The Ood are set to return to Doctor Who in the second special of the year. An Ood was spotted on set for filming that took place in Newport this morning. David Tennant, Lindsay Duncan were also seen on set, as well as a robot. The Ood first appeared in Doctor Who in the series 2 episodes The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit and then later in the series 4 episode Planet of the Ood. You can see pictures from filming here, here, and here.
The logo for the new Doctor Who spin-off series K9 has now been revealed. The logo has been taken from the title sequence of the show, and Paul Tams, the co-creator and co-associate producer of the show said that the new logo is based on K9's old-type font of Westminster, but with an update. The font is also going to used on K9's new body. K9 will be on screen as an animatronic prop and in CGI form in his new series, due to air later this year.
The cover for Doctor Who Magazine issue 406 has now been uploaded to the official Doctor Who Magazine Facebook page. Inside the issue you can read all about whats in store for Comic Relief night, theres a tribute to the number one Dalek: John Scott Martin, theres also the latest TV news, a BBC7 radio series preview, the issue takes a look at Logopolis, plus theres a a chance to win Doctor Who DVDs, CDs and toys, theres some new comic strip action, plus theres an exclusive feature on the true story of how the Daleks almost invaded America in 1967, and theres also the latest news, interviews and much more! You can see the cover for the magazine to the left and you can click it to enlarge. Doctor Who Magazine issue 406 will be released on Thursday, the 5th of March at the RRP of £3.99 in all good newsagents across the UK and Ireland.
The English actor Dean Gaffney recently made a comment on his Twitter account about appearing in Doctor Who. The actor, who is most famous for playing Robbie Jackson in Eastenders from 1993 to 2003, said that he is busy filming for Doctor Who, but it is currently unknown what episode he will be in, although it is rumoured to be the the episode after Planet of the Dead, which is currently filming. It is believed that this news will officially be confirmed in the next issue of Doctor Who Magazine which is out next Thursday.
Update: It seems that Dean Gaffney's Twitter account is fake, sorry for an inconvenience caused.
An award has been given to Doctor Who at the seventh Visual Effects Society Awards. The award went to Doctor Who for the matte paintings in the series 4 episodes Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead. The paintings in the episodes were made by Simon Wickers, Charlie Bennett, Tim Barter and Arianna Lago. The effects of the Cyberking in the recent Christmas Special, The Next Doctor had also been nominated but unfortuantely lost.
BBC Magazines have now sent us the cover and details for Doctor Who Adventures issue 104 which was released today. This issue features an interview with Velile Tshabalala who played Rosita in The Next Doctor. You can see the cover to the left and you can read the press release below;
Upgrade to Cyberkind with this week’s Doctor Who Adventures
This week’s issue of Doctor Who Adventures comes with a bumper Cyber pack – with two different Cyber sets to choose from!
One set includes a sinister Cyberleader mask and the other includes a scary Cybershade mask as seen in the last Doctor Who special.
Both come with two different sets of Cyber badges, two cool sticker sheets and a massive double-sided poster of Dalek creator Davros on one side and the Doctor and Donna on the other.
You’ll also find an exclusive interview with the plucky girl who helped fight those Cyber terrors at Christmas – actress Velile Tshabalala who played Rosita.
The Cybermen want to upgrade you – so don’t miss it.
What else?
Doctor Who Adventures, issue 104, priced £2.50, is out on Thursday 26 February! Upgrade now or you will be grabbed by the Cybershades.
This issue of Doctor Who Adventures is on sale across the UK and Ireland and the next issue of Doctor Who Adventures, issue 105, will be released next Thursday. The next issue comes free with a Fob Watch, and the issue features Red Nose fun, competitions and more.
Today the fourth issue of The Doctor Who DVD Files was released in all good newsagents across the UK and Ireland. This issue comes free with a bonus DVD featuring the classic Doctor Who story, The Five Doctors. The issue also comes with your next DVD, which features the series 1 episodes The Long Game and Father's Day. Inside this issue you can read about the Special Weapons Dalek, Donna Noble, Pete Tyler, behind the scenes on writing Doctor Who, the Tardis console and much more. The magazine also has episode guides for The Long Game, Father's Day and The Five Doctors. This issue is on sale now at the RRP of £6.99 and issue 5 will be released in 2 weeks time and it will come with your next DVD which features the series 1 episodes The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances.
From what we have seen from filming, it looks like the Doctor is back in his spacesuit that he wore in the series 2 episodes The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit, and he is possibly on another planet in this scene.
