Doctor Who In Memoriam 2018
Monday, 31 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
As 2018 draws to a close, Toby Hadoke has released his annual look back at those from the Doctor Who universe whose lives drew to a close in the past twelve months.
Remembering those people from the world of Doctor Who who we lost this year.
June Whitfield 1925 - 2018
Saturday, 29 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
June Whitfield made an enormous contribution to British comedy with a career stretching over 70 years. Her single appearance in Doctor Who came in 2009 in The End of Time, when, at the age of 84, She played Minne Hopper, a member of the silver cloak tracking down the Tenth Doctor.
June Whitfield was born in Streatham, London, in 1925. Her first stage appearance was at the age of three at Robinson's Dance Studio. After studying to be a secretary she enroled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1944.
Whitfield began her career in radio in the 1940s appearing with Wilfred Pickles. In 1951, she had her first credited television role in The Passing Show, and she joined the London cast of the musical South Pacific.
In 1953 she had her big break joining the radio comedy series Take it from Here, starring Jimmy Edwards and Dick Bentley. She played Eth, fiancée of the dim Ron Glum and earned a place in the nation's heart.
For the next 15 years, Whitfield had many supporting roles on television, including in Dixon of Dock Green, Arthur's Treasured Volumes, The Arthur Askey Show, Faces of Jim, The Benny Hill Show, Steptoe and Son and Frankie Howerd. She had a place in one of the greatest comedy skits of all time, playing the Nurse to Tony Hancock's Blood Donor.
In 1959 she made the first of her four appearances in the Carry On film series.
The 1960s saw her as a leading lady with regular parts in a succession of television comedy series. Beggar My Neighbour ran for four years before Whitfield teamed up with Terry Scott in Scott On.... The partnership was so successful that the two worked together for the next ten years with many viewers assuming they were actually married. A Comedy Playhouse sitcom pilot called Happy Ever After developed into a series running for five years. The couple then appeared together in the Terry and June which ran for 65 episodes.
After appearing an episode of French and Saunders in 1988, Whitfield was asked to play Jennifer Saunders Mother in the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous a role that introduced her to a new generation of fans.
From 1984 until 2001, she was a regular on the Radio 2 satire programme The News Huddlines. From 1993 to 2001, she played Miss Marple in 12 radio adaptations of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books
Work continued into her ninth decade with appearances in Coronation Street and EastEnders. In 2013, Whitfield became the inaugural recipient of the Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend Award, a recognition of her lifetime's contribution to the world of comedy.
June Whitfield was appointed a Dame in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours.
Jon Plowman produced the first four series of Absolutely Fabulous for the BBC. He paid tribute to the actress
Very sad at the news of the death of the wonderful June Whitfield. There was no-one with more warmth or a better ability to just "place" a line ,always an act of utter precision. Hit after hit! Take it from Here Terry and June Absolutely Fabulous over seven decade. A great loss
June Whitfield died peacefully in her sleep early on Saturday morning. She is survived by her daughter Suzy. Doctor Who Magazine - The 2019 Yearbook
Thursday, 27 December 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The latest magazine special from Doctor Who Magazine is their annual Yearbook, covering the developments in Doctor Who over the last year.
THE DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE YEARBOOK 2019
Jodie Whittaker’s debut as the Doctor was one of the television events of 2018 and a landmark in Doctor Who’s long history.
The latest Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition explores the making of Series 11 in unprecedented detail. Highlights among the exclusive interviews include:
Editor Marcus Hearn says:
The Doctor Who Magazine Yearbook 2019 is on general sale from 3 January.
Jodie Whittaker’s debut as the Doctor was one of the television events of 2018 and a landmark in Doctor Who’s long history.
The latest Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition explores the making of Series 11 in unprecedented detail. Highlights among the exclusive interviews include:
- Percelle Ascott (The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos)
- Jonny Dixon (The Woman Who Fell to Earth)
- Shobna Gulati (Arachnids in the UK, Demons of the Punjab)
- Julie Hesmondhalgh (Kerblam!)
