Catherine Tate

Catherine Tate to host Doctor Who Proms

20 August 2024 admin Comments 0 Comment

Doctor Who: Why Was Donna Noble So Important?

According to an interview with Doctor Who composer Murray Gold in Radio Times magazine, Catherine Tate is set to host the Doctor Who Proms this coming 26 August at Royal Albert Hall.

“Oh God, she’s great,” Gold said of the Proms host.

Tate was last seen on Doctor Who reprising her role as the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble in three anniversary specials which aired in November 2023.

Gold promised fan-pleasing favourites but the text of the interview also stated, “cues from the recent Ncuti Gatwa series that haven’t been released yet.”

“There’s a lot of new stuff,” Gold revealed to RT. “This isn’t going to be a jukebox musical. People aren’t necessarily coming in already humming the pieces.”

With previous Doctor Who Prom events held in 2008, 2010 and 2013, this year’s Prom will be a brand-new show celebrating the latest adventures of the Doctor and showcasing Murray Gold’s beloved music for the series. The Prom will feature specially arranged pieces from the most recent series starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday and will also include music from the 60th anniversary specials, as well as favourites from Murray Gold’s long association composing for the series. Alongside Murray Gold, the Prom will also be featuring Segun Akinola’s music which was specially created for Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor.

Complete with specially edited sequences from the series shown on big screens around the Royal Albert Hall, audiences can expect appearances from monsters old and new and at least a surprise or two!

The Doctor Who Prom will be at the Royal Albert Hall on Bank Holiday Monday 26 August with two performances at 2.30pm and 7pm, with the later concert broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and available on BBC Sounds for 30 days. It will be audio-described by Timna Fibert and British Sign Language-interpreted.

The Prom has been co-commissioned for television by BBC Arts and BBC Cymru Wales and will be broadcast later this year.

Doctor Who Proms, hosted by Catherine Tate with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conductor Alastair John King, and soprano Aida Garifullina will have two performances at the Royal Albert Hall Monday 26 August 2024 at 14:30 an 19:00, to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The Doctor Who Proms performance will also be available on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this autumn/winter.

An End Which Spells A New Beginning…

25 December 2022 admin Comments 0 Comment

p0drj7rp — David Tennant back as The Doctor!

We wanted to give fans, friends and families a lovely little Christmas present – with a promise that 2023 will be a riot of Doctor Who goodness!

— Russell T Davies, showrunner

Doctor Who ‘gets behind-the-scenes spin-off series on BBC Three’

21 July 2022 admin Comments 0 Comment

Ncuti Gatwa at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2022 after party — Ncuti Gatwa

The reported show will begin with the 60th anniversary special and the surprise return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

Returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has commissioned a special behind-the-scenes series ahead of the next season with new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, according to reports.

The BBC Three Doctor Who spin-off series will be titled Doctor Who: Unleashed and give fans a sneak-peek at the filming process, beginning with the 60th anniversary special next year and the surprise return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, according to The Mirror.

The series will apparently be similar in format to Doctor Who Confidential, the behind-the-scenes sister show that ran from 2005 to 2012. It will reportedly continue to air alongside the next full season.

A source told the publication that Davies is “aware that Doctor Who fans can never get enough content” and that he thought “the time was right to bring back a behind-the-scenes show which will document their comebacks and show how the special was made”.

Speaking earlier this year ahead of the broadcast return of BBC Three, the channel’s controller Fiona Campbell teased “potentially very exciting things under discussion” when asked whether former shows such as Doctor Who Confidential could make a return.

“But we’re in this new world, we’ve just come out of COVID and everybody’s schedules are being reassessed so it changes all the time,” she added. “It’s very exciting but it does change – it’s very fast-moving at the minute.”

GNR will bring you more news as we get it! (Ed)

Donna Noble saves the world!

17 July 2019 admin Comments 0 Comment

Donna Nobleâs flying soloâliterallyâin her own audio adventures.

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.

The Doctor and Donna are back – and more titles for May!

3 May 2019 admin Comments 0 Comment

Mags returns to her homeworld with the Seventh Doctor

The Doctor has returned Mags, formerly of the Psychic Circus, to her native world: Vulpana. Back to a planet dominated by werewolves. And the moons of Vulpana are always full…

Order Doctor Who: The Moons of Vulpana from Big Finish

The Doctor and Donna are back – this time with family!

Three new adventures await the Tenth Doctor and Donna in Volume 3 of the Tenth Doctor adventures. We’ll go to an underwater city guarded by Judoon, back to the great smog of 1950s London, and an adventure with Donna’s mum Sylvia and Wilfred Mott, her grandfather!

3.1 No Place by James Goss

It’s Haunted Makeovers! The home improvement show with a spooky twist. The Noble family are hoping to cast out a few spirits along with the old bathroom suite, as presenter Justin joins Donna, Wilf, Sylvia and the Doctor for the latest edition of his reality TV series. Of course, Justin knows that any supernatural phenomena can be faked. Ghosts can’t possibly be real. Can they..?

