Thanks to Scooty for the photos.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Who On Earth Is Karen Gillan?
By Ben Rawson-Jones, Cult Editor
As millions of people were figuring out how to skive off work on a sunny Friday afternoon, the BBC finally issued a statement revealing the identity of the next Doctor Who companion. Karen Gillan was the name that launched a thousand Googles and finally laid to rest those ridiculous Lily Allen casting rumours. So who is this relatively unknown actress that will star alongside the similarly obscure Matt Smith in Steven Moffat's era of the show?
Born 21 years ago in Inverness, the rather striking redhead has 'done an Agyeman', having already appeared in the modern incarnation of Doctor Who in another role. Part of the sinister Sybilline Sisterhood in 'The Fires Of Pompeii', Gillan was hidden beneath lashings of white make-up and a red cloak, with little to do apart from look all psychic and petrified. Presumably she met an ashy end.
As part of the experience, she was lucky enough to be part of a select few who flew out to Rome for the location shooting. "It was so much fun playing a villain – you can really go over the top," she told Highland News in advance of the episode's transmission. That role in 2008 was only her second television part, following her debut two years earlier in the Ken Stott crime drama Rebus. In the episode 'Question Of Blood', she played 'off the rails' teenager Terry Cotter at a college in which a shooting takes place.
Subsequent jobs, including her Who foray, certainly capitalised on her aptitude at playing highly disturbed young women. Richard Jobson cast her in his film New Town Killers (out in mid June) as a troubled young lass who helps out the titular murderers; she turned up as an anorexic nun in Channel 4's short film Thinspiration; while short-lived ITV drama Harley Street featured Gillan in a guest role as a self-harming model.
This wasn't her first dalliance with the modelling world, hardly a surprise given her statuesque 5"11 frame and luminous looks. In 2007 she roamed the catwalk at London Fashion Week for designer Allegra Hicks. "It's something I was doing as a hobby... I really enjoy it," she told Highland News. There's no doubt that many lenses will be trained on her in the very near future, so it's very handy that she's fine with being gawped at. Her notable height does beg the question - should the Cybermen wear stilettos to maintain their towering stature if they encounter The Doctor's upcoming companion? After all, they wore moon boots and cricket gloves in the 80s - and are predisposed to flares.
Acting has always been Gillan's first love though, and such was her determination to succeed that she ditched school after her GCSEs to study acting at Telford College in Edinburgh. This enabled her to nab a highly prized spot at London's prestigious Italia Conti Stage School, whose graduates include the first ever Doctor Who star William Hartnell and William Russell, who played schoolteacher companion Ian Chesterton in the show's first two seasons. To put matters into perspective, Bonnie Langford, who played a certain carrot juice guzzling Doctor's assistant, also graduated from Italia Conti.
As Doctor Who is often light-hearted in tone, it's pleasing to see that Gillan has also earned her stripes in the comedy world too. In Channel 4's first season of The Kevin Bishop Show in 2008, she demonstrated her timing and versatility by taking on various comedic roles.
Given all these attributes, it's little surprise that forthcoming showrunner Steven Moffat dubbed her "funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy". He added: "A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."
It remains to be seen what the exact nature of her character will be, but these are exciting times in the Whoniverse with two little known but highly touted young actors soon to be taking over the Tardis controls. The possibilities are endless and it looks like Karen Gillan will be travelling much further than Rome this time... albeit with the help of some CGI and a quarry or two.
Born 21 years ago in Inverness, the rather striking redhead has 'done an Agyeman', having already appeared in the modern incarnation of Doctor Who in another role. Part of the sinister Sybilline Sisterhood in 'The Fires Of Pompeii', Gillan was hidden beneath lashings of white make-up and a red cloak, with little to do apart from look all psychic and petrified. Presumably she met an ashy end.
As part of the experience, she was lucky enough to be part of a select few who flew out to Rome for the location shooting. "It was so much fun playing a villain – you can really go over the top," she told Highland News in advance of the episode's transmission. That role in 2008 was only her second television part, following her debut two years earlier in the Ken Stott crime drama Rebus. In the episode 'Question Of Blood', she played 'off the rails' teenager Terry Cotter at a college in which a shooting takes place.
Subsequent jobs, including her Who foray, certainly capitalised on her aptitude at playing highly disturbed young women. Richard Jobson cast her in his film New Town Killers (out in mid June) as a troubled young lass who helps out the titular murderers; she turned up as an anorexic nun in Channel 4's short film Thinspiration; while short-lived ITV drama Harley Street featured Gillan in a guest role as a self-harming model.
This wasn't her first dalliance with the modelling world, hardly a surprise given her statuesque 5"11 frame and luminous looks. In 2007 she roamed the catwalk at London Fashion Week for designer Allegra Hicks. "It's something I was doing as a hobby... I really enjoy it," she told Highland News. There's no doubt that many lenses will be trained on her in the very near future, so it's very handy that she's fine with being gawped at. Her notable height does beg the question - should the Cybermen wear stilettos to maintain their towering stature if they encounter The Doctor's upcoming companion? After all, they wore moon boots and cricket gloves in the 80s - and are predisposed to flares.
