Filming kicks off next week

Rehearsals have been taking place over the last week in the lead-up to filming commencing on Monday 20th February. It now seems likely that the first block is to include further European filming, with Spain cited as a destination (see "Cast", below) - the series previously filmed in the country back in August 1984, in and around Seville for the following year's adventure The Two Doctors.

Cast

Karen Gillan discusses her decision to leave the series this year: Actually, I called Steven Moffat and basically told him roughly when I wanted to go. He told me where the story was at and where it was going and then we kind of together came up with it. So it was really pleasant, actually. That was ages ago, so I've known for ages! I wanted to go on a high. Also, Steven Moffat comes up with endless, amazing ideas anyway, but I wanted to make sure that I went on a high when the character was at her prime. There's just something quite nice and appealing about that to me. I don't know… It just felt right! I like to go on instinct." And on the finality of her departure: " I want to see her go with everything that she wants, because initially, when we met her, she was just seeking what she wants, you know what I mean? And she was kind of in this lost, transitional period, where she didn't have a stable life. So I just want to see her get what she wants. I really, really want to have a final exit and then be able to look back on that as a final exit. I don't know... I just don't want to take away from that exit by making cameos in the future. I'd quite like it to be final and for people just to remember it fondly. [IGN, 16 Feb 2012]

According to CastingCallPro, actor Rob Cavazos will have a role in the series, with his entry stating: "currently filming a role in 'Rush', a new feature written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard, followed by an episode of 'Doctor Who'.. Further to this, his agent Shepperd-Fox Theatrical Agents report in their latest news that he "shortly flies to Spain to play Walter in the new series of 'DOCTOR WHO' (BBC)." The Mexican actor is relatively new to television, having studied at the East 15 Acting School in Essex and worked primarily in the theatre; as one might expect, his CV indicates that he is fluent in Spanish! [Ruther2 via Twitter, 17 Feb 2012]

Crew

Toby Whithouse (doesn't) speak about his new script: "I can't tell you anything about it because if I did Steven Moffat would come round here and kick me in the shin. It's very exciting, it’s not like any episode I’ve written before and I really enjoyed writing it. But I love writing Doctor Who. Even after all these years there's still a very special thrill that comes from writing 'INTERIOR: TARDIS' at the top of the scene." On the new series: I'm not allowed to say. They would absolutely kill me but it's very, very exciting and I'm really honoured and excited to be part of it." [Independent, 15 Feb 2012]

Stephan Pehrsson has also confirmed that he will be working on the first block of new series; the Director of Photography worked on a number of episodes from the last series, most recently on the Christmas Special The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe. [Twitter, 17 Feb 2012]

A deal has been struck to show Doctor Who in Japan via the on-demand website subscription service Hulu.

As of today, BBC Worldwide is making available some 600 hours of TV - covering drama, comedy, music, lifestyle, natural history, science, and history - on the multi-device platform. It is said to be the largest volume of BBC Worldwide content on any platform in Japan.

Also among the titles in the initial phase of the multiple-year agreement is Little Britain, narrated by Tom Baker.

The Hulu service allows people to watch unlimited content on multiple internet-connected devices.

Joyce Yeung, general manager and senior vice-president for BBC Worldwide Sales and Distribution Asia, said:

Doctor Who has previously been shown in Japan, as detailed by BroaDWcast.

Figures out today for Doctor Who Magazine and Doctor Who Adventures show both titles experiencing a drop in total average net circulation per issue, with the latter falling beneath the 50,000 mark.

In the results, part of the Audit Bureau of Circulations report for consumer magazines over the period covering July to December 2011, DWM registered a negligible decrease of 0.2 per cent to 30,614 per issue from 30,682 over the preceding six-month period (January to June 2011), while DWA's circulation fell by 3.1 per cent to 48,470 from 50,013.

When compared against the similar period of July to December 2010, however, both publications showed a far more significant drop, with Panini's DWM recording an 8.8 per cent fall from 33,554 and Immediate Media Company's DWA sliding by 14.4 per cent from 56,648.

