Doctor Who - Defending the Earth: The Unit Sourcebook

Cubicle 7 Entertaiment have commissioned a new Doctor Who role play game. Defending the Earth: The UNIT Sourcebook consists of 192 pages, a hardback cover and is written by David F. Chapman.

Front and centre, soldier! You're part of UNIT now, the Unified Intelligence Taskforce. We are the Earth's best defence against the myriad alien forces who would try to subjugate and conquer our planet. Try they might, but they will meet UNIT: a global military force tasked with protecting the planet and researching the alien threat. It's not an easy job, and even those recruited for their scientific knowledge can find themselves on the front lines of combat against an almost unstoppable foe. It's dangerous, violent and not everyone will survive, but for the good of the planet we will do everything in our power to protect humanity from extraterrestrial terrors.

The book is due to be published on 15 April 2010 at the RRP of £25.56 and is avialable to pre-order from Amazon.

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Bonhams Doctor Who Auction

The Bonhams Doctor Who auction tookplace in London yesterday. Items including Daleks, Cybermen, the Torchwood SUV as well as costumes worn by David Tennant, Freema Agyeman, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, Noel Clarke and Kylie Minogue were all up for auction.

The black Dalek seen in 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks went for £20,400 and was the most expensive item while the speaker seen in 2006's The Runaway Bride went for the smallest amount of £42. The Torchwood SUV went for £18,000.

The full list is available on the Bonhams website.
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Quote Of The Day - Tenth Doctor

"I just want you to know, there are worlds out there, safe in the sky because of her. That there are people living in the light, and singing songs of Donna Noble. A thousand, million light years away. They will never forget her, while she can never remember. But for one moment... one shining moment... she was the most important woman in the whole wide universe."
- Tenth Doctor, Journey's End.

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David Tennant Cast In 'Retreat'

David Tennant has been cast in the psychological thriller Movie 'Retreat'. His co-stars include Jason Isaacs and Thandie Newton who play a holidaying couple who have their break ruined by a half-dead man (David Tennant) who tells them that a deadly virus is killing people on the mainland.

Magnet producer Gary Sinyor told Screen Daily of the project: "It reminded me of Dead Calm when I first read it. Only better. It's got a similar sexual tension but the battle of wits between the characters and plot twists are constantly surprising. We're delighted to have secured three of the UK's most powerful actors."

(Source: Digital Spy) 

(Thanks to News Guy)

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SFX 3D Doctor Who Cover

The next issue of SFX has an exclusive 3D Doctor Who cover featuring Matt Smith as The Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond. The magazine also has interviews with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Steven Moffat.

SFX194, on sale 10 March, is going to have a very special cover indeed – a specially commissioned, eye-popping 3D image of Matt Smith as Doctor Who, Karen Gillan as Amy Pond and a couple of Weeping Angels lurking about the place too. The animated gif here gives you an idea what to expect (just click on it to see what we mean), but you really need to see the real thing in all its glory when it hits the shelves in a couple of weeks' time.

The cover was created with the full association of the Doctor Who production team. SFX's art team popped down to Cardiff last month to conduct the exclusive photoshoot, to create an exciting image you'll see nowhere else. The issue also includes a massive nine-page feature on the new series of Doctor Who, including all-new interviews with Matt, Karen and Steve Moffat.

(Source: SFX)

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The One Show - Bonhams Doctor Who Auction Feature (23/02/10)

Quote Of The Day - Eighth Doctor

"It was on the planet Skaro that my old enemy, the Master, was finally put on trial. They say he listened calmly as his list of evil crimes was read and sentence passed. Then he made his last, and I thought somewhat curious, request. He demanded that I, the Doctor, a rival Time Lord, should take his remains back to our home planet - Gallifrey. It was a request they should never have granted."
- Eighth Doctor, TV Movie.

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Doctor Who: The Creature From The Pit DVD Announced

2|entertain announced on Twitter yesterday that the 1979 Doctor Who story 'The Creature From The Pit', starring Tom Baker as the Doctor, has been commissioned for release on DVD.