Acting has always been Gillan's first love though, and such was her determination to succeed that she ditched school after her GCSEs to study acting at Telford College in Edinburgh. This enabled her to nab a highly prized spot at London's prestigious Italia Conti Stage School, whose graduates include the first ever Doctor Who star William Hartnell and William Russell, who played schoolteacher companion Ian Chesterton in the show's first two seasons. To put matters into perspective, Bonnie Langford, who played a certain carrot juice guzzling Doctor's assistant, also graduated from Italia Conti.
As Doctor Who is often light-hearted in tone, it's pleasing to see that Gillan has also earned her stripes in the comedy world too. In Channel 4's first season of The Kevin Bishop Show in 2008, she demonstrated her timing and versatility by taking on various comedic roles.
Given all these attributes, it's little surprise that forthcoming showrunner Steven Moffat dubbed her "funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy". He added: "A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."
It remains to be seen what the exact nature of her character will be, but these are exciting times in the Whoniverse with two little known but highly touted young actors soon to be taking over the Tardis controls. The possibilities are endless and it looks like Karen Gillan will be travelling much further than Rome this time... albeit with the help of some CGI and a quarry or two.
"Torchwood": Asylum (Audio Drama)
This is a full-cast BBC Radio 4 drama featuring the characters from the hit BBC TV series, as played by John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd.When PC Andy Davidson arrests a young girl for shoplifting, he thinks it's going to be a routine case. That is, until he sees that she is carrying a gun. The girl is soaking wet, covered in mud, and the weapon is like nothing he's ever seen before. He knows that this is a case for Torchwood... The team discovers that the girl is called Freda, but can find out nothing else. Yet when she speaks, it's a strange mix of English and Icelandic,but with a Cardiff accent. While Jack and Ianto check out the girl's weapon and her blood sample at the Hub, Gwen and PC Andy take Freda to a safe house. But when Jack calls with the results - and Freda goes on the run - PC Andy finds his world turning upside down.
Released 2nd July 2009.
29th May 2009 - Filming in Llandaff on Sunday 31st May
Doctor Who Locations Guide
It has been reported that filming will be taking place in the Llandaff area of Cardiff for the Sarah Jane Adventures on Sunday, with shops having placed notices up apologising for any inconvenience caused!
Filming for the series has also been taking place at Court Colman Manor, last seen as the guest hotel for Gwen's wedding in Something Borrowed. Update 30th May: filming is carrying on at the hotel on Monday 1st June.
Saturday 30 May 2009
Karen Gillan New Companion News Round-up
Various news sources are covering the announcement of Karen Gillan as the companion for series five of Doctor Who.
Guardian Doctor Who: What do you want from Karen Gillan as companion?
RTE.ie Doctor Who's new companion revealed
Mirror Meet Doctor Who's new sexy redhead assistant
Seattle Post Intelligencer Meet the New Doctor Who's New Companion
First Post Karen Gillan to play Doctor Who’s assistant
Airlock Alpha The Doctor's New Companion? Karen Gillan
InTheNews.co.uk Karen Gillan is announced as new Doctor Who assistant
Deadline Press & Picture Agency Karen Gillan has been unveiled as Dr Who’s next companion.
Scotsman Tutors 'knew Karen was a star'
Daily Star KAREN'S GOT THE DOC ON RED ALERT
Aberdeen Press and Journal Joy as Scot joins team in Doctor Who
stv.tv Flame-haired young Scot wins Dr Who role
Broadcastnow Doctor Who selects new companion
Brand Republic BBC reveals companion for Doctor Who
io9 The time-traveling Doctor has a new traveling companion
IGN Doctor Who Assistant Unveiled
What's On TV Doctor Who's new assistant is unveiled
Stage New Doctor Who assistant revealed
Discover Magazine Doctor Who Series 5 SPOILERS: New Companion!
WalesOnline Meet Doctor Who’s new assistant Karen Gillian
TV Squad Doctor Who gets younger, redder with new companion
The Press Association Little-known actress to join Dr Who
This is London New Doctor Who assistant unveiled
Digital Spy The Doctor's new companion: Thoughts?
The Sun New Doctor Who companion
CBBC Newsround Doctor Who's new assistant revealed
Doctor Who star in new thriller
Karen Gillan has already appeared in Doctor Who
BBC News
Doctor Who's latest assistant Karen Gillan will be seen in a new thriller set in Edinburgh and due for release in June.
She has the role in New Town Killers, starring fellow Scots Dougray Scott and Alastair Mackenzie.
The 21-year-old will appear alongside new Doctor Who Matt Smith in the new series, to be broadcast next year.
Gillan has already appeared in the drama, having played a Soothsayer in The Fires Of Pompeii in the last run.
News of her high-profile role in the show had notched almost 300,000 page views three hours after the story appeared on the BBC's online Entertainment section.
Gillan, from Inverness, learnt her trade at the Italia Conti drama school in London and landed her first role in the Scottish drama Rebus.
Parts in Channel 4's Stacked, The Kevin Bishop Show and James Nesbitt's forthcoming film Outcast followed, but the role in Doctor Who is her first high-profile role to date.
Horror film
In New Town Killers, a teenager from a housing estate agrees to play a sinister chase game dreamt up by two private bankers, to help his debt-ridden sister.
Gillan plays the role of Young Girl in Bus Station.
The film was given a screening at February's Glasgow Film Festival.
Fife-born Scott has previously appeared in Mission: Impossible II and US series Desperate Housewives, while Mackenzie, from Perthshire, is best known for appearing in Monarch of the Glen.
Outcast is a horror film also set in the Scottish capital.
