Bookmark and Share Five Doctors DVD Cover

Thursday, December 23, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 23, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Illustrators Lee Binding and Clayton Hickman have completed a new cover for the UK DVD release of The Five Doctors, which was originally issued years ago with a different cover design than the current releases. The official Doctor Who site has both low- and high-resolution covers available for download; click here to download them.

Bookmark and Share Terrance Dicks Goes 6B Again

Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 22, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
A report in a recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine states that long-time author Terrance Dicks, penning an as yet untitled forthcoming BBC Books novel due in October, will return the Second Doctor to the era known as "Season 6B," a murky time in the life of the Patrick Troughton Doctor that follows "The War Games" but precedes the Jon Pertwee debut story "Spearhead from Space". Dicks recently spoke to the American Who radio broadcast (for a story taped for airing in January) in which he confirmed the story; according to Dicks, it has the Second Doctor "being kind of forced to do things for the Celestial Intervention Agency." He wouldn't say anything else about it, except that it's slated for release in late 2005, takes from elements in his BBC Books Sixth Doctor novel "Players," the first novel that dealt with this shadowy time period, and "It sort of links in with 'The Two Doctors.'" (Thanks to Joey Reynolds)

Bookmark and Share Concept Illustrations

Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 22, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The website for the Bristol-based Pixel Studios posted what it calls "concept art" for the forthcoming Doctor Who series, including some sort of spider-type transport, the TARDIS in a metalsmith factory, and two illustrations which appear to be some sort of orbital construct. The images - which we have not confirmed are used in the series, merely posted as images "to help visualise some of the more challenging parts of the script" by an independent design firm (and which may not even have been taken up by the series once it went into production) can be seen at their website by clicking here. (Thanks to Robbie Dunlop)

Bookmark and Share Hi-Res Mind Robber Cover

Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 21, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Thanks to Tenth Planet we have a higher-resolution copy of the cover illustration for the forthcoming DVD release ofThe Mind Robber which we posted on Sunday. Click here to view the hi-res version (note: file is nearly 100k).

Bookmark and Share BBC Website Changes

Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 21, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Word from the BBC over the weekend: many sections of its online presence will be closed or dramatically scaled back, including sports and local history sections and the popular Cult area... but not the Doctor Who portion of the site. Indeed, according to the Media Guardian on Sunday, "A cult TV and film site devoted to shows such as The Simpsons and Buffy will be pruned to concentrate on upcoming BBC shows like Dr Who." In other words, while the Cult section is being scaled back, the Doctor Who portion of the site will continue (albeit with likely changes) to focus on the new series.

Bookmark and Share Trenchcoat Farewell Project

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The Doctor Who fan fiction anthology, the Trenchcoat Farewell Project is now available on CD-ROM and as a hard bound anthology, collecting 40+ stories of the fan fiction canon published in previous years into a single volume with illustrations; details available at the Trenchcoat website.

Bookmark and Share Legend in Paperback

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
ABC Books in Australia, in association with BBC Books has brought out a paperback version of Justin Richards' 40th-anniversary tome Doctor Who: The Legend, according to their website. Despite the graphic to the contrary, the cover is actually slightly different (ie, not the picture they're showing on the page!) as it includes the ABC name and logo, and the strap line has changed from '40 years...' to 'Four Decades...'

Bookmark and Share Who's Next

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Amazon has posted the cover illustration for the forthcoming bookWho's Next: An Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide To All Of Broadcast Doctor Who by Mark Clapham, Eddie Robson and Jim Smith. As we previously reported, "Who's Next" is "comprehensive, critical journey through every episode of Doctor Who broadcast by the BBC on television, radio, and the Internet." The book is due out in February 2005.

