The Gallifrey Chronicles

Happy Birthday Tom Baker

2012-01-20T15:32:00.000Z

78 Years Young

Sarah Jane Adventures Series 1 - 5 Boxset

2012-01-04T18:59:00.001Z

Release Date: 6th February 2012 Priced£51.99
amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Jane-Adventures-1-5-Box/

2011-12-31T17:26:00.000Z

Doctor Who star David Tennant will be getting married to the daughter of former Timelord Peter Davison today, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The dashing actor, who is credited with helping to revive the BBC sci-fi series, will tie the knot with pretty Georgia Moffett in an intimate New Year’s Eve ceremony in London.
The couple already have a baby daughter called Olive, who was born in March, and have been making plans to marry ever since Mr Tennant proposed last Christmas.

David Yates Talks Doctor Who Movie

2011-12-02T21:07:00.000Z

'Doctor Who' moving to autumn, confirms Steven Moffat

2011-11-25T21:14:00.001Z

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has confirmed plans for the sci-fi drama to air in the autumn next year.

The 50-year-old, writing in Doctor Who Magazine, dismissed the possibility of the show airing during the summer.

Moffat said: "Doctor Who in the summer? All that running down tunnels, with torches, and the sunlight streaming through your windows and bleaching out the screen? All those barbecues and children playing outside, while on the telly there are green monsters seething in their CGI-enhanced lairs? It's just not right is it? Be honest.

"For me, as a kid, when the afternoon got darker and there was a thrill of cold in the air, I knew that even though summer was over, the TARDIS was coming back! So yes, that's part of the plan, that's part of the reason for this little delay. But it's not the whole story."

Since its revival in 2005, each full Doctor Who series has premiered in the spring, with only the most recent run ending in the autumn.

Source: DigitalSpy

Sadie Miller on BBC One's 'Breakfast' 4th November 2011

2011-11-05T17:17:00.000Z

Doctor Who Confidential Comes To An End

2011-09-29T21:50:00.000+01:00

For the past seven years, Doctor Who Confidential has put you at the heart of Doctor Who, providing a unique insight into the stars, the show and the entire production.

This journey reaches a fitting finale on Saturday when Doctor Who Confidential premiers a brand new mini-adventure starring Matt Smith as the Doctor. Viewers have seen the story, Death is the Only Answer, being made, watching the entire process from script to screen. Saturday's episode, entitled When Time Froze, also includes the ultimate feature on River Song, with Alex Kingston providing a brilliant timeline of everyone's favourite time travelling archaeologist.

The Confidential team captured the rebirth of the show back in 2005 and for over half a decade they have given an unsurpassed, access-all-areas insight not just into Doctor Who, but the magic and mechanics of making successful drama. From an episode directed by David Tennant, to the special edition that broke the news that Matt Smith would be the Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who Confidential has always delivered the very best in must-see behind-the-scenes action.

The final episode of Doctor Who Confidential, When Time Froze, is on BBC Three on Saturday, immediately after The Wedding of River Song,

Doctor Who Wins At TV Choice Awards 2011

2011-09-14T15:09:00.000+01:00

Doctor Who has triumphed at the 2011 TV Choice Awards claiming two wins; 'Best Family Drama' and 'Best Actress' went to Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond in the show.

Previous 'Doctor', David Tennant beat the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith for 'Best Actor', for his performance in Single Father.

The awards ceremony was presented by Ben Miller and took place at London's Savoy hotel, with each category voted for by members of the public.

Doctor Who Street Art Says WALK / DON'T WALK. It's all wibbly wobbly, timey wimey

2011-07-30T19:42:00.001+01:00

At the San Diego Comic-Con last week, some intrepid soul transformed decidedly pedestrian crosswalk buttons into jazzy Timelord Crossing Indicators. And this Whovian tagger went the extra mile and adorned different buttons with different Doctors.

Source: io9.com

Torchwood: Miracle Day Trailer

2011-05-25T18:44:00.000+01:00

Torchwood: Miracle Day Trailer by radionovadj

Springfield Punx: Lis Sladen Tribute

2011-05-09T19:49:00.002+01:00

Springfield Punx artist Dean Fraser has brought Doctor Who favourite and the late Lis Sladen to the world of Springfield.

springfieldpunx.blogspot.com

BBC to screen final filmed episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures

2011-05-05T18:07:00.000+01:00

As the BBC confirms it won't be continuing with the show, it's been revealed that the final, completed episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures are to be screened.

If you're anything like us, you're still struggling with the shock and unfairness of the death of Elisabeth Sladen last month. Tributes poured in for the late, great actress from people of all ages, and it's clear that she's left behind a mass of appreciative fans. Us included. May she rest in peace.
As expected, her untimely death means that the BBC has no plans now to film further episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures. But it has now confirmed that it will screen the episodes that were already shot. The BBC statement reads:
"Contrary to press reports today we can confirm that no new episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures will be filmed following the tragic death of actress Elisabeth Sladen in April, 2011. As a tribute to Elisabeth the six episodes that were recorded with her last year will be broadcast on CBBC at a date to be confirmed."
Once we have that transmission date, we'll be sure to let you know. Our thoughts remain with Elisabeth Sladen's family.

Source: Den Of Geek

CBBC - My Sarah Jane: A Tribute To Elisabeth Sladen

2011-04-24T20:01:00.000+01:00

Aired on the CBBC digital channel at 18:45 (GMT), shown straight after Doctor Who Series 32 Episode1 'The Impossible Astronaut' on BBC1.

I actually cried whiilst watching this very moving tribute to the wonderful Lis Sladen. I have never cried over the departure of a celebrity before and I doubt I ever will again.

May you forever wonder the corridors of Time & Space. R.I.P. My Sarah Jane xx

Elisabeth Sladen Dies Aged 63

2011-04-21T17:32:00.002+01:00

Elisabeth Sladen

(1st February 1948 - 19th April 2011)

It is with a saddened heart that I write this post. Elisabeth Sladen has sadly passed away on the morning of Tuesday, 19th April 2011. She was best known as Doctor Who's most loved companion, journalist Sarah Jane Smith.

Born in Liverpool in 1948, Elisabeth Sladen started her career as an assistant stage manager at the Liverpool Playhouse. Her first stage role was as a corpse before starring in 'Ferry Across The Mersey' as an extra. She went on to play Desdemona in Othello prior to appearing in Coronation Street as a barmaid. She walked the cobbles for six episodes!

Sladen appeared in various TV shows as Z Cars, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. In 1973, she took over the role of companion to the Doctor from Katy Manning (Jo Grant) in Doctor Who. Starring alongside Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker as the Third & Fourth Doctors. She stayed for three and a half series before leaving in 1976. Elisabeth Sladen and Tom Baker wrote the exit of Sarah Jane themselves.

The departure of such a well-loved character as Sarah Jane Smith even made it to the front pages of the tabloids, when it was usually the change of the Doctor himself! After leaving the show, Sladen returned to her roots in Liverpool and to the theatre.

In 1981, she reprised her role of Sarah Jane Smith in K9 & Company:A Girl's Best Friend. The first spin off from Doctor Who. Unfortunately, it was not to go beyond a pilot.

Russell T Davies (former Exec Producer Doctor Who 2005 - 2009), brought Elisabeth Sladen back to the folds of Doctor Who in 2006's School Reunion with David Tennant as the Doctor, and in 2008's two-part finale The Stolen Earth & Journey's End. In 2007, under RTD, CBBC & BBC1 aired the first series of The Sarah Jane Adventures. A fourth series is due to air later in 2011.

David Tennant on BBC's Breakfast show:

Elisabeth Sladen leaves behind husband Brian Miller and daughter Sadie Miller.

The 116-page magazine is on sale now, priced £6.99.