- Ed Hime (writer, It Takes You Away)
- Phyllis Logan (The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos)
- Susan Lynch (The Ghost Monument)
- Pete McTighe (writer, Kerblam!)
- Vinette Robinson (Rosa)
- Ellie Wallwork (It Takes You Away)
- Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor)
- Joy Wilkinson (writer, The Witchfinders)
Editor Marcus Hearn says:
We’ve packed an incredible amount into the latest Yearbook. It was always our intention to create the ultimate guide to Series 11, and this issue includes much of the material that we’ve been gathering with the cast and writers since the beginning of 2018.
The Doctor Who Magazine Yearbook 2019 is on general sale from 3 January.
New Trailer Released - Beware Spoilers
Tuesday, 25 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC have released a new trailer for next week’s episode of Doctor Who, hinting at the return of an old adversary
Coming Soon: New Year’s Day | Doctor Who
Candy Jar release Companions for Christmas
Tuesday, 25 December 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
“When Shaun told me that Candy Jar would be giving away something every day for twenty-five days I thought he was mad. I said, “You’ll regret it by day seventeen”, and indeed he did. However, I do feel that he has pulled it off, just! To be honest, I have actually enjoyed many of the freebies, particularly the Eileen Younghusband documentary. So, I am really pleased that he has chosen Companions as the Christmas Day giveaway. It deserves to be out there again. For six months I watched every episode of Doctor Who, and the book, in my opinion, encapsulates what is great to be the Doctor’s best friend. And Christmas is certainly a good time to celebrate this.
The book culminates their free downloads over the last few weeks, which have included sample book and audio chapters as well as brand new works. Keren Williams, publishing coordinator at Candy Jar, explained the thinking behind the advent calendar:It’s a Christmas tradition that we give away some short stories to our loyal readers, and this year I thought why don’t we go the whole hog and really spoil everybody? I feel that, despite Andy’s reservations, the giveaways have been successful. I have certainly received many emails from readers who have been looking forward to each day. Perhaps this is something we might repeat in the future. Time can only tell.
You can find all the festive giveaway on the Candy Jar website.Torchwood’s Captain John Hart returns for Big Finish
Thursday, 20 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The rambunctious, deadly and ever-so charming captain will be back at the helm in a new four-story box set, The Sins of Captain John, created by Big Finish Productions in association with BBC Studios.
Captain John Hart made his audio debut in The Death of Captain Jack, released in March 2018. In this story he killed the entire Torchwood team – including John Barrowman’s supposedly immortal Captain Jack Harkness. He also married Queen Victoria and had no less than three ‘relationships’ with characters from history.
James Marsters told us about returning to the role, and the world of Torchwood.
Doing The Death of Captain Jack was incredible! I have missed doing Torchwood so much. Beyond being proud of playing a part in it, the character itself is a blast to play, and those two episodes just weren’t enough.
Set for release in January 2020, The Sins of Captain John will see Captain John Hart leading the universe into rack and ruin in four new adventures… - The Restored
- Escape from Nebazz
- Peach Blossom Heights
- Darker Purposes
Writer, David Llewellyn, tells us what to expect
Writing The Death of Captain Jack was a total blast, and both James Goss (producer of the Torchwood range) and I realised we could have a lot more fun with Captain John Hart, providing James Marsters was happy to return.
Captain John is this chaotic, disruptive, insubordinate force of nature; completely amoral and unpredictable, so that gave me a lot of freedom! Writing is often a case of knowing when to hold back, when to tread a more subtle line, but with Captain John it’s the complete opposite. And setting it before Torchwood on television meant we were able to go to places where Torchwood can’t.