The following DVD extras have been passed by the BBFC: 

00:19:00:14 CHRISTOPHER BARRY: DIRECTOR (DVD EXTRA)
00:14:45:21 TEAM ERATO (DVD EXTRA)
00:04:48:13 THE CREATURE FROM THE PIT - PHOTO GALLERY (DVD EXTRA)
00:02:34:08 ANIMAL MAGIC (DVD EXTRA)

The DVD is expected to be released later this year.

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Matt Smith And Karen Gillan Attend BBC Showcase

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan attended the BBC Showcase in Brighton to promote Doctor Who yesterday. At the event, it was announced that Doctor Who has now been sold to over 50 countries in the world, as well as achieving the number one spot on iTunes in the USA last year. Also, the programme was within the top two imported programmes for South Korea for July 08/June09, and was within the top 5 selling programmes for BBC Worldwide in 2008/09.

Gareth David-Lloyd was also there to promote Torchwood, which BBC Worldwide announced has been sold to 37 broadcasters worldwide and can be seen in countries as far flung as Turkey and Taiwan, Albania and Australia, Iceland and India.

"Our sci-fi content offers pure escapism for the viewer, perhaps more so than any other genre – this is exactly what people are looking for in troubled times. British sci-fi’s on a role and there’s a real hunger out there for more," commented Steve Macallister, Managing Director, Sales and Distribution, BBC Worldwide.

(Source: BBC Press Office)
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Quote Of The Day - Sixth Doctor

"In all my travelling throughout the universe I have battled against evil, against power-mad conspirators. I should have stayed here. The oldest civilisation: decadent, degenerate, and rotten to the core. Power-mad conspirators, Daleks, Sontarans, Cybermen, they're still in the nursery compared to us. Ten million years of absolute power. That's what it takes to be really corrupt."
- Sixth Doctor, Trial of a Time Lord.

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James Corden in Doctor Who?

The Sun are reporting that Gavin and Stacey star James Corden has been cast in the next series of Doctor Who.

The tabloid newspaper claim that Corden 'blurted it out' when quizzed by a fan with an unnamed 'insider' saying: "We normally keep our guest stars under wraps but you can't hide a bloke like James.

"And now he's not coming to Wales for Gavin And Stacey any more, it's pretty obvious why he is here."

"James loves coming to Wales.

"And it gives him a chance to meet up with Ruth Jones, who co-wrote Gavin and Stacey with him and starred as Nessa."

"We're just delighted to have James on board.

"He is a great actor and he'll be a perfect fit for the new Doctor Who."

The BBC refused to comment on the claims.

Would you like to see James Corden in Doctor Who?

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Carey Mulligan Wins 'Best Actress' BAFTA

Carey Mulligan, who played 'Sally Sparrow' in the 2007 Doctor Who episode 'Blink', has won the 'Best Actress' award at this year's Film BAFTAs for her role as Jenny in the film 'An Education'.

The actress, 24, said: "I was here a year ago and I didn't imagine in a million years that this would happen.

"I wish I could do a speech like Colin Firth and talk about fridges but I can't."

Carey was also nominated for the 'Rising Star' award but unfortunately lost out to Kristen Stewart.



(Source: BBC News/BAFTA)

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Quote Of The Day - Grandma Connolly

"I heard they rot your brains. Rot them into soup, and your brains come pouring out of your ears. That's what Television does."
- Grandma Connolly, The Idiot's Lantern.

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Doctor Who: Series Five Air Date

The new Doctor Who trailer was transmitted again on BBC One earlier today which confirmed the Doctor Who: Series Five air date.

The trailer made its debut yesterday on BBC One with the caption 'The journey begins, Easter 2010' but on today's version of the trailer, the caption read '3rd April 2010'! So we have an air date - Saturday 3rd April 2010!

The journey begins... in 41 days!

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Doctor Who Revisitations Box Set Titles Confirmed

2|entertain have commissioned the 'Revisitations' Doctor Who DVD box set which consists of three special editions of previously released classic Doctor Who stories.

The three titles have now been confirmed as the 1996 'TV Movie' starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor; the 1977 story 'The Talons of Weng Chiang', starring Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and 1984's 'The Caves of Androzani', starring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor.

The box set is due for release later this year.