3.2 One Mile Down by Jenny T Colgan

Donna and the Doctor take a holiday – in the beautiful underwater city of Vallarasee. Things have changed since the Doctor last swam through it: Vallarasee is now enclosed inside an airdome. Judoon patrol historic sites, and instead of tourists wearing helmets to breathe, the native Fins are forced to adapt. But leaks have begun to trickle into the dome, and the Doctor and Donna must convince the Judoon that disaster is imminent. Or else thousands will be trapped, as the waters rise…

3.3 The Creeping Death by Roy Gill

London, 1952, and a deadly smog envelops the capital. But something even more dangerous – and alien – is hiding within the mists. When the Doctor and Donna get lost in the fog, they find a motley group of Londoners trying to make their way home. Soon the stakes are raised, as death creeps along fume-choked streets and not everyone will make it out alive….

Out for release in May 2019, we’ll pop back into history where menacing threats lurk in 1950s London’s smog in an entrancing tale by Roy Gill, we’ll explore dangerous underwater worlds with the Judoon in a thriller by Jenny T Colgan, and James Goss takes the Doctor, Donna and family on their most treacherous journey yet… into the horrifying world of reality television!

Jacqueline King who plays Donna’s mother, the incomparable Sylvia Noble, told Big Finish about returning to the role:

“Doctor Who has been the gift that keeps on giving. I started, believing I was to appear in one Christmas episode, then was thrilled to appear in more. I recently returned to the role with Big Finish and it was like putting a cherished old sweater back on. That old sweater will have to be washed and conditioned ready for this episode with the A team back in full. Can’t believe my luck. I’m guessing it might actually feel a bit emotional.”

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume 3 is available for pre-order now from the Big Finish webstite. A five-disc collector’s edition – limited to 5,000 copies – is available on CD in deluxe bookset packaging.

Order Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume 3 from Big Finish

The Third Doctor and Jo reunite with Liz Shaw and the Brigadier!

This is a special volume for classic Doctor Who fans! The Third Doctor reunites with his first companion (played by Caroline John’s daughter, Daisy Ashford). The Brigadier is voiced impeccably by legendary impressionist John Culshaw. Plus, the Primords from classic Doctor Who story return!

Order Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures Volume 5 from Big Finish

Nicola Bryant tells a Sixth Doctor and Peri tale

“Welcome to ODIN Megastore, where everything is for sale. Even your planet.” Peri and the Sixth Doctor find themselves trapped in a complex yet comfortable super mega store.

Order Doctor Who Short Trips: Under ODIN’s Eye from Big Finish

It’s Torchwood vs Doctor Who Monsters!

Suzie Costello, the black sheep of the Torchwood team, meets the most duplicitous of the Slitheen – Margaret, mayor of Cardiff. Together, they’ll be tied at the hip. Literally. And Cardiff is set to blow!

Order Torchwood: Sync from Big Finish

All titles are initially available exclusively from the Big Finish website in May. Check back here next month for a roundup of their June releases.

The Tenth Doctor and Donna get limited edition vinyl release exclusive to ASDA

3 May 2019 admin Comments 0 Comment

Following the sell-out success of Big Finish Productions’ limited edition Doctor Who stories on vinyl records last year, the audio company has announced another exclusive collaboration with UK supermarket, ASDA.

ASDA will launch Doctor Who: The Creeping Death starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate on Friday 24th May 2019. It will be released as a limited edition of 1,000 copies on neon ‘slime’ green vinyl – only available in the UK.

London, 1952, and a deadly smog envelops the capital. But something even more dangerous – and alien – is hiding within the mists. When the Doctor and Donna get lost in the fog, they find a motley group of Londoners trying to make their way home. Soon the stakes are raised as death creeps along fume-choked streets, and not everyone will make it out alive…

David Tennant portrayed the Tenth Doctor on screen from 2005 until January 2010, returning to star alongside Matt Smith and John Hurt in the 50th Anniversary Special, The Day of the Doctor, in 2013.

Catherine Tate made her debut as Donna Noble in December 2006, and after a series and two Christmas specials, she made her last appearance alongside David on the 1st January 2010. Their on-screen partnership is generally regarded as one of the great high-points of the enduring Doctor Who phenomenon.

The Creeping Death, written by Roy Gill, is one of three stories in the latest volume of the Tenth Doctor’s audio adventures which is also being released in May.

Doctor Who: The Creeping Death will be available from ASDA in the UK from Friday 24th May 2019.

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume 3 is available for pre-order now from Big Finish as a five-disc CD collector’s edition (limited to 5,000 copies) in deluxe bookset packaging for £35, with the download version for £25 (available on release).