July 2003

Big Finish has issued the cover illustration for the forthcoming fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" story He Jests at Scars starring Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version. Big Finish also announced today an additional slight delay on the third "Unbound" story Full Fathom Five, which will now be released on August 7. Trailers for both stories can be downloaded from the site. Finally, a new interview with Nicholas Briggs on the BF site confirms a third Dalek Empire serial, which will be six chapters instead of four and will begin in May 2004. "I know where it starts and where it's going to end... exactly," says Briggs. "And I know more or less what happens in the middle. But it'll be bad luck to spill the beans just now, since it could all changeà I suppose. That's the anarchist creeping in again." (Thanks to Big Finish)

BBC Worldwide, contrary to their report which was published yesterday on the BBCi site, is now confirming the delay of the DVD release of Earthshock that Outpost Gallifrey reported yesterday. Worldwide confirms our report yesterday that the discs were missing the interior booklet and that they have been recalled, and that August 18 is the new release date.

Steve Roberts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team this morning posted details of a brand-new Doctor Who footage find from the missing Patrick Troughton serial Fury From the Deep, episode six. Says Roberts:


Needless to say, this is terrific news for Doctor Who fans today... another glimpse at a story which is completely lost (except for the audio and some photos)! (Thanks to Steve Roberts, and Steve Manfred for giving us the heads up!)

The most recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine (which your editor still hasn't seen) apparently announces two additional Short Trips anthology books from Big Finish: Short Trips 6: Past Tense, edited by Ian Farrington, in March, Short Trips 7: Life Science, edited by John Binns, in June. Also due out for release in 2004 are The Audio Scripts Volumes 3 and 4. We'll have further details when we find out what they are (as Big Finish hasn't updated its site with any details!) (Thanks to "stanlow", Trey Korte)

This story has been updated all day long... the following is correct as of 0500 GMT July 31

On July 30 we were contacted by several sources -- notably the Galaxy 4 shop and readers of the ChoicesDirect website -- that the UK DVD release of Earthshock had been pushed back two weeks, to August 18 (instead of August 4). Almost immediately, the BBC website BBCi posted a news item stating that BBC Worldwide was denying the report, and that it would be out on schedule, as planned. That was followed in sequence by a note that at least one retailer had received the DVD stock but had been given a note that the DVDs were being recalled; and then information direct from the BBC's own sales website BBC Shop which changed their release date to the delay date of August 18!

Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the situation is, in fact, the initial shipment is missing the enclosed DVD booklet - at least some, possibly all. Retailers that have already received it have been asked to send them back (no obligation but service to customers), and meanwhile BBC Worldwide is now apparently informing retailers that a new batch which includes the booklets will be ready for August 18. We'll keep you updated on further developments. (Thanks to Ben Keywood of Galaxy 4, Tenth Planet UK, Tim Harrison, John Batty, Nathan Baron and everyone else who's written in on this all day!)

The British Board of Film Classification's website has issued a couple details about extras for the forthcoming The Curse of Fenric DVD release, as follows:

00:15:05:11 | RECUTTING THE RUNES
00:06:10:20 | EASTER EGG NO. 2

Obviously this is only a partial list, but is interesting in the note that the easter egg on the disc is six minutes in length! (Thanks to John Batty, Michael Welch)

Researchers in the Speech Technology group at software giant Microsoft have developed a technology they have code-named Dr. Who, which "will allow the computer to travel through our living spaces as a handy electronic Hal pal that answers questions, arranges our calendars, and sends messages to our friends and family." Using speech recognition technology, the prototype uses a handheld device that doubles as a web browser, email device and cellphone. "Let's say we are talking on Instant Messenger, and we're talking about where I should take you for lunch. You realize there is a web service out there that is a restaurant guide, and we can probably ask it to join our conversation. Now this web service is not human, still, with Dr. Who we can type text or use speech to talk to this service. So we can ask it to find a restaurant that's a French restaurant, and not too far away from Microsoft. With a spoken or typed text dialog system we extend the horizon of the project." Read the full article by clicking here.

Galaxy 4 has sent us the image of the Dalek Tin, the special collectors set due out later this year which holds the CD's of "The Power of the Daleks," "The Evil of the Daleks" and the documentary "My Life as a Dalek". Click on the image for larger version. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)

According to the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Paul Cornell will be novelising his upcoming BBCi animated serial The Scream of the Shalka for BBC Books. The book, due out in December, will be a one-off and not part of the ongoing book range. (Thanks to Philip Purser-Hallard)

Big Finish has announced full details of the forthcoming He Jests at Scars... by Gary Russell, the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" serial that DWM reported (and we posted) earlier this week. The story explores "what might have happened if the Valeyard had not been defeated at the end of the Sixth Doctor's trial." "Gary had been itching to write a Valeyard story for a long time," says producer John Ainsworth, "and it seemed to be a good fit with the Doctor Who Unbound series." The story was contingent upon Jayston being able to return, which he did with open arms. Also returning is Bonnie Langford as Melanie, but a slightly different version: "Mel is a little bit more gritty a little tougher. ... It's nice to have a Mel who's a little bit more realistic and a little less goody-two-shoes." Also returning are Anthony Keetch (who played Vansell in several Big Finish audios) and Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin (from the Sarah Jane Smith series), who becomes the Valeyard's companion here. The story is due out in August; at right is the current publicity shot and below is the story blurb. The trailer for the story is available on Big Finish's website. Big Finish has also announced that the sixth story, Deadline by Rob Shearman, starring Derek Jacobi, has been moved up to fifth in release order, while Exile by Nicholas Briggs -- the story that will feature a female Doctor -- will now be released last, in October. (Thanks to Big Finish)