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Doctor Who: David Tennant Era Cinema Trailer by Vortexguyz934

Doctor Who Seventh Doctor & Imperial Dalek Action Figures

This exclusive two-pack of Doctor Who action figures, based on the Seventh Doctor (Sylevester McCoy) and an Imperial Dalek, are due for release from Forbidden Planet on 16th March 2010 at the price of £24.99.

In this exclusive Doctor Who set we present the 7th Doctor action figure wearing the costume seen in 'Remembrance of the Daleks' with cream jacket and umbrella accessory along with a white Imperial Dalek resplendent in white with gold Imperial livery.

Mercurial and highly moral, this Doctor would often despair at the cruelty and wastefulness he encountered across the galaxies. On a trip to America in 1999, he was accidentally gunned down by a street gang and taken to hospital, where the procedures taken to try and save him did the reverse and he seemingly died, only to regenerate within the hospital’s morgue…

The TARDIS arrives in London in November 1963, where the Doctor and Ace discover that two rival factions of Daleks - one loyal to the Dalek Emperor and one to the Dalek Supreme - are seeking the Hand of Omega, a powerful Time Lord device that the first Doctor hid there during an earlier sojourn on Earth.

This item can only be supplied to UK and Irish customers.


Click here to pre-order.

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Quote Of The Day - Mr Smith

"If every phenomenon reported as a UFO was in fact an alien spacecraft, I assure you the Earth would be at the centre of a solar gridlock stretching back to the outer rings of Saturn."
- Mr Smith, The Last Sontaran.

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New Doctor Who Series Five Trailer!

Doctor Who: The Vampires of Venice - Script Extract (SPOILERS)

A script extact from the upcoming Doctor Who Series Five episode 'The Vampires of Venice' has surfaced online. The episode is written by Toby Whithouse and features Matt Smith as the Doctor, Karen Gillan as Amy Pond and Arthur Darvill as Rory. The script extract can be read below.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)

I want Rory to see it too. So I'm sending you somewhere. Together.

AMY

What, like a date?

The Doctor scampers around the console, pulling leavers, spinning dials, firing up the engines.

THE DOCTOR

Anywhere you want, any time you want. One condition: it has to be amazing. The Moulin Rouge in 1890! The first Olympic games! Think of it as a wedding present. Because frankly it's either this or tokens.

AMY

What do you think Rory?

Rory says nothing. Still hunched against his pillar. The Doctor smiles understandingly. He knows what this is about.

THE DOCTOR

It's a lot to take in, isn't it. Tiny box, huge room inside: what's that about? Let me explain...

(Source: Blogtor Who)

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David Tennant in 'Murder in Smarkand' (UPDATED)

David Tennant plays Craig Murray at 2.30pm today in BBC Radio Four's Saturday Play 'Murder in Samarkand'.

David Hare's witty portrait of an unlikely hero, based on the memoir by Craig Murray.

Craig is proud to be sent as Ambassador to Uzbekistan, eager to work hard and also eager for fun. The combination takes him on a dangerous course both professionally and personally, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

UPDATE: This programme has now aired and is available on the BBC iPlayer (UK only) for the next 7 days.


(Source: BBC Radio 4)

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New Doctor Who Series Five Trailer Today!

A reminder that a new 60 second trailer for Doctor Who Series Five is due to make its debut on BBC One today at around 6.28pm and on the BBC HD channel at 7.16pm, according to the BBC's entertainment correspondent and self-confessed Doctor Who fan Lizo Mzimba. The trailer will also be available to watch on this site shortly after it has been broadcast on BBC One.

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Quote Of The Day - First Doctor

"If you could touch the alien sand and hear the cries of strange birds, and watch them wheel in another sky, would that satisfy you?"
- First Doctor, An Unearthly Child.

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David Tennant in 'Single Father'

David Tennant is to make a comeback to BBC One in the lead role of a new four-part drama called 'Single Father', the BBC have announced.

The drama, written by Mike Ford, is emotionally powerful yet funny four-part drama set in Glasgow which focuses on a man who struggling to look after his four children after the death of his wife.

David Tennant says: "I feel very lucky to have been sent this script. When I read what Mick Ford had written I was desperate to be part of this project. And to be working with Red Production Company again makes me very happy indeed."

Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One, added: "I am delighted that David's next starring role on British television will be on BBC One."

Click here to read the full press release.

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Doctor Who Adventures Giveaway

Doctor Who Adventures are giving away some exclusive Doctor Who gear!

- Galactic Facts Book
Full of loads of cool info about robots, spaceships, monsters and villains, and is perfect for Doctor Who fans!
*Postage, packing & handling fee of £1.99 required.

- Cyberman Stationary Set
Claim your very own fantastic Cyberman Stationary Set!
*Postage, packing & handling fee of £2.99 required.

- Doctor Who Adventures Magazine Files
Claim your very own fantastic Doctor Who Adventures Box folders! There are five files in each set.
*Postage, packing & handling fee of £2.99 required.

- Dalek Rucksack
Claim your very own fantastic Doctor Who Adventures Dalek rucksack! It's perfect for school - or for storing your copies of Doctor Who Adventures!
*Postage, packing & handling fee of £2.99 required.

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Doctor Who Adventures Issue 158 - Cover & Info

The cover and details for this week's issue of Doctor Who Adventures which is on sale until the 24th Febuary at the price of £2.10.

You'll have to be extra careful when picking up your Doctor Who Adventures this week - there's a couple of spiky Vinvocci on the cover!

Inside, you can find out everything you need to know about the Doctor’s prickly, green pals from The End of Time - and all the other spiky aliens the Doctor has met over the years.

There's also a great free inflatable monster for every reader - you can choose between a Supreme Dalek and a Sontaran. Watch them near those Vinvocci spikes, though - your monster might get a puncture!

The rest of the issue is also jam-packed with great stuff, including:

•A poster of a brilliant, unseen battle between the Judoon and a Dalek. We've also got Dalek Sec Hybrid, the Doctor and Rose, and Gadget posters for you to pin up on your wall. Amazing!
•Our top 10 Ood moments
•A cool visitor's guide to Gallifrey, the Doctor's planet - watch out for the Flutterwings!
•All about where Rose Tyler is now
•The Doctor has an amazing comic-strip adventure, where he meets a couple of familiar faces. See if you recognise the President of Earth from watching Doctor Who Confidential!

We've also got some brilliant prizes to win, as well as puzzles and quizzes for you to enjoy.

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Quote Of The Day - Ninth Doctor

"The past is another country. 1987's just the Isle of Wight."
- Ninth Doctor, Father's Day.

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Torchwood Magazine Issue 20 - Cover & Info

The cover and details for Torchwood Magazine issue 20 which is on sale from today, at the price of £4.99.

TORCHWOOD TEMPTATION!
Torchwood magazine is out now to bring you the latest interviews, rumours and behind-the-scenes exclusives for your enjoyment! The latest issue contains commentary from Children of Earth director Euros Lyn, brand new exclusive fiction, the chance for you to have your own Torchwood short story published, and much more! Read on for more details.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COMIC STRIP
Ma and Par coverThere's a brand new and exclusive Torchwood Magazine comic strip on the Watch TV website. Check out 'Ma and Par', written by Oli Smith with art by Brian Williamson, and let us know what you think in the thread on our Facebook page.

TAKE OVER TORCHWOOD!
Are you a massive fan of Torchwood? Fancy yourself as a writer? Well, here's your chance to see your work published in Torchwood magazine! Get inspired with writing tips from top Torchwood authors in the latest issue, and write your own short story of 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. See the magazine for details of how to enter.

Features

DIRECTOR’S COMMENTARY – EUROS LYN
The latest issue of Torchwood magazine features exclusive commentary from Torchwood: Children of Earth director, Euros Lyn, who looks back on the series. He also tells us about directing the Tenth Doctor’s final meeting with Captain Jack in The End of Time. Plus, we have interviews with two of the writers of Children of Earth. John Fay, who penned Day Two and Day Four, tells us what it was like to be the man who killed Ianto Jones. And the writer of Day Three, James Moran, talks about rewrites, reactions and repeated nudity!