The 2008 Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Next Doctor, will be shown in Canada in March, on the SPACE Channel. The SPACE channel can be seen on Satellite on Bell TV and Star Choice and it is also available on most Canadian cable systems. The episode is scheduled to be shown on Saturday the 14th of March, at 9pm Eastern time. The Next Doctor is currently available on DVD across the United Kingdom and Ireland at the RRP of £15.99.
Today is Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Pancake Tuesday or simply Pancake Day. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Austrailia, and on this day it is a tradition to make pancakes. Shrove Tuesday is the day before the first day of Lent. During Lent, many people give up a specific luxury for forty days and forty nights. To read more about Shrove Tuesday then click here, and to find out more about Lent then click here.
The official Torchwood website has now added a new promotional picture for the third series of Torchwood, Children of Earth, to their websites banner. The promotional picture features Jack, Gwen and Ianto. I have made wallpaper versions of both the new and old promotional pictures for series three, and you can see them below;
Big Finish have now revealed the cover and details for an upcoming 8th Doctor audio adventure called Wirrn Dawn. The synopsis for the story can be seen below;
“This is full scale war. Wirrn and Humankind locked in a deadly struggle for survival. When did that happen?”
The Doctor and Lucie land right in the middle of one of the human race’s bloodiest periods of history. Trying to make a difference here would be like standing up and calling for a cease-fire on the Somme. Certain death...
Or Worse.
Survival can be a messy business.
This audio adventure stars Paul McGann as the 8th Doctor, Sheridan Smith as Lucie Miller and the story is written by Nicholas Briggs. It will be released on CD on the 30th of June, and it will go on sale at the RRP of £10.99 across the UK and Ireland.
The Daily Star is today reporting that Billie Piper has recieved a call from Matt Smith, who is looking for advice about playing the Doctor. Matt will begin filming for Doctor Who in Summer, and his episodes will begin airing in Spring 2010. Billie Piper apparently said; “He called me and said ‘What am I going to do?’”, and she has told him that he needs no acting advice from her but she is sharing tips about publicity demands, dealing with fans and the pressures of being in the show. To read the full article then click here.
The Scotland on Sunday website today published an interview with the Doctor Who and Torchwood actress Freema Agyeman, who played Martha Jones. There were rumours of her returning to Doctor Who in the Sun newspaper last month but it is now said that she got offered the chance to return after she was not able to appear in Torchwood series three due to filming commitments. In the new interview with Freema she says; “There has been some speculation but nothing has been confirmed”. To read the full interview with Freema then click here. Freema Agyeman will be starring in Law and Order, which begins tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV.
FEARNet, the popular online horror website recently added an exclusive interview with Torchwood actress Eve Myles and series three director Euros Lyn to their website. In the interview both Eve Myles and Euros Lyn talk about Children of Earth, their work on Torchwood, and Euros Lyn also talks a bit about the last two specials of Doctor Who which are David Tennants last episodes, and he is the director of them both. To go to FEARNets website to read the interview then click here.
The Sun are today reporting that many lost episodes of Doctor Who featuring William Hartnell as the 1st Doctor are supposedly in the possession of President Mugabe of Zimbabwe. The BBC had removed lots of episodes of Doctor Who from their archives so that they could make room for new shows. The country Zimbabwe had previously obtained the first ever series of Doctor Who when it was a British colony known as Rhodesia at that time. It seems that President Mugabe currently has no plans to let the BBC go into Zimbabwe to get the tapes due to certain events that have happened in the country over the past years. You can read the full story by going to the Sun's website here.
David Tennant recently revealed his recent conversation that he had with the actor to take over his role as the Doctor, Matt Smith, to What's on TV magazine. You can read what David Tennant said to Matt Smith below;
Various different sources are reporting that there are plans to bring Doctor Who to stage. The show will apparently go on tour across the UK, and according to the Sun newspaper, the show will feature an amazing sound and light show that will featur many different monsters from the TV series. A BBC insider apparently said the following:
"The BBC know they’ve got a massive hit show on their hands, so they want to take it to the next level. They want it to be a Doctor Who experience which will blast fans with amazing visuals and music. The emphasis will be on technology so it’s unlikely any of the show’s stars will be on stage. But they are expected to feature in video elements. That said, the idea of using real actors hasn’t been ruled out.”
If any more news becomes available about this then it will be posted here, but please note that at the moment these are only rumours and so they may turn out to be false.
The BBC have now confirmed that the British Tony Award-winning actress, Lindsay Duncan, will be starring in the second Doctor Who special of 2009. The BBC Press Office released a press release about the casting of the actress, and you can read that below;
Acclaimed actress, Lindsay Duncan will guest star in the second Doctor Who Special of 2009 on BBC One.
