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Month: August 2023

Doctor Who confirms Yasmin Finney plays Donna’s daughter.

Doctor Who confirms Yasmin Finney plays Donna’s daughter.

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David Tennant and Yasmin Finney in Doctor Who standing together looking skyward

Soon after Yasmin Finney was cast as a new character named Rose in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, many fans speculated that she would be playing the daughter of returning companion Donna Noble.

Those theories were only bolstered by pictures and footage showing Donna and Rose together, and now they have been confirmed, with Finney’s character officially being named as Rose Noble.

In a post on Twitter, which has recently been rebranded to X, the official Doctor Who account celebrated Finney’s birthday by confirming that her character, Rose, is the daughter of Catherine Tate’s companion and Shaun Temple, played by Karl Collins.

The account also teased in a subsequent post: “So the question is, what happens when Rose meets one of her mum’s oldest friends?

“It is a mystery for now, but what we do know is that just like her mother, Rose stumbles across something alien – and from that point her seemingly ordinary family is never quite the same…”

While Donna is only expected to appear in the show’s three 60th anniversary specials later this year, it appears that Finney’s Rose may be going on to star in next year’s season 14, alongside Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor.

First, Finney confirmed in an interview that she would be sharing the screen with Gatwa.

Then, returning showrunner Russell T Davies wrote in Doctor Who Magazine that Finney had wrapped only “a few days ago” as season 14’s production came to a close.

Also starring alongside Finney, Tate and David Tennant in the 60th anniversary specials will be Neil Patrick Harris as a villain and Ruth Madeley, who will be playing a character called Shirley Anne Bingham.

Madeley recently said of her character: “You’re gonna love Shirley, you’re gonna love the episodes, or episode, who knows.

“All I will say is, whatever questions you have, my answer will be, ‘Guess.'”

ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE – 60 YEARS OF DOCTOR WHO ART

ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE – 60 YEARS OF DOCTOR WHO ART

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A piece of artwork based on the darlek
It is claimed to be the largest collection of art from the programme ever shown.

ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE – 60 YEARS OF DOCTOR WHO ART EXHIBITION
Weston Museum
21 October 2023 – 27 January 2024

Allons-y, time travellers and art aficionados! Weston Museum is all set to take you on a nostalgia-filled ride with “Adventures in Time and Space – 60 Years of Doctor Who Art.” Celebrating the show’s whopping six decades of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey greatness in November 2023. This exhibition promises to be a treat for all those who’ve shared an adventure with the Doctor.

Hold onto your sonic screwdrivers as we journey back to the roots of the longest-running Sci-Fi extravaganza known to humanity. From the classic era that graced our screens from 1963 to 1989, to the modern reboot that’s been stealing our hearts since 2005, this exhibition is a heart-warming journey for Doctor Who fans of all generations.

This is the largest collection of original and digital art from and about the programme ever shown in one location.

Expect to be greeted by the images of familiar faces of the Doctors we’ve cherished through the years – from the stern charm of William Hartnell to the iconic scarf-swirling of Tom Baker, the cheeky charm of David Tennant, the ground-breaking brilliance of Jodie Whittaker, and with the excitement of the new Ncuti Gatwa. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Doctor Who affair without our favourite villains – the Daleks, Cybermen, and a host of creatures that have given the Doctor a run for their money across time and space.

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The exhibition unfolds like the pages of a well-worn book, displaying iconic book covers, a blast from the past with those VHS video covers we all remember (oh, the nostalgia!), annuals, comics, and graphic novels that have kept us hooked. To add a sprinkle of that quintessential Doctor Who magic, there’s even a painting that made its debut on the show itself.

We’ve dived into the TARDIS of artistic archives, rounding up an exceptional collection from private art collectors and dedicated fans who’ve lovingly held onto these visual treasures. Marvel at the original cover art of the very first Doctor Who Annual from way back in 1965 – the colours as vivid as a freshly regenerated Time Lord. We’ve joined forces with Doctor Who’s very own artistic time-travellers, securing their prized works from their dusty vaults and bringing them to life with high-resolution digital wizardry.

This artistic ensemble features legends like Andrew Skilleter, whose art has become as timeless as the Doctor’s adventures, and Chris Achilleos, the genius behind the iconic covers of the Target Doctor Who novels. There’s also Colin Howard, the artist responsible for those captivating video covers, the legendary Dave Gibbons of Marvel comics fame, pop culture chronicler Jeff Cummins, and storyboard extraordinaire Mike Collins from Bad Wolf Studios. The line-up continues with Jessica Martin, Bill Donohoe, David McAllister, Lee Binding, Lee Sullivan, Sophie Leong, Gwen Burns, Eren Angiolini, and the dynamic duo Anthony Dry & Stuart Crouch.

