Breaking News: Series Three and More - Updated Twice!

At tonight's BAFTA screening of "The Parting of the Ways," the final episode of this first series of "Doctor Who," producer Russell T Davies and BBC executive Jane Tranter announced that a third series of the show has now been commissioned, including a second Christmas special. They also noted that Billie Piper (Rose) would be in all the episodes of the second series, although whether she would return for the third was apparently still being discussed, and that John Barrowman (Captain Jack) will be returning to the series next year but will not appear in the first block of episodes. (Says our correspondent, Barrowman was also in the audience at the screening, and when Davies announced his return, he yelled out, "And I'm willing to get naked again, too!")

Also mentioned at the BAFTA screening was a title for this year's Christmas special: The Christmas Invasion. That, and the season two block of thirteen episodes, will go into production in July. More details as we get them.

Update 15 June 2230 GMT: CBBC News has confirmed the story. Says the report, "Just days before the current run of the sci-fi show is due to end, its makers have revealed that there are at least two more series to come. ... In addition to two more series, there will also be Christmas specials for 2005 and 2006, the show's makers said. That means Dr Who fans have a total of 28 more episodes to look forward to when the current series ends. Billie Piper will continue playing Rose until at least the end of series two. ... The show's main writer, Russell T Davies, said: 'What was most pleasing is that people have been watching this series as a family. I think a children's show should have a full range of emotions including grief and comedy.' A few hints have also been dropped as what viewers can expect from the new episodes: The new doctor will have a new outfit, we'll be seeing more of Rose's boyfriend and her mum, and scary aliens called the Cybermen will be making a return."

Update 16 June 0220 GMT: Several other items reported from the BAFTA screening: apparently transmission of series two will take place "early" in 2006 (like this year) and Russell T Davies will pen the one script that hadn't been assigned to a writer (at least not publicly). Also, word has it that there will be more episodes of Doctor Who Confidential, but we have yet to confirm this...

(Thanks to Jacob Weinstein and Keith Topping for the initial reports and everyone contributing updates including on our Forum!)