"Inappropriate" scene cut from script

Tuesday, 6 March 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

According to a report on DigitalSpy, in a recent interview David Tennant revealed that an "inappropriate" underwater scene was cut from the script of an episode of Series 3. Freema Agyeman, aka Martha Jones, was required to strip down to her underwear for the scene, which was later cut by the producers.

"There was an underwater scene in a draft of the new series but we nixed it out," explained Tennant. "It was bordering on inappropriate. You can't have s****ing in the Tardis."

FILTER: - Production - Series 3/29

DW warning to hopefuls

Saturday, 24 February 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Budding stars are being warned to avoid agencies that say they can secure them parts on programmes such as Doctor Who.

The UK's Department of Trade and Industry has published advice to help would-be entertainers and models avoid unscrupulous outfits, and names Doctor Who as a prime example of the type of show that rogue casting agencies make false promises about.

The information campaign follows cases where agencies have advertised casting sessions in local newspapers then used hard-sell tactics to take payments on false promises about success and stardom.

Employment minister Jim Fitzpatrick, pictured, said: "Most agencies are reputable and will tell you that the entertainment industry is tough to break into.

"Beware of anyone who promises to make you a star overnight. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Our advice is designed to help stop rogues turning people's dreams into nightmares."

Listed among the DTI's top tips for aspiring models and entertainers is the following:

"Beware of adverts claiming to provide artists for popular TV programmes like EastEnders or Doctor Who. Directors for these shows usually use agencies and individuals they have used before."

FILTER: - Production

Cardiff filming in The Sun

Friday, 23 February 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Sun today has a short picture piece about David Tennant and John Barrowman filming Series Three in Cardiff.

It also makes reference to a comment made in Doctor Who Magazine by Barrowman about Tennant, and says the pair were filming with Freema Agyeman.

There are no spoilers.

FILTER: - Production - Press

Who Grant?

Wednesday, 21 February 2007 - Reported by Anthony Weight

Various online sources are reporting that actor Hugh Grant has expressed his regret at not taking on the role of the Doctor when the BBC Wales production team offered it to him on the off-chance back in 2004, as detailed in Russell T Davies's Doctor Who Magazine "Production Notes" column at the time.

"I was offered the role of The Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered," Grant is quoted as saying onSyFyPortal, amongst many other websites. "The danger with those things is that it's only when you see it on the screen that you think, 'Damn, that was good, why did I say no?'"

However, Grant added that he may yet appear in the series, and is apparently in discussions to guest star in an episode. "I'm in talks about a one-off role. I'd prefer to be a baddie. They're always much more fun to play."

Also reported at: ContactMusic, TeenTelevision, Bits of News and Digital Spy.

It would not be the first link with the show for Grant - in 1999 he was one of the star names to play the Doctor in the Comic Relief TV spoof The Curse of Fatal Death, which was written by Steven Moffat.

FILTER: - Production - Press

Ex-Hollyoaks actress lands role

Friday, 16 February 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Saturday's edition of The Sun reports that former Hollyoaks actress Elize Du Toit has been cast in Series Three.

It says the 25-year-old is to play the character Miss Dexter but does not reveal which story she will be in.

The article features spoiler information about Dexter as well as another character in the forthcoming series (although they are not necessarily in the same story). Click on the tag below to read more and for the link to the Sun story.

The Sun says: "The 25-year-old - who was sex bomb Izzy in the Channel 4 soap - will play baddie Miss Dexter.

"An insider said: 'She is an extremely sinister character who clashes with the Doctor after setting a trap for him.'

"Meanwhile actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in Oscar-nominated movie The Queen, is battling with Life On Mars star John Simm to play The Master."

FILTER: - Production - Press

Casting Update

Wednesday, 14 February 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Sun is claiming that Tom Ellis has been cast in the new series of Doctor Who as the character Tom Milligan. (Warning - the link contains spoilers.) He appeared in EastEnders as Dr Oliver Cousins, and has also appeared inWaking The Dead, Holby City and Love Soup, among many other programmes.

A BBC source has told the Sun that "Tom plays a crucial role in the season finale of Doctor Who." He is apparently due to begin filming next week.