Doctor Who Comic Relief 18th March 2011

2011-03-10T16:31:00.000Z

Steven Moffat has revealed more details on the Doctor Who Comic Relief special.
First up, Moffat confirms that there are two mini-episodes, not one as originally thought, and each will be around 4 minutes long. One of them is called Space and the other Time.
Moffat told SFX: “It’s not a spoof. It’s in the style of the ones that we’ve done for Children In Need, so it’s taken seriously as a proper bit of Doctor Who – funny, but not a sketch. A little miniature story.
“There’s a moment with two Amy Ponds in it. If you’re a red-blooded male surely that’s enough! You’ve got Amy Pond flirting with herself.
“I think they’re really good, really very funny. It’s Matt, Karen and Arthur, and there isn’t a guest character. It’s just the three of them. A moment of life aboard the TARDIS. But obviously life about the TARDIS instantly gets you into terrible jeopardy, and all of causality is threatene

Source: Doctor Who TV http://doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who-space-and-time-16150.htm#ixzz1GDNE9KKR

Doctor Who 'Brigadier' Nicholas Courtney dies aged 81

2011-02-23T20:42:00.000Z

Nicholas Courtney appeared opposite five different Doctors, including Sylvester McCoy (l)

The series regular passed away after a short illness, his agent told the BBC. He had been suffering from cancer.
The actor appeared on screen opposite many different Doctors and worked with some more on Doctor Who audio stories.
Former Doctor Tom Baker remembered him as "a wonderful companion" with "a marvellous resonant voice".
"Of all the characters in Doctor Who there is no doubt that he was the most loved by the fans," he wrote on his official website.

'Nick' Courtney had already appeared in such series as Escape and The Saint before making his first Doctor Who appearance in 1965, playing a character named Bret Vyon.
He returned to the show in 1968 to make his first appearance as the Brigadier opposite the second Doctor, Patrick Troughton.
The stalwart of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT) would periodically return over the next two decades before his final appearance in 1989.
In 2008 he reprised his Brigadier role in Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures.

In 2008 he appeared in an episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures

Courtney appeared on other shows during his Doctor Who years, including The Avengers, Callan, The Champions and Minder.
Afterwards he had parts in such popular dramas as The Bill, Casualty and Doctors and was recently heard on BBC Radio 7 series The Scarifyers.
In 1997 he became honorary president of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society in recognition of the 107 episodes in which he appeared.
League of Gentlemen star and Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss remembered the actor as "a childhood hero and the sweetest of gentlemen".
Impressionist Jon Culsaw said Courtney was "a brilliant actor and warm, charming man", while Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright paid tribute to "a true gent".

Source: BBC News

DWM 429 -Christmas Bumper Edition 2010

2010-12-10T18:41:00.000Z

Price: £4.99 On sale Thursday 16th December 2010
Includes bonus art cards!!

The cast of Doctor Who gets the Lego minifig treatment Ulises Farinas has wowed us before with his illustrations of superheroes as Lego minifigs. Now he does the same with the cast of Doctor Who.

2010-11-06T15:41:00.000Z

Ulises Farinas has wowed us before with his illustrations of superheroes as Lego minifigs. Now he does the same with the cast of Doctor Who. Perhaps this could provide some inspiration for a Doctor Who Lego line? [

DWM Cover 426

2010-09-15T15:18:00.001+01:00

On sale Thursday 23rd September 2010 Price: £4.20

Picture taken used from facebook group - Doctor Who Magazne

Doctor Who Series 31 Boxset

2010-09-09T16:37:00.000+01:00

2|entertain released details of the lenticular artwork that adorns the cover of The Complete Fifth Series DVD Box-set, due for release on both sides of the Atlantic, around 8th November.

The box-set, consisting of 6 discs, will contain all the episodes in Matt Smith's first series as the Doctor. Episodes 1, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 13 will have in-vision commentaries and the set will include deleted scenes, video diaries and versions of Doctor Who Confidential. Exclusively filmed scenes giving an insight to what has happened in the TARDIS between episodes are also included in the set.

To promote the release there will be a chance to meet Matt Smith and Karen Gillan at HMV Oxford Street in London. Taking place on Monday 8th November from 1-3pm, the event will only be open to 300 people. Access will be via wristbands which will be available only from HMV London from 9.00am on Monday 8th November onwards. One wristband per customer maximum, in person only, while stocks last and subject to availability.

The box-set, consisting of 6 discs, will contain all the episodes in Matt Smith's first series as the Doctor. Episodes 1, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 13 will have in-vision commentaries and the set will include deleted scenes, video diaries and versions of Doctor Who Confidential. Exclusively filmed scenes giving an insight to what has happened in the TARDIS between episodes are also included in the set.

To promote the release there will be a chance to meet Matt Smith and Karen Gillan at HMV Oxford Street in London. Taking place on Monday 8th November from 1-3pm, the event will only be open to 300 people. Access will be via wristbands which will be available only from HMV London from 9.00am on Monday 8th November onwards. One wristband per customer maximum, in person only, while stocks last and subject to availability.

Source: gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com

Gaming: Doctor Who For Wii & DS

2010-09-06T23:00:00.000+01:00

Koch Media has announced two Doctor Who titles for Wii and DS, subtitled Return To Earth and Evacuation Earth. You can read the full story here.

While few details were provided, covers for each release have been revealed showing that Daleks and Cyberman will most certainly feature. And, considering the games involve travelling either to or from Earth, we'd put money on some kind of interaction between the two. Take a look at the covers below.digitspy.co.uk/gaming/

Sarah Jane Adventures Series Four

2010-09-06T22:50:00.000+01:00

The fourth series of the CBBC Sarah jane Adventures begins it's run on Monday, 11th October 2010 approx time 16:35. The first episode is entitled - The Nightmare Man.

Fourth Doctor with K9 figures announced

2010-08-19T16:39:00.000+01:00

This Doctor masked his brilliant and inventive mind behind a façade of bohemian eccentricity. The longest lived incarnation of the Doctors so far, he was forced to change his body after losing a fight with his old enemy the Master and falling from a radio telescope to the ground beneath him…

£19.99 Available from 30th September 2010

K-9 from ‘WARRIORS’ GATE’
K-9 is a mobile computer in the shape of a dog. He was constructed by Professor Marinus to be a companion for him whilst working at a medical foundation in deep space. K-9 is both a huge database and has defensive capabIlities, being equipped with a retractable laser in his nose which can be set to stun or kill.

He can integrate with virtually any computer system including the TARDIS and has also helped the Doctor escape many a tricky and dangerous situation.

The Doctor rebuilt K-9 several times, upgrading and improving each version. In this exclusive release we present the Fourth Doctor in his famous season 18 burgundy outfit andfeaturing a stunning new head sculpt. He is accompanied by the trusty K-9.

Forbidden Planet

New Claws Of Axos TwinPack & 3rd Doctor Sonic Screwdriver

2010-08-13T16:45:00.001+01:00

This set comprises of both the Master in his iconic suit with his Tissue Compression Eliminator weapon accessory & Axon. £24.99
Third Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver with two sounds and spring loaded sound activation. £19.99 Avilable 10th September 2010 from Forbidden Planet

DWN 425

2010-08-12T18:22:00.000+01:00

On sale Thursday 21stst August 2010 Price: £4.20

Torchwood Series Four - Subtitle Revealed!

2010-08-07T23:02:00.002+01:00

Torchwood: The New World - Summer 2011

Starz' "Torchwood" reboot will be titled "Torchwood: The New World" and creator Russell T Davies gave some insight into the storyline.

The new story will follow a CIA agent (Rex) and analyst (Ester) who tackle an alien-related global issue. Torchwood, having been destroyed and disbanded, is "like a legend now ... it's like something that's ceased to exist and is now spoken of only in whispers." Soon, Rex and Ester are on the run and are seeking out the help of Captain Jack and Gwen.

"The two teams coming together is a big part of the story -- are they friends or enemies? There's a lot of sparks and excitement."

"We definitely have a really big story to tell," added executive producer Julie Gardner. "It's absolutely rebooted to welcome in a new audience." (Hear that "reboot" haters? She said "reboot." Reboot! Reboot!).

The ten episodes will be very fast paced, telling a self-contained story with the miniseries "Children of Earth" being used as a template.

Being on Starz, the show could potentially take advantage of looser standards for nudity and violence.

"I've always had loose standards and practices," Davies said. "If the story demands intimacy or savagery, we will go there absolutely ... [but] there's nothing better than a great big global thriller that stops for a sex scene -- it's probably hard to make that happen in a thriller."

Source: livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com

Amy's History Hunt

2010-07-30T20:53:00.001+01:00

New interactive game with Karen Gillan as Amy Pond. Help her to find various artefacts.

Two New Fifth Doctor Figures Announced!

2010-07-29T14:25:00.000+01:00

Forbidden Planet

Following the events at the Pharos Project which caused his regeneration, the Fifth Doctor escapes with his companions back to the TARDIS. Suffering from post-regeneration trauma, he only narrowly manages to save the ship from destruction as it plunges back through time to Event One, the hydrogen in-rush that preceded the creation of the universe.

