The BBC have worked out a deal with broadcasters worldwide to simulcast the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special on 23rd November.

The decision will help prevent leaks or spoilers from surfacing online and will enable viewers worldwide to watch the special at exactly the same time.

Currently, the timeslot is scheduled at 7:00pm GMT which would air in the USA at 11:00am PST and in Australia at 6:00am on Sunday 24th November.

The special will feature Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt as The Doctor, and according to recent reports, a fourth actor is expected to reprise his role as The Doctor.

There is still no confirmation as to when a trailer (which Comic Con attendees saw last weekend) will appear, but DWO will bring you more as we get it.

+  The 50th Anniversary Special is due to air in 3D on 23rd November 2013 at 7:00pm.

[Source: Radio Times]

Confirmation on who will play the role of The 12th Doctor will be confirmed this Autumn, RadioTimes.com reports.

BBC insiders have told RadioTimes.com that filming on the Christmas special – to be followed by the full series – will not take place until the autumn – probably August, or even September.

According to sources the identity of The 12th Doctor is almost certain to be announced just prior to filming, which means that it is very likely that the new incarnation of the Time Lord will not be unveiled until late summer.

Initially the BBC had hoped to begin filming the Christmas special earlier, with some sources suggesting July as a potential date.

“Suffice to say we are completely on track” said a spokeswoman.

[Sources: RadioTimes.com]

Doctor Who Writer, Neil Gaiman, was recently interviewed on BBC current affairs programme, Newsnight, regarding his career and current projects.

Our friends over at Blogtor Who have embedded the video, which you can view below:

[youtube:p1xC2bbQ_Ns]

Neil Gaiman's Doctor Who credits include 6.4: The Doctor's Wife and 7.12: Nightmare In Silver.

[Sources: Newsnight; Blogtor Who]

The BBC have quashed the recent rumours circulating online that an announcement on the casting of the 12th Doctor is due imminently.

The rumours, which began via Science Fiction magazine; Starburst, stated:

"Sources have indicated that a Sunday newspaper is intending to scoop the BBC by announcing the name of the new Doctor this weekend. And in order to pre-empt the scoop, the BBC look set to announce the name tomorrow evening, just a single short week since the announcement of Matt Smith’s departure, and hardly time enough for that bombshell of a news story to sink in.

[UPDATE]

Starburst's sources have now come up with three names, apparently the front-runners in the bidding to be the new Doctor. Whether it's one of these three that has in fact been chosen to play the part, we cannot be sure. We can't really be sure that these three are in the running at all - but that's what we've been told! One thing that's guaranteed, however, is that this new "information" will get people talking!

The three names are: Domhnall Gleeson, Daniel Kaluuya, and Dominic Cooper."

BBC Publicist, Jenni Pain, tweeted the following this morning denying the rumours:

"For all those wondering, there is no #doctorwho announcement planned today"

This was then further echoed by the @BBCOne Twitter channel:

"@bbcdoctorwho fans, contrary to rumours there is no #DoctorWho casting announcement today."

Also via Twitter, Doctor Who DVD Director, Ed Stradling appeared to have official word from Steven Moffat on the rumours:

"Steven Moffat says this morning "I haven't a clue who it is, we've barely started." So no #doctorwho announcement this evening I fear!"

The DWO View:

The BBC will keep the casting of the 12th Doctor as close to their chests for as long as possible. Over the next few days, weeks and possibly months, you will no doubt hear a multitude of names - male and female - thrown into the ring, but as with Matt Smith, the BBC are likely to cast someone who possibly hasn't even been mentioned yet. Watch this space!

+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!

[Sources: Twitter; Starburst]

The BBC has today announced that Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who after four incredible years on the hit BBC One show.

Matt first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the unmissable 50th Anniversary Special in November and regenerating in the Christmas Special.

During his time as The Doctor, Matt has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and his incarnation has seen the show go truly global. He was also the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role.

Matt quickly won over fans to be voted Best Actor by readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season. He also received a nod for his first series at the National Television Awards, before winning the Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012.

Matt has played one of the biggest roles in TV with over 77 million fans in the UK, USA and Australia alone!

Matt Smith says:

"Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind-bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one'. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says:

"Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently.

And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!"

Jenna Louise Coleman, adds:

"I could not have imagined coming into the show without Matt as my Doctor, holding my hand, really, quite literally. I totally lucked-out in having a creative, generous, clever, and lovely fella to work alongside day after day.

