, with instructions to steal the ULTIMA machine, they are unaware that Millington had turned it into a devastating secret weapon.

Into this scenario materialises the Doctor and Ace. Ace isn't impressed with the security arrangements or the fashions - but the Doctor had graver matters on his mind. Beneath the waters at Maidens Point, an ancient evil stirs. The Doctor uncovers mysteries concealed within villainous plots - but what connects them all to a thousand-year curse?

Terry Molloy, who played Davros in Doctor Who, reads Ian Briggs' complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1990.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the audio book The Curse Of Fenric courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:

What is the trigger word to release the toxin hidden inside the ULTIMA machine?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-fenriccd@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Flip Flops are ace!". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 27th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Audio - BBC Audio - Competitions - Seventh Doctor - Sixth Doctor

The Complete History book collection and competition

Monday, 31 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

The first issue of Doctor Who: The Complete History will be released on the 9th September. This will be the start of a long running fortnightly partwork series by Doctor Who Magazine in conjunction with Hachette Partworks. The collection will cover every Doctor Who story from An Unearthly Child to Last Christmas.

The Complete History has its origins in Andrew Pixley's Archive section of DWM. A lot of the early archives have been completely rewritten while later ones during Christopher Eccleston's era have been updated and expanded.

Doctor Who – The Complete History gathers all there is to know about Doctor Who in one essential encyclopaedic collection. Written by the experts behind Doctor Who Magazine, this unique book collection goes behind the TV cameras to document the making of the world’s longest running science fiction series from 1963 to the present day. Scripts, casting, film locations, studio recordings, broadcast, ratings and merchandise are all covered in detail for each and every adventure, along with full story details and profiles of the cast and crew, all illustrated by a wealth of colour and black and white photographs. From script to screen, discover how every adventure of all 12 Doctors was created.

Doctor Who: The Complete History - Issue 1 (Credit: Hachette/BBC/Panini)

Doctor Who: The Complete History - Issue 1 - Volume 55
Edited by John Ainsworth
Original production notes: Andrew Pixley
Additional material: Jonathan Morris, Richard Atkinson, Alistair McGown
Published 9th September 2015, £1.99

New York, New York - so good that they visited it twice. Yes, that's right! New York is the setting for two of the four stories, starring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, featured in this volume. In truth though, the New York of Gridlock - 'New' New York - is a completely different city, on a completely different world to the more familiar 'Big Apple' of Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks. The Two cities, and the two stories themselves, couldn't be further apart. In fact, all four stories in this volume superbly demonstrate the breadth and variety of settings, time periods, and types of story that Doctor Who encompasses; from a bleak far future in Gridlock, to Dalek plots during America's Great Depression of the 1930's in Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks, to genetic tampering in present day London in The Lazarus Experiment, and back to the future onboard a doomed spaceship, plummeting into a sun, in 42. Each story is a self-contained mini-movie. It's hard to imagine that anyone could ever get bored with Doctor Who.

Of course, although each of the four stories is self-contained and can be enjoyed in its own right, there are some ongoing story threads running through them. Not least of these is the evolution of Martha Jones from tag-along traveller to fully fledged Companion. It has to be said that the Doctor is a little bit reluctant to embrace Martha as his new shipmate - he's still smarting from his recent forced separation from Rose Tyler [see Army of Ghosts/Doomsday - Volume 53] and isn't in a hurry to get close to anyone new. But Martha's having none of it, and puts the Doctor on the spot at the end of Gridlock, forcing him to open up and reveal the details of his past. And then again, at the end of The Lazarus Experiment, Martha initially declines another trip in the TARDIS, feeling the Doctor is just giving her a series of one-off "treats". The Doctor relents and acknowledges Martha's true status as a travelling companion, rather than just a passenger. He even presents her with her very own TARDIS key at the end of 42. We also see some foreshadowing of dark events in the future. With his dying words, the ancient Face of Boe tells the Doctor in Gridlock that he is not alone... while on present day Earth, election fever is in the air with the unseen Mr Saxon tipped to be the next prime minister. But why is Mr Saxon so interested in Martha Jones, warning her mother that the Doctor is a dangerous man? All will be revealed in the climactic final three episodes of the 2007 series - Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords [2007 - see Volume 56].

