Radio 4 Refuses Doctor Who Drama: Despite a finished pilot starring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred, Radio 4 have turned down the pilot for "Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time," including both an initial broadcast and the option to create a full series. Dan Freedman, the producer, contacted Outpost Gallifrey, letting us know that "True to form Radio 4 have turned down the pilot, despite it being called 'terrific' by Stephen Fry and 'brilliant' and 'Epic' by Sylvester McCoy... We tried everything to get it on the air, but Radio 4 have turned it down flat. You can guess how disappointed we all are. Everyone who heard it loved it, but there we are. Luckily, BBC Worldwide like it a lot and may give us enough to make the series, and online too." Freedman told us he is negotiating a release with BBC Worldwide (expected to be released under their BBC Radio Collection label, the same group that releases the Doctor Who episode soundtracks) and other radio avenues. Radio 2 is considered to be the likeliest option. Freedman confirmed that negotiations had been taking place in January which would see the six episodes being co-funded by BBC Online and BBC Worldwide, with first run of the episodes coming via the BBC's own Dr Who website. "It's going well," said Freedman. "We've got to see how things go now with (Worldwide) but it's looking promising... Right at the start I offered to show them the script, before we had started, but they turned that down," he revealed. "There was never any feeling that we were anything other than a disease (to them). There was nobody there saying 'Yay, let's go and make some new stuff here.'" Freedman also told the official BBC Doctor Who website, in response to whether it will likely be released on CD: "Very likely .... and I think it will probably be webcast too, as a series. I'm having loads of meetings to finalize it at the mo." Doctor Who Magazine recently said, however, that BBC Spoken Word have no intention of releasing the story as a BBC Radio Collection release alongside the missing stories.

A few details about the plot, courtesy SFX Online: The Doctor and his companion (now played by Kevin Eldon) arrive on an alien planet under siege from warmongering, bloodthirsty aliens (led by John Sessions) and set about stopping them. Meanwhile, Ace is having difficulties of her own... When asked to give an idea of a 'great moment' in the story that fans are missing out on: "There's a bit in a garden on Gallifrey where an old Timelord is explaining how the Universe works, which is actually quite moving, and when the Doc first appears it's a real back of the neck tingle!"

Originally reported by DWM and several British newspapers, the radio pilot featured Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred reprising their roles as the Seventh Doctor and Ace. The script was written by Dan Freedman and Colin Meake of Radio 4's Loose Ends comedy show. Freedman told Doctor Who Magazine that "This will not be a comedy. I'm keen to develop a new take, to bring forward darker aspects of the character... We don't want to build up fans' hopes." The drama bore the provisional title "Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time" and also stars Stephen Fry, Leonard Fenton, Huw Thomas, Kevin Eldon, John Sessions and Jacqueline Pearce ("Blake's 7"). It was taped in October 2000. Rumors that David Bowie was involved are untrue, but it was confirmed by Freedman that he was interested in an appearance if the pilot had gone to series (as a character called the Duke of White). However, William Hartnell does appear in the pilot (after all, this is a series about time travel...)

Sophie Aldred's new website, www.sophiealdred.com (not yet completed) will feature the pilot trailer for "Death Comes to Time" in the near future.

(With thanks to Dan Freedman, Iain Hepburn at SFX, Peter Anghelides, David Whitten, Andrew Meadows, Gareth Fenton)

Exclusive Commentary on North American DVD Release: Steve Roberts of the DW Restoration Team confirmed a story we'd only recently heard: Peter Davison and Terrance Dicks were recently in studio recording a commentary to be used exclusively on the Region 1 (North America) DVD release of The Five Doctors. At present, the commentary will not be on any other recordings.