BBC News
Doctor Who's latest assistant Karen Gillan will be seen in a new thriller set in Edinburgh and due for release in June.
She has the role in New Town Killers, starring fellow Scots Dougray Scott and Alastair Mackenzie.
The 21-year-old will appear alongside new Doctor Who Matt Smith in the new series, to be broadcast next year.
Gillan has already appeared in the drama, having played a Soothsayer in The Fires Of Pompeii in the last run.
News of her high-profile role in the show had notched almost 300,000 page views three hours after the story appeared on the BBC's online Entertainment section.
Gillan, from Inverness, learnt her trade at the Italia Conti drama school in London and landed her first role in the Scottish drama Rebus.
Parts in Channel 4's Stacked, The Kevin Bishop Show and James Nesbitt's forthcoming film Outcast followed, but the role in Doctor Who is her first high-profile role to date.
Horror film
In New Town Killers, a teenager from a housing estate agrees to play a sinister chase game dreamt up by two private bankers, to help his debt-ridden sister.
Gillan plays the role of Young Girl in Bus Station.
The film was given a screening at February's Glasgow Film Festival.
Fife-born Scott has previously appeared in Mission: Impossible II and US series Desperate Housewives, while Mackenzie, from Perthshire, is best known for appearing in Monarch of the Glen.
Outcast is a horror film also set in the Scottish capital.
Friday 29 May 2009
New Extended Preview of Torchwood: Children of Earth and BBC America Torchwood: Children of Earth Teaser
Watch an extended trailer of what's to come in the new series.
This trailer is currently being broadcast on American television in anticipation of the new series.
Torchwood will be back on BBC One this summer.
BBC America Torchwood: Children of Earth Teaser
Who is Karen Gillan?
The new companion, starring opposite Matt Smith when Doctor Who returns for a full series in Spring, 2010, has been revealed! She has appeared previously in Doctor Who, playing the Soothsayer in the Tenth Doctor adventure, The Fires of Pompeii. In that episode the Doctor admits, 'I sometimes need someone' and from 2010 that someone will be Karen Gillan!
After winning the coveted role, Karen, 21, announced, 'I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.'
Karen grew up in Inverness, Scotland and developed a love for acting very early on, attending several youth theatre groups and taking part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy.
Aged 16, Karen decided she wanted to pursue her acting career further and a year later secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti academy in London. During her first year she landed a role in Rebus and soon appeared in a variety of programmes including Channel 4's Stacked and The Kevin Bishop Show. Karen also stars in the forthcoming film Outcast starring James Nesbitt.
When she's not acting Karen likes to play the piano and loves rummaging through vintage clothes shops. But it looks unlikely she'll be able to do much rummaging in the near future as she gears up for a life in the TARDIS, and in the limelight!
But she's ready for the challenges and adventures that will follow, declaring, 'Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him - I just can't wait to get started!'
After winning the coveted role, Karen, 21, announced, 'I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.'
Karen grew up in Inverness, Scotland and developed a love for acting very early on, attending several youth theatre groups and taking part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy.
Aged 16, Karen decided she wanted to pursue her acting career further and a year later secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti academy in London. During her first year she landed a role in Rebus and soon appeared in a variety of programmes including Channel 4's Stacked and The Kevin Bishop Show. Karen also stars in the forthcoming film Outcast starring James Nesbitt.
When she's not acting Karen likes to play the piano and loves rummaging through vintage clothes shops. But it looks unlikely she'll be able to do much rummaging in the near future as she gears up for a life in the TARDIS, and in the limelight!
But she's ready for the challenges and adventures that will follow, declaring, 'Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him - I just can't wait to get started!'
Doctor Who unveils new companion for 11th Time Lord
BBC Press Office
The BBC today revealed that the companion for the forthcoming series of Doctor Who will be Karen Gillan.
Twenty-one-year-old Gillan will star alongside new Time Lord, Matt Smith, when the smash hit drama returns to BBC One in spring 2010.
With filming due to begin this summer, Gillan beat off dozens of hopefuls to land one of television's most coveted roles.
Gillan said: "I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.
"Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him – I just can't wait to get started!"
Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, added: "We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up. Funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."
Executive Producer and Head of Drama BBC Wales, Piers Wenger, said: "We knew Karen was perfect for the role the moment we saw her. She brought an energy and excitement to the part that was just fantastic. And when she auditioned alongside Matt we knew we had something special. It is a partnership that is ready to take on the universe!"
The new series of Doctor Who comes to BBC One, Spring 2010.
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 409 Cover and Details
In Doctor Who Magazine 409...
Unlucky Thirteen?
A Time Lord can only regenerate 12 times and then he must die... Or must he? Jonathan Morris investigates the truth behind the miracle of the Time Lord, and asks: could the Doctor survive beyond his Thirteenth Incarnation?
The End of Ten!
Euros Lyn, director of the forthcoming Torchwood: Children of Earth, as he oversees this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Specials, the final story for the Tenth Doctor!
Three’s a Crowd!
The Fact of Fiction takes an in-depth look back at the extraordinary adventure in which the Doctor met himself for the first time – 1972/73’s The Three Doctors!
David Bowie is (nearly) the Doctor!
What do Jonathan Creek, Ford Prefect and Richard O’Brien have in common? Find out, as Neil Harris considers 10 characters who are the Doctor all but name in You Are Not Alone!
The final end?
