The Thirteenth Doctor adventures to continue with Big Finish

Saturday, 13 July 2024 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill (Credit: Oliver Bowring)

Big Finish Productions, in partnership with BBC Studios, have announced a new series of twelve, hour-long, full-cast audio adventures with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor alongsider Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan.

Jodie Whittaker said: 

“I’m over the moon to be joining Big Finish for more adventures in the TARDIS. Recording the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz is a really lovely thing to revisit. One of the things Mandip and I used to love on Doctor Who was getting in, doing a new episode and meeting a brand-new cast. I just can’t wait to step back into the boots, pull on the coat and get cracking. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be brilliant.

Mandip Gill added:

Doctor Who has been a huge part of my career and personal life and I am looking forward to seeing how I can further enrich my character through this exhilarating series. To be able to work with Jodie again is a dream come true, we have such a special friendship, I’m sure the recordings will be filled with laughter.

Big Finish’s Chairman, Jason Haigh-Ellery said:

This year Big Finish is celebrating its 25th anniversary of producing full-cast Doctor Who audio drama – so, when we were granted the licence to create new stories set during the Thirteenth Doctor’s era, we immediately set to work. 

I am delighted that the inimitable Jodie and Mandip have decided to return to their roles with us and I’m excited to welcome them to Big Finish. Alongside our two other forthcoming series for the Fugitive Doctor (played by Jo Martin) and the Master (played by Sacha Dhawan), 2025 has never looked brighter for the Thirteenth Doctor and her fam.

Big Finish’s Creative Director, Nicholas Briggs added:

Jodie and Mandip were so welcoming to me when I worked on set with them in the TV show, so I’m looking forward to repaying the compliment. They’re lovely people and they’re full of enthusiasm for this project.

 

The new adventures will be available to pre-order at a discounted price from the Big Finish site, either individually or as a complete set. The series is expected to be released from July 2025.





FILTER: - Jodie Whittaker - Thirteenth Doctor - Big Finish

The Power of The Doctor: consolidated viewing figures

Monday, 31 October 2022 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Power of the Doctor

The weekly consolidated ratings for the week 17-23 October have been released by BARB, indicating that Jodie Whittaker's swansong The Power of the Doctor achieved 5.295 million viewers, making it the second most watched programme on the Sunday and the fifth most watched programme overall for the week.

Top of the week went to Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing (which saw contestant Tyler West and dance partner Dianne Buswell performing the Tango to the Doctor Who theme) with some 9.894m, followed by Sunday's Results show with 8.634m; third place went to Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off with 7.794m, and ITV's Doc Martin was fourth with 5.610m.

The episode achieved 5.1m via TV viewing which placed it sixth (with Wednesday's Coronation Street some 46000 viewers more),; however, once other ways to watch were factored in (4-Screen) it enabled the episode to overtake the soap into fifth place by some 45000 extra viewers! Sunday's BBC News at 10 (which featured an interview with David Tennant on his return to the role) which originally was ahead of Doctor Who on overnights eventually settled into 23rd place with 3.919m viewers (very few people tend to watch the news on catchup  unlike soaps and drama!)

Breaking down the ratings, the episode was watched by 2.37m viewers live, gaining another 1.25m/1.34m overnight via TV/4-Screen respectively (VOSDAL). The last seven days saw an additional 1.48m/1.59m catch up on the show.

The position marks the highest place the show has achieved since Whittker's first few episodes back in 2018 (where her debut hit the top spot and the next three episodes all made 4th place). It is also the highest veiwing figure for the show since The Halloween Apocalypse a year ago today.  

The signed repeat of the episode broadcast early Saturday morning on BBC2 was watched by 35000 viewers. 

Figures for other regions include ABC in Australia with 103000 viewers, and BBC America in the United States with 317000 viewers (64th place in the cable charts with a Neilsen 18-49 rating of 0.06).