Fifth Doctor (Regeneration Burgundy Outfit)

The Fifth Doctor in his outfit from 'Castrovalva'. £14.99

Fifth Doctor & The Master: Planet Of Fire

The Fifth Doctor and The Master as seen in 'Planet Of Fire'. £24.99

Doctor Who: TARDIS Playset

Make any adventure with your 5" Doctor Who action figures come to life with this TARDIS playset - a great reproduction of the console room from the new Eleventh Doctor's time machine! £39.99

Whomer Simpson

2010-07-22T18:20:00.004+01:00

According to The SUN newspaper, American Doctor Who fans are campaiging to get Matt Smith's Doctor on The Simpsons. Full article here.
You can see more of Springfiels Punx Doctor Who/Simpsons creations here

'Doctor Who' DVD boxset details revealed

2010-07-21T19:23:00.001+01:00

Details of the upcoming Doctor Who fifth series DVD and Blu-ray boxsets have been revealed.

The sets will reportedly include specially-filmed scenes revealing what happened in the Tardis between episodes.

Other features include a video diary recorded throughout filming by lead actor Matt Smith, special 'cut-down' editions of behind-the-scenes show Doctor Who Confidential and the 'Monster Diaries' featurettes previously available on the individual DVD releases.

Both versions of the boxset will be released on November 8, priced £69.99 (on DVD) and £79.99 (on Blu-ray).

DigitalSpy

Matt Smith is staying put, says Karen Gillan

2010-07-19T15:32:00.003+01:00

Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond, the assistant to Matt Smith's Doctor Who, has reassuring news for his fans. The actor isn't about to decamp to Los Angeles.

"Matt will be sticking around," she told me at the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club yesterday. "I think those rumours were made up."

Karen, added that she and Smith have started filming the Doctor Who Christmas special, and adds that the atmosphere on the set is "great."

Source

Christmas Special 2010 - Guests Confirmed

2010-07-13T23:47:00.002+01:00

It's been confirmed that the BAFTA-winning Sir Michael Gambon and Welsh star Katherine Jenkins are playing major roles in the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

The adventure will star Matt Smith as the Doctor, alongside Karen Gillan as Amy and Arthur Darvill as Rory. They'll be joined by, amongst others, Michael Gambon, one of the industry's most respected actors who has starred in TV classics such as The Singing Detective and Longitude as well as Academy Award-winning films including Gosford Park and Sleepy Hollow. Recently he has become popular with a new generation, right across the world as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies.

Katherine Jenkins also stars in the special. She's currently best known as a mezzo-soprano and is one of the world's most successful classical singers. 'I'm over the moon to be involved in the Doctor Who Christmas Special!' Katherine said. 'I can't quite believe it as it's a part of the family tradition at the Jenkins household. I heard the news that I got the role on my 30th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever!'

We'll be bringing you the latest news about the special over the weeks and months ahead.

Penblwydd Hapus!

2010-07-10T18:23:00.003+01:00

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!
JOHN RONALD SIMM

BIO:

Born John Ronald Simm in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He is an actor and musician. His father, Ronald, taught him guitar and by the age of 12, he joined his father on stage at various Working Mens Clubs, singing and evntually playing guitar.

In 1986 and at the age of 16, Simm went to the Blackpool & The Flyde College in Lytham St Annes for three years and starred in Guys & Dolls and West Side Story. However, he soon decided that musical theatre didn't interest him, so he joined an amateur dramatic group and honed his skills in his spare time, playing the title roles in Billy Liar and Amadeus to great local acclaim. He then moved to London and attended the Drama Centre London at the age of 19, where he studied the Stanislavski School of Acting, and graduated in 1992.

Independently of his acting, throughout the 1990s, Simm was a founder member, songwriter and guitarist with the rock band Magic Alex (named after The Beatles self-styled electronics wizard "Magic Alex" Mardas".The group played support on two British tours with Echo & The Bunneymen. Plus, Simm plays guitar on the album Slideling, by his friend Echo & The Bunneymen singer Ian McCulloch. Simm also played lead guitar on a few of McCulloch's solo live shows, including one at Wembley arena as main support to Coldplay. Magic Alex released one album, Dated and Sexist, before splitting in 2005.

TV work includes; 1992 - T.V. debut in Rumpole of the Bailey, bit parts in The Bill, Heartbeat, The Locksmith, two series of BBC comedy Men of the World before playing a murderer in Chiller. 1995 - His breakthrough came in classic Manchester based drama Cracker, where he played troubled teenanger Bill Preece. This also starred future Time Lord Christopher Eccleston. He also made his feature film debut in Boston Kickout beating the late Dennis Hopper to the Best Actor award at the Valencia Film Festival. Two series of The Lakes followed in 1997 & 1999.

In 2005, he took on the role of Sam Tyler in the now cult 'Life On Mars' opposite Phillip Glenister's Gene Hunt, which ran for two series and spawning a sequal 'Ashes To Ashes'.

In 2007, John Simm played the iconic role of The Master in series 29 of Doctor Who opposite David Tennant's Doctor. Christmas 2009, Simm reprised the role in the finale to Tennant's swan song 'The End Of Time' Part One and Part Two Shown on New Years Day 2010.

2007's Utopia

2009/2010 The End Of Time

Full biography

11th Doctor TARDIS Play Set

2010-07-08T18:57:00.001+01:00

The new 2010 Tardis Playset is a multi-level tiered replica of the 11th Doctor's TARDIS interior including all new Time Rotor and Tardis Console.

Available for Christmas. Price TBC

RC Dalek Drone

2010-07-07T18:39:00.002+01:00

Available to pre-order £44.99 (Save £5). Expected 4th August 2010

Forbidden Planet

DWM No 424

2010-07-06T15:45:00.002+01:00

Available in shops Thursday 22nd July 2010 Priced £4.20

1st Doctor & TARDIS Set

2010-07-02T15:10:00.001+01:00

This exclusive set features the First Doctor and TARDIS, as they appeared in ‘An Unearthly Child’.

Doctor figure comes with walking stick and skull accessory.

The TARDIS features opening doors, a spring activated right hand door and takeoff and landing light and sound effects.

£34.99 availble 14th July 2010

Forbidden Planet

Johnny Depp as The Doctor in Movie??

2010-07-01T00:44:00.004+01:00

According to tor.com, Johnny Depp is to portray our much loved Time Lord The Doctor, in a movie version to be released in 2012! The script has supposedly been written by Russsell T Davies.

The rumour of an American movie adaptation of the classic British sci-fi series was originally raised when Russell T. Davies and show producer Julie Gardner announced their departure from the BBC revival of the show for Los Angeles in 2008 in order to develop projects for BBC America. Though both were mum on the idea of adapting Doctor Who for American audiences, it was eventually revealed that Torchwood was undergoing that very process.

This would be so wrong! As much as I am a fan of JD, an American can not and should not be allowed to take away the Britishness of our beloved Doctor! It would be a travesty beyond imagination!! NO! NO! NO! NO! So obviously an internet scam jokey thing!

The Master John Simm Reunites With Life On Mars Philip Glenister

2010-06-28T20:46:00.003+01:00

Max Beesley, John Simm, Philip Glenister and Marc Warren, who are to star in Mad Dogs. Photograph: Rankin/Sky

Philip Glenister, Max Beesley, John Simm and Marc Warren are to star in Mad Dogs, a new Sky1 high definition drama about a group of schoolfriends who get more than they bargained for when they go abroad for a retirement party.

The fortysomethings are invited to a friend's villa in Majorca to celebrate the retirement party for another old school friend, Alvo, who has made his fortune in property. However, the holiday turns into a "labyrinthine nightmare of lies, deception and murder".

Mad Dogs is due to air on Sky1 and Sky1 HD in four, 60-minute episodes in the spring of 2011. Location filming in Majorca begins this week.

The drama has been written by Cris Cole and is being made by the independent producer Left Bank Pictures, the company responsible for Wallander and the Sky1 drama Strike Back, which begins this week. Mad Dogs was commissioned by Elaine Pyke, Sky1's head of drama.

Mad Dogs is being executive-produced by Pyke, Left Bank's founder and chief executive Andy Harries and Suzanne Mackie, the company's head of film. Adrian Shergold is directing, with Spencer Campbell producing.