During the July to December 2009 period, DWM's circulation figure was estimated to be about 29,000 (this was before it was included in the ABC figures) and DWA's was 44,664.

For the official certificates for each title, which include a comprehensive statistical breakdown, click here for DWM and here for DWA.

The next set of circulation figures, covering January to June 2012, will be published on 16th August.

Karen Gillan was voted the second favourite Valentine's TV Crush in a poll run by Freeview; top spot went to This Morning's Holly Willoughby. On the male side, NTA host (and honorary TARDIS traveller!) Dermot O'Leary just pipped Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch to the top. [Freeview, 14 Feb 2012]

The Radio Times also ran a Valentine's poll: for male TV stars Benedict Cumberbatch topped the list at 43.93% ahead of former Doctor David Tennant at 37.46%, with the top six also populated with Martin Freeman (6.23%), John Barrowman (3.12%), the current TARDIS incumbent Matt Smith (1.63%) and John Simm (1.40%); for female TV stars Doctor Who luminaries again did well though once more pipped at the post, with Louise Brealey taking 26.98% of the vote versus Billie Piper with 18.83%, the runners up being Lara Pulver (13.83%), Karen Gillan (13.45%), Alex Kingston (9.1%) and Freema Agyeman (3.24%). [Radio Times, 14/15 Feb 2012]

John Barrowman and sister Carole have continued their promotion of their new book, Hollow Earth; when asked about Torchwood's future on Live With Gabby (15th February), John mentioned that whilst the series itself was on hiatus, the show hasn't been forgotten: "I would love Torchwood to come back as I know thousands and millions of people would. We're writing a Torchwood novel, and can I just say to all the Torchwood fans out there the first chapter, what happens to Jack, is amazing - and I want that to go on screen!"

The pair were also presented with photos of the town of Millport on the Ilse of Cumbrae, the area of which features prominently in their book (transposed to the fantasy setting of Auchinmurn Island). [Largs and Millport News, 15 Feb 2012]

As part of the Charles Dickens bicentenary celebrations, Simon Callow, who has played the writer twice in Doctor Who, was among the star attendees at an event hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Also at the reception was Rowan Atkinson, who played the Doctor in Steven Moffat's 1999 Comic Relief spoof The Curse of Fatal Death. In addition, Callow and Barbara Windsor were in the audience for the specially-created play Mr Dickens And The Actors, which featured Sir Derek Jacobi and Samantha Bond among the actors and was performed in front of the Queen at the Guildhall in London.[Mirror, 14 Feb 2012]

Callow continues his association with the writer by presenting a monologue in a production In Love With ... Dickens, to be broadcast on Sky Arts on 21st February. This series will also hear Karen Gillan performing the voiceover to Brief Encounter in In Love With ... Coward on the 12th March. Other Who names associated with the In Love With series include Sheila Hancock (Coward), Paterson Joseph (Wilde), and Russell Tovey (Wilde). [Stage, 15 Feb 2012]

In Memoriam

Whose Doctor Who documentary participant and former consultant physician Dr Eric Sherwood-Jones has died aged 90 from the blood disorder Wegener's granulomatosis. The pioneer of intensive-care units in the UK, who worked at Whiston Hospital on Merseyside, appeared in the 1977 BBC2 programme as an enthusiastic advocate of Doctor Who, remarking that it had far too wide an appeal to be categorised as either eccentric or immature. He added of the Doctor: "We're delighted and relieved that, like ourselves, he makes mistakes or errors and we envy his problem-solving capacity, because intensive care requires problems to be solved very quickly." Colleagues also commented how they had to keep up with the show to be on Dr Sherwood-Jones's wavelength! [St Helens Reporter, 16 Feb 2012]

BBC Worldwide have announced that Karen Gillan will be a guest at the Official Doctor Who Convention, taking place in Cardiff on 24th and 25th March. Speaking of the confirmation that she would also be there, the actress enthused: "I'm really looking forward to the Convention and meeting all of the wonderful Doctor Who fans!"