The Galaxy 4 shop in Britain has received the cover illustration for the forthcoming Dalekmania 2004 Doctor Who Calendar. Says the information: "Celebrate 40 years of Doctor Who and The Daleks with the Dalekmania 2004 Calendar! Filled will milestone dates, key facts and gorgeous photography, production stills and poster art! A must have for any Doctor Who fan!" The calendar is due out September 1. Also in release, a month earlier (in August), is the latest In Vision magazine, featuring a look at the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, with scripts, production notes, design plans and rare photos provided by producer Philip Segal. Click on the thumbnails for a larger version of each cover. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)

 

According to a press release by BBC Worldwide, all books published under the BBC's auspices starting this month (July) feature a brand new, distinctive BBC Books logo (at right), designed at BBC Worldwide by Art Director Pene Parker. Robin Wood, Director of Book Publishing, says: "Our elegant new logo recognises the fact that we're always being referred to as BBC Books both in the trade and by consumers. We are proud of our long and successful history and feel that the new logo puts a fresh spotlight on that success and reflects our own distinctive brand of quality." Doctor Who will be no exception, although we're not sure which book will actually feature it first (the artwork we've received for Simon A. Forward's "Emotional Chemistry" has it, but not prior book covers.) (Thanks to BBC Worldwide)

BBC Worldwide has issued a press release for the forthcoming book Doctor Who: The Legend by Justin Richards, due out November 13. We've covered this book's release in the past, but this provides some interesting details about the book and its contents. Of note is the comment "special celebration planned on air during the anniversary weekend" on UK Gold. We'll keep you posted. (Thanks to Stuart Ian Burns and BBC Worldwide)

According to BBCi, Radio 4 will be repeating the documentary My Life As A Dalek on Tuesday, July 29 at 11:30pm. The documentary features interviews with original Doctor Who producer Verity Lambert, Terry Molloy (Davros), Dalek actors John Scott Martin and Cy Town, actors Frazer Hines (Jamie), Alexei Sayle ("Revelation of the Daleks") and Rula Lenska ("Resurrection of the Daleks"), and author Kim Newman ("Time and Relative"), and is hosted by actor/author Mark Gatiss. (Thanks to BBCi)

Updated July 25:  Full details of the forthcoming DVD release of The Two Doctors have been revealed by the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine. The audio commentary has been recorded with Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Frazer Hines, director Peter Moffatt and guest star Jacqueline Pearce. The "Jim'll Fix It" segment with Colin, Janet Fielding and the Sontarans (and, of course, legendary Gareth Jenkins), is included on the disc, as well as "Behind the Sofa," a 45-minute documentary about the writing of Robert Holmes; "Beneath the Lights," a 25-minute featurette of studio recording footage; "Beneath the Sun," a 35-minute featurette with some of the raw footage shot on location in Seville, Spain; and "Adventures in Time and Spain," an interview with Gary Downie about the trials and tribulations of being a location manager, with particular reference to this story. Also included is a segment from the radio series "Wavelength" on the making of the story, an isolated music soundtrack, production notes, photo gallery and easter eggs. The disc is due out in the UK on September 8. (Thanks to DWM and Gallifrey5, and the Restoration Team for pointing out the error in the original report!)

Updated July 25:  BBCi has revealed more details about another forthcoming Doctor Who novel, Emotional Chemistry by Simon A. Forward, due out in October. At right is the cover illustration; click for a larger version. Also, the recent interview on BBCi with author Stephen Cole reveals some important details about his forthcoming novel "Timeless," expected to be a lynchpin in the ongoing Eighth Doctor series. Highlight the following spoiler information to read it: Says Cole, "An awful lot happens in Timeless - the TARDIS comes back to Real Earth, Trix is revealed, Sabbath's plan is discovered at last, Anji departs - it was good fun to be moving things along into the last, definite stages of the arc." Apparently, therefore, this marks the onset of actual companion status for Beatrix "Trix" MacMillan, and the departure from the series of Anji Kapoor. The cover blurb for "Emotional Chemistry" is as follows. (Thanks, as always, to BBCi... and by the way, readers: this information isn't in the new Telepress, but it is in the BBCi book release schedule in the "Eighth Doctor" section. Enjoy!)

