BBC Studios in Africa announced today that it will be hosting a special Doctor Who experience for the series’ regional launch at Africa’s first ever Comic Con next month, in partnership with Showmax. From 14th to 16th September 2018, Whovians and new fans from across the continent can come to Johannesburg and celebrate the return of one of the BBC’s most successful franchises with an immersive TARDIS experience, ahead of the launch of the all-new series starring award-winning actress Jodie Whittaker.

Bigger and bolder than ever, Series 11 marks the arrival of the Thirteenth Doctor – a super-smart explorer of the universe, alongside a team of new friends and delightful characters. The new series heralds a brand-new era for Doctor Who with a world-class team at the helm. The show will be full of action and adventure, humour and heart – an unmissable high-end drama everyone will enjoy. It will be available exclusive to Showmax later this year.

At the three-day Comic Con Africa event, an immersive experience in the iconic time travelling TARDIS, will be on site packed full with VR experiences, video games, trivia and fan giveaways. There will also be the first ever African Whovian meet-up. Attendees and fans of the show will be able to come together and enjoy a screening of the final episode of Series 10, where the new Doctor makes her first appearance, setting the scene perfectly for all of the exhilarating and nail-biting intergalactic adventures she’ll embark on alongside her new friends, played by British favourite Bradley Walsh (Law & Order: UK), Tosin Cole (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Mandip Gill (The Good Karma Hospital). The Cosplay screenings will take place between 13.00 and 14.00 CAT on the 14th, 15th and 16th of September in screening room 2 – the Kyalami Conference Room.

Doctor Who Series 11 Third Block Director of Photography Tim Palmer has a few filming photos and videos on his blog.

His first blog entry is on March 3 which states:

“It’s an honour to be part of the new Dr Who team with the new Doctor. Thank you to director Sallie Aprahamian, producer Alex Mercer, creator Chris Chibnall and everybody at BBC Wales.”

Sallie Aprahamian is the director of the the third filming block, consisting of Episodes 4 and 6, according to Doctor Who Magazine and various actors’ CVs. She had this to say about her filming block in a Doctor Who Magazine interview:

“The weather was not kind to us on one of the episodes – howling rain storms, snow, lots of mud and bright sunshine, sometimes within minutes of each other. The cast and crew were amazing, working on through with good humour and craft. That’s how Doctor Who magic sometimes has to happen.”

So what is in store for these two episodes? The photos in Palmer’s blog give some clues, as well as some quotes

“ARACHNOPHOBICS LOOK AWAY NOW” – ‘DR WHO’ 02/03/18
Camera operator Mark McQuoid facing up to a furry friend and getting into the swing of things with his T-shirt.”

Below the quote is a photo of McQuoid looking through a glass enclosure holding a tarantula.

“PERISCOPE LENS”– ‘DR WHO’ 02/03/18
My old favourite, the Optex Excellence, comes into its own again for a low angle shot from within a freshly dug grave. Key grip John ‘Robbo’ Robinson on the left and camera operator Mark McQuoid at the camera.”

McQuoid is filming from within a grave-sized depression.

“TUNGSTEN FILL OUTSIDE” – ‘DR WHO’ 02/03/18
It’s hot, it’s heavy and it draws a lot of power but there’s an unquantifiable magic about tungsten light outside. No HMI can match the colour quality and broad punch of a Dino.”

You will see two photos of Jodie Whittaker under this quote, one with a female guest star and one with Mandip Gill.

“LAY FLAT SMOKE” – ‘DR WHO’ 02/03/18
Real SFX are doing an outstanding job laying smoke in the large woodland locations we have been filming in. Hundreds of yards of tube, hidden from the eye, surround each set. Even when the wind picks up there are enough sources spread about to provide even smoke coverage. The results are fantastic, especially when the sun comes out.”

“FLICKER BOX” – 31/03/18
A very elegant and naturalistic way to create a realistic flicker. PKE Lighting made up these boxes. The sparks approve – gaffer Mark ‘Hutcho’ Hutchings in front.”

You can spy a glimpse of the set in this video. It is known some filming in this block occurred both inside and outside Treowen Manor House. There are some more photos of this set on Palmer’s blog. One of them is described.