I feel so privileged to have been part of Matt's reign, to have to been companion to what is and what I think always will be one of our greatest Doctors.

He is so in love with the show, he works tirelessly hard, surprises me every day, always creating and discovering something new about the Doctor. A true gent, a leading man and a very special friend.

I know it will be a very difficult goodbye for me, but I for one can't wait to see where his career takes him next.  And of course with the same welcome I was brought in with, I look forward to welcoming the next Doctor. BUT it's not over till it's over. See ya at the big 5-0!"

Having starred alongside three different companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Louise Coleman), Matt's Doctor has fought Daleks and Cybermen, as well as Weeping Angels in New York. Regularly heard shouting 'run' and 'Geronimo', through Matt's Doctor fans have been introduced to a new culinary combination - fish fingers and custard!

Matt's spectacular exit is yet to be revealed and will be kept tightly under wraps. He will return to BBC One screens in the unmissable 50th anniversary episode on Saturday 23 November 2013 - TUNE IN!

[Source: BBC Press Office]

The BBC have released a behind-the-scenes interview with Matt Smith and David Tennant.

The video, which teases some of the fantastic chemistry we can expect between the two of them, can be viewed below:

[youtube:2Em8lmmTNkA]

+  The 50th Anniversary Special airs on Saturday 23rd November on BBC One.

[Source: BBC]

Owing to a BBC America Distribution error, some American customers are reporting that their copies of the Series 7 Part 2 Blu-ray box-set has turned up early - before the finale has even been televised.

The news has prompted Twitter statements by the BBC, rightfully urging fans to keep the secrets of the finale until after broadcast:

The tweets promise a treat for fans if they remain vigilant, in the form of a special video featuring Matt Smith and David Tennant.

There is a chance that the episode could leak onto torrent sites, and DWO would just like to echo the BBC's words of helping to keep the spoilers off the internet.

If you are given any information regarding torrents or sharing of details from 'The Name Of The Doctor', please contact the BBC at: thedoctor@bbc.co.uk. 

[Source: BBC]

Speaking to RedCarpetNewsTV at this year's BAFTA awards event, Steven Moffat talked about the tribute and refused to be drawn on specifics about the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special.

Moffat, who can be seen in the interview view below, also added:

"Oh, I love you all, Doctor Who fans, but honestly, now and then, don't believe everything you hear or don't hear." 

[youtube:20pd6JqdyVI]

[Source: RedCarpetNewsTV]

Episode #290 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

A great mind and a beautiful young woman whose relationship is the matter of speculation are joined by their thuggish associate as they watch The Crimson Horror, the latest episode of Doctor Who written by Mark Gatiss and starring Matt Smith, Jenna Louise Coleman and Dame Diana Rigg.

Listen to Episode #290 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

BBC Cymru Wales has announced that Brian Minchin is to be the new Executive Producer of Doctor Who, alongside showrunner Steven Moffat.

Brian Minchin is an Executive Producer in BBC Wales drama, currently working on The Game, a new Cold War spy thriller from Toby Whithouse for BBC One, and Wizards Vs Aliens, Russell T Davies’ hit show for CBBC. He has also worked as BBC Executive Producer on Dirk Gently and Being Human.

Brian produced the RTS award-winning and BAFTA nominated series The Sarah Jane Adventures, as well as the UK sections of Torchwood: Miracle Day and was Assistant Producer on Torchwood: Children of Earth.

Brian, who grew up in Aberystwyth, joined the department in Cardiff in 2005 as a Script Editor working on BBC One Wales drama Belonging, before moving on to network dramas Doctor Who and Torchwood in the same role.

Brian says:

“I'm thrilled and excited to be joining Steven Moffat on a show that has meant so much to me over the years. I've watched in awe as Steven has taken Doctor Who to wild and imaginative places and I can't wait to get started on many more adventures with the Doctor.”

Faith Penhale, Head of Drama Wales, says:

“I've no doubt Doctor Who will enjoy a very exciting time with Brian at the helm working alongside Steven. Since joining BBC Wales in 2005, he’s proved he has a fantastic eye for story and a sharp awareness of what makes a drama like Doctor Who unmissable."

