David Tennant Steps Down as Doctor Who Posted on Oct 30, 2008 by Andy
Actor David Tennant will quit his role as Doctor Who next year. Skip related content
Related photos / videos Enlarge photo The star has decided to step down as the Time Lord after filming wraps on four TV specials of the cult sci-fi show, due to be screened in late 2009 and 2010.
Tennant announced his departure on Wednesday night during the National TV Awards in London.
Appearing via video link, he told the audience: "I'm very excited because in January I go back to Cardiff to do four new specials which will see me through to 2009 - but when it returns in 2010 it won't be with me.
"Don't make me cry. The 2009 shows will be my last, I love this show and if I don't take a deep breath now, I never will and you will be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair.
"It's been the most brilliant, mad, amazing, life-changing time over the last three and a half years. There is a whole 2009 before I leave. Thank you for watching it, loving it, and being so enthusiastic."
Easter Special Director Appointed. Posted on Oct 19, 2008 by Andy
Director James Strong will be helming the Easter Doctor Who Special, Executive Producer Russell T. Davies announced in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine.
"We're so happy that he's returning to the fold," Davies stated. "James has handled Daleks in sewers, hordes of Adipose and Satan himself, as well as a Titanic with Kylie on board. But believe me, none of that will have prepared him for what we're about to unleash in this next script!"
The Easter special is scripted by Davies and Gareth Roberts, whose previous credits on the show include "Attack of the Graske", "The Shakespeare Code" and "The Unicorn and the Wasp".
Series Four Soundtrack details confirmed Posted on Oct 19, 2008 by Andy
Silva Screen Records has announced the full listing of the forthcoming soundtrack CD for Series Four of Doctor Who. The information was sent out by e-mail today to people who subscribed to its newsletter.
The 27-track disc will be released on November 17 but can be downloaded earlier from the company's website. The tracks are as follows:
1. Doctor Who Season Four Opening Credits (0:46)
2. A Noble Girl About Town (2:14)
3. Life Among the Distant Stars (2:30)
4. Corridors and Fire Escapes (1:12)
5. The Sybilline Sisterhood (1:53)
6. Songs of Captivity and Freedom (4:03)
7. UNIT Rocks (1:11)
8. The Doctor's Daughter (1:38)
9. The Source (3:21)
10. The Unicorn and the Wasp (3:11)
11. The Doctor's Theme Season Four (2:47)
12. Voyage of the Damned Suite (10:21)
13. The Girl With No Name (2:45)
14. The Song of Song (2:14)
15. All in the Mind (1:18)
16. Silence In The Library (2:57)
17. The Greatest Story Never Told (6:17)
18. Midnight (3:07)
19. Turn Left (2:20)
20. A Dazzling End (2:22)
21. The Rueful Fate of Donna Noble (2:44)
22. Davros (2:07)
23. The Dark and Endless Dalek Night (3:44)
24. A Pressing Need to Save the World (4:55)
25. Hanging On The Tablaphone (1:07)
26. Song of Freedom (2:51)
27. Doctor Who Season Four Closing Credits (1:07)
Cover will be on main site when the release is out.
Tennant Vs Tate Posted on Oct 14, 2008 by Andy
The forthcoming National Television Awards will see David Tennant and Catherine Tate go head to head in the category Outstanding Drama Performance.
Sir Trevor McDonald will once again host this years event, broadcast live on ITV1 on October 29th.
That's just 16 days away - and you can vote now by visiting the National Television Awards website (note you may want to skip through the other categories too).
The final category should be of significance too - it's the one that lets you vote for Doctor Who as best drama series.
Tennant and Doctor Who have won awards on a couple of occasions previously, and the decision to place Tennant and Catherine Tate in the same category should be seen less of a way to keep Doctor Who out of the awards and more of a reflection of the show's profile and respect within the industry
Torchwood Season 3 Casting Posted on Oct 14, 2008 by Andy
Torchwood Magazine has announced casting plans for the third series of the alien hunting drama, with remaining stars John Barrowman and Eve Myles engaged in what is at the moment a mysterious storyline with the title Children of Earth.