‘Don’t blink’ for an expedition that transcends time and space, as we celebrate the legacy of Doctor Who through a captivating display of artistry and many other Dr Who events that will take place during the run of the exhibition. The exhibition was organised by the South West Heritage Trust and Events of Wonder.

ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE – 60 YEARS OF DOCTOR WHO ART EXHIBITION
Weston Museum
21 October 2023 – 27 January 2024

 

The Dr Who superfan from Swindon with one of the world’s largest collections

The Dr Who superfan from Swindon with one of the world’s largest collections

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Phil Stevens has amassed countless original models and replicas of Doctor Who memorabilia – keeping it all in a storage unit

A Dr Who superfan from Wiltshire has amassed one of the world’s largest collections of memorabilia from the show.

Phil Stevens’ assortment of items is so large it needs to be kept in a storage unit as it does not all fit in his home in Swindon.

But Phil conceded his wife would also rather see the collection remain out of the house.

He said: “I think Sally would prefer everything to be in the Big Yellow storage unit here, rather than cluttering the house up.

“She doesn’t want strange monsters lurking around the place – she’s got me!”

Three Daleks stand in storage facing towards the camera
Phil’s collection includes Dr Who’s most infamous enemy from across the years, the Dalek

But the superfan added that the cool and controlled conditions in the storage unit has helped preserve some of his items, with some of the memorabilia dating back several decades.

Phil has also created replicas of Dr Who merchandise as well, also being a keen model-maker.

He said: “I’ve always enjoyed it. I’m a model kit maker, so I tend to focus more on the props and models and behind-the-scenes stuff.

A blue dalek and two cybermen stand next to each other
Phil also owns multiple cybermen outfits, which show how they have changed through the series

Phil believes he’s been interested in Dr Who since he first saw the show when he was three years old.

But he thinks with new seasons coming out, his hobby shows no signs of stopping. Asked if he is going to carry on collecting, he said: “I hope so, yes.”

“I’ll start nailing things to the ceiling if I begin running out of room in here,” he joked.

Doctor Who regeneration wins TV Moment of the Year at Edinburgh TV Awards

Doctor Who regeneration wins TV Moment of the Year at Edinburgh TV Awards

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Watch the Thirteenth Doctor regenerate in The Power of the Doctor
The Thirteenth Doctor regenerates in “The Power of the Doctor”

Doctor Who, The Traitors and BBC One all took home trophies at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival Awards.

BBC One picked up the Channel of the Year award, while other wins for the broadcaster included The Traitors topping the Best Entertainment category and Graham Norton being named Best Entertainment TV Presenter.

Best Drama was awarded to Sally Wainwright’s hit series Happy Valley, while Ellie Simmonds triumphed in the Breakthrough Presenter category for her documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?.

It was a strong showing too for Channel 4, with Kate Winslet taking home the Best TV Actor in a Drama award for her performance in the drama I Am Ruth, and Lewis Gribben picking up the Breakthrough Actor award for his turn in the acclaimed series Somewhere Boy.

Channel 4 also scored awards in the programme categories, for Best Documentary (Children of the Taliban), Best Popular Factual (Rosie Jones’ Trip Hazard), and Best Comedy series (Derry Girls).

Elsewhere, Jamie Demetriou won Best TV Actor in a Comedy for his performance in Netflix series A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou, Best International Drama was awarded to Succession, and Best On Demand Service was won by ITVX.

This Year’s Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Claudia Winkleman in recognition of her contribution to some of TV’s most popular shows, including the BBC’s long-standing Strictly Come Dancing and new hit series The Traitors and The Piano.

In the only award voted for by the public, the scene in Doctor Who that saw Jodie Whittaker regenerate into David Tennant – from the episode The Power of the Doctor – was crowned TV Moment of the Year.

A full list of winners can be found below.

