Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder and Laptop Bag

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Official Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder Bag With Pins (Credit: Lovarzi)

Lovarzi have announced a new, shoulder/laptop bag for their collection of Doctor Who-themed apparel.

The new design features the ability to customise the front with pin badges, the bag coming with seven exclusive designs featuring the TARDIS, the Seal of Rassilon, K9, a Cyberman head, Weeping Angel, Bow Tie, and the Thirteenth Doctor Silhouette. The former six are all made from a high-quality, matte-finish metal, with the seventh printed in full-colour featuring the Thirteenth Doctor against a beautiful sunset background, with the TARDIS waiting to whisk her off across the universe. Additional pins for the bag will be released by the company later.

The bag's interior is further lined with a repeated TARDIS print, embossed with the Doctor Who logo both inside and out; it has internal organiser pockets on one side, and a buttoned area on the other to store devices measuring up to 15.6", e.g. a large laptop or tablet. A zipped panel allows access to the pins in order to change them as required.

Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi, explains:

I'm so happy to finally present our new bag – we've been working on it for over two years now! The original idea came from a desire to make a product no other fandom has seen before. Something unique. We had this particular design in mind since we first approached BBC Studios about making officially-licensed Doctor Who bags.
We wanted fans to be able to customise it: make it personal and stand out from the crowd. It comes with exclusive pins which you can screw into the holes on one side, meaning you can highlight your favourite parts of the show. Effectively, you're the designer!

Speaking of their range of products, Maninder adds:

I'm incredibly proud of our whole range. It's been wonderful seeing people getting so enthusiastic about what we do. We hope fans similarly love this unique bag – and all the exciting products we've got planned for the future!

Full details for the Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder Bag (with 7 Exclusive Pins) can be found at the Lovarzi website, where the bag can also be ordered. A video highlighting the bag can also be viewed on YouTube.

FILTER: - Clothing - Merchandise

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have announced a new book to feature the classic Doctor Who artwork of Chris Achilléos:

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris AchillÃ©os (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

In his five decades as an illustrator, painter and conceptual artist, Chris Achilléos has four best-selling books of his art, Beauty and the Beast, Syrens, Medusa and Amazona. He worked with the likes of George Lucas, as well as producing the iconic promotional art for the cult film Heavy Metal. But it is probably his work for Doctor Who that is the most enduringly popular.

His covers for the official Target novelisations, which began in the early ‘70s, defined a generation’s image of the Doctor and his adventures – particularly after the show disappeared from British screens in the late ‘80s.

Lavishly detailed, with psychedelic overtones and an unapologetically pulpy sensibility, these covers perfectly captured the eccentric appeal of the classic series. To this day, Doctor Who luminaries tip their hat to the influence of Achilléos’ work. The opening of a 2016 exhibition of Target’s cover artwork at the Cartoon Museum, London, attracted the series’ then-showrunner Steven Moffat, as well as twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi.

With the Doctor long back on our screens, and more popular than ever, it is perhaps surprising that Achilléos’ Whovian oeuvre (or Whoeuvre, if you will) has never been collected in one place.

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos, an upcoming title from award-winning independent publisher Candy Jar Books, aims to address this. For the first time, it collects the entirety of Achilléos’ Doctor Who artwork in chronological order, along with commentary from Achilléos himself (as well as some fans) – presenting the definitive guide to his seminal work. The book also includes a small contribution from twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and a foreword from Achilléos’ long-time friend and collaborator, the late Terrance Dicks.

Achilléos explains his motivations for compiling the book:

I go to a lot of conventions, and the enduring affection of the fans for those Target novelisations is such a compliment. As an artist you’re always wary of being pigeonholed – you want all your work to receive the same amount of attention! But Doctor Who is such a phenomenon, and the commitment of the fans so pure, you have to be grateful. I hope they enjoy this special book.

As the home of the Lethbridge-Stewart series, one of only a handful of fully licensed Doctor Who ranges outside of the BBC, Candy Jar was the natural home for Achilléos’ new title. As Candy Jar’s head of publishing, Shaun Russell, explains:

The Target novels were a huge part of our childhood. And when it came to our own range of Doctor Who books, they were an inspiration. You could always tell that they were produced by people who cared. There was an attention to detail, and a level of quality, which quite frankly, went above and beyond what was necessary. Doctor Who will sell regardless, but as a series it means so much to people – and to us here at Candy Jar – that you want to do repay that. And from the first moment you picked up a Target title, with one Chris Achilléos’ brilliant designs on the cover, you knew that you were in for something wonderful. His work manages to capture everything that makes Doctor Who special, and stand alone as works of art in their own right. When Chris first spoke with us, I jumped at the chance to work with him.

Featuring every one of Achilléos’ Doctor Who designs, as well as never before seen material giving insight into his creative process, Kklak: the Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos is released in April 2020 by Candy Jar Books.

The book will be available as paperback and deluxe hardback edition, and can be pre-ordered from Candy Jar Books.