Producer Peter Bennett revealed four pieces of casting to Torchwood Magazine:
Cape Wrath star Lucy Cohu will play Alice, "a woman keeping many secrets from the past"
Susan Brown, (known for her turn in The Riff Raff Element) is Bridget Spears - "a character vitally connected to the government, which plays an important part in this story",
Newcomer Cush Jumbo is Lois Habiba, "a secretary who hacks into some vital information"
Finally Rik Makarem portrays Doctor Rupesh Patanjali, a "junior doctor at St Helen's hospital who gets drawn into Torchwood's investigations".
Interesting stuff - but what effect will moving to BBC One have on the show overall...?
Gallifrey 20 news Posted on Sep 14, 2008 by Andy
Gallifrey Conventions today makes its long-awaited second press announcement of confirmed guests -- seventeen of them! -- for our forthcoming 2009 convention, Gallifrey One: 20 To Life, also known as Gallifrey 2009, which takes place February 13-15, 2009 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel.
From the classic Doctor Who series, we are delighted to welcome Nicola Bryant for her first Los Angeles appearance in 16 years! Ms. Bryant of course played Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown opposite Peter Davison and Colin Baker from 1984 to 1986, ranging among the most popular companion actors from the original series. Bryant last appeared with us 16 years ago at the Gallifrey One event in 1993, and we've been trying to bring her back for years - and now we're able to. We are also pleased to welcome Gareth David-Lloyd, making his first appearance in Los Angeles. David-Lloyd has appeared as series regular Ianto Jones on "Torchwood" for the past two seasons, eventually making a cross-over to "Doctor Who" for the two-part season finale this past year, "The Stolen Earth" and "Journey's End".
Two brand-new writer guests from the new Doctor Who series have joined the Gallifrey 2009 lineup this year. Phil Ford is the senior series writer on the spinoff series "Sarah Jane Adventures," writing ten of the episodes of the first two series over the past two years, as well as penning the episode "Something Borrowed" during the second season of "Torchwood". Ford now adds "Doctor Who" to his resume with his script for one of the four specials starring David Tennant that will be broadcast in 2009. Ford is also an accomplished writer of such series as "Bad Girls," "Heartbeat," "Coronation Street" and "The New Captain Scarlet". Also with us is Keith Temple, writer of the popular fourth series "Doctor Who" episode "Planet of the Ood" with David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Temple also wrote "The Beast is Back in Town," one of the comics featured on the BBC Doctor Who website during the summer of 2008. Temple has written for such series as "Emmerdale," "Casualty," "Angel Cake," "Children's Ward" and "Byker Grove". And we are also happy to welcome writer Tony Lee, best known for his extensive work in the comics industry, most recently as the author of "Doctor Who: The Forgotten," the new DW comic miniseries from IDW illustrated by artist Pia Guerra. Tony has written for a variety of mediums including Radio 4, The BBC, commerical television in both the UK and US, magazines and both local and national newspapers, and is known for comics works at Marvel Comics, Games Workshop, Panini and other companies.
Additionally, the convention will feature Laura Doddington and Ciara Janson, who will be playing new companions Zara and Amy alongside Peter Davison's fifth Doctor in the upcoming "Key2Time" series beginning in January at Big Finish Productions, as well as Big Finish writer/producer David Darlington; Rob Shearman, the author of "Dalek," the first season Doctor Who episode, returning this year, as is Peter Anghelides, whose latest offerings include the audio-only novel "Pest Control" read by David Tennant and the Torchwood novel "Pack Animals"; Gary Russell, novelist, former audio producer, former DWM editor, script editor, and a thousand other contributions over the years to the world of Doctor Who; and writers Simon Guerrier, Keith Topping, Scott Alan Woodard, Caroline Symcox, Dr. Arnold T Blumberg and Telos Publishing's David J Howe.
All of these guests join our previously announced lineup including the first-ever convention appearance of Doctor Who producer (2005-2008) Phil Collinson, classic and new series director Graeme Harper, Big Finish Productions producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, new series writers Paul Cornell ("Human Nature") and James Moran ("The Fires of Pompeii"); and comedian Toby Hadoke, performing the first-ever North American presentation of his one-man show "Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf" live on our stage on Saturday night. Gallifrey 2009 is February 13-15, 2009 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. The convention will feature three days of Q&A sessions, autograph panels, special video presentations, a full dealers' room and art show, evening events such as the annual Masquerade, "Mysterious Theatre 337" and the return of Gallifrey One's Friday Night Galas, two evenings of karaoke, and much, much more! Many more guests will be announced in the days and months to come, too!