BAD GIRL – LIZ MAY BRICE
“I was thrilled to be working with Peter Capaldi – until I realised we didn’t have any scenes together!” – Liz May Brice
Hailing from a background playing strong (and slightly scary) women, Liz May Brice was the perfect choice for the role of the formidable Agent Johnson in Torchwood: Children of Earth. In the latest issue of Torchwood magazine, Brice tells us all about her commando training, the journey that her character took over the five days, and working with perhaps the most difficult of actors, her ever-present earpiece!

FANTASTIC FICTION
There are two new short stories and an original comic strip for you to sink your teeth into this issue, exclusive to Torchwood magazine. Ianto gets down and dirty in the first short story, Happy New Year, written by Sarah Pinborough and illustrated by Adrian Salmon. Then, in Photo Finish, Mark Morris tells the tale of a mysterious blue space monkey with art by Mike Dowling. Finally, check out the latest Torchwood comic strip adventure, Fated To Pretend, written by Brian Minchin with art by Steve Yeowell and John Workman!

CONCEPT CORNER
Some exclusive pre-production artwork of the 456 from Children of Earth, designed by Millenium FX!

RIK MAKAREM
We interview the double-crossing doctor, Rupesh Patanjali, from Children of Earth: Day One.
 
DRESSED TO KILL
We take a look at the world of ‘cosplay’ and talk to Torchwood Costume Designer, Ray Holman.

TOUGH TO BEAR
Young actor Bear McCausland talks about his pivotal role as Jack’s grandson, Steven, in Children of Earth.

CLOSE CALL: RUSSELL T DAVIES
The creator of Torchwood himself, Russell T Davies, answers your questions!

WHAT LIES BENEATH?
We explore real-world underground bases to rival the Torchwood Hub!

(Source: Titan Magazines)

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3D Doctor Who Trailer

Broadcast are reporting that the BBC have comissioned a new 3D cinema trailer to promote the next series of Doctor Who. The 40-second trailer features Matt Smith as the Doctor along with Karen Gillan as Amy Pond.


A BBC spokesperson said: “Doctor Who is the appropriate vehicle for 3D. It just fits. It’s a great way to introduce and showcase the new Doctor to younger viewers.”

The trailer, which was converted from 2D to 3D by Red Bee Media with grading and effects work completed by The Mill, is due to launch in UK cinemas later this month.

(Thanks to News Guy for the heads-up!)
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Matt Smith and Steven Moffat on Blue Peter (17/02/10)

Quote Of The Day - Tenth Doctor

"There's something else I've always wanted to say: Allons-y Alonso!"
- Tenth Doctor, Voyage of the Damned.

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Doctor Who Series Five Spoilers & Torchwood on the Internet?

STV have published an article online which may contain MAJOR SPOILERS for the Doctor Who Series Five finale as well as claiming that Torchwood will make a comeback - on the internet! Read the artice below.

The Time Lord - played by Matt Smith - will have to fight off a mixture of old enemies, including Cybermen, Sontarans and Daleks as he and his sidekick Amy Pond (Karen Gillian) face a deathly battle full of "explosive" shocks and cliffhangers.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "The producers wanted Matt to end his first season as the Time Lord with something explosive and exciting. And this fits the bill. It's got all the right elements for a great finale and plenty of opportunities for cliffhangers, with fans not knowing who survives."

The legendary enemies are about to return to the screen for a new story called The Pandorica Opens - which focuses on the journey of a group of aliens, new and old, who are heading to Earth to cause destruction.

The article also claims that Torchwood is to make a return - online!

Meanwhile, the 'Doctor Who' spin-off show 'Torchwood' is due to make a comeback - but will only be screened on the internet.

While bosses at the BBC decide whether or not the series should return to the TV screen, Titan comics and the television channel Watch have joined together to broadcast the programme as a comic adventure.

(Source: STV)
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Doctor Who Blue Peter Competition Winner Announced

The winner of Blue Peter's 'design a TARDIS console' competition was revealed on the show today. The top three designs were chosen by Steven Moffat (Head Writer/Executive Producer), Edward Thomas (Production Designer) and Tim Levell (Blue Peter Editor). The overall winning design was by 'Susannah from Lancishire' and was chosen by Matt Smith. The console will feature in an upcoming episode of Doctor Who and the winner will get to go behind-the-scenes of the show.

