Al Dewar presents the 2019 line of Doctor Who collectable figures and sets from Character Options.
If you love all things #DoctorWho, see the latest #ActionFigures and #Dalek and #TARDIS sets that will be coming to B&M later this August, in a filmed #unboxing by Al Dewar. Follow the link to see what there is for all #Whovians to look forward too! https://t.co/WCQtEEi9n2 pic.twitter.com/4qEN12qpcX
— Character Toys (@CharacterToysUK) July 30, 2019
Tom Baker returned as the Fourth Doctor on audio in January 2012, and he’s continuing to travel the cosmos for another two series – at least! Series 11 and 12 of Doctor Who – The Fourth Doctor Adventures will be released in January and February of 2022 and 2023. During these two series he’ll be joined by new friends, facing many villains familiar to Doctor Who fans.
Series 11 – Volume 1 will be released in January 2022 and Volume 2 in February 2022:
Blood of the Time Lords by Timothy X Atack
The Ravencliff Witch by David Llewellyn
Dreams of Avarice by Guy Adams
Shellshock by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Series 12 – Volume 1 will be released in January 2023 and Volume 2 in February 2023:
Ice Heist! by Guy Adams
Antillia The Lost by Phil Mulryne
The Wizard of Time by Roy Gill
The Friendly Invasion by Chris Chapman
Stone Cold by Roland Moore
David Richardson, producer of The Fourth Doctor Adventures, tells us more:
“For Series 11 we’re into new territory with four stories set between TV episodes The Deadly Assassin and The Face of Evil, when the Doctor is travelling solo. I was tempted to say that he is without friends but the Doctor is always drawn to people and will find someone to fill the ‘friend’ role in any adventure.
“I had in the back of my mind, when we were making Series 11, that these could almost be audition pieces for possible future companions, and had there been room there are many guest stars in these tales that could have taken the role. But ultimately it was Nerys Hughes as Margaret Hopwood in The Ravencliff Witch who took the prize – and she returns in Series 12, reintroduced later in the Doctor’s life, to travel alongside him and Leela.
“Margaret is a lovely character. She’s a sculptor and someone who perhaps has regrets about life and wants to make up for them, and in the Doctor she finds a new lease of life. She’s also a wonderful contrast to Leela – they are two characters who could not be more different, and yet they forge a close friendship.”
In Series 11, the Fourth Doctor will also be reunited with a mentor of the Doctor’s from Gallifrey – kleptomaniac evil Time Lord the Nine (played by John Heffernan), as well as meeting a whole host of characters from throughout the universe.
And in Series 12, the Fourth Doctor, Leela and new companion Margaret will face the Weeping Angels (from the more recent series of Doctor Who) in the thrilling adventure Stone Cold by Roland Moore, and then the Ice Warriors in Ice Heist!
Each volume is available as a 4-disc CD box set at a pre-order price of £24.99 on CD or £19.99 on download.
Or you can get each series (both volumes together) in a pre-order bundle for £46 on CD or £39 on download. Each story is also individually available for the pre-order download price of £12.99.
Rare photos of a lost Doctor Who TV series that fans thought had been exterminated have sold at auction for almost £7,000.
The collection of 21 colour images were taken during the filming of The Power Of The Daleks, which was broadcast by the BBC in six weekly episodes in November and December 1966.
The master tapes of all the episodes were erased in the late 1960s while the copies kept for foreign sales on 16mm film were destroyed in 1974. This meant the only images of the has been limited to stills photographs.
The images belonged to the late Doctor Who set designer Derek Dodd and were sold from his estate with London-based auction house Rosebery’s.
One image shows the Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton, stood around a console with Janley (Pamela Anne Davey) and Ben Jackson (Michael Craze).
There are also photos of a dreaded Dalek and snaps of set locations including prison cells and ‘Rocket Equipment Ship One’.
The images are particularly significant as the episodes were broadcast in black in white, so they provide a different picture of the action.
The photos were expected to fetch £1,200, but sparked fervent interest among Doctor Who fans and achieved a hammer price of £5,200.
Extra fees took the overall figure paid by the successful bidder to £6,760.
The master tapes of all the episodes were erased in the late 1960s while the copies kept for foreign sales on 16mm film were destroyed in 1974. This meant the only images of the has been limited to stills photographs of the set, including the Dalek. One image shows the Doctor, (right) played by Patrick Troughton, stood around a console with his companions Janley (Pamela Anne Davey) and Ben Jackson (Michael Craze)
The images belonged to the late Doctor Who set designer Derek Dodd and were sold from his estate with London-based auction house Rosebery’s. They show the large set, including ‘Rocket Equipment Ship One’
Mark Longley, a specialist and general valuer at Rosebery’s, said: ‘The master tapes of all six episodes were erased in the late 1960s, while the copies kept for foreign sales on 16mm film were destroyed in 1974.