As we reported yesterday, the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine notes that, in addition to Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford as the Valeyard and Melanie (as noted two days ago), the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" CD He Jests at Scars... from Big Finish, written by Gary Russell, features the return of Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin, a character from the Sarah Jane Smith series of audios (and now, apparently a companion to the Valeyard), and Anthony Keetch as Coordinator Vansell from several BF audios including "The Sirens of Time" and "The Apocalypse Element". The story posits "what if... the Doctor didn't defeat the Valeyard?" DWM also reveals that Rob Shearman's Deadline, starring Derek Jacobi, is about a writer whose idea for a new television series was rejected... but is later haunted by visions of himself as the Doctor. The new DWM issue also mentions that Big Finish has commissioned a third Dalek Empire serial, likely from Nicholas Briggs. More details as we get them. (Thanks to DWM and Gallifrey 5)

The clearing-out of the backlog of BBC Books in North America, through new distributor Diamond Distributing, continues. According to the latest issue of Previews magazine, the following BBC novels will be distributed in North America in October: Mags L. Halliday's History 101, David Bishop's The Domino Effect, Steve Lyons' The Crooked World and the upcoming Jacqueline Rayner novel Wolfsbane. Meanwhile, Previews is also listing Diamond's distribution in the US and Canada of Big Finish's The Audio Scripts: Volume One, the first time that Diamond will be carrying a Big Finish product (except for the first Judge Dredd audio). Previews also lists Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition #6, "celebrating 40 years of Doctor Who"; we're not sure if this is one of the "Complete Doctor" issues or a new celebratory anniversary issue. More details as available. (Thanks to Jeremy Bement, Matt Fitch)

As we previously reported, Marco Polo will soon be released by the BBC Radio Collection. The BBCi site announced today that William Russell, aka companion Ian Chesterton, yesterday (July 22) recorded the narrative links for the audio release; while he was expected to do so, this is the first confirmation that Russell has participated. "Marco Polo" is due out in November. (Thanks to BBCi)

The final Doctor Who novella from Telos Publishing has been announced by the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine. The Dalek Factor by award-winning horror and dark fantasy author Simon Clark is due in February 2004, and it features the Daleks as you've never seen them before. "We wanted to end Telos' range of DOCTOR WHO Novellas with a real bang," said Telos' David J Howe, "and what better way than to feature one of the most iconic images from the twentieth century. The last time the Daleks were featured in print was back in 1998, and after five years away, we felt it was about time they were brought back into the spotlight." Simon Clark, described by SFX magazine as "one of the most exciting British horror writers around", is the author of numerous horror novels, including THE FALL, DARKER and BLOOD CRAZY. His short story 'Goblin City Lights' won the British Fantasy Award, as did his novel, NIGHT OF THE TRIFFIDS, which continued where John Wyndham's original novel left off. His new novel, VAMPYRRHIC RITES, is released in July by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK. "I grew up watching DOCTOR WHO," says Clark. "I never missed DOCTOR WHO. Not even on my wedding day. DOCTOR WHO fuelled my imagination and my appetite for the fantastic as a child. To get the opportunity to work on a DOCTOR WHO story is a dream come true. The Telos range of books are just beautiful. I'm proud to be part of that stable." Being able to work with the Daleks is also a large part of the appeal. "Like total eclipses, the chance to write a Dalek story only happens once in a blue moon. There was no way I could turn down something like that. But, darn it, I knew if I was going to tackle THE DALEK FACTOR, it would be my mission to make the Daleks frightening again. I want them to be menacing. I want them to be the essence of evil. No more 'stairs' jokes. I'm determined to write a dark, disturbing story where even to catch a glimpse of a Dalek makes the palms sweat, and triggers waves of revulsion and fear. Think back to the time when you were last frightened by a DOCTOR WHO episode. My personal quest in writing this novella is to pull that fear trigger again. THE DALEK FACTOR is going to be a journey into the heart of darkness. Not everyone on that journey's going to come back in one piece." For more details on Telos novellas visit www.telos.co.uk. (Thanks to David Howe and DWM)

BBC Music will release a two-CD set called Devils' Planets: The Music of Tristram Cary on September 1. The release features ambient, electronic and instrumental music composed by Tristram Cary from three classic Doctor Who stories: "The Daleks," "The Daleks' Master Plan" and "The Mutants". Compiled and produced by Mark Ayres, the release is part of the ongoing release of Doctor Who composers' musical scores. (Thanks to Mark Ayres)

BBCi has revealed the details on the forthcoming BBC novel Wolfsbane by Jacqueline Rayner, coming soon from BBC Books. At right is the cover illustration; click for a larger version. Meanwhile, BBCi has published the new issue of their Telepress monthly column, which features an interview with Stephen Cole ("Timeless") and samples from the BBC novel "Emotional Chemistry" and the Telos novella "The Cabinet of Light". The blurb for "Wolfsbane" is as follows (with thanks to BBCi):

Despite the big picture of Richard E. Grant even in this week's issue of Radio Times, there's still speculation about other Doctors, it seems. From 'The Green Room', Neil Sean's showbiz gossip column in the Tuesday, July 22 edition of 'Metro', the big-circulation UK free paper from the same group as the Daily Mail: "Dr Who fans will be thrilled to hear the BBC is considering turning the classic sci-fi series into a film. And they are thinking of Kenneth Branagh in the role of the Doctor." Of course, this is all part of the usual speculation... (Thanks to Alex Wilcock)

