Classic Series Doctor Who Editor, Tariq Anwar has been nominated for Film Editing in the 2011 Academy Awards.

Anwar, whose previous Doctor Who editing credits include; The Face of Evil, The Sun Makers and Shada, received the nomination for his work on The King's Speech.

The King's Speech has a total of 12 nominations in this year's awards.

[Source: Neil Marsh]

Yesterday, the BBC Press Office issued a press release outlining plans for a 25% cut in the budget for BBC Online's service listing budget - a move that will see half of the Top Level Domains closing.

As a result of this news, DWO was inundated with emails from our visitors wanting to know if the BBC Doctor Who Site was included in the cuts. We got in touch with the publicity team for BBC Online who gave us the following statement:

"The BBC Doctor Who site will not close.

As background, we’ve just posted a blog about the proposed reduction in top-level domains which explains how we’ve identified which directories or sites we’ll be removing from BBC Online over time.  To ensure quality for our audiences it’s necessary to reduce the number of individual websites we manage and concentrate resources in areas where they can be used to best effect.

To streamline efforts further, in future automatically-generated programme pages which will be hosted at bbc.co.uk/programmes – these are dynamically populated and will help us to ensure our web publishing operation is as cost-effective as possible.  But, rest assured, bespoke online offerings for popular programmes like /doctorwho will remain due to the continued value they deliver to large audiences. 

We hope you continue to enjoy the content on offer!"

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Action Figure set.

The Sontaran Experiment Set features The 4th Doctor with Sontaran Field-Major Styre and Sontaran Ship from The Sontaran Experiment.

The Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan arrive on a desolate and apparently deserted Earth to discover that a group of shipwrecked astronauts from a human colony, GalSec, have been lured there by a fake distress call!

Contains the Fourth Doctor in duffle coat and hat action figure with Sonic Screwdriver.Sontaran Field-Major Styre action figure with helmet and gun and Sontaran Ship.

The Sontaran Experiment Set is released 20th February 2011, priced £34.99.

+  Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover and details for the March 2011 DVD release of Mara Tales.

Kinda

On a beautiful, paradise planet, Deva Loka, its inhabitants, the Kinda, are a gentle and seemingly primitive people. On the surface, a perfect place to colonise. But if it is so perfect, why are the colonisation team disappearing one by one?

Unaware of this, the Doctor and his companions choose to rest on Deva Loka. Enchanted by the beautiful Chimes, "the place of dreams", Tegan sleeps and falls prey to the Mara, a malevolent force out to steal her mind. But just what are its ultimate evil intentions?Meanwhile, the Doctor and Adric are captured by the surviving colonisation team's officers, Sanders and the unstable Hindle. When Sanders disappears, Hindle collapses into a world of paranoid delusions and suddenly the security of the entire base is at risk.

Can the Doctor rescue Tegan from the Mara and defeat it - before it pushes Hindle over the edge? And who is the mysterious blind woman who appears in visions? Will she help the Doctor or ultimately impede him...

Kinda - Special Features:

• 4 x 25 mins approx colour episodes with mono audio.

• Commentary - stereo. With actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Matthew Waterhouse and Nerys Hughes.

• Dream Time (dur. 34’ 05”) – cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Janet Fielding, Nerys Hughes, Simon Rouse and Adrian Mills, director Peter Grimwade, writer Christopher Bailey, script editors Christopher H. Bidmead, Eric Saward and Antony Root, designer Malcolm Thornton, new series writer Robert Shearman.

• Peter Grimwade - Directing with Attitude (dur. 22’ 57”) – a look at the Doctor Who career of writer and director Peter Grimwade. With Peter Grimwade, actors Janet Fielding and Nerys Hughes, writer Christopher Bailey, script editor Eric Saward, production assistant Margot Hayhoe, designer Malcolm Thornton, production secretary Jane Judge, script consultant Ian Levine, and Target Books editor Nigel Robinson. Presented by Mark Strickson.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (dur. 14’ 36”) – a fascinating collection of deleted sequences taken from timecoded domestic videotape copies of the story’s early edits.

• Optional CGI Effects Sequence – option to view episode four with the original giant puppet snake replaced by a CGI snake.

• CGI Effects Comparison (dur. 1’ 34”) – a side by side comparison of the original puppet and new CGI snake shots.

• Trails & Continuity (dur. 4’ 13”) – BBC trails and continuity announcements from the story’s original transmission.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 4’ 42”) - production, design and publicity photos from the story.

• Isolated Music – option to watch the story with the isolated music score.