‘Their destruction meant that the only information to survive on the series was limited to stills photography and films made by fans when the programmes were broadcast.
‘This group of transparencies were interesting to Dr Who collectors because they showed colour records of the set for the Power of the Daleks, and ultimately showed how vivid the colours were on set, when in fact the programme was filmed and broadcast in black and white.
‘Also included in the lot were exposure negatives which show an element of the process of making a programme and the technical choices of lighting, and I am aware when talking to keen collectors this was of high interest to the technically minded connoisseur.’
The Power of the Daleks was particularly important because it was the first time the Doctor regenerated, from the first actor that played him, William Hartnell, to Troughton, the second Doctor.
In 2016 the BBC released animated reconstructions of the missing episodes.
![Auctioneer Mark Longley said: 'The destruction [of the tapes] meant that the only information to survive on the series was limited to stills photography and films made by fans when the programmes were broadcast'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/24/16/16447648-7281627-image-a-87_1563982267248.jpg)
HIDDEN TREASURES FROM ONE OF THE SERIES’ GREATEST DIRECTORS – ONLY IN DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 541!
Previously unseen images and new insights on the stories Christopher Barry directed: The Daleks, The Rescue,The Romans, The Savages, The Power of the Daleks, The Dæmons,The Mutants, Robot, The Brain of Morbius and The Creature from the Pit.
Also in this issue:
DWM 541 is on sale from Thursday 25 July, priced £5.99.
A sci-fi enthusiast whose model Dalek angered planning officials is hoping councillors will “see sense” and let him keep the tourist attraction.
Art teacher Neil Cole was ordered to ‘exterminate’ the small wooden shed which houses a full-sized Doctor Who villain in January, when bureaucrats told him the structure contravened the grade-II listed status of his home.
After applying for retrospective planning permission for the shed, which helps advertise the small museum of science fiction memorabilia in the basement of his Northumberland home, Neil received around 150 comments in support of the shed , with one neighbour calling the museum “the best thing that ever happened to Allendale”.
The story of the row travelled around the world, making news articles as far away as Canada, as well as earning a mention on popular BBC panel show, Have I Got News For You.
The shed has received the support of the parish council, while a group of residents determined to save the ‘AllenDalek’ protested in the village with model Daleks of their own.
The scale of the response was so huge that Neil has now been told his application will be presented to councillors at Northumberland County Council’s planning committee, instead of being left in the hands of civil servants.
Neil says he hopes councillors will “look at the bigger picture”.
He said: “The museum brings people into Allendale: since October we’ve had 1,800 people in, most from out of the area. We’ve had people from Australia, people from Minnesota – they would never come to the village if it weren’t for the museum and the Dalek.
“The businesses in Allendale have all come and said they’ve noticed the difference in the tills.
“The planning team have absolutely not listened to all the public support we’ve had, they’ve absolutely overlooked the good to the community, and that’s what we’re going to be basing our argument on.
“There is no permanent damage to the structure, and we’re bringing a neglected heritage asset back into use for tourism, which the council says in the local plan it will support.”
Neil is set to present his case on August 14, but even if councillors say no, he plans to keep fighting, and will appeal any refusal.
The Dalek itself isn’t the subject of the planning row, but the Doctor Who-lover says without the shed to protect it, the model couldn’t stay outside and wouldn’t continue to draw in walkers and sightseers, whose photos of the structure have been seen across the world on social media.
A Northumberland County Council spokesperson said: “The retrospective application for a temporary timber shed at Osborne House in Allendale is still under consideration. It is scheduled to be reported to the August meeting of the Tynedale Local Area Committee.”
Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce a brand new two-book novel. Birds of Passage is the first of a two-book novel featuring the first full-novel appearance of the Intrusion Countermeasures Group since their appearance in the 1989 novelisation of Remembrance of the Daleks.
The series is being developed by Andy Frankham-Allen and Andrew Cartmel, and is written by J Frank Andreas, licensed by Ben Aaronovitch.
Group Captain Ian Gilmore, Professor Rachel Jensen and Dr Allison Williams, who form the core of the ICMG, first appeared in 1998 in the four-part Doctor Who serial Remembrance of the Daleks. It was written by Ben Aaronovitch and script edited by Andrew Cartmel. They have continued to appear in Doctor Who fiction since, with cameo appearances in novels, in a comic adventure written by Andrew Cartmel, and in a series of audio adventures produced by Big Finish. Gilmore even made a cameo in a Lethbridge-Stewart short story in 2015.
Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen explains how Birds of Passage came to pass:
“I’ve always loved the characters Ben created for Remembrance, and it was a joy to write for Gilmore in my short story, The Dogs of War. In 2017 I had the pleasure of writing for the full team in a Big Finish adventure, and when the news hit that Big Finish were no longer producing an ongoing series of New Counter Measures (although they have since began producing occasional stories), I saw an opening to bring the team to prose and do something a little different with them. I wanted to take them in a different direction to Big Finish, and so I approached Andrew Cartmel, who remains great friends with Ben Aaronovitch. We quickly secured a deal with Ben, which saw Andrew coming on as executive consultant – meaning he’s involved in developing the stories and character arcs alongside me.”
Andrew Cartmel says:
“I’m proud of the work I did on Doctor Who, and in particular I’m enormously proud of Remembrance of the Daleks. Thanks to the brilliant writing of Ben Aaronovitch, and performances by a sterling cast, we managed to craft a story which I think stands with the finest in the history of the show and will continue to do so. And, speaking of continuing, it’s a pleasure to know that the characters from Remembrance are enjoying a healthy afterlife in the adventures of the Intrusion Countermeasures Group, now in the form of a new series of novels from Candy Jars books. I’m looking forward to it, and to working with Andy as a consultant on this series.”
Birds of Passage and Birds of Prey will form one story told over two novels. It is set in the mid-1970s, and Air Marshal Ian Gilmore is all set to enjoy his retirement. Only he is being targeted by a conspiracy that seeks to discredit him and threatens his family. Bill Bishop, from the Lethbridge-Stewart range, seeks the assistance of Allison Williams when a think-tank disappears. A think-tank that includes his wife, Anne Bishop (nee Travers), and Rachel Gilmore (nee Jensen)! The novels promise to be a series of thrillers akin to the recent best-sellers by Vince Flynn, Steve Cavanagh and James Swallow. As such they are aimed at a more mature readership than the family-friendly Lethbridge-Stewart range.
Author J Frank Andreas says:
“It was a real pleasure to be asked by Candy Jar to bring this hard-hitting story to life. The two Andrews (Frankham-Allen and Cartmel) have come up with a cracking story. I’m very much on board for doing some vastly different to Big Finish, taking the characters in a completely new direction. Hopefully those who love the Big Finish ranges will find something to love here, while people who have never experienced the Countermeasures Group at all, can come in and enjoy the thrill ride and get to know them for the first time!”
The first book is due out in 2020, with the second a year later. However, you can now pre-order either the first title or both for a discounted price. The discount prices are for a limited period only, and then the first book will be full price, and the two-book offer will be a slightly higher price.
Blurb:
In the 1960s Ian Gilmore led a special military group that dealt with the unusual and the unexplained. Including, occasionally, aliens. They were the Intrusion Countermeasures Group. Eventually it was determined the group was no longer needed, and soon other organisations took their place; like the Fifth Operational Corps and UNIT.
Almost a decade later, Air Vice Marshal Gilmore is looking forward to his retirement, enjoying life as a father and husband. But a someone is out to discredit him and the work he did, targeting both him and his family! Soon, Gilmore has no choice but to go on the run in an effort to protect his son. Only there is a further complication.
The think-tank that his wife was involved in has disappeared. Help appears in the form of Major Bill Bishop of the Fifth Operational Corps, and former member of the Intrusion Countermeasures Group, Allison Williams. Together they will attempt to uncover the architects of the conspiracy, and rescue both Gilmore’s and Bishop’s wives; Anne Travers and Rachel Jensen!
From the creative minds of Andrew Cartmel, Andy Frankham-Allen and Ben Aaronovitch comes a new thriller series featuring characters originally created for Doctor Who.
NB: BIRDS OF PASSAGE AND BIRDS OR PREY ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY SUBSCRIPTION OFFER.
Birds of Passage is currently up for pre-order at the limited discount price of: £8.99. The retail price will be £9.99 IN 2020.
Birds of Passage and Birds of Prey are currently up for the limited pre-order bundle price of: 2 for £14.
The results are in! The winners and runners up of the Doctor Who Fan Art Competition have been announced, take a look at all of their entries and find out a little bit more about the artists.
What inspired your artwork? My artwork was inspired by the energetic and playful layers of the Thirteenth Doctor. The look of wonder in her eyes was important for me to capture. I incorporated the TARDIS as part of her face in three different perspectives to integrate the essence of time travel. I am obsessed with using bold colours in all of my art and in life. I wanted to use colours such as light blue and purple tones to have good contrast and yet still complement each other.