Bookmark and Share Glover Headlines Faction Paradox Audios

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Magic Bullet Productions has announced that Julian Glover, who played Richard the Lionheart in the Doctor Who story "The Crusade" and later played Count Scarlioni/Scaroth in "City of Death," will be appearing in the revival of the Faction Paradox audio series, playing the Egyptian god Upuat. Magic Bullet recently announced they would bring the audio series back, based on the time-travelling voodoo cult first introduced by Lawrence Miles in the BBC Doctor Who novel series, after Bill Baggs' BBV Productions halted its own production line of audios. More details available soon at the Magic Bulletwebsite. (Thanks to Fiona Moore)

Bookmark and Share Project Who?

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
According to Amazon.co.uk, BBC Audiobooks will be releasing a CD version of a two-part BBC Radio 2 program that will air around the time of the new series. Entitled Project Who?, the synopsis is as follows: "Tying in with transmission of the new BBC1 Saturday night series of Doctor Who, this two-part BBC Radio 2 programme takes a look at the Doctor Who phenomenon. Why is now the right time for it to return? There will be interviews with the stars and producers of the new series, location and set visits, and interviews with famous people who are fans of Doctor Who. This CD release will feature additional material not included in the Radio 2 broadcast." The current date of release on the CD is April 4, though of course this will be subject to change. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Bookmark and Share New Series Press Clips

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Noel Clarke (Mickey) is interviewed in the December 18 Daily Express 'Saturday' magazine. Whilst he mostly comments about the upcoming 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' TV special he is in, he does mention, very briefly, his role in Doctor Who "...as Mickey, the boyfriend of Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). The two have been romantically linked off-screen, but Noel bats off questions about offering Billie a shoulder to cry on after her split with husband Chris Evans, which happened during filming. "We do our job and we go home," he says. "All I do know is that Billie is great, very down to earth. She is a brilliant actress and seriously underrated. So what about the kissing scene? Who doesn't like doing kissing scenes?" he jokes. "They were fine! And my girlfriend doesn't mind me kissing Billie... she knows it's only work!" (Thanks to Peter Weaver)

The Chicago Tribune Discussed in a December 17 article the return of the series in its "Television: The Watcher" section by Maureen Ryan. "Get Your Geek On Again: I'm sure more alert sci-fi mavens have known about these development for months, but a new 'Babylon 5' feature starts filming in April, according to comingsoon.net, and filming has already begun on a new "Dr. Who" series, featuring Christopher Eccleston as the newest doctor. No U.S. channel has yet lined up the rights to air the new Who, which will hits British TV next year, according to gallifreyone.com, which is now my main source for the latest "Who" info. The original series ran from 1963 to 1989, and as most Who fans know, Tom Baker was the best Doctor, followed by Peter Davison and Jon Pertwee. Anyway, I hope the new series is better than the 1996 one-off "Dr. Who" movie that starred Paul McGann, an actor I otherwise like a lot. It wasn't his fault that the TV movie, an attempt perhaps to sex up the venerable British series, was mostly a mess (Eric Roberts as the villain? Never a good sign.). But I'm hoping the BBC raises the bar with Eccleston's outing as the good Doctor." (Our thanks to Maureen Ryan at the Chicago Tribune for the plug for Outpost Gallifrey, and Paul Engelberg for the news)

Russell T Davies was interviewed on a regional ITV1 broadcast of The Afternoon Show on December 15 for the eager TV audience of freelancers, students and the unemployed. There were some behind-the scenes clips of "Casanova" were shown, with David Tennant commenting on how great the script is, and how nice a person Russell is. Davies was then interviewed by the host Eamonn O'Neal, and talked about his work on Chucklevision and Mine All Mine, before moving on to Doctor Who, and how it mustn't be aimed simply at the audience who grew up with it. "I think that's the most important thing," Davies said, "if we were doing it for nostalgia, just to look back and make a pastiche of what was, I'd think - what was the point of that? I fell in love with that programme when I was 8 years old, and it actually made me fall in love with television full stop. And I'm still here, 'twenty' years later. It's aiming for those 8 year olds who sit there now: who want something like that. I mean, they've got American things like Buffy, but (it's important) to have something set in Britain, that's really British." Davies also said that the discussions about the use of the Daleks went all the way to the controller of BBC1, who was insistent that they were included, "Because everyone loves them." And when wrapping up, O'Neal stated that both Casanova and Doctor Who would start in March,... and Russell didn't contradict him. (Thanks to David John Parker)

