Sheridan Smith and Paul McGann Reunited for Big Finish

Friday, 31 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Sheridan Smith / Paul McGann (Credit: Big Finish)Sheridan Smith is returning to the role of Lucie Miller in four new audio adventures with the Eighth Doctor played by, Paul McGann.

The character returns in a brand new box set from Big Finish, out for release in July 2019.

Brash, northern lass Lucie started her journey with the Eighth Doctor back in 2007 in a series simultaneously released by Big Finish and digitally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra (then known as Radio 7). She went on to feature in three more series alongside Paul McGann, culminating in her shattering departure in the 2011 story, To The Death.

Big Finish executive producer Nicholas Briggs revealed
We’ve always had it in mind to bring back Lucie. And we only let her go in the first place because we could see Sheridan’s stratospheric career path approaching.

But thanks to Big Finish producer Ian Atkins getting her back to record two Short Trips single-voice releases as Lucie, we discovered that Sheridan was really keen to return. And so, script editor Alan Barnes (who created Lucie in the first place), producer Scott Handcock and I started devising The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller.
Producer Scott Handcock says
I still remember how exciting it was when Lucie Miller burst into the TARDIS on BBC Radio 7, and so it’s a joy to be able to pick up that relationship eight years after Paul and Sheridan last recorded together.

Of course, they’re both so busy, it took a year and a half to find a time they could record together! But it’s been absolutely worth the wait. They slipped effortlessly back into the old dynamic, and it’s a treat to hear these brand-new adventures with the Doctor and Lucie!
Nicholas Briggs continues
I have always been clear that I wouldn’t reverse the finality of Lucie’s departure. That would somehow seem like cheating and would lessen the emotional impact of what we did. So my plan was always to revisit Lucie earlier on in her adventures with the Eighth Doctor. It’s pretty much what we do with every classic companion-and-Doctor pairing, so why not do it with Lucie?

The dynamic between Sheridan and Paul was always brilliant. So it was genuinely moving to see the two of them working together again. Sheridan walked straight into her old recording booth without any hesitation and without anyone guiding her to it. It was like she and Paul had been recording together only the day before. There was a brief moment, when I observed them through the control room window, having their reunion. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I just saw them hold each other’s faces in each other’s hands. Big smiles, heartfelt emotions, and then they were straight into their first scene. A truly magical moment.
The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller is set between the first and second series of her adventures.

Lucie Miller’s further adventures are…
  • The Dalek Trap by Nicholas Briggs
  • The Revolution Game by Alice Cavender
  • The House on the Edge of Chaos by Eddie Robson
  • Island of the Fendahl by Alan Barnes
The Dalek Trap sees the Doctor behaving distinctly out of character, and Lucie having to take control to thwart the Daleks and a mysterious force of ‘Darkness’. In The Revolution Game, there’s something sinister happening in a far-flung future Earth colony – and Lucie is forced to partake in a perilous rollerskating contest! The House on the Edge of Chaos finds the Doctor and Lucie trapped in a bizarre building, packed with eccentric, social-class-obsessed characters and an emerging alien foe like no other. And in the final adventure, Island of the Fendahl, the classic Doctor Who creature the Fendahl makes its first appearance on audio since the original TV story Image of the Fendahl (1977, starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson).

This box set forms part of a celebration of 20 years of Doctor Who on audio from Big Finish Productions, alongside box sets of adventures for each incarnation of the Time Lord – more news on each Doctor’s tale will be revealed next year.

The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller, which includes four adventures and a disc of extended extras, will also be released in July 2019 and can be pre-ordered now for £25 on CD or £20 on download, available from Big Finish.




FILTER: - Big Finish - Eighth Doctor

New series experience at South Africa Comic-Con

Thursday, 30 August 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Comic Con Africa (Credit: Comic Con)BBC Studios (formerly BBC Worldwide) have announced that it will be hosting a special Doctor Who experience at South Africa's first Comic Con to tie in with the next series due to air in the country later this year.

The event is taking place in Johannesburg between 14th and 16th September, and will feature VR experiences, video games, trivia and fan giveaways, plus a special showing of Peter Capaldi's finale and the arrival of a new Doctor!

