Costume designer Pam Downe discusses dressing our stylish new Doctor, as well as how she created looks for the Toymaker and the Goblin army.
Script to screen: An in-depth look at how the Goblin army developed, from the original concept to the finished product – blending masks and animatronics with digital effects.
We pay tribute to Michael Jayston who played the Doctor’s evil alter-ego the Valeyard.
Louise Jameson is among the interviewees in a special preview of the Season 15 Blu-ray collection.
Abdoul Ceesay – director’s assistant on Doctor Who – talks to DWM about his role and future aspirations!
Get cooking! A deep dive into the part food has played in the series over the years, with some recipes you can try at home!
We look at how other TV shows have found their way into episodes of Doctor Who.
Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies sings in praise of companions of yesteryear as he recalls a week making Tales of the TARDIS!
Time-Space Visualiser – learn how fandom went mad for the Sixth Doctor! Rightly so!
The Fact of Fiction – we examine the closing episodes of 1973’s Planet of the Daleks.
The adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday continue in the comic strip!
PLUS!
Gallifrey Guardian – new cast and directors revealed and an update on the Christmas ratings.
Reviews – covering books, audio dramas and the Fugitive Doctor action figure!
Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
Win Season 17 on Blu-ray, plus books and CDs!
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 601 is on sale Thursday 29 February from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £7.99 (UK).
Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £6.99.
The Gallifreyan Newsroom is sad to report the death of actress Pamela Salem who died yesterday 21st February 2024 at her home in Florida.
Pamela will be well known to Doctor Who fans for starring in two adventures as Toos in The Robots of Death (1977) and as Professor Rachel Jensen in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), a role she reprised for Big Finish Productions’ officially licensed audio drama spin-off series Counter Measures. She was also heard as one of the many voices of Xoanon in The Face of Evil (1977). She had auditioned for the role of the Fourth Doctor’s companion Leela but the role went to Louise Jameson.
She was married to the actor Michael O’Hagan until his death on 1 November 2017. They lived in Surfside, Florida.
The new 116-page bookazine from the makers of Doctor Who Magazine celebrates an unforgettable era in the show’s history.
The success of the first episodes starring Jon Pertwee saved the series from the threat of cancellation. A year later, the next phase of its reinvention introduced a new assistant for the Doctor and a debonair adversary to threaten him during his exile on Earth. The colourful formula for some of Doctor Who’s best-loved adventures was complete.
This issue covers all the stories from 1971: Terror of the Autons, The Mind of Evil, The Claws of Axos, Colony in Space and The Dæmons. All-new content includes exclusive features, insightful commentary and rare behind-the-scenes images.
Contents include articles on:
The year’s most significant events in the Doctor Who universe (both on and off screen)
Stars Roger Delgado, Richard Franklin and Katy Manning
Writers Don Houghton, Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Doctor Who in the popular press
Special effects and production techniques
Classic Doctor Who comic strips and merchandise
… plus much more!
Doctor Who: Chronicles 1971 is on sale now, RRP £11.99 from panini.co.uk and selected branches of WH Smith while stocks last. It’s also available digitally from pocketmags.com priced £10.99.
A Doctor Who audio drama podcast is coming March 2024
Coming March 2024, this weekly podcast will present stories in episodic instalments released weekly on Saturdays – like the original serialised broadcast of classic Doctor Who stories on the BBC.
Since 1999, Big Finish Productions has been producing full-cast audio adventures set in the world of Doctor Who. Featuring specially composed music and cinematic sound effects, these stories are officially licensed by the BBC and star original cast members of the TV series.
To mark 25 years of this output, Big Finish Productions, in association with BBC Studios, Zebralution Podcast, Apple and Acast, are excited to announce INTO THE TARDIS, which will showcase fan-favourite stories from Big Finish’s back catalogue.
The stories will be presented in episodic instalments released weekly on Saturdays – like the original serialised broadcast of classic Doctor Who stories on the BBC. Each episode will feature a brand-new introduction read by Colin Baker (who played the Sixth Doctor on TV and continues to do so for Big Finish), as well as behind-the-scenes interviews.
INTO THE TARDIS will begin in March 2024, with the first two episodes serialising DEATH AND THE QUEEN. Originally released by Big Finish in 2016, this full-cast audio drama stars David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, with a script by James Goss.