Bookmark and Share Mind Robber DVD Cover

Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 19, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The BBC Shop website has revealed the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of The Mind Robber starring Patrick Troughton, due out in March 2005. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover. (Thanks to David Howe)

Bookmark and Share Myth Makers 14

Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 15, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The latest issue of DWIN's award-winning fiction magazine Myth Makers, #14, is in release, with ten new stories "told from a personal perspective," featuring fiction from Doctor Who novelists Simon A Forward, Mags L Halliday (with a new tie-in to her forthcoming Faction Paradox novel, Warring States) and Dale Smith, and Short Trips anthology writers Ian Mond, Stephen Hatcher and more. "Whether you're a fan of the classic series, the novels, the audios, the spinoffs or even the Richard E Grant Doctor, you're sure to find something that appeals to you." Further details available at DWIN's website. (Thanks to Richard Salter)

Bookmark and Share Underwater Menace CD Cover

Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 15, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
We've received the cover illustration for February 2005's CD release of the audio soundtrack of The Underwater Menace, the adventure starring Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, Anneke Wills and Michael Craze. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Stephen Roddam, Mark Backhurst)

Bookmark and Share Dalek Christmas

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2003  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The recent installment of Radio Times magazine features a gag photo with the Daleks settling down for Christmas dinner. Says BBCi: "The metal meanies seem to be enjoying a traditional mix of of turkey, stuffing, sprouts and carrots - but have foregone roast potatoes in favour of mountains of the fluffiest mash you have ever seen. Well, they do have rather good whisk attachments, we guess." You can view it on the BBCi site by clicking here. (Thanks to BBCi)

Bookmark and Share Tom Baker's Comet

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
According to Retail Week, the retailer Comet has hired the unmistakable voice of Tom Baker to present its "surprising gifts at predictably low prices."

Bookmark and Share Annuals Return

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
In a small sidebar news article in the recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine, DWM announces that Autumn 2005 will see the first Doctor Who Annual for twenty years; they got the licence to do annuals as part of their recent renewal, and it will evidently be aimed at a younger audience than the magazine itself.

Bookmark and Share Big Finish Update

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The Big Finish website has been updated with a lot of new information including the following; note that you can see all of the covers and cover blurbs for everything listed below now on our Forthcoming Releases page:
  • Short Trips: The twelfth book, Short Trips: Seven Deadly Sins now has a cover illustration and cover blurb. Big Finish has also officially announced Short Trips: A Day in the Life edited by Ian Farrington; the cover blurb and illustration plus writer and story list are now on the releases page.
  • Catch-1782: This Sixth Doctor tale by Alison Lawson will be the second of several stories next year with Bonnie Langford as Mel; the cover illustration is now online. The story Unregenerate! by David A McIntee, due out in June, will also feature Langford playing Mel, but this time alongside the Seventh Doctor.
  • UNIT Series: Provisional covers (subject to change) for all four volumes are now on the releases page. Nicholas Courtney is currently only appearing in the first story (though the cast lists for parts three and four haven't been updated.)
  • The Juggernauts: You can now listen to a preview of this story online on the Big Finish website.
  • A Storm of Angels: This seventh Unbound CD will not be released until January due to post-production issues ("The sound and music requirements of this play have proved to be particularly demanding and, despite much planning and preparation, this has taken us all rather by surprise. In fact the complete post production time on A Storm of Angels has turned out to be almost three times as long as it normally takes for a double CD release.")

Visit the Releases page for more details.

Bookmark and Share Script Doctor Cover

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
At right is the cover illustration for the forthcoming Script Doctor book by former series script editor Andrew Cartmel, featuring an introduction by Sylvester McCoy, sent to us by the Galaxy 4 retail shop. "Script Doctor" is Cartmel's memoir of his time working on the show as script editor during the McCoy era. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Galaxy 4 for the cover illustration!)