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, adds:

"When I first took over Doctor Who, Brian was there as script editor, and in the most difficult time of a new Doctor and a new era, was completely brilliant. We lost him to producing The Sarah Jane Adventures at the end of our first run. Rising talent keeps rising, is how I comforted myself back then - but now I am beyond happy that Brian has risen all the way back to Doctor Who, in his new role of Executive Producer. I look forward to getting hopelessly lost in space and time with him."

Brian will start in his new role with immediate effect.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

Episode #289 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Dave, Elizabeth and Thomas take a Journey To The Centre of the TARDIS.

Whilst lost in the depths of the time machine, Thomas finds a copy of Festival of Death by Jonathan Morris to review, Dave finds Dean clutching a copy of the latest Big Finish / AudioGO title; Destiny of the Doctor: Babblesphere and have a listen together whilst somewhere near the Eye Of Harmony, Elizabeth reads the Third Doctor eBook The Spear of Destiny.

Only Elizabeth makes it back and she is so distraught that she settles down with Michelle to watch The Ribos Operation.

Listen to Episode #289 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

The BBC Press Office has confirmed the synopsis for Neil Gaiman's Doctor Who episode; '7.12: Nightmare In Silver'.

712: Nightmare in Silver
By Neil Gaiman

Hedgewick’s World of Wonders was once the greatest theme park in the galaxy, but it’s now the dilapidated home to a shabby showman, a chess-playing dwarf and a dysfunctional army platoon.

When the Doctor, Clara, Artie and Angie arrive, the last thing they expect is the re-emergence of one of the Doctor’s oldest foes. The Cybermen are back!

[Source: BBC Press Office]

Episode #288 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Dave and Thomas Hide as Elizabeth and Michelle face The Talons of Weng-Chiang before Elizabeth and Dean meet up to discuss it all with Jago and Lightfoot.

From the latest series starring Matt Smith to a classic Tom Baker story and the popular Big Finish range of Jago and Lightfoot stories, the DWO Whocast looks at Doctor Who from all angles.

Listen to Episode #288 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

DWO’s spoiler-free preview of episode 7.10 Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS:

When the TARDIS is dragged aboard a salvage vessel and begins leaking time, the Doctor and the Van Baalen brothers must fight through the labyrinthine corridors of his ship to find Clara before the ship can explode. But they're not alone, and something sinister is stalking them through the TARDIS, angry, and ready to attack... 

It’s safe to say that Stephen Thompson’s contribution to Series Seven, Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS has been one of the more hotly anticipated moments of the 2013 run. The title alone promises so much, and after years of fans clamouring to see more of the TARDIS interior, this is the opportunity to deliver. 

In the most recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Thompson says that showrunner Steven Moffat felt ‘duty bound to atone for’ 1978’s The Invasion of Time, the last story to take us deep into the TARDIS’ many winding corridors. Industrial action taken during the production of that story meant that the TARDIS interior had to mostly be filmed on location in an old Victorian hospital - perhaps not exactly the way the production team, or the audience, expected the ship to look. 

Journey takes the brief to make up for that story and really runs with it, giving us more to see of the Doctor’s machine than ever before. It would take a whole season (or several!) to see every room the ship has to offer, but the ones we catch sight of here are sure not to disappoint. There’s an appearances for both the library and the swimming pool (though, sadly, neither is inside the other), alongside some less-well known rooms, too. 

The design of the whole ship has clearly been the subject of an enormous amount of effort, and praise must be given to all involved, from the art department through to the set decorators, who’ve really pulled out all the stops to get this to screen. It’s everything you could possibly want to see from the TARDIS interior. Director Mat King guides us expertly through the many levels of the ship, managing to show us the beauty and the terror of the TARDIS at every turn. 

Tapping the cast together in a confined space (it it’s fair to call the ship that) means that we get to confront some of this season’s on-going story arcs head on. The Doctor has been trying to solve Clara’s mystery for some time, now, and the cracks are starting to show. The dynamic between Matt Smith’s Doctor and Jenna-Louise Coleman’s Clara continues to develop in interesting new ways, and the distrust between the pair reaches boiling point when subjected to this kind of pressure. Both of our regulars shine as bright as ever - it’s electrifying to watch them share the screen. 

Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS, with many nods to the history of Doctor Who, and many hits as to what may be yet to come in the remainder of Season Seven is sure to be a fan pleaser, and is definitely one of the gems of this era of the programme.

