This week sees the publication of the first four books in series celebrating two global icons – Doctor Who and the World of Hargreaves, known for Mr. Men and Little Miss.
These storybook mash-ups, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves, combine the iconic storytelling of Doctor Who with the whimsical humour and design made famous by his father, Roger Hargreaves – creator of the Mr. Men.
The first four books released will be Dr. First, Dr. Fourth, Dr. Eleventh and Dr. Twelfth and they will be available from April 25, 2017.
Today we can reveal the next four titles:
Dr. Second
Dr. Seventh
Dr. Eighth
Dr. Ninth
You can see the delightful artwork for the covers below.
Played by Patrick Troughton on television.
Played by Sylvester McCoy on television.
Played by Paul McGann on television.
Played by Christopher Eccleston on television.
These next four books will be available from August 29, 2017 – check back soon for more details.
Doctor Who star Stephanie Hyam drew this awesome Doctor Who poster
If the rumours are true, this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special could be a rare double Doctor episode, with Peter Capaldi’s departing thirteenth incarnation being joined by the First Doctor, played by An Adventure in Space and Time star David Bradley.
David Bradley as The first Doctor
It’s a mouth-watering prospect for classic Who fans, and would surely be equally so for Capaldi himself, whose devotion to Doctor Who began as a youngster watching original First Doctor William Hartnell.
BBC sources remain non-committal about the suggestion but for me it has the ring of truth, for several reasons…
Showrunner Steven Moffat has previous on this, having masterminded the first multi-Doctor episode for almost 30 years when he brought together Matt Smith’s Eleventh, David Tennant’s Tenth and John Hurt’s War Doctors for 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor (that’s unless you count 2007 Children in Need skit Time Crash which, yes, was also penned by Moffat).
And Moffat is placing Capaldi squarely in First Doctor territory, just in time for the Christmas special, by bringing back the original Mondasian Cybermen for the series 10 finale.
The Mondasians are a favourite of Capaldi’s and Moffat has admitted that their return is at least partly a farewell gift to him. So it doesn’t seem too far-fetched that he might also give him the Christmas present of appearing alongside one of his best-loved Doctors.
True, festive episodes of Doctor Who are often fluffy, family-friendly affairs, rather than geek-fests, but I get the feeling that a demob-happy Moffat – who is leaving at the same time as Capaldi – is ready to sign off with something that will please himself and other hardcore Who fans.
The storyline we’re hearing about would certainly fit that bill. It supposedly sees the First and Twelfth Doctors teaming up to save Gallifrey by moving it to another dimension, something that we know takes place – with help from the other 11 Doctors – in The Day of the Doctor. But it seems that in this case we’d be seeing it from the points of view of One and Twelve, rather than War, Ten and Eleven.
And just to add to the fun and games, we’re told that the first glimpse of Capaldi’s attack eyebrows in The Day of the Doctor was actually the prelude to his regeneration, which will then play out in the Christmas special.
It’s a neat tying up of loose ends that sounds too good not to be true.
And yet one question remains: exactly where in the First Doctor’s timeline does all this take place?
Looking back at canonical adventures – and adding the Mondasians to the equation – there’s one glaring hole that fits the bill…
The Mondasian Cybermen appeared in just a single Doctor Who TV story, The Tenth Planet. It was the last appearance for William Hartnell, who was by then suffering from ill health and hardly had the energy to deliver his lines, never mind run down corridors being chased by aliens.
Hence, it became one of the first Doctor-light stories, with companions Ben and Polly doing most of the legwork and the Time Lord’s absence explained by the rather dubious idea that he was either lounging around or imprisoned by the Cybermen.
But what if that was just a red herring? What if, during that time, the Doctor had actually hopped into the Tardis and headed off for one final adventure with a later version of himself?
Moffat has already shown he has a knack for spotting a blank space in Doctor Who history and creating something to fill it. Arguably the biggest and best idea since the show returned in 2005 is the revelation that there was an unseen regeneration between Paul McGann’s appearance as the Eighth Doctor in the TV movie and Christopher Eccleston’s debut as the Ninth Doctor.
So the idea that the Christmas special will take place during that mysterious period when the Doctor was absent for the majority of his last adventure is both very appealing and very believably Moffat.
I hope it’s true. It would make a fitting swansong for a pair of Doctor Who fanboys – the departing showrunner and the Twelfth Doctor – even if it is a shame that Capaldi will never get to act alongside William Hartnell himself…
Series 10 of Doctor Who continues on Saturday nights on BBC1
The latest issue of the UK Doctor Who comics collection Tales From The TARDIS hits stores today and features comic strips with THREE Doctors!
Tales From The TARDIS #17
“This is the gateway to everything that ever was and ever can be.”
In this issue, the Tenth Doctor and Cindy find themselves off the cosmic grid where they encounter some strange individuals who seem less than trustworthy!
The Eleventh Doctor learns a terrible truth about one of his companions!