Additional details, including some of our panel programming, will be on the website soon. Visit the site at gallifreyone.com/gallifrey.php.
Doctor Who Scoops more awards Posted on Sep 14, 2008 by Andy
Doctor Who and its two lead stars were winners in the TVQuick and TVChoice magazine awards last night.
The ceremony at The Dorchester hotel in London saw David Tennant take the Best Actor honour for the second year running for his portrayal of the Doctor, while Catherine Tate was named Best Actress for her role as Donna Noble.
The show itself took the Best-Loved Drama title for the third year.
Phil Collinson made a jokey oblique reference to the ITV phone-in scandal when he accepted the Best-Loved Drama gong. He said: "I'm really glad that I'm producing a show that stars Catherine Tate that actually gets given an award."
A surprised Tate said at the ceremony: "I genuinely don't know what to say, because Judi Dench was nominated and other great people. This is the first nomination I've ever had for anything that's not comedy-related."
Bernard Cribbins, who played Donna's grandfather Wilf Mott, was presented with Tennant's award, and Collinson told the official website: "The biggest thrill of the night . . . was hearing the huge cheering and applause Bernard Cribbins received when he took to the stage to collect David's award. It was a special moment and something I'll always remember."
Readers of both listings magazines voted for the awards.
Torchwood Soundtrack Posted on Sep 14, 2008 by Andy
The original soundtrack album to Torchwood is now available to download from the Silva Screen Records website.
It features Series One and Two music composed by Ben Foster and Murray Gold and performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a studio orchestra.
The 32 tracks can be downloaded individually or as a full album.
The CD will be released on September 22.
Doctor Who Voted Best Programme of 2008 Posted on Sep 14, 2008 by Andy
BBC One has been named terrestrial channel of the year at the Edinburgh TV festival's annual awards, as BBC Three took the prize for digital networks.
Doctor Who, which has been showing on BBC One on Saturday nights, won the trophy for best programme of 2008.
There was also recognition for The Apprentice, as terrestrial show of the year, and comedy Gavin and Stacey, in the non-terrestrial category.
The winners were chosen by a panel of TV industry executives and journalists.
Main prize
It was the first time since 2002 that one broadcaster had swept the board, collecting all of the top prizes.
And it was the second year in a row that both BBC One and Doctor Who won their respective categories.
BBC One had been up against BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five for the main prize.
And there were nominations for BBC Four, ITV2, Sky One, E4 and Dave in the multi-channel section.
Sarah Jane Season Two Press Release Posted on Sep 14, 2008 by Andy
The BBC have issued a press release on series 2 of The Sarah Jane Adventures and confirmed a start date of 29the September on BBC1 at 4.35pm. As with last year the next episode will follow on at 5.15PM on the CBBC channel
The Full press release which includes character details and episode synopsis can be seen Here
The Last Sontaran
By Phil Ford, Directed By Joss Agnew
Part One - Monday 29 September 4.35pm CBBC on BBC One
Reports of strange lights around the Tycho Radio Telescope lead Sarah Jane, Luke, Clyde and Maria into a terrifying forest encounter - and Sarah Jane comes face to face with her oldest enemy. Meanwhile Maria wrestles with a huge decision when her dad is offered a new job in America.
Part Two - Monday 29 September 5.15pm CBBC Channel - Monday 6 October 4.35pm CBBC on BBC One
Sarah Jane and the gang have only 40 minutes to save Earth as Sontaran Commander Kaagh plots to bring the world's orbiting satellites crashing down on nuclear installations across the world. And Maria's Mum finally gets to the truth from Alan - but will they be in time to save Maria?
The Day Of The Clown
By Phil Ford, Directed By Michael Kerrigan
Part One - Monday 6 October 5.15pm CBBC Channel - Monday 13 October 4.35pm CBBC on BBC One
New girl in Bannerman Road, Rani Chandra, is being haunted by a sinister clown - does it have anything to do with the local children that have gone missing? When Clyde's friend disappears the trail leads them to a strange circus museum - and the legend of the Pied Piper!