Lindsay is best known for her roles across stage and screen, including Shooting The Past and GBH and is soon to star as Margaret Thatcher in the highly anticipated BBC Two drama, Margaret.
In Doctor Who she will play Adelaide – the Doctor's cleverest and most strong-minded companion yet.
Lindsay commented: "I'm thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who. I've never done anything like this before and I'm really looking forward to working with David Tennant and the Doctor Who team."
Lindsay joins David Tennant as he continues his role as The Doctor in the second instalment of the four Doctor Who Specials to be screened throughout 2009, which will follow Planet Of The Dead, due to air this Easter on BBC One.
Executive Producer and writer Russell T Davies said: "Lindsay is an incredibly talented actress and I've been an admirer of her work for some time. We are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team and playing the Doctor's most strong-minded companion yet."
The second episode is written by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford.
It is due to go into production in Spring 2009 and will be screened on BBC One later this year.
The Producer is Nikki Wilson; Executive Producers are Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.
Doctor Who is produced by BBC Wales and is filmed in Cardiff.
The title of the second Doctor Who special of 2009 is currently unknown, but I will post it as soon it becomes available. The second special will air later this year on BBC One.
BBC Magazines have now sent us the cover and details for Doctor Who Adventures issue 103 which was released today. This issue takes a look at Davros, the creator of the Daleks. You can see the cover to the left and you can read the press release below;
Free Dalek playing cards with this week’s Doctor Who Adventures
Learn some cool card games with a set of free Daleks cards – only in this week’s Doctor Who Adventures!
Inside you can discover everything you need to know about the creator of the Daleks – Davros. We look at his many devious schemes to date – from creating the Daleks in Genesis of the Daleks right up to planning the Reality Bomb in Journey’s End. And do you think we’ve seen the last of him?
Also, find out how you can get special access to a secret part of The Darksmith Legacy website – there’s an exclusive screensaver for every reader to accompany the new series of Doctor Who books.
What’s inside?
Doctor Who Adventures, issue 103, priced £2.10, is out on Thursday 19 February!
This issue of Doctor Who Adventures is on sale across the UK and Ireland and the next issue of Doctor Who Adventures, issue 104, will be released next Thursday. The next issue comes free with a Cyber mask and badge set, loads of stickers and a bonus double-sided poster.
Carole E. Barrowman, the sister of John Barrowman and the writer of the comic strip in Torchwood Magazine issue 14 recently kindly agreed to do an interview with the Tardis Base. Earlier this month we asked visitors of the site to send in questions for Carole, and the best were picked. You can read our interview with Carole below, where your question may be picked. Please note that the following interview is just for the Tardis Base and so it may not be reproduced in any way.
TB: Hello Carole, thanks for doing this interview.
Carole: It’s my pleasure. Thanks for asking.
TB: We know you have written the new Torchwood comic strip with John, what can you tell us about it?
Carole: The story we came up with is a retelling–a re-imagining–of an ancient Orcadian myth. I’d written a short story about the myth of the selkie and when John and I were brainstorming ideas for a Captain Jack comic, he remembered my story. So we adapted it to become what we’re calling “A Captain Jack Tale.” The story takes place on an island off the Orkney’s and, well, I’m afraid too say too much more and spoil your experience . . .
TB: Will the comic strip run through just one issue or many issues of Torchwood Magazine?
Carole: This is a stand-alone comic strip within Torchwood magazine.
TB: Does the comic feature Gwen and Ianto, or just Captain Jack?
Carole: This is a Captain Jack story and not really a Torchwood tale so Jack is all by himself on this adventure.
TB: Who is your favourite character in Torchwood excluding Captain Jack?
Carole: I have to say that I’m a big fan of the girls . . . of Gwen and Tosh. I think they balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses so well and yet both are complex and intelligent women.
TB: You have also written your brothers autobiography with him, how did you find writing that?
Carole: It was exhilarating, exhausting, intense, funny . . . one of the best parts about the process was that although John and I have always been close this afforded us an opportunity as adult siblings to really make our relationship even stronger. I’m very thankful for that.
TB: If you got the chance, would you write a Torchwood book or even an episode?
Carole: I’d love to tackle either one. Who knows what the future may bring . . .
TB: Has John told you anything regarding Children of Earth?
Carole: I was actually on the set for part of CofE last fall and I’ve also read the scripts . . . I’m afraid my lips are very sealed . . . but OMG!
TB: Do you watch Doctor Who regularly or do you just watch episodes with Captain Jack if at all?
Carole: I grew up in Scotland in the sixties and seventies. I’ve been a fan since the early doctors (Jon Pertwee was my favorite classic doc). When my family moved to the US in 1976, I watched them all over again when they ran over here. Without John’s connection to the series, I’d still be a big fan. My husband is too.