Bookmark and Share New Series Notes

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 14, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
A few updates we can pass along: in the third episode (still tentatively called "The Unquiet Dead"), we can attach two confirmed actors with their roles -- Eve Miles plays Gwyneth and Alan David plays Gabriel Sneed -- while a new name,Meic Povey, plays The Driver. Also, Paul McFadden is the sound editor for the new series; his credits include "Agent Cody Banks 2," "Waking the Dead" and "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," and he was nominated for an MPSE Golden Reel award and won a BAFTA Wales award for his work on the film "Veronica Guerin" with Cate Blanchett. Also, the latest issue of Dreamwatch magazine mentions the name of an alien race apparently appearing in Paul Cornell's episode (the one they note as "Death Day" although this is not the title): the race is called the Vanishers. December 15 update: I'm told this is also not correct, there is no race called the Vanishers in this story.

Bookmark and Share A Day in the Life

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 9, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Details have been announced for Big Finish's forthcoming Short Trips 13: A Day in the Life, edited by Ian Farrington, due out in the spring of 2005. Included in the anthology are "Making History" by Trevor Baxendale, "A Life in the Day" by Xanna Eve Chown, "The Last Broadcast" by Matthew Griffiths, "How You Get There" by Simon Guerrier, "One Wednesday Afternoon" by Alison Jacobs, "Terror of the Darkness" by Joseph Lidster, "Undercurrents" by Gary Merchant, "The Heroine, the Hero and the Megalomaniac" by Ian Mond, "Sold Out" by Danny Oz, "Morphology" by Phil Pascoe, "Visiting Hours" by Eddie Robson, "After Midnight" by Andy Russell, "Before Midnight" by Andy Russell, and "Waiting for Jeremy" by Richard Salter. (Thanks to DWM)

Bookmark and Share DWM 351

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 9, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine, #351, has reached subscribers. While no preview of this issue was issued this month, we have a scan below of the cover as well as the free CD that was included, featuring two short pieces from Big Finish: the standalone UNIT audio "The Coup" by Simon Guerrier starring Nicholas Courtney, and a Bernice Summerfield audio featuring the Cybermen starring Lisa Bowerman. Also in the issue are interviews with Paul McGann and Daphne Ashbrook from the TV Movie and all the usual features. This will also be the last issue in this format, as #352 will have a new cover design and carry expanded coverage of the new series. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Update Dec. 9, 2200 GMT: The editors of Doctor Who Magazine have provided us with a larger scan of the cover; click below left. Also included in the issue is an interview with new series make-up artist Davy Jones; part six of the comic strip "The Flood," part two of the Archive Extra "Doctor Who on the Radio" and more.

Bookmark and Share Everything's Nebulous

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 9, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
A BBC press release today discusses the new BBC Radio 4 sci-fi comedy Nebulous with many connections to Doctor Who: written by Graham Duff (writer of Big Finish audio "Faith Stealer"), starring new series writer/actor Mark Gatiss, David Warner (the Doctor in Big Finish's "Sympathy for the Devil"), Rosie Cavaliero (who played Cassie in the audios "Project: Twilight" and "Project: Lazarus") and Graham Crowden (Soldeed in "The Horns of Nimon") and directed by Dalek perennial Nicholas Briggs. The broadcast starts January 6 at 11pm on Radio 4. (Thanks to Paul Hayes, Steve Tribe)

Bookmark and Share Doctor Who Reconstructed

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 9, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Several weeks ago we were told that online retail sites were carrying a product called Doctor Who Reconstructed, but no further details. The new issue of DWM expands on that: a series of MP3-CD's which blend both the original audio soundtracks of missing stories with telesnap photos, much akin to the current fan-produced reconstructions (and likely much like the recent MP3-CD release of "Death Comes to Time"). The first story in release will be "Power of the Daleks" and is due on June 6, 2005. (Thanks to DWM)

Bookmark and Share Simon Pegg Is in New Series After All!