Part Two - Monday 13 October 5.15pm CBBC Channel - Monday 20 October 4.35pm CBBC on BBC One
Sarah Jane's investigation into Spellman and Odd Bob the Clown takes her to a meteorite at the Pharos Institute. But Spellman's plot to make all of Park Vale's pupils vanish leads Sarah Jane into a confrontation with her own childhood fears in a bid to save Luke.
Reminder : Torchwood - Lost Souls - Radio 4 Posted on Sep 06, 2008 by Andy
"Somewhere out there in that chaos of darkness and light, of science and protons, of gods and stars and death... somewhere there's an answer."
The Torchwood Institute was founded by Queen Victoria in 1879 to protect the British Empire against the threat of alien invasion. By 2008, all that remains of the organisation is a small team based in Cardiff. And now, following the tragic deaths of two of their colleagues, the remaining three - Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper and Ianto Jones - have to protect the human race against another unknown force from the darkness.
Martha Jones, ex-time traveller and now working as a doctor for a UN task force, has been called to CERN - the world's largest particle physics laboratory in Geneva - where they're about to activate the Large Hadron Collider. The LHC is a particle accelerator, which has been built deep underground in a 27 km tunnel under Switzerland and France. Once activated the Collider will fire beams of protons together recreating conditions a billionth of a second after the Big Bang - and potentially allowing the human race a greater insight into what the Universe is made of. But so much could go wrong - it could open a gateway to a parallel dimension, or create a black hole - and now voices from the past are calling out to people and scientists have started to disappear...
Where have the missing scientists gone? What is the secret of the glowing man? What is lurking in the underground tunnel? And do the dead ever really stay dead?
This is due to air on Radio BBC 4
* Time: Wednesday 10th September, 2.15pm
* Writer: Joseph Lidster
* Producer/ Director: Kate McAll
New Sarah Jane Series 2 Trailer Posted on Sep 06, 2008 by Andy
A new cinema trailer aired for Sarah Jane Adventures Season Two
More at BBCs Sarah Jane site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/sites/video/
Blackpool Lights Posted on Sep 06, 2008 by Andy
Following the successful 2007 switch on ceremony performed by 10th Doctor, David Tennant , The Blackpool Illuminations Department has decided to enhance the section of the Lights dedicated to Doctor Who
The Doctor Who section of the Blackpool Illuminations runs from Central Pier to New Bonny Street which is next to Coral Island. Parts of this section have been updated with new Donna Noble and the Doctor images, Ood,s and sontarans.
Not only are full sized Tardis being featured but also 7ft high Daleks!
Full details and an interesting article on the Illuminations, some construction details and further images can be seen at
Blackpool-illuminations.net
SJA Season 2 update Posted on Aug 29, 2008 by Andy
As you may already be aware, Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2 will see some changing around of the main characters, with Maria Jackson and her father moving away from Sarah Jane Smith's neighbourhood.
Apparently this is due to exams, with young actress Yasmin Page being ready to sit her GCSEs during shooting of Series 2; similarly, Luke Smith actor Tommy Knight is set to sit a lot of GCSEs in 2009 which may affect his presence should production on Series 3 be underway by then.
There have been rumours also that Maria Jackson and her father are being completely written out -if this is the case it would seem to be a bit of a missed opportunity to expand on Sarah Jane's horizons.
On the bright side however, we're likely to be introduced to Clyde's parents in Series 2, along with new character Rani Chandra and her family. No chance of getting through this information without making reference to a former rival Time Lady who also went by the name Rani, either.
So new season and new dynamic. Actor and comedian Alexander Armstrong has also returned to voice supercomputer Mr Smith - although he is expected to feature less.
Torchwood Press Release Posted on Aug 29, 2008 by Andy
Filming for the third series of the smash hit drama Torchwood, created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, has begun in Cardiff.
Due to transmit in 2009 on BBC One, the series – called Torchwood: Children Of Earth – sees the team embarking on a single action-packed adventure as they battle for the future of the human race against the fiercest force they have encountered.
The highly-motivated Torchwood team are John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones.
Other regular cast involved in their high-octane adventure are Kai Owen as Rhys Williams, Gwen's husband, and Tom Price as PC Andy.
Special guests in the five part series are Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick Of It, Skins), who plays the role of Mr Frobisher – a civil servant who is hiding a terrible secret; Paul Copely (Coronation Street, The Bill) as Clem – the survivor still haunted by his past; and Liz May Brice (Bad Girls, The Bill) as Johnson – the cynical covert government agent determined to expose Torchwood.