Russell T Davies reveals the behind-the-scenes changes as Doctor Who looks forward to the Eleventh Doctor’s first series in Production Notes.
Segonax’s got talent!
Roll up! Roll up! See how the Time Team react to the weird events in the Seventh Doctor adventure The Greatest Show in the Galaxy!
Hai!
The Watcher reverses the polarity, rolls up his frilly sleeves and tells you everything you need to know about the Doctor’s dashing and dynamic Third Incarnation in his latest essential guide!
60s chick!
Anneke Wills, who played companion Polly to the First and Second Doctors, chats candidly to DWM about outdoor baths, the swinging 60s... and meeting David Tennant on the Doctor Who set!
Ten in trouble!
Majenta has a shock in store for the Doctor in Part Two of new comic strip The Age of Ice, by Dan McDaid with art by Martin Geraghty.
Good dog!
It’s finally happening! DWM takes a first look at the new spin-off series featuring the Doctor’s second-best friend, K9!
Plus! All the latest news, previews, reviews, competitions and much, much more!
Tennant to reprise Hamlet for BBC
Actor David Tennant has signed up to reprise his role as Hamlet for BBC Two.
The Doctor Who star recently completed a stint playing the prince on stage as part of a Royal Shakespeare Company production.
He will be joined by all of the key members of its original cast, including Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who plays Claudius.
Last week Tennant finished filming his farewell Doctor Who episodes, which will be shown later this year.
He announced he was leaving the popular BBC show last year at the National Television Awards.
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow said the 180-minute screen production of Hamlet was "a wonderful opportunity... to bring one of the great stage successes of last year to a wider audience".
Tickets for the stage performances, which opened in Stratford-Upon-Avon and later moved to London, sold out in hours.
After his debut appearance, the Guardian called Tennant the "best Hamlet in years".
Although the 38-year-old was lauded by critics, he hurt his back and was unable to perform for a while as he recovered from surgery.
In February his return to the stage as Hamlet was named the event of the year in the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, which also saw Kenneth Branagh win best actor for Ivanov.
The Doctor Who star recently completed a stint playing the prince on stage as part of a Royal Shakespeare Company production.
He will be joined by all of the key members of its original cast, including Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who plays Claudius.
Last week Tennant finished filming his farewell Doctor Who episodes, which will be shown later this year.
He announced he was leaving the popular BBC show last year at the National Television Awards.
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow said the 180-minute screen production of Hamlet was "a wonderful opportunity... to bring one of the great stage successes of last year to a wider audience".
Tickets for the stage performances, which opened in Stratford-Upon-Avon and later moved to London, sold out in hours.
After his debut appearance, the Guardian called Tennant the "best Hamlet in years".
Although the 38-year-old was lauded by critics, he hurt his back and was unable to perform for a while as he recovered from surgery.
In February his return to the stage as Hamlet was named the event of the year in the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, which also saw Kenneth Branagh win best actor for Ivanov.
Torchwood comes to London
Crows Nest
The British Fantasy Society and BBC Books will be hosting a Torchwood event at The George pub on London's Fleet Street on the 3rd July 2009.
Buy Into the Silence in the USA - or Buy Into the Silence in the UK
Authors of the Torchwood novels from BBC Books, Mark Morris, Sarah Pinborough and Guy Adams are joined by scriptwriter Joe Lidster in an informal panel discussion hosted by Andrew Cartmel, fellow Torchwood author for BBC Books and onetime script editor of Doctor Who.
The discussion will last approximately one hour and will be followed by an opportunity for people to buy books and have them signed by those attending. The event will start at 19.30.
Mark Morris is the author of 17 novels. In 2006 he compiled and edited Cinema Macabre, a collection of essays on horror films. In the world of Doctor Who he has written four novels featuring the fifth, eighth and tenth doctors. He has also written scripts for Big Finish's range of Doctor Who audio dramas. Bay of the Dead is his first novel for the Torchwood range.
Sarah Pinborough is the British author of five horror novels and her sixth, Feeding Ground, is due out from Leisure books in October 2009. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies and she is currently working on A Matter of Blood, the first of a supernatural thriller trilogy for Gollancz, which will be in book shops in 2010. Into the Silence is her first Torchwood novel.
Guy Adams trained as an actor before accidentally becoming an writer instead. He is the author of books about Life On Mars, including the spoof police manual Rules of Modern Policing. When not pretending to be DCI Gene Hunt he pretends to be John Watson MD, working alongside the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write a facsimile scrapbook of his time flat sharing with Sherlock Holmes. The result has been published by Carlton Books to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Doyle's birth. He is currently working on two original novels due to be published next year. The House that Jack Built is his first Torchwood novel.
Joe Lidster has worked for audio production company Big Finish, writing scripts for a variety of their ranges including Doctor Who, Sapphire & Steel and The Tomorrow People. In 2008 he made his TV debut with A Day in the Death, an episode in the second series of Torchwood. He also wrote The Mark of the Beserker for the second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures and Lost Souls a Torchwood drama for BBC Radio 4 that celebrated the switching on of CERN's Large Hadron Collider.
Andrew Cartmel is a television writer, novelist and playwright. He worked for BBC television for three years as script editor of Doctor Who. He became senior script editor on Casualty and was subsequently head writer and script editor on Dark Knight, for Channel Five. His stage plays, produced on the London fringe, include End of the Night and Under the Eagle. His novels include Warlock and The Wise (Virgin Books) Atom Bomb Blues (BBC) and, most recently, Miss Freedom (Powys).