FILTER: - Production - Press

Torchwood Season Two to premier in 2008

Sunday, 11 February 2007 - Reported by Marcus

John Barrowman has revealed that he expects Season Two of Torchwood to premier early in 2008.

Speaking on BBC Radio Two, where he was the stand-in presenter for Elaine Paige, he told listeners that he will be recording Torchwood until November and the series will be shown in the New Year.

John also confirmed that he is at present filming Doctor Who. He describes the new series as fantastic and full of surprises with a spectacular season finale. The programme also featured Neil Hannon's recording of Love Don't Roam.

The programme is also available via the Radio 2 homepage for the next seven days. The Torchwood comments are about 50 minutes into the programme

FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Major Spoiler revealed in Independent on Sunday

Saturday, 10 February 2007 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

A major piece of casting appears to have been revealed for season three of Doctor Who. Click on the spoiler box below to read further, but, be warned, if you are attempting to avoid big spoilers for the forthcoming series, you may wish to think twice before clicking...

With the popular cult telefantasy series Life on Mars returning for a final time on BBC1 this Tuesday, the Independent on Sunday newspaper have a profile and interview with the lead actor, John Simm, which starts off with the statement:

"Travelling back through the years for hit show 'Life on Mars' has given the actor more fame than he knows how to cope with. But now he reveals to Liz Hoggard a new role that will mean seeing a Doctor."

During the course of the interview the article goes on to seemingly confirm a rumour first raised in the Sun by saying the following:

"Although the BBC is planning a spin-off to Life on Mars - called Ashes to Ashes, set in the 1980s and starring [Philip] Glenister, Simm is bowing out. 'My instinct tells me not to hang around too long.'

"He'd like to do some comedy 'in warm weather - preferably on a beach. I always seem to be doing drama in horrible brick locations.' And for years he's been dying to play a proper villain or a serial killer. The problem is Simm still looks 35 going on 15, but finally he's got the chance: he's just been cast in Dr Who - as the Master, the Doctor's evil nemesis. He'll be quite brilliant, of course, but heaven knows how he'll cope with a whole new horde of obsessive Tardis fans."

FILTER: - Production - Series 3/29 - Press

PJ Hammond back for more Torchwood

Thursday, 1 February 2007 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

Cult sci-fi writer P.J. Hammond, responsible for the Torchwood episode Small Worlds, is to return to write for season two of the Doctor Who spin-off. In an interview with Dreamwatch Total SciFi he was reluctant to talk about his ideas for season two, but he did say, "I think they want me to keep to the supernatural. They probably think it's my bag."

The interiew also details his discussions last year with ITV who wanted to revive his cult series Sapphire and Steel, which ran on the network in the late 1970s and early '80s. The discussions reached an impasse when the network requested too many changes that the writer wasn't prepared to incorporate. "It was definitely going away from the direction I would have wanted it to be in. I did manage to put together some good thoughts, though, so I could always use them for something else."

FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Michelle Collins

Wednesday, 31 January 2007 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

The BBC's Doctor Who website has confirmed that Michelle Collins, best known for her role as Cindy Beale onEastEnders, has been cast in an upcoming Doctor Who episode.

Collins will appear in episode 7, written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Graeme Harper. Her character is named McDonnell.

More casting information, and the title of this episode, will be revealed in Doctor Who Magazine #379, released on newsstands in the UK tomorrow (1 February).

UPDATE: The title of episode seven has been announced as 42. Show head Russell T Davies is quoted in DWM as saying: "Yes, spelt with numbers not letters!"

According to DWM, the episode will also feature William Ash playing Riley, Matthew Chambers (Korwin), Anthony Flanagan (Scannell), Gary Powell (Ashton), Rebecca Oldfield (Erina) and Vinette Robinson (Lerner).

FILTER: - Production - Series 3/29 - DWM

Previous 10 Stories

"Inappropriate" scene cut from script

DW warning to hopefuls

Cardiff filming in The Sun

Who Grant?

Ex-Hollyoaks actress lands role

Casting Update

Torchwood Season Two to premier in 2008

Major Spoiler revealed in Independent on Sunday

PJ Hammond back for more Torchwood

Michelle Collins

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