TB: Do you believe in aliens and the supernatural?
Carole: I believe there are lots of mysteries in this world that need creative explanations . . . I have an open mind and a very active imagination.
Here are the questions asked by the visitors of the Tardis Base:
Jamie asks: Did you find it hard to write the comic, and what was it like working with your brother John on it?
Carole: Jamie, working with John is always a delight . . . exhausting and hilarious but a delight nevertheless. Since I’m used to writing longer pieces, the challenge in writing a comic script was in the demand for verbal succinctness and the compression of the plot’s exposition. I read a lot of graphic novels so I think that really helped.
Graham asks: If you had the chance to be in Torchwood, would you like to appear as Captain Jack’s actual sister?
Carole: That may be a little too close to home, Graham, but I’d be okay with being the doctor’s smart sassy sister, especially if that meant I could be a Time Lord too. I also think it would be fun to play a brilliant scientist since that’s pretty far from my reality.
Ayrton asks: How do you feel about your brother being in Doctor Who and Torchwood?
Carole: Love it, Ayrton. I’ve been a ‘Doctor Who’ fan since I first saw the show in the late sixties, and to have my ‘wee’ brother step into that universe is very cool . . . particularly since it’s allowed me the chance to actually be inside the Tardis.
Andrew asks: Is there going to be a new alien creature in the comic? If so did you work closely with the artist to verify your idea of what the creature should look like?
Carole: Indeed, Andrew, there is a new alien creature in the comic . . . an amazing one even if I do say so myself. Tommy Lee Edwards and Trevor Goring more than exceeded my imagination in terms of what it would look like. Once the actual drawing phase of the project began, the three of us exchanged many emails and phone calls.
Carole is a Professor of English at Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI, where, among other things literary, she teaches a course titled, 'The Future in Film and Fiction.' She's a regular reviewer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, and a regional NBC morning show.
Along with the interview we also got sent an exclusive piece of artwork from the upcoming comic strip as did several other sites. 
Torchwood Magazine issue 14 goes on sale tomorrow at the RRP of £4.99 in all good newsagents and comic shops across the UK and Ireland, and it will go on sale on the 17th of March in the US. To read more information about the issue then click here. A new page is soon being added to the site for interviews, where there will be a new one added each month.
The 64th issue of Doctor Who Battles in Time was released today in all good newsagents across the UK and Ireland at the price of £2.50. This issue comes with a packet of Devastator cards, plus a packet of Ultimate Monster cards. Inside the issue you can read about the child Slitheen, information on the 4th Doctor and his companions, behind the scenes of the Tardis crew, a brand new comic strip and much more. If you want to get a copy of the magazine then make sure you get it before the 4th of March, which is when issue 65 will be released. Issue 65 takes a look at General Kudlak and it comes free with an extra pack of Ultimate Monsters cards as well as the usual pack Devastator cards.
The official BBC Doctor Who website recently uploaded another special behind the scenes video diary of David Tennant's filming for the Doctor Who specials. In the second edition of the Tennant Tapes the team are at Cardiff Bay, where the Doctor Who production team have closed Butetown Tunnel for filming. You can watch the video below;
To go to an older post to see the first edition of the Tennant Tapes then click here. The four specials are currently being filmed and they will all air later this year on BBC One.
Titan Magazines have now emailed us an interview with John Barrowman which was conducted by his sister Carole E. Barrowman. In the interview John and Carole discuss the upcoming Torchwood comic strip that they have both written together. We have also been sent some artwork from the upcoming comic strip and both that and the interview can be seen below;
Titan Magazines have now revealed the cover and details for this month's issue of Torchwood Magazine. Issue 14 of the magazine has an interview with Gareth David Lloyd, and it features an exclusive comic strip written by John Barrowman and his sister. You can see the cover to the left and below is some information on the magazine;
100 pages of Torchwood coverage
It’s been a while, but the official Torchwood magazine is back with a bang, bringing you 100 pages covering all things Torchwood in the lead up to the Children of Earth premiere! Among the highlights in the latest issue is a landmark Torchwood event – a comic strip story written by John Barrowman himself!
Torchwood Magazine Issue 14 will go on sale this Thursday, the 19th of February, and it will be available at all good magazine and comic shops across the United Kingdom and Ireland at the price of £4.99. To read more about this issue then click here.
Today is the 16th of February, which means that its Christopher Eccleston's birthday today. The actor who is best known to us for playing the 9th Doctor turned 45 today and I would like to take time to wish him a happy birthday and the best of luck in the future. You can read more about Christopher Eccleston here on Wikipedia, and feel free to leave your birthday messages for Chris in the comment box.