The news means that the full current TARDIS crew of Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill and Karen will be headlining alongside lead writer Steven Moffat, plus the many other actors, production crew and activities previously announced for the two, one-day conventions.

An assistant script editor is being sought for Doctor Who as production of the new series gets under way.

BBC Careers has advertised the post online, with the fixed-term contract seeing the successful applicant providing research support to the script team, ensuring script and serial continuity, and providing general support on the programme.

The assistant script editor reports to the script executive, executive producers, and series producer in the first instance, and provides editorial and research support to the team.

Also listed among the key responsibilities is keeping the official website up to date.

A similar vacancy was advertised last year for internal applicants. Although this latest one appears to be open to external as well as internal applicants, previous experience of script reading and writing script reports is essential. The advert also states that applicants should already have practical experience of TV production as well as:

• A good knowledge of Doctor Who

• Experience of dealing with drama script writers

• Experience of script reading and writing script reports with an ability to demonstrate sound editorial judgement and sensitivity, both verbally and on paper

• Experience of establishing and maintaining office and administration systems plus the ability to communicate information effectively to a wide range of production and non-production personnel, internal and external to the BBC

• Experience of handling confidential and/or controversial information with tact and sensitivity

Knowledge of final draft and screenwriter script packages would also be useful.

The closing date for applications for this job is 16th February. For more details, go to the advert here.

Matt Smith spoke to the Guardian about returning for a new series of Doctor Who, which starts filming from 20th February; he said: I'll be shooting sort of now until December on Doctor Who. It's a long shoot, but we've got four or five scripts which look in really good shape, and the casting is going very well - I had a lovely bit of news this morning, actually, about someone who's going to be in it, I couldn't possibly tell you but it's exciting. You'll know him ... or her! Looking forward to it, I love making it."

The director for the first block of the new series has been named as Saul Metzstein, whose previous work includes the BBC's 2010 revival of Upstairs Downstairs (The Cuckoo), 2009's dramatisation of Sinclair/Acorn micro 'war' of the 1980s in Micro Men, and his award-winning comedy Late Night Shopping from 2001 (for which he won Best Director in the BAFTA Scotland awards).

During an interview published in the University Observer on the 8th February, lead writer Steven Moffat commented on production of the new series: "We just had our official day commencing pre-production on Doctor Who, so as for knowing when it's actually going to be shown is a little bit optimistic. But we'll definitely show it, and I'm pretty sure it will be the autumn." And on Amy and Rory's departure: I'm writing that right now, the big Rory and Amy heartbreaking finale. It will be quite heartbreaking, I think you’ll be in trouble watching it."

The series will be produced at the the BBC's Roath Lock Drama Village in Cardiff Bay. The site is to have its official opening in March, and has already been awarded a Breeam outstanding certificate - the first industrial complex in the UK to receive the highest possible environmental rating. The old port area surrounding it is to be further redeveloped, creating new shops, restaurants and homes. Business Minister Edwina Hart said: "Porth Teigr represents a long term investment by the Welsh government in the future of Cardiff our capital city and 2012 promises to be a significant year as we enter the next phase of regeneration and development. The presence of the BBC Wales studios provides a strong focal point around which we want to create a central hub and cluster for the creative industries across South Wales where companies can work together, share ideas and develop collaborative links with other facilities in the area." [BBC News, 13 Feb 2012]

IDW Publishing have announced the first official cross-over between the Doctor Who and Star Trek franchises, with the publication of comic book Assimilation² in May.

The story, by Star Trek Infestation authors Scott and David Tipton with Doctor Who author Tony Lee, will feature the Next Generation crew meet up with the Eleventh Doctor as the universe is threatened by a Borg/Cyberman alliance.

The eight issue series has been produced in conjunction with BBC Worldwide Consumer Products (Americas) and CBS Consumer Products, with the latter's Executive Vice President and General Manager Liz Kalodner saying: "by joining these two sci-fi powerhouses, fans will be taken on the ultimate adventure through time and space."

