Series Three Updates

Wednesday, 6 December 2006 - Reported by R Alan Siler

In the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (#377) some new details about the upcoming series of Doctor Whohave been revealed:

Episode Two Title
The episode, which features Dean Lennox Kelly in the lead guest role of William Shakespeare, will be titled "The Shakespeare Code".

Casting
Four new castings have been revealed: Jessica Stevenson will feature in Episodes Eight and Nine of Series Three.Carey Mulligan (Bleak House, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard), Lucy Gaskell (Cutting It, Vincent), Michael Obiora (The Bill, Hotel Babylon) and Finlay Robertson (NY-LON, Life Begins) will appear in Episode Ten of Series Three.

Director
Episode Ten will be directed by Hettie MacDonald, the first time a Doctor Who story will have been directed by a woman since 1985's "The Mark of the Rani".

FILTER: - Production - Series 3/29

Daleks to return on stage

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Daleks will be returning to the stage with the re-creation of their 12-part "lost" TV epic.

After October's successful production of "lost story" The Evil of the Daleks in Portsmouth, Interalia Theatre have been given the licence to produce the 1965/66 adventure The Daleks' Masterplan, of which only three episodes still exist.

As with Evil, it will be on at the New Theatre Royal, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth. It is scheduled for sometime in October 2007 and will run for five performances - but it will be the company's last Doctor Who revival.

Spokesman Rob Thrush said: "Most of the team from Evil will be involved.

"Nick Scovell is again adapting the scripts and will play the Doctor. Obviously, there is a lot of cutting to do, so it'll be very different fom the runaround on TV, although the 'core' of the story - sorry! - will remain intact."

A draft still has to be submitted for approval by the estates of Dennis Spooner and Terry Nation.

Thrush added: "According to the terms of the licence, this, our fourth Doctor Who production, will be the very last one, so we intend to go out with a biggie!"

The company also previously staged The Web of Fear and Fury from the Deep in Portsmouth.

(With thanks to Rob Thrush)

FILTER: - Special Events

That's the Wonder of Who

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Woolworths recently launched its new home-shopping catalogue The Big Red Book in time for the Christmas market (available instore now) and Doctor Who merchandise features prominently within its pages.

As well as radio-controlled Daleks and K-9, the sought-after Cyberman Voice Changer Helmet and popular TARDIS playset, the catalogue offers other Who goodies, including a Dalek Bottle Opener (with sound effects) and, exclusive to Woolworths, a 5-inch Doctor Who Figure Pack, which is featured as one of its "Top 10 Toys".

FILTER: - Merchandise

In the Pink

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Pink Paper continues its love affair with Doctor Who. Issue 913 included the Captain Jack Harkness action figure and the radio-controlled K-9 among its selection of "Serious toys for big girls and boys" in its "Christmas starts here" feature, which also offered readers a chance to win the aforementioned K-9, courtesy of Forbidden Planet.

Meanwhile, issue 914 has launched the paper's Readers' Awards 2007. Last year, David Tennant won in the "World's sexiest man" category, but has failed to be nominated this time round. However, Doctor Who has been nominated forBest TV show. You can vote here. It's category 44, in the Arts, media and culture section.

FILTER: - Magazines

Doctor Who Magazine 377

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

Issue 377 of Doctor Who Magazine is due out on 7th December; the following is a preview including the cover. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.
(Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)

Get set for Christmas with the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

This issue, Russell T Davies previews The Runaway Bride:

"The Christmas Doctor can't be bogged down in angst," says Russell, "cos that'd hardly make for an interesting adventure on Christmas Day. That's why Donna arrived as she did, at the end of Doomsday, suddenly, so the Doctor doesn't even have time to mourn. Gosh, you'd think I'd planned it!"

Also this issue, there's an in-depth interview with writer Gareth Roberts about his new episode featuring Shakespeare; a preview of The Sarah Jane Adventures Christmas Special; Jonathan Morris explains whyDoctor Who is the funniest programme in the history of the universe; the results of the 2006 Season Survey; a review of the past year in the Doctor Who universe; a preview of the new Doctor Who radio series for BBC7; a rifle through the JNT archive; the Watcher's Christmas Quiz; Sorvad presents a festive edition of Space-Time Telegraph; a round-up of stocking fillers in Under The Tree; and the Time Team are shocked by Earthshock! Phew!

Not forgetting, of course, Rose Tyler's comic strip swansong in The Green-Eyed Monster, and all your favourite regular features. Christmas has just come early!

DWM 377 is on sale from Thursday 7 December 2006.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

BBC Christmas Schedule confirmed

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

The BBC1 Christmas and New Year schedule has been confirmed by the BBC Press Office.

Christmas Day sees the Doctor Who special The Runaway Bride starting at the traditional time of 7pm on BBC1.

There is also a special Doctor Who Confidential on BBC1 earlier at 1pm, entitled Music And Monsters.

On New Year's Day The Sarah Jane Adventures begin with Invasion Of The Bane at 4.50pm.

FILTER: - Specials - Broadcasting

Doctor Who Adventures 19

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Below are the press release and cover illustration for issue 19 of Doctor Who Adventures, the magazine for kids. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Victoria Goddard/BBC Magazines)

Doctor Who Adventures
Issue 19

The Christmas issue of Doctor Who Adventures is a bumper issue - full of facts, monsters, a runaway bride and an exclusive interview with David Tennant!

David gives us all the goss on the Christmas episode and tells us the best thing about being the Doctor. "Getting to read the scripts before anyone else," he says. "It's when you find out where you are going next - and that's great!"

