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Month: February 2016

DOCTOR WHO COMPANION CHRONICLES: ON THE EDGE!

DOCTOR WHO COMPANION CHRONICLES: ON THE EDGE!

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More details for the Second Doctor’s new Companion Chronicles are now online!

Recording has completed on Doctor Who: The Edge by Rob Nisbet, starring Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon and directed by Lisa Bowerman. The story will be the fourth and final in Doctor Who – The Companion Chronicles: The Second Doctor Volume 1, available June 2016.

Says producer Ian Atkins, ‘Although the second to be completed, The Edge is actually the fourth and last story in the new boxed set of Companion Chronicles, seeing the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe towards the end of their time together, and looking at the effect all that travel with the Doctor has had on a young Highlander.’

Appearing opposite Frazer Hines is Robert Whitelock as Curtis. Robert may be familiar toDoctor Who fans as Mahler in 2013’s Matt Smith story The Bells of St John, while other roles have seen him in The Hour and opposite Dwayne Johnson in 2014’s big screenHercules.

‘Curtis is a nasty piece of work, certain in his superiority to all those around him,’ Ian confirms, ‘His character traits are a contrast to Jamie’s, and it’s inevitable they’ll clash when the Doctor and Zoe are put at risk. Rob Nisbet’s script uses the conflict to explore Jamie’s character, and Robert and Frazer really went for it. It’s a cracking finale to the set.’

The story was recorded on 7th January – 49 years to the day when the broadcast of The Highlanders episode four saw Jamie join the TARDIS crew. ‘It was only by chance we realised it on the day,’ says Ian, ‘Or else there’d have been cake! It’s brilliant to think that even so long after that first adventure, Frazer’s still today bringing Jamie to such authentic life, finding fresh nuances to play, and still has such an enthusiasm for the character. And he’s a joy in studio – if you ever talk to him at a convention, ask him for the Pearl & Dean joke!’

A specially-recorded trailer for Doctor Who – The Companion Chronicles: The Second Doctor Volume 1 was released at Big Finish Day 8, with Frazer providing a new version of the famed 1968 TV trailer which greeted audiences the week before The Web of Fear was broadcast.

THE APPRENTICE, DOCTOR WHO AND LUTHER TOPPED BBC IPLAYER REQUESTS FOR DECEMBER

THE APPRENTICE, DOCTOR WHO AND LUTHER TOPPED BBC IPLAYER REQUESTS FOR DECEMBER

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The BBC has revealed its most popular programmes on iPlayer for December 2015, with The Apprentice, Doctor Who and Luther among those leading the pack.

The Alan Sugar programme in fact holds the top four positions – with episode 9 being the most-requested with over 1.8m.

The first episode of Idris Elba’s Luther was the sixth most-requested show with over 1.4m, while the series finale of Doctor Who had over 1.2m requests to rank eighth.

EastEnders was also incredibly popular, with episodes taking up half of the top 20. The Christmas special ranks highest, at fifth place overall.

The Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special also fares well at 12, as does miniseries And Then There Were None at 16.

Both The Apprentice and Doctor Who ranked highly in November too, with the former taking the top four spots then as well.

BBC3’S FINAL NIGHT OF TV PROGRAMMING IS PACKED WITH OLD FAVOURITES

BBC3’S FINAL NIGHT OF TV PROGRAMMING IS PACKED WITH OLD FAVOURITES

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Here’s how the channel’s last night on TV shapes up.

Top Gear, Don’t Tell The Bride, Gavin & Stacey and Siblings will be among the shows leading BBC3’s TV swansong as the channel makes the move online on Tuesday February 16th.

BBC3’s last night of programming will open with the first episode of Top Gear’s 16th series, which sees Jeremy Clarkson submitting “the Skoda Yeti to a remarkably thorough road test”.

Top Gear, Don’t Tell The Bride, Gavin & Stacey and Siblings will be among the shows leading BBC3’s TV swansong as the channel makes the move online on Tuesday February 16th.
BBC3’s last night of programming will open with the first episode of Top Gear’s 16th series, which sees Jeremy Clarkson submitting “the Skoda Yeti to a remarkably thorough road test”.