  • Best TV Actor – Comedy: Jamie Demetriou
  • Best TV Actor – Drama: Kate Winslet
  • Best TV Presenter – Factual: Ramita Navai
  • Best TV Presenter – Entertainment: Graham Norton
  • Breakthrough Actor: Lewis Gribben
  • Breakthrough Presenter: Ellie Simmonds
  • Best Comedy Series: Derry Girls
  • Best Documentary: Children of the Taliban
  • Best Drama: Happy Valley
  • Best Entertainment Series: The Traitors
  • Best International Drama: Succession
  • Best Popular Factual Series: Rosie Jones’ Trip Hazard
  • Climate Impact Award: Guy Martin’s Great British Power Trip
  • Production Company of the Year: Dancing Ledge Productions
  • Production Group of the Year: STV Studios
  • Small Indie of the Year: Afro-Mic Productions
  • Best On Demand Service: ITVX
  • Channel of the Year: BBC One
  • Ones to Watch Random Acts Live Pitch: TBC
  • Outstanding Achievement Award: Claudia Winkleman
  • TV Moment of the Year: “Dr Who Regenerates”
Doctor Who fan from Hertfordshire achieves Hollywood success

Doctor Who fan from Hertfordshire achieves Hollywood success

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Paul McGann in costume with Steven Ricks
Steven Ricks (right) became a Doctor Who fan during the 1970s Jon Pertwee era and has now helped make costumes for two other Doctor actors, including Paul McGann (left)

A Doctor Who fan has told how he turned his hobby of making replica costumes into a film industry career.

Steven Ricks, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, started sharing images of the costumes he made online after being made redundant in 2008.

Fans shared his work online, eventually catching the attention of those in the television and film industries.

The 57-year-old has since worked on Oscar-winning films and recreated costumes for former Doctor Who stars.

The first costume he made was a replica of a coat which was worn on screen in 2005 by the 10th TV Doctor, David Tennant.

“I was getting all these really nice positive messages,” said Mr Ricks, who then began making coats for other fans.

After the financial crisis of 2008, the former print advertiser decided to retrain as a tailor at West Herts College in Hemel Hempstead and in Savile Row in London.

Mr Ricks continued to create replicas of Doctor Who costumes which came to the attention of film and TV costume designer Robert Allsopp.

Recalling a phone call he received, the tailor said: “They were doing a film about the life of Freddie Mercury and Queen – I ended up making two costumes for Rami Malek.”

Malek won an Oscar for his portrayal of the flamboyant singer.

Peter Davison as The Doctor in the 1980s
Peter Davison played The Doctor between 1982 and 1984
Peter Davison as The Doctor in 2022
Steven Ricks recreated the costume for Peter Davison during the pandemic, but lockdown restrictions meant he did not meet the star until after the episode aired.

The tailor said that despite having worked on a costume of an Oscar-winning actor, the highlight of his career was working with the Time Lord he watched as a teenager.

When fifth Doctor Who actor Peter Davison appeared in Jodie Whittaker’s final episode last year, the tailor was asked to assist in remaking his costume.

“Peter loved it so much he asked if he could keep it at the end of the filming,” he said, explaining how the former Doctor now wears it at conventions for photos with fans.

Paul McGann as The Doctor in 2013
Paul McGann returned to Doctor Who in 2013 with a new costume, 17 years after his debut in the one-off Doctor Who TV movie in 1996.
Paul McGann trying his new outfit
Paul McGann told Steven Ricks he “loved” the recreation of his costume.

The long queues at such conventions caught the attention of Paul McGann, the eighth TV Doctor, who then asked Mr Ricks to remake his costume from scratch.

“It was a real collaborative process between us; he was fascinated by every part of recreating the costume,” said the tailor.

The former Time Lord actor wore his costume in public for the first time last weekend at Doctor Who convention in Long Island, New York.

When Mr Ricks’ “perfect client” first tried the costume he did not hide his enthusiasm for putting the costume back on.

“I’m not which of us was more excited to see him back in costume. I’m sure the fans will feel the same,” he said.

(With thanks to BBC News)

Sylvester McCoy’s life story to be brought to the screen by Film Stories

Sylvester McCoy’s life story to be brought to the screen by Film Stories

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Sylvester McCoy’s life story to be brought to the screen by Film Stories

Sylvester McCoy’s going to tell his extraordinary life story in a very special film from Film Stories, our first feature.

Film Stories is proud and delighted to announce its first ever movie project – and it’s a feature that’s a big part of the 80th birthday celebrations for the brilliant Sylvester McCoy.

Entitled Sylvester: Who’s The Real McCoy?, the film sees Sylvester telling his remarkable life story on screen.

He explores his youth growing up in Dunoon, his training to be a priest, and how he made the jump from working in the city of London to a life of performance.