Telos Publishing has updated information on several forthcoming Doctor Who novellas. First, the thumbnail teaser of the cover graphic for Kate Orman & Jonathan Blum's Fallen Gods is below, left; to the right of that is the teaser graphic for Tara Samms' Frayed, which has been delayed to October 23. "Frayed" features an introduction by author Stephen Laws and artwork by Chris Moore. Also below are thumbnails of the covers (clickable for a larger version of each) for the paperback editions of Keith Topping's Ghost Ship and Andrew Cartmel's Foreign Devils, both published late last year and both announced as paperback releases for this November. Finally, below right is the cover illustration (also click for larger version) of the Telos spinoff novella Time Hunter: The Winning Side by Lance Parkin, which features characters spun from the newest Telos Doctor Who novella release, Daniel O'Mahony's The Cabinet of Light. "The Winning Side" has been moved to November. Telos will soon announce its 15th (and final) novella to be published next February. (Thanks to David Howe)

Radio Times, the UK's staple for media information, will be celebrating its eightieth anniversary this September. To mark the occasion, Radio Times is currently running a poll in which one of the questions is "Which classic TV show should be revived?" Of course, one of the options is... Doctor Who. To vote in this poll, visit the site by clicking here. Poll entrants will be entered into a drawing for a new widescreen PAL television. (Thanks to Daniel Lestarjette)

Those sneaky chaps at Big Finish updated their site recently with the cover blurb for the forthcoming Deadline, the sixth and final chapter of the "Doctor Who Unbound" series with Derek Jacobi (and they didn't even call attention to it!) Our eagle-eyed readers did notice, however, and it's below. Meanwhile, Big Finish producer John Ainsworth recently informed readers on the Outpost Gallifrey Forum that Full Fathom Five, the third release, was going to be delayed slightly due to a few minor post-production issues; the story, originally expected the last week of July, will now be released around the first week of August. (Thanks to Big Finish)

Reeltime Pictures have announced to Outpost Gallifrey their first Doctor Who spinoff drama in four years, Daemos Rising. Says Reeltime's Keith Barnfather, "With this year being the 40th anniversary of DOCTOR WHO, we really wanted to mark it with something special, and what better way to bring back one of DOCTOR WHO's greatest alien races." "Daemos Rising" is a sequel to both the Third Doctor story "The Daemons" as well as Reeltime's earlier video spinoff sequel "Downtime" featuring the Yeti (later adapted as part of Virgin Books' Doctor Who: The Missing Adventures novel series), and stars Miles Richardson (Irving Braxiatel in Big Finish's Bernice Summerfield audio series) as ex-UNIT operative Douglas Cavendish, and Beverley Cressman ("Downtime") reprising her role as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart's daughter Kate. Writer David J. Howe (Telos Publishing) says, "I wanted to play with the characters a little, and to see what made them tick. I always loved 'The Daemons' - it's simply so full of great themes and potential that just one television outing never seemed enough. When I first started discussing the ideas with Keith for this drama, we both wanted to see how far we could go in both entertaining and unnerving the viewer ... and I hope we succeed on both counts. There's a far broader background to this tale, and readers of Telos' new Time Hunter range of Novellas will immediately make some connections as 'Daemos Rising' is very much set in the same universe. It's been tremendously challenging and great fun to do."

Says the press release: "A chilling new DOCTOR WHO spin-off drama featuring elements from the classic third Doctor adventure THE DAEMONS and the independent Yeti drama, DOWNTIME. Written by David J Howe. Directed by Keith Barnfather. Trapped in an isolated cottage, ex-UNIT operative Douglas Cavendish (Miles Richardson) thinks he is seeing ghosts. The only person who might understand and help is Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Beverley Cressman) ... but when she arrives, she realises that Cavendish is key in a plot to summon the ancient Daemons back to the Earth. With time running out, Kate discovers that sometimes even the familiar can turn out to be your worst nightmare." "Daemos Rising" is out in October in the UK. (Thanks to David Howe)

At right is the cover illustration for the forthcoming Invasion of the Dinosaurs VHS release in North America; click on the thumbnail for a larger version. The interesting thing is that, due to some contractual issues, the VHS has not yet been officially announced in the UK... yet will indeed be part of the October 2003 North America release (by itself and part of the larger "End of the Universe Collection," the final Doctor Who bulk VHS release.) However, the HMV website is listing "Dinosaurs" coming out in the UK on October 31, but this is a Friday so it's likely supposition.

Compassion, the short-lived companion to the Eighth Doctor created by Lawrence Miles for the BBC Eighth Doctor series (who had a, shall we say, interesting departure from the Doctor in the novel "The Ancestor Cell"), will return in the second Faction Paradox novel, Of the City of the Savedà by Philip Purser-Hallard. Says Lars Pearson of Mad Norwegian Press, "As the title implies, the book expands on City of the Savedùa haven at the end of the Universe, populated by every human being or pseudo-human being whoÆs ever livedùthat Hallard created for The Book of the War." Slated for March 2004 release, the novel "sees Compassion appear in more than one incarnation [also shown in The Book of the War], and among other things concerns the machinations of the Rump Parliament, the City Council and more. ... For those of you who missed out, reading The Book of the War or understanding Compassion's history is not a pre-requisite for enjoying this stand-alone novel." Mad Norwegian will be publishing the book as both softcover and signed, numbered and limited hardcover edition. Similar to Lawrence MilesÆ upcoming "This Town Will Never Let Us Go," a Prologue to "Of the City of the Savedà" will appear as an exclusive here at Outpost Gallifrey before it goes elsewhere on the Internet. (Thanks to Lars Pearson)