• Coming Soon (dur. 1 min approx.) - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

Snakedance

Surely Tegan must have made a mistake when she set the TARDIS' co-ordinates, because the Doctor certainly hadn't intended landing on Manussa? But upon learning that Manussa was once home of the Sumaran Empire, the Doctor knows that their arrival has been no accident but has been orchestrated by a hostile force - a force which is rapidly gaining control of Tegan's will.

By first infiltrating Tegan's subconscious mind, through strange and disturbing dreams dominated by the image of a huge snake's skull, this force - the Mara - is planning on as a vehicle for its return to power on the planet Manussa.So just as Manussa prepares festivities to commemorate the destruction of the Sumaran Empire by the ruling Federation, it seems that the Legend of the Mara could be about to come true. According to this Legend, the Mara was never destroyed by the Federation but merely banished.

Furthermore, the Legend claims that the Mara will return in a dream - a precursor to its gaining control of all their minds... It is clear to the Doctor that the first steps in the Mara's return have already been taken...

Snakedance - Special Features:

• 4 x 25 mins approx colour episodes with mono audio.

• Commentary - stereo. With actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton.

• Snake Charmer (dur. 24’ 37”) – cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, director Fiona Cumming, writer Christopher Bailey, script editor Eric Saward, designer Jan Spoczynski, and new series writer Robert Shearman.

• Deleted Scenes (dur. 3’ 05”) – scenes from the original ending of episode four, courtesy of a timecoded recording kept by producer J ohn Nathan-Turner.

• In Studio (dur. 6’ 12”) – a rare glimpse inside the studio during recording of effects sequences for the story, including the infamous ‘farting Mara’!

• Saturday Superstore (dur. 14’ 16”) – Peter Davison guests on the Saturday morning children’s show, where he plays cricket with Mike Read and John Craven and takes questions from callers.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 5’ 21”) - production, design and publicity photos from the story.

• Isolated Music – option to watch the story with the isolated music score.

• Coming Soon (dur. 1 min approx.) - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

[Source: 2|Entertain]

Assignment X have added an interview with previous Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T. Davies:

Russell T. Davies, the man most directly responsible for the resurrection of the Doctor Who franchise in 2005, was on hand at the Television Critic’s Association to promote his upcoming fourth season of Torchwood, also a Who connected show. And, of course, Assignment X couldn’t resist asking his thoughts on the new Doctor Who series post his exit.

“Of course I love it! Stephen Moffat’s most important role is to get me a DVD before that Saturday of transmission,” says Davies. “This new season it’s going to go out on BBC America on the same day, but I still want the DVD because it won’t have adverts!”

Davies, who was a fan of the show from childhood, has re-discovered his passion for the series and can’t get enough of it.

“I’m loving it, I am absolutely loving it,” Davies says. “This morning before I came to Pasadena I was sitting there reading the Doctor Who Series Companion Part 2 and reading about the cut scenes from ‘The Hungry Earth’, and I thought, ‘What a fan am I?' ’Can’t wait for the new series, can’t wait!”

The former Who showrunner went on to explain that he does have some creative links to the series, since he is in charge of the Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, but he does like to be left in the dark

“I really don’t want to know what’s happening,” he explains. “I have to know some things, because I am still running The Sarah Jane Adventures, and there’s no specific crossover, but we have to make sure we’re in the same universe. For example I got a call from my agent yesterday about something in Doctor Who, that I’m not going to tell you, but it thrilled me, and I thought God that’s exciting! I have tiny moments of contact, but I don’t want too many of them because I want to sit and watch it like a kid.”

[Source: Assignment X]

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott

RRP: £19.99

Release Date: 14th February 2011

Reviewed By: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 20th January 2011

Right from the off, The Ark is a story that grips the viewer, owing to the magnificent jungle set that gives us a sense of scale - not to mention the striking sight of the eventual villain, all within the first 60 seconds.

But all is not what it seems in this serial, that packs some shocking twists and suspenseful builds, to what turns out to be an incredibly intelligently constructed adventure.

The twist that comes at the end of Episode Two in particular is a direct example of the intelligence in the script. Throughout the first two episodes, the viewer simply accepts the fact that the Monoids are essentially slaves to the humans of the Ark. And only when the situation is flipped in Episode Three, do you suddenly realise the poignancy of this acceptance and how actions have consequences.

There are several morals within the story, but perhaps the most painstakingly obvious one is never time travel if you have a cold!

The DVD is rounded off with some connecting features that compliment the story.

The 'Commentary' is moderated by Toby Hadoke and features Peter Purves (Steven) & Michael Imison (Director). Toby does an excellent job of guiding the guests, of which both contribute evenly with some great stories and memories. One such story tells us how unaccommodating the BBC was to the Elephant (seen in Episode One) at the time, and how the director had to keep it in a van outside of his house, overnight.