Thursday 28 May 2009
Download Doctor and Sarah Jane Desktop Wallpaper
Download the image of the Doctor and Sarah Jane as a desktop wallpaper from the Official Sarah Jane Adventures website.
US Broadcasting Details for Tennant Specials
Outpost Gallifrey
By R. Alan Siler
In a turnabout from a previous arrangement, BBC America now has first US broadcast rights for the soon-to-be-aired hour-long specials of Doctor Who, Variety reported today. The Next Doctor, the show's 2008 Christmas episode, will make its US debut at 9:00 p.m. on June 27, followed by Planet of the Dead in July (date TBA). Specific US air dates will be determined for the subsequent specials after they've aired in the UK. BBC America - which has to bid for British shows just like any other American broadcaster - will continue its first run deal on Torchwood, airing that show's third season in July. Other science fiction shows debuting on the network this summer include Being Human (starting July 25) and Survivors, starring Doctor Who's Freema Agyeman (date TBA). The third season of ITV's dinosaur time romp Primeval is currently airing on the network. Current BBC America president Garth Ancier says that's the network should always have had Doctor Who. "If I'd been here [when the original deal was made]," Ancier said, "we wouldn't have sold it, to be quite honest." For the last four years, the Sci Fi Channel has held first rights, with BBC America holding second rights.
See the new Doctor Who live on stage
The Stage
This just in: Matt Smith, who will soon start filming his first scenes as the Doctor for the 2010 series of Doctor Who, will be performing live at London’s Royal Court Theatre this coming Friday at 4pm.
He will be taking part in a rehearsed reading of The Hotel Play by Wallace Shawn, as part of the Royal Court’s season devoted to the playwright. It’s a large piece with a cast of over sixty, so don’t expect him to get a huge amount of stage time. On the other hand, there are lots of other splendid actors joining him in the endeavour, including Benedict Cumberbatch, who TV Today included in our rundown of people who could possibly take on the role of the good Doctor. Longer term Who fans should note that also taking part is Geoffrey Beevers, who played the Master in the 1980 story The Keeper of Traken, a role he has also reprised
The full cast list (cribbed wholesale from the Royal Court website) is:
Cast includes Geoffrey Beevers, Diane Borger, Andrew Buckett, Bill Buckhurst, Ben Caplin, Anna Calder-Marshall, Kier Charles, Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Darnley, Sarah Davies, Jacqueline Defferary, Monica Dolan, Emily McDonnell, Elyse Dodgson, Amanda Drew, Deborah Eisenberg, Stephanie Fayerman, Ed Fortes, Alan Francis, Ian Gelder, Adam Gillen, Jonathan McGuiness, Alex Guiney, Jeremy Herrin, William Hope, Shane Hough, Maxwell Hutcheon, Patrick Kennedy, Isabella Laughland, Rob Laycock, Deirdre Lennon, Daisy Lewis, Alex Lowe, Charlotte Lucas, Emily Lucienne, George Mackay, Bruce Mackinnon, Benjamin Noble, Pamela Nomvete, Will Payne, Harry Peacock, Stephen Pidcock, Pearce Quigley, Ian Redford, Tariq Rifaat, Marcelo Dos Santos, Danny Sapani, Kerry Shale, Baruka O’Shaughnessy, Matt Smith, Roderick Smith, Colin Stinton, Bobby Stokes, Nicolas Tennant, John Trindle, June Watson, Harry Waller, Nigel Whitmey, Amanda Wilkin and Becky Wootton
The theatre’s website booking system seems to be playing up at the moment, so I can’t tell if there are any tickets left. However, the chances of seeing such a huge array of acting talent in one place is very rare, so in any event I’d advise booking as quickly as possible. Once word gets about Mr. Smith being involved, tickets are liable to go very quickly. Indeed, as the Royal Shakespeare Company noted on its twitter feed: http://twitter.com/TheRSC
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Doctor Who Adventures issue 117
Get a fantastic set of Doctor Who magnets and stickers!
In a special psychic issue, Doctor Who Adventures looks at the seriously spooky people we’ve met in the series and we ponder what’s next for the Doctor…
Plus, we’ve got ten of the best companions in Doctor Who! Who do you think is number one?
All this and…
Exclusive posters!
Create your own psychic paper
Monster survival guide
Loads of facts
TARDIS Tales
Comic strip action
Puzzles and competitions - cool prizes up for grabs!
Subscription offer - subscribe today and get a free gift.
Doctor Who Adventures,issue 117, priced £2.10, is out on Thursday 28 May. Essential reading for all Doctor Who fans!
Doctor Who movie rumour resurfaces
Total Film
It’s one of the oldest chestnuts in the film rumour world – the idea of turning Dr Who into a film.
In fact, it’s such an old chestnut, it was probably the staple food of Ida, the “missing link” fossil touted recently.
But it just won’t go away – buried in a BBC story about David Tenant’s outgoing Doctor cropping up in an episode of spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures was a ‘BBC Films spokeswoman’ blabbing that “a script is in development".
We’ve been through this time and time again – when the series lay dormant, there were stories that Steven Spielberg would pick up the movie rights and test footage of flying Daleks kept cropping up.
Then, when Russell T Davies and co brought it triumphantly back to small screens, the rumours kicked up a notch – the Beeb would naturally want to capitalise on the new series’ success.