SJA: Guests & Episodes Titles

2010-06-28T19:05:00.003+01:00

Episode titles have been revealed for the fourth series of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The six stories of the fourth series:

Episodes 1&2 'The Nightmare Man' by Joseph Lidster
Episodes 3&4 'The Vault of Secrets' by Phil Ford
Episodes 5&6 'Death of the Doctor' by Russell T Davies
Episodes 7&8 'The Empty Planet' by Gareth Roberts
Episodes 9&10 'Lost in Time' by Rupert Laight
Episodes 11&12 'Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith' by Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman

Julian Bleach, who previously played The Ghostmaker in Torchwoods 'Out of the Rain' and Davros in Doctor Who - 'The Stolen Earth/Journey's End', will guest star as the Nightmare Man in the first two-parter. Other names confirmed are Cheryl Campbell, Cyril Nri and Julie Graham are also due to appear.

Doctor Who Christmas Script Goes Missing

2010-06-28T18:56:00.003+01:00

The script for the forthcoming Doctor Who Christmas special has reportedly gone missing.

According to the Daily Star, filming for the special "has been thrown into jeopardy" by the loss.

Executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat is said to be "facing a race against time to create a new draft before filming commences next month".

Moffat also allegedly revealed that the episode would be "a flashback Christmas special."

The final episode of the programme's fifth series aired on June 26. A new series is expected to follow the Christmas special in 2011.

Two past Doctor Who writers Paul Cornell and Tom MacRae may be returning for the show's sixth series.

Morgan Jeffery digitalspy.co.uk

Orbital & Matt Smith At Glastonbury 27.06.10

2010-06-28T16:58:00.002+01:00

Underground Toys unveil exclusive SDCC figure set

2010-06-24T16:55:00.001+01:00

Underground Toys have unveiled their new Doctor Who figure set, which will be sold exclusively at the 41st San Diego Comic Con.

The set includes the Eleventh Doctor and the orange Scientist Dalek introduced in Victory of the Daleks. According to their website, the item will be available to purchase in their booth, #3949, and BBC America’s booth, #3629, at this year’s convention, which takes place from Thursday July 22nd-Sunday July 25th.

'Doctor Who' Tardis sold for over £10,000

2010-06-24T16:51:00.001+01:00

A Doctor Who Tardis has sold for over £10,000 at auction.

The prop, used by Christopher Eccleston, was expected to reach about £8,000 in the Bonham's sale but eventually fetched £10,800.

The Mirror reports that a Tardis model made for an exhibition sold for £900 and a Cyberman helmet from 1967 went for £7,800.

Elsewhere, two Daleks from the 1960s fetched £4,800 each and a model of K-9 eventually sold for £1,200.

By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter, digitalspy.co.uk

DWM423 - Free Double Sided Poster!

2010-06-20T20:38:00.003+01:00

Available at newsagents & other outlets on Thursday 24th June 2010 Priced: £4.20

Inside The Doctor's new home... and there's more room than the Tardis

2010-06-20T18:28:00.002+01:00

New acquisition: Doctor who star Matt Smith has purchased this two-bedroom apartment in North London, and like the Tardis, from the outside looks can be deceiving

He famously travels in a blue police box with more space inside than outside.

So when it came to buying a new home it’s no surprise Doctor Who star Matt Smith needed a pad with the right dimensions.

From the outside, his flat looks like a church. But just like the Tardis, appearances can be deceptive. The narrow windows give no clue to the scale inside. The two-bedroom apartment has a 31ft lounge and a triple-height vaulted ceiling.

It is the 27-year-old’s first property purchase since he became the 11th and youngest-ever actor to play the Doctor. The North London flat is being sold by hip-hop star DJ Yoda – real name Duncan Beiny – who accepted an offer above the £775,000 asking price. Estate agents call it a ‘magnificent property’ boasting ‘beautiful stained-glass windows’.

Article by Daniel Boffey

MailOnline

Infrared Battle: Remote Control Daleks

2010-06-16T23:42:00.003+01:00

Drone Strategist

Many Years ago, the Daleks sent out thousands of egg-shaped Progenitors containing the genetic coding of the race, so that new Daleks could be created whenever necessary. One of these Progenitors was found in war-torn England during the Second World War and transported to a Dalek ship.

However, because the Daleks that found it had been genetically modified by their creator Davros, using his own DNA, the Progenitor did not acknowledge them as pure Daleks, until the Doctor identified them as such and the Progenitor created a new race of powerful Daleks as a result. Amongst these Daleks were the Red Drones and Blue Strategists.

This fully functional radio controlled Dalek has full 360 degree movement control and a built-in infrared combat system which allows you to use two Daleks to battle against each other. Features also include flashing lights, speech a poseable gun and arm. Infrared battle with two Daleks requires two Daleks of different control frequencies (27 MHz & 40 MHz).

Two to collect; One Dalek supplied.

Requires 6 x AAA batteries.

Pre-Order £17.99 RRP £19.99 Available 20 July 2010.
Forbidden Planet

Whoniverse Takes Over The Portal Awards

2010-06-15T11:44:00.002+01:00

David Tennant has been nominated for Best Actor at this year's Portal Awards. 'The End Of Time', David's last appearance as The Doctor, is up for Best Episode award, with Doctor Who up for Best Television award.

Also nominated are: Karen Gillan, Eve Myles for Best Television Actress, Bernard Cribbins has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor, ALex Kingston is nominated as Best Special Guest against Leonard Nimoy in Fringe. For Best Story award are 'The End Of Time' and Torchwood's 'Children Of Time' are up against American shows Lost, Smallville and Fringe.

Eccleston "wasn't comfortable" on 'Who'

2010-06-15T11:33:00.001+01:00

Christopher Eccleston has revealed that he left Doctor Who because he was unhappy with the working environment.

Eccleston joined the show when it was rebooted in 2005 but left after one series.

In an interview with the Radio Times, the actor explained that he "wasn't comfortable" on the programme and added: "I think it's more important to be your own man than be successful, so I left."

He continued: "I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that I didn't want to do any more. I didn't enjoy the environment and the culture that we, the cast and crew, had to work in. I thought if I stay in this job, I'm going to have to blind myself to certain things that I thought were wrong."

However, Eccleston explained that he is proud of his time on the show and claimed that "the most important thing" is that he was able to play The Doctor.

"I really feel that because it kind of broke the mould and it helped to reinvent it," he said. "I'm very proud of it."

Eccleston will appear as John Lennon in BBC Four drama Lennon Naked later this month. By

Catriona Wightman digitalspy.co.uk

Family Guy Meets Doctor Who

2010-06-13T19:06:00.003+01:00

Family Guy's Stewie takes on the role of The Doctor.

Go here for the website:karcreat.com/DoctorStew

The Gangling Gallifreyan - A Timely Debut

2010-06-12T21:26:00.003+01:00

The Eleven Doctors Figure Set

2010-06-11T15:00:00.003+01:00

The ultimate Doctor Who collectors set!

Features all eleven incarnations of the Doctor presented in an impressive TARDIS display box.

Pre-Order Price
£46.99 RRP £49.99
You Save: £3.00 (6%)

Pre-Order

This item is expected at our warehouse on 08 August 2010.

Forbiddenplanet.com

Galaxy Four are doing this item for £49.99. They expect to have the item 10th July 2010.

I would rather wait and save the £3!

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP SECURES NEW SERIES OF TORCHWOOD

2010-06-07T20:50:00.003+01:00

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network, Starz Entertainment, have today announced a three way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit BBC sci-fi drama Torchwood. BBC Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.

The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Davies and BBC Worldwide Productions’ SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The series has been commissioned by Controller BBC ONE, Jay Hunt, Controller BBC Drama, Ben Stephenson, and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.

Full article here

Torchwood Comic

2010-06-02T10:27:00.000+01:00

Torchwood #1

The BBC TV series hits the world of comics!

Queen Victoria's finest hit comics this months with the special debut issue of Torchwood! Written by Captain Jack himself, actor John Barrowman brings you the story of 'The Selkie', with mysterious doings on a remote Scottish island

Art is courtesy of Turf's Tommy Lee Edwards!

