According to a report in today's "Independent," and now confirmed on the official site, actor Simon Callow will be playing the role of Charles Dickens in an episode of the new series set in Victorian times. "To be honest," Callow told the Independent, "when they sent me the script, my heart sank. As I know all about Dickens, I can say with authority that most attempts to put him on screen are awful - and there are a lot of them. But this script, by Russell T Davis [sic], who wrote Queer as Folk, is fantastic." Davies told BBCi, "It's wonderful to welcome an actor of Simon Callow's calibre on board the TARDIS. As soon as the words 'Charles Dickens' first appeared in Mark Gatiss's clever, scary, inventive script, then we knew there was only one actor we wanted to approach. We're genuinely honoured that Simon has accepted, and I know that Chris and Billie are delighted too. This sets the standard for a Doctor Who with wonderful casts, exciting scripts and the highest production values." Callow's many roles include such films as "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Amadeus," "Shakespeare in Love," "James and the Giant Peach" and the forthcoming adaptation of "The Phantom of the Opera." (Thanks to everyone who caught the Independent report this morning and let us know...)

Please note: A few people have asked us why we posted this since they believe it is a spoiler. Outpost Gallifrey does not consider major casting developments (or the characters they play), or indeed any major developments, spoilers if they are widely reported in the mass media, newspapers or such places as BBCi. Knowing Callow plays Charles Dickens tells you nothing specific about the story. Thank you.

There are several rumors going around that the Sci-Fi Channel has purchased, or will be purchasing, the rights to broadcast the new series in tandem with the rights to rebroadcast the original. According to a letter sent to "This Week in Doctor Who" from Maryland Public Television, this is the case; however, sources at the Sci-Fi Channel (and its parent company, NBC/Universal) have denied that any deal has taken place. In fact, no deal has been signed at this time to broadcast the series in America and is not expected to happen until much later this year or early next year.

Tenth Planet has teamed up with Silver Fist to rerelease three classic Doctor Who interview audio sessions on CD, featuring Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and the late Jon Pertwee. Jon Pertwee: Pertwee in Person is released in September; Colin Baker: The Ultimate Interview in October; and Sylvester McCoy: The Real McCoy in November. Says the info for the Pertwee CD: "Presented by Cyberleader actor David Banks, it is an in-depth discussion with the late Jon Pertwee (the third Doctor), recorded at his home in 1990, available commercially for the first time in over a decade. This new CD edition is digitally re-mastered, presented with full-colour cover graphics from veteran Doctor Who artist Andrew Skilleter." More details and all three covers can be found on Outpost Gallifrey's Forthcoming Releases page (under "Audio", about two-thirds of the way down the page). (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

The new issue of Dreamwatch magazine, which has just hit the newsstands, has some interesting tidbits on some interesting developments in the new series. Click on the spoiler tab for details... and remember, you've been warned!

Actor Navin Chowdhry will appear in the new series, according to an interview in last weekend's Sunday Express magazine; he began filming yesterday (September 1) for two weeks. Chowdhry is familiar to TV audiences as Kurt McKenna on "Teachers"; he also plays Ralph in "NY-LON," the seven part series that just began on Channel 4 directed by Keith Boak (the new series' first-block director). At right is a small press photo. According to sources, Chowdhry plays a government official in the "Aliens of London" story currently filming. There are rumors, meanwhile, that actor Ruper Vansittart (who played Lord Ashfordly in "Heartbeat") will also be appearing as an alien leader, and that Mark Benton (Johnny Tyler in Russell T Davies' "The Second Coming") will feature in one episode. (Thanks to "the Comic Guru")

ABC TV Australia has brokered a deal with the estate of Terry Nation, and will start showing Dalek serials as part of their re-run of the entirety of Doctor Who, starting with "Death to the Daleks" on 15th September 2004. No Dalek episodes previously skipped in the schedule due to the licence issues will be screened, however. (Thanks to Piers Johnson)

Sylvester McCoy will star as Abanazar in this year's Christmas pantomime, Aladdin at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. McCoy co-stars with screen legend Britt Ekland, who plays the Genie of the Lamp, as well as Issy Van Randwyck, Paul Hendy and Royce Mills. Tickets are available from the Yvonne Arnaud box office on 01483 440000. (Thanks to Paul Engelberg)

Outpost Gallifrey has received the cover illustration and cover blurb for Trevor Baxendale's The Deadstone Memorial, the October 2004 BBC Books novel featuring the Eighth Doctor, Fitz and Trix. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Trevor Baxendale)

Big Finish has released details for the forthcoming audio play The Next Life, the final part of the third 'season' of Paul McGann audios... and there are some big names in the cast. Daphne Ashbrook, who played McGann's co-star (Dr. Grace Holloway) in the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, is reunited with McGann, albeit as a different character; while Paul Darrow, the star of "Blake's 7" (Avon) and twice a guest star on the Doctor Who series ("Doctor Who & The Silurians" and "Timelash") also joins the cast for the episode. Also making returns to the story are former Doctor Who companion actress Anneke Wills reprising her role from "Zagreus" as Charley's mother Louisa, and, returning as Rassilon, Don Warrington. The story is out in December; the cover blurb is below.

The official Doctor Who website today launches their newest photonovel, with telesnap photos from the missing Patrick Troughton serial The Evil of the Daleks, also the debut story of companion Victoria Waterfield (Deborah Watling).Click here to look at part one.