(Source: Blue Peter)

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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 419 Cover

NEW DOCTOR! NEW DANGER!
The cover for Doctor Who Magazine issue 419 has been revealed! It features Matt Smith as the Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond. The issue is on sale from 4th March 2010!

(Thanks to Nebula One for the heads-up!)
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UPDATED: New Doctor Who Series Five Promotional Picture

This new Doctor Who: Series Five promotional picture has surfaced online and features Matt Smith as The Doctor, Karen Gillan as Amy Pond, a Dalek, a Weeping Angel, an unknown monster with a creepy smile and the new time vortex!

Digital Spy also claim that a new trailer for the series will premier on BBC One and the Official BBC Website this Saturday (20th February)!

UPDATE: The BBC Doctor Who website have now confimed that a new Doctor Who: Series Five trailer will be available at 'early evening' this Saturday! The website also have the new promotional picture available to download as a desktop wallpaper here, in the 'Eleventh Doctor' section of the site.

Thanks to News Guy the heads-up!

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Quote Of The Day - Gwen Cooper

"Do you like hotdogs? I bloody love 'em."
- Gwen Cooper, Children of Earth - Day Three.

Torchwood Magazine Issue 18 Cover

Torchwood Magazine issue 20 is published on 18th February 2010 and includes features with John Barrowman, Russell T Davies, Bear McCausland, Liz May Brice, John Fay, James Moran, Dr Rupesh, Colsplay plus the latest news and much, much more!
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Happy Birthday Christopher Eccleston!

Happy Birthday to Christopher Eccleston who is Fourty-Six today! Chris played the Ninth Doctor in Series One of Doctor Who back in 2005, and is currently about to play John Lennon in BBC Four's production 'John Lennon - Naked' alongside Torchwood's Naoko Mori.

Click here to read more about Eccleston's life and work.

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How Time Lord Doctor Who took on Mrs Thatcher

Quirky sci-fi drama or politically subversive television? Doctor Who actor Sylvester McCoy has claimed that scriptwriters of the cult TV show wrote material in the 1980s which was designed to undermine Margaret Thatcher's government.

Newsnight's Culture correspondent talks to those in the know.

Broadcast on Monday 15 February 2010.

(Source: Newsnight)

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Quote Of The Day - The Master

"The Time Lords only resurrected me because they knew I'd be the perfect warrior for a Time War. I was there when the Dalek Emperor took control of the Cruciform. I saw it. I ran. I ran so far. Made myself human so they would never find me, because I was so scared."
- The Master, The Sound of Drums.

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Doctor Who on Newsnight Tonight

 The politics of 1980s Doctor Who will be a subject on tonight's episode of Newsnight at 10.30pm on BBC Two.

And for all you Dr Who fans out there - scriptwriter writer Andrew Cartmel will be talking about the claims that in the 80s the Time Lord wasn't just battling cybermen and daleks, but Mrs Thatcher too.

(Source: Newsnight)

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Torchwood: The Radio Adventures

The previously released Torchwood BBC Radio 4 dramas: Lost Souls, Asylum, The Golden Age and The Dead Line featuring John Barrowman as Captain Jack, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones and Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones are to be re-released in the 'Torchwood: The Radio Adventures' box set later this year.

A box set of four BBC Radio 4 dramas featuring the characters from the hit BBC TV series, as played by John Barrowman, Freema Agyeman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd.

Click here to pre-order the box set.
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Quote Of The Day - Gwen Cooper

"Torchwood doesn't do maternity leave - "Sorry Jack, I'd love to deal with those aliens but I can't find a babysitter" or "I'll deal with that bomb once I've dropped Rhys Jr. off at preschool.""
- Gwen Cooper, Adrift.

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Doctor Who vs Margaret Thatcher!

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Sylvester McCoy has revealed that BBC scriptwriters and producers including John Nathan-Turner and Andrew Cartmel wrote 'anti-Thatcher' propaganda into Doctor Who in an attempt to 'overthrow' Margarate Thatcher and the Tory government in the 1980s!

“The idea of bringing politics into Doctor Who was deliberate, but we had to do it very quietly and certainly didn’t shout about it,” said McCoy.

