Doctor Who: Series 15 Official BBC Trailer
Lock in – all of time and space awaits!
#DoctorWho returns April 12th on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ where available
Series 15 episode titles revealed
As the TARDIS gets set to land on 12th April 2025, the episode titles for season two’s epic interstellar adventures have been revealed.
The highly anticipated simultaneous global launch will kick start with The Robot Revolution at 8am exclusively on BBC iPlayer and later that day on BBC One in the UK. Those outside of the UK can watch exclusively on Disney+ (where available).
New episodes will then debut weekly with an array of dazzling guest cast including Emmy Award winner Alan Cumming as cartoon foe Mr Ring-a-Ding, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Anita Dobson, Bonnie Langford, Jemma Redgrave, Ruth Madeley, Susan Twist, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Christopher Chung, Evelyn Miller, Ariyon Bakare, Julie Dray, Michelle Greenidge, Angela Wynter, Alexander Devrient, Rylan, Freddie Fox, Jonah Hauer-King, Kadiff Kirwan and many more.
Doctor Who – Series 15 Episode Titles
The Robot Revolution: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Peter Hoar
Lux: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Amanda Brotchie
The Well: Written by Russell T Davies & Sharma Angel Walfall, directed by Amanda Brotchie
Lucky Day: Written by Pete McTighe, directed by Peter Hoar
The Story & the Engine: Written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson
The Interstellar Song Contest: Written by Juno Dawson, directed by Ben A. Williams
Wish World: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai
The Reality War: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai
Russell T Davies, Showrunner says:
“Excitement mounts as the new season gets closer, and there’s nothing a Doctor Who fan loves more than facts! So here’s a whole bunch of them, with titles and writers, everything you need to get ready for transmission!”
Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney Branded Television and will air on 12th April exclusively on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).
Kadiff Kirwan joins Doctor Who Series 15
Since shooting to stardom playing Aaron in hit comedy Chewing Gum, Kadiff Kirwan has gone on to star in hit series after hit series including Black Mirror, Fleabag, I May Destroy You, This Is Going to Hurt, and most recently Slow Horses.
Kadiff can also be spotted on the big screen, with film roles ranging from 2018’s Mary Queen of Scots to 2022’s My Policeman, and on the stage in the Pulitzer Prize winning play The Hot Wing King.
Now, Kadiff is set to blast off into the Whoniverse as he joins the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) for an intergalactic escapade in the upcoming 15th series of Doctor Who, launching on 12 April.
Kadiff Kirwan, says:
“I feel elated to be joining the rich legacy of actors who have guest-starred in Doctor Who. Russell T Davies and Juno Dawson have truly outdone themselves with this episode in what I can only describe as an intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza. It’s packed with gravity-defying mastery beyond imagination, and being a part of it is an absolute dream. Strap in Whovians, this one is gonna rock your world!”
Russell T Davies, Showrunner says:
“We’re so lucky in Cardiff to open the doors to world-class talent, and it’s been a riot, getting to work with Kadiff. I’ve loved his work on TV, and stage for a long time, so when we realised he was available and happy to come on board, that was truly a great day in the office!”
Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney Branded Television and will air on 12th April exclusively on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).
20 Years of New Who Celebrated by Radio Times
Now, speaking with Radio Times magazine for the anniversary, Tennant has revealed that when he first signed up to play the character, the team weren’t sure the 2005 Christmas special, or season 2, would even happen.
“When I signed on, the first series of the new version hadn’t even transmitted,” he said. “I sort of signed up to be in a second series that nobody could really be certain would ever arrive.
“I could have appeared in a regeneration scene at the end of series 1, and that could have been it. I would have been not even the George Lazenby of Doctor Who; if I can make a slightly obscure Casino Royale reference, I’d have been the David Niven of Doctor Who!”
Of course, in actuality, Tennant ended up as one of the most iconic and beloved stars of the show. He not only played the Doctor in three seasons and a host of specials between 2005 and 2010, but he later went on to re-appear as the Tenth Doctor in 50th anniversary special Day of the Doctor, and star as the Fourteenth Doctor for three 60th anniversary specials in 2023.
Tennant recently recalled the moment showrunner Russell T Davies and executive producer Julie Gardner gaged his interest with regards to taking on the role, when speaking with Davies on his own podcast, David Tennant Does a Podcast With….
He revealed he was invited to Davies’s house to watch early cuts of season 1 episodes Rose and Dalek, before Gardner asked him that all important question.
