The actor Prentis Hancock has died at the age of 83.

Prentis Hancock appeared in four roles in Doctor Who.

In 1970, he had a small role in the Third Doctor's debut story Spearhead from Space, where he played a journalist sent to cover the meteorite shower which accompanied the third Doctor's arrival. 

He had a much larger role when he played Vaber in the 1973 story Planet of the Daleks. Vaber was the hothead member of the Thal task force sent to Spiridon to defeat the Daleks.

His third appearance was in the Fourth Doctor story Planet of Evil where he played Salamar, the captain of the Morestran probe ship sent to Zeta Minor to make contact with Professor Sorenson's expedition.

His final appearance came in 1978 in The Ribos Operation where he played the Shrieve captain guarding the crown jewels of Ribos.

Hancock's best-known role was in the first season of science fiction series Space: 1999 where he played Paul Morrow. Other appearances included roles in Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1962)Dr. Finlay's Casebook, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Colditz, The New Avengers, Danger UXB, Minder, Secret Army, The Professionals, The Bill, Bergerac and Bodyguards

Prentis Hancock was born in 1942. He died peacefully in hospital surrounded by his sister, neice and daughter on Friday 30th May

Following on from the season two finale of Doctor Who, viewers were treated to a first look at the next chapter in the Whoniverse, ‘The War Between The Land And The Sea’, and new character imagery has been released of Russell Tovey as Barclay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt.

The five-part series also stars previously announced cast members Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, and Vincent Franklin.

Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer are Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu, and Ann Akinjirin.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer says:

The series is produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney Branded Television, and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).

The War Between the Land and the Sea

Beware of spoilers if you have not yet watched The Reality War

Tonight (Saturday 31st May) viewers saw Ncuti Gatwa’s final scenes as the Doctor as he steps down from one of the most iconic roles in British television. In an epic two-part season finale, viewers saw the Doctor face the Rani in an extraordinary battle to save the world and the Doctor made the ultimate sacrifice to save the life of one little girl.

Since being announced as the Doctor in May 2022, Ncuti Gatwa was launched into the Whoniverse and immediately taken into the hearts of Doctor Who fans across the globe. With his first appearance being part of the show’s 60th anniversary celebrations in November 2023, Gatwa’s arrival into the show was a never seen before bi-generation which saw him split from the Fourteenth Doctor, played by David Tennant. His portrayal of the Doctor won Gatwa a Best Actor award at BAFTA Cymru Awards in 2024, as well as nominations for a BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for Favourite Scot on Screen, and Best Actor in a Drama Series at The Critics Choice Television Awards in the US in 2025.

Gatwa’s first full episode, The Church on Ruby Road saw the Doctor team up with companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, and the two travelled on out of this world adventures, with episodes including The Devil’s Chord, Rogue and Boom with Gatwa winning praise globally for his iteration of the iconic character. In season two, Gatwa gained another companion, Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu and the stakes got higher, with battles bigger than ever before with the duo going back in time to Miami in Lux, travelling to Lagos in The Story & the Engine as well as attending the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest before facing the Rani and Omega in his final battle to save earth before regenerating once more.

Speaking of his decision to leave, Gatwa said:

Speaking of Ncuti’s departure, Russell T Davies, Showrunner said

Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama added

BUT AS VIEWERS SAY GOODBYE TO THE DOCTOR THEY GOT A HELLO FROM A MUCH-LOVED FACE

As everyone said farewell to this iconic Doctor, they also got sight of a very familiar face as the Doctor regenerated and it was none other than Billie Piper… Billie first appeared in the Whoniverse when Doctor Who returned to screens in 2005, as Rose Tyler, the much-loved Companion to the Doctor played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. But just how and why she is back remains to be seen…

Speaking of the surprise twist, Russell T Davies adds

Speaking of her return, Piper said:

Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney Branded Television.

The BBC has confirmed that the special edition of Doctor Who: Unleashed, celebrating 20 years since the return of the series, will be available from Saturday, 7th June 2025. 

Joining the previously announced contributors will be Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill who played Amy Pond and Rory Williams in the Matt Smith era of Doctor Who.