Price: £2.65 Forbidden Planet

Brand New Doctor Who Figures Announced

2010-05-27T16:53:00.002+01:00

Forbidden Planet - 11th Doctor Wave 1 Figures release date 25th July 2010

11th Doctor, Amy Pond & Professor Bracewell

MOD Dalek & New Drone Dalek

Hawthorne, Decayed Weeping Angel & Peter the Winder with hidden Smiler face

All available for Pre Order Price £7.99 RRP £8.99

DWM No 422

2010-05-25T18:10:00.000+01:00

On sale Thursday 27th May 2010 Price: £4.20

A Gallifreyan Nightmare!!

2010-05-20T09:42:00.002+01:00

i09.com - have given us a trully Gallifreyan Nightmare courtesy of one of their subscibers - Christoval. He took a concept and made it reality in the form of the above poster as how Disney would interpret our beloved Doctor Who. What a terrifying thought -EEK!!

Here are two other images including a clean look at the poster:-

Chibi Daleks - now these are kinda cute. One could imagine these rolling along on your desk screaming out Exterminate! and not falling off your desk.

Doctor Who Rocks!

2010-05-17T18:11:00.005+01:00

Daleks and Cybermen are to tread the boards as TV hit Doctor Who regenerates into a live action arena tour.

The Tardis will materialise in nine UK cities on a 25-date Doctor Who Live tour in a spin-off that will see epic on-stage battles and special effects.

While Doctor Who Matt Smith will not appear live on stage, he and assistant Karen Gillan have filmed special scenes for the show.

Writer Steven Moffatt said he wanted to recreate the excitment for the stage.

"This is everything I ever wanted since I was 11," he said. "A live show, with all the coolest Doctor Who monsters, a proper story, and brand new screen material for Matt Smith's Doctor.

"I'll be writing scenes for it, and probably attending every single night."

Doctor Who Live will open in wartime London and end with what is described as an "epic on-stage battle".

The action will be set to a live soundtrack by TV show composer Murray Gold, with a 16-piece orchestra live on stage.

Gold said: "The live element always adds something extra, but these will also be brand new arrangements for a new band of very talented musicians. It's very exciting."

DOCTOR WHO TOUR DATES

Oct 8-10 - Wembley Arena
Oct 12-13 - Sheffield Arena
Oct 14-17 - Glasgow SECC
Oct 18-20 - Birmingham NIA
Oct 22-24 - Manchester MEN Arena
Oct 25-26 - Notts Trent FM Arena
Oct 28-31 - Cardiff Int Arena
Nov 2-3 - Liverpool Echo Arena

Tickets: doctorwholive.com/

New 10th Doctor Graphic Novel & 11th Books

2010-05-17T17:48:00.011+01:00

Doctor Who: Only Good Dalek (Hardcover)

An epic adventure featuring the Daleks - and the first Doctor Who graphic novel from BBC Books!

Top-secret Station 7 is where the Earth Forces send all the equipment captured in their war against the Daleks to be analysed and examined. But somehow the Daleks have found out about Station 7 - and there's something there that they want back. The Doctor and Amy arrive on the station, only to discover the terrible secret of Station 7. They don't just store captured Dalek technology, it's also a prison. And the only thing that might stop a Dalek is another Dalek!

£14.50 Available 19th September 2010.

Nuclear Time

‘My watch is running backwards.’

Colorado, 1978. The Doctor and Amy arrive in Appletown – an idyllic village in the remote American desert where the townsfolk go peacefully about their suburban routines. But when two more strangers arrive, things begin to change. The first is a mad scientist – whose warnings are cut short by an untimely and brutal death. The second is the Doctor… As death falls from the sky, the Doctor is trapped. The TARDIS is damaged, and the Doctor finds he is living backwards through time. With Amy being hunted through the suburban streets of the Doctor’s own future and getting farther away with every passing second, he must unravel the secrets of Appletown before time runs out… A thrilling, all-new adventure featuring the Doctor and Amy, as played by Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in the spectacular hit series from BBC Television.

The King's Dragon

‘They called it the Enamour. It turned minds, sold merchandise, and swayed elections. And it did its job far too well...’

In the city-state of Geath, the King lives in a golden hall, and the people want for nothing. Everyone is happy and everyone is rich. Or so it seems.

When the Doctor and Amy look beneath the surface, they discover a city of secrets. In dark corners, strange creatures are stirring. At the heart of the hall, a great metal dragon oozes gold. Then the Herald appears, demanding the return of her treasure... And next come the gunships.

The battle for possession of the treasure has begun, and only the Doctor and Amy can save the people of the city from being destroyed in the crossfire of an ancient civil war. But will the King surrender his new-found wealth? Or will he fight to keep it...?

The Glamourous Chase

‘Why are you here? I mean – who are you, exactly?’

An archaeological dig in 1936 unearths relics of another time... And – as the Doctor and Amy realise – another place. Another planet. But if Enola Porter, noted adventuress, has really found evidence of an alien civilisation, how come she isn’t famous? How come Amy’s never heard of her? Come to that, since she’s been travelling with him for a while now, how come Amy’s never even heard of the Doctor?

As the ancient spaceship reactivates, the Doctor discovers that nothing and no one can be trusted. The things that seem most real could actually be illusion. Obvious illusions could be real – and deadly.

Who can the Doctor trust when no one is what they seem? And how can he defeat an enemy who can bend reality itself to their will? For the Doctor and Amy – and all of humanity – the buried secrets of the past are very much a threat to the present...

The Eleventh Doctor hardbacks £4.89 and expected in shops in August 2010.

forbiddenplanet.com

FP New WHO Merchandise

2010-05-05T09:36:00.004+01:00

Poster £3.99

Birthday Cards

£4.99 £1.79
£1.99£1.35
£1.99 Badge Pack £2.99

Tees

All priced at £14.99

Forbidden Planet

Graham Norton Gets Exterminated By Cartoon Dalek

2010-05-04T11:14:00.001+01:00

After the end of 'The Time Of Angels', 24th April 2010, was spoilt by the BBC showing a cartoon Grahm Norton for the following programme - 'Over The Rainbow' - show which is searching for a new Dorothy for the stage play 'The Wizard Of OZ', Monday's Graham Norton Show, Norton took ther joke out of himself by being Exterminated by a cartoon Dalek.

The New Look Silurians

2010-04-30T15:39:00.004+01:00

The new look Silurians can be seen in episodes 8 & 9 - The Hungry Earth & Cold Blood.

Synopsis:

Writer: Chris Chibnall
Guest Stars: Meera Syal, Stephen Morre and Neve McIntosh

In 2015, the most ambitious drilling project in history is under way. Dr Nasreen Chaudhry and her team have reached 21 kilometres into the Earth’s crust – but something is stirring far below. Amy Pond discovers there’s nowhere to run when you can’t even trust the ground at your feet.

“While you’ve been drilling down… something else has been drilling up.”

Matt Smith cast as lead in new BBC Two drama

2010-04-28T16:21:00.002+01:00

Christopher And His Kind

This 90-minute film chronicles the formative years of one of the 20th century's most celebrated writers, Christopher Isherwood, based on his 1976 memoir of the same name.

Isherwood is played by Matt Smith (Doctor Who), who escapes repressive English society and his suffocating relationship with his mother (Lindsay Duncan) for the decadent – and politically unstable – world of Thirties Berlin.

The drama is written by acclaimed playwright Kevin Elyot (My Night With Reg), directed by Geoffrey Sax (Tipping The Velvet) and produced by Celia Duval (Margot) for Mammoth Screen, with Michele Buck, Kevin Elyot and Damien Timmer as executive producers. With Eleanor Moran, BBC executive producer, through Piers Wenger, Head of Drama, BBC Wales.

DWM 421

2010-04-26T15:51:00.000+01:00

On sale Thursday, 29th April 2010 Price: £4.20

William Hartnell (1908-1975)

2010-04-23T17:23:00.004+01:00

35 years ago today, the late great William Henry Hartnell passed away aged 67 years. He died from heart failure.
wiki/William_Hartnell

Doctor Who: The Adventure Games revealed!

2010-04-22T16:47:00.003+01:00

'City of the Daleks' will be the first time the Doctor ventures to Kaalann, the Dalek capital city; available to download on 5th June 2010.

City of the Daleks will be the first of four free downloadable adventures games available for PC and Mac users from June 5th 2010 on the Doctor Who website.

The TARDIS materializes in 1963 - and London is in ruins. The Daleks have seized control of time and the only chance of saving Earth lies in a desperate quest to Skaro, the Daleks' home planet - before time catches up with Amy, the last survivor of the human race!