He revealed Tennant’s response, saying:
“There was a pause, and you went, ‘I want a coat down to there.’ And you pointed at your ankle. And I was like, ‘We got him!'”
After leaving the show in 2010 alongside Tennant, Davies is now back at the helm of Doctor Who, with the second season of his new era starting in April, with returning star Ncuti Gatwa playing the 15th Doctor.
The latest issue of Radio Times is out now.
Equity Calls On Government Regulator To Punish Mad Dog Casting After Agency Collapsed Owing Creditors $2M
It is being reported by Deadline.com that British actors union Equity has written to a government regulator urging it to take action against Mad Dog 2020 Casting, a 25-year-old UK agency that collapsed last month owing creditors more than £1.5 million ($1.9 million).
Paul W. Fleming called on Ben Bruten, boss of the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate, to exercise its powers against Mad Dog, which includes fines, prosecutions, and the ability to ban individuals from running agencies in the future. Mad Dog’s parent company, Cinextra Limited, lists directors including CEO Graham Beswick.
“Equity would like to ask … how the EASI intends to use its powers to ensure that the individuals behind Mad Dog are held accountable for systematic breaches of their statutory obligations and treatment of artists, and so that they cannot continue their behaviour,” Fleming said.
Deadline chronicled the issues at Mad Dog last year, with clients complaining that they were owed thousands by the agency that supplied background actors to productions including Call the Midwife and Doctor Who. Mad Dog continued to trade despite failing to observe multiple county court judgments in favour of supporting artists owed money.
Fleming told Deadline that the company’s collapse had been “horrendous” for Equity members, adding that the “scale [of damage] is extraordinary for people with precarious incomes.” He acknowledged that it was unlikely that actors would be paid money they are owed, but said this will not stop Equity fighting for justice. “If we can’t get a pound in cash, we can get a pound in flesh,” he added.
Mad Dog filed for liquidation in February. MHA, the accountancy company, is overseeing the process and has called a meeting of creditors on Friday morning. A statement of Mad Dog’s affairs, seen by Deadline, shows the agency owes £1.66M ($2.1M) to creditors, including £1.3M to trade and expense creditors and £67,400 to employees. MHA said there was a “large number of creditors.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade, which oversees the EASI, said: “We take all relevant complaints about agencies seriously and ensure they are thoroughly investigated.” The spokesperson declined to comment on the EASI’s industry-wide investigation into agencies in the entertainment space.
Last year, Mad Dog apologized to clients and stressed that it was committed to clearing its backlog of payments. The agency blamed the twin U.S. writer and actors strikes for its financial issues. Under UK regulations, it is unlawful for an agency to withhold payment from clients for more than 10 days after receiving funds from a producer, broadcaster or streamer.
Latest News from Candy Jar Books…
DOCTOR WHO GOES TO PETERBOROUGH!
A spectacular, one-of-a-kind exhibition is set to arrive at Peterborough Museum this May, offering fans a chance to experience a stunning collection of Doctor Who monsters and props from the beloved long-running TV series.
As Doctor Who celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its return to television in 2005, Adventures in Time and Space has been curated to give visitors an exclusive glimpse of a vast array of spaceships, ray guns, costumes, props, and even the TARDIS itself.
For over sixty years, the Doctor’s thrilling adventures through time and space have captivated generations of viewers. However, it’s the monsters that remain etched in fans’ memories. The exhibition will explore how these unforgettable creatures were brought to life, delving into the creation of their costumes and revealing what made them so iconic.
As part of Candy Jar Books’ fifteenth anniversary, the exhibition will also feature a display of artwork by legendary artist Jeff Cummins, renowned for his Doctor Who book cover art, particularly his celebrated Target book covers and the Doctor Who Discovers series. Jeff, who has contributed some of the most iconic imagery to the Doctor Who universe, is excited that the retrospective will delve into his early work, including his very first published Doctor Who illustration and his more recent portraits of Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, and Jodie Whittaker.
Jeff Cummins says:
“It’s truly amazing to see my artwork displayed in such a fantastic venue. Doctor Who has been such an important part of my life, and to see my work continue to inspire fans and be part of the legacy of the show is an absolute thrill.”