A bit of detail on Sophie Okonedo, one of the stars of the BBCi Doctor Who animated series coming soon with Richard E. Grant (she plays "companion" Alison Cheney -- not Cheneym as has been reported): Sophie most recently appeared on British screens in episode four of the current series of "Spooks" as Amanda Roke from the Chancellor of the Exchequor's office, "a real bitch of a character." "Spooks" is due to air in the USA at the end of the summer, retitled 'MI5' and combining both series to form one 16-part series; the episode featuring Sophie will be episode 10. (Thanks to Jim Sangster)

The British Board of Film Certification website has posted a few details on the 'second batch' of DVD extras for "The Two Doctors" (the ones that they previously had not posted). They are:


Add this to the other batch we've seen, and we are indeed close to 3 hours of extras, not counting a possible audio commentary. (Thanks to Ben Breen)

Sunday, July 13 saw the debut in Brisbane, Australia by Katy Manning (Jo Grant) in her new one-woman show ôMe and Jezebel,ö performed for the very first time. It was a one-off, in front of a ôtest audienceö which had "filled the Stage-Door Theatre at Bowen Hills to overflowing." "Me and Jezebel" was originally written by Elizabeth Fuller, then re-written as a solo performance by Manning and partner Barry Crocker, and concerns the "true story of how Bette Davis met one of her biggest fans, and invited herself to stay with the fan (in her home) for one or two days. A month later, she was still there!" Crocker directs Manning in the production. Fans can listen to an interview with Manning and Crocker at the ABC website at www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s901799.htm. (Thanks to Peter Levan)

The cover illustration is now available for Checkmate, the fifth chapter of Magic Bullet Productions' Kaldor City series of audios. The "Kaldor City" series is set in the universe of Chris Boucher's Doctor Who story "The Robots of Death" and stars Russell Hunter from "Robots" reprising his role as Captain Uvanov; other stories have featured Paul Darrow, Nicholas Courtney, David Collings, Peter Miles, Jasmine Breaks, Scott Fredericks and David Bailie as Taren Capel. The release date for this production is September 20; for more details visit the website at www.kaldorcity.com/checkmate.html. (Thanks to Fiona Moore)

Besides their forthcoming "Daemos Rising" series, Reeltime Pictures has shared with Outpost Gallifrey their schedule of forthcoming releases for the second half of 2003. Late July sees the debut of the "Myth Makers" interview series edition with Gareth Thomas ("Blake's 7") on VHS and DVD as well as the re-release of the "Myth Makers: Sophie Aldred & Andrew Cartmel" interviews on DVD. In August, "Blake's 7" stars and DW guests Peter Tuddenham (various voices), Jacqueline Pearce ("Timelash" and Big Finish's "Fearmonger) and Stephen Greif (BF's "Primeval") are featured; Tuddenham's is new, Pearce and Greif are featured together on DVD. September will see the VHS debut for Blake's 7's Jan Chappell as well as the re-release on DVD of Deborah Watling & Victor Pemberton's "Myth Makers" releases, while October sees not only the debut of "Daemos Rising" but the DVD release of David Howe's "Mindgame" starring Sophie Aldred. For the anniversary of Doctor Who, Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks are featured in November in a "Myth Makers" release on VHS and DVD, while the month also sees the re-release on DVD of interviews with Ian Marter and Michael Wisher. Finally, December sees the re-release of interviews with Patrick Troughton and BBC Head of Drama Shaun Sutton, as well as a new VHS/DVD release "The Doctor Down Under: History of Aussie Fandom". More details as we get them. (Thanks to Keith Barnfather)

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, UK Gold will be devoting an entire weekend to show the Doctor's adventures, as well as several short features specifically commissioned for the day -- including interviews with cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, "The A to Z of Demons and Empires" (thirteen shorts looking at some of Who's foes and their home planets), seven "Doctor by Doctor" features (best moments), "The Re-generation Game" (a look at each of the regenerations through the series), "The Assistants" and "The Theme Tune". Says our contact at UK Gold, "In the build-up to UK Gold's DR WHO @ 40 WEEKEND we are doing a Viewers Vote via the website, asking viewers and fans to vote for their favourite story from each of the seven Doctors. There are two stages to the vote: between now and the end of August we will be shortlisting all the stories down to a Top 3, and then in September the second stage will decide the seven winning stories which will all be shown as part of the event. The vote is being promoted on-air from today. Please check out the website at www.ukgold.tv and cast your vote!" (Thanks to BBCi and our UK Gold contact)

Doctor Omega, the French science fiction classic by Arnould Galopin and a source of inspiration for "Doctor Who," has been adapted and retold by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier ("The Doctor Who Programme Guide" and is being issued by Black Coat Press. Galopin wrote many critically-acclaimed novels including "Tomorrow's Revolution" and "Le Bacille" (a prophetic tale of a mad scientist who uses bacteriological warfare for revenge), and died in 1934. Doctor Who elder statesman Terrance Dicks provides the introduction to the novel. For more details visit www.blackcoatpress.com/doctoromega.htm. (Thanks to Jean-Marc Lofficier)