'All's Wells That Ends Wells' looks at Doctor Who's connection to H.G. Wells, and the inspiration taken from his work. In particular looking at the similarities between The Ark, and H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The Sleeper Awakes and The War of the Worlds. It includes interviews with Matthew Sweet (Historian & Writer), Kim Newman (Novelist & Critic), Dominic Sandbrook (Historian & Writer), Tony Keen (Research Associate, Open University) & Graham Sleight (Editor, "Foundation").

Even fans of Wells' work will be surprised at just how much influence he appears to have given to this story.

'One Hit Wonder' casts a light on why some Doctor Who monsters only appeared once, with a spotlight on The Monoids, in particular. The feature includes interviews with Jacqueline Rayner (Author), Dominic Sandbrook (Historian & Writer), Kim Newman (Novelist & Critic) & Matthew Sweet (Writer & Historian).

This feature could have been a little longer, perhaps focusing on some of the other 'one hit wonders' such as The Zygons, The Sensorites or The Axons.

'Riverside Story' is a 20-minute feature that looks at London's Riverside Studios; Doctor Who's temporary home from 1964-1968.

Presented by Matthew Sweet as he brings Peter Purves back to the location, we learn about some of the challenges that The Ark faced, not to mention, how to build a Jungle within a spaceship!

The documentary also features sit-down interviews with Peter Purves and Michael Imison (Director).

Apart from the main story itself, this documentary is the set piece in The Ark DVD, adding newfound respect for a building that was instrumental in one of Doctor Who's most important periods.

The 'Coming Soon Trailer' is for the Mara Tales box-set. It's a terrific trailer, cut perfectly together with a slick soundtrack and CGI titles that will have you counting down the days until its release. The final spoken line in the trailer sums up the imminent release perfectly... "The Mara's waited a long time for this return, I think it plans to be spectacular".

As with previous releases, there are the usual 'Radio Times Billings', 'Photo Gallery' and 'Production Information Subtitles'.

Overall another solid release from 2|Entertain, with some excellent value added material. If the DVD could benefit from one thing, it would be a feature on the costume and make-up behind the visually stunning Monoids.

A more than worthwhile purchase for any fan of Doctor Who, H.G Wells or big wigs and one-eyed monsters!

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of The Gemini Contagion.

The ice-planet Vinsk, in the year 2112. The all-new anti-viral handwash, Gemini, has been laced with Meme-Spawn: a sentient micro-organism which makes the user fluent in every language in the universe. However, manufacturer Zalnex made one crucial mistake. They didn’t test Gemini on humans, who are seized by the violent urge to communicate but speak every language all at once – with a manic, garbled shriek – and pass on the virus by touch.

The Doctor and Amy arrive on an Earth-bound cargo-ship loaded with Gemini, where a human crew are succumbing to the virus which has nasty second and third phases in store. When the Doctor and Amy are separated, they both know that it’s only a matter of time before Amy is infected.

With the ship locked on course, and no way of curing the sufferers, the Doctor is faced with a terrible decision: does he save Amy, or Earth?

Meera Syal reads this exclusive audio story featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.

Written specially for audio by Jason Arnopp, ‘The Gemini Contagion’ is read by Meera Syal, who played Nasreen Chaudhry in the BBC TV episodes ‘The Hungry Earth’ and ‘Cold Blood’.

 The Gemini Contagion is released on 3rd March 2011, priced £9.25.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

David Tennant hosted this year's Radio Times Covers party at Claridges, and found a moment to cross his own time stream and get snapped with new who star Karen Gillan. 

The party was held to celebrate the Radio Times covers of 2010 where both Karen and David were presented with covers that they featured on.

Other guests at the party were Terry Wogan, Aidan Grimshaw, Jean Marsh, Keeley Hawes, Hugh Bonneville and David Morrissey.

[Source: Radio Times]

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: John Flanagan and Andrew McCulloch

RRP: £19.99

Release Date: 10th January 2011

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 19th January 2011

Meglos, despite some of its negative points, is, in essence, a Doctor Who story that was before its time. It is a story that, at its heart, deals with the struggle between religion and science.

As a viewer, you can't help feeling a struggle off-screen as well. You almost feel the tug of war between the writers, the script editor and the director, as they fight it out to gain their own narrative. And what we're left with, through sheer luck, is a melding of the three, that essentially benefits the story in a way that no single party could have done on their own.

Once you get past the dodgy wigs, and the tiresome time loop scenes, there are many elements that make this a rather enjoyable story.

Tom Baker, nearing the end of his tenure as The Doctor, puts in a sterling performance as Meglos, not to mention the welcome return of Jacqueline Hill as Lexa who bookends her Doctor Who career here. 