The display will tie in with Jeff’s latest book, Outside the Box: The Complete Doctor Who Art of Jeff Cummins, a soon-to-be-released exclusive edition that takes an even deeper look at Jeff’s remarkable Doctor Who art. Featuring his iconic Target book covers, new artwork of both classic and modern Doctors, and a personal comic strip, the book celebrates Jeff’s significant contributions to the Doctor Who universe. It’s an exciting addition for fans looking to immerse themselves in the art that has shaped the show’s visual legacy.
Jeff continues:
“I hope my book and display at Peterborough Museum gives fans a deeper understanding of my journey with Doctor Who. From that childhood Dalek to my latest works, it’s all part of the adventure. I’m thrilled to share my journey with everyone.”
Curated by Derek Handley, the exhibition has been meticulously assembled with the help of a team of technicians and experts who have worked for nearly a year to bring this extraordinary collection together – and, in some cases, breathe new life into it.
Sarah Wilson, Heritage Manager at Peterborough Museum, says:
“In a way, the Daleks formed part of the cultural identity for the era they were created in, and the fact that they are recognised by people who might not even have seen Doctor Who shows the level of their impact, but they weren’t the only ones.”
Part restoration, part recreation, Adventures in Time and Space will also bring to life such creatures as Silurians, Sea Devils, Sontarans, Ice Warriors, and Cybermen, as well as many more, all recreated as closely as possible to their original screen appearances.
Opening on May 3, 2025, Adventures in Space and Time at Peterborough Museum will also feature a study of the photographic work of the late Don Smith, supported by the Radio Times.
BENTON AND HAWTHORNE INVESTIGATE COLLECTION
UNIT’s Sergeant John Benton pairs up with Miss Hawthorne from the much-loved Third Doctor story, The Dæmons, in a new short story collection from Candy Jar Books!
Benton and Hawthorne Investigate, written by Lucy McCaul, finds the White Witch from Devil’s End working with UNIT to ward off mythical creatures, uncover the truth behind murder plots, and even head out on a special mission to obtain missile plans and ensure peace.
Miss Hawthorne, of course, was played by the late, great Damaris Hayman in The Dæmons, and quickly became a fan favourite.
The book comes from Lucy approaching John Levene, who played Benton in Doctor Who between 1968’s The Invasion and 1975’s The Android Invasion, about the idea. He says:
“I was overjoyed to learn that Lucy has created a whole world of new adventures for Miss Hawthorne and my character. We’ve made six stories that really fit into the spirit of 1970s Doctor Who – and personally take me back to the wonderfully happy time I spent filming in Aldbourne, which doubled for Devil’s End. Lucy and I are very proud of the final collection and can’t wait for fans to enjoy them too.”
Lucy McCaul adds:
“Sergeant Benton and Miss Hawthorne made such a great team in The Dæmons – it didn’t seem fair that they only had the one adventure together, so I wrote them some more! When I gave the stories to John Levene at Aldbourne, I couldn’t have imagined what would happen next. I’m very grateful to him for his enthusiasm in advocating for the stories. This wouldn’t have happened without his efforts. I hope that readers enjoy these new adventures for classic characters and this tribute to the era of the Third Doctor.”
This special one-off collection of stories is part of the commemorations marking fifteen years of Candy Jar Books.
Keren Williams, Head of Marketing, says:
“We’ve covered so many aspects of Doctor Who in that time – from artbooks to the Lethbridge-Stewart novels, memoirs to The Lucy Wilson Mysteries – so we really wanted a fresh and unexpected approach, to add to that ever-growing universe of stories. That’s what Benton and Hawthorne is, and the playful cover, unlike anything Candy Jar’s done before, is perfectly evocative of that. It’s a little bit of magic.”
Benton and Hawthorne Investigate is edited by Philip Bates, who previously wrote 100 Objects of Doctor Who and Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants. He says:
“I’ve always loved The Dæmons (like most fans!), but even more so, I loved hearing all the anecdotes that came from behind the scenes. The serial is all the better for knowing that the cast and crew were having such a fantastic time together. These short stories, then, come from that happiness, an extension of it, almost a nostalgic bubble to get lost in. They take you from quiet English villages where evil is brewing to an international threat in mainland Europe.”
Lucy explains:
“I studied in Trier in Germany for a year when I was at university, so I thought it would be fun to include a place I knew so well. I hope readers are transported there and want to visit because it really is a beautiful city.”
The location for the first story, The Wyverns of Addershall Hall, is also based on the Colchester Campus of the University of Essex, where Lucy spent a couple of years studying, and the nearby village of Wivenhoe too!
Benton and Hawthorne Investigate also features a foreword by John Levene.