Players will help the Doctor and Amy on an epic new adventure in an original story which forms part of the current series, traversing time and space in a dazzling episode. Nicholas Briggs provides the voice of the Daleks, alongside Matt Smith and Karen Gillan who recreate their roles as the Doctor and Amy.

Written by Phil Ford who (Doctor Who: Dreamland and the Sarah Jane Adventures) and executive produced by Steven Moffat, episode one City of the Daleks is full of the TV show's celebrated mix of action, peril and humour.

"This is quite a series opener," says Phil Ford, writer, Doctor Who. "We destroy London even before the credits role - so you can only begin to imagine where we travel to from there. City of the Daleks is as big-budget as you can imagine: from London we head to Kaalann, the capital city of the Daleks, one constructed from pure anger and hate. And these new Daleks don't like to be messed with, so players are about to enjoy a new interactive episode which is as heart-pulsing as anything you've seen before."

The interactive episodes are executive produced by Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger, Beth Willis and Anwen Aspden (BBC Wales Interactive), alongside Charles Cecil, one of videogaming's most revered creators. The games are being developed by Sumo Digital, one of the UK's best game designers. Stories and scripts are from Phil Ford and James Moran (Severance, Torchwood Children of Earth). The project has been commissioned for BBC Online by the Vision Multiplatform team, headed up by Simon Nelson, and is being driven by BBC Wales Interactive.

Doctor Who: The Adventure Games 'City of the Daleks' will be available to download for free from the Doctor Who website from June 5th 2010, for both PC and Mac users.

Doctor Who Prom

2010-04-22T16:25:00.002+01:00

Date Sunday 25 July 2010
Time 11.00am–c1.00pm
Venue Royal Albert Hall
Tickets £6-£12,

bbc.co.uk/proms/2010

New DALEKS Poster

2010-04-19T20:10:00.000+01:00

Out later in the year!

BBC Press Release: Doctor & Ex Companion In SJA

2010-04-19T16:52:00.004+01:00

Sarah Jane Smith is reunited with another of The Doctor's former companions, Jo Grant (Katy Manning), in a new series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, set to air on CBBC this autumn. They'll be joined by The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), in a special edition of the show penned by executive producer Russell T Davies.

The two episodes will see The Doctor and his two former time-travelling partners caught up in an alien-busting adventure that will entertain Doctor Who fans of all ages.

Elisabeth Sladen, who plays Sarah Jane comments: "It's a fantastic script and I can't wait to work with another Doctor and hope Matt has fun with us. I've known Katy for ages and I am delighted to be working with her. I last met her in LA but this time we will be in Cardiff. LA was good but Cardiff is better."

Katy Manning, who recently returned to live in the UK again, adds: "Playing Jo Grant again is something I never really considered. I was gob-smacked when they told me and I am over the moon. What an incredible little treat. I come home and this is one of the first things that happens."

Executive producer Nikki Wilson says: "We are absolutely thrilled to be introducing Sarah Jane and the gang to both The Eleventh Doctor and Jo Grant, and to have a script penned by Russell T Davies is the icing on the cake!

"Viewers are in for a real treat, with an action-packed story full of Russell's usual wit and warmth, which takes the gang inside a secret base beneath Snowdon and introduces brand-new vulture aliens, the mysterious Shansheeth. All this, plus a trip to an alien planet – a first for The Sarah Jane Adventures."

Jo Grant & Third Doctor in the lab at U.N.I.T HQ

Featuring the usual mixture of thrills, laughs and scares, the fourth series promises fun with enemies old and new, including the terrors of the Nightmare Man and a dangerous journey back into history.

A galaxy of guest stars are lined up to appear in the series and include Laila Rouass (Primeval, Footballers Wives) and Cheryl Campbell (Pennies From Heaven), whilst David Bradley (Argus Filch in Harry Potter) will provide the voice of the Shansheeth.

The Sarah Jane Adventures is executive produced by Nikki Wilson and Russell T Davies and produced by Brian Minchin.

Writers on the fourth series include Phil Ford (also co-producer), Joseph Lidster, Rupert Laight, Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman. The Sarah Jane Adventures is a BBC Cymru Wales/Children's BBC production.

New Merchandise

2010-04-18T15:29:00.004+01:00

Bubble Bath

New Dalek Clocks

Series 31 (Series 5) Volume 1 cover available from 7th June £15.99 though amazon.co.uk are selling it at £9.91! Blue ray at £12.91!

Be The Doctor

2010-04-18T00:11:00.004+01:00

Preview of one of Four Doctor Who games coming from the BBC and free to download from June 5th 2010.

Birthday Greetings!

2010-04-17T23:58:00.004+01:00

Happy 39th Birthday,
David John (Tennant) MacDonald!

http://david-tennant.com/

BBC News - Doctor's old enemy returns again

2010-04-17T17:08:00.000+01:00

Mark Gatiss talks 'Who'

2010-04-17T16:56:00.001+01:00

By Neil Wilkes, Editor and Nick Levine, Music Editor Digitalspy.co.uk

Having previously penned 'The Unquiet Dead' (the 19th century) and 'The Idiot's Lantern' (the 1950s) for new Who, Mark Gatiss is remaining true to historical form for the third episode of Matt Smith's reign with a WWII story that reunites The Doctor with his old friend Winston Churchill and... The Daleks. We called up Mark to chat about 'Victory of the Daleks' and get the latest on Sherlock, his new adaptation of the classic tales with Steven Moffat.

What can you tell us about Victory of the Daleks?
"What can I tell you that isn't already all over the internet? Well, in a scene we've lost [in the final cut], he sort of explains that he's known Churchill throughout Churchill's life - when he was a young man fighting in the Sudan, and he went to his memorial service - so it's that idea of rather than one single meeting with a famous figure they actually have a kind of relationship. It goes right back to Jon Pertwee saying, 'I said to Napoleon: Boney, I said...' I like the idea that it isn't just a one-off thing, you have an ongoing friendship with people like Churchill."

Why has Churchill summoned The Doctor this time?
"Churchill calls him in because he has concerns about this new secret weapon Bill Paterson's character has invented called The Ironside. When he gets there the secret weapon is The Dalek. According to all the evidence they're exactly as they say - man-made weapons - and the Doctor is the only voice saying 'No!'"

The Daleks get some quite funny lines, don't they?
"My direct inspiration was a lost story, Patrick Troughton's first story, called 'Power of the Daleks'. The idea of them being subservient and cunning was so exciting it needed to be done again. I much prefer the idea of them having this kind of watchful intelligence rather than always exterminating things. It's the only situation where you can get away with The Daleks asking people if they want tea. The Doctor loses his temper and starts beating it up and it still says, 'You do not care for tea?' I love the idea of them carrying box files and things. Everybody knows what they're like but in this context, the people that they're duping have no idea - they just think they're subservient."

Was it your idea to write a Dalek-centric episode?
"No, Steve asked me to. The simple thing was Churchill versus The Daleks, although I think I may have added the 'versus' in my mind - it might have just been Churchill and The Daleks! Steve took his kids to the cabinet war rooms and was amazed by how spellbound they were by [them], so that was the logical place to set it. I was initially intimidated after all these years of growing up with The Daleks to write [a Dalek story], but that was such an exciting idea. I'm quite atypically homosexual in that I like war movies and Bond movies and all the things you're not supposed to like, and I love the idea of it being a perfect distillation of all that we like about watching The Great Escape at Christmas and proper Blitz spirit. I wanted to be very careful to acknowledge that the war was a real war and still in many people's living memory. That's why at the end Lilian's Spitfire pilot boyfriend, who we never see, has just been killed. It was very important that it's not all neatly tied up and Churchill makes a point of saying, 'I still have a war to run'."

Did dealing with The Doctor, the Daleks and Churchill all at once put you under pressure as a writer?
"Steven very sweetly said, 'I want this to do what the Dickens one did in the first series with Christopher Eccleston.' It's a very similar pattern - introductory episode, far future, the past - it works well and he wanted that hit of instant Doctor Who-ness and I was very happy to oblige. We're all aware of the tremendous pressure of following Russell and David and Julie, but clearly people have gone for it in a big way which is a huge thrill."