Steffan Powell will take a journey through the time vortex alongside an intergalactic lineup of previously announced Doctors, companions, and showrunners: Ncuti Gatwa, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Varada Sethu, Billie Piper, Pearl Mackie, Mandip Gill, Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall, and Russell T Davies.

Alongside the stars, Powell will be revealing the secrets from behind the scenes with former production designer Edward Thomas, costume designer Ray Holman, and unpacking the magic Welsh gold dust that has seen the show become one of the biggest and most recognisable brands on television since its 2005 regeneration.

The special hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will land on Saturday 7th June at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day, the week following Doctor Who’s epic season two finale ‘The Reality War’.

Previous episodes of Doctor Who: Unleashed are available to watch now in the Whoniverse on BBC iPlayer.

Doctor Who Magazine is out today, and the print edition includes a Target Books paperback. An exclusive new edition of the wheel in space by Doctor Who author Terrance Dicks

In the magazine:

• THIS YEAR’S SEASON FINALE PREVIEWED! RUSSELL T DAVIES on what to expect in the much-anticipated concluding episodes Wish World and The Reality War…

• ACCESS ALL AREAS – Join DWM at UNIT HQ for the climactic scenes of Lucky Day – including contributions from writer PETE McTIGHE and guest star JONAH HAUER-KING.

• Barber Shop Quartet – actors SULE RIMI, SANYA ADEGBOLA, MICHAEL BALOGUN and JORDAN ADENE talk about their roles as the Barber’s captives in The Story & the Engine.

• Fugitive Doctor JO MARTIN on her surprise return to the TV series…

• VIP backstage access to the Interstellar Song Contest! Writer JUNO DAWSON, director BEN A WILLIAMS and your host RYLAN are among those on hand to reveal the secrets of this entertainment spectacular!

• Mrs Flood unmasked! ANITA DOBSON chats about the latest revelations…

• The Rani reborn! ARCHIE PANJABI on taking on the mantle of the cold-hearted Time Lady!

• A guided tour to an impressive new exhibition opening in Peterborough.

• Target Books’ STEVE COLE remembers TERRANCE DICKS and discusses the special new edition of The Wheel in Space included with this issue.

• Gary Gillatt assesses the merits of alien art from across the universe…

• Back to 1973… We take a look at contemporary reactions to the environmental message of Third Doctor classic The Green Death.

• FACT OF FICTION – unravelling the mysteries of the Evolution of the Daleks.

• The adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor and Belinda continue in the comic strip.

Regular features

• Gallifrey Guardian – our news round-up including details of the cinema screenings of the season finale.

• Reviews – featuring the latest Blu-ray/DVD, book and audio releases.

• Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.

• Prizes to be won – including new adventures for the Fifteenth Doctor in print! 

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 617 is on sale Thursday 22 May 2025  from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £10.99 (UK). 

Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £6.99.

Demon Records is celebrating Jon Pertwee’s flamboyant portrayal of the famous Time Lord, 55 years after he made his screen debut on 3 January 1970.

Available on Blue and 4 x Blue and Green Vinyl, with a beautifully illustrated cover, this set presents Jon Pertwee narrating two classic Doctor Who Target Books, an array of bonus Jon Pertwee audio appearances, and his own 1972 pop single, Who Is The Doctor?

Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon is Brian Hayles’ abridged TV novelisation set on a medieval-styleworld, and Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks is Terrance Dicks’s abridged adaptation of the Terry Nation adventure set on the jungle-like Spiridon.

Bonus features are also included on each disc, spanning the 1970s to the 1990s, including BBC radio interviews, a Goodwood Races sketch with Elisabeth Sladen, comedy featuring Mel Giedroyc, and tributes paid by family members and Doctor Who producers.

This also includes a frameable photographic print of the Third Doctor. Accompanied by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s familiar Doctor Who theme, the Jon Pertwee Collection celebrates one of the most stylish, iconic and beloved Doctors of all.

LP 1 Side A Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon Part One / Goodwood Races mini-drama

LP 1 Side B Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon Part Two / Profile interview

LP 2 Side C Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon Part Three / Newsbeat interview

LP 2 Side D Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon Part Four / Simon Bates interview

LP 3 Side E Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks Part One / The Skivers comedy sketch

LP 3 Side F Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks Part Two / Local radio interview

LP 4 Side G Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks Part Three / Radio Lives tributes

LP 4 Side H Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks Part Four / Who Is The Doctor?

