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Month: June 2019

Professor Bernice Summerfield returns in new audio drama boxset!

Professor Bernice Summerfield returns in new audio drama boxset!

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Bernice Summerfield is back this September with four new adventures from four new authors in a Big Finish audio boxset starring Lisa Bowerman as Bernice and David Warner as the Doctor from an alternate universe!

The authors of this boxset are all new to Big Finish. “Last year we ran a Bernice Summerfield short story competition with The Time Ladies,” explains producer James Goss, “And we were so impressed by the finalists that we asked all of them if they wanted to write an episode of the next boxset. And luckily they said yes, coming up with a set of very different, very fresh ideas.”

The new authors were paired up with established Big Finish writers as mentors. “Everyone worked very hard to bring a great set of scripts by four new voices into the studio,” says James.

1. Pride of the Lampian by Alyson Leeds

Bernice Summerfield finds the last relic of a lost civilisation. One that the Doctor is worried may never have existed.

2. Clear History by Doris V Sutherland

The people of Civitas-G have retreated into an idyllic recreation of their homeworld. And they’re refusing to believe that it is now breaking down.

3. Dead and Breakfast by April McCaffrey

Bernice and the Doctor are trapped on a planet where people who are unusual have a habit of dying. They’re in trouble.

4. Burrowed Time by Lani Woodward

Centuries ago the Byrinthians were wiped out. Apart from one underground train which is still travelling the tunnels of this long-dead world. With a passenger on board.

One of the authors is April McCaffrey. “It’s been wonderful,” says April. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – Benny’s such an independent character to write for.”

“April’s the number one expert on Bernice Summerfield,” enthuses Lisa Bowerman. “The story works really well and she really understands Benny,”

The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield: Volume 5 – Buried Memories will be released in September 2019 and is available for pre-order now from the Big Finish website.

The Trial of a Time-Lord Comes To Blu-ray This September!

The Trial of a Time-Lord Comes To Blu-ray This September!

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The Sixth Doctor comes to Blu-ray for the first time, with the release of The Collection – Season 23 (The Trial of a Time Lord) on Monday 23rd September.

In 1985, Doctor Who was taken off the air for an 18 month hiatus. When it returned, it was with an ambitious fourteen-episode adventure, The Trial of a Time Lord. The epic story saw the Doctor on trial for his life, with the court examining his adventures with companion Peri (Nicola Bryant) and looking to his future escapades with new companion Melanie (Bonnie Langford). This season saw the return of popular villain Sil, along with the Master, the towering robot Drathro and the plant-based Vervoid monsters. With the Inquisitor (Lynda Bellingham) overseeing the proceedings, it was the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) who proved the greatest threat, hiding his own sinister motives for wanting the Doctor’s downfall.

Starring alongside Colin Baker is Nicola Bryant, Bonnie Langford, Michael Jayston and Lynda Bellingham. With guest appearances from Anthony Ainley, Nalbil Shaban, Joan Sims, Christopher Ryan, Michael Craig, Honor Blackman, Tony Selby and Geoffrey Hughes.

With all episodes newly remastered from the best available sources, this Blu-ray box set also contains extensive and exclusive special features which include:

  • Extended edits – of all fourteen episodes
  • Terror of the Vervoids – four-part standalone edition with updated Fx
  • Immersive 5.1 surround sound & isolated scores – on all 14 broadcast episodes
  • Behind the Sofa – new episodes with Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Bonnie Langford, Mark Strickson, Frazer Hines and Matthew Waterhouse
  • The Writers’ Room – Eric Saward, Philip Martin, Christopher H Bidmead & Waly K Daly discuss the ‘Lost’ Season 23
  • The Doctor Who Cookbook Revisited – brave cast members tackle their original recipes from the 1980s official cookbook
  • The Doctor’s Table – join Colin Baker and friends for dinner
  • In Conversation – Matthew Sweet chats to companion Bonnie Langford
  • Plus: unseen studio footage, rare archive treats, convention footage, Blu-ray trailer, HD photo galleries, scripts, costume designs & more in the PDF Archive.
  • The six-disc box set also includes hours of extensive special features previously released on DVD.

A specially shot announcement trailer has debuted on the Doctor Who YouTube channel, written by new series contributor Pete McTighe (Kerblam!) and starring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant.

Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 23 (The Trial of a Time Lord) includes the following stories from 1986:

  • The Mysterious Planet
  • Mindwarp
  • Terror of the Vervoids
  • The Ultimate Foe

Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 23 is available in the UK from the 23rd September and you can pre-order it now from Amazon,

Coming soon to Australia.