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Non-Fiction

Competitions: Sil And the Devil Seeds of Arodor / The Doctors: More Monsters!

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Readers in the United Kingdom have a chance to win of a copy of the latest releases from Reeltime Pictures, courtesy of Koch Media UK:

Sil And the Devil Seeds of Arodor (Blu-ray) [order from Amazon UK]

Sil and The Devil Seeds of Arobor (Credit: Koch Media)

An original drama from the world of BBC TV’s Doctor Who, featuring Sil, the ruthless alien entrepreneur from planet Thoros Beta. Sil is worried. Very worried… which doesn’t keep his reptilian skin in the best condition! Confined in a cold detention cell on the moon, awaiting a deportation hearing while on trial for drugs offences committed on Earth, he faces a death sentence if the application is successful and he is found guilty. His powerful employers at the Universal Monetary Fund aren’t too pleased about that. Not at all… As time runs out and friends desert him, Sil must use all of his devious, vile, underhanded, ruthless, and amoral business acumen to survive. Can he possibly slime his way out of this one? Featuring Nabil Shaban (Sil) and Christopher Ryan (Kiv), with Sophie Aldred, Janet Henfrey and Sakuntala Ramanee.

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the Blu-ray, simply answer the following question:

Which diminutive race has Christopher Ryan also portrayed in Doctor Who?

Please send your answer along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-sil@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Marshminnow surprise". Open to readers within the United Kingdom only. Only one entry per household will be accepted. Closing date: Sunday 8 December 2019.

Reeltime Pictures: The Doctors: More Monsters! (DVD) [order from Amazon UK]

The Doctors: More Monsters! (Credit: Koch Media)

This is the definitive set of interviews with the team of unsung heroes who sent you "behind the sofa" by bringing the monsters in Doctor Who to life! Featuring Nabil Shaban (Sil), Christopher Ryan (Kiv), Stephen Thorne (Omega), Terry Molloy (Davros), Stuart Fell and Jon Davey (monsters too numerous to mention!). Presented by Robert Dick and “voice of the Daleks” Nicholas Briggs.

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the DVD set, simply answer the following question:

Out of the mask, Terry Molloy also played a more human character in the series - name that person.

Please send your answer along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-moremonsters@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Dalek?". Open to readers within the United Kingdom only. Only one entry per household will be accepted. Closing date: Sunday 8 December 2019.

FILTER: - Competitions - UK

Official Series 12 Trailer released

Saturday, 23 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have released the first official trailer for the next series of Doctor Who, due to air from New Year's Day.

Watch the trailer on YouTube

The trailer was launched across the BBC's social media channels at 3pm, before its television premiere on BBC One as the lead-in to Strictly Come Dancing at 7pm.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Jodie Whittaker - Series 12/38

DWAS Appeal for Terrance Dicks

Saturday, 23 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is raising funds for Save the Children in memory of Terrance Dicks - a charity chosen by his family.

Andrew Skilliter, Chris Achellios, Alister Pearson and Jeff Cummins have allowed DWAS to produce four art cards based on their work for Target books. These are now available to buy from the eBay store, along with a ‘Terrance’ badge and the special Terrance Dicks Tribute magazine, published in October 2019.

The cost for the art card set and badge is £5-95 and the set plus the magazine is £7-45.

Full details here

FILTER: - Charities - DWAS

Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry Confirmed For Series 12

Thursday, 21 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Stephen Fry / Lenny Henry (Credit: BBC )

The BBC has announced that Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE will both appear in the first episode of the new series of doctor Who.

The TV legends will both be present when the TARDIS lands once more, with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor.

Stephen Fry is best known as the former host of the quiz show QI. His acting roles include a Golden Globe Award–nominated lead performance in the film Wilde, Melchett in the BBC television series Blackadder, the title character in the television series Kingdom, a recurring guest role as Dr Gordon Wyatt on the crime series Bones, and as Gordon Deitrich in the dystopian thriller V for Vendetta.

Lenny Henry is a British stand-up comedian and actor who shot to fame after appearing on the 1975 talent show New Faces. He co-founded the charity Comic Relief.

The two men are armed with a wealth of acting, comedy and writing credentials both are more than equipped to come face to face with the Time Lord and her friends. It is not known if they are playing friend or foe.

Speaking ahead of his Doctor Who appearance Stephen Fry said

Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme and I readily concede that I’m past the age where I’d be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) – then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement.

Sir Lenny Henry CBE added

It was absolutely brilliant to be welcomed into the fantastical world of Doctor Who. The nearest I have been to the TARDIS was when I played the Caribbean Doctor in the Lenny Henry Show , so as a life-long (hiding behind the sofa type) Doctor Who fan this is a very special moment for me.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner said

Doctor Who is coming back with a bang - with two great British icons in major roles. One of the great joys of Doctor Who is getting to work with actors from your wish list. Stephen and Lenny are two of my absolute favourite actors - and to be able to bring them into Doctor Who, in one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new series, is an absolute thrill.