Blurb:
Murder! Magic! Morning tea!
When UNIT is called in to investigate strange goings-on at Addershall Hall, they uncover a supernatural menace about to be unleashed upon the world. They need an expert. They need Miss Hawthorne.
Or “Aunt Olive”, as Sergeant John Benton of UNIT calls her.
The pair must go undercover to find out the truth about the wyverns ushered into this universe by a clandestine group of evil-worshippers. Tempted away from Devil’s End, Miss Hawthorne soon gets a taste for adventure, and so, in these six short stories, she and Benton have to track down the reason for mysterious earthquakes across the sleepy village of Lower Budworthy, slip out the Wringford Worm’s grip, and find themselves in Germany, recovering experimental missile plans. Of course, they also meet some new friends – and plenty of enemies – along the way.
It’s Agatha Christie, spliced with dark magic, and infused with that warm nostalgic glow of the 1970s Doctor Who Target novels.
Going beyond The Dæmons, the Brigadier assists Benton and Hawthorne in this exciting confrontation with the forces of black magic!
Benton and Hawthorne Investigate is available for pre-order now, for £12.99 (+ p&p).
THE BENTON FILES VI
Candy Jar is pleased to announce the sixth book in the ongoing Benton Files short story series.
Like the previous volume, The Benton Files VI again contains one long story instead of two shorter ones. Aliens, Alchemy & Ale is written by Paul Driscoll, another writer new to Candy Jar.
Range editor Tim Gambrell tells us how this came about:
“Paul was one of a number of writers to whom I reached out some time ago. Like Matt Barber previously, Paul came back with an idea and, indeed, an initial draft that I just felt we could do so much more with. Unless it’s a stylistic choice, I tend not to enjoy short stories that feel like edited highlights of something much larger. There were moments in Paul’s story where that seemed to be the case because – like the good writer he is – he was trying to keep within the word limit. So, I sent him away with the task of expanding key parts of the story that felt could be developed further. Thankfully, he jumped at the chance and here we are.”
Paul explains where the seed of his idea came from:
“The starting point I set myself was to imagine Benton in a totally unfamiliar setting – not an alien one, but a very human world far removed from his day job. I thought it would be fun to place Benton in a setting where he’d be like a fish out of water.”
“We have to be careful,” says Tim, “that we’re not putting Benton in certain situations simply for the sake of a story. Part of my role as range editor is to know when to put the brakes on an idea. Benton goes to university – to Oxbridge? It might sound unlikely, but Paul fully justified it in the context and how could I doubt such a shrewd undercover move by the Brigadier?”
Paul goes on:
“There’s a very personal link in choosing Oxford University. I was a mature student there between 1996-1999, at the same college where I set much of the story, and very much felt out of place myself. I was married, we’d not long had our first child, and I wasn’t particularly academically minded. I didn’t have time to join a student society, but I did spend many an evening drinking in The Eagle & Child. Yes, the college did have a resident tortoise, and croquet was a regular pastime on the quad. It also had a snooker room in the basement. Having to wear a gown and mortar board as we walked from one college to another made them surprisingly irritating journeys to navigate, with overseas tourists regularly stopping us to take photos. So many memorable images that I could play around with as I imagined the story. Benton has similar experiences to my own, with the added spice of him having to mix with pacifist, anti-military students.”
But there’s another element at play in Aliens, Alchemy & Ale. Tim takes up the story again. “My original intention was to pair up Paul’s story with a linked one by Kara Dennison. Paul and Kara have written together often. However, it would have been a very uneven book if we’d continued down that path. Candy Jar readers won’t have to wait too long to find out what Kara came up with, but between her and Paul, his story ended up heading much further afield than simply Oxford. Paul’s story is now able to breathe and develop more organically, without losing the pace or the sense of wonder.”
All in all, Aliens, Alchemy & Ale takes Benton to some intriguing new places, never before explored in the Benton Files range. Readers will have to wait to find out which of the alien guest cast in Paul’s story will also feature in Kara’s!
We’ll leave the final thoughts to Paul himself:
“UNIT holds a very special place in my Doctor Who affections, harking back to my earliest experiences of the series. The first TV story I remember watching in full was Tom Baker’s debut, Robot, but I have patchy memories of the Pertwee years. With all that was weird, wonderful and frightening about Who, there was a familiarity in the military characters, a grounded sense of reassurance knowing that UNIT was working to protect my world. It’s the one element of the series I didn’t want to change, and I grew increasingly unhappy at every passing story with no UNIT involvement. Aside from the Target novelisations, I got my UNIT fix by making up my own stories in comic book form. Nearly fifty years on, the opportunity to write for UNIT at Candy Jar is a great honour and thrill.”