Australia DVD Update: Roadshow and BBC Worldwide have apparently settled their differences with regards to Australian DVD releases of Doctor Who stories. Roadshow will be producing the discs in Australia, using masters supplied by BBC Worldwide (a similar situation to the video releases). Robots of Death will be the first DVD released under this arrangement, appearing in stores in July. Some reports suggest that Spearhead from Space will also be released at the same time, however the official word from Roadshow is that the title will see release in September. Future DVDs are expected to released every three to four months after this. (Thanks to Jason Fraser & Dr. Who Club of Australia)

Doctor Who DVDs in North America in September 2001: Further to our exclusive announcement of the onset of Doctor Who DVD in North America last week, we have now received official word from BBC Worldwide Americas that, in conjunction with Warner Home Video, they are finally bringing Doctor Who onto DVD in North America on September 11, with the simultaneous triple-release of "The Five Doctors", "The Robots of Death" and "Spearhead from Space"(contrary to earlier reports that they were being released months apart). The two releases will match their UK DVD counterparts in features very closely; commentaries, photo galleries, trailers, model footage and the UNIT Recruitment Film on "Spearhead" will definitely be included. All three DVDs are expected to retail for US $24.99. TV Zone Magazine is reporting that the US version of "The Five Doctors" will also have "The King's Demons" on it, but we are highly sceptical of this; our sources at BBC Worldwide Americas haven't mentioned this, and it's possible they are referring to the VHS version in confusion. (Thanks to BBC Worldwide Americas for the final confirmation, as well as Brian Burkart, Jennifer Kelley, Michael Sliger, Kenneth Parker, Patrick Neighly, D. Callinicos and others)

Doctor Who 1960's Films on DVD and Video: Australia video buyers have received word that Universal Australia is releasing a special DVD package in May 2001 -- the two Dalek movies of the 1960's, "Dr. Who and the Daleks" and "Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 AD," along with a special bonus feature, the "Dalekmania" documentary. The retailer's suggested price is $AUS 39.95. Part of the advertising being distributed suggests that it is being released in Australia before the rest of the world. The package is also being released as a double VHS package on the same day as DVD release. Click on the graphic for the screen shots of the menus from this DVD release! (Thanks to Grant Watson, and to Gallifrey 5 for the image!)

Cover Changes: The Doctor Who DVD covers are set to feature a new look with the release of Caves of Androzani later this year in June. The photograph on the front cover will be replaced with artwork from the people responsible for the latest book covers. This decision is likely to please a large number of fans who are disappointed with the current covers, so much so that the debate has even reached the letters page of Doctor Who Magazine! (Thanks to Doctor Who Shop)

BBC DVD Release Strategy Reexamined: Due to the amount of delays, due both to production as well as packaging, the BBC is reexamining its DVD release strategy for 2001. To that end, The Caves of Androzani has been pushed back from its April 2001 release date to June. In addition, the 1996 TV Movie, originally due in the summer (by early reports), will be released in the autumn.

DVD Release Notes
These releases are only currently in PAL format (for UK, Australia and New Zealand & compatible DVD players); NTSC format (US/Canada) are expected from BBC Worldwide in late 2001. Special thanks to Steve Roberts of the Restoration Team and our other correspondents for this information.

Regeneration: The long-delayed "Regeneration" hardcover book by Philip Segal and Gary Russell is now in release from HarperCollins Press. A soft-cover version is being planned for release in July; we have been told that the authors are attempting to correct small bits of incorrect information in the earlier release. Non-UK international release is currently planned; this is a correction to earlier reports that only import shops could get the book. "Regeneration," a book about the production of the 1996 Doctor Who movie (Segal was the executive producer and driving force behind the film), was originally scheduled to be printed in 1999 by Virgin Publishing, but Virgin shelved it after the final draft of the book was turned in. (Thanks to Richard Bignell, Philip Segal and Gary Russell)

Campaign: Jim Mortimore's now-canceled Doctor Who novel is available as a fan-published, bound volume direct from the author. The book, which was canceled by BBC Books due to contractual reasons, is available priced UK 5.99 (paperback) or UK 12.99 (hardback) plus UK 3.00 postage from Jim Mortimore, 27 Colston Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AA. "Add 5.00 P&P for overseas," says Mortimore, "and if it's any different I'll sort 'em out on an individual basis when I go to the post office." Says online rep John Parkinson: "If people aren't sure I'd suggest getting an NA and weighing it, then add a bit extra weight for packaging and use some method (I think the RoyalMail website has details) to work out how much it should cost to ship to the country of your choice." A thumbnail of the cover art is available on the Forthcoming Releases page. Further information on ordering this volume can be obtained directly from Jim Mortimore atjimmortimore@jimbo98.freeserve.co.uk (email address given with permission of Mr. Mortimore). Additionally, Ambrosia Books in California has this book in stock, signed by the author. Later this summer (tentatively June), Ambrosia Books will be launching its new imprint, Ambrosia Press with an exclusive limited-edition hardback version of "Campaign" with full color cover plate, numbered and signed by Mortimore.