Then there is the truly fantastic make-up which makes the characterisation of Meglos even more villainous and believable. There are also some great FX shots in the story, combined with highly detailed models, that work together using the new Scene Sync technology - yet another example of the story being ahead of its time.

The DVD is rounded off with some excellent features that compliment the story.

The 'Commentary' features Lalla Ward (Romana II), John Flanagan (Writer), Christopher Owen (Earthling / Meglos) and Paddy Kingsland (Composer). John and Lalla seem to take turns guiding, but understandably, Christopher Owen tends to get lost in the background, and doesn't really seem to contribute much until the final episode. Peter Howell (Composer) joins the commentary for Episode Three and offers an insight into some of his cues, as well as providing a refreshing critique to his own work. All in all, a fairly run of the mill commentary, that could have really benefited from Tom Baker's presence.

'Meglos Men'  is an 18-minute documentary that follows Writers; Andy McCulloch and John Flanagan as they retrace their steps into the past, into the genesis of Meglos. Checking out their old haunts, through to a modern-day meeting with Script Editor; Christopher H. Bidmead.

It's a fantastic little feature that is written, produced and directed by the fabulous Chris Chapman, who has risen the calibre of Doctor Who DVD documentaries to a whole new level.

'The Scene Sync Story' looks at how the pitfalls and limitations of Chroma Key gave way to research into the newly discovered Scene Sync technology - a process that ties two cameras together to pan in unison. 

The eye-opening documentary shows us how Meglos was a test run for the process, which has evolved and can now be seen in many modern day film and television productions. The feature includes Interviews with Peter Leverick and Roger Bunce (Cameramen) and Stephen Drewett (Visual Effects Designer).

'Jacqueline Hill: A Life in Pictures' looks at the life of Doctor Who Actress, Jacqueline Hill (Barbara, Lexa). It's a wonderful tribute to the woman whom we all know from Doctor Who, but paints the wider, and to most of us, unknown picture of her life through to her untimely death. It was surprising to learn that Jacqueline was responsible for Sean Connery getting his first leading role, thanks to a suggestion to her Director husband, Alvin Rakoff. The feature includes interviews with William Russell (Actor), Verity Lambert (Producer), Alvin Rakoff (Director / Husband) and Ann Davies (Friend / Actress).

'Entropy Explained' is presented by Dr. Phillip Trowoga from the University of Westminster, and takes a scientific look at the running theme through Season 18 of Doctor Who - Entropy; the measure of disorder of a system. Picking through the laws of thermodynamics, it breaks down the technical speech into easy to understand explanations and situations.

The 'Coming Soon Trailer' features The Mutants, and isn't as well put together as previous trailers, too many fast cuts and no real energy behind the trailer music leads to it failing to really sell the story.

As with previous releases, there are the usual 'Radio Times Billings', 'Photo Gallery' and 'Production Information Subtitles', as well as an 'Easter Egg' that gives us a clean version of the final Fourth Doctor title sequence.

The extra content that we have here, is certainly of a high quality, but going on past form, it does feel a little feature-light. It was surprising to find no feature on the stunning make-up that gave this story such a visual impact, and Tom Baker's involvement, apart from the story itself is non-existent - despite being a Baker-heavy serial.

It is most definitely worth its retail price, with both 'Meglos Men' and 'Jacqueline Hill: A Life in Pictures' taking the main stage.

BBC Worldwide have sent DWO a press release for an exciting new toy range coming this Spring:

BBC Worldwide is delighted to announce a major new deal with Character Options’ new Construction division which will see Doctor Who enter the construction toy market for the first time.

The Character Building range will include 3D micro-figures, brought to life with sculpted facial features whilst play sets will be uniquely tailored to Doctor Who. Fans will be able to build their own Doctor Who world with all their favourite characters including the Doctor and Amy Pond with their famous foes the Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels.

Distinctive to the Character Building range will be the use of texture on some of the building blocks, whether it be the sleek and smooth edges of a spaceship, or the rough edges of a rock face. This will be pivotal in recreating each environment, providing a natural look, but still allowing easy construction play.  The entire range will be displayed at the Character Options stand at the London Toy Fair with the first products set for release in Spring 2011.

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have already seen their new figures and commented: 

Matt Smith: “It was very surreal and funny coming face to face with a miniature version of myself as the Doctor but I’m glad that the Doctor’s trusty Sonic Screwdriver is in his hand, ready to fend off attacks from monsters!”

Karen Gillan: “I absolutely love these miniature toys of The Doctor and Amy Pond despite the strange sensation of seeing myself immortalised in plastic and miniature and buildable...and dissectible. I'm loving Pond's flaming ginger mane and it’s funny to think that The Doctor and Amy are small enough to travel around in someone's pocket!