Russell T Davies said: "The new series of Torchwood is hugely bold and promises to be bigger and better than ever – the audience is in for an amazing ride.
"This series is one big serial and the most ambitious story we've ever made, and we've got plenty of surprises in store."
Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales, said: "We hope to make Torchwood a gripping and surprising TV event with storylines that push our team into greater danger and sacrifice.
"Joining our main cast are some fantastic guest artists who will only add to making this unmissable TV."
The first two series of Torchwood have received global critical acclaim and the hit drama has been sold to more than 20 countries.
The second series of the BBC Wales-produced series, broadcast on BBC Two earlier this year, attracted audiences of around 3.4 million, peaking at 4.2 million for the first episode. Including viewers on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer the consolidated audience was 5.1 million.
When it launched on BBC Three in October 2006, it attracted the channel's highest viewing figures, with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode.
Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner. The producer is Peter Bennett (Doctor Who).
Torchwood is written by Russell T Davies, John Fay (Clocking Off, Coronation Street, Mobile) and James Moran (Doctor Who, Torchwood) and directed by Euros Lyn (best director in BAFTA Cymru TV Awards, Doctor Who, George Gently).
Torchwood is a BBC Wales for BBC Drama Production and was commissioned by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Fiction.
Press quotes
"One of the best programmes on TV." The Observer
"This show has been brilliant." The Sun
"Torchwood lightens up but doesn't dumb down as series two kicks off in style." London Evening Standard
Another Edinburgh Award Posted on Aug 29, 2008 by Andy
Doctor Who has won the trophy for Best Programme Of 2008 at the Edinburgh TV festival's annual awards.
It was the second year in a row that the series has won in the Best Programme category
New Fan Audio Webcast announced Posted on Aug 25, 2008 by Andy
Broken Sea, have a new web cast called Lesser Evils
Sypnosis:
Unknown to even The Doctor, the Mara uses George to embody the
deepest fear within the very core of the Thal psyche — a Dalek.
The Thal forces occupying Draconia scramble in an effort to contain
the panic. Will the terror destroy them?
Or can it be turned to a tool for the greater good?
Source: Visit Broken Sea Audios
Scifi Doctor Who Weekend Posted on Aug 24, 2008 by Andy
Apologies for late posting but here is info on Sundays/Mondays bank holiday Scifi UK special Doctor Who Weekend information.
Sunday 24th August
1200 The Pyramids of Mars
1400 The Face of Evil
1600 & 2245 Logopolis
1800 Earthshock
2000 Warriors of the Deep
Monday 25th August
1200 & 2200 The Movie
1350 Logopolis
1540 Earthshock
1730 The Caves of Androzani
1930 The Two Doctors
Sarah Jane Series Two Titles Announced Posted on Aug 24, 2008 by Andy
Doctor Who Magazine the titles for the 2nd series of The Sarah Jane Adventures are as follows...
1: The Last Sontaran - by Phil Ford.
2: Day of the Clown - by Phil Ford.
3: Secrets of the Stars - Gareth Roberts
4: The Mark of the Berserker - Joseph Lidster
5: The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith - by Gareth Roberts
6: Enemy of the Bane - Phil Ford.
Torchwood Series 3 Title announced Posted on Aug 24, 2008 by Andy
The latest issue of Torchwood Magazine has revealed that that the Title of the series 3 story is called Torchwood Children Of Earth. The story is due to be broadcast over one week in the Spring of 2009. Filming for the series starts later this month.
Another unmissable issue arrives!
The official Torchwood magazine is back with another batch of fantastic articles and interviews, plus brilliant new exclusive fiction. Check out this page for a taste of whats in store, including an interview with Executive Producer Julie Gardner, a Torchwood location guide, and a dynamite FX feature!"
We bring you all the latest Torchwood news, including the tantalising name of series threes five-part story! Principal photography begins on August 18, and Torchwood magazine will be there every step of the way to bring you the latest news and previews - so keep watching this space!
Moffat wins another Hugo Award Posted on Aug 24, 2008 by Andy
Steven Moffat has won his third Hugo Award for the Doctor Who episode Blink.
The list of winners can be seen at the Hugo Awards Website
He has also won a Hugo Award for The Girl in the Fireplace and The Empty Child.