The Benton Files VI, by Paul Driscoll, with cover art by Richard Young, is available to pre-order now.
Blurb:
Join retired Sergeant Major John Benton as he recounts another tale of his exploits from yesteryear. In Aliens, Alchemy & Ale, by Paul Driscoll, young Sergeant Benton finds himself dispatched to Oxford University on an undercover mission for the Brigadier. He swiftly inveigles himself with the Alien Investigation Society, which leads him to the local brewery where strange things are afoot with their new drink, Alchemy. Stranger still is the College groundskeeper and his links to the prison planet Sirius Five. What plans does the masked, enigmatic Mr Stein have, not only for the students at Oxford, but for the government of Great Britain itself – and possibly the world? Read this new hair-raising adventure to find out…
The Benton Files 6 is available for pre-order now, for £6.99 (+ p&p).
Freddie Fox joins Doctor Who For Series 15
He’s appeared in fantasy epics on TV and Shakespearean tragedies on stage, but now Freddie Fox will be jumping aboard the TARDIS with the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) for an adventure in time and space in the upcoming second season of Doctor Who, which will air this year.
Since his on-screen debut in 2009, Freddie has appeared in many TV hits including The Gentlemen, The Crown, The Great, Slow Horses, and most recently as Ser Gwayne Hightower in House of the Dragon. In 2015, Freddie appeared as Freddie Baxter in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 dramas Cucumber and Banana. In addition to his TV roles, Freddie has also made a big impact on stage, earning a Laurence Oliver nomination for his role as Tristan Tzara in the revival of Travesties at the Apollo Theatre.
Freddie is now heading to the Doctor Who, to play a fearsome villain from another planet in an upcoming episode.
Russell T Davies, Showrunner says:
“It’s been 10 years since I worked with Freddie on Cucumber, and this is a great way to celebrate the anniversary. He’s the most spectacular actor, and he comes to Doctor Who with fury, venom, cunning and a beautiful set of horns. Doctor beware!”
Freddie Fox, says:
“I had the most amazing time making this show and feel honoured to have been asked to be a part of Russell’s crazy, bonkers, beautiful vision. Added to which, sharing space with the iconic Doctor that is Ncuti Gatwa was special beyond imagining. If audiences enjoy watching it half as much as I did making it, televisions are on course to explode right across the world!”
Watch the Doctor Who Series 15 trailer and get a first glimpse at special guest stars
The wait is almost over… See the Doctor explore new worlds, meet new allies and face deadly forces from beyond this universe in the trailer for Doctor Who Series 15.
Featured in the trailer is a first look at iconic special guest stars including Rylan, who will play himself, the co-host of the Interstellar Song Contest. Also featured is Alan Cumming who voices the villainous cartoon character, Mr Ring-a-Ding.
Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer, adventuring with the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), Belinda (Varada Sethu) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), include Anita Dobson, Bonnie Langford, Jemma Redgrave, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Christopher Chung, Evelyn Miller, Ariyon Bakare, Julie Dray and Jonah Hauer-King.
Rylan, says:
“As a massive Whovian, getting the call to be in Doctor Who was a call I’ve always dreamed of getting. The episode is all my favourite things about the show with an added song contest set in space. It really is a dream come true. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It really is going to be out of this world.”
Evelyn Miller, says:
“I’m so delighted to be joining the Doctor Who team. It was such a feature of my childhood, the memory of curling up on the sofa with my brother and watching the Weeping Angels episode from behind a pillow still makes me laugh. We were terrified. The love and passion that’s gone into this series is so clear. I can’t wait for people to see it!”
Ariyon Bakare says:
“As a kid, I’d run around the house chasing my little sister, arms raised, shouting, I am a Dalek! Back then, I never imagined I’d even meet a Doctor, let alone guest star in the show. So, returning to the Whoniverse for Season 2 is an absolute treat. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve created.”
Caoilfhionn Dunne says:
“I am so grateful to have been asked to be a part of this exciting second season of Doctor Who. As a longtime fan of the show, it has been a dream come true. And to get to work with such an amazing gang, Ncuti and Varada, such a wonderful duo, this absolutely stellar cast and such a supportive and hardworking crew. I couldn’t have asked for a better gang of folk to have hurtled through the Whoniverse with.”