Richard Hollis, Head of UK Licensing at BBC Worldwide said: “We are delighted to build on our existing relationship with Character Options. We’ve worked successfully with them in the past and the quality and imagination they put into their toys is outstanding.  This new venture offers the perfect play pattern for Doctor Who fans and opens up a fascinating and innovative genre. We believe that this is a fantastic new project and we’re really excited to see how popular these toys will become”.

Jon Diver, Character Group’s Joint Managing Director, commented: “This new project represents a major investment for us and we are delighted to be increasing our Doctor Who portfolio. In doing so we will also be supplying a new option to the child constructor who will now have the choice of a construction toy that has all the excitement and appeal that the licences brings with them.”

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of Doctor Who And... The Ribos Operation.

Reluctantly cancelling his well-earned holiday, the Doctor sets off in the Tardis to trace and re-assemble the six segments of the Key to Time on which the stability of the entire Universe depends.

Assisted by the argumentative Romanadvoratrelundar and K9, he lands on the planet Ribos in search of the first segment and finds himself entangled in the machinations of two sinister strangers, Garron and the Graff Vynda Ka. 

Who are they? Is Garron simply a shady confidence-trickster dealing in interplanetary real estate? Is the Graff Vynda Ka just a power-crazed exile bent on revenge? Or are they both really agents of the Black Guardian, intent upon seizing the precious Key in order to throw the Universe into eternal chaos? Risking his life within the monster-infested catacombs of Ribos, the Doctor has to use all his wit and ingenuity to find out...

This is an exciting unabridged reading, with music and sound effects, and this novelisation of a classic Doctor Who adventure, first published by Target Books in 1979.

 Doctor Who And... The Ribos Operation is released on 3rd March 2011, priced £12.99.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

The BBC have released details on the BBC iPlayer performance for December 2010.

The Doctor Who Christmas special (A Christmas Carol) faired particularly well, landing in 8th place with over 700,000+ downloads.

1) Top Gear USA Road Trip – 1,294,000

2) Top Gear Middle East Special – 1,260,000

3) The Apprentice Series 6 Episode 12 – 892,000

4) The Apprentice Series 6 Episode 9 – 849,000

5) Come Fly With Me Episode 1 – 783,000

6) The Apprentice Series 6 Episode 10 – 718,000

7) The Apprentice Series 6 Episode 11 – 718,000

8) Doctor Who A Christmas Carol 25/12/2010 – 716,000

9) The Apprentice Series 6 The Final Episode 14 – 624,000

10) EastEnders 25/12/10 – 610,000

In total the service saw over 145 Million requests for TV and Radio programming during December 2010.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

The BBC Doctor Who website is looking ahead to the Series 6 USA episodes, with a week of US-themed wallpapers, video clips and jigsaws.

The first clip, which we have included below, was aired on the BBC America website and channel, and features The Doctor and Amy in the Utah desert:

 Check Out the BBC Doctor Who website!

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of Genesis of the Daleks.

Starring Tom Baker as the Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane, this digitally-remastered edition of the classic "Doctor Who" TV episodes features a special vinyl-look CD and original LP sleeve notes.

Doctor Who, with his travelling companions, Sarah and Harry, has landed on a desolate planet called Skaro. As he surveys the barren landscape, a Time Lord appears and tells him he has been brought there to try and avert the creation of the Daleks, and thus prevent them from being the dominant creature in the Universe...

With linking narration by Tom Baker, this condensed version of the original TV episodes includes one of the most memorable and dramatic moments in the history of "Doctor Who": the Doctor's moral dilemma about whether he has the right to destroy the Daleks forever.

"Vintage Beeb": classic albums first available as BBC LPs, now reissued on CD.

 Genesis of the Daleks is released on 3rd February 2011, priced £5.99.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of Doctor Who And... The War Games.

Mud, barbed wire, the smell of death...

The year is 1917 and the TARDIS has materialised on the Western Front during the First World War. Or has it? For very soon the Doctor finds himself pursued by the soldiers of Ancient Rome; and, then he and his companions are reliving the American Civil War of 1863. And is this really Earth, or just a mock-up created by the War Lords?

As Doctor Who solves the mystery, he has to admit he is faced with an evil of such magnitude that he cannot combat it on his own - he has to call for the help of his own people, the Time Lords.

So, for the first time, it is revealed who is Doctor Who - a maverick Time Lord who 'borrowed' the TARDIS without permission. By appealing to the Time Lords he gives away his position in Time and Space. Thus comes about the Trial of Doctor Who...

David Troughton reads Malcolm Hulke's complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1979.