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 9, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
While previous reports had him in the show, then not available due to scheduling issues, Outpost Gallifrey has learned that comic actor Simon Pegg of "Spaced" fame will be in the new series after all, according to a report today from the Spaced Out site. "And after a slight hiccup in time," Pegg wrote in an email to the Spaced Out administrators two days ago, "I am now confirmed to appear in Dr. Who. I travel to Cardiff to commence filming with Chris Ecclestone and Billie Piper this week." Later in the email, a wry comment: "I am not playing Young Davros." There is currently no word on the role Pegg will play (he was originally to take the role of a... relative of Rose Tyler) but it will likely be in either episode 7 or the two-parter episodes 9 and 10. (Thanks to Paul Blewett and the Spaced Out forums)

Bookmark and Share DWAS Christmas Cards

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 8, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The DWAS now have Christmas cards packs available to buy online for people in the UK; click here for details. (Thanks to Chuck Foster)

Bookmark and Share Radio Notes

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 8, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
BBC Radio 4 is repeating the Afternoon Play BlueVeils and Golden Sands, about Delia Derbyshire's work on the Doctor Who theme, on New Year's Eve, at 2.15pm. It'll be available to listen to for a week after via Auntie's listen again feature at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4. Meanwhile, on BBC7, The Paradise of Death is on Sundays at 6pm and midnight. The first part aired on the Sunday just gone. (Thanks to ?hil Creighton)

Bookmark and Share Peter Davison Plays Comeuppance

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 8, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Peter Davison is lauded in the December 6 edition of the "Daily Mail" in an article entitled "Wicked Whispers." "Hands up time for former Doctor Who Peter Davison," says the article, "who admits texting the BBC to suggest chairman Michael Grade for the villainous role of The Master in the new series. He says: 'The coincidence of Grade's return to the BBC, and the recommissioning of Doctor Who - which he's known not to like very much - was too good an opportunity to miss. Disappointingly, I didn't get a response.'" (Thanks to Paul Engelberg)

Bookmark and Share New Zealand DVD Special

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 8, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
According to the latest e-Newsletter from New Zealand chain store Whitcoulls, the Five Doctors Special Edition DVDis being re-released in that country in a special box set that contains a Dalek keyring, pin, a set of Doctor Who playing cards and the BBC nonfic book "The Dalek Survival Guide." Retailing at $NZ59.99, this is a Whitcoulls exclusive and is being released on 9th December. (Thanks to David French)

Bookmark and Share New Directors, Casting Announced

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 8, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine reveals two directors instead of one for the next production block for the new series. Brian Grant, whose directoral credits include "Clocking Off," "Bugs," "Hex," "As If," "Love Bytes," "Highlander: The Raven" and "She-Wolf of London," will be directing episode 7, currently entitled "The Long Game" and written by Russell T Davies, which itself is noted as "block 4A". James Hawes, whose directing work includes "Sea of Souls," "Holby City," "The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries," "The Bill" and "Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World," is the director of "block 4B," which consists of Steven Moffat's two-part story "The Empty Child" set in the 1940's. We believe that this block of filming has already commenced. The reason for two separate directors for this block of filming has been reportedly due to an unusual length of special effects and production needed for episode 7.

Also in the new DWM, some brief updates on casting. American-born actor Corey Johnson (Agent Clay in "Hellboy" and part of the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of "A Sound of Thunder) plays the role of Henry in episode 6, which also stars Anna-Louise Plowman (best known to SF fans as Osiris, formerly Sarah Gardner, Daniel Jackson's ex-girlfriend on "Stargate SG-1") as Diana, while Shaun Dingwall ("Touching Evil," "Villa des roses," "Soldier, Soldier") is in episode 8 playing the role of Pete. More details as they're available.

Bookmark and Share New Doctor Who Computer Game?

