New Directors, Casting Announced

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.