And, finally, the Twelfth Doctor and Julie D’Aubigny battle a darkness that threatens first Paris, then the world!
Special Offer
Subscribe to Doctor Who: Tales From The TARDIS and get a FREE Doctor Who Top Trumps Collector’s Tin, plus save15% off cover price! Subscribe now and never miss an issue with free UK delivery direct to your door!
Former Doctor Who companions Caitlin Blackwood and Frazer Hines have teamed up with award winning and BAFTA nominated film director Ryan Hendrick for the short drama, Sundown.
Sundown tells the story of William (Hines), a man in his 70s who is taken on a timeless journey through the eyes of Abi (Blackwood) to come to terms with his own mortality.
Caitlin Blackwood said, “I think this project is important in terms of highlighting the issues the film delves in to, I have the opportunity to bring a youthful insight to a role that you’d normally expect to played by an older actor.” Blackwood still only 16 famously rolled onto our screens at the tender age of 9 in the BBC’s Doctor Who as the young Amelia Pond opposite Matt Smith. The character went on to be played as an adult by Caitlin’s real life cousin Karen Gillan.
Frazer Hines star of Emmerdale, Doctor Who and Outlander said,
“Sundown is a beautiful script that really gives both myself and Caitlin the chance to really shine as two very real and complex characters.”
Director and Co-Writer Ryan Hendrick describes the emotional drama as, “a story about how a person’s perception on life can change once they accept their own mortality. Our goal is to explore these ideas and try to give a subjective view from a fresh perspective.”
His writing partner Clare Sheppard said, “On the surface, William is on a journey we all must travel eventually, but dig a little deeper and you realise, his is a road we’re all already on. I am very, very proud to be involved with this film.”
Sundown marks the 3rd screenwriting venture between Hendrick and Sheppard. Their last short film Perfect Strangers enjoyed worldwide success after receiving more than 18 film festival selections, 3 awards and 4 nominations including BAFTA Scotland Nomination for Clare Sheerin in the Best Actress category.
Their 2nd venture is the upcoming road movie Journey Bound starring Ford Kiernan, Clare Grogan, Sylvester McCoy, James Kirk and Caitlin Blackwood to name a few.
The writing pair certainly have high hopes that Sundown will climb a similar ladder of success as their previous venture, “This is a story that needs to be told. It carries a universal theme that everyone can relate to.”
The film’s Producer, BAFTA Award Winner David Newman said, “We’re planning to take this short film to the next level. We achieved a milestone in terms of production values on Perfect Strangers, so this time we need raise the bar even higher. This is why we are launching a crowd funding campaign on indiegogo. We have the workings of a beautiful film with an excellent and well loved pair of actors. I have high hopes for Sundown.”
Sundown is due to start filming this summer.
You can support Sundown by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
Speculation has been mounting as to who will play the 13th Doctor ever since Peter Capaldi announced that he was stepping down as the eponymous Time Lord back in January.
At one point, betting was suspended on Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge inheriting the Tardis, while Olivia Colman, Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer and Hollywood star Tilda Swinton have also been linked with the role.
However, the chances of woman taking the job now appear to be remote – at least according to one BBC employee.
The Sun is reporting that the Corporation’s complaints officer, Joanne Coyne, wrote to a fan that there are “currently no plans” for a female Doctor Who.
Responding to a concerned parent’s letter in which he said that switching the gender of the role would confuse his children, Coyne wrote: “We appreciate that you’re a big Doctor Who fan and you have concerns that the programme would change should there be a female doctor.
“Be assured there are currently no plans to have a female Doctor Who.”
Other actors rumoured to be in the running to play the Time Lord are Kris Marshall (Death in Paradise), David Harewood (Homeland) and Tom Rosenthal (Plebs).
A BBC spokeswoman, meanwhile, said: “No casting decisions have yet been made on Series 11.”
Following the success of last summer’s Classic Who monster restoration vote, we want you once more to decide which monster we restore as part of the final chapter of the Classic Who monster restoration.
The monsters selected to be restored, are as follows:
Yeti from The Web of Fear – The Second Doctor
Silurian from Warriors of the Deep – The Fifth Doctor
Sea Devil from Warriors of the Deep – The Fifth Doctor
Tractator from Frontios – The Fifth Doctor
Drathro from The Mysterious Planet – The Sixth Doctor
Vervoid from Terror of the Vervoids – The Sixth Doctor
Haemovore from The Curse of Fenric – The Seventh Doctor
Cheetah person from Survival – The Seventh Doctor
To vote for the monster you would like to be restored please click through to the Doctor Who Experience website
More information about each monster can be found at the restoration exhibit at the Doctor Who Experience where you can also cast your vote.
Voting closes onsite at 5pm Saturday 6th May and online Friday 5th May 5pm, with the winning monster announced w/c 8th May. The fully restored monster will then be revealed in July.