Yet still nothing – and with the production team, now led by executive producer Steven Moffat busy hard at work on the latest series, we doubt anything will happen while the show is still airing.We’re sure the Who cash cow will eventually squeeze out a big screen outing, but for now, it looks like the only cinematic Doctor will be Peter Cushing. Oh, and Paul McGann’s TV movie Doc…
[Source: BBC News]
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Russell T Davies talks Tennant return
Russell T Davies video interview.
David Tennant is making a surprise appearance as Doctor Who on the CBBC show the Sarah Jane Adventures.
Doctor Who and Sarah Jane Adventures boss Russell T Davies explains the special "treat" for fans of both shows.
The Doctor to appear in CBBC drama The Sarah Jane Adventures
BBC Press Office
Doctor Who fans are in for a treat this Autumn as David Tennant makes a special appearance as The Doctor in CBBC's hit drama series The Sarah Jane Adventures with a starring role across two episodes.
Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, one-time companion to that strange wanderer in time and space known as The Doctor, is reunited with her old friend as The Sarah Jane Adventures is back for a third series of alien-busting adventures on CBBC this September.
Elisabeth Sladen, who plays Sarah Jane, says: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day.
"It's fantastic news that Sarah Jane is going to spend some time working with The Doctor again and is testament to just how successful this CBBC series is."
Russell T Davies, Executive Producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, adds: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat.
"And it's not just a cameo from David – this is a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."
The series includes 12 weeks of brand new adventures featuring a new alien race, the reptilian Veil and their enemies the Judoon, alongside an extraterrestrial girl that can make people play games against their will.
There will also be a living painting, the inhabitants of a supposedly haunted house, monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed and a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.
Alongside adopted son Luke, Sarah Jane's team is made up of Luke's streetwise pal Clyde Langer, their schoolmate Rani, who lives opposite and has aspirations to become a journalist like Sarah Jane, and Mr Smith, their Xylok supercomputer up in the attic, plus Sarah Jane's robot dog, K-9.
New DVD Dates
Outpost Gallifrey
DVD sales sites have begun listing release dates for several stories for DVD release in the UK.The second Doctor swan song, The War Games, is due for release on July 6th. The ten part story, staring Patrick Troughton is released on 3 discs. First shown in 1969, it also features Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury. Extras cleared for release at the BBFC website include a feature on the truth behind the War Games, Timezones; a feature on Malcolme Hulke; a 'Now and Then' on the Locations used in the story; a feature on Dudley Simpson; and a look at the Second Doctor in Comic strips.August 10th sees the release of a box set entitled The Black Guardian Trilogy which contains three stories from the fifth Doctor. Mawdryn Undead, Terminus and Enlightenment were originally broadcast in the winter of 1983. They cover the arrival of Mark Strickson as Turlough and the departure of Sarah Sutton as Nyssa as well as featuring Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka.Listed for release in September are two stories. The first Colin Baker story, The Twin Dilemma is listed for release on September 7th. This is the first conformation that the story will be released this year. It completes the DVD releases for the sixth Doctor. Just two weeks later sees the release of the first Doctor story, The Keys of Marinus.In addition, a special edition of the 1988 Sylvester McCoy story Remembrance of the Daleks is being issued on July 20th.The current expected UK DVD release schedule is therefore as follows:• 22 June 2009 - Delta And The Bannermen• 6 July 2009 - The War Games• 20 July 2009 - Remembrance Of The Daleks - Special Edition • 10 August 2009 - The Black Guardian Trilogy• 7 September 2009 - The Twin Dilemma• 21 September 2009 - The Keys of MarinusThe Dalek War box set (Frontier in Space / Planet of the Daleks) is still expected later this year.All dates are subject to change
Monday 25 May 2009
The Doctor Joins The Sarah Jane Adventures
Den Of Geek
David Tennant joins the gang on Bannerman Road in an all new adventure and he's joined by K9. But who is getting married...?
This month's Doctor Who Magazine has revealed some details about the upcoming third series of The Sarah Jane Adventures. Executive producer Russell T Davies tells the publication that David Tennant will be starring in a two-part story due to be screened in the Autumn.
Also joining the Tenth Doctor is the robotic mutt, K9 but RTD is keen to stress that this is no fleeting appearance by David Tennant. The writer says, "... it's more than just a cameo from the Tenth Doctor! He's a proper part of the story." He also adds that the two-parter is "extraordinary, wild and powerfully moving," cryptically adding, "let's just say that the wedding of Sarah Jane will be a day for everyone to remember!"
The as yet unnamed tale is written by Gareth Roberts (The Unicorn and the Wasp) who has penned a number of stories for the award-winning show. Other writers for the Series 3 of SJA include Phil Ford (Eye of the Gorgon), Joseph Lidster (The Mark of the Berserker), Brian Dooley (creator of The Smoking Room) and Rupert Laight.
Doctor Who: Animated Series On The Way
Den Of Geek
RTD has revealed that a second animated outing for The Doctor is coming soon starring Georgia Moffett and David Warner and there's some news of another 'special project'...
Debuting in "Autumn," a new animated Doctor Who story, entitled Dreamland, will be hitting the small screen through the BBC's red button service and Children's BBC. There will be seven episodes comprising of approximately six minutes. Viewers may remember The Infinite Quest from 2007 which ran on the show Totally Doctor Who and was subsequently released on DVD.