“VERMEER” – 31/03/18
I’m supposed to light scenes to look like a Vermeer not be in them. Photo courtesy of production designer Arwel Jones.”

“MUDDY PUDDLES” – 31/03/18
Peppa Pig would have been in her element. After a night and day of nonstop rain the sun came through for the final slate.”

There was even some underwater photography.

“COLDER THAN IT LOOKS” – 31/03/18
The water does look inviting but don’t be deceived. The Beast from the East had just blown through and the water temp was 3 degrees C. A very tidy splashbag setup. ”

A start date for Doctor Who series 11 is expected imminently.

Michael Pickwoad, who served as Doctor Who production designer from series 7 through to 10, has passed away at the age of 73. His work on the show, which covered an impressive 71 episodes, will last long in the memory.

Michael Pickwoad’s biggest contribution to the world of Who was surely the complete overhaul of the TARDIS design, which he debuted in Matt Smith’s festive outing, A Christmas Carol. This sleek take on the iconic time machine saw Smith through to the end of his tenure, and housed Peter Capaldi for the entirety of his run as the Time Lord.

As well as working on Doctor Who, Pickwoad also worked on Class, Withnail & I, Rules Of Engagement, Kavanagh QC, Murder Most Horrid and Coupling.

Tom Spilsbury, who edited Doctor Who Magazine throughout Pickwoad’s time with Team TARDIS, has released this statement:

“We often hear about ‘unsung heroes’, and while it would be misleading to say Michael Pickwoad’s genius was completely unsung, his brilliant contributions were a massive part of Doctor Who’s success over the past eight years. His sets were simply extraordinary. A wonderful man.”

Indeed, Doctor Who wouldn’t have been the same over the last few years without Pickwoad’s brilliant design work. He was clearly a man with a great deal of talent, and it was a pleasure to see his work on our screens.

Our thoughts go to Pickwoad’s family at this difficult time.

Doctor Who News

Which Doctor Who episodes from the last 12 years do you the most? Before we welcome the newest Doctor to the ABC we’re inviting you, the fans, to vote! The top 20 episodes with the most votes will feature on ABC iview in a special collection before Series 11 premieres.

Voting closes Sunday 11.59pm AEST. Pick your favourite five episodes now: abc.net.au/doctorwho

Piers Wenger – former executive producer of Doctor Who, and incumbent drama controller for the BBC – has given a rather odd statement about Jodie Whittaker’s take on the Doctor.

Speaking to the Radio Times for an article on the 100 hottest TV talents of year, where Whittaker placed 15th, Wenger shared these thoughts on the new Doctor Who star:

“It’s a testament to the energy and focus that Jodie has brought to Doctor Who that it’s hard to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. She said from the start that she could only do it her way and so it has become.

“Gone is the daffiness and idiosyncrasy of her predecessors in favour of a Doctor with energy, spark and relatability.”

Wenger certainly took an interesting approach to his quote. As much as he did compliment Whittaker’s work in Doctor Who, the Beeb’s head honcho also seemed to throw some shade at the daffier Doctors that have come before.

The new Doctor Who showrunner, Chris Chibnall, placed at second on the Radio Times TV 100 list. Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s director of content, offered this far more conservative comment:

“Chris is a wonderfully talented multi-award-winning writer whose catalogue of work speaks for itself. I can’t wait to see his passion and vision for Doctor Who come to life on BBC1 this autumn. As a lifelong fan himself, I know he will bring something very special to the hit series to captivate old and new fans across the globe.

Doctor Who is expected to return “by October“, and we’ll now be watching it with daffiness levels in mind.

We’ll bring you more Doctor Who series 11 news as it happens.

The BBC today announces the full list of writers and directors for the new series of Doctor Who, launching this autumn on BBC One.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall, says: “We have a team of writers who’ve been working quietly and secretly for a long time now, crafting characters, worlds and stories to excite and move you. A set of directors who stood those scripts up on their feet, bringing those ideas, visuals and emotions into existence with bravura and fun.

“Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job. (It matters!) They love Doctor Who. And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special, later this year.”

---