Sunday, December 05, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 5, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
An Australian film newsletter recently reported on a new Doctor Who computer game coming soon. "Film Victoria provides funding for digital media projects" is the headline for the article, which states that "Film Victoria will support the development of six innovative digital media projects through its Digital Media Fund (DMF) program. Game Prototype Development investment funding was provided for two projects. IR Gurus Interactive Australia will develop a game of the worldÆs longest running science fiction television series Dr. Who, and Iron Monkey Studios will develop Darkenlight, a darkly-twisted, humorously spooky game of fighting action and exploration set in an enigmatic world where nothing is quite what it seems." More details as we get them. (Thanks to Paul Denny)

Bookmark and Share Australia/New Zealand DVD Updates

Sunday, December 05, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 5, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
According to the DVD Bits website, Roadshow has changed its DVD release schedule... to be expected considering the UK dates. The Claws of Axos will now be released on July 7, because the story isn't out in the UK until May. Horror of Fang Rock will be released on April 7. (Thanks to "Cyberman Dan")

Bookmark and Share Recent Press Clips

Sunday, December 05, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 5, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
December 1's icWales published an interview with Noel Clarke (Mickey), called "This time it is Auf Wiedersehen" discussing the end of that series (which Clarke stars in as Wyman) and his next job, the new Doctor Who series. "It seems to be that whenever they're rehashing a show from 20 years ago, I get a call!" he tells icWales. "Actually, I wish it was like that because I'm sure there'll be more old stuff coming up. ... I watched both of the series when I was young and to grow up and then be in them is really rare. It's fun and just what you imagine it would be like, especially with Dr Who. When I was little I dreamed about running from monsters and Daleks and 20 years later here I am doing just that. I got really excited when I went inside the Tardis for the first time." He notes that his relationship with Rose (Billie Piper) will be "a Ross and Rachel thing. You want them to get together but you're not sure if they're going to." (Thanks to Paul Engelberg)

Billie Piper (Rose) was interviewed for the January issue of the "Marie Claire" women's fashion magazine. "My Life After Chris - Her first Interview since the split" is the title of the article, in which she talks about her life and relationship, auditioning for parts, why she wanted to begin acting... and then the interview turns to Doctor Who. When asked what it's like working with Eccleston: "He's so brilliant. What a top bloke." Piper is told that lot of actresses must have wanted the job of Doctor Who's assistant: "Yeah, apparently they saw a sh*tload of people and then, I don't know, it just worked straight away, it really did." About the unspoken sexual frisson between the characters of Doctor Who and his assistant: "Yeah ... absolutely. I think in the past, though, it's been played differently to how it's being played now. The great thing about this Doctor Who is that as much as it's sci-fi, it's so much about the Doctor's and Rose's dynamic and their journey and about educating each other. About him expanding and challenging her ideas and, you know, just showing her stuff that she would have never seen. And it's her teaching him to be more human and be sympathetic towards things. So they're kind of like a good friendship or a good marriage or whatever. Of course, you desperately want them to get together." The interview then continues on about her time with Chris Evans and her new found singleness, along with photos. (Thanks to Danny Lamb)

New series guest star Simon Callow was on The Frank Skinner Show on ITV1 on December 2 talking about Phantom of the Opera and the new series of Doctor Who. He said that Doctor Who fans were "weird" and that he was aware that "once you're in the series you're part of Doctor Who forever." He claimed that fans would turn up during the filming in Cardiff at 3am dressed in Doctor Who costumes amid the paparazzi who were climbing on things to take pictures (though we know that the only people in costume were actually working on the series!) Callow noted that his character Charles Dickens "teams up with the Doctor to save the Earth from alien infestation." (Thanks to Gavin Rymill)

Outpost Gallifrey has seen several articles noting that BBC employees have been "inundated" with death threats from crazed Doctor Who fans who are making changes to their beloved series. Fear not - these are actually massively overhyped tabloid articles based on rumors and hyperbole (including comments picked up right on our very own forums!) These same papers are reporting that Billie Piper has a new "boyfriend". The lack of journalistic credibility and integrity on the part of these reporters stuns us. (That's sarcasm! - Ed.)