Big Finish chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery said:
“As part of the celebration marking 25 years of Big Finish Doctor Who audio drama productions, I am delighted to announce that Big Finish are partnering with BBC Studios, Zebralution, Apple and Acast to launch Into the TARDIS – the first officially licensed Doctor Who audio drama podcast. This is an initiative that we have been working on for some time and I am particularly excited about, as it will bring Big Finish’s work to a far wider audience.”
Jan Paterson, director of audiobooks at BBC Studios, added:
“For many years now, Big Finish has provided Doctor Who fans with thrilling audio dramas and we’re excited to see them extend their offering with a podcast. Into the TARDIS will allow the fanbase to extend their enjoyment of the show as well as open the Doctor Who audio drama world up to a whole new audience.”
Luisa Abraham, managing director at Zebralution Podcast, said:
“We’re thrilled to have contributed our expertise to Big Finish for the launch of their new podcast, Into the TARDIS. Our collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we eagerly anticipate sharing numerous captivating stories with the global Doctor Who community and welcoming countless new fans into the fold.”
INTO THE TARDIS will be available via all podcast platforms, and all listeners will be able to stream it for free with ads. Users of Apple Podcasts will have the additional option of subscribing for £2.99 a month, which will give early access to episodes and ad-free listening. A 3-day free trial of this subscription will also be available.
Get ready for INTO THE TARDIS on all podcast platforms
Meet ‘The Edge of Destruction’ on vinyl this Record Store Day
Demon Records presents, exclusive to Record Store Day 2024, the complete narrated TV soundtrack of the Doctor Who story ‘THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION’.
Escaping from their previous adventure, in THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTIONthe Doctor (William Russell), Susan (Carole Ann Ford), Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) are inside the TARDIS when it appears to be taken over by an outside force. 2024 is the 60th anniversary of this two-episode story starring William Hartnell as the Doctor.
First broadcast on 8 & 15 February 1964, it was only the third ever Doctor Who serial to be shown.
This brand new audio presentation, making its debut in any format with this vinyl release, features unique linking narration by Carole Ann Ford. There’s also a bonus interview with Carole herself, in which she recalls playing Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, in the original TV episodes.
The vinyl boasts a picture disc Side A, showing the Ship’s melting ormolu clock from a pivotal scene in the story, and an exclusive Zoetrope Side B, depicting the TARDIS swirling across space and time (best experienced using a smartphone running a third-party stroboscope app). The 12” disc is presented in a stunning die-cut artwork outer sleeve.
Record Store Day is an annual celebration of record store culture, which started in 2008, will see special vinyl releases, live events and performances, including this special audio release from the book of the same name.
CD and digital editions of THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION will also be available from BBC Audio from the 2nd May 2024.
Record Store Day is an annual celebration of record store culture, which started in 2008, will see special vinyl releases, live events and performances, including this special audio release of the classic First Doctor adventure.
The Gallifreyan Newsroom has just recieved the sad news about the passing of actor Michael Jayson. Tributes have been pouring in from the Doctor Who Community!
My dear dear friend, Michael Jayston has left us today. I am absolutely devastated. He was warm witty, clever naughty and a very fine actor & wonderful man. My thoughts and love go to his wife Ann and daughter Katie. Heartbroken Goodbye my friend
I just got a message to say the incredible Michael Jayston has left us! He was an absolute gentleman, with the biggest twinkle in the business. An extraordinary raconteur and one of the loveliest men I’ve ever met. No more long lunches My thoughts are with his lovely wife Ann. pic.twitter.com/SeXcshfviv
Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of Michael Jayston. He was incredible company on one of my favourite Who shoots, The Doctor's Table, and his turn as the Valeyard remains (forever) diabolically wonderful. RIP pic.twitter.com/Mps9fo4cVj
We were very saddened to read of the passing of Michael Jayston earlier today. All at Big Finish send love and condolences to his friends and family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/5tbq53LYvB
Michael James (29 October 1935 – 5 February 2024 known professionally as Michael Jayston, was an English actor. He played Nicholas II of Russia in the film Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He also made many television appearances, which included playing the Valeyard in all fourteen episodes of the Doctor Who serial The Trial of a Time Lord(1986) and appearing in the Only Fools and Horses episode “Time on Our Hands” (1996) as Raquel’s father, James.
Michael Jayston was born on 29 October 1935 in West Bridgford, Nottingham. His registered birth name was Michael A James. He is the only son of Aubrey Vincent James (1911–1937) and Edna Myfanwy Medcalfe (1904–1950). He attended the Becket RC School on Wilford Lane, West Bridgford. A former accountant, he trained in acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He lived in Hove, Sussex.
