Welcome Back Doctor Who: Series Three Begins

Saturday, 31 March 2007 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
It's the end of March and Doctor Who is back today for its third series with the airing of "Smith and Jones" at 7.00pm on BBC1, starring David Tennant as the Doctor and introducing Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones!

The broadcast will be followed by episode one of the third series of Doctor Who Confidential at 7.45 on BBC3. There's also the first episode of the second series of Totally Doctor Who this coming Monday, 2 April at 5.00pm on BBC1. Meanwhile, BBC3 is repeating The Runaway Bride, last December's Christmas special, at 7.00pm on Sunday 1 April, followed by a repeat of the new episode at 8.00pm.

The following is a quick overview of the week's broadcasts along with some programme information from Radio Times. Welcome back, Doctor Who!
SMITH AND JONES
It's back and this time it looks like there may be two travellers - the Doctor and Martha, alias Smith and Jones. When Martha Jones finds herself on the moon, she meets a mysterious stranger called the Doctor, and her life will never be the same again. Starring David Tennant (The Doctor) and Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), with Anne Reid (Florence Finnegan), Roy Marsden (Mr Stoker), Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Tish Jones), Reggie Yates (Leo Jones), Trevor Laird (Clive Jones), Kimmi Richards (Annalise), Ben Righton (Morgenstern), Vineeta Rishi (Julia Swales), Paul Kasey (Judoon Captain). Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Charles Palmer.
Saturday 31 March, 7.00pm, BBC1
Repeats Sunday 1 April, 8.00pm, BBC3; Friday 6 April, 9.00pm, BBC3



DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL 3.1: MEET MARTHA JONES
Behind-the-scenes look at Doctor Who. The Doctor has a new companion, Martha Jones. By sheer courage and determination, she has wowed the Time Lord and been offered a place on board the TARDIS. Featuring exclusive footage from the new series and interviews with Freema Agyeman, who plays Martha, David Tennant and head writer Russell T Davies, the programme examines the development of Martha's character and the huge interest behind the casting of the new companion.
Saturday 31 March, 7.45pm, BBC3
Repeats Sunday 1 April, 8.45pm, BBC3; Friday 6 April, 9.45pm, BBC3



TOTALLY DOCTOR WHO 2.1
It's back with a twist as the children's companion series to Doctor Who introduces a new adventure to the mix. Barney Harwood and Kirsten O'Brien present a show celebrating the the latest adventures of the last living Time Lord. They look at anything and everything that Doctor Who has inspired children to create and do - from TARDIS-shaped garden sheds to new alien designs, from DIY special effects to new versions of the theme music. There's also the Companion Academy, in which eight young hopefuls who think they've got what it takes to travel with a Time Lord are recruited.
Monday 2 April, 5.00pm, BBC1
Repeats Friday 6 April, 6.00pm, BBC1; Saturday 7 April, 10.30am, BBC2 and 6.30pm, BBC1



THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
A repeat of last December's Doctor Who Christmas special starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
Sunday 1 April, 7.00pm, BBC3




FILTER: - Series 3/29 - Radio Times