The UKTV Watch website has recently uploaded an exclusive Torchwood comic strip. The comic is written by Brian Minchin and it the artwork is done by Adrian Salmon. The comic features Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen and Tosh and you can read it online by clicking here. Torchwood series two is repeated on Saturday nights at 9pm on Watch.
A new interview with Peter Davison, the actor who portrayed the 5th Doctor from 1982 to 1984 has now appeared on SFX Magazine's official website. In the interview Peter talks about Matt Smith, the actor who will play the 11th Doctor. You can see an extract from the interview below;
When he [Matt Smith] takes over, he’ll take your crown as the youngest ever Doctor. Will you be sad to see that go?
Not really. It's hardly an achievement in itself, is it?
Can you see yourself ever going back to Doctor Who again, as you did for “Time Crash”?
I can certainly see myself, but I don't think it will happen.
To read the full interview then click here. Peter Davison is also the father of Georgia Moffett who played the Doctor's daughter in the series 4 episode 6, The Doctor's Daughter. You can also read more about the 5th Doctor on Wikipedia here.
The picture above was made by me.
Today is the 14th of February, which means that it is Valentines Day. Valentines Day is a day in which lovers show their love for each other. It is a tradition to send Valentines cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts on Valentines Day. To read more about Valentines Day, how it started and the tradition then click here. I hope you enjoyed this years Valentines Day and that you had a great day.
Yesterday the official Doctor Who website uploaded five new behind the scenes pictures of David Tennant and Michelle Ryan from filming in Dubai. The Doctor Who team flew over to Dubai to complete the filming for the next episode, Planet of the Dead. You can see all five pictures here on the official site, or here, here, here, here and here on my Photobucket account. Planet of the Dead will air this Spring on BBC One, and it is written by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts. It stars David Tennant, Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans.
BBC America's Torchwood website was giving the chance for visitors to send in a question for Eve Myles to answer. They picked the best ones and asked her at the recent Torchwood Comic Con event. My question was picked, and it is the second question asked in part 1 of the interview, and both parts can be seen below;
BBC Magazines has now sent us the cover and details for Doctor Who Adventures issue 102 which was released yesterday. This issue takes a look at Matt Smith. The cover can be seen to the left and you can see the press release below;
Free mystery gift with this week’s Doctor Who Adventures.
What mystery gift will you find inside this week’s Doctor Who Adventures? There’s something special with every issue.
This week, Doctor Who Adventures has a fascinating fact file about the actor who has been chosen to be the Eleventh Doctor – Matt Smith.
Also, do you suspect your friend is an alien? Some creatures are masters of disguise and it’s difficult to tell what they really look like. We’ve got a feature all about the monsters that look human and are therefore very dangerous.
The issue, out now, is perfect for young Doctor Who fans everywhere. Don’t miss it!
PLUS:
Doctor Who Adventures, issue 102, priced £2.10, is out now!
This issue of Doctor Who Adventures is on sale across the UK and Ireland. The next issue of Doctor Who Adventures, issue 103, will be released next Thursday.
It was recently revealed that Elisabeth Sladen, Thomas Knight, Anjli Mohindra and Daniel Anthony will all be going to film a special mini episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures on Thursday for Comic Relief which will broadcast on March 13th with David Tennant hosting the first hour with Davina McCall. Apparently the special mini episode will feature a well known comedian and an attack by Rednosicles!
Update (13th Feb): The famous comedian, Ronnie Corbett has been confirmed as a guest star, and executive producer Russell T Davies said, "It's an honour to get involved with Red Nose Day, and with Ronnie Corbett, K-9 and an old enemy's return, we can promise Sarah Jane Smith's most extraordinary adventure yet!"
Yesterday The Sun and The Telegraph were reporting that Matt Smith who will replace David Tennant to play the Doctor in 2010, has signed a deal with the BBC to play the role for five years. The newspapers are claiming that he will receive £200,000 for each year he plays the Doctor. A BBC insider apparently said: “Bosses don’t want Matt doing a David and leaving when things are going great.” Please be aware that the BBC has not confirmed these reports which means they may or may not be true.
Today the third issue of The Doctor Who DVD Files was released in all good newsagents across the UK and Ireland. This issue comes with free divider cards for your binder. The issue also comes with your next DVD, which features the series 1 episodes World War Three and Dalek. Inside this issue you can read about the Slitheen, the 9th Doctor, behind the scenes of Dalek Sec, sonic technology, K9 and much more. The magazine also has episode guides for World War Three and Dalek. This issue is on sale now at the RRP of £6.99 and issue 4 will be released in 2 weeks time and it will come with your next DVD as well as a bonus DVD of the classic Doctor Who story The Five Doctors.