Big Finish has released another DVD of the classic science fiction series "The Tomorrow People". The new release features both "The Revenge of Jedikiah" and the story "A Man for Emily" starring Peter Davison and his former wife Sandra Dickinson (better known as Trillian in the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" TV series), playing aliens with space-age silver hot pants and curly blond wigs. For more details visit www.bigfinish.com. In other Big Finish news, if you don't wish to spend your money on "Tomorrow People" DVDs, they've recently discounted the "John Nathan-Turner Memoirs," the "Sarah Jane Smith" audio series, the Music audios and some of their Talks Back series of interview CD's too.

A new play about the life and career of Delia Derbyshire is being developed. Derbyshire, who produced the original recording of the Doctor Who theme as well as countless scores for the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, passed away last year and the co-production between The Tron venue, Glasgow and the Reeling and Writhing theatre company, "will use Derbyshire's creative career as a way of portraying the space age era of the early 60s." Says BBCi: "Every care has been made to make the production as historically accurate as possible, with Delia Derbyshire's life being directly researched through interviews with her friends and colleagues. The Doctor Who theme will feature heavily, as will Delia's other work. It's also hoped that new music, inspired by the music, and using the technology of the time, will be performed live. The design of the show will draw on the futurism of the 60s as well as 'swinging' London. The production will also be supported by a website, which will feature free music downloads. 'Delia Derbyshire' (working title) is planned to premiere in September 2004." More details when they become available. (Thanks to BBCi)

The US Sci-Fi Channel has scheduled another repeat of the Doctor Who 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann for August 22, 2003 at 2:00pm Eastern. This will be the fifth airing by the channel by our reckoning. (Thanks to Ryan Maxwell)

California PBS station KTEH in San Jose, the only remaining California broadcaster of Doctor Who episodes, will be airing two BBV videos as part of their schedule. "The Airzone Solution," the stand-alone video starring Jon Pertwee, Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy and Alan Cumming, and the first chapter of the "Auton" trilogy will air on Sunday, 17 August, 2003 at 8:00pm and 9:30pm (PDT) respectively. If the evening performs well in attracting enough interest in terms of membership, then KTEH will go forward with a contract to purchase nineteen of the BBV titles with an eye on distributing them to other public television stations in the US. Anyone can call in a pledge of support for the programs at 1-800-225-5454 on the night. A selection of BBV products will be available as thank-you gifts, as will the KTEH DVD of interviews with Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. (Thanks to Benjamin Elliott)

July 19 has been dubbed "World Doctor Who Fanvid Day" by four independent video producers, as four fan videos go in front of the cameras simultaneously: the tentatively titled "Time Lord Cutaway" from Timebase Productions, "The Welcoming" from Back To Reality (BTR), "Bill Filer and the Attack of the Swarm" from BVD Productions, and "Tyranny of the Daleks" by Cheeky Monkey Pictures. It might not be official Doctor Who... but it does indicate a still-thriving fan video community, and that new "Doctor Who" will always be coming from ALL sides. More details can be found on our forum by clicking here. (Thanks to Steve Hill)

A couple of updates on some guest and supporting actors in "Doctor Who" related stories and spinoffs. From the Skullduggery Theatre Company: Jonathan Clarkson, who played Ace's old school friend and hacker Paul Tanner in Big Finish's "The Fearmonger", has been cast as William Hare - one half of the murderous Irish duo Burke and Hare, in a new black comedy about the notorious killers that premieres at the Edinburgh Festival and runs throughout August. Playing his wife Maggie will be Genevieve Swallow who appears in the forthcoming Doctor Who Unbound CD "Deadline" as Susan to Derek Jacobi's Doctor. The setting is Edinburgh, 1827 - a time when surgeons pay good money for corpses, and Burke and Hare are making a killing. Literally. This true story follows the duo over the course of a year as they murder, drink and try to avoid getting caught. But justice must surely catch up with them eventually?" Burke & Hare" by Terry Newman is being performed at C Venue 34, Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, and runs from July 30th to August 24th. Tickets can be booked online at www.edfringe.com. Meanwhile, the six students who attended last year's Doctor Who themed drama holiday in Megeve, France, have formed the A/M Players to make DW-inspired films, audio plays and other media; filming has just completed on their first full length feature, "Blood Relative," a gothic science-fiction film. Beverley Cressman, who runs the workshop through NextStageDrama.com (and who starred as the Brigadier's daughter in "Downtime"), offered help and even asked her husband Miles Richardson (who plays Irving Braxiatel in Big Finish's Bernice Summerfield series) to direct. More details about the film and other projects can be found at www.megropolis1.com. (Thanks to Daniel Armand, Rob Tizzard)