Then it’s straight over to Las Vegas for a Don’t Tell The Bride extravaganza, followed by back-to-back British comedies with Gavin & Stacey, Little Britain and Bad Education punctuated only by the evening’s scheduled EastEnders repeat. The nightly Albert Square recap will move to W (the new name for Watch) from February 18th onwards.

American Dad and Family Guy will take viewers into the early hours, when The Mighty Boosh, Cuckoo, Siblings, Josh and Some Girls will take the graveyard shift, before Gavin & Stacey returns to take the honour of being the last programme broadcast on BBC3 on TV.

Wednesday Februrary 17th marks the first day in what the BBC hopes will be a bright future for the channel online, with a host of programming – including Doctor Who spin-off Class – scheduled for 2016 and beyond.

BBC boss Tony Hall is rather excited about it, commenting that the channel feels like a “start-up” at a recent launch event:

“I was with the team briefly last week… and the atmosphere is really magic. It’s exciting. It feels a bit like a start up. I love the feeling of going and being with Damian [Kavanagh, BBC3 controller]’s team. It feels creative, energetic and mischievous as well, just as it should be.”

JUNIOR DOCTORS HAVE NOT ONE BUT TWO TIME LORDS ON THEIR SIDE

JUNIOR DOCTORS HAVE NOT ONE BUT TWO TIME LORDS ON THEIR SIDE

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The junior doctors embroiled in industrial action – but at least they have support from a couple of Time Lords.

Doctor Who stars past and present Peter Capaldi and John Hurt are rallying behind the NHS to oppose cuts threatening the jobs of junior doctors.

A junior doctors strike is scheduled to go ahead on Wednesday (February 10) over disagreements between physicians and Health secretary Jeremy Hunt regarding Saturday pay and timelines for premium rates.

Joining the Doctors (of the time-travelling variety) in supporting the NHS is iconic designer Vivienne Westwood – who has created the fundraising T-shirts worn by Capaldi and Hurt in their #WearYourNHS photos.

While the Doctor Who stars are pitching in on a more light-hearted campaign, debate has grown increasingly tense in recent days.

Earlier this week, junior doctor Rachel Clarke referred to Jeremy Hunt as a liar in a stunning live television interview.

Meanwhile, a government PR agent was captured trying to shut down a Sky News journalist asking for an interview with Hunt in a moment oddly reminiscent of absurdist comedy The Thick of It.

SERIES 10 TO START FILMING IN MAY!

SERIES 10 TO START FILMING IN MAY!

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The BBC has yet to identify a replacement for Jenna Coleman, but sources say they are confident of finding the right person.

Doctor Who series ten will begin filming in May.

BBC bosses have decided upon a late spring deadline for the cameras to start rolling on Steven Moffat’s final series as showrunner – but are yet to choose a new companion, according to senior show sources. It is understood auditions for Jenna Coleman’s replacement have still not begun.

And while it is believed that the production team is confident of filling the role with the “right person” according to the source, it is not yet clear whether this means that Peter Capaldi will spend any or all of series ten travelling time and space without someone to keep him company.

Steven Moffat will be overseeing at least 12 new episodes for series ten and a Christmas special which will air this year. It is believed he is also planning to bow out with a special episode for Christmas 2017. He will then be replaced as showrunner by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.

When asked about casting at the Radio Times Covers Party in January, Capaldi remained tight lipped:

“We’ve just had some brief talks about it, we haven’t actually chosen someone yet — that I know of,” he said. “I would expect that I would meet them before we finalised all that… we’re looking for someone different.”

However he added that he would be training hard for the role, which he has admitted in the past has caused some strain on his joints.

In September he revealed that he has developed the same “knee complaint” as his predecessor Matt Smith, which he believes could be down to the physical challenges of playing the Doctor.

At the Covers Party he said: “You have to be fit to do Doctor Who and so I’ve just been getting myself ready and I’ll be getting into training to start the show. When we start, it’ll run for nine months and the most important thing is to be there and to be fit and be on top of everything.

“I’m looking forward to starting.”

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 496

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 496

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DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE PRESENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WAR DOCTOR – SIR JOHN HURT – IN ISSUE 496, OUT NOW!

