The Pilot - Official synopsis

Thursday, 30 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has released the synopsis for the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who.

The PilotTwo worlds collide when the Doctor meets Bill.

A chance encounter with a girl with a star in her eye leads to a terrifying chase across time and space. Bill’s mind is opened to a Universe that is bigger and more exciting than she could possibly have imagined - but who is the Doctor, and what is his secret mission with Nardole on Earth?

The episode premieres on BBC One on Saturday 15th April, followed by screenings around the world.

FILTER: - Press - Series 10/36

BBC Books: Myths & Legends

Thursday, 30 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Books have released details about a new hardback book due to be published on 29th June 2017:

Myths & Legends
Written by Richard Dinnick
Published by BBC Books 29th June 2017 (pre-order)

The very first book of illustrated Time Lord mythology – epic tales from the Whoniverse.

For thousands of years, epic stories have been passed down from Time Lord to student, generation to generation. The truth of these tales was lost millennia ago, but the myths and legends themselves are timeless.

These are the most enduring of those tales. From the princess Manussa and her giant snake Mara, to the Vardon Horse of Xeriphin, these stories shed light on the universe around us and the beings from other worlds that we meet. Myths hold up a mirror to our past, present and future, explaining our culture, our history, our hopes and fears.

A collection of epic adventures from the Time Lords’ mist-covered past, Myths and Legends is a unforgettable gallery of heroes and villains, gods and monsters.

FILTER: - BBC Books - Books - Merchandise

New Ninth Doctor Comic

Wednesday, 29 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

March 29 sees the release of the Titan comic Ninth Doctor #11 - which kicks off a brand-new arc "SIN-EATERS." Written by Cavan Scott with illustrations by Cris Bolson, Will you see The Doctor in the same light ever again?

Cover A: Wellington Diaz; Cover B: Photo, Will Brooks; Cover C: Rachael Smith; Cover D: Arianna Florean

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor

Temporal Logbook II - Open Submission Day

Saturday, 25 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Pencil Tip Publishing have announced they will be accepting completed stories for inclusion in The Temporal Logbook II for one day and one day only.

Saturday May 6 2017 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Standard Time

As with the original short-story collection, the second volume will feature twelve original stories by new and up-in-coming writers. All twelve incarnations of the Doctor will be featured with a story dedicated to that particular incarnation. For the open submission day they are looking for stories featuring Doctors 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 & 10.

Stories should be between 5000-8000 words.

To contribute a story to The Temporal Logbook II all you have to do is:

Submit 1 completed story. (Multiple submissions are not allowed.)
Provide your full name and email
Include a brief bio telling a bit about yourself and if you’ve been published before or not.

Full submission Guidlines

FILTER: - Books

ABC to present "Whovians" panel show

Friday, 24 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Australian broadcaster ABC have announced a new half-hour panel show to tie in with the forthcoming tenth series of Doctor Who. Based around fans of the show, Whovians will be shown on Sunday evenings from 16th April at around 8:30pm on ABC2/iview, straight after the latest episode has been broadcast on ABC.

Whovians, with Rove McManus (Credit: ABC)

Sunday nights are about to get a whole lot more galactic as Rove McManus and his team of superfans present a brand new half hour panel show to dissect, delve into and delight in the world of Doctor Who. Airing straight after the weekly premiere of the much anticipated Doctor Who series 10 on ABC, Whovians will be filmed in front of a live studio audience, and air on Sundays at 8.30pm on ABC2 and iview.

As well as unpacking the most recent episode, Rove and the team will open the doors of the TARDIS and go back through the annals of time to lovingly analyze, critique, and unravel the mysteries of this much loved globally renowned series.

Rove is a long time Doctor Who enthusiast and will be joined by other self-confessed Doctor Who superfans, Tegan Higginbotham, Adam Richard and Steven ‘Bajo’ O’Donnell, as well as a roster of celebrity guests.

This is a show by Whovians but one that won’t exclude the rest of humanity.

Rove McManus said:

I’ve been a fan of Doctor Who for as long as I can remember so you can imagine how pleased I am to be hosting a show about it. Whether it be the classic era that dates back over fifty years or the modern series that has created its own decade-long legacy, it’ll be nice to have the opportunity to talk about my favourite TV show with like-minded individuals and be paid to completely geek out. You might say I’m so excited that I too feel like I have two hearts beating in my chest - and yes, it’s references like that which prove I’m the right guy for the job.

Brian Minchin, Executive Producer of Doctor Who added:

Whovians will be the perfect companion piece for the thrilling new series of Doctor Who on ABC. It’s fantastic to have this exciting new program to delight Australian fans.

Rebecca Heap, ABC Head of Programming and Digital, said:

As the home of Doctor Who in Australia we are thrilled to offer our audiences another way to engage with the popular program, as well as welcoming Rove back to our screens.