John Ainsworth - Editor

Issue 2: Colony in Space, The Dæmons, Day of the Daleks
Published 23rd September 2015, £6.99

Issue 3: Deep Breath, Into the Dalek
Published 7th October 2015, £9.99

Issue 4: 100,000 BC, The Mutants (aka The Daleks)
Published 21st October 2015, £9.99

Doctor Who: The Complete History - Issue 2 (Credit: Hachette/BBC/Panini)

Doctor Who: The Complete History - Issue 3 (Credit: Hachette/BBC/Panini)

Doctor Who: The Complete History - Issue 4 (Credit: Hachette/BBC/Panini)

Competition

Doctor Who News is pleased to offer readers the chance to win a subscription to the entire collection of The Complete History, courtesy of Hachette Partworks.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question:

The Complete History uses the title "100,000 BC" for one of the First Doctor stories but what is the title more commonly known as?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-completehistory@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Complete History". The competition is open to UK and and Republic of Ireland residents only, closing date: 7th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Doctor Who: The Complete History (Credit: Hachette/BBC/Panini)

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - DWM

Competition Roundup

Monday, 24 August 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Doctor Who News have a number of prizes courtesy of BBC Books and BBC Audio available to win in competitions, as detailed below! In order to enter, please send your answer along with your name, address and where you saw the competition to the respective email address - please note whether the competition is worldwide or UK only. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

The closing date for all competitions will be Sunday 6th September.

Doctor Who and The Ark in Space (BBC Audio)
The audiobook of the Target novelisation, originally written by Ian Marter and read by Jon Culshaw.

Name the insect-like race that have infested the Ark, as described by Ian Marter in the original Target novelisation.

Send your answer to comp-thearkincd@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "Noah's Ark". Open worldwide.

The Drosten's Curse (BBC Books)
An original fourth Doctor novel written by A.L. Kennedy

Name the original story by the author upon which The Drosten's Curse is based.

Send your answer to comp-drostenbook@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "Don't go into the bunker...". Open to UK readers only.

The Drosten's Curse (BBC Audio)
The audiobook of A.L. Kennedy's novel, read by Clare Corbett

Amongst the several Doctor Who books read by Clare Corbett, name a book which also featured on screen within an actual episode of the series.

Send your answer to comp-drostencd@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "Fetch!". Open worldwide.

Human Nature (BBC Audio)
The audiobook of the original Virgin New Adventures novel by Paul Cornell, read by Lisa Bowerman

Name the alien antagonists that are hunting for the Doctor in the novel.

Send your answer to comp-humannaturecd@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "Mr Smith, you're needed!". Open worldwide.

The Gods Of Winter (BBC Audio)
An original audio adventure by James Goss, read by Clare Higgins

What does the Doctor and Clara's initial mission for Diana Winter involve?

Send your answer to comp-godsofwintercd@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "When Winter calls". Open worldwide.

The Glamour Chronicles (Royal Blood, Deep T:me, Big Bang Generation) (BBC Books)
Three new novels featuring the twelfth Doctor and Clara (prize bundle)

Name another BBC Book to feature Glamour.

Send your answer to comp-glamourbooks@doctorwhonews.net with your details as mentioned at the top using the subject line "When Winter calls". Open to UK readers only.

Competition Prizes (Credit: BBC Books/BBC Audio)

FILTER: - BBC Audio - Books - Competitions

50th Anniversary of Dr Who and the Daleks

Sunday, 23 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Today marks fifty years since the first Peter Cushing Dalek film was released in UK cinemas. Dr Who and the Daleks was based on Terry Nation's 1964 serial The Daleks, with the story being adapted to the big screen by Milton Subotsky. The film was directed by Gordon Flemyng who had previously directed William Hartnell in episodes of The Army Game.

My latest invention - A clip from Dr Who and the Daleks

Although initial reviews of the film were not too kind, they didn't deter the British public from parting with their hard-earned money. The film was twentieth biggest British box office moneymaker in 1965. In August 1965 BFI's Monthly Film Bulletin posted their review of the film:

A patchy piece of juvenile science fiction. The settings are quite effective in a Christmas pantomime way, while the Daleks themselves—mobile pillar-boxes with flickering lights on top, weaving proboscises, and hesitantly guttural voices—make admirable villains. Against this, however, must be set some crude slapstick from Roy Castle, and absent-minded bumbling from Peter Cushing: these flabby attempts at humour only succeed in slowing down the action. And the Thals, looking and sounding like ballet dancers with their golden hair-dos, heavy eye-shadow and camp speech, must be the wettest tribe on record. [p. 123]

Peter Cushing himself later revealed in a 1986 interview that he was offered the role of the Doctor in the TV series but said he couldn't accept the offer as he was "otherwise engaged" but went on to say even if he was available he wasn't sure he would take the role. His reasons for this was because he "didn't really care for the Doctor Who television series", stating that "they weren't my cups of tea". He added that "the Daleks did rather get on my nerves".

On 2012's DVD release of Death to the Daleks, an extra was included entitled Cushing and Castle which looked at the casting of Peter Cushing and Roy Castle in Dr Who and the Daleks.

Special Feature: Cushing and Castle

In 2013 Studio Canal released a new digitally restored version of the film on DVD and Blu-ray to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. A screening for Dr Who and the Daleks and the follow-up Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. was organised by The Doctor Who Appreciation Society and held at Riverside Studios. The event was held on 26 May 2013, which would have been Cushing's 100th birthday.