Julie Dray says:
“I am so excited to be joining the cast of Doctor Who, an iconic show with such a rich legacy. I had such an amazing time working alongside Rylan while wearing some beautiful prosthetics, and can’t wait for audiences to see the spectacular Interstellar Song Contest be brought to life! Voilà!”
Series 15 launches on Saturday, 12 April on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK and Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).
Doctor Who season 14 earned a spot among top Disney Plus shows globally
The future of Doctor Who beyond the upcoming season 15 might remain up in the air, but a recent announcement from Disney Plus has given fans reason to be hopeful.
In a recent release confirming the new season’s 12th April launch date, the streamer also gave an indication of how the previous run of episodes starring Ncuti Gatwa had performed.
The release reveals that Doctor Who “was a top 5 series on Disney+ globally every week it aired”.
It also cites the series as “one of the most watched programmes on [BBC] iPlayer and , as well as being the BBC’s top drama for under 35’s this year”.
Doctor Who’s 14th season has seen a shift in viewing habits, with traditional overnight ratings appearing lower than previous years but consolidated figures showing a more positive trend. The BBC has defended the show’s performance, citing its strong appeal among younger audiences and its success on BBC iPlayer.
“It’s not doing that well in the ratings, but it is doing phenomenally well with the younger audience that we wanted,” showrunner Russell T Davies said in June last year.
The season saw the long-running sci-fi series adopt a new release model, with episodes dropping on iPlayer at midnight before their BBC One broadcast.
Davies has also defended the release model, arguing that it aligns with modern viewing habits. He described the midnight iPlayer release as the “future” of television, allowing audiences to watch at their convenience.
There will, however, be a shift for the upcoming season, which will debut new episodes on iPlayer at the later time of 8am.
While the BBC remains committed to Doctor Who, the show’s future is partially tied to its partnership with Disney Plus, which provides international distribution and financial backing – and speculation over whether Disney will continue its involvement has raised questions about the show’s long-term sustainability.
Despite this uncertainty, Davies has already begun writing season 16 – with a final decision on a renewal set to be made after season 15 has aired.
Doctor Who season 15 will see Ncuti Gatwa reprise his role as the Fifteenth Doctor. He’ll be joined by Varada Sethu as his new companion, Belinda Chandra, while Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday will also return, continuing her story after finding her biological family.
A star-studded guest lineup has been announced, including Alan Cumming as Mr Ring-a-Ding, an animated character wreaking havoc in a 1952-set episode, while other guest stars include Christopher Chung and Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Daleks and Cybermen sold for Children in Need
An auction of Doctor Who props and costumes raised £245,243 for Children in Need.
Auctioneer Propstore, based in Chenies, Buckinghamshire, said more than 2,000 global fans and collectors bid on more than 170 lots.
The biggest earner was a Dalek – used on screen for actress Jodie Whittaker’s final episode as the doctor – which sold for £16,380.
Stephen Lane, founder and chief executive of Propstore, was delighted and said:
“From Doctors to Daleks, the dedication and passion of Doctor Who fans supporting this auction has been second to none.”
A TARDIS prop used in a biographical film about the creation of Doctor Who, called An Adventure in Space and Time, sold for £12,600.
Parts of a Cyberman costume, from one of actor Peter Capaldi’s last stories, fetched £15,120.
Doctor Who brand director Vanessa Hamilton said:
“We’re so incredibly proud of the results of this auction and to support BBC Children in Need.
“It’s amazing to be able to share parts of Doctor Who with the fan community, and we hope they enjoy owning a piece of TV history.”
Several costumes were also sold – including a wedding dress for £4,410, used by actress Catherine Tate playing Donna Noble – but the highest earner was an outfit belonging to Whittaker which sold for £9,920.
A hand-painted recreation of Van Gogh’s “Thatched Cottages at Cordeville, 1890”, used in a popular episode with actor Matt Smith secured £8,190.
Several statues depicting popular monsters, including the Weeping Angels, a foe that first appeared in 2007, were also sold at the auction.
But the highest earning one, was a bust that won £6,930 after 37 bids.
Doctor Who had a long association with Children in Need. In 1983, the show’s 20th anniversary episode “The Five Doctors” aired as part of the fundraising programme.
Tommy Nagra, director of content at BBC Children in Need said:
“The Doctor Who family have been long-time friends of the charity and we are so thrilled to see them come together once again to support BBC Children in Need”.