FILTER: - Doctor Who - Ratings - Jodie Whittaker

The Thirteenth Doctor on Turkish television

Saturday, 23 May 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor, as played by Jodie Whittaker (Credit: BBC)BBC Studios have announced the launch of their high definition channel BBC Prime in Turkey via Türk Telekom’s Tivibu platform from 27th May, with Doctor Who featuring prominently on the new service:

BBC First will be the exclusive home of all-new series of Doctor Who in Turkey, launching with the 11th and 12th seasons starring Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor and premiering future series closer to UK TX than ever before. This will be especially appreciated by Turkish Whovians who are among world’s most loyal fans ranking #6 in the world on the Doctor Who Facebook page and #9 for YouTube views on Doctor Who official channel, with 1.7m video views in the last 12 months.

Natasha Hussain, Senior Vice President for MENA at BBC Studios, said:
As the World’s spotlight shines bright on British drama, I’m thrilled to be expanding our offering in Turkey with the truly unmissable BBC First channel. The BBC has a strong reputation for its original storytelling and high production values in this genre, and I can’t wait for audiences in Turkey to be introduced to the raft of unique stories and unforgettable characters on BBC First.
Türk Telekom TV/OTT Content and Product Director, Ziyad Varol, stated:
We are very much happy with our years of cooperation with BBC, a household name for broadcast and media worldwide. Five years ago, Tivibu was the first platform to launch BBC’s documentary channel BBC Earth in Turkey, introducing one of the most important documentary producers of the world to Turkish audiences. And now, with BBC First, we are again excited to provide Tivibu audience with the newest and most popular series content of BBC. We hope to add new firsts into our list with BBC and to provide further value to Tivibu viewers by presenting them premium contents before everyone else in Turkey.

Doctor Who kicks off on the channel with a complete run of Peter Capaldi's last series during the afternoon/evening, leading up to the premiere of The Woman Who Fell To Earth. The channel then continues to show Series 11 alongside the rest of the Doctor's high definition adventures over the following weeks (which includes the upscaled special The Next Doctor). You can catch up on the BBC First schedule via This Week in Doctor Who.

Doctor Who has been available in Turkey in standard definition for a number of years via BBC Entertainment Europe (currently broadcasting Series 10).





FILTER: - Broadcasting - Doctor Who - International Broadcasting - Jodie Whittaker - series 11/37 - Turkey

Jodie Whittaker Joins Charity Appeal

Friday, 1 May 2020 - Reported by Marcus

Jodie Whittaker has joined Brian Cox and Ewan McGregor to support the Geeky T-Shirt awareness drive and fundraiser for a charity helping terminally children in Scotland.

The current Doctor is helping launch a nationwide appeal for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – better known as CHAS, a charity which provides vital hospice care services throughout Scotland to support the whole family.

As part of the Share Your Joy campaign, on Monday, May the Fourth, CHAS are encouraging the public to show allegiance to their favourite science-fiction, fantasy, cartoon or musical hero and by virtue the charity itself, by digging out their favourite geeky t-shirt to wear on the day. Thousands of supporters around the country have a CHAS shirt in the cupboard from a past or postponed event; CHAS asks them to wear it with pride for the day and share it with the hashtag #MayThe4thBeWithCHAS.

In order to help support the ongoing physical and new virtual hospice services provided to CHAS families, who are dealing with the most difficult of circumstances at the most impossible of times, participants are encouraged to share their efforts online and donate just £3 by texting ‘Geeky 3’ to 70450.

Laura Campbell, Community Fundraising Development Manager at CHAS, said
We are bowled over by the attention this appeal has had so far. We’ve had support from schools, universities, workplaces, sport teams, political figures, people from the film, TV and music world, and most importantly the CHAS families this is all for.

It means a lot to have backing from Jodie, Brian and Ewan to seriously highlight our position. We hope people from all over Scotland, and perhaps even further afield, are able to join in on the day and maybe take part in our ‘Big Geeky Quiz’ at 8pm on Facebook Live, which will feature guest questions from a few famous faces. We’ve got Jedi legends, legendary X-Wing pilots, White Walkers, Disney princesses, Power Rangers… it’s about to get nerdy!
On the evening of the 4th, The Big Geeky Quiz will be hosted by CBeebies actor James Mackenzie, who has gone on a Saharan trek and been heavily involved in fundraising for the charity throughout the last year. Questions will come from Ewan McGregor and many other figures from the worlds of Star Wars, Disney and beyond.