“We were a group of politically motivated people and it seemed the right thing to do. At the time Doctor Who used satire to put political messages out there in the way they used to do in places like Czechoslovakia. Our feeling was that Margaret Thatcher was far more terrifying than any monster the Doctor had encountered. Those who wanted to see the messages saw them; others, including one producer, didn’t.”

Andrew Cartmel, the show’s script editor during the late 1980s, confirmed its deliberate anti-Thatcher slant.

He said last week that John Nathan-Turner, who produced the show throughout the 1980s, had asked him during his job interview what he hoped to achieve in the post.

“My exact words were: I’d like to overthrow the government,” said Cartmel. “I was a young firebrand and I wanted to answer honestly. I was very angry about the social injustice in Britain under Thatcher and I’m delighted that came into the show.”

He assembled a number of “angry young writers” to produce storylines that they hoped would foment anti-Thatcher dissent. They included Ben Aaronovitch, son of the late Marxist intellectual Sam Aaronovitch, and Rona Munro, who went on to become a scriptwriter for Ken Loach, the socialist film-maker.

Under Cartmel’s direction, Thatcher was caricatured as Helen A, the wide-eyed tyrannical ruler of a human colony on the planet Terra Alpha.

The extra-terrestrial character, played by Sheila Hancock, outlawed unhappiness and remarked “I like your initiative, your enterprise” as her secret police rounded up dissidents.

The Doctor persuaded “the drones”, who toiled in the factories and mines, to down tools and rise up in revolt, an echo of the miners’ strikes and printers’ disputes during Thatcher’s first two terms in office.

Click here to read the full story.

Both the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant and ex-executive Doctor Who producer Russell T Davies have recently expressed their views on David Cameron and the current Conservative party with Davies saying that the Tories would 'dismantle' the BBC if they came into power and Tennant telling Doctor Who Magazine that David Cameron would be a 'terrifying' prospect as Prime Minister.

Thanks to News Guy for the heads-up!
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Doctor Who and Torchwood Broadcasting Press Guild Nominations

Both Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood have recieved nominations in this is year's Broadcasting Press Guild awards.

David Tennant has been nominated as 'Best Actor' for his roles as in Doctor Who and Hamlet. Other actors who have been nominated in this category are: David Morrisey, Peter Capaldi, Tom Hardy, Brendan Gleeson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Nesbitt, Stephen Graham, Andrew Garfield, Sean Bean, Aidan Turner, Ciaran Hinds, Dougie Henshall, David Oyelowo, Tim Roth, John Sessions, Timothy Spall, David Haig, and John Hurt.

Eve Myles has been nominated in the 'Best Actress' category for her roles in Torchwood and Framed. Lindsay Duncan also been nominated in this category for her role as Adelaide Brooke in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars as well as BBC Two's Margaret and BBC Four's Margot. Other actresses nominated in this category are: Lenora Critchlow, Sophie Okonedo, Suranne Jones, Anne-Marie Duff, Margot, Helena Bonham Carter, Jane Horrocks, Julie Walters, Anna Maxwell Martin, Maxine Peake, Ruth Wilson, Ellie Kendrick, Charlotte Riley, Naomie Harris, Rebecca Front and Kierston Wareing.

Torchwood: Children of Earth has been nominated in the 'Best Drama Series or Serial' category. Other nominees in this category are: Occupation, Red Riding Trilogy, The Street, Unforgiven, The Diary of Anne Frank, Cranford, Whitechapel, Criminal Justice, Small Island, Being Human, and Collision.

Russell T Davies has been nominated in the 'Best Writer' category for his work on Doctor Who and Torchwood. Other writers nominated in this category are: Toby Whithouse, Hugh Whitemore, Paula Milne, Guy Hibbert, Peter Bowker, Peter Moffat, Deborah Moggach, Sally Wainwright, Armando Iannucci et al, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, Jo Brand, Vicki Pepperdine, Joanna Scanlan, Lindsay Shapero, Frank McGuinness, Anthony Horowitz, Michael A Walker and Neil Biswas.

Winners are chosen by the members of the Broadcasting Press Guild and will be announced later this month.

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Doctor Who and Torchwood 'Tonner' Dolls

A series of Doctor Who and Torchwood 'Tonner' dolls based on the characters of The Doctor (David Tennant), Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) are now available to order online.