The series itself will be shown in South Africa as a Showmax exclusive, and has been described as:
Bigger and bolder than ever, Series 11 marks the arrival of the Thirteenth Doctor – a super-smart explorer of the universe, alongside a team of new friends and delightful characters. The new series heralds a brand-new era for Doctor Who with a world-class team at the helm. The show will be full of action and adventure, humour and heart – an unmissable high-end drama everyone will enjoy.

BBC Studios can be found at Stand B113 in the Exhibition Hall.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - South Africa - Special Events

Titan Reveals Thirteenth Doctor Comic Launch Details

Tuesday, 28 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover A - Babs Tarr (Credit: Titan )Titan Comics and BBC Studios have revealed launch details for Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #1

The new comic featuring the Thirteenth Doctor will feature variants from leading artists including Babs Tarr (Batgirl, Motor Crush), Sarah Graley (Rick and Morty), Katie Cook (Adventure Time), Ariela Kristantina (Mata Hari), and Paulina Ganucheau (Zodiac Starforce).

This Autumn, join the Thirteenth Doctor in a fresh new series of comic adventures, featuring an array of new faces - including the Doctor herself. Taking control of the TARDIS for this regeneration is an amazing new team: Eisner-nominated writer Jody Houser (Stranger Things, Mother Panic, Faith, Spider-Man), illustrator Rachael Stott (Doctor Who, Motherlands), and colorist Enrica Angiolini (Warhammer 40,000).

The new comic series sees the Doctor return in her most thrilling incarnation yet – played by Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch) - and travels the cosmos with three brand new friends: Graham (played by Bradley Walsh), Yasmin (Mandip Gill), and Ryan (Tosin Cole). Readers can look forward to experiencing mind-blowing challenges and dynamic stories through space and time in the pages of the upcoming new comic series.
Writer Jody Houser said
I love the hope of Doctor Who. Anyone can have an adventure. No matter how old you are, there are still amazing things to discover in the universe. Exploring what makes our new Doctor tick, and what makes this regeneration unique as compared to the previous incarnations, is what I’m really looking forward to doing in the new series.
Titan’s is celebrating this debut issue by launching thirteen variant covers, including art covers by Doctor Who fan-favorite artist Alice X. Zhang, series artist Rachael Stott, Babs Tarr (Batgirl, Motor Crush), Sanya Anwar (Assassin’s Creed), Paulina Ganucheau (Zodiac Starforce), Sarah Graley (Rick and Morty), Ariela Kristantina (Mata Hari) and Katie Cook (Adventure Time).

Plus, a photo cover, a cosplay variant and a Doctor Puppet variant by Alisa Stern – creator of the Doctor Puppet Youtube series.

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #2 will feature covers by Paulina Ganucheau and Rachael Stott, as well as a photo cover.

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #1 is part of Titan Comics' larger plans for the Thirteenth Doctor in 2018, including; Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Vol. 0 – which sees the Doctor relive memories from her many incarnations, showcasing unseen adventures from EVERY version of the Doctor; and Doctor Who Comics Day on November 24 – where fans and stores unite to celebrate everything Doctor Who.

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #1 is released this Autumn.

Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover B (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover C - Alice X Zhang (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover D - Rachael Stott (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover E - Sanya Anwar (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover I _ Katie Cook (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover J - Doctor Puppet (Credit: Titan )Thirteenth Doctor #1 - Cover K - Cosplay (Credit: Titan )





FILTER: - Comics - Thirteenth Doctor

Michael Pickwoad 1945-2018

Tuesday, 28 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Michael PickwoadMichael Pickwoad, the man behind the look of Doctor Who for the last seven years, has died at the age of 73

As Production Designer Michael Pickwoad oversaw the look of the series from Matt Smith's first Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, until the end of the Peter Capaldi era in Twice Upon A Time. He worked on 71 episodes of the series, designing a new TARDIS interior for the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctor's, as well as several episodes of the spin off series Class.

Born in 1945, Michael Pickwoad was the son of the actor William Mervyn, who appeared in the Doctor Who story The War Machines, and the theatre designer Anne Margaret Payne Cooke. He studied Civil Engineering at Southampton University.