The set is also available in a deluxe 4 CD gatefold package, this includes a full colour booklet with cast, credits and racklisting information.

Beware of Spoilers if you haven't yet seen The Interstellar Song Contest

This week’s journey to the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest took a shocking twist when Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) bi-generated and revealed her true identity to be the Rani. Originally played by Kate O’Mara, the Rani is a Renegade Time Lord and enemy of the Doctor who first appeared back in the 1985 classic serial ‘The Mark of the Rani’. 

Now, alongside Anita Dobson, the Emmy Award-winning Archie Panjabi joins Doctor Who as the Rani, who has been hiding in secret as Mrs Flood and meticulously waiting for her time to face the Doctor.

Archie Panjabi is known for her roles as Zahra Gahfoor in Hijack, Kendra Malley in Departure, and Kalinda Sharma in The Good Wife, for which she earned critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award. Her impressive career spans both film and television with roles in films including Bend It Like Beckham, Yasmin, and San Andreas.

Archie Panjabi and Anita Dobson will appear in the two-part finale ‘Wish World’ and ‘The Reality War’, which will see the Doctor and the Rani go head-to-head in a monumental battle that will send shockwaves through the Whoniverse.

On joining Doctor Who, Archie Panjabi said:

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, said: 

Doctor Who continues with the first episode of the epic two-part finale, ‘Wish World’, on Saturday 24th May, launching exclusively on BBC iPlayer at 8am and Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).

The season two finale of Doctor Who, ‘The Reality War’, will premiere simultaneously on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in a primetime evening slot on Saturday 31st May, and Disney+ outside of the UK (where available), as well as in over 450 cinemas across the UK & Ireland.

A special edition of Doctor Who: Unleashed is set to air on BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and BBC Wales.

Steffan Powell is once again set to take a trip through the time vortex as he invites viewers on a journey celebrating the last twenty years since Doctor Who returned, and he will be joined by a host of cast and creatives that have played a part in bringing the show back into the Whoniverse.

Joining Powell for the ride are some of the show’s most recognisable faces, including past Doctors David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker, former companions Billie Piper, Pearl Mackie, and Mandip Gill, ex-showrunners Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall, the current Doctor Ncuti Gatwa alongside his newest companion Varada Sethu, as well as the current showrunner and the man who brought the show back in 2005, Russell T Davies.

As well as chatting with the stars about what Doctor Who means to them, Powell will be revealing secrets from behind the scenes with interviews with those who work behind the cameras to bring Doctor Who to life.

Speaking of the special episode, Russell T Davies said:

Steffan Powell adds

The special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will air on BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and BBC Wales next month. Previous episodes of Doctor Who: Unleashed are available to watch now in the Whoniverse on BBC iPlayer.

The BBC has confirmed that this year's Doctor Who Finale will have its premiere on BBC One rather than being available earlier on BBC iPlayer. 

Following a cosmic journey of twists and turns as the Doctor attempts to get Belinda home, the season two/41 finale of Doctor Who will premiere in a primetime evening slot on Saturday, 31st May, and in over 450 cinemas across the UK & Ireland.

Titled ‘The Reality War’, fans across the globe will be able to all watch together as the Doctor faces one of his most terrifying and monumental battles to date in an extra-special-length episode.

The season two finale will air exclusively on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with the exact transmission time to be confirmed in due course, and simultaneously on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available).

Russell T Davies, Showrunner said:

Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney Branded Television.

The finale of the current series of Doctor Who is to be screened in cinemas across the UK and Ireland

As the season draws to a close, fans across the UK and Ireland will have the opportunity to come together in cinemas to watch the epic two-part finale on 31st May, starting with the penultimate episode Wish World / The Reality War and ending with the last of the season The Reality War.

Both episodes are written by Russell T Davies and directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai.

Natasha Spence, Events Director, BBC Studios commented:

John Travers, Head of Acquisitions & Distribution for CinemaLive said:

Tickets go on sale at 10am on 1st May. For more information, visit doctorwho.tv