Reeltime Pictures has finally put out a press release for their direct-to-video story Daemos Rising, which has been set for release in March. "Combining elements from Reeltime's previous drama Downtime," says the release, "with the televised Jon Pertwee Doctor Who adventure 'The Daemons,' Daemos Rising features Miles Richardson, Beverley Cressman and Andrew Wisher in a tale of isolation, possession and magic as the ancient race of Daemons are summoned back to Earth. The Video and DVD, the first independent DOCTOR WHO related drama to be produced for five years, also features popular television and film actor Ian Richardson as the narrator." The press release also notes that members of the cast and crew will be at the Invasion convention in March. For more details about ordering the video, which is only available in PAL format, is available at their website; click here to visit. (Thanks to David Howe)

The next issue of Dreamwatch magazine will feature a story in which Doctor Who fans will be asked to help out with a mystery, according to Brian Robb, managing editor of Titan Magazines (publishers of Dreamwatch). Says the article, "The Doctor Who Restoration Team have just turned up Sylvester McCoy's audition tape which features not only Sylvester but two other actors who were up for the role. The first actor is Dermot Crowley, best known for his role of General Crix Madine in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, but who is the mystery man, all teeth and curls... And 'tache! The tape features lengthy auditions by three actors (including Sylvester McCoy) with Janet Fielding providing the role of companion Mel and other foils to test the actors' talents. It's also interesting in that it features Mel's leaving scene almost as it was screened in Dragonfire, which indicates it was written well before Bonnie Langford actually left the show. Steve Roberts at the Restoration Team says it may never appear on DVD if actors don't give permission for use. Can you help identify the mystery actor who once auditioned for the role of the seventh Doctor?" Below are thumbnails of three photos, two of the actor by himself, the other with Janet Fielding; click on each for a larger version. If you believe you know who the actor is, email Outpost Gallifrey and we'll forward your email to Brian (but please only do so if you know who it is, not if you're being speculative or jokey!) (Thanks to Brian Robb)

According to the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, recording of the four Gallifrey audios from Big Finish have now been completed. In addition to the previously confirmed Lalla Ward (Romana) and Louise Jameson (Leela), the issue confirms that John Leeson will be reprising the role of K-9, as well as two special guest appearances: Lynda Bellingham reprises her role of the Inquisitor (here known as Inquisitor Darkel) from "The Trial of a Time Lord," while Miles Richardson bridges the gap from the Bernice Summerfield audios to play the role of Cardinal Braxiatel. The series also stars Sean Calsen (Coordinator Navin), Andy Coleman (Commander Torvald), Hugo Myatt (Arkadian), and India Fisher (Sissy Pollard). The first story, "Weapon of Choice" by Alan Barnes, will be available at the end of March. The issue also confirms the titles of the two additional audio stories Outpost Gallifrey previously announced, but adds their writers:Medicinal Purposes is written by Robert Ross ("it's set in Edinburgh during the nineteenth century, and deals with the famous case of Burke and Hare") and Dead Man's Hand is written by comics writer John Ostrander ("it's set in the gambling, gun-totin' world of the American Wild West"). Finally, the writer's list for the forthcoming Short Trips: Repercussions edited" by Gary Russell has been announced; the stories include "Bobby Zierath's Story" by Trey Korte, "The Rag and Bone Man's Story" by Colin Brake, "The Farmer's Story" by Todd Green, "The Steward's Story" by Mark Michalowski, "Jake Morgan's Story" by Andie Frankham, "Professor Bulworth's Story" by Peter Anghelides, "The Bushranger's Story" by Sarah Groenewegen, "The Republican's Story" by Andy Russell, "The Assassin's Story" by Andrew Collins, "The Gangster's Story" by Jon de Burgh Miller, "The Inquisitor's Story" by Shaun Lyon, "The Diplomat's Story" by Kathryn Sullivan, "The Tramp's Story" by Joe Lidster, "The Ghost's Story" by Trevor Baxendale, "The Time Lord's Story" by Iain McLaughlin and Claire Bartlett, and "The Juror's Story" by Eddie Robson. (Thanks to Steve Tribe, Iain McLaughlin and DWM)

Outpost Gallifrey now has the cover blurb for the forthcoming BBC Books novel Halflife by Mark Michalowski, which is as follows. We're also reposting the graphic of the book cover so you can see it all together. (Thanks to Mark Michalowski)

BBCi has begun serializing Gary Russell's The Scales of Injustice, the latest Virgin Publishing novel to be adapted to e-book form. The book, which pits the Third Doctor against classic monsters the Silurians and Sea Devils, also features a 'proper' goodbye to Liz Shaw (set between "Inferno" and "Terror of the Autons"). Russell contributed extensive notes, and artist Daryl Joyce illustrates. "Daryl has really gone to town with The Scales of Injustice," BBCi's news clip says, "creating fake R

Further to our news story yesterday about the new writers, we've confirmed that Steven Moffat will be penning two episodes for the forthcoming season, a fact apparently mentioned in the latest DWM. Additionally, the BBC press office has put out a press release confirming the details; there's no real new information in it, though it mentions Rob Shearman's Big Finish credentials but nothing else about him, and strangely states that Paul Cornell has written 'two Doctor Who series'. BBC News has also gotten into things with an article here. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Mark Gatiss, the writer recently announced to be part of the first season's new writing team, appeared on this evening's edition of BBC Radio 4's daily arts programme "Front Row". Among the items Gatiss mentioned: Although perceived as an SF series, the strength of Doctor Who was always horror, and the team would "love to get back to 'proper scares'" as well as appeal to a mainstream audience. Gatiss feels that the best moemnts of Doctor Who involve wanting to travel with the characters of the Doctor and his companion, and he cited the Tom Baker / Elisabeth Sladen relationship versus the bickering of later TARDIS crews. When Gatiss was pressured on who he visualized when writing his script, he jokingly replied "Me, only me!" (Gatiss is an actor as well as writer), but mentioned he didn't know who would play the role of the Doctor (but we may know soon). His choice for the role? David Warner, who he has mentioned in the past. Gatiss is currently working on the first draft of his script. Update March 6: The radio program is archived online; you can listen to it by clicking here; there is also a transcript in our Forum (you must be a member to view).(Thanks to Vin Marsden Hendrick, Christian Coulter, PaulParanoid)

Stephen Cole will be returning to the novel fold next January, penning To the Slaughter, an Eighth Doctor novel from BBC Books. Says the new issue (#341) of Doctor Who Magazine, which announced it, "the Doctor and friends find themselves in Changing Rooms ... but on a planetary scale!" The issue promises news from editor Justin Richards about the future of the novel line, in light of the new series, in issue 342. (Thanks to DWM)

Colin Baker appeared in a sketch based on the movie Master and Commander in Jon Culshaw's comedy show "The Impressionable Jon Culshaw" on ITV, March 3.

According to the Green Guide TV Guide in Melbourne, Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation will not be screening The War Games, the final Patrick Troughton story, due to the BBC being "unable to resolve the TV rights of the Daleks with Terry Nation's agents," despite the fact that a Dalek appears only in a glimpse in part ten. Notably, the ongoing rights issues (which are more for Nation's entire estate, versus simply the Daleks themselves) has not stopped the ABC screening William Hartnell's three Dalek stories in the recent past. (Thanks to Glenn Robinson)