The Doctor Who Scripts: BBC Books will be publishing the first of what is hoped to be an ongoing series, "Season 12: The Scripts"; Justin Richards is contributing editor, Barnaby Harsent is co-editor and Andrew Pixley is the book consultant. According to Richards, the book will be "heavily illustrated in both black and white and colour. There will be complete camera scripts (not the camera instructions though) for each of the season 12 stories, plus 'front matter' consisting of a review, background production notes, transmission, cast & crew details, etc. Each script will be heavily annotated to show deletions, additions and specific production details". The book was to be published in November 2000, but has been delayed due to clearance delays and other, more recent, publishing delays. According to Justin Richards, the book is to be released in the Autumn of 2001, not in April as the BBC Worldwide press release says. (It also says the background info is all coming from In-Vision, and that isn't true either, though IN-VISION will be one of the major sources.)

I, Who 2 On Horizon: After the success of the first volume, author Lars Pearson has announced "I, Who 2," the sequel to the original "I, Who: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who Novels". It is scheduled to be released by year's end. Third Zone Collectibles, a New Orleans Doctor Who retailer, is sponsoring a special hardcover edition to be released prior to the softcover version. For more information, visit www.thirdzone.com/BSF/iwhohc.html.

The Doctor's Effects: Author Steve Cambden's follow-up book to "The Doctor's Affect" is now available. Says correspondent Richard Bignell: "Steve had hoped to make this a large format book, but he's had to scale this down somewhat, so it will now be the same size as his previous book, 'The Doctor's Affect' - only with more illustrations and photographs." To preorder the book, visit www.alphawaves.net/doctor/.

Doctor Who Location Filming: Author Richard Bignell is currently finishing a licensed book on Doctor Who location filming for Reynolds & Hearn, which will be available by the end of 2001; details forthcoming.

Looking for Sarah Jane Smith: Australian author David Franklin -- also a Doctor Who fan -- has penned his fourth novel, Looking for Sarah Jane Smith. It's "a brutally cynical comedy about three blokes in their late 20's, the scrapes they get into and the s**t they talk to each other. It is a long way from being politically correct." There is little Doctor Who content in the book, also the series is referred to routinely (and therefore is of interest to fans); "Sarah Jane is simply used by Marty as a symbol of the harmony, beauty and inner contentment that he is looking for."

Doctor Who Continues on Audio: Big Finish Productions is currently releasing monthly Doctor Who stories starring members of the series' original cast. The BBC has renewed Big Finish's current contract for an additional year, through 2002.

Big Finish Audio Magazine: Big Finish will be issuing a semi-regular audio "magazine" on CD; the first installment was recently presented at a Tenth Planet signing in London and featured a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of "Bloodtide," information on the Dalek Empire serials and interviews with cast members including Maggie Stables and Colin Baker. The audio "magazine" is narrated by Nicholas Briggs. According to Big Finish, subscribers will automatically get a copy of the first issue. Future issues will be available for purchase but subscribers will get them for free, according to Jason Haigh-Ellery of Big Finish.