He began his career as an Art Director in the early 1970's, working for the Children's Film & Television Foundation on short films such as Wreck Raisers. In the 1980's he moved onto Production Designer, taking responsibility for the overall visual look of a production. One of the first films he worked on was the cult classic Withnail & I, starring Paul McGann

His work on TV included Rules of Engagement, Kavanagh QC and Murder Most Horrid, the Dawn French comedy, part of which was co-written by Steven Moffat. He worked with Moffat on his series Coupling and again on his 2007 drama Jekyll.

In 2010 he took over as Doctor Who's Production Designer, only the second person to hold the position since the series returned in 2005. His tenure saw him create sets that ranged from Victorian London to the Wild West, from the badlands of Skaro to the wilds of Sherwood Forest, from a Cold War Submarine to the Orient Express in space.

Tom Spilsbury, Editor of Doctor Who Magazine throughout his tenure, paid tribute.
We often hear about ‘unsung heroes’, and while it would be misleading to say Michael Pickwoad’s genius was completely unsung, his brilliant contributions were a massive part of Doctor Who’s success over the past eight years. His sets were simply extraordinary. A wonderful man.
Former Doctor Who Showrunner Steven Moffat added
The only downside of great men, is that they make terrible losses, and we've lost Michael far too soon. He was a genius and a gentleman and we will all miss him.
Michael Pickwoad died on Monday 27th August.

Michael Pickwoad told BBC News where he got his inspiration for the new look TARDIS




FILTER: - Obituary - People

Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 529

Sunday, 26 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 529 (Credit: Panini)Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 529 (Credit: Panini)This month's Doctor Who Magazine talks to Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole, who play companions Yasmin and Ryan in Series 11.

Also in this issue...
  • FREE POSTER
  • A double-sided poster featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, Graham, Ryan and Yasmin.
  • SERIES 11 NEWS
  • Interviews with the writers and directors of Series 11, with an introduction from showrunner Chris Chibnall.
  • ROY SCAMMELL
  • The film and TV stuntman discusses his unforgettable contributions to the series in the 1970s.
  • DON HARPER
  • The life and career of the composer whose score for The Invasion is about to be released.
  • LISA BOWERMAN
  • The actress who has played Bernice Summerfield for 20 years answers questions from the TARDIS tin.
  • ALAN BENNION
  • A tribute to the actor who played three Ice Warriors in 1960s and 70s Doctor Who.
  • TIME OF THE DALEKS
  • Inside Gale Force 9, the company behind the latest Doctor Who board game.
  • THE CLOCKWISE WAR
  • Part Six of this comic strip adventure featuring the Doctor and Bill.
  • THE TIME TEAM
  • The reviewers watch three pseudo-historical stories: The Time Warrior, The Talons of Weng-Chiang and Thin Ice.
  • THE FACT OF FICTION
  • In-depth analysis of the 2013 Eleventh Doctor story Hide.
  • COSPLAY
  • Australian comedian Rob Lloyd explains how he creates his Third Doctor look on a budget.
PLUS... The Blogs of Doom, previews, reviews, news, prize-winning competitions and much, much more!

Doctor Who Magazine 529 is on sale now, price £5.99.




FILTER: - DWM - series 11/37

Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: The World of Doctor Who

Saturday, 25 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine: Special Edition 50 (Credit: Panini)
The latest DWM Special Edition explores the international appeal of Doctor Who and the way the show’s audience has evolved since the 1960s.

There have been Doctor Who fans for as long as there has been Doctor Who. And like the series itself, fandom has spent decades evolving into a global phenomenon, with enthusiasts in such far-flung territories as the United States, China and New Zealand.

If you’re new to Doctor Who, or curious about the way its viewers are inspired by the programme, then this unique guide will tell you everything you need to know about television’s most devoted fans.

Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: The World of Doctor Who is on sale now price £5.99.




FILTER: - DWM

Black Archive #23: The Curse of Fenric

Saturday, 25 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Curse of Fenric (Credit: Obverse Books)
The latest in the series of Black Archive books, detailing the seventh Doctor story, The Curse of Fenric will be released on 3 September 2018.

The Curse of Fenric is one of the last stories of Doctor Who’s original 26-year run and the first to make use of a Second World War setting.