Starring as The Doctor is David Tennant and he will be joined by: Georgia Moffett (The Doctor's Daughter) though she is not playing Jenny, her character is called Cassie Rice; the voice of Bernice Summerfield, Lisa Bowerman (Survival); and the legendary David Warner (Tron, Time Bandits). Warner is also no stranger to Doctor Who having played the Time Lord himself in a 2003 audio play (reprising the role in 2008).
The writer for Dreamland is Phil Ford who is one of the few to pen stories for the triumvirate of Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood. His Who story, The Waters of Mars (due to be broadcast in November), was co-written with Russell T Davies. Directing the project is Who stalwart Gary Russell.
In this month's Doctor Who Magazine, RTD hints that a third special project might be on the way (David Tennant's appearance in The Sarah Jane Adventures being the first), he says: "... it would be nice to round things off with a Special Project 3... I can promise, it's worth waiting for!"
New Doctor Who Posters
Three new Doctor Who Posters have been released by Pyramid Posters they are Children Of Time, Monsters And Aliens and Everything I Know In Life... .
Sunday 24 May 2009
DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE SPECIAL: 200 GOLDEN MOMENTS
Over the last five decades, 200 Doctor Who stories have been shown on television. From the first incredible glimpse of the inside of the TARDIS in November 1963, to the arrival of a double-decker bus on an alien world at Easter 2009, the series has included countless ‘Golden Moments’ that have entertained, shocked, surprised and thrilled audiences of all ages.
Doctor Who Magazine is proud to present the ultimate celebration of Doctor Who’s first 46 years in this very special publication. At least one Golden Moment is put under the spotlight from each and every one of the Doctor’s 200 amazing adventures – from 100,000 BC to Planet of the Dead. Relive Doctor Who’s most exciting cliffhangers; the scariest shocks; the funniest scenes; and the most moving farewells. Maybe you’ll even discover some Golden Moments you never knew existed!
Featuring contributions from a galaxy of writers, including Doctor Who’s executive producer and head writer STEVEN MOFFAT; script writers PAUL CORNELL, JAMES MORAN, GARETH ROBERTS, ROBERT SHEARMAN and JOSEPH LIDSTER; DWM historians ANDREW PIXLEY, PHILIP MacDONALD, PATRICK MULKERN, ALAN BARNES and MARCUS HEARN; and Doctor Who novelists PETER ANGHELIDES, STEPHEN COLE, KATE ORMAN, JONATHAN MORRIS and GARY RUSSELL, 200 GOLDEN MOMENTS is an affectionate tribute to the greatest television series of all time!
200 GOLDEN MOMENTS is on sale now from all good newsagents, priced £6.99.
David Tennant Returns!
BBC Doctor Who
It's his TARDIS. And he's back!
We may have a few months to wait for The Waters of Mars but David Tennant was back in the TARDIS in a special scene that featured in John Barrowman's Tonight's the Night!
The aim of John's BBC One show is 'to make dreams come true' and when long-time Doctor Who fan Tim Ingham won a competition to appear in a scene with Captain Jack, set onboard the TARDIS, he already thought the prize was 'unbelievable'. But things got even better when the Doctor himself - David Tennant - paid a surprise visit to the set and starred in the scene written by Executive Producer, Russell T Davies.
The scene begins with the striking and sinister Sao Til (invented and played by Tim) busying himself at the TARDIS controls. He's got evil intentions written all over his blue face and with the Doctor's time machine in his hands, well, hand, who can stop him? Captain Jack. That's who! The Torchwood toughie confronts the illegal alien and is almost fooled into thinking he's the regenerated Doctor. But realising that the Time Lord would never carry weapons, Jack twigs the figure at the controls is a bad guy and...
...in walks David Tennant! You can see what happens next by visiting our special feature on Tonight's the Night Doctor Who adventure, which also includes an exclusive interview with winner Tim Ingham, a chance to watch the scene again and the behind-the-scenes look at this trip of a lifetime!
Saturday 23 May 2009
Tonight's The Night Doctor Who Scene
BBC Doctor Who
David Tennant makes surprise return to the TARDIS!
The Doctor Who team likes to surprise people. There was the Master turning up in Utopia, the whole Jack/Face of Boe thing and come on, don't pretend you didn't choke on your jammy dodgers when Rose appeared at the end of Partners in Crime.
And in week 6 of Tonight's the Night they did it again! We'd been looking forward to a scene with Captain Jack and the winning alien, set in the TARDIS. Written by Doctor Who's Executive Producer Russell T Davies and featuring John Barrowman, it was pretty obvious it was going to be special. But then part way through the scene, bang! In walks David Tennant, looking bemused and suspicious...
He greets 'John' and wants to know what's going on! John sheepishly replies he's messing around with his friend, Tim. David accepts the explanation but indicates he'll be keeping an eye on him. 'And John,' he adds, before walking away, 'My TARDIS...'
The scene manages to be initially dramatic before morphing into a humorous look at David Tennant and John Barrowman's (imagined!) take on Doctor Who and the TARDIS. And Tonight's the Night also gave us a behind-the-scenes peek into making the scene which features Russell T Davies who talks about the never-diminishing thrill of walking onto the Doctor Who set. This behind-the-scenes feature also captures the moment when Tim Ingham met David Tennant, whose presence in the mini-adventure had been a closely guarded secret.