The Jon Pertwee Files on BBC Radio 4 Extra in July

The Jon Pertwee Files on BBC Radio 4 Extra in July

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The Jon Pertwee Files celebrates the Third Doctor actor’s broadcast career with rare archive material, never-before-broadcast backstage interviews, vintage radio appearances and newly discovered audio from the very first convention in 1977.

The Jon Pertwee Files will be broadcast on on Saturday July 6 at 8:00am, repeated at 3:00pm and will be available on after broadcast!

The Faceless Ones Comes To Bluray in 2020!

The Faceless Ones Comes To Bluray in 2020!

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The Gallifreyan Newsroom has learned today that the classic Patrick Troughton story “The Faceless Ones” is currently being animated for a Blu-ray / DVD release, although the exact date of release isn’t known, according to the official BBC YouTube channel it states:

“Missing Doctor Who adventure The Faceless Ones is to be animated in 2020”

Even without a release date hasn’t detoured some online stores such as Zoom listing it for pre-order.

Zoom has stated:

“We’re massive Whovians, here at Zoom, and we’d like to consider ourselves your one-stop shop for all Doctor Who related goodness, DVDs, Blu-rays, Steelbooks and more! Reserve Doctor: Who The Collection Series 10, featuring everyone’s fave, Jon Pertwee, now at Zoom.co.uk. Remember, these extra special releases are Limited Edition, don’t be left disappointed…”

The Faceless Ones is the mostly missing eighth serial of the fourth season in Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from April to May 1967. Starring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, the story concerns a race of identity-stealing aliens known as the Chameleons.

Only two of the six episodes are held in the BBC film archives with snippets of footage and still images existing from the other four. Off-air recordings of the soundtrack also still exist, making the animation of a complete serial possible once again.

The six new animated episodes are being made in full colour and high definition. The DVD/Blu-ray release will also include surviving archive material from the original 1967 production.
Also starring:

Anneke Wills – Polly
Michael Craze – Ben Jackson
Frazer Hines – Jamie McCrimmon

Paul Darrow: 1941-2019

Paul Darrow: 1941-2019

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Paul Darrow as Kerr Avon in Blake’s 7

British actor Paul Darrow, best known for his role as Kerr Avon in sci-fi BBC TV series Blake’s 7, has died at the age of 78 following a short illness.

Most recently, Darrow voiced soundbites for independent radio stations Jack FM and Union Jack, where he was known as the “Voice of Jack”.

The character of Avon was second-in-command on Blake’s 7, which ran for four series between 1978 and 1981.

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Darrow shared a flat with John Hurt and Ian McShane while studying at RADA.

While best-known for his Blake’s 7 role, he appeared in more than 200 television shows, including Doctor Who, he guested in Doctor Who and the Silurians (1970) as part of Jon Pertwee’s first season and Timelash (1985) from Colin Baker’s season 22, The Saint, Z Cars, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Little Britain.

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Paul Darrow as Captain Hawkins in the serial Doctor Who and the Silurians (1970)
Paul Darrow
Paul Darrow as Maylin Tekker in the serial Timelash. (1985)

The Surrey-born actor also enjoyed a significant stage career, including four seasons at the Bristol Old Vic and roles in the West End.

In the mid-1960s, Paul Darrow married actress Janet Lees-Price, who he met when they co-starred in the popular ITV show Emergency Ward 10.

They were together for 48 years before she died in 2012.

Ian Walker, CEO of the Jack brand, said:

“Paul Darrow has been Jack’s shining star. Over the past 12 years I have had the pleasure of spending countless hours with Paul listening to his life stories and have shared many bottles of his favourite Bordeaux, whilst enjoying his quirky jokes and sense of humour.

“When we first launched Jack in the UK, we cast over 85 voices for the role and we could not have asked for anyone more unique. Paul’s rich tones and flippant delivery style always brought a smile to everyone who knew him and of course heard him on Jack FM and Union Jack radio. I could not have asked for a better friend.”

Tim Parker, programme director at Jack FM, added:

“What an amazing, colourful character Paul was. He has mixed with the greats over the last 50 years and had a story to tell you for every occasion. His voice acting skills were like no other. We will remember and celebrate his character, personality and amazing skills for years to come.”

Maureen Marrs, Darrow’s friend and PA, said:

“Over three decades I have been Paul’s confidante and have had the immense privilege of being part of his life. A star has gone out today; the world will be a darker place without him.”