So get ready to get on board. #WhoviansAU

Fans who wish to be part of the audience are invited to register their interest via drwho.audience@abc.net.au.

FILTER: - Australia - International Broadcasting - Series 10/36

Breakfast with Seven Doctors

Thursday, 23 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Comic Relief is offering the first opportunity ever created to enjoy a Full English Breakfast in the company of Seven Doctors.

The Wolseley on Piccadilly will be hosting this landmark meal where, for the first time in the show's 54 year history, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi will meet to break bread and talk Tardis.

Here, inside its hallowed hall, the meal of meals will take place. An epic event, a world first, and a legendary opportunity to witness history in the making. To win the chance to join them on this remarkable morning, you need to enter the prize draw. Five pounds enters your name into the pot for a chance to join the seven Doctors for what is being described as the most historic breakfast in the history of television.

The meet and greet will take place between September 2017 and May 2018. Comic Relief will give you as much noticed as possible once the date is confirmed.

This prize has been kindly donated by the actors and The Wolseley.

To enter follow the link

FILTER: - Charities - Colin Baker - David Tennant - Matt Smith - Paul McGann - Peter Capaldi - Peter Davison - Sylvester McCoy

Doctor Who and the micro:bit

Thursday, 23 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Doctor Who has been used as a subject for educational purposes a number of times over the years, and next week will see its latest contribution as part of the BBC Learning's micro:bit initiative with a Live Lession taking place from 11:00am on the 28th March:

BBC Live Sessions: Doctor Who and the micro:bit (Credit: BBC)

The Time Lord, the TARDIS and the micro:bit

The BBC micro:bit will be put to the test at the controls of the TARDIS in this special Live Lesson in collaboration with the team behind Doctor Who.

This lesson is aimed at 11-13 year olds, and is devised around computational thinking skills. We'll be exploring search algorithms, different types of errors and the components that go into an algorithm, with guest experts from the fields of web search and computer gaming.

Using their BBC micro:bit, students will be challenged to solve a fictional disaster scenario while coming face to face with one of the Doctor’s deadliest foes.

The BBC micro:bit is a tiny computer processor designed to be used to teach coding concepts to children, with the BBC Live Lessons providing interactive participation in the classroom. Sessions are created for both primary and secondary schools, incorporating scientific, cultural and entertainment themes all with the aim to make learning to code fun.

Full details of the Doctor Who lesson can be found via the BBC's lesson website, and the live session will be available to review via the BBC iPlayer afterwards.

FILTER: - BBC - Online

Series 10 Publicity Images

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have released a number of publicity images to tie in with the new series of Doctor Who, due to premiere in the UK on the 15th April.

Series 10 Trailer (YouTube)
Series 10 Teaser Trailer (YouTube)

FILTER: - Publicity - Series 10/36

BBC Books: A Brief History of Time Lords

Monday, 20 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Books have released details about a new hardback book due to be published on 18th May 2017:

A Brief History of Time Lords (Credit: BBC Books)

A Brief History of Time Lords
Written by Steve Tribe
Illustrated by Richard Williams
Published by BBC Books 18th May 2017 (pre-order)

An illustrated ‘secret’ history of the oldest and most powerful civilisation in the universe - the Time Lords of Gallifrey.

The Time Lords are an immensely civilised, and immensely powerful, race. Yet we know very little about them, save that they can live forever (barring accidents) and possess the secrets of space and time travel. Their history has been shrouded in myth and mystery. Until now.

A Brief History of Time Lords unlocks the secrets of this ancient, legendary alien race - a civilisation that inflicted some of its most notorious renegades and criminals on the universe, but was also the benevolent power that rid the cosmos of its most fearsome enemies. Drawn from the ancient records of Gallifrey and from legends and stories handed down from generation to generation, this remarkable book reveals the Time Lords in all of their guises: pioneers and power-mad conspirators, time travellers and tyrants, creators and destroyers.

Be careful who you share it with.

FILTER: - BBC Books - Books

New Twelfth Doctor Comic

Monday, 20 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release of the final issue in the Twelfth Doctor's Year Two.

The Doctor and his new comic creator friends Sonny and Val are threatened by the maniacal Mindmorphs. Can they save the Doctor in time - before he loses his mind?! Featuring art from Rachael Stott, and penned by Robbie Morrison

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #2.15

Writer: Robbie Morrison
Artist: Rachael Stott
Cover A: Claudia Ianniciello Cover B: Photo by Will Brooks Cover C: Linked Cover by Marc Ellerby Cover D: Arianna Florean

The Doctor's plan to take comic creators Sonny and Val off on a tour of the Universe was all going so well... until they landed on a planet of Mindmorphs intent on stealing their minds! Will the creative duo be able to channel their talents in order to save the Doctor? Or is this partnership, and the minds of all on the planet, beyond saving?