How long have you been a fan of the show? I started watching the show since the Tenth Doctor. There is so much legacy surrounding the show that I really appreciate seeing what each Doctor and companions bring to the show. The new worlds and new times have me hooked.
Who is your favourite Doctor to illustrate? My favourite Doctor is lucky number thirteen. I was over the moon when I heard the announcement of the first female Doctor. I love the fresh take and joy for life that the Thirteenth Doctor brings. I also really enjoy her style and wanted to incorporate that in my artwork. I ultimately chose to create an art piece that was a close up of her face, so I wanted to make sure I got the details in her earrings just right.
See more of Celeste’s work here.
What inspired your artwork? My artwork was inspired by the quote from The Doctor’s Wife, “Are all people like this…. So much bigger on the inside” and the idea that the Doctor’s first love is the TARDIS, it is in a way, the Doctor’s heart.
How long have you been a fan of the show? I’ve been a fan of Doctor Who since 2010. I was introduced by some friends and fell in love with the show. I have seen all of the post-2005 seasons so far, as well as classic Doctor Who up through Horror of Fang Rock.
Who is your favourite Doctor to illustrate? My favourite Doctor is the Eleventh Doctor, both to watch and draw. He was my first Doctor and holds a very special place in my heart.
What inspired your artwork? My work was inspired by Thirteen’s bounding energy – It was super important for me to try to capture the lovely positivity and vigour that we all love about her. My artwork therefore has a lovely bright palette – I made use of the vivid rainbow tones in her t-shirt and used them in the paint-splattered backdrop. I also illustrated her jumping with a chirpy expression on her face to really try and show off her spirit!
How long have you been a fan of the show? I’ve been a fan of the show since it was revived. My Dad is a super-fan – I remember him sitting down 7 year-old me in 2005 to watch Rose. Fourteen years later, sitting down to watch Doctor Who on a weekend evening remains a valued event in our household. It’s stayed with me through my childhood, my teens, and now my 20s.
Who is your favourite Doctor to illustrate? My favourite Doctor is definitely Jodie Whittaker. She’s also my favourite to illustrate. Jodie is one of my favourite actresses and a big inspiration for me – seeing the Doctor being enriched with fabulous female talent is so refreshing to see. I adore the infectious optimism and relatable awkwardness of her Doctor. Thirteen has a special place in my heart!
See more of Imogen’s work here.
What inspired your artwork? I’m most known for my Legendary Ladies Series of paintings depicting strong leading ladies in film and television so it was elementary for me to choose the Thirteenth Doctor for this painting.
How long have you been a fan of the show? I was introduced to Doctor Who only about 5 years ago but I was instantly captivated.
See more of Jason’s work here.
What inspired your artwork? I love the combination of youthful energy and “old soul” that Matt Smith brings to the role of the 11th Doctor. I like to imagine him passing an afternoon of quiet reflection while enjoying the childish fun of flying a kite. A TARDIS kite, of course.
How long have you been a fan of the show? I’m a relative newcomer, but a fast fan. I began watching over my daughter’s shoulder a few years ago, and I got hooked! Now that she is at university, I watch with my husband and compare notes via text with my daughter.
Who is your favourite Doctor to illustrate? My favourite Doctor to illustrate is the Twelfth Doctor because of Peter Capaldi’s wonderful hair. But I have a soft spot for the Ninth, because he is the first Doctor I watched and fell in love with.
See more of Gail’s work here.
Doctor Who fans, rejoice! A new set of portraits of all the Doctor Who leads has materialised, thanks to the BBC.
And they’re all looking mighty swish, all the way from William Hartnell’s first Time Lord (the original, you might say) to Tom Baker (sporting his signature scarf), Matt Smith and his very cool bowtie, a stern-looking Christopher Eccleston and, finally, incumbent Doctor Jodie Whittaker.
As a nice touch, even John Hurt’s War Doctor – the incarnation between the Eighth and Ninth Doctor – features, complete with a retro sonic screwdriver in hand.
Illustrated by Jeremy Enecio, all portraits will be unveiled to fans at San Diego Comic-Con, which kicks off on Thursday 18th July and concludes on Sunday 21st July.
Unfortunately, Whittaker and Tardis Team Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill won’t appear on a panel, but plenty of treats are still in store for sci-fi fans.
From big Marvel reveals to a possible Star Trek: Picard trailer. Find out everything we might be treated to here.
This weekend the Doctor Who YouTube channel will host a 20-hour livestream marathon of audio dramas from Big Finish celebrating their 20 years of Doctor Who on audio.