The newest issue of SFX Magazine has more details about the forthcoming animated adventure "The Scream of the Shalka" starring Richard E. Grant as the new Ninth Doctor. The story of "Shalka" concerns about a town in Lancashire under siege by mysterious forces. As noted prior, there are no continuity references, except for the Doctor and his TARDIS, though it's been quite a while since the last time we saw the Eighth Doctor... some big things have happened in the meanwhile, which we'll find out about as we travel with this incarnation. The ninth Doctor is said to be impatient, a bit angry with humans, but caring and passionate, bitingly witty, vulnerable, brittle and a bit of a snob. While SFX mentions the new companion Alison Cheneym (Sophie Okonedo), Outpost Gallifrey has been told she's the the Doctor's companion in much the same way that Grace was around for the TV movie (or Spandrell was the companion for "The Deadly Assassin"... only "she's prettier than Spandrell, and less keen on the kissing than Grace.") The Doctor's new military liaison Thomas Kennett is played by Irish actor Jim Norton, among whose many roles are appearances in "Father Ted," "Red Dwarf," "Babylon 5" and as Albert Einstein in "Star Trek: The Next Generation". As noted prior, Derek Jacobi is in it, in the following role (protected by spoilers; use your mouse cursor to highlight the following text): Jacobi plays the Master, though OG has been led to believe that it's only a cameo appearance and not a Doctor v. Master face-off like in the TV movie. The animated serial was recorded in mid-June at the BBC facilities at Shepherd's Bush and is directed by stage director Wilson Milam. The Cosgrove Hall company -- responsible for animating "Dangermouse" and "Count Duckula" -- are the animators, and are said to be using the actors' likenesses in a "rich, gothic style". (Thanks to Neil Billinness, Mark Donovan, John Meier)

The official website of Richard E. Grant, the actor confirmed yesterday as playing the Ninth Doctor, actually noted several weeks ago on its pages that Grant was playing the Doctor, and apparently news didn't reach us! The official site informs us that the title of the forthcoming animated webcast is The Scream of the Shalka by Paul Cornell, and states that the story is five episodes (other sources say six). The article also mentions, curiously, that Derek Jacobi is in it (in addition to his appearance in Big Finish's Unbound series, previously reported) as well as actress Sophie Okonedo (whose repetoire includes various film roles -- the Grant site mistakenly identifies her as Sophie Okinodod), Craig Kelly (Vince in the UK version of "Queer as Folk") and Diana Quick ("Brideshead Revisited"). The website also states that this animated project will eventually be released on DVD. None of this information has been confirmed yet by BBCi but has seen pretty wide discussion elsewhere. Meanwhile, Cornell has made further comments on Outpost Gallifrey's forum with some additional information on the webcast. "I'm going to hang onto doing Ninth Doctor stuff as long as they'll let me, and as long as there's stuff to be done," he says. "There's no regeneration sequence. We start a long time after that. Yes, there's a new companion. People have somehow seen this as doing down McGann, but I don't feel that it is at all. I love the Eighth Doctor. This is just a new start. This will be accessible to new viewers, but will hopefully please the old ones at the same time. There's nothing to get in the way for new viewers." He adds that the animation "is more like [BBCi's] Ghosts of Albion" and the script "is written to be watched rather than heard. One of the joys of this is being able to write lines like: 'hundreds of monsters surround the Tardis'. It also makes storytelling faster. ... And yes, it was written especially for Richard." (Thanks to the official Richard E. Grant website and Paul Cornell)

Actor James Saxon, who played played Oscar Botcherby in the forthcoming DVD release The Two Doctors, died last week of a heart attack while spending the day with his family in Somerset. He has been appearing at Chichester Festival Theatre this summer in the production of "The Gondoliers" as grand inquisitor Don Alhambra del Bolero and was due to appear in other productions in the main house and studio theatre during the season. The performance of "The Gondoliers" on Friday July 4th was dedicated to James as a celebration of his life. James recently appeared on stage alongside Brenda Blethyn in Mrs Warren's Profession in the West End. he worked extensively in TV with credits including Jonathan Creek, Poldark, Murder Most Horrid, Sharpe, Lovejoy, and Soldier Soldier. He also provided the voice of Captain Pugwash in the most recent ITV incarnation. He was 48. (Thanks to David Guest)

Doctor Who is indeed returning for the show's 40th anniversary, in a special new six-part audio webcast on BBCi. Following in the footsteps of the earlier animated webcasts "Death Comes to Time," "Real Time" and "Shada," the fourth webcast (still untitled) is written by Paul Cornell ("The Shadows of Avalon") and will star none other than popular British actor Richard E. Grant (who also played one of the future Doctors in the charity special "The Curse of Fatal Death"). Grant describes his interpretation as "something of a 'Sherlock Holmes in Space.'"

Cornell, posting on the Outpost Gallifrey forum, had this to say about the project: "This is the start of everything again, not the end. Don't be scared. The Ninth Doctor is Richard E. Grant, fully animated... fully animated, not Shada animated... Batmanlike rather than Shadalike. With a new companion, a new military liaison, new monsters, and a vastly starry cast!" Cornell says that "if the response is good enough, then there'll be more. (And listen: you *never know* where this could end up.)" Cornell goes on to confirm that this is indeed the official, BBC made and sanctioned Ninth Doctor, approved by all the requisite parts of the BBC that needed input on this. "Traditional but original is what we're going for," says Cornell. "Very Hinchcliffe/Dicks, but with no previously used elements and only a tiny smidge of continuity. This story starts after the Ninth Doctor's been in the job for several years. And quite a lot has happened to him. So there's room for all continuities to resolve themselves. And BBC Books has made a positive response, and are talking about stuff."