FILTER: - Series 12/38

The Unofficial DR WHO Annual 1987

Monday, 18 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus

The Unofficial DR WHO Annual 1987 has now materialised and is ready to order.

Earlier this year, Terraqueous Distributors transport fans back to the 70s with the release of The Unofficial DR WHO Annual 1972, as 'World Distributors' elected not to bring one out for that year, creating a gap in many peoples collections. 34 years ago 'World Distributors' ended their run of Doctor Who annuals. So this time Terraqueous Distributors are taking us back to the 80's. The Unofficial DR WHO Annual 1987, is another bumper edition at 122 pages. and contains 11 stories, 2 comic strips, 10 features, 4 games, and more.

The annual also includes celebrity contributions from Frazer Hines, Alister Pearson, and David J Howe.

We are so proud and honoured to have our heroes, take part in the annual - although this time we also have a villian gracing the pages. Sil, is quite possibly the greatest villian the sixth Doctor has ever faced. And thanks to the kindness of Keith Barnfather, and Sil's creator Philip Martin, Sil has a couple of pages dedicated to him.

The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1987 is published by Terraqueous Distributors and available from Lulu at the print-on-demand price of £21.64 plus shipping costs. None of the money paid by purchasers goes to the publisher or to any of the contributors.

The Unofficial DR WHO Annual 1972 is also available, but will be retired in January 2020.

Next year, Terraqueous Distributors will be releasing The Unofficial Master Annual. Details on the Terraqueous Distributors FaceBook page:

FILTER: - Fan Productions - Sixth Doctor

Ian Cullen 1939-2019

Saturday, 16 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus

The actor Ian Cullen has died at the age of 80.

Ian Cullen appeared in the first series of Doctor Who, playing Ixta, who took on Ian in mortal combat, in the story The Aztecs.

He later played Nadeyan in the Big Finish production of Dark Eyes. This appearance came 48 years after The Aztecs, the longest gap for any actor in the Doctor Who franchise.

Ian Cullen first trod the boards in a village pantomime at the age of four and has been an actor ever since. He became a household name when he played PC Joe Skinner in "Z Cars" (1962), first appearing in 1969, the character was later promoted to Detective and stayed with the show for 6 years, until he was gunned down in the line of duty in one of TV's biggest shocks in the mid 70s.

Other recurring roles include the classic 60s hospital drama "Emergency-Ward 10" (1957), where he played Warren Kent (1966-67), "When the Boat Comes In" (1976), as Geordie Watson (1977-81) and as Angus Hart, the original lead of the Channel 5 soap opera "Family Affairs" (1997). Ian's character, Angus Hart, was also killed in a shock storyline when the entire Hart family were killed in a boat explosion. He has also guest-starred in many British television series, including "The Bill" (1984), "Blakes 7" (1978) and "Sorry!" (1981).

In 2008 he won a Gold Award for his narration of the feature-length documentary The Destiny of Britain (2007). He is survived by his wife, actress Yvonne Quenet and their three daughters.

FILTER: - Obituary

Children in Need 2019

Saturday, 16 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC's annual fundraising evening for Children in Need took place yesterday, and by the end of the evening raised £47,886,382 for the charity.

The evening featured a special surprise for Anastasia who, having presented a video about the work done by drame group Hackney Shed to boost confidence for herself and others, was then thrilled as her very own heroine the Doctor arrived on stage to meet her!

BBC Children in Need 2019 - Anastasia meets Jodie (Credit: BBC)

Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill were all on hand to make it a very special evening for Anastasia, with Jodie also presenting her with her very own sonic screwdriver.

You can still donate to Children in Need via their website.

FILTER: - BBC - Children in Need - Jodie Whittaker

Series Twelve - Creative Staff

Saturday, 16 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who - Series 11 (Credit: BBC / Ben Blackall)

The BBC has revealed the list of Writers and Directors responsible for the upcoming series of Doctor Who.

With the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, returning in the New year, the BBC is starting to ramp up publicity for what will be the 38th series of the programme, the twelfth since it returned in 2005.

This year sees three new writers joining the show.

Nina Metivier
Maxine Alderton
Charlene James

Also making their debut in 2020 and joining the series are four new directors.

Nida Manzoor
Emma Sullivan
Jamie Magnus Stone
Lee Haven Jones

In addition, three writers return from Series 11:

Vinay Patel
Ed Hime
Pete McTighe

Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall said

We’re thrilled that Doctor Who continues to attract some of the most exciting and dynamic talent working in television. Along with our returning faces, we’re excited to welcome new members to the Doctor Who family. The Doctor Who team is crammed with British television’s brightest writers and directors: we’ve adored working with them, and can’t wait to show you the explosive stuff they’ve created!

Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole will all be reprising their roles as the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends, alongside an exciting host of soon to be announced guest artists.

The series will be back on TV screens in early 2020.

FILTER: - Production - Series 12/38

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