Five things to look out for...

1) “You’re like one of those guys who can’t go out with a girl unless his mother approves”

2) ‘The History of the Time War’

3) It’s rude to whisper.

4) Lancashire, South.

5) “You call yourself ‘Doctor’. Why do you do that? You’ve got a name. I saw it..."



[Sources: DWO; Will Brooks]

BBC Pictures have sent DWO the promo posters for Doctor Who Episodes 7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS, 7.11: The Crimson Horror, 7.12: Nightmare In Silver & 7.13: The Name Of The Doctor.

The poster can be viewed to the right. Below are the synopsis' for the episodes:

7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS
by Stephen Thompson

A spaceship salvage team drags the TARDIS on board, sending its systems into meltdown.

As the Doctor marshals the motley salvage crew outside, he realises Clara is still trapped within his malfunctioning ship, pursued by a dangerous group of ossified monsters. He has just 30 minutes to find Clara and save his TARDIS before it self-destructs.

7.11: The Crimson Horror
by Mark Gatiss

There’s something very odd about Mrs Gillyflower’s Sweetville mill, with its perfectly clean streets and beautiful people.

There’s something even stranger about the bodies washing up in the river, all bright red and waxy. When the Doctor and Clara go missing, it’s up to Vastra, Jenny and Strax to rescue them before they too fall victim to the Crimson Horror!

7.12: Nightmare In Silver
by Neil Gaiman

Hedgewick's World of Wonders: the perfect theme park day out - and ground zero for a deadly silver resurrection.

7.13: The Name Of The Doctor
by Steven Moffat

Someone is kidnapping the Doctor's friends, leading him towards the one place in all of time and space that he should never go.

The trailer for the next epsiode 7.9: Hide, can be viewed below:

[youtube:A-SN09lw3yU]

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein]

[Source: BBC Pictures]

Episode #287 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Dave and Thomas got all hot under the collar about this week's Doctor Who as the Ice Warrior's reappear to fight a Cold War in Mark Gatiss' latest story.

Listen to Episode #287 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

DWO’s spoiler-free preview of episode 7.9 Hide:

Legends exist throughout time about the ‘Ghast of Caliburn House’ - a spectral figure caught in a moment of abject fear and terror stalking the halls of the house. The house has stood for 400 years, but the ghost is far older than that. She’s held many names over the centuries, and now the Doctor has arrived to solve her mystery. 

For the first half of its running time, Hide is part Ghost Stories for Christmas and part Most Haunted, as the Doctor and Clara team up with Professor Alec Palmer (Dougray Scott) and Empathic Psychic Emma Grayling (Jessica Raine) for a night in the house in November 1974. Palmer and Grayling, along with the Doctor and Clara, carry the weight of much of the episode, while the four of them hunt the ghost through the halls of the house. 

It’s in this part of the story that the episode really sings, building up a nice amount of traditional ghost story terror, and providing plenty of opportunities to make you jump. It also gives us another great chance to see Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman sharing the screen. The pair of them continue to work well together - it’s telling that while this was the first episode shot with the current version of Clara, the two feel like they’ve been travelling for a while. 

Clara’s continuing to find her feet throughout this episode: she’s not as sure about time travel as some of the Doctor’s other companions have been. Hide plays with the slightly interesting idea that the Doctor and Clara don’t really trust each other, but that they just get on with the adventure - having an empath around certainly allows each of them to be given a few clues about the other. 

Once the story has moved on from the early ghost story feeling and starts to reach outside the confines of the house it somewhat loses its atmosphere, and risks becoming A. N. Other Doctor Who adventure. Though the series has often gone out of its way to find a more scientific explanation for supernatural phenomena, the interesting idea behind this ghost seems to get a bit lost during translation to the screen, leaving the latter half of the episode less interesting than the set-up.

There’s plenty to love throughout the tale, though, including some fantastic direction from series newcomer Jamie Payne throughout, whose style is a perfect fit for a ghost story. This, coupled with the iconic ‘haunted house’ look of Hide really is one of the highlights.

Five things to look out for...

1) “It’s 1974 - you’re the assistant”

2) Ignorance is Carlisle.

3) A blue crystal from Metebilis III plays a vital role.

4) Whiskey is the 11th most disgusting thing ever invented. 

5) “Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it!”