The New York Comic Con 2009 took place last Thursday and at the event Eve Myles who plays Gwen Cooper, and the series three director Euros Lyn both formed a panel and answered questions asked by Torchwood fans. Some things that we found out at the panel were that the Weevils wont be appearing in series three, and that Martha Jones and Mickey Smith wont be appearing either, and much more. You can see a collection of videos from the event here. You can also click here to see a backstage interview with Eve and Euros, and click here to see a clip of behind the scenes footage of the new series.
A fan of Doctor Who has recreated a lost trailer that was originally made to advertise The Web of Fear, a classic Doctor Who story featuring the 2nd Doctor. In 1968, at the end of the final episode of The Enemy of the World, a trailer for The Web of Fear was shown with specially shot footage of Patrick Troughton. But all that existed was the audio version of the trailer, but thanks a devoted Doctor Who fan we can now see what the trailer looked like, with CGI work used with the original audio. To watch the trailer then click here.
Aurum Press Ltd have revealed that Elisabeth Sladen who plays Sarah Jane Smith in both Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures will be writing a biography about herself. You can see the synopsis for the book below;
When Elisabeth Sladen first appeared as plucky journalist Sarah Jane Smith in 1973 "Doctor Who" story "The Time Warrior", little did she know the character would become one of the most enduring and fondly remembered in the series' history. The coming years would see her traverse time and space alongside classic Doctors Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, whilst a generation of children crouched behind the sofa, terrified but transfixed as their tea time heroine found herself menaced by Daleks, dinosaurs, Cybermen, man-eating alien flora, Egyptian mummies, extras in bubble wrap and even the Loch Ness Monster. By the time she quit the TARDIS in 1976, making front page news, Elisabeth had become one of the most familiar faces of a TV golden age. But that wasn't the end of Sarah Jane. Since then Elisabeth has reprised the role many times appearing in anniversary specials; a 1981 spin-off with robotic sidekick K-9; radio plays; and for the BBC's "Children in Need". She's toured the weird, wide and wonderful world of "Doctor Who" fandom and regularly tops polls of fans' all time favourite companions. So when TV wunderkind Russell T. Davies approached her to come back again, this time to a Doctor Who backed by multi-million pound budgets and garlanded with critical plaudits, how could she possibly say no? Now Elisabeth Sladen tells the story of her remarkable career.
This autobiography will be released in March 2010 in all good book shops at the recommended retail price of £16.99 and it will be published in hardback. The cover for the book will be posted here as soon as it becomes available.
BBC Audiobooks have released details about an upcoming 10th Doctor audio adventure called The Rising Night. The audio is written by Scott Handcock and you can read the synopsis for the audio below:
The story of a brand new adventure for the Doctor, as played by David Tennant in the hit BBC One series. The TARDIS arrives in an 18th Century village in the Yorkshire Moors, where livestock has been vanishing from the farmland and strange lights have been seen in the skies. Something is very wrong here, and he soon becomes involved in a nightmarish adventure, in which he is helped by a young local woman named Charity. Who is feeding on the blood of the locals, and where will the carnage stop...?
It is currently unknown who will be reading the audio but that and the cover for the audio will be posted here as soon as they become available. The Rising Night is the fourth in a series of original audiobook adventures including Pest Control, The Forever Trap and The Nemonite Invasion. The Rising Night will be released on the 2nd of July at the RRP of £9.99.
The cover and details for an upcoming Doctor Who graphic novel, The Dalek Project has now been revealed. The graphic novel is written by Justin Richards and it also includes an introduction by Russell T Davies. You can see the synopsis for the book below;
1917: The Great War is at its fiercest and most terrible. But things are about to get even worse… When the Doctor arrives at Hellcombe Hall in England he discovers a house full of mystery. There are locked doors and forbidden rooms, dustsheets cover guilty secrets, the maid Mary Carter is scared of the ghosts... And that’s before Corporal Anderson finds that his muddy corpse-filled trench ends in the drawing room.
Armaments manufacturer Lord Hellcombe has a new secret weapon he believes will win the war. But when the Doctor witnesses the final demonstration he begins to realise how much danger everyone is in. Because Lord Hellcome claims to have invented the Dalek. Except, of course, that nothing is quite what it seems.
The Doctor and his new friends must draw on every type of early 20th century technology and every element of human ingenuity and bravery if they are to discover the truth and to survive. If they are to prevent the entire Western Front of World War One from becoming part of The Dalek Project.