 Doctor Who And... The War Games is released on 3rd February 2011, priced £13.25.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

Manufacturer: BBC Audio / AudioGO

RRP: £13.99

Release Date: 22nd November 2010

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 16th January 2011

Doctor Who: The Essential Companion, could be considered as somewhat of an experiment, as New Series Audiobooks go, but it's most definitely an experiment that works, and one which will hopefully pave the way for future series of the show.

What we have here is a narrated retelling of the stories and events that occurred throughout Series 5 of Doctor Who combined with expositional sound clips from the show.

Alex Price, who portrayed the character of Francesco in the Series 5 story, The Vampires of Venice, provides the narration, and offers a warm and engaging link that knits the audiobook together quite seamlessly.

Spread out over two CD's and at a retail price of just £13.99, the product definitely lives up to its name as the essential companion.  Disc One looks at Series 5 through to the end of The Vampires of Venice, and Disc Two neatly covers right through to the end of The Big Bang.

Even if you own the complete series 5 on DVD, this acts as a great accompaniment - and one that enables the listener to experience those 13 episodes in a brand new, and exciting way.

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine has printed an updated schedule for Series Six (that's what we're calling it) of Doctor Who.

Episode 1 & Episode 2

Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Toby Haynes

The two-part season opener sees The Doctor, Amy and Rory embarking on an epic adventure in 1960s America. The team are joined once again by the mysterious River Song, played by Alex Kingston, while Stuart Mulligan and Mark Sheppard guest star in major roles. Scenes have been shot in the Utah desert as well as other locations in the USA.

Episode 3

Written by Steve Thompson

Formerly Episode 9. The episode is set to film shortly as part of Block Four.

Episode 4

Written by Neil Gaiman, Directed by Richard Clark

Moved from its original position of Episode 3, the much-anticipated story by award-winning author, Neil Gaiman. The adventure guest-stars Suranne Jones playing someone who "might just turn out to be an old acquaintance with a new face".

Episode 5 & Episode 6

Written by Matthew Graham, Directed by Julian Simpson

Tentatively titled The Rebel Flesh and Gangers. The guest cast includes, Raquel Cassidy, Marshall Lancaster, Sarah Smart and Mark Bonnar.

Episode 7

Written by Steven Moffat

The concluding script for the first half of the season, which forms half of the fourth recording block along with Episode 3.

Episode 8

Written by Steven Moffat

The opener for the second half of Series Six, which will air in September 2011. This concludes the cliffhanger in Episode 7.

Episode 9

Written by Mark Gatiss, Directed by Richard Clark

Previously Episode 4. The guest cast includes, Daniel Mays, Andrew Tiernan, Leila Hoffman, Emma Cunniffe, Jamie Oram and Sophie Cosson.

Episode 10

No further details.

Episode 11

No further details.

Episode 12 & Episode 13

Written by Steven Moffat

** Further updates will be added in new News page updates, in the meantime, you can follow The Expanding Guide to Series Six in the DWO Forums.

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine - Issue #430]

2|Entertain have confirmed all the Doctor Who DVD titles they will be releasing in 2011, along with a few extras to tantalise us in the meantime.

Meglos - Out Now

The Mutants - 31st January

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Race Against Time documentary on race

-  Mutt Mad ('making-of' documentary)

The Ark - 14th February

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Riverside Studios documentary

-  All's Wells that Ends Wells documentary

-  One Hit Wonder documentary

Mara Tales (Contains: Kinda & Snakedance) - 7th March

Kinda - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Optional CGI Effects

-  Feature on director, Peter Grimwade

-  Original studio footage

-  Dreamtime ('making-of' documentary)

-  Matthew Waterhouse on Top of the Pops

Snakedance - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Snake Charmer ('making-of' documentary

-  Deleted and Extended Scenes

-  Part Four alternative ending

-  Original studio footage

Revisitations 2 (Contains: Carnival of Monsters, Resurrection of the Daleks & The Seeds of Death) - 28th March

Carnival of Monsters - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Destroy all Monsters ('making-of' documentary)

-  The Mary Celeste Mystery documentary

-  Early edit of Episode 2

-  The A-Z of Gadgets documentary

-  On Target With... Ian Marter

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

Resurrection of the Daleks - Special Features:

-  New Commentary on UK two-part transmission version

-  UK two-part transmission version

-  New 5.1 mix for two-part transmission version

-  Isolated score for two-part transmission version

-  Casting Far and Wide

-  Come In Number Five (era documentary, presented by David Tennant)

-  Easter Egg

-  Tomorrow's Times: The Fifth Doctor

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Seeds of Death - Special Features:

-  Audio Trailer

-  Lords of the Red Planet documentary

-  Monsters Who Came Back for More documentary

-  Monster Masterclass

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

Planet of the Spiders - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  90-minute compilation version