[Sources: DWO; Will Brooks]

The BBC have released a series of Doctor Who promo images from 7.8: Cold War.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

+  7.8: Cold War airs on Saturday 13th April on BBC One at 6:00pm.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC Doctor Who website have confirmed that Jemma Redgrave, who previously appeared in Doctor Who as Kate Stewart (Daughter of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart), will be reprising her role for the 50th Anniversary Special.

The BBC said:

"Jemma is part of a brilliant cast that is already known to include Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman who are joined by the returning David Tennant and Billie Piper plus screen legend John Hurt and Joanna Page. Filming is underway on the special which will be a 3D spectacular shown later this year."

In previous news, the BBC also confirmed Classic Series villains, The Zygons, would return for the anniversary special.

More casting announcements are expected shortly...

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

DWO's spoiler-free preview of episode 7.8 Cold War:

The Ice Warriors haven’t had the most lucky experience with Doctor Who over the years. After appearing in two 1960s stories, and two 1970s stories, they somewhat disappeared from the show. In the 1980s, two planned returns for the creatures were both scuppered when the series was cancelled. They’ve shown up plenty of times in comics and novels since then, but this is their first appearance in televised Who for 39 years. That’s one hell of a nap.

The Doctor and Clara - headed for Vegas, but getting the direction a little wrong - arrive on a Soviet submarine in the mid-1980s. Following an expedition to the North Pole, the sub is carrying a very precious cargo: a creature found perfectly preserved in the ice. As curiosity gets the better of the crew, disastrous consequences await them...

Coming after two adventures set in big, open places - filled with panoramic views of modern London, or overlooking an alien vista with a parasitic sun - the most striking thing about Cold War is the claustrophobia of the episode. The feeling of being trapped on an submarine, with a vengeful alien bearing down on you really comes across, and director Douglass Mackinnon really sells the feeling of entrapment, and ramps up the tension as time runs out for the Doctor and the crew. 

Praise also needs to be given for just how... wet the set is throughout. Almost every scene features the sub leaking from somewhere, with water streaming down the walls. Visually, it’s quite unlike anything we’ve seen in the programme before - and it’s gorgeous.

Of course, the thing that everyone is waiting on this episode for is the reappearance of an Ice Warrior to the series. It’s pleasing that the design of the creature remains true to what we’ve seen in the series before now, and proof that some Doctor Who monsters are so fantastic that they don’t need a big overhaul to make them acceptable to twenty-first century viewers. We see the advancement of the Ice Warrior, though, and it performs a trick that even the Doctor hasn’t seen one do before.

Ice Warrior aside, this is another important step for Clara as a companion - her first trip back into history. Following on from last week’s episode, it helps to establish the rules of the programme again for a new companion, and an audience that might have joined since Amy Pond ventured into World War Two in 2010 (in another script by Mark Gatiss, who pens this week’s instalment). There’s plenty of opportunity for Clara to learn about life in the TARDIS: it can get very real sometimes. 

Elsewhere, David Warner as Grisenko steals the show, puncturing all the end-of-the-world macho-ness with a wonderfully fun performance, roaming the corridors of the submarine singing the hits of the day. Warner’s character is fairly representative of the story as a whole. For all the danger of the Ice Warrior and the threat to the world, Cold War is a very funny episode, filled with great dialogue that really gives the cast - and especially Matt Smith - a chance to shine. 

Five things to look out for...

1) It’s probably a mammoth.

2) An Ice Warrior isn’t the only Second Doctor-era invention to appear in this episode.

3) The Doctor is always serious. With days off. 

4) Polar Bears are cuddlier than Ice Warriors.

5) It’s not a mammoth. 

[Sources: DWO, Will Brooks]

Episode #286 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Dave and Thomas are transported to The Rings of Akhaten where they witness The Doctor and Clara battle an ancient evil for the soul of a young girl meanwhile Elizabeth and Michelle are stuck in the past with The Doctor and Sarah Jane in Tom Baker's first adventure Robot.

It's like a podcast version of Mawdryn Undead except it isn't really.

Listen to Episode #286 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

Some conflicting reports have appeared online and in printed newspapers that Christopher Eccleston (The 9th Doctor) agreed to appear in the 50th Anniversary Special, and then pulled out.