The Dalek Project will be released on the 24th of September in all good book shops across the UK and Ireland at the RRP of £14.99.
It has now been confirmed that the classic Doctor Who story, Attack of the Cybermen will be getting released on DVD soon. This story features the 6th Doctor and his companion Peri Brown, played by Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. You can see the synopsis for the story below;
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine reveals that all four of the Doctor Who 2009 specials will be shown in High Definition. The HD specials will be shown on BBC HD, but the normal definition versions will remain on BBC One. The episodes will also be released on a Blu-Ray DVD in future, as well as on regular format. The head of BBC HD, said the following; "I'm delighted that the Doctor Who specials are going to be shot in HD. The programme team has consistently tried to push at television boundaries, and to raise the quality for our audiences, and I'm glad we've been able to work with them to do so again." The first Doctor Who special will be shown in Spring.
As previously reported, David Tennant will be presenting the first hour of Comic Relief. Here is the pre-recorded video that was screened at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square from the Red Nose Day launch;
David will be presenting the first hour of the show with Davina McCall on Friday the 13th of March at 7pm on BBC One. To go to the Red Nose Day website, where you can learn more about the cause, then click here.
Here it is, the first trailer for the highly anticipated Torchwood series three, Children of Earth which was uploaded to the re-launched official Torchwood website earlier tonight. The trailer is exactly 60 seconds long, and it features new clips of Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto, posessed children and much more. You can see the trailer it below;
The details for Doctor Who Magazine issue 405 that was released today at the price of £3.99 at all good newsagents has now been released. You can see the cover to the left and below is the press release;
The Eleventh Doctor Speaks... in DWM 405!
Following in the tradition of previous Doctors, PAUL McGANN, CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON and DAVID TENNANT, the ELEVENTH DOCTOR WHO – MATT SMITH – has given his first interview to the official DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE.
In Issue 405 (published Thursday 5 February 2009), Matt talks exclusively in his only interview since getting the role...
On how he plans to go about playing a 950-year-old Time Lord:
“The script is where it starts, it’s always about the words, and luckily we’re in the hands of Steven Moffat [Doctor Who’s incoming Head Writer], who has this show ingrained in his soul and searing through his blood. It’s really born into his whole fabric – and that’s the job for me over the next few months, to make this show part of my fibre. I think Steven is going to be the main creative source for me, and we’re going to discover it together – who the Doctor is in Steven’s mind and words, coupled with pockets of my personality, my history, my life, and the man and the human being that I am. I’ve got a meeting with Piers [Wenger, executive producer] next week to discuss that, but I think we’ll start rehearsing and, you know, just sit around Piers’ or Steven’s kitchen table, read the scripts together, talk about the part. We’ll talk about my intentions, their intentions, how we feel it can fly, and sing, and be as brilliant and as Doctor-y and as excellent as it can be.”
On what he might wear as the Doctor:
“I’m a big fan of long coats and rather dashing scarves in everyday life, so who knows? For the audition, I rocked up in whatever, so I think they’re having to tone down what I wear in real life for the Doctor! I am a rather elaborate dresser. That’s what’s lovely, there are all these exciting things – what’s he going to wear, what’s he going to do in his first scene with his companion, which monsters will he meet, will he meet the Daleks? This show is so alive, it really is. I can’t ever quite forget that I’m the Doctor – which is weird, because it’s still so far away. But it’s always there in my subconscious, because it’s the Doctor! It’s like, there’s Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and Doctor Who. It has resonance in our cultural fabric.”
Also in DWM 405:
NEW DOCTOR DAY!
Showrunner-in-waiting Steven Moffat shares exclusively with DWM readers just what it's like to cast a new Doctor Who in Production Notes.
REALITY TV?
Remember the Zygon gambit? The Yeti in the Underground? Or that, frankly, unmissable invasion by thousands of Daleks after Earth was transported billions of miles across space? DWM investigates why so many people in the Doctor Who universe, apparently, don't!
SUSIE CUES!
She's worked on some of the most highly-acclaimed Doctor Who stories of all time! Susie Liggat talks candidly to DWM about her experiences as the producer of the UK's best-loved drama series.
ANTIMATTER MATTERS!
It could mean the end of the universe! The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith journey to the furthest reaches of space and encounter anti-matter monsters as The Fact of Fiction revals some surprising secrets about 1975's Planet of Evil.
DAY OF THE LOKHUS!
Can the Doctor and Majenta prevent the Day of the Lokhus? And what will become of Maxwell Edison? Find out in the final thrilling part of DWM's latest comic strip, The Stockbridge Child by Dan McDaid, with art by Martin Geraghty.
DEAR MATT SMITH...