Apparently the story will completely disregard "Curse of Fatal Death" (this Ninth Doctor isn't Grant's Doctor in that charity satire.) Cornell says he is "honoured to have the chance to set the Doctor off on another forty years of adventures," said Paul. "Just wait until you hear Richard! He is the Doctor!" The story is set to debut in mid-November, in time to celebrate the show's 40th anniversary. (Thanks to BBCi and Paul Cornell)

Big Finish has revealed cover illustrations for three forthcoming stories: the third Doctor Who Unbound story Full Fathom Five by David Bishop (starring David Collings as the Doctor), Omega by Nev Fountain (with Peter Davison) and Davros by Lance Parkin (with Colin Baker); the covers are by Clayton Hickman. Click each cover to see a larger version.

   

Outpost Gallifrey has learned that, for the forthcoming release of The Reign of Terror starring William Hartnell, where two episodes (4 & 5) do not exist, rather than rerecord new linking material and narration, BBC Worldwide has opted to instead use the original footage shot for the aborted release in 1993 with Carole Ann Ford (Susan). The footage, which was produced by the late Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner, has been slightly re-edited to include a few new audio soundbites, stills and eight-millmeter clips to illustrate Ford's linking section, which extends the section by a couple minutes. More details as we get them. Meanwhile, Amazon.ca (Amazon's Canadian counterpart) has listed "Reign of Terror" along with "The Gunfighters" and "The Sensorites" as October releases on DVD. These are NOT being released at this time on DVD -- they are, however, as we previously reported, part of the "End of the Universe Collection" of VHS releases later this year. (Thanks to Derek Stevens for the Canadian info)

BBC Worldwide has issued a press release for the forthcoming DVD release of Earthshock starring Peter Davison. At right is a thumbnail of the final version of the front cover; click on it for a larger version including the full wraparound cover. Meanwhile, the press information is as follows (with thanks to Paul Taylor at Tenth Planet)

Colin Baker will be appearing at the Dapol exhibition in Llangollen on August 17 from 11am to 3:30pm to celebrate the show's 40th anniversary. This will likely be the last event at Llangollen for Dapol, the toy company that recently lost its license to produce Doctor Who toys. Meanwhile, last Sunday (July 6), Colin appeared as the Doctor on BBC's long-running car magazine programme Top Gear. The show themed a test drive around Sci-Fi characters, and the Doctor was up against Ming, Darth Vader, a Klingon, a Dalek - who tried to kill the other drivers - and the fastest driver, a Cyberman. Baker came fourth. (Thanks to BBCi, Richard Swift)

The next issue of Doctor Who Magazine, issue 333 features the first of a three-part feature by Daniel O'Mahony, "The Accidental Tourist," looking at the genesis of Doctor Who, and finds that it would have been a very different show were it not for a series of happy accidents; an interview with author Mark Gatiss; the Archive extra "Thirty Years in the TARDIS" by Andrew Pixley; the first of a new comic strip "The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack" by Scott Gray and Anthony Williams; and the usual news, reviews and previews. (Thanks to BBCi)

Big Finish has issued details on two of its forthcoming Bernice Summerfield audios, both due in August, featuring the further exploits of the former Doctor Who novel companion: The Draconian Rage by Trevor Baxendale, featuring the return of the Draconians (the Third Doctor story "Frontier in Space") and The Poison Seas by David Bailey featuring the Sea Devils (from "The Sea Devils"). Details are as follows (with thanks to Big Finish):

Conrad Westmaas, former associate editor of Doctor Who Magazine and now joining Paul McGann and India Fisher in the next 'season' of Eighth Doctor stories as the new companion, the alien C'rizz, is in a new play that opens on Thursday, July 10, Scopa! by Michele Celeste. "Two Italian hospital cleaners, Ciro & Domenico, decide to take on the management who are trying to ban 'Scopa' - their favourite card game & only means of escape. One's got a terrible temper, the other's a terrible coward. Their English is just terrible. A funny and poignant tale of love, friendship and longing." Dan Barzotti also stars. The play runs July 10-25 at the Bridewell Theatre off Fleet Street in London; for more information visit www.bridewelltheatre.co.uk/Lunchbox.htm. (Thanks to Conrad Westmaas)

The summer 2003 edition of UK web provider Freeserve's customer-only magazine "BeFree" features a 2-page article called "Who's Who" written by Simon Guerrier, talking about the appeal of Dr Who and listing six famous monsters (Cybermen, Daemon, Daleks, Destroyer, Sea Devils and Sontarans). It also says: "Although no longer a regular on our screens, repeats, a television movie and masses of spin-off books and CDs have kept the fans happy since. And now it could be back with a new series and, if rumours are to be believed, perhaps even with Stephen Fry or Anthony Hopkins as the new leading man." Obviously not really, but at least they're covering it! (Thanks to Phillip Madeley)