Competition

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dr Who and the Daleks, Doctor Who News is offering readers the chance to win a copy of the film on either DVD or Blu-ray, courtesy of Studio Canal.

To be in with a chance of wining simply answer the following question:

At which British film studios was the film shot?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-DrWhoDaleksFilm@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Technicolor Daleks". The competition is open to UK residents only, closing date: 31st August 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Artwork

One again artist Deborah Taylor has created us a piece of artwork to go with the anniversary. The design is based on Chris Achilleos's cover of David Whitaker's Target novelisation of The Daleks.

Dr Who and the Daleks (Credit: Deborah Taylor)

FILTER: - Competitions - Moments in Time - Peter Cushing

Mission DALEK!

Tuesday, 18 August 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has announced Mission DALEK, a new project which gives fans the chance to create their own adventures for the Doctor.

Mission DALEK is part of the BBC’s Make it Digital season and the aim is to get fans of the series to use their imagination and digital skills to create an adventure for the Doctor.

We know many Doctor Who fans make amazing videos or are fantastic at cosplay and love to get involved in a million marvellous ways. For those guys, this is a chance to hone and harness your passion and showcase your digital skills to the universe!

The aim is to unleash your digital creativity, whether it is in video, animation or image editing. You can use some of the range of clips and images supplied by the BBC or create your own story from scratch. Animation is allowed, as are voice overs and Cosplay. All you need to do is to tell your story digitally.

For UK participitents there is an added bonus of a chance to win a trip to the Doctor Who set, and to meet the Peter Capaldi.

Full details and resources are on the Mission Dalek Homepage.

Doctor Who: Mission DALEK trailer - BBC Make It Digital

FILTER: - Competitions

The return of Erimem

Tuesday, 7 July 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Thebes Publishing have announced a new range of books, based around the fifth Doctor's travelling companion Erimem, first introduced in the Big Finish Doctor Who adventure The Eye of the Scorpion in 2001.

Erimem's creator and Editor-in-Chief at Thebes Publishing, Iain McLaughlin told us:

Originally I wrote the last scene (in The Eye Of The Scorpion) as a bit of cheek in the hope I might get to bring her back maybe with a different Doctor. I had a story called Valley of the Dying Sun in mind with the Sixth Doctor. However, that went out of the window when Gary (Russell, then-producer of the Big Finish audios) asked if I had any objection to Erimem staying aboard for a while. Gary was brilliant to work for, I am forever grateful to him for giving me the chance he did.

Erimem is a character who is always going to be looking for adventure and her biggest challenges are still ahead of her. I'm glad to be tagging along. It's exciting to be taking her off on these adventures where she doesn't have the safety net of the Doctor backing her up. I have to admit I'm hugely excited about Jim Mortimore's novel, A Pharaoh of Mars. I've admired his work for years and I'm so looking forward to this one. The next novel after Jim's... I know who I want to write it and we've discussed it... we just need to sign things off, I'm really buzzed by the possibilities of the series.

The first book in the series, The Last Pharoah, is written by Iain and Claire Bartlett, and also features an introduction by the original voice of the character, Caroline Morris:

Erimem - The Last Pharoah (Credit: Thebes Publishing)

The Last Pharoah
Written by Iain McLaughlin and Claire Bartlett
Foreword by Caroline Morris
Cover artwork by Paul Mudie
Published June 2015

After a freak electrical storm that seems to happen indoors, a young woman is found in the Egyptian exhibit of a London museum, and she seems to look exactly like the face on the death-mask of the uncrowned Pharaoh Erimem...

What is she doing inside the exhibit? How did she get there? Is she really a Pharaoh from 1400BC? And just who is willing to search time and space to find and assassinate her?

THE LAST PHARAOH is the first in a series of novels, novellas and short story anthologies taking Erimem, a former companion of the 5th Doctor, on a new set of adventures travelling to the past, the future and into deep space. THE LAST PHARAOH takes Erimem and a group of 21st century students far into the past, to Actium in Greece where Erimem meets the famed Cleopatra VII on the eve of a vital battle which could end Egypt’s existence as a free country and condemn it to life as a Roman province. Two great rulers of Egypt come into conflict over what Egypt needs to do in order to survive, and both Erimem and Cleopatra face their own personal battles for survival.

The book is available to purchase either in digital or physical format from the Thebes Publishing website.

Looking ahead, the second publication in the series will be a novella, also written by Iain:

Erimem - The Beast of Stalingrad (Credit: Thebes Publishing)

The Beast of Stalingrad
Written by Iain McLaughlin
Cover by Dorina Petco
Published August 2015

In 1942, with German forces relentlessly bombarding Stalingrad, the people are freezing and starving... and worse, there are stories of a demon or a beast, stalking the ruined streets of the besieged city, devouring anyone it meets. When Erimem arrives she finds a city under attack both from the invading German armies and from a dark force in the shadows.