Bookmark and Share New Zealand Gets New Who

Sunday, December 05, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 5, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The New Zealand television station Prime TV have announced that they've picked up the new Doctor Who series, according to a press release on their website. "BBC Worldwide announces today the licence of the new series of the cult classic Doctor Who to Prime Television New Zealand," says the release. "Only the second international deal to be finalised, the new series will deliver to Prime Television in the first quarter of 2005. Starring Christopher Eccleston (The Second Coming, Cracker, Elizabeth) and Billie Piper (Canterbury Tales) and written by a team led by Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk) the series sees Doctor Who, the alien loner and his companion Rose forge a friendship across time and space. Fans out there should brace themselves for some exhilarating experiences and deadly confrontations. This ninth Doctor will take viewers from the natural end of the world far in the future to Victorian times for an encounter with Charles Dickens, from gaseous monsters with deadly plans for humanity to alien crash-landings and conspiracies that lead to the very heart of the government. The show delivers all the excitement of good drama, with a hero who never carries a gun. The human race will survive, but only with the DoctorÆs help! It has been over 40 years since Doctor Who hit our screens and sparked a fan base that spans the world. International conventions, fan clubs with members numbering in the thousands and books, videos, DVDs and merchandise are just part of the on-going phenomenon that is Doctor Who. David Vine, BBC Worldwide Managing Director Asia Pacific, says, 'This series has been long anticipated. We are very excited that Prime will bring the new Doctor to New Zealand audiences. If you are a long-time Doctor Who fan you wonÆt be disappointed but equally if you are someone who has never heard of a Tardis or a Time Lord you will be able to climb on board and travel through time and space for the first time. Prepare for brand-new, spell-binding adventures.' PrimeÆs Programming Manager Andrew Shaw says, 'I am delighted to have acquired this fantastic new drama from the BBC. Doctor Who promises to be an outstanding series. We very much look forward to placing it in our primetime schedule. This series will captivate a whole new generation of fans who have never experienced the legend that is Doctor Who.'" (Thanks to Paul Scoones, Jon Preddle, Alden Bates, Dean Brown, Christopher Feyrer, Paul Engelberg)

Bookmark and Share New Series Teaser Trailer Online

Thursday, December 02, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 2, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The official Doctor Who website today features a brief clip from the BBC's Winter Highlights promotion featuring the new Doctor Who TV series... the first official footage shown from the new show. You can see it at the official site; it's in RealPlayer format.

Bookmark and Share New Show: Winter Highlights?

Wednesday, December 01, 2004 - Posted by Shaun Lyon


December 1, 2004  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
press release today from the BBC (which has been covered in several media outlets today) mentions the new Doctor Who series as part of the "Winter Highlights," noting the forthcoming series as being targeted for debut in 2005. "Acclaimed actor Christopher Eccleston hits our screens this winter as Doctor Who with Billie Piper as the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler. More details will be released early next year," says the press release. An expanded version of the release is also online from the Drama department, with more details: "Acclaimed actor Christopher Eccleston plays Doctor Who in a new series for BBC One next year," says the press release. "Billie Piper, who made her acting debut in the critically acclaimed Canterbury Tales - The Miller's Tale, stars alongside Eccleston as the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler. Travelling through time and space, the Doctor and Rose come face to face with a number of new and exciting monsters - as well as battling with the Doctor's arch-enemy, the Daleks. The series, which promises to surprise and entertain a new generation, also features Penelope Wilton, Noel Clarke, Annette Badland, Camille Coduri and John Barrowman, Bruno Langley and celebrated theatre, film and television actor Simon Callow. Filming in Cardiff until 2005 for transmission on BBC One, Doctor Who is written by Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Paul Cornell and Robert Shearman." It is important to note that, while the appearance of the item intimates an early 2005 time frame -- noting the show "hits... screens this winter," there is still no guarantee whatsoever that the show will appear during that time, as the show is currently around the halfway point in filming, with at least six episodes of 13 that have not as yet gone before the cameras, and will depend on how quickly the show is completed before an actual debut is set. (Thanks to everyone who passed along the press release and media links...)