Also in this issue:

* Find out everything you need to know about the Doctor in our fact file!
* Get a sneaky look at the Christmas special.
* More danger and trouble for the Doctor and Rose in the final part of the thrilling comic strip.
* Help the Doctor track down some missing Christmas presents in our fun picture quiz.
* K is for Krillitane in the Monster A to Z.
* We chat to the cast of The Sarah Jane Adventures, including actress Elisabeth Sladen, and discover more about the special New Year episode.
* Read about Robot Santas and cut out a Robot Santa mask to wear on Christmas Day!
* Make monster decorations for your Christmas tree!

The issue comes with a free Dalek trainer bag and set of four cool Doctor Who badges. There's also a bonus pull-out poster section featuring all your favourite monsters!

Doctor Who Adventures Issue 19 is out on Wednesday 13 December.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

David Tennant named "Best Doctor Who"

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

This evening BBC News are reporting how David Tennant has been voted best ever Doctor Who in a survey carried out amongst 4,000 readers of Doctor Who Magazine.

The report quotes editor Clayton Hickman as saying: "This is an incredible result for David, and shows how quickly viewers have taken to him. The iconic image of Doctor Who has always been of Tom Baker in his floppy hat and long, multi-coloured scarf, but it looks like that's been replaced."

The poll results are quoted in the report as follows:

1. David Tennant - 28.2%
2. Tom Baker - 26.5%
3. Christopher Eccleston - 11.4
4. Jon Pertwee - 9.6%
5. Patrick Troughton - 8.8%

FILTER: - David Tennant - Awards/Nominations

Pre-Christmas Radio Times Cover

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Kenny Davidson

Doctor Who appears on the cover of the pre-Christmas edition of Radio Times, on sale in the UK tomorrow (click on the preview below to see a larger version). Their website also reveals something nice coming in the Christmas Double Issue.

The Christmas bumper edition will feature a free CD inside; part one of "The Feast of the Drowned", read by David Tennant. If this freebie is in the same style as last year's Christmas present from Radio Times, then the second part will be available free in the following issue of the magazine in the new year. This however is yet to be confirmed.

A pop-up preview of a partially wrapped Christmas cover suggests it will be a traditional seasonal painting with a Dr Who splash along the bottom promoting the free CD.

(Thanks to TaraLivesOn from our forum)

FILTER: - Magazines - Radio Times

New Beginnings DVD Boxed Set

Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Video and 2Entertain have released full details about the forthcoming New Beginnings DVD boxed set due out in January in the UK, featuring the classic Doctor Who serials The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva starring Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Anthony Ainley as the Master.

Below are the full list of extras as posted on the official Doctor Who website recently about the three DVDs included.

Additionally, clickable below are each of the cover illustrations for the three discs.

The Keeper of Traken

Commentary from actors Anthony Ainley, Matthew Waterhouse and Sarah Sutton, plus writer Johnny Byrne.
Being Nice to Each Other (dur. 30' 04") - a new documentary looking at the making of this story through the eyes of the cast and crew. Featuring actors Sarah Sutton, Sheila Ruskin, Geoffrey Beevers, director John Black, writer Johnny Byrne and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
The Return of the Master (dur. 08' 40") - Geoffrey Beevers, Christopher H. Bidmead and John Black talk about how they realised the return of the Doctor's arch-adversary.
Sarah Sutton on Swap Shop (dur. 11' 14") - Noel Edmonds interviews Sarah Sutton, with questions phoned in from young viewers.

Logopolis

Commentary from actors Tom Baker and Janet Fielding, plus writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
A New Body at Last (dur. 50' 20") - a new documentary covering the transition from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton and Adrian Gibbs, script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, directors Peter Moffatt and John Black. Narrated by Denis Lawson.
Nationwide - Tom Baker (dur. 4' 30") - an interview with Tom Baker from the BBC news magazine show.
Nationwide - Peter Davison (dur. 3' 40") - an interview with Peter Davison on his forthcoming role as the Doctor.
Pebble Mill at One - Peter Davison (dur. 12' 00") - Peter Davison interviewed on the long-running BBC lunchtime show.
News Items (dur. 1' 55") - a selection of BBC News items, including reports on Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's wedding, the announcement of Tom Baker's departure and Peter Davison's arrival.

Castrovalva

Commentary from actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, plus director Fiona Cumming and writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
Being Doctor Who (dur. 13' 29") - Peter Davison discusses his casting and time as the Fifth Doctor.
Directing Castrovalva (dur. 11' 19") - Fiona Cumming talks about directing Peter Davison's debut story.
The Crowded TARDIS (dur. 11' 25") - by the end of Tom Baker's tenure, the TARDIS crew had grown from the usual one companion to three. This featurette examines the reasons behind this change of direction. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton, director John Black and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
Blue Peter - Peter Davison (dur. 9' 15") - Peter Davison interviewed on the popular children's magazine show.
Swap Shop - Peter Davison (dur. 20' 40" ) - Noel Edmonds interviews Peter Davison, with questions phoned in from young viewers.
Deleted Scenes (dur. 1' 34") - two deleted scenes from the story.
Theme Music Video (dur. 3' 34") - a brand new remix of Peter Howell's version of the theme music for the series, exclusively remixed from the original multitrack master. Option to listen to the music in either stereo (default) or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround versions.

Also, each story will also feature Programme Subtitles, Subtitle Production Notes, TV trails and continuity announcements, Photo Galleries, isolated synchronous music, PDF Material - the 1982 Doctor Who Annual, Radio Times listings and the BBC Enterprises Season 18/19 sales literature as Adobe pdf files for viewing on PC or Mac.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD - Radio Times

Previous 10 Stories

Series Three Updates

Daleks to return on stage

That's the Wonder of Who

In the Pink

Doctor Who Magazine 377

BBC Christmas Schedule confirmed

Doctor Who Adventures 19

David Tennant named "Best Doctor Who"

Pre-Christmas Radio Times Cover

New Beginnings DVD Boxed Set

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