Sculpted in the likeness of David Tennant as the tenth incarnation of the TIME LORD™ known as DOCTOR WHO™, this TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ wears a two-piece suit including shirt, tie, socks, shoes and SONIC SCREWDRIVER™.
 

Sculpted in the likeness of Freema Agyeman as MARTHA JONES™, this TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ wears a knit top under a faux leather jacket and denims; includes earring, necklace, bracelet, hair trim, hosiery, shoes and display stand.

 Sculpted in likeness of John Barrowman, CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS™ wear a tee shirt under a long-sleeve cotton shirt with belted trousers and long duster coat; includes socks, shoes and display stand.

 

Sculpted in the likeness of Eve Myles, GWEN COOPER™ wears a top shirt under jacket with belted denims; includes hosiery, boots and display stand.

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Quote Of The Day - Cyberman

"But consider, our technologies are compatible. Cybermen plus Daleks; together, we could upgrade the universe."
- Cyberman, Doomsday.

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Doctor Who: Series Five Press Release

Radio Free Skaro have got their hands on an official, unpublished BBC Press release which contains details for the next series of Doctor Who!

A new era of Doctor Who begins in Spring 2010. This latest series of the BBC’s flagship drama programme sees Matt Smith’s debut as the new, Eleventh incarnation of the famous Time Lord alongside a new travelling companion, the enigmatic Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).

Together they explore 16th century Venice, France during the 1890s and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space.

As always, wherever the Doctor goes, his oldest enemies are never far behind – the Daleks are hatching a new master plan from the heart of war-torn London in the 1940s. But they are not the only strange creatures the Doctor and Amy must face – there are also alien vampires. humanoid reptiles, old enemies such as the Weeping Angels, a Star Whale, and a silent menace that follows Amy and the Doctor around wherever they go…

Further details are expected to be published on the BBC Press Office soon - including that the first episode of the series, The Eleventh Hour, has an extended running time of 60 minutes!

Thanks to Dan for the heads-up!

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Nina Wadia in Doctor Who: Series Five

Nina Wadia, who plays 'Zainab Masood' in Eastenders has revealed to The Sun that she is guest starring in the next series of Doctor Who as a 'psychiatric doctor' alongside Matt Smith!

Nina said of her Who role: "It was brilliant to be let out for a couple of days to do something else and it was great working with Matt Smith.

"I play a bit of a baddie. And yes, like my EastEnders character Zainab, she's not a very pleasant woman - but at least I'm human and not some kind of strange alien life-form."

Nina added: "I play a doctor - more of a psychiatric doctor than a traditional medical one."

(Source: The Sun)

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Win A Royal Mint Doctor Who Medal!

The Royal Mint are giving you the chance to win a limited edition Doctor Who Medal!

The tenth doctor was one of the favourite Doctors so to celebrate his regeneration the Royal Mint is offering you a chance to win one of the following prizes:

1st Prize
1 Gold Tenth Doctor Collectable and a tour of the Royal Mint

2nd Prize
1 of 20 Gold Tenth Doctor Collectables

3rd Prize
1 of 5,000 Tenth Doctor Brilliant Uncirculated Collectables

Click here to enter!
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Doctor Who Adventures Issue 157 - Cover & Details

The cover and details for this week's issue of Doctor Who Adventures which is on sale now.

Watch the skies - the Doctor is on his way back! We've got a special peek at the new Doctor's new adventures - and some of the monsters he and Amy Pond will be meeting!

There's also a cool free stationery gift for every reader.

If you think that sounds exciting, we've got all this in the mag as well!

• Brilliant posters of a Dalek and Cyberman battle, and the Doctor and a Flood monster
• Another amazing untold tale of the Tenth Doctor – a trip to the Arctic turns into trouble!
• Judoon facts
• Find out where Sylvia and Wilf are now
• All the exciting things you need to know about The Next Doctor.

Plus, you can win loads of fab Doctor Who goodies, including action figures, a bedroom set and DVDs!

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Quote Of The Day - Seventh Doctor

"You don't understand regeneration, Mel. It's a lottery, and I've drawn the short plank."
- Seventh Doctor, Time and the Rani.

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