Starting at 12:00pm (UK time) on both Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July, the official home of Doctor Who on YouTube will stream over 10 hours per day of Big Finish audio adventures. Fans will get a chance to listen to the first episodes of over 30 different stories including spin-offs and special releases.
There will be video appearances from plenty of the Doctor’s friends past and present plus exclusives extracts and debuts from upcoming releases from Big Finish Productions. As the stories are livestreamed on YouTube, fans will be able to join in the conversation via the live chat.
Also broadcast during the event will be the first episode of Doctor Who: The Legacy of Time – a special anniversary box set release celebrating 20 years of Doctor Who at Big Finish. This first episode stars Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, Alex Kingston as Professor River Song and Lisa Bowerman as Professor Bernice Summerfield.
See the full list of episodes that will be livestreamed below. Each episode will be the first part of a story unless stated otherwise. Schedule may be subject to change.
SATURDAY (Starts at 12:00 UK)
SUNDAY (Starts at 12:00 UK)
Charge your sonic screwdrivers and grab the popcorn! It’s going to be a blast.
Donna Noble is returning in a new Big Finish release, Donna Noble: Kidnapped!, but can she manage on her own? She’ll fly the TARDIS, make new friends and take the mantle of Earth’s protector in four fantastic adventures coming out in May 2020. We hope the universe is ready for her!
Catherine Tate made her debut as Donna in December 2006, in the glorious Christmas special The Runaway Brideand, fortunately for fans, re-appeared as the Doctor’s companion in 2008. One series and two Christmas specials later, Donna made her final on-screen appearance alongside David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor on 1st January 2010.
Catherine went on to reprise her role for Big Finish in two sets of audio adventures with her best mate, the Doctor, in The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volumes One and Three – perfectly replicating the beloved pairing.
And now Donna will be fighting monsters (and her overbearing mother) with a new companion in four more thrilling audio adventures:
Out of this World by Jacqueline Rayner
Spinvasion by John Dorney
The Sorcerer of Albion by James Goss
The Chiswick Cuckoos by Matt Fitton
Script editor and writer, Matt Fitton, told us more about bringing back Donna:
“Donna – on her own and saving the world! It’s just irresistible, isn’t it? There were a few directions we could take for a solo Donna Noble set – from before her travels to during them – but I thought an interesting angle would be the fallout from the Library (when she experiences life with a perfect family then has it ripped away from her). After that she just wants the comfort of home for a bit.”
Catherine Tate will be joined by actor Jacqueline King reprising her TV role as Sylvia Noble – Donna’s mother. Matt continues:
“Donna and her mum are such brilliant Russell T Davies creations. Perfectly formed and completely believable in their dysfunctionality – it’s a joy to see Donna’s journey from the self-doubt Sylvia’s drummed into her to discovering she can really make a difference. At this point in her travels she’s starting to believe in herself, even without the Doctor.
“And Donna’s best friend from school is along for the ride. Nat, played by Niky Wardley, is everything Donna isn’t: a career woman, happily married, successful and confident – Sylvia hopes it’ll rub off on her daughter! But when Nat sees what Donna’s life is really like, Nat starts to question her own; perhaps it’s not all as perfect as it’s painted. It’s a lovely relationship, and great to give Donna an ‘assistant’ to herself.”
This box set also includes Isla Blair as Marge, David Schofield as Parval, Phil Cornwell as Parsnip, Nisha Nayar as Coleridge, Sebastian Armesto as Garrison, Anthony Howell as Adrian, Lydia West as Vivien, Tim Bentinck as Ganthak, Dan Starkey as Dennis and James Joyce as UNIT’s Josh Carter.
David Richardson, producer of Donna Noble: Kidnapped!, tells us more:
“I’ve been lucky enough to produce something starring Catherine Tate twice before. I’d call her a national treasure but I think that undersells her – she’s an international treasure who has populated our entertainment industry with so many beloved characters.
“Donna Noble is the stardust which was sprinkled over Doctor Who TV series four; she and the Tenth Doctor deservedly became a hugely popular pairing. And here she is at Big Finish, with her own spin-off series. We are so fortunate to have her.”
Catherine Tate told us more in studio,
“It’s lovely that Donna is in charge! The characters carry on developing and having a life on audio. You get a glimpse into the richness of what Donna did. It all adds to the tragedy that at the end Donna loses everything, and it’s all the worse to be forgotten.”
Donna Noble: Kidnapped! will be crashing into Earth’s atmosphere in May 2020 and is available to pre-order now from BigFinish.com priced at £24.99 on CD or £19.99 on download.