Doctor Who Magazine exclusively interviews Sir John Hurt, who played the mysterious incarnation of the Doctor in 2013’s 50th Anniversary Special The Day of the Doctor – and asks him about his return in his brand new Doctor Who audio series!

What was John’s first reaction when he was offered the part of the Doctor’s secret incarnation?

“Well, I said, ‘Doctor Who? I don’t think that’s really my sort of stuff.’ But my wife was listening, and when she heard that it was the 50th anniversary, she said, ‘You’ve got to be f***ing joking! You’re doing it! So I’ve really for her to thank. I’m really pleased I did it, because it opened up a whole new era for me. A whole new era.”

On returning to the role for Big Finish’s audio adventures, John explains: “I was often asked, ‘Are you going to do anymore? And I said, ‘Well, I don’t think so. I’m not ruling it out, but unless somebody comes up with a real stonker of an idea that would involve him again… But the thing is that you can’t plan careers. You think, ‘That’s the way to play it’, but it’s not necessarily the case at all. If you follow your nose, that’s often the way to play it. And that’s exactly how I feel about this. I mean, I really have enjoyed every second of it. I mean it.”

ALSO INSIDE ISSUE 496…

  • ASK STEVEN MOFFAT

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers questions about some of the show’s most recent episodes…

  • THE WAR DOCTOR ON AUDIO

The writers of the exciting new audio series chat about writing for the Doctor’s most dangerous incarnation.

  • A TRIBUTE TO ANTHONY READ

Doctor Who Magazine pays tribute to the late Doctor Who writer and script editor, who died in 2015, with contributions from his colleagues and previously unpublished quotes from interviews conducted in 1990 and 2008.

  • PIXEL POWER

Following the recent success of Lego Dimensions and Doctor Who Legacy, we uncover three decades’ worth of Doctor Who videogame projects.

  • NEVER FORGET?

The Time Team continue their quest to watch every episode of Doctor Who in order with Matt Smith’s second story, The Beast Below.

  • WELCOME MY DEMONS

This issue’s Fact of Fiction delves into the world of King John and Magna Carta in the 1983 Fifth Doctor story The King’s Demons.

  • A TRIP TO THE THEATRE

The Doctor meets his old friend Harry Houdini and encounters some trouble at the theatre in a brand-new comic strip adventure, Theatre of Mind, written and illustrated by Roger Langridge.

  • STAR WARS vs DOCTOR WHO

Jacqueline Rayner wonders if it’s possible to enjoy Star Wars: The Force Awakens without feeling like you’re cheating on Doctor Who, in her regular column, Relative Dimensions.

  • COMING SOON

DWM previews all the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases.

  • PLUS! All the latest official news, reviews, competitions and The DWM Crossword.

 

Doctor Who Magazine 496 is on sale from Thursday 4 February 2016, price £4.99.

 

A GENIUS DOCTOR WHO FAN HAS MADE THE PERFECT OOD MASK

A GENIUS DOCTOR WHO FAN HAS MADE THE PERFECT OOD MASK

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For a senior project the artist was asked to sculpt, mould and paint a rubber latex mask, and there was no question as to what would be the perfect muse – the spaghetti-dangling face of Doctor Who’s alien species the Ood.

The results are certainly impressive – you wouldn’t want to meet that down a dark Tardis corridor at night – and we’ve no doubt the world of film and TV will soon be knocking for such alien-crafting skills. Here’s hoping such bald ambition pays off.

THE BBC IS REISSUING SEVEN CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO NOVELS

THE BBC IS REISSUING SEVEN CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO NOVELS

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Hold onto your spectacles, as an older Amy Pond once said; seven Doctor Who novelisations are being reissued by BBC Books.

One story from each of the first seven Doctors will be made available in both digital format for the first time as well as hardback and will feature pictures from original illustrator Chris Achilleos.

Here is the full list of books to be published:

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Pre Order Here

Achilleos – who originally worked on the 1960s and 1970s editions – said of the project: “I am delighted to be back on board after so many years. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, illustrating the jackets in the original old style – it felt just the same, and I am looking forward to signing them for the fans. I’m so pleased that people still want to revisit these books.”