As a fan of the show, how does this series compare with previous ones?
"It's inevitable when you get a new head writer that the whole tone of the series shifts and it's interesting to see the differences in William Hartnell's stories way back in the early sixties. Different people bring different ideas. I know that Steven and Piers and Beth's watchword is 'fairytale'. I think the palette of the show looks different - it has a slightly more magical feel. As a result it becomes skewed slightly more towards a rural feel. The first episode in Ledworth is an English village - not a Trumpton-like one, but an English village - and obviously Russell was very keen to ground it in a much more urban environment. Then I think, clearly just every Doctor is totally different. Matt has a very different energy. Like David he's a quick-talking ball of energy but he has a slightly more off-centre feel."

How much of the series have you seen?
"Only as much as I have to! I want to watch it as it goes out - it's a shame, but I don't like spoilers! I recently was sent a few of the upcoming episodes because I'm hopefully writing one for next year so I needed to get up to speed with where it's going. I'd still much prefer them to watch them as they go out. Having said that, this Saturday we're doing another night shoot so I've got to somehow contrive to be in front of the TV at 6.30pm to watch 'Victory of the Daleks', go out and then probably go to a morgue!"

Torchwood Season Four Begins Filming in the US

2010-04-16T17:26:00.003+01:00

Filming for what production staff are calling "Torchwood: Season Four" has just wrapped up in the United States, according to an insider close to the project. John Barrowman, who stated in December that he would be involved in such a project, was present for filming. Since he just finished his last musical tour in March and his next doesn't begin until this October, it looks like has some free time in the upcoming months -- pretty suspicious for a notorious busybody.

In November, creator Russell T. Davies told TV guide, that "fingers crossed, it will be a go. We expect things to start to move in January."

Best guess is that this was a pilot episode, as the filming time was limited to the first two weeks of April.

Since we already know via The Hollywood Reporter that FOX has picked up the show, it's safe to say that the rumoured, revered and feared version of the series, Torchwood USA on FOX, is headed our way sooner rather than later.

History suggests that moving the series to the US means revamping it severely, as has been done with other UK shows to go overseas. However, that staff are calling it a "fourth season," and that Barrowman is involved, implies otherwise -- especially since BBC veterans Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter are working alongside Davies as executive producers.

If it is a continuation of the UK series, sad news for those wishing for Gareth David-Lloyd's return as the ghost of Torchwood past: his April schedule hyas been packed with extraneous events.

Eve Myles' involvement in the new series remains unknown, but we can hope.

Firefox News

BBC release archive of Classic Series documents

2010-04-14T15:41:00.002+01:00

About this collection

In 1966, William Hartnell stepped down from the lead role in the beloved science fiction series, 'Doctor Who'. Rather than simply recast the part, the production team came up with a solution that would ensure the series would run for years to come.

Discover what happens when one Time Lord hands over his TARDIS to the next. See early plans for the first 'new Doctor', Patrick Troughton, and discover how viewers reacted to the change. Photos also show the moments when new Doctors and their companions were unveiled and reveal those actors who narrowly missed out on becoming TV's favourite time traveller.

Doctor Who fans hostile to change

2010-04-14T15:32:00.001+01:00

THE new Doctor is “something of a pantomime character”, “a looney” and a “half-witted clown”, viewers of Doctor Who have complained to the BBC.

But actor Matt Smith need not worry – the comments come from newly-published BBC Archive documents showing viewers’ hostility to each new face of the Time Lord. The papers, spanning 40-plus years and published online for the first time today, reveal the difficulties of bedding in the new Doctor.

And internal memos show how his first transformation was originally envisaged as a bad LSD trip.

The Doctor first changed physically in 1966 when William Hartnell handed over to Patrick Troughton.

“Once a brilliant but eccentric scientist, he now comes over as a half-witted clown,” said one viewer of Troughton’s new role.

Another told the BBC’s Audience Research Department: “I’m not sure that I really like his portrayal – I feel the part is exaggerated – whimsical even – I keep expecting him to take a great watch out of his pocket and mutter about being late like Alice’s White Rabbit.”

Full Article: walesonline.co.uk

The Daleks Are Back But Different

2010-04-12T18:57:00.003+01:00

A new look DALEK for Series 31 episode 3 'Victory of the Daleks'. I like the new look eye stalk and collar and a larger bumber too!

The Eleventh Doctor BBC Books

2010-04-08T19:21:00.005+01:00

Three new Eleventh Doctor Who books featuring new companion Amy Pond will be released on the 22nd of April 2010 priced £6.99 each. The titles are; The Forgotten Army by Brian Minchin, Apollo 23 by Justin Richards, and Night of the Humans by David Llewellyn.

The Forgotten Army

‘Let me tell you a story. Long ago, in the frozen Arctic wastes, an alien army landed. Only now, 10,000 years later, it isn’t a story. And the army is ready to attack.’

New York – one of the greatest cities on 21st century Earth… But what’s going on in the Museum? And is that really a Woolly Mammoth rampaging down Broadway?

An ordinary day becomes a time of terror, as Ice Age creatures come back to life, and the Doctor and Amy meet a new and deadly enemy.

The vicious Army of the Vykoid are armed to the teeth and determined to enslave the human race.

Even though they’re only three inches high. With the Doctor kidnapped, and the Vykoid army swarming across Manhattan and sealing it from the world with a powerful alien forcefield, Amy has just 24 hours to find the Doctor and save the city.

If she doesn’t, the people of Manhattan will be taken to work in the doomed asteroid mines of the Vykoid home planet.

But as time starts to run out, who can she trust? And how far will she have to go to free New York from the Forgotten Army?

Apollo 23

‘Houston – we have a problem.’

An astronaut in full spacesuit appears out of thin air in a busy shopping centre. Maybe it’s a publicity stunt.

A photo shows an immaculately-dressed woman in her best shoes lying dead at the edge of a crater on the dark side of the moon – beside her beloved dog ‘Poochie’. Maybe it’s a hoax.

But as the Doctor and Amy find out, these are just minor events in a sinister plan to take over every human being on earth. The plot centres on a secret military base on the moon – that’s where Amy and the TARDIS are.

The Doctor is back on Earth, and without the TARDIS there’s no way he can get to the moon to save Amy and defeat the aliens.

Or is there? The Doctor discovers one last great secret that could save humanity: Apollo 23.

Night of the Humans

‘This is the Gyre, the most hostile environment in the galaxy.’ 250,000 years’ worth of junk floating in deep space, home to the shipwrecked Sittuun, the carnivorous Sollogs, and worst of all, the Humans.

The Doctor and Amy arrive on this terrifying world in the middle of an all-out frontier war between Sittuun and Humans, and the clock is already ticking.

There’s a comet in the sky, and it’s on a collision course with the Gyre…

When the Doctor is kidnapped, it’s up to Amy and galaxy-famous swashbucklero Dirk Slipstream to save the day. But who is Slipstream, exactly? And what is he really doing here?

Available from Amazon.co.uk & other reputable book outlets.

11th Doctor Figure Reveiled

2010-04-08T17:13:00.000+01:00

Doctor Who: The Adventure Games

2010-04-08T11:10:00.006+01:00

The Doctor, Amy and some of the show's most iconic monsters will be making the journey from TV to your home computers, as we unveil Doctor Who: The Adventure Games.

These four new adventures will take the form of free downloadable computer games available for PC and Mac, in which players assume control of the Doctor and Amy as they embark on new adventures which complement the new TV series.

The games are being developed by Sumo Digital, one of the UK's best game designers. Stories and scripts are from Phil Ford (co-writer Doctor Who 'Waters of Mars') and James Moran (Severance, Torchwood Children of Earth). The project has been commissioned for BBC Online by the Vision Multiplatform team, headed up by Simon Nelson, and is being driven by BBC Wales Interactive.

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have been digitally recreated in-game, and have provided full voice-overs. Music has been provided by TV series' composer Murray Gold. An additional cast will portray original characters and classic enemies.

The Doctor & Amy In Future London

"Children don't just watch Doctor Who - they join in. They make up games, invent their monsters, create their own stories," says Steven Moffat, Head Writer and Executive Producer, Doctor Who. "Now, there's something else - now they can be the Doctor in brand new episodes. Doctor Who: The Adventure Games will offer fans of the Doctor a unique opportunity to enter his world, face his challenges and grapple with his deadliest foes.

"By developing these games alongside the new TV series, we've been able to weave exciting narrative strands with the very finest game design to create a new kind of Doctor Who, which can be enjoyed by the whole family."

The exact titles of the four free episodes are being kept secret for the time being, but the four original stories will take players on a journey throughout time and space, including one location from the Doctor Who series which has never been seen before on screen. Players will encounter new and original monsters, in stories which form part of the overall Doctor Who canon.