Neil Harris writes an open letter to Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith, full of helpful – and not so helpful! – advice, in You Are Not Alone.
DWM turns the tables on the BBC's 'Doctor Who correspondent' as we ask the questions of the one-and-only Lizo Mzimba in Who on Earth Is!
Plus! News, previews, reviews, competitions and more!
BBC Magazines has now sent us the press release for Doctor Who Adventures issue 101;
Get a free K-9 with this week’s Doctor Who Adventures
This week’s issue of Doctor Who Adventures is a Sontaran special – and it’s full of Sontaran secrets!
There’s an interview with actor Anthony O’Donnell who played Kaagh in The Sarah Jane Adventures plus the second part of a guide to the baked potato-headed creatures. The Sontarans live to fight – so you’ll find our facts very important if they ever return to Earth.
Get ready for Red Nose Day with Freema Agyeman, who tells us how you can get involved in events to raise money for charity.
The issue, out Thursday 5 February 2009, also comes with a FREE robot dog K-9 and loads of great stickers too.
Grab a copy before the Sontarans steal them all! Sontra-ha!
ALSO:
Doctor Who Adventures, issue 101, priced £2.10, is out Thursday 5 February.
In the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine which is out tomorrow (see previous post), Nikki Smith, the producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures series three tells DWM that K9 will be making a return in the third series. You can see what she said below;
The cover for the next issue of Doctor Who Magazine has now been revealed. The 405th issue will go on sale tomorrow and the issue features an interview with the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith. Inside the magazine you can read about Michelle Ryan from Planet of the Dead, plus theres a comic strip adventure, competitions and much more. A further reminder about the magazine along with the press release will be posted tomorrow.
The 63rd issue of Doctor Who Battles in Time was released today in all good newsagents across the UK and Ireland at the price of £2.50. This issue comes with a usual packet of Devastator cards, plus a packet of Ultimate Monster cards. Inside the issue you can read about Odd Bob the clown. Also inside the magazine;
- Card Clash: Captain Jack VS Dalek Sec Hybrid
- Learn all about the Third Doctor
- Comic Strip: About Last Night
- Behind the Scenes: War Paint!
If you want to get a copy of the magazine then make sure you get it before the 18th of February, which is when issue 64 will be released. Issue 64 takes a look at the Child Slitheen and it comes free with an extra pack of Ultimate Monsters cards as well as the usual Devastator cards.
John Barrowman's sister Carole E. Barrowman has agreed to do an interview with us in order to promote the upcoming Torchwood comic strip which she has written alongside her brother. The comic, called Captain Jack and the Selkie, will feature in the next issue of the magazine which is out on the 19th of February.
BBC Children's Books have now released the cover and information about an upcoming Doctor Who Sticker Poster Book. The book has 8 pages and it is about the Children of Time. It will be released on the 28th of May at the RRP of £3.99. You can see the product description below;
Join the Doctor and his companions, the Children of Time, on this epic battle against the Daleks. Use the stickers to create your own poster scene.
BBC Children's Books have also released some information about an upcoming activity book called Alien Armies. The cover is not yet available but you can see the product description below;
The universe is overflowing with alien armies, each more frightening than the next. Join the Doctor in his battle against them by completing the activities, or choose an army to join with the iron-on transfers.
The activity book will be released on the 28th of May at the RRP of £3.99 and it consists of 16 pages. Both of these books will be released as paperback.
The BBC have now announced that a new 60 second trailer for Torchwood Children of Earth will be shown at the New York Comic Con on Thursday the 5th February at 4pm and it will be made available at the same time in the UK, which is at 9pm. The trailer will be available on the official site for Torchwood, and you can click here to see the announcement (here for non-UK visitors). The trailer will be available here shortly after its released for those of you who are outside the UK.
According to various different sources, the name of one of the monsters that will feature in the upcoming Doctor Who special Planet of the Dead, will be the Tritovore and it is rumoured they will be half-man half-fly creatures. We know that two new alien species will feature in the episode as it was revealed by Russell T Davies. The Daily Mail is reporting that the these new aliens are set to be the scariest ever, and that the Doctor Who team want them to become as iconic as the Daleks and the Cybermen, but please note that at the moment these are only rumours and they may turn out to be false. You can read the full article on The Daily Mail's website here.
Today is the 1st of February, which means that its Elisabeth Sladen's birthday today. The actress who is best known to us for playing Sarah Jane Smith turned 61 today and I would like to take time to wish her a happy birthday and the best of luck for the future. You can read more about Elisabeth Sladen here on Wikipedia, and feel free to leave your birthday messages for Elisabeth in the comment box.