A Call for Fan Talent: Big Finish has issued a call via several online boards for new blood... for the sound production side of their audio adventures. "There are lots of talented people out there, doing their own Doctor Who/SF drama audio CDs and tapes and from what we've hear, loads of them are fab. Regular followers of Big Finish's web-pages can't have failed to notice that we're doing more and more product over the next few years, Doctor Who obviously, Tomorrow People, Benny, hopefully Iris W sometime and so on and so forth. Well, that's a helluva lot for Alistair, Nick, Toby and the ERS boys to cope with by themselves. So we're on the lookout for talented post-production types ­ but we are *not* looking for musicians (although a combination of the two, with a bent towards the post-prod wouldn't be a disadvantage). [C]onsider this an audition invite if there are any budding Alistair Locks out there. For purely practical reasons, we'd prefer UK-based people ­ the idea of DATs winging their way across the Atlantic, or down to Oz fills me with a dread too terrible to contemplate ­ but let's face it, if the next Dick Mills lives in Canberra or Kansas, I'd be daft to pass 'em over.... send me examples of your work, info about yourself and what programs you use and... how you'd fit stuff in to the rest of your life" to the Big Finish address located on their website, on CD. "[M]ark your envelope POST-PRODUCTION TRY-OUT."

A Second Season for McGann Confirmed: Big Finish Productions has confirmed that a second season of adventures with the Eighth Doctor and Charley, starring Paul McGann and India Fisher (right). McGann was recently in the studio taping six stories for release in January to June of 2002. There is also a linking story in the adventures: the first three "sees the Doctor and Charley attempting to get to New Year's Eve, 1930, to keep Charley's appointment with her gentleman friend Alex Grayle in Singapore the journey that led to her being aboard the R101 in the first place." More details on the forthcoming adventures below.

The Excelis Trilogy: A three-serial story arc just confirmed by Big Finish, The Excelis Trilogy (NOT "Excelsis") will feature three single-CD releases starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy each in one story. All three stories take place on the planet Artaris in its principal city, Excelis. Says Big Finish producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, "What is different about these is that although there are three separate adventures, all will take place on the planet Artaris and focus on events occurring in the city of Excelis. The three plays will therefore be linked via a special holy relic that each Doctor must locate in the three different time zones he arrives in... but of course it will never be that simple." Excelis Dawns (formerly entitled "Excelis I: Dawn") stars Peter Davison and is released in February 2002; Excelis Rises stars Colin Baker for April 2002; andExcelis Decays stars Sylvester McCoy and is released in June 2002. Big Finish confirmed to us that no authors have been assigned as of yet to pen the scripts based upon the already-complete story.

Dalek Empire: Coming soon from Big Finish is the Dalek Empire saga, a four-part adventure featuring original characters fighting the Daleks. Gareth Thomas (Blake in "Blake's 7") returns after an outing in the Eighth Doctor adventure "Storm Warning" to join the cast of the serial as the mysterious Kalendorf. Thomas is joined by three other BF returnees in the primary roles: Sarah Mowat (who played several roles in "The Sirens of Time") as planetary geologist Susan "Suz" Mendes; Mark McDonnell (Walter Jacobs in "The Fearmonger") as "slightly less than dynamic" space security agent Alby Brook; and John Wadmore (another "Sirens" veteran) as newsreader Gordon Pellan. Additional cast members include Ian Brooker, Joyce Gibbs, David Sax and, as the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs and Alistair Lock.

Casting Updates:

Forthcoming Audios. Confirmed upcoming stories from Big Finish include:

Big Finish: The Music: A 'surprise' release from Big Finish, "Music from the New Audio Adventures - Volume 2" features music composed by Alistair Lock. This time the scores are taken from the adventures Last of the Titans (the one-episode Sylvester McCoy story that was a free giveaway with an issue of Doctor Who Magazine), The Shadow of the Scourge and The Fires of Vulcan. It is currently in release. Additionally, Volume 3 has been announced for release in July 2001; it features Russell Stone's scores for Winter for the Adept, Red Dawn and The Holy Terror; and Volume 4 for December 2001, containing scores for the four Big Finish Doctor Who audios with Paul McGann: Storm Warning, Sword of Orion, Stones of Venice and Minuet in Hell by Alistair Lock, Russell Stone, Nicholas Briggs and William Allen.

Big Finish Audio Online Ordering: Big Finish has opened its online store, allowing secure ordering from its website. Big Finish's website can be found at http://www.doctorwho.co.uk.