Complex and thoughtful, the story and its various extended editions draw on a range of sources and responds to a variety of social and cultural contexts. It explores themes of history, maturation, progress and collective action

The story is detailed by Dr. Una McCormack, a New York Times bestselling author of novels based on Star Trek and Doctor Who and who teaches creative writing at the Angela Ruskin University.

The Dark Archive is available from Obverse Books.




FILTER: - Books - season 26 - Seventh Doctor

Dalek Audio Annual Coming December 2018

Friday, 24 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Dalek Audio Annual (Credit: Penguin - Random House)This December sees the release of the Dalek Audio Annual, a collection of vintage stories from Terry Nation’s Dalek Annuals of the 1970s, read by stars of Doctor Who

The Dalek Audio Annual is about to be launched. Scheduled for arrival on Earth on 6th December 2018 (just in time for Christmas) it will be packed with exciting tales of galactic terror, global invasion, and the adventures of a band of plucky human resistance fighters.

Special ADF agents Nicholas Briggs, Louise Jameson and Matthew Waterhouse will read five stories of battlefield reportage — Terror Task Force, Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!, Timechase, The Doomsday Machine and Report from an Unknown Planet — alongside factual updates on the Dalek War: Dalek Genius, Mark 7 Humanoid Robot, Special Report: Secret Meeting on Skaro and more.

All material is authenticated from Terry Nation’s Dalek Annuals of the 1970s.
Available for preOrder on Amazon




FILTER: - Audio

Bill Potts Joins Character Options Doctor who line-up

Friday, 24 August 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Bill Potts (Credit: Character Options )Character Options has released details of another new item in its Doctor Who Collection – the Bill Potts Collector Figure.

this fully articulated 5-inch scale Bill Potts action figure has 13 points of articulation and depicts Bill just as shown in the series with leather trousers, hi-tops and multicoloured vest.

Bill Potts wants her life to be about more than serving chips. The cleverest person in the university canteen but never a student, Bill lives with her foster-mum Moira, and thinks exciting things happen to other people.

But when Bill makes a connection with student Heather, she soon finds herself dragged into a creepy and dangerous world that revolves around a mysterious and inexplicable puddle. There’s something wrong with her reflection… but what? In searching of the answer, she discovers that the lecturer who’s taken her under his wing is actually a time travelling alien who’s about to take her on the trip of a lifetime to get to the truth!

This impossible man, calling himself only ‘The Doctor’, promises to be Bill’s personal tutor. And now anywhere in time and space is the backdrop to the most unique education that the universe can offer.
The new Figure is available now from Amazon




FILTER: - Character Options

Update for Season 12 Collection replacement disc process

Thursday, 23 August 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide have provided clarification on how to get replacements for the faulty discs within the recently released Season Twelve Collection can be requested.

Doctor Who Collection - Season 12 - cover (Credit: BBC Worldwide)We will be offering replacements for the errors on Disc 3 (The Sontaran Experiment) and Disc 5 (Revenge of the Cybermen) in the Doctor Who The Collection Season 12 Blu-ray release.

In order to obtain a replacement, please email your name and address and proof of purchase to the appropriate DVD Support line in the form of a receipt from the retailer. If you do not have a receipt from the retailer, then please email a picture of the product with your full name and postal address in view in the picture. This is for fraud prevention reasons.
The estimated time frame for the replacement to be available is 2-3 weeks.
Please allow some time for the replacement disc to reach you.
We have a high volume of emails and customers to deal with, please bear with us.

Replacement requests and proof of purchase emails should only be sent to these email addresses and not the DVD Enquiry line.

If you have sent your proof of purchase already we will not respond to your email unless there is an issue with your proof. Please await the replacements as outlined above.

Please be assured that we have logged every proof and will get around to replacing all customers discs.

Owing to an administrative issue, some customers erroneously did not receive the correct replacement of Revenge of the Cybermen; DVD Support have apologised for the error, and advise:
If you have received the incorrect Disc 5, we will re-send it when available please re-email the DVD Support line only once with your postal address only. You do not need to resend your proof of purchase.




FILTER: - Australia - BBC Worldwide - Blu-ray/DVD - Doctor Who - Season 12 - UK - USA