Soumya Sriraman, Executive Vice President Home Entertainment and Licensing, said: "We are excited about this new adventure for the Doctor and the fact that he will be travelling with Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his iconic crew. This is a perfect partnership for not only Doctor Who’s incredible fans, but also for the brand. We have just celebrated our most successful year yet. Doctor Who’s latest season delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA and it was most downloaded full TV seasons of 2011 in the U.S. on the iTunes Store."

The comic book will be illustrated by J.K. Woodward; a limited edition wraparound photo cover version will also be available.

On 15th March the official novelisation of the 'incomplete' Fourth Doctor adventure Shada will finally be published, both as a hardback and as an audio recording. The new adaptation of the story is based on the original and shooting scripts by its author Douglas Adams, and has been written by long-term author (and Doctor Who screen-writer) Gareth Roberts.

The novelisation was originally announced in March last year, with BBC Books' editorial director Albert De Petrillo saying: "Douglas Adams's serials for Doctor Who are considered by many to be some of the best the show has ever produced. Shada is a funny, scary, surprising and utterly terrific story, and we're thrilled to be publishing the first fully realised version of this Doctor Who adventure as Douglas originally conceived it."

Literary agent Ed Victor (representing the Adams estate) said: "The BBC have been asking us for years, and the estate finally said: 'Why not?'" Commenting on Roberts undertaking the task, he added it was "like having a sketch on a canvas by Rubens, and now the studio of Rubens is completing it."

The 416-page book is available for pre-order in hardback and Amazon Kindle form; the audio version is read by Lalla Ward, who played Romana in the original story.

Gareth Roberts will also be signing copies of the book on 14th March at London's Forbidden Planet store in Shaftesbury Avenue between 6:00 and 7:00pm.


The story is expected to be made available on DVD as part of what is currently entitled The Legacy boxed set, along with the series documentary More Than 30 Years In The TARDIS. Although some special features have been recorded for the set, no other details on how the story itself will be presented or a release date for the DVD are known at present.

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Shada, which was not completed following industrial action at the BBC, has been the subject of other versions over the decades. In 1992 BBC Video released a version of the story with linking narration by Tom Baker, including new effects and a music score by Keff McCulloch. In 2003 it was also released by Big Finish as a new presentation starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, and a webcast of this version was presented on the BBC's Doctor Who website (at the time of writing the webcast will no longer play due to Flash incompatibilities). The Big Finish audio play was broadcast on BBC7 in 2005 and 2006.

An unofficial project to recreate the story using animation to bridge the unfilmed segments was undertaken last year by producer Ian Levine, and featured a number of the original cast recording their lines based on the scripts. It has also been novelised by fans in the past, with a version in the UK by Jonathan Way (appearing in the DWAS fiction publication Cosmic Masque over issues 13-18) and in New Zealand by Paul Scoones (available to read via the New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club).

Visual effects designer Mat Irvine is to be one of the star names at this year's BritSciFi Weekend at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

The event, taking place on 10th and 11th March, is a celebration of TV programmes such as Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Red Dwarf, and Thunderbirds.

Irvine, who has long and strong connections to Doctor Who, will be bringing along the original K-9 prop, which he built for the season 15 story The Invisible Enemy, as well as other props from British TV and films.

Other confirmed guests at the moment who have a Doctor Who connection are Shane Rimmer and David Graham (although please note that the centre is highlighting the duo's Thunderbirds link).

Daleks will also be in attendance, as will the Hyde Fundraisers voluntary group, who will be creating a Doctor Who walk-through experience in the venue's Challenger Centre. All the money from the event will go to charity, including Children In Need.

More guests are yet to be announced and further details are available on the centre's website. (NB: Before buying tickets to the event, attendees should ensure that the guests they want to see will be there on the day that they wish to go, as not all the guests will be there on both days.)

(With thanks to Duncan Willis)