Now in its third year, support for last year’s Geeky T-Shirt day came from a trio of Scottish greats: Peter Capaldi, Brian Cox and Billy Boyd. The funds and awareness raised by the online event will help CHAS on its mission to reach every single baby, child and young person who needs them, despite the current situation.

Like many other charities left reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, CHAS has had to dramatically transform the way in which it provides its increasingly important services. They have set up Scotland’s first-ever virtual hospice to support children and families who are having to completely self-isolate.

The virtual hospice is now four weeks in, offering families extensive support, whether it relates to clinical guidance, financial advice or bereavement support, by video and phone. CHAS family support teams are also offering an expanding range of interactive activities, art clubs, storytelling and conference calls to children and parents, with more in the pipeline.

Although stringent measures are currently in place to safeguard families, those needing urgent physical and end of life care are still welcome at the hospice, where staff work tirelessly to provide children with the palliative assistance they need.

Jodie Whittaker supports Geeky T-Shirt Day 2020




FILTER: - Charities - Jodie Whittaker

Official Series 12 Trailer released

Saturday, 23 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released the first official trailer for the next series of Doctor Who, due to air from New Year's Day.


The trailer was launched across the BBC's social media channels at 3pm, before its television premiere on BBC One as the lead-in to Strictly Come Dancing at 7pm.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Jodie Whittaker - Series 12/38

Children in Need 2019

Saturday, 16 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC's annual fundraising evening for Children in Need took place yesterday, and by the end of the evening raised £47,886,382 for the charity.

The evening featured a special surprise for Anastasia who, having presented a video about the work done by drame group Hackney Shed to boost confidence for herself and others, was then thrilled as her very own heroine the Doctor arrived on stage to meet her!

BBC Children in Need 2019 - Anastasia meets Jodie (Credit: BBC)

Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill were all on hand to make it a very special evening for Anastasia, with Jodie also presenting her with her very own sonic screwdriver.


You can still donate to Children in Need via their website.





FILTER: - BBC - Children in Need - Jodie Whittaker

The Edge or Time - Released

Monday, 11 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time, the feature-length Doctor Who VR videogame, launches worldwide on November 12th

Publisher PlayStack and Developer Maze Theory are have released the Launch Trailer for  the game, which Is available for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, with  Oculus Quest coming later this year.

Players will visit Victorian London, escape from a space-stranded cruiser and explore an Egyptian temple as they operate the TARDIS across the Doctor Who universe, under guidance from The Doctor herself, played by Jodie Whittaker. 

 Crafted with countless references to the show and its 55-year history, Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time combines action, horror and sci-fi, equipping players with the Sonic Screwdriver to solve mind-bending puzzles, escape treacherous environments and come face-to-face with classic Doctor Who monsters, all within virtual reality for the first time ever. Escape from Weeping Angels, face off against brand-new monsters and pilot a Dalek shell to harness its’ fearsome weaponry in a thrilling and immersive single-player adventure!

Features
  • Become Part Of Doctor Who - a thrilling single-player adventure developed by Sony London alumni (VR Worlds, The London Heist, Blood and Truth), Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time  will immerse players in Doctor Who like never before as they travel across space and time to save reality. 
  • Wield The Sonic Screwdriver - With exhilarating moment-to-moment gameplay, wield the Sonic Screwdriver to solve fiendish puzzles and traverse a dangerous universe full of challenges, enemies and wonder.
  • Stunning Cinematic Visuals - From the Dalekanium of a Dalek’s shell, to the stone-cold terror of a Weeping Angel, experience stunning visuals that bring the show to life!  
  • Doctor Who Talent - Featuring Jodie Whittaker as the voice of The Doctor and Nicholas Briggs as the voice of the Daleks, in a story written by Gavin Collinson - Digital Producer for Doctor Who and author
  • Oculus Quest Support - experience the next level of immersion with Oculus Quest, as you explore the Doctor Who universe without boundaries in untethered virtual reality






FILTER: - Games - Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Whittaker Sings Yellow

Sunday, 13 October 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker takes on a classic Coldplay track for a new album released to support BBC Children in Need.