Doctor Who Experience: Restoration project
As well as preserving these exceptional artefacts and their place in the heritage of the TV show, the restoration programme sets about to reveal the stories behind some of these original, screen used artefacts, how they were made, what went into the design processes and how those methods are replicated to bring them back to life.
Along the way, we bump into some of the actors and artists who originally played, designed and brought these monsters to life as well as managing to unearth original moulds, revealing some of the original design drawings and sharing some of the weird and wonderful behind the scenes facts about Doctor Who.
Mike Tucker with some old friends.
Mike Tucker (pictured above), along with the team at the Model Unit based at Ealing Studios, is the restoration programme’s supervising expert. Mike is a BAFTA winner for his work in visual effects and worked for the BBC’s in-house visual effects team until its closure in 2003. In 2005, Mike achieved the distinction of working on both the classic and the new series of Doctor Who. Hailing from nearby Swansea, Mike has helped the Doctor Who Experience team in various forms since it began in 2011 – most notably with some of the Daleks in the adventure itself.
WORLD PREMIERE: DOCTOR WHO MEETS THE WORLD OF HARGREAVES LAUNCH DAY
This weekend sees the global launch of the new book range celebrating both Doctor Who and the World of Hargreaves – known for the Mr. Men and Little Miss series.
The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will be hosting the launch day with world exclusives, live events and competitions ahead of the publication day of Dr. First, Dr. Fourth, Dr. Eleventh and Dr. Twelfth on April 25, 2017.
Check out what’s in store for fans on Saturday, April 22 at the Doctor Who Experience below.
Doctor Who Meets The World Of Hargreaves
EXCLUSIVE AND LIMITED PRE-SALE
• There will be a very limited number of copies of the first four books that we will be selling at the event on Saturday.
• There will be a voucher-and-collect system for purchasing books for signing.
EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE
• There will also be a limited range of Doctor Who Meets the World Of Hargreaves merchandise available to purchase on the day, including: mugs, coasters, keyrings, notebooks and posters.
WORLD-FIRST MOMENTS
• The next four titles in the series will be revealed with an unveiling of the new covers.
• Premiere of a very special video made by a very special guest…
Q&A WITH CREATOR ADAM HARGREAVES
• Luke Spillane (Doctor Who: The Fan Show and Sherlock Reacts) will be running a Q&A with Adam Hargreaves, son of the Mr. Men and Little Miss creator Roger Hargreaves, during each live drawing session.
GREEN SCREEN COMPETITION
• Penguin Books will be running a social competition at the green screen booths for a chance to win a copy of Dr Twelfth signed by Missy herself, actress Michelle Gomez.
GALLERY
• A number of original drawings by Adam Hargreaves will be present in the Doctor Who Experience gallery on the day. These will include final drawings from the first four books, and you will also get a first look at original sketches for some of the next four books!
CHECK OUT THE FULL SCHEDULE BELOW:
10:00am – Doctor Who Experience opens
11:00am – Doctor Who Meets World Of Hargreaves Launch begins
11:30am – Q&A with Adam Hargreaves and live drawing
11:45am – Adam Hargreaves book signing
12:30pm – Q&A with Adam Hargreaves and live drawing
12:45pm – Adam Hargreaves book signing
1:30pm – Q&A with Adam Hargreaves and live drawing
1:45pm – Adam Hargreaves book signing
2:00pm – World-first reveal of next four books and video premiere
2:15pm – Celebration cake cutting with Adam Hargreaves
Smile. Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Lawrence Gough.
In the far future, at the edge of the galaxy, there is a gleaming, perfect city. This brand new human settlement is said to hold the secret of human happiness – but the only smiles the Doctor and Bill can find are on a pile of grinning skulls.
Something is alive in the walls, and the emojibots are watching from the shadows, as the Doctor and Bill trying to unravel a terrifying mystery…
The Doctor is played by Peter Capaldi, Bill by Pearl Mackie and Nardole by Matt Lucas
BBC Studios Names Simon Winstone as Head of Drama, Wales
Simon Winstone has been appointed as the head of drama in Wales for BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s television production arm. Winstone will oversee BBC Studios’ drama and serials business out of its Roath Lock Studios base in the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
The role will see Winstone take charge of the drama series and serials team overseeing all productions based in Cardiff, which include “Doctor Who” (pictured). He is charged with building on creative successes and seeking new opportunities offered by BBC Studios’ new ability to produce programming for alternate broadcasters both in the U.K. and internationally since launching this month as a commercial subsidiary of the BBC, a move which was approved in December last year.
“Simon is a highly talented and experienced creative, who has already contributed to the success of two of BBC Studios’ biggest dramas over the years – ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Doctor Who.’ I am delighted to be welcoming him to BBC Studios at this exciting time,” said Nick Betts, director of scripted for BBC Studios.
Winstone most recently served as an executive producer for Red Planet Pictutes, where he has previously served as head of drama (Wales) and head of development, with credits including “Death in Paradise” and “Dickensian.” He will join BBC Studios from May 15, reporting directly to Betts.