-  Jon Pertwee on Wogan

-  John Kane Remembers

-  The Final Curtain documentary

-  Directing Who: Barry Letts

-  Now and Then locations documentary

Mannequin Mania (Contains: Spearhead from Space & Terror of the Autons) - Release Date TBA

Spearhead from Space - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Regenerations; From Black and White To Colour

-  UNIT Recruitment Film

-  Down To Earth ('making-of' documentary)

-  All four episodes newly restored from high definition telecine transfer

Terror of the Autons - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Nestle Comic Strip

-  Additional footage from Episode One

-  Plastic Fantastic documentary

-  Isolated Score

-  Down to Distraction ('making-of' documentary)

Frontios - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Isolated Score

-  Driven To Distraction ('making-of' documentary)

EarthStory (Contains: The Awakening & The Gunfighters) - Release Date TBA

The Awakening - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  'Horse destroys gate' outtake

-  On The Cutting Room Floor

-  Kamelion deleted scene

-  Barry Newbery: Designer documentary

-  Back to Little Hodcombe documentary

-  Location footage compilation

-  Now and Then locations documentary

The Gunfighters - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  End of the Line? documentary

-  Tomorrow's Times: The First Doctor

Paradise Towers - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Girls Girls Girls: 1980s

-  Horror on the High-Rise ('making-of' documentary)

-  All four episodes with original, rejected score by David Snell

-  Jigsaw

Revisitations 3 (Contains: The Tomb of the Cybermen, The Robots of Death & The Three Doctors) - Release Date TBA

The Tomb of the Cybermen - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Tomb and the Magic of VidFIRE documentary

-  All four episodes VidFIREd for the first time

-  Sky Ray promotional TV spot

-  Lost Giants documentary

-  Curse of the Cybermen's Tomb documentary

-  Cybermen (extended edition of the documentary that appeared on a box-set of more recent episodes)

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Robots of Death - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Sandmine Murders ('making-of' documentary)

-  Robophobia documentary

-  Girls Girls Girls: 1970s

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Three Doctors - Special Features:

-  'Making-of' documentary

-  When Doctor Who Was Uncool documentary

-  Episode encoding/authoring errors on original release fixed

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Solar System (Contains: The Ambassadors of Death & The Sun Makers) - Release Date TBA

The Ambassadors of Death - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Battle for Mars Probe 7 ('making-of' documentary

-  Tomorrow's Times: The Third Doctor

The Sun Makers - Special Features:

-  TX Trail

-  Running From the Tax Man ('making-of' documentary)

-  Doctor's Composer: Dudley Simpson

Day of the Daleks - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Special Edition with new visual & audio FX, and new Dalek voices from Nicholas Briggs

-  Blasting Past documentary

-  Blue Peter

-  Cheating Memory documentary

-  Nationwide: Win A Dalek

-  UNIT: Dating Conundrum

-  View From the Gallery

-  New FX - Making-Of

-  Day of the Daleks Teaser Trailer cut exclusively for 'Now and Then' DWAS Event

-  Online teaser promo

As dates are confirmed, full details and covers will be added to the DWO Release Guide.

 Post a Question to 2|Entertain in the DWO Forums.

 Compare Prices for the Doctor Who DVD range on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine - Issue #430]

Owning a life-size Dalek is now an option for any fan willing to part with £179.99.

Zappies is the exclusive UK distributor for the new range of battery operated 'Ride-In' Daleks, which will be available from June 2011.

Standing at 128cm tall, the Dalek includes 360 degree movement, 10 sounds and phrases, as well as lights inside the sitting unit.

Don't get too excited though... these toys are aimed at children between 3-6 years - not that it will stop most of us from trying it out, but bearing the RRP, it may be a costly mistake. :)

[Source: Zappies]

David Tennant and Catherine Tate, appearing on BBC Breakfast this morning, have confirmed that they will be working together again in Much Ado About Nothing, at London's Wyndhams Theatre.

The Shakespeare play is said to be directed by Mark Rylance, and performances will commence from 16th May through to September 2011.

Tennant will play the part of Benedick, a role the actor has previously stated he would love to play, and Tate will play Beatrice.

[Sources: BBC Breakfast, What's On Stage]

The BBC have been in touch with some more details on the new series of Torchwood, now titled; Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer, Alexa Havins and Arlene Tur join John Barrowman and Eve Myles for new series as plot and character details exclusively revealed.

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network, Starz Entertainment, today announced new cast, plot and character details for the new series of hit BBC ONE  hit drama Torchwood. This highly anticipated new series will have the title Torchwood: Miracle Day and will premiere this July.

ER and Lie To Me star Mekhi Phifer will play Rex Matheson, a C.I.A. operative who joins forces with Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper to fight a global conspiracy that reaches from Washington to Wales and the slums of Shanghai whilst Bill Pullman, best known for his big screen roles such as While You Were Sleeping and Independence Day will take on the role of Oswald Danes, a convicted child killer who survives his own execution to become the most infamous man on the planet.