The aim of Tonight's the Night is 'to make dreams come true' and with this scene they certainly succeeded with Tim Ingham, a Doctor Who fan who won the show's competition to create an alien. Aside from starring opposite John Barrowman and David Tennant, Tim spent time on set talking to the stars and meeting Executive Producer Russell T Davies. 'We are really pleased that Tim had such a good time,' Russell told us. 'It felt like he was part of the team.'
So. One fantasy fulfilled for a Doctor Who fan? Check! And realising that for the rest of his life, Tim will be asked questions about his time in the TARDIS we got in there first...
What was the best part of the experience?
Working with John Barrowman! I'm such a big fan of his that to act opposite him was... well, fantastic! He's such a nice guy and gave me plenty of acting tips.
What was David Tennant like?
He's got such an aura about him. You know I really didn't know he was going to be there and it was such a surprise when he turned up. We spent time chatting about Doctor Who and specifically, the scene I was in. He's a spot on guy.
And did you meet Russell T Davies?
Yeah! Out of everyone, he was the one who's most like you see him onscreen. He's lovely. In fact at one point I was with all three of them, (David, John and Russell) just chatting in the TARDIS and that was the real 'Noooooo!!!!' moment! Like, this can't be happening! Unbelievable!
Aside from the people, what else sticks out about the experience?
Well, it really was a dream come true. A once in a lifetime thing, and it's not properly sunk in yet. I don't think it will before I see it onscreen. But the people, as I've said, were great and the director, Alice Troughton was so supportive. But apart from that - the TARDIS! It's a cliché to say it but it's like it really is bigger on the inside! Huge! And so detailed! I was looking at the console and it's full of quirky little things. John didn't know where all the stuff had come from but imagined that they had found some of it lying around and decided to just stick in on and go with it! But, yeah, it was amazing being on set.
Are you looking forward to the forthcoming specials?
Yes! David has made such an impact as the Doctor and I'm sure he'll be brilliant... and Russell will put his heart and soul into writing them [the specials] so they will all be fantastic. We talked a little about them and although he didn't give much away it's obvious they're going to be good!
The special TARDIS scene in Tonight's the Night was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Alice Troughton. It was produced by Brian Minchin, Assistant Producer of Captain Jack's upcoming series, Torchwood: Children of Earth.
Don't forget, you can watch the entire episode of Tonight's the Night by visiting its official site which also gives details about other features on the show.
DW Wrap Party 22/05/09
Radio Doctor Who
well last night was jam packed with the cast and crew all there to greet farewell to RTD and tennant so here's what happened:
Arrived there around 6:50pm although the party didn't start till 7pm:
There were a lot of people there to name a few, the usuals were there Tennant RTD. Jullie Garnder as well the the production team.
I Managed to see Paul Cornell who was instresting to talk to, Ben Cook and Tom pillsbury from DWM were so thats nice. The night was mostly people gathering around David and Russell to greet farewell and say thanks on behalf of the crew.
The party went on the early hrs, there were waitresses going around with champaign and the ordurves. there was a Bar there serving up drinks as well as food which wasn't bad.
I couldn't take any photos as they were prohibited i think they want to relax without all the publicity that follows it. it was calm and relaxed mood throughout the night.
The people who i did manage to have a talk to such as ben cook and tom Spilsbury didn't want to spill the beans on anything thats coming so i just chatted to them for a while although most of them did have a lot to drink
At the end both Russell and David did a farewell speech in front of all the guests congratulating on all the hard work they did and praising the effort on the show. Finally he said can't wait for the new production to start in July so its all exciting to come
i left around 11:30pm by that time the party atmosphere was dying down and most of the guests were drunk or round about that
Nothing new or anything revealing came out of this party as i suspect that people want to relax after all the hard work and the last thing they need is people snooping about.
However i did manage towards the end get a greeting from tennant himself who is very nice and asked if any new projects coming up he said "just have to wait and see".
Asked to paul cornell if he's writing series 5 he had this say "maybe or maybe not just wait"
overall Not bad i would say this is the best party i been to in a long time
Thanks to Thomas for the report.
"Doctor Who": The Story of Martha (Audiobook) By Dan Abnett
Description
For a year, while the Master ruled over the Earth, Martha Jones travelled the world telling people stories about the Doctor. She told people of how the Doctor has saved them before, and how he will save them again. This is that story. It tells of Martha's travels from her arrival on Earth as the Toclafane attacked and decimated the population through to her return to Britain to face the Master. It tells how she spread the word and told people about the Doctor. The story of how she survived that terrible year. Featuring the Doctor and Martha as played by David Tennant and Freema Agyeman in the hit series from BBC Television, "The Story of Martha" is read by Freema Agyeman.
Friday 22 May 2009
Doctor Who Adventures Issue 116
There’s a free Cyber stationery set and the issue is packed with Cyberman terror!
Read a fascinating fact file about the heartless Miss Hartigan, the woman who was turned into the CyberKing, which is biggest piece of Cyber tech ever.
Plus, look out for the top ten TARDIS moments in Doctor Who! All this and…
• Exclusive posters!
• Make your own K-9
• Monster survival guide
• TARDIS Tales
• Comic strip action
• Puzzles and competitions - cool prizes up for grabs!
• Subscription offer - subscribe today and get a free gift.
Doctor Who Adventures, issue 116, priced £2.10, is out now. Don’t miss it!
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