There are the adventures in the Ken Campbell Roadshow, his journeys around the world, and – of course – his life as the universe’s most famous Time Lord in Doctor Who, and his time in Middle Earth across The Hobbit movies.

Sylvester also candidly tells the story of losing his father just before he was born, his mother’s mental health battles, and growing up with family members in the absence of his parents.

The film is centred around a specially-filmed new interview and conversation with Sylvester, as well as materials from his personal archive. There is a sporting chance that the playing of spoons may be involved too.

It’s the first time Sylvester has released any kind of memoir.

Sylvester: Who’s The Real McCoy? is a Film Stories and Whynow production. It is executive produced by Sylvester McCoy and Clare Eden, produced and directed by Simon Brew.

The film is currently in post-production, and release details will be announced soon.  For now, we leave you with the poster…

Sylvester McCoy film poster

A newly remastered Series 1 – 4 Blu-ray of Doctor Who is coming soon.

A newly remastered Series 1 – 4 Blu-ray of Doctor Who is coming soon.

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In its 60th anniversary year, newly upscaled versions of sixty Doctor Who episodes from the Ninth and Tenth Doctor’s eras are coming to Blu-ray.

These new episodes are now available to pre-order in one Blu-ray set. For the ultimate fan, this collection includes every episode and special from the first four series freshly upscaled to high definition using the latest technology, plus the Tenth Doctor specials, existing bonus features and a new specially shot extra, A LOOK BACK THROUGH TIME AND SPACE with Russell T Davies and David Tennant.

The boxset features newly upscaled versions of episodes from the following series.

SERIES 1

Christopher Eccleston plays the Ninth Doctor, an alien and a loner (it’s difficult keeping up with friends when your day job involves flitting through time and space) who meets Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), a shop-girl from the present day. From the moment she meets the Doctor, they click. They understand and complement each other. As they travel together through time, encountering new adversaries, the Doctor shows her things beyond imagination. The trip of a lifetime begins!

SERIES 2

The complete second series introduces David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, with Billie Piper returning as Rose. The Doctor and Rose travel across the Universe, facing dangers and thrills at every turn. Whether that’s in Victorian Scotland facing a Werewolf, or on an impossible planet orbiting a black hole.

SERIES 3

The third series of Doctor Who is full of new adventures, new laughs, new heartbreak and some terrifying new monsters. From the moment the Doctor walks into the life of medical student Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), he changes it forever. But whatever you do, don’t blink!

SERIES 4

David Tennant is back in his role as the Doctor in the fourth series of the hit sci-fi show! Award-winning comedienne Catherine Tate returns as the Doctor’s new companion, Donna Noble in this epic series that culminates in the Doctor’s friends coming together to stop the Daleks!

THE COMPLETE SPECIALS

Five specials complete the Tenth Doctor’s journey as he meets new friends, familiar faces and comes face-to-face with an old enemy in a year of special adventures.

This Complete Specials includes all the Doctor Who Specials from 2009 – The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, The Waters of Mars, The End of Time – Part One and The End of Time – Part Two.

This boxset features eighteen discs containing sixty episodes of timeless adventures, remembered forever!

This title will be released on November 13, 2023.

You can pre-order the new boxset NOW

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 594

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 594

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Highlights include:

  • Designated ’Driver – Michael van Kesteren, Doctor Who’s art director for props, and Barry Jones, prop maker, give DWM the lowdown on the Fourteenth Doctor’s brand-new sonic screwdriver.
  • Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies recalls his first ever encounter with the Doctor Who production team, way back in 1987.
  • The DWM 60th Anniversary Poll – the analysis of the results continues, with this issue looking at the rankings of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctor’s adventures.
  • Conjuring Patrick – family, friends, colleagues and admirers of Patrick Troughton turned out in force at the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to the Second Doctor actor.
  • Memory Worm ­­­– Andrew Smith, the writer of 1980’s Full Circle and many acclaimed Big Finish audios, puts his knowledge of his Doctor Who career to the test.
  • Production Diary – script editor Scott Handcock files his latest report, direct from Doctor Who’s HQ.
  • All Decs on Hand – assistant set decorator Verity Scott and set decorator’s assistant Lois Drage describe working on the new series of Doctor Who.
  • Liberation of the Daleks Part Eleven – the adventures of the Fourteenth Doctor continue in the epic comic-strip adventure written by Alan Barnes and illustrated by Lee Sullivan.
  • 60 Objects, 60 Years – the latest instalment of the series that tells the story of one object from every year of Doctor Who’s history.
  • Sweet Dreams are Made of This – a comprehensive preview and disc-by-disc breakdown of the forthcoming Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 20 Blu-ray box set.
  • The Fact of Fiction unlocks the secrets of the Fifth Doctor story Arc of Infinity.
  • Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news.
  • Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
  • Previews, reviews, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser and more.