The rumours, which were unsurprisingly started by The Daily Star newspaper, claimed Eccleston was all set to star in the special but as filming started, he apparently pulled out.

An official BBC source (speaking to Digital Spy) has reportedly claimed that: "Eccleston was never attached to the 50th and the decision has had no impact on production." The source was further quoted as saying the following:

"Chris met with Steven Moffat a couple of times to talk about Steven's plans for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary episode. After careful thought, Chris decided not to be in the episode. He wishes the team all the best."

Further rumours claim that Paul McGann has stepped in and the storyline originally intended for The 9th Doctor has simply been swapped for The 8th Doctor.

According to The Independent newspaper, The 9th Doctor may still have an appearance in the special:

"Fans might still get the chance to see Eccleston's portrayal of The Doctor as show bosses are rumoured to be planning to use old footage of previous doctors for the special show."

At this stage we would suggest taking all rumours with a pinch of salt until confirmed by the BBC.

[Sources: The Daily Star; Digital Spy; The Independent; DWO]

BBC South Africa have unveiled brief, official synopsis' for the rest of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2.

7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS

The TARDIS has crashed, Clara is lost inside, and the Doctor has 30 minutes before his ship explodes!

7.11: The Crimson Horror

Something ghastly is afoot in Victorian Yorkshire, as bodies are found with their skin a waxy, glowing red.

7.12: Nightmare In Silver

Hedgewick's World of Wonders: the perfect theme park day out - and ground zero for a deadly silver resurrection.

7.13: The Name Of The Doctor (rumoured title)

Someone is kidnapping the Doctor's friends, leading him towards the one place in all of time and space that he should never go.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

[Source: BBC South Africa]

The BBC have confirmed that Classic Series villain, The Zygons, are returning to Doctor Who for the show’s 50th Anniversary Special.

Aside from flashbacks these malevolent shape-shifters have only appeared once before, threatening Earth in the Fourth Doctor adventure, Terror of the Zygons.

Despite the fact that their solitary outing was over thirty years ago they remain a popular old enemy and in the 2010 episode, The Pandorica Opens, they were amongst the massed aliens said to be gathering above Stonehenge.

Later, in The Power of Three, we learnt that Zygons had one of their ships under the Savoy Hotel in 1890 and apparently replaced half the staff with imposters! But this time they really are back…

A promotional image (pictured-right) has been released showing the updated Zygon on set.

More 50th Anniversary related announcements will be made shortly...

[Source: BBC]

Episode #285 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Doctor Who returns to our screens in an adventure that sees him travel past (and up) some of London's most notable landmarks to save new companion Clara but has the latest episode been worth the wait?

Dave, Elizabeth and Michelle have a ding dong over The Bells of Saint John before our own Belles (see what we did there) Elizabeth and Michelle travel back to the era of Jon Pertwee to encounter The Daemons.

Listen to Episode #285 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

+ Rate / Review the DWO WhoCast on iTunes!
+ Follow the DWO WhoCast on Twitter!
+ Like the DWO WhoCast on Facebook!

[Source: DWO]

The BBC has officially confirmed that David Tennant and Billie Piper will return for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special.

Filming on the show, which will also star John Hurt (Labyrinth, Merlin, 1984), will start next week.

Tennant's successor, Matt Smith - also in the special with his new assistant played by Jenna-Louise Coleman - says fans "will not be disappointed" by the 3D show, due to air on 23rd November.

Tennant and Piper have long been rumoured to be making a return for the special, which is being written by the show's executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat.

In January, Billie Piper, appearing on the Graham Norton Show, denied she would be appearing.

"I wasn't asked, no, I think Matt Smith may have said, in passing or in jest, it would be nice. I think maybe he said that and then it became something quite different, but no."

Matt Smith has said the show "manages to pay homage to everything - and look forward. I read it and I clapped at the end. I think it's hilarious, it's epic and it's vast."

Steven Moffat, meanwhile, has said he took special care to protect the secrets of the story.

"One length I've gone to which is a really good security measure - I make sure I don't get a script, because I will lose it, I forbid people to hand me one. It's on my computer under lock and key."

Other casting confirmations this week include Ken Bones as The General, Orlando James as Lord Bentham and Marshall Griffin in an, as yet, untitled role.