Torchwood fans will also find answers to many of the questions and plot points that have so far been left hanging from the beginning of the television show. More details on what in the future. Captain John is this chaotic, disruptive, insubordinate force of nature; completely amoral and unpredictable, so that gave me a lot of freedom! Writing is often a case of knowing when to hold back, when to tread a more subtle line, but with Captain John it’s the complete opposite. And setting it before Torchwood on television meant we were able to go to places where Torchwood can’t.
The Sins of Captain John, out for release in January 2020, is available for pre-order from Big Finish at £28 on CD or £25 on download, rising to £35 on CD and £30 on download at general release
Bill Sellars 1925 - 2018
Wednesday, 19 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Bill Sellars directed the 1966 Doctor Who story The Celestial Toyroom, which saw the creation of the character of the Toymaker.
Sellars joined the BBC in the 1960's working on the drama A for Andromeda as a Production Assistant. Director roles followed on Compact, United and The Newcomers.
The majority of his work for the Corporation was as a Producer, responsible for some of the best loved drama series of the time. He produced 29 episodes of the Sunday night deama The Brothers, giving Colin Baker one of his first major roles. His best loved series was the adaptation of James Herriot novels about the life of a Yorkshire vet, All Creatures Large and Small, starring a young Peter Davison as Tristan Farnon.
All Creatures Great and Small won him two awards nominations, a BAFTA nomination for Best Drama Series in 1979, and a Primetime Emmy nomination for Best Children's Series in 1990.
Perhaps his biggest misfire was a producer of Triangle, the soap set and shot on a cross channel ferry on its journey across the North sea.
Other series include One by One, Flesh and Blood and The Terracotta Horse.
On retirement he managed The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, Yorkshire, the oldest and most complete Georgian theater in the world.
Bill Sellars died peacefully in his sleep.
Resolution time confirmed for Canada
Wednesday, 19 December 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
SPACE have confirmed when they will be showing the New Year's Day special, Resolution:
As the series continues to break from tradition, the TARDIS touches down for the brand-new DOCTOR WHO New Year’s Day special, Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET. In “Resolution,” as the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring, from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?
Leading up to the premiere of the festive special, Space airs the NEW YEAR, NEW DOCTOR marathon, giving viewers the chance to catch up on Jodie Whittaker’s first season as the traveling Time Lord, beginning 9 a.m. ET on January 1.
Seasons 1-10 of DOCTOR WHO are available to stream now, exclusively on Crave. Season 11 and “Resolution” stream exclusively on Crave beginning June 2019.
DOCTOR WHO is produced by BBC Studios.
Leading up to the premiere of the festive special, Space airs the NEW YEAR, NEW DOCTOR marathon, giving viewers the chance to catch up on Jodie Whittaker’s first season as the traveling Time Lord, beginning 9 a.m. ET on January 1.
Seasons 1-10 of DOCTOR WHO are available to stream now, exclusively on Crave. Season 11 and “Resolution” stream exclusively on Crave beginning June 2019.
DOCTOR WHO is produced by BBC Studios.
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos - Official Ratings
Monday, 17 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos had an official rating of 6.65 million viewers, according to figures released by the Broadcasting Research Audience Board, BARB.
6.48 million watched the episode on a conventional TV set. However the BARB 4-Screen Dashboard shows that an additional 73,000 watched on their PC, 51,000 watched on a Tablet device and 44,000 watched on a smartphone These figures make Doctor Who the 18th most watched programme of the week ending 2nd December.
Top for the week was Sunday's final of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here getting 13.04 million watching.
Doctor Who in 2018 had an average consolidated audience of 7.96 million viewers. This is the highest year average since 2013, which was boosted by including the 50th Anniversary special.
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos had an Appreciation Index score of 79
Resolution: new images released
Friday, 14 December 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released some new images to promote the forthcoming New Year's Day special, Resolution, which as well as featuring the regular cast also includes Charlotte Ritchie as Lin, Nikesh Patel as Mitch, and Daniel Adeboyega as Aaron.