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 594 is on sale Thursday 17 August from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £7.99 (UK).
Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £6.99.

The Former Home Of The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Saved!

The Former Home Of The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Saved!

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BBC Radiophonic Workshop - Synthtopia
BBC Radiophonic Workshop – Synthtopia

The BBC’s historic Maida Vale studios, which have hosted sessions by stars ranging from the Beatles to Adele, have been sold to a group led by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Zimmer, who wrote the scores for films like The Lion King and Dune, has teamed up with Love Actually and Cats movie producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

The BBC said the complex would remain a “centre for pioneering music-making”.

It was valued at about £10m but the BBC did not disclose the purchase price.

Built in 1909 as Britain’s largest indoor roller skating rink, the north-west London building was bought by the BBC in 1933.

It is home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has hosted the world’s biggest rock and pop stars – from Led Zeppelin to Radiohead and Jay-Z to Little Mix.

It also played host to John Peel’s famous Radio 1 sessions and the BBC’s innovative Radiophonic Workshop, famed for its realisation of the Doctor Who theme tune.

The corporation is planning to move its music studios to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London in 2025, where the BBC Symphony Orchestra will then be based.

BBC Radiophonic Workshop
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was based at Maida Vale until its closure in 1998.

Zimmer recalled first working at Maida Vale 45 years ago.

“I still remember the strong pull, the desire to touch the walls, as if that would somehow allow me to connect to the artists whose extraordinary music had resonated against these walls on a daily basis,” he said.

“This was a place of revolutionary science in the service of art, this was a place that inspired you to give your best, where music was performed around the clock and art was taken seriously. For the people by the people.

“This was the place that kept a struggling musician like me from giving up.”

The German composer added that he now wants to “make Maida Vale Studios a place that inspires, teaches, technologically serves the arts and humanity, and gives the next generation the same opportunities I was given: to create and to never give up”.

A multi-million pound refurbishment will keep the building’s original façade, refurbish the existing studios and create a not-for-profit educational facility, the BBC said.

In a statement, Bevan and Fellner said:

“Collectively we are determined to continue the BBC’s legacy at Maida Vale by attracting global talent to the UK.

“Through our redevelopment plans we will future proof the historic site, continuing its presence in the local community with a new education facility, whilst creating a world class studio space for the next generation of composers, producers, editors and engineers.”

‘Part of our cultural heritage’

Working Title’s hit films include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Yesterday and Baby Driver. Zimmer’s business partner Steve Kofsky is also part of the consortium.

Investment is needed – as far back as 2007, the BBC said the run-down facility was “wholly unsuitable for the 21st Century”, with problems including asbestos.

When the corporation announced plans to sell the site in 2018, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich was among those who called for it to be saved, saying it was an “incredibly important part of our cultural heritage – every bit as important as Abbey Road studios”.

It was given Grade II listed status in 2020 – but the BBC was criticised for objecting to the decision, which lowered its potential value because it could not be demolished and sold for lucrative housing or flats

Doctor Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration announced by BBC Radio 2

Doctor Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration announced by BBC Radio 2

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Doctor Who: Once and Future logo

An epic concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 this autumn to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who.

The event joins a packed line-up of festivities, which include Russell T Davies’s trilogy of special episodes – leading into the much-anticipated season 14 – and a new Big Finish storyline titled Once and Future.

Doctor Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration will take place at BBC Hoddinott Hall in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, where the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Singers will perform iconic tracks from the show.

Work by composers including Murray Gold, Segun Akinola, Dudley Simpson and Paddy Kingsland will be featured, along with the unforgettable theme music dreamt up by Delia Derbyshire and Ron Grainer.

Alastair King will be on-hand to conduct the singers, while Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and returning composer Gold are also expected to be in attendance.

More news will be announced in due course, ahead of the concert being held and broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in the autumn.

News that Gold is back on Doctor Who was certainly music to the ears of many fans, after his legendary work during Davies’s first run on the show included dramatic themes for The Doctor, three companions and several formidable foes.

It will be a thrill to see what he can come up with for the new era of the show, which sees Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa take on the role of The Doctor, with Coronation Street’s Millie Gibson as his human companion, Ruby Sunday.