The charity album of celebrity covers titled Got it Covered, features the actress singing Yellow, written in 2002 for the group's debut album, Parachutes.

The album also features Tenth Doctor David Tennant showing off his vocal talents, singing Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers.

Other stars to feature on the record include Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, who appeared in Matt Smith's debut episode of Doctor Who, Helen Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Suranne Jones, Luke Evans, Adrian Lester and Himesh Patel.

A special hour-long show documenting the stars recording the album at the Abbey Road studios will be broadcast ahead of the annual BBC Children in Need Appeal show.

The album will be released in conjunction with Silva Screen Records on Friday 1st November with all profits going to Children in Need.





FILTER: - Jodie Whittaker

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 539

Wednesday, 29 May 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 539 (Credit: Panini)
Issue 539 of Doctor Who Magazine includes an exclusive interview with Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker.

This issue also includes:
  • The latest Production Notes from showrunner Chris Chibnall.
  • Former Doctor David Tennant discusses Jodie Whittaker.
  • Howard Burden recalls designing costumes for three different Doctors.
  • The second part of a candid interview with 1980s script editor Eric Saward.
  • What topped the DWM season poll? We reveal the results!
  • We talk to the team behind the Blu-ray special edition of 1973’s Planet of the Daleks.
  • The Fact of Fiction explores the 2005 story The Long Game.
  • Eric Saward previews his novelisations of Resurrection and Revelation of the Daleks.
  • Is Doctor Who a kids’ show? The Time Team decides.
  • How to recreate the Second Doctor’s ‘cosmic hobo’ style.
  • The final part of Herald of Madness, a comic strip adventure featuring the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends.
  • The Blogs of Doom, audio reviews, previews, news, prize-winning competitions and much, much more!
DWM 539 is on sale from 30 May, priced £5.99.

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 539 (Credit: Panini)
DWM 539 is also available as a strictly limited Deluxe Edition, exclusive to WH Smith and store.panini.co.uk priced £9.99.

In addition to the latest issue of DWM, the Deluxe Edition includes:
  • An exclusive vinyl EP featuring rare and bonus tracks from The Evil of the Daleks.
  • A 28-page supplement about the making of the Thirteenth Doctor’s episodes, packed full of new information and previously unseen pictures.
  • Downloads from BBC Audio and Big Finish.
  • A Doctor Who bookmark.
And more.




FILTER: - DWM - Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Whittaker Offered the Freedom of the City of London

Friday, 8 March 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Jodie WhittakerJodie Whittaker is one of more than 100 women who will receive the Freedom of the City of London to commemorate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918.

The Court of Common Council, the City of London Corporation’s top decision-making body, has today set the final seal of approval upon the Freedoms, paving the way for ceremonies to take place at Guildhall over the coming months.

Last year, the City Corporation agreed to mark 100 years of female suffrage with the award of the Freedom by inviting members of the Court of Common Council and colleagues in their City of London Wards to nominate candidates.

The nominees are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, but all of them have a connection to the City. Jodie Whittaker trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, based in the City Of London.

Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said:
Many congratulations to everyone who accepted the City’s invitation to receive the Freedom of the City of London, among them, a restaurateur, actor, florist, ecologist, beauty salon owner, town planner, and the Bishop of London.

My colleagues shared my enthusiasm to invite women from as many walks of life as possible, and I am very encouraged that we have exceeded our target of 100 women, and that we are announcing the news ahead of International Women’s Day.

I hope that our new Freemen enjoy attending their ceremonies at Guildhall and will take pride in their Freedom, which is one of our most historic and celebrated traditions.
The Freedom of the City of London is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade; and today, people are nominated for, or apply for, the Freedom, because it offers them a link with the historic City of London and one of its ancient traditions.

The Freedom is also offered to individuals by the City of London Corporation to help celebrate a significant achievement or to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to London life or public life.




FILTER: - Jodie Whittaker