[Sources: BBC]

Legendary film Director, and friend to DWO, Peter Jackson, has reignited hope that he may one day direct a Doctor Who episode.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Jackson had the following to say regarding the possibility of directing an upcoming episode:

"They don’t even have to pay me, but I have got my eye on one of those nice new gold-colored Daleks. They must have a spare one (hint, hint).”

EW asked showrunner, Steven Moffat, about the offer, but he declined to comment on whether the Doctor Who budget could accommodate Jackson’s request:

“You’d never get any information like that out of me!” Moffat said, tongue planted in cheek. Speaking more seriously, he was open to the idea of Jackson directing an episode of the show:

“We’re theoretically on board for anything, provided we’ve got a great story.”

Entertainment Weekly are running two collectible Doctor Who covers (pictured-right) for this week's issue, including interviews with Steven Moffat, and essay written by Peter Jackson on his love for Doctor Who, and a guide to all 11 Doctors.

Below is the promo text for the issue:

What is it with legendary British pop culture icons celebrating their fiftieth anniversaries? Who knows — and “Who” is exactly the right word. In 2012 both the Rolling Stones and the Bond movies turned 50 and this year it is the turn of British science fiction show Doctor Who (yes, we know the Doctor is actually much older than 50, but let’s not get into that right now). To mark the occasion, this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly offers a choice of two collectible covers — one featuring Matt Smith’s Doctor, Jenna Louise-Coleman’s new “companion” Clara, and a Dalek and the other boasting Smith and a Cyberman, who will be among the monsters our time-traveling hero battles in the half-season of eight new Doctor Who shows which BBC America will premiere on March 30 at 8p.m. ET.

That, however, is just the tip of the celebratory Who-berg — the flashing light atop the Doctor’s time- and spacecraft the TARDIS, if you will. For our Doctor Who cover story we visited the show on location in Wales, grilled executive producer Steven Moffat about the upcoming episodes and the 50th anniversary special, which is being broadcast this fall, and luncheoned in Manhattan with Smith. In our Who package you’ll also find a breakdown of all 11 Doctors and, perhaps best of all, an essay by Peter Jackson in which the Lord of the Rings director recounts his Who-love and announces his price for directing an episode. You’ll think the magazine is, well, bigger on the inside…

[Source: Entertainment Weekly]

The BBC have released a series of Doctor Who promo images from 7.6: The Bells Of St John.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden] - Updated Title
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

+  7.6: The Bells Of St John airs on Saturday 30th March on BBC One at 6:15pm.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC have released a brand new trailer for Doctor Who: Series 7 Part 2 which begins on 30th March.

The trailer, which can be seen below, offers a taster of what to look forward to in the next 8 episodes:

[youtube:SRQu3MvRySA]

The trailer should also air on BBC One just before 8:00pm Tonight.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7B, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden] - Updated Title
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

+  Series 7 Part 2 begins on Saturday 30th March on BBC One at 6:15PM.

[Source: BBC]

BBC Cymru Wales confirms that Caroline Skinner has decided to step down as Executive Producer of Doctor Who. Caroline joined the show in 2011 as the Executive Producer alongside Steven Moffat and is now set to join BBC Drama Production in London.

Caroline Skinner says:

"It has been an honour to have been a part of Doctor Who, and a privilege to have worked with Steven Moffat and Matt Smith on this extraordinary show. I have hugely enjoyed my time in BBC Wales and would like to thank Faith Penhale, and our wonderful production team for their unending commitment and brilliance. I will miss them all enormously, but I'm leaving Doctor Who in fine form, with the new series starting at Easter and the fantastic plans for the 50th Anniversary already underway. I am delighted to be now returning to BBC Drama Production in London as an executive producer, and the new opportunities and projects that will bring."

Faith Penhale, Head of Drama BBC Wales adds:

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Caroline for her contribution to Doctor Who since taking on the role in 2011, on behalf of both the BBC and the show. She leaves the show in good shape - there's a brilliant new series starting on Easter Saturday that will see the official arrival of the Doctor's new companion! And the 50th Anniversary plans are on track to deliver audiences an unmissable event! I wish her all the very best for the future."

Faith Penhale will take over as the executive producer on the 50th Anniversary with immediate effect.

Caroline will continue working on BBC Two's one-off drama An Adventure In Space and Time which forms part of the BBC's celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary.

The recruitment process for a new executive producer for the next series will start shortly.

[Source: BBC Press Office]