GALLIFREY: CHAPTERS 5-9

Series cast: Lalla Ward (President Romana), Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson (K9), Lynda Bellingham (Inquisitor Darkel), Miles Richardson (Cardinal Braxiatel), Sean Carlsen (Coordinator Narvin), Ian Hallard (Castellan Wynter), Andy Coleman (Andred), Nicholas Briggs (Gold Usher), Trevor Littledale (The Archivist), Brenda Longman (Pandora), Michael Cuckson (Commander Hallan), Robin Sebastian (Commentator Antimon), Steven Wickham (Chancellor Valyes), Daniel Hogarth (Nekkistani Ambassador), Heather Tracy (Melyin), Stuart Piper (Student Neeloc), Gary Bakewell (Student Taylor), Jenny Livsey (Student Galadina), Lucy Beresford (Student Gillestes), and Mary Tamm (Romana). Directed by Gary Russell.


LIES (Chapter 5), by Gary Russell

Some time has passed since the events of the Timonic Fusion Device threatened Romana's presidency with impeachment, and life has calmed down on Gallifrey. Well, apart from Romana's latest scheme, the opening up of Gallifrey's famed Academy to the students of alien races with the ability, or the potential, to harness temporal powers.

Unfortunately, deep below the Capitol, Leela, confused and morose over the truth about her husband Andred, disturbs a malevolent power. Something from the Dark Days of Ancient Gallifrey.

Something that wants to be reborn and will use any and every means that is at hand. Including the past of Gallifrey's incumbant Presidentà

SPIRIT (Chapter 6), by Stephen Cole

Leela is tired. Tired of the backbiting politics and intrigues in the sterile society of Time Lords. With the fate of her husband now known, she feels lonely and out of place on Gallifrey.

Romana is tired. Tired of justifying herself and her policies to a hostile council. With the line between allies and enemies beginning to blur, she persuades Leela to go with her to the presidential retreat of Davidia, a protected paradise.

Then an anomalous time ship arrives, carrying a single passenger. His hands are crushed, his tongue torn out, his mind destroyed. Is this broken man a victim of some terrible crime or part of a trap now primed and ready to spring? After this strange encounter, Romana and Leela may never be the same again.

PANDORA (Chapter 7), by Justin Richards

A rogue TARDIS that should not exist... A mutilated, comatose Time Lord who cannot be identified... A new Castellan desperate to make his mark... Evils of the past, events of the present, and echoes of the future conspire to destroy the very heart of Gallifrey's civilisation.

Only Romana can understand it - but she is haunted by her own ghosts. Only Leela can sense it - but she has unfinished business. Only Braxiatel can stop it - but he cannot begin to guess the personal cost.

With both Narvin and Darkel waiting for Romana to make a mistake, the President must take decisions that will change Gallifrey forever. And an ancient evil is ready and waiting for just that moment?

INSURGENCY (Chapter 8), by Steve Lyons

They are the brightest minds of their generation; the architects of tomorrow. And now, they have the chance to attend the finest, most exclusive school known to the temporal powers. After millennia of secrecy, the Gallifreyan Academy has opened its doors to off-worldersà

But the experiment is failing. As interracial violence erupts in the corridors of learning, somebody is using the students as pawns in a political power game - and, while Tutor Leela struggles to unravel the motives of her ex-husband, Andred, President Romana may be falling under an ancient spell.

It's a dangerous time to be a stranger on Gallifrey.

It seems that not all Time Lords want to share their secretsà

IMPERIATRIX (Chapter 9), by Stewart Sheargold

The Free Time influence in the Capital is spreading, while Darkel has played her hand and opposition to Romana's policies from without and within is growing. When the bombs start going off, the President of Gallifrey decides enough is enough.

While Leela and K9 race to track down the terrorist to avoid more bloodshed, Romana enters into a risky bargain for control with a dangerous, influential figure from her past. But she soon discovers that the answer to her problems lies in the future. A future she has already witnessed. And one she has been trying to avoid.

But someone desperately wants this future and will stop at nothing to make it occur.

Even if it means leading Romana and Gallifrey to war.

BBC Worldwide has appointed Character Options as the Master Toy Licensee for the brand new series of Doctor Who.

Already in production, the new series (13 x 45minutes), which is written and executive produced by Russell T Davies, and stars Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose, is scheduled for transmission on BBC ONE in 2005.

The special effects have been created by Oscar«-winning visual effects house The Mill and bring the world's longest running sci-fi series into the 21 st century.

Travelling through time and space, the new series sees the Doctor and Rose come face to face with a number of new and exciting monsters - as well as battling with the Doctor's arch-enemy: the Daleks!

Jon Diver, of Character Options, said: "We are delighted with the appointment, and will be producing an innovative range of products to complement the heritage of this property. The footage that we have seen to date is simply awesome".

Richard Hollis, Head of Licensing BBC Worldwide, commented: "We are excited to be working with such a strong toy partner, and one who has had such success with technological and robotic toys".

Shipment to trade will be October 2005 with further product development in Spring 2006. Initially product will focus on gift and novelty lines which will include Radio Control Daleks and Doctor's Electronic Sonic Screwdriver.

Publishing for the new series includes audio products and ranges from BBC Books and BBC Children's Books, due for release in 2005

Notes to editors:

Character Options is a manufacturer, designer, distributor, and marketeer of toys, gifts and games, with sales primarily within the UK, and internationally through its distribution network. Character Options is part of the Character Group Plc.