The first episode of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games will be available to download for PC and Mac from this very website in June 2010. Its title will be revealed at a special press event on April 21st 2010.

Images from the games:

London

Cybermen are coming! If you are clever, you will have spotted that the chest insignia is not of Cybus Industries design. Instead, it is of a Cyber head. Mondas Cybermen return - though the design is the same. Hmmm....

DWN: Guide To The Specials

2010-04-08T11:02:00.001+01:00

On sale 25th April 2010 Price: %5.99

TARDIS Tour & New Titles

2010-04-04T01:21:00.002+01:00

The Eleventh Hour and new Doctor Who Confidential Titles

New Sonic Screwdriver

2010-04-04T01:01:00.004+01:00

A new Sonic Screwdriver for a new Doctor. This sonic device came from within the new TARDIS console in the first episode of the new series -The Eleventh Hour. This sonic screwdriver is bigger with a luminous green light.

Price: £13.49

New Standees available from 12th April 2010

All priced at £22.49

New Theme Music

2010-04-02T15:26:00.003+01:00

When Doctor Who returns on Saturday at 18.20 we'll be treated to a new version of the theme music. When the episode ends there may be an announcer talking over the music, but don't worry! Head straight to the Doctor Who site and hear it clear and complete!

There will be lots more content around The Eleventh Hour on Saturday night so don't forget to check out the site after the new Doctor's debut adventure.

There won't, however, be wallpapers. These will be back very soon along with screensavers. In the meantime we hope you enjoy the imminent videos, galleries and other content relating to The Eleventh Hour.

Karen Gillan / Matt Smith Interviews

2010-04-02T15:09:00.002+01:00

Matt Smith - The One Show 1st April 2010

Karen Gillan - GMTV 2nd April 2010

More IMages

2010-04-01T17:16:00.002+01:00

4th Doctor & Classic Electronic TARDIS: Planet Of Evil

2010-04-01T17:12:00.001+01:00

In this exclusive Fourth Doctor Set from Underground Toys we present the Fourth Doctor action figure, with his classic Electronic TARDIS, as they appeared in the ‘Planet of Evil’. The Doctor comes in a red jacket, with alternate head and sonic screwdriver accessory. The TARDIS features opening doors, a spring activated right hand door, takeoff and landing light plus sound effects!

Available 11th May 2010 £34.99. Pre-order now from Forbidden Planet

Duck Pond Clip

2010-03-31T14:53:00.001+01:00

New Eleventh hour Images

2010-03-30T16:24:00.004+01:00

Little Amelia Pond

Amelia with The Doctor

Rory, Amy & The Doctor

DWM 420 Double Collectors Edition

2010-03-30T15:53:00.003+01:00

On sale Thursday 1st April price: £4.20

New Look TARDIS Console Room

2010-03-30T15:19:00.003+01:00

Radio Times cover/Insert

2010-03-29T17:10:00.001+01:00

Karen Gillan

2010-03-29T15:42:00.005+01:00

Karen Sheila Gillan was born and bred in Inverness, Scotland (born 28 November 1987). Her father, Raymond John, a Day Centre Manager, and mother, Marie, live in Kinmylies. She attended school at Charleston Academy. Formally known as Inverness High School. Aged 16, she decided to pursue her acting career further, studying acting at Edinburgh's Telford College. Later, she secured a place at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts drama school in London on the BA (Hons) Acting degree course.

Before Doctor Who

Gillan gained her first television role in Rebus while still studying at Italia Conti, and has since had parts in The Kevin Bishop Show, Channel 4's Stacked and James Nesbitt's forthcoming film Outcast. On The Kevin Bishop Show, Gillan played several roles in various skits, including one in which she parodied both Angelina Jolie and Jolie's interpretation of video game heroine Lara Croft. She has also lampooned Julia Roberts' role in Pretty Woman and pop singer Katy Perry.

Standing 5'11, Gillan is the tallest actress to be cast in the companion role, and when not acting, she has taken advantage of her height to take on occasional modeling roles, including 2007 London Fashion Week for designer Allegra Hicks' autumn/winter catwalk show.

Karen can also be seen in upcoming teen drama The Well in the autumn.

The Well will air in the autumn in the Switch zone on BBC Two (Saturdays 12noon-2.00pm) and extends online at bbc.co.uk/switch where the audience can immerse themselves further in the story, exploring a spookily atmospheric recreation of the main drama location in a multi-level game.

The action in The Well centres on a derelict building, which contains a long-forgotten well, the resting place of a dormant malevolent force. When the house changes owners and renovations begin, four teenage friends uncover the well and unwittingly unleash an old and restless spirit.

Doctor Who

2008 - Karen first appeared in Series 30 episode The Fires Of Pompeii where she played a Soothsayer - a member of the Sibylline Sisterhood that were in Pompeii in 79 AD. She has eyes painted on the back of her hands - a sign of a soothsayer. She was the first of the Sisterhood to see the TARDIS or "Blue Box" that had appeared in a prophecy. She had psychic powers due to breathing in dust from Mount Vesuvius that was converting her into a Pyroville and could see time thanks to the rift activity there. It is likely that she died during the eruption as it has not been shown otherwise.

29th May 2009 Karen is announced as the new companion Amy Pond to Matt Smith's Doctor for Series 31 (airing 3rd April 2010 6.25pm BBC1). Writer and executive producer Steven Moffatt described her as being "funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy". No further details of her character have been released so far, and in fact for several weeks only a first name was known, until the BBC later indicated the character's last name.

She is one of only a handful of actors to return to televised Doctor Who in an ongoing role after having previously appeared in a guest role. Others have included Colin Baker, peter Purves, Jean Marsh, Nicholas Courtney, Ian Marter, Lalla Ward and Freema Agyeman.

Gillan is not the only member of her family appearing on Doctor Who as it's been announced that her nine-year-old cousin, Caitlin Blackwood, has also filmed an appearance in Season 31 episode 1 The Eleventh Hour where she will be playing Amy's younger self.

Amy meeting the Doctor years later

Fourth Doctor to return in 2011?

2010-03-29T15:30:00.003+01:00

Rumour mongering has begun for Series 32. According to The Daily Express, there have been talks with Tom Baker (75), about a cameo appearance in the next series and that Elisabeth Sladen may also return.

Tom Baker bowed out of the role in the story Logopolis in 1981 and Peter Davison became the fifth incarnation of The Doctor.

A BBC mole said: “As it’s Doctor Who, his return all these years on could be explained in all manner of ways.”

Baker, most recently the narrator of Little Britain, has previously said that he would be open to the idea of returning, suggesting he could even portray the Doctor’s arch-foe The Master.

Matt Smith - I wrote Doctor Who stories

2010-03-29T14:20:00.002+01:00

Matt Smith has revealed that he prepared for his Doctor Who role by writing his own stories about the Time Lord.

The 27-year-old actor, who took over from David Tennant as The Doctor, explained that he used the literary experiments as a way of creating a bond with his new character.

Smith is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I wanted to feel like Doctor Who, understand where he'd come from. So I wrote stories of The Doctor and Einstein in Egypt which focused on their roles in the creation of the Pyramids. I had six months prep before we began filming so it gave me time to write quite a few stories."

The Eleventh Hour opening minute

2010-03-28T13:50:00.001+01:00

Happy Birthday!

2010-03-28T13:22:00.003+01:00

Gareth David-Lloyd
29 years old today

Born Gareth David Lloyd in Bettws, Newport, Wales. His first acting role was as a robot in a junior school play. As a teenager, David-Lloyd joined the Gwent Young People's Theatre in Abergavenny and The Dolman Youth Theatre in Newport, where he was a contemporary of the actor Matthew Woodyatt and the singer Nia Lynn. While there, he appeared in several plays, including Macbeth, The Threepenny Opera and HenryV in which he played the title role. When former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock saw the young David-Lloyd performing at Monmouth Castle, he sent him £250 to use towards his acting career.

Gareth is best known for his role of Ianto Jones in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. 2009 series three - Children of Earth which ran over 5 nights instead of the usually 13 weeks, saw Ianto Jones killed by a poisonous gas by the aliens known only as the 456.

Official Website

WHO IS COMING - 3rd Trailer

2010-03-27T09:58:00.001Z

Matt Smith on Jonathon Ross 26/03/2010

2010-03-27T09:48:00.003Z

Vampires In Venice (Ep6)