Submissions are currently being solicited for the third publication, Into The Unknown, which will form an anthology of twelve adventures. If you wish to pitch a story for the collection you can contact the publishers for further details (closing date 31st July).

Into 2016, and two further publications are currently scheduled: Prime Imperative, a novella by Julianne Todd; and the previously-mentioned A Pharoah Of Mars from Jim Mortimore.

Competition

We are able to offer a subscription to the first five publications in the series to three winners, courtesy of Thebes Publishing. In order to be in with a chance to win, please answer the following question:

In the Big Finish series, Erimem parted company with the Doctor when she remained on Peladon to marry King Pelleas - but which historical character did she very nearly marry during her travels in the TARDIS?

Send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-erimem@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Travel broadens the mind" - please also state whether you'd prefer to have a physical or digital subscription to the publications. The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 31st July 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - Merchandise - Thebes Publishing

BBC Audio releases for June

Friday, 26 June 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

This month's audio books from BBC Audio feature the adaptation of Target novel The Massacre by John Lucarotti, and a boxed set release of the three original audio series to feature Tom Baker's return as the Doctor.

The Massacre
Written by John Lucarotti, read by Peter Purves
Released 21st May 2015 [order in the United Kingdom or North America]

Peter Purves reads John Lucarotti's novelisation of his classic First Doctor TV adventure

The TARDIS lands in Paris on 19 August 1572. Driven by scientific curiosity, the Doctor goes to meet and exchange views with the apothecary, Charles Preslin. Before he disappears, he warns Steven to stay 'out of mischief, religion and politics'.

But in 16th Century Paris it is impossible to remain a mere observer, and Steven soon finds himself involved with a group of Huguenots. The Protestant minority of France is being threatened by the Catholic hierarchy, and danger stalks the Paris streets.

As Steven tries to find his way back to the TARDIS he discovers that one of the main persecutors of the Huguenots appears to be...the Doctor!

Peter Purves, who played Steven in the original BBC TV series, reads this novelisation of a fondly remembered classic story, the original episodes of which are lost from the BBC archives.

Novelisation adaptions for the rest of the year are currently scheduled as: Doctor Who and The Ark in Space (16th July), The Two Doctors (3rd September), The Curse of Fenric (5th November), and K9 and Company (3rd December).

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the audio book The Massacre courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:

The Massacre is one of the few Doctor Who stories that feature the lead actor portraying another individual within the plot; name another televised story, actor and his character where this also occured.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-massacre@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Amboisea". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 4th July 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

The Nest Cottage Chronicles (Credit: BBC Audio)

The Nest Cottage Chronicles
Starring Tom Baker, Richard Franklin and Susan Jameson
Written by Paul Magrs
Released 11th June 2015 [order in the United Kingdom or North America]

Tom Baker stars as the Fourth Doctor in fifteen full-cast audio dramas written by Paul Magrs, plus bonus features exclusive to this edition.

Hornet's Nest: When former UNIT captain Mike Yates is reunited with a ghost from the past, the and the Doctor are soon united in battle once more, against alien insects intent on global domination.

Demon Quest: A key component from the TARDIS disappears, exchanged for a bag containing four curious objects. The Doctor and Mrs Wibbsey embark on a chase through Time...

Serpent Quest: The Doctor acquires a wondrous and deadly Skishteri egg. When the village of Hexford comes under attack, Mrs Wibbsey and Mike discover that two Doctors aren't necessarily better than one ...

With Susan Jameson as Mrs Wibbsey and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates, these thrilling adventures also feature Michael Maloney, Rula Lenska, Samuel West, Jan Francis, David Troughton, Michael Jayston, Simon Shepherd, Sophie Ward, Andrew Sachs, Nerys Hughes and many others.

Also included in this edition are a previously unheard interview with Tom Baker, outtakes from the original studio sessions, promotional trailers and a PDF booklet featuring sleeve notes by writer Paul Magrs.

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the boxed set The Nest Cottage Chronicles courtesy of BBC Audio, answer the following question:

Tom Baker appeared in a film together with one of the guest stars in Serpent Quest opener Tsar Wars - name the guest star and the film they appeared in.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-cottage@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "The Crest is the Quest". The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 4th July 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Audio - BBC Audio - Books - Competitions - First Doctor - Fourth Doctor

Previous 10 Stories

K9: TimeQuake

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Big Finish releases for September

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BBC Books: September/October releases

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BBC Audio: September releases

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The Complete History book collection and competition

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Competition Roundup

50th Anniversary of Dr Who and the Daleks

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Artwork

Mission DALEK!

The return of Erimem

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BBC Audio releases for June

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Competition

This Week in Doctor Who

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