Jayston began his stage career in 1962 and performed at the Bristol Old Vic and at Stratford-upon-Avon. He starred as Captain Von Trapp in the 1981 stage revival of The Sound of Music at the Apollo Victoria (London) alongside Petula Clark who played the role of Maria.
Jayston played Shakespearean roles on TV including Macbeth in Macbeth (1970), Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice (1973) and Edmund in King Lear (1975).
An early recurring television role was as civil servant Dowling in the final series of boardroom drama The Power Game in 1969.
In 1972, he played Sir Henry Royce alongside Robert Powell in the episode “Mr. Rolls and Mr. Royce” of the BBC drama series The Edwardians; the following year he took the role of Mr Rochester in a BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, opposite Sorcha Cusack.
He made two appearances in the anthology series Thriller in 1974, and in 1975 played Quiller, a spy who never used a gun, in the short-lived British TV series of the same name. He appeared as Dornford Yates’ gentleman hero Jonathan Mansel in the 1977 BBC adaptation of She Fell Among Thieves. In 1979, he played Peter Guillam opposite Alec Guinness in the series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
In 1983 Michael appeared along with Sue Cook in Arthur Marshall’s team on Call My Bluff Series 18 Episode 11 on 4 July 1983.
Jayston played Neville Badger in the 1989 television adaptation of David Nobbs’s comedy of manners A Bit of a Do. He portrayed James Bond in a radio adaptation of You Only Live Twice in 1990. In 1991, he appeared as Colonel Mustard in the television series Cluedo, and a year later made a guest appearance in the Press Gang episode “UnXpected”. Other TV appearances include in EastEnders, Coronation Street, Only Fools and Horses, The Darling Buds of May, Tales of the Unexpected, The Bill and the character of Donald De Souza in Emmerdale. He has also appeared in Foyle’s War, Holby City, Sherlock Holmes, Tracy Beaker Returns, and Midsomer Murders.
In 1986, Jayston played the role of the Valeyard in Doctor Who. Prosecutor at the Sixth Doctor’s trial, the Valeyard attempted to find the Doctor guilty of interference and genocide, a verdict that would result in the death penalty. He presented damning testimony from the Doctor’s affairs on Ravalox, blamed him for Peri’s apparent death on Thoros Beta and the genocide of the Vervoid race. As the trial culminated, the Master revealed that the Valeyard was in fact an incarnation of the Doctor himself – an amalgamation of all the Doctor’s potential darkness, from a point in the his future. After a pitched battle with the Doctor in the dreamscape of the Gallifreyan Matrix, the Valeyard died when the weapon he intended to turn on the Time Lords overloaded. However, as the Doctor departed with all charges against him dropped, it was clear that the Valeyard had survived… He later reprised the part of the Valeyard in He Jests at Scars…, Trial of the Valeyard, The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure, and The Eighth Doctor: The Time War 3, audio plays released by Big Finish Productions.
In 1968 he played Demetrius in Peter Hall’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Two years later in 1970, he played Henry Ireton in Cromwell. The following year he starred as Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in the film Nicholas and Alexandra.
He appeared as Gratiano opposite Laurence Olivier as Shylock in the National Theatre’s film The Merchant of Venice (1974).
Jayston recorded most of John le Carré’s novels in audiobook format, providing a link with his role as Peter Guillam in the 1979 TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He was also the storyteller in the BBC radio readings of the novels Rogue Male and Rogue Justice, both written by Geoffrey Household.
In 1988 he provided the opening voiceover for the Euston Films TV drama Jack The Ripper starring Michael Caine.
In 1990, he played the role of Ian Fleming’s James Bond in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of You Only Live Twice.
As an official United Kingdom Record Store Day 2017 release, a collaborative double vinyl album between the underground artist Ruben Vine and Jayston, including a 28-page comic, was released. Jayston featured as the narrator on the story-based album entitled The Life & Times of an Imaginary Rock Star, this alternative rock album was described by one reviewer as a punk opera.
A prolific reader for audiobooks, Jayston also recorded audio versions of many of the novels of Alexander Kent, such as the Richard Bolitho adventures set during the age of sail before and throughout the Napoleonic Wars, Winston Churchill’s history of the Second World War, and many others. In the 1970s and 1980s he was also a prolific voiceover for TV adverts in the UK.
(@thenicolabryant)