The announcement follows BBC Books’ promise back in January to expand and diversify its Doctor Who range, saying they would include “untold histories of other planets and lifeforms” in the Whoniverse. That commission includes a collection of stories from River Song’s diary and new Jenny Colgan novel In the Blood which features a reappearance from David Tennant’s Doctor.

And if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, on 3rd November, the first three Doctor Who novels ever published – Doctor Who and the Daleks by David Whitaker, Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton and Doctor Who and the Crusaders by David Whitaker will also be published in facsimile editions, priced at £9.99.

What better way to tide you over during the hiatus than reading these?

The seven newly republished books will be in bookshops from 28th April, priced at £6.99.

Series 9 Bluray Steel Book Announced

Series 9 Bluray Steel Book Announced

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Doctor Who series 9’s Blu-ray steelbook boxset will hit shelves next month, with illustrations from Alice X Zhang…

The BBC has announced a limited edition Blu-ray steelbook release for Doctor Who series 9. Alice X Zhang was personally selected by Peter Capaldi to design the artwork, which you can get a glimpse of above.

The steelbook set will be released on Monday the 7th of March, and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. It will feature all the same extra features as the regular series 9 boxset (released the same day).

As well as commentaries for four episodes and all the relevant episodes of Doctor Who Extra, both sets will also include these behind-the-scenes featurettes…

Writing Who:

The definitive guide for a would-be Doctor Who scriptwriter. We follow Sarah Dollard on her intricate journey to create her episode, Trap Street. From the highs of pitching her original idea to Steven Moffat, to the challenges of writing her first draft – faced with a blank page and typing Int. TARDIS Day – to seeing her episode becoming reality.

Dalek Devotion:

Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat reveal the inspiration for the return of the Daleks to the incredible season opener of series 9, how their earliest memories have shaped their devotion to the ultimate killing machine, and the journey to the Dalek homeland of Skaro.

The Adventures of River Song:

Join Alex Kingston and Steven Moffat as we look forward to River’s return in The Husbands of River Song. Find out how River’s character came to be created, why Alex just had to play the role, what happened when the cast discovered who River really is. Narrated by Nina Toussaint-White.

Doctor Who: Sublime Online:

A video selection box of the funniest, most insightful and engaging online treats from behind the scenes of Series 9. With interviews and magical moments from Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat, and featuring a host of guest stars, including Maisie Williams, Michelle Gomez, Rufus Hound, Ingrid Oliver and Slipknot.

Clara’s Journey:

In 2012, Jenna Coleman joined Doctor Who and took her place in television history as the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald. Having become the longest serving companion since the revival of the show, Clara’s time on the TARDIS has now come to an end, so we can now look back at just what made the Impossible Girl, well, possible. Featuring interviews with Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman. Narrated by Colin McFarlane.

The Fan Show’s Finest:

Christel Dee gives a whistle-stop guide to Doctor Who: The Fan Show the online series that celebrates Doctor Who and the amazing creativity of the show’s fans. We get a peek inside Steven Moffat’s writing lair, take a look into the Old Monster’s Retirement Home and step into the amazing world of Minecraft to find out how fans are celebrating their love for the show online. We even get face to face with the Doctor and Missy to ask them all the questions the fans want to know.

And you’ll also get deleted scenes, the unaired-in-the-UK prequel clip The Doctor’s Meditation, and a filmed interview with Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman hosted by Wil Wheaton.

MOFFAT CONFIRMS 14 EPISODES FOR SERIES 10

MOFFAT CONFIRMS 14 EPISODES FOR SERIES 10

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When Steven Moffat’s Doctor Who departure was first announced there was some question over whether he will end his tenure with the Christmas special in 2017. Well it looks like we may now have an answer.

Speaking in an interview following his OBE ceremony: “Ahead of me this year I have 14 Doctor Whos and 3 Sherlock films, so the last thing I’m doing is contemplating work beyond that. But the day’s coming when I’ll have to.”

So we can reasonably infer that the schedule for the next couple of years should be: the 2016 Christmas special, the 12 episode series the following Spring, and finally, the 2017 Christmas special. Which means if Capaldi is leaving with Moffat as rumoured we may have another Christmas regeneration to look forward to before Chibnall takes over in 2018.