Also making their Torchwood debuts are Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond, a deskbound C.I.A employee who dreams of active duty and who suddenly finds herself running alongside Jack, Gwen and Rex; and Arlene Tur as Dr Vera Juarez, a Washington D.C. surgeon, who ends up on the frontline of medical care on “Miracle Day” advising the government think-tanks on the best course of action for the world’s population. 

The plot of Miracle Day is the most explosive Torchwood storyline yet. One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep aging -- they get hurt and sick -- but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four months’ time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy.  The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?", he’s drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper respectively.

The 10-episode instalment has been written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions.

Davies and BBC Worldwide Productions’ SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter, and BBC Wales’ Bethan Jones. The series has been commissioned by Controller BBC Drama, Ben Stephenson, and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.

BBC Worldwide, having previously distributed Torchwood to territories such as Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, Russia and across Latin America will distribute the new series to broadcasters globally.

While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will feature locations in Wales, the US and around the world.

The series was originally commissioned and produced in 2006 by BBC Cymru Wales, with the latest high octane series, Torchwood: Children of Earth capturing UK audiences of more than 6 million.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover and details for the February 2011 DVD release of The Ark.

The Ark

Featuring: William Hartnell as The First Doctor

Materialising in what appears to be a jungle on Earth, the Doctor, Steven and Dodo soon realise that things are not what they seem: the sky is made of steel, and the jungle merely a colossal life chamber in a craft that has embarked on the most important expedition in the history of mankind.

It is ten million years in the future, and the Earth is soon to be engulfed by the Sun in a catastrophic explosion. A gigantic space ark has been launched, taking the last humans to a new life on the distant planet of Refusis, serving the Guardians of Earth are the Monoids, mute reptilian aliens.

But the Ark's mission of deliverance is threatened by the arrival of the time travellers; Dodo inadvertently passes her cold to the Guardians - to them, it is a long-forgotten virus against which they have no defence. It is not long before people start to die and the TARDIS crew are on trial for their own lives.

Special Features:

• Commentary - stereo. With actor Peter Purves and director Michael Imison, moderated by Toby Hadoke.

• All’s Well’s That Ends Wells (dur. 13’ 14”) – just how much were ‘The Ark’ and many other of Doctor Who’s adventures through time and space inspired by the work of writer H.G. Wells? With writers and historians Matthew Sweet, and Dominic Sandbrook, author and critic Kim Newman, literary editor Graham Sleight and the Open University’s Dr. Anthony Keen.

• One Hit Wonder (dur. 4’ 33”) – the Monoids only appeared in one Doctor Who story, possibly with good reason. What gives certain monsters an enduring popularity, destined to return over and over, whilst others are doomed to appear only once? With author Jacqueline Rayner, writers and historians Dominic Sandbrook and Matthew Sweet, and author and critic Kim Newman.

• Riverside Story (dur. 20’ 17”) – Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios played host to the creation of many Doctor Who stories in the sixties. Matthew Sweet takes actor Peter Purves back to the studio that once also contained the Celestial Toyroom, the Plains of Troy and the planet Refusis to talk about the creation of ‘The Ark’. Also featuring director Michael Imison.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 3’ 26”) - production, design and publicity photos from the story.

[Source: 2|Entertain]

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, have launched a Classic Doctor Who Channel on YouTube.

The new channel, featuring a mixture of classic clips and exclusive previews from forthcoming Doctor Who DVD releases, will appeal to existing fans and give new viewers an opportunity to sample some classic Doctor Who.  The channel will complement the Classic Doctor Who Twitter account @classicdw run by 2|Entertain. 

Jo Warren, Head of UK & Ireland Sales says ‘We’re really looking forward to giving Classic Doctor Who its own home on YouTube.  It will be a great space for fans to discuss Classic Who - we’re launching with some fantastic clips and we’ll be regularly adding to the collection!’

Classic Doctor Who Brand Manager Dan Hall comments, “I’m delighted to join forces with our digital team and YouTube.  This is an exciting, new way to deliver content for our net-hungry market.”

Classic Doctor Who will launch on YouTube with over 45 clips dating from the first episode, along with new Meglos clips and an exclusive clip previewing the new Doctor Who Meglos DVD boxset which will be released by 2Entertain on 10th January.  Meglos stars Tom Baker and was originally broadcast in 1980.

Compare Prices for the Meglos DVD on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Various tabloids and online media are now reporting the news that former Doctor Who star, David Tennant, is engaged to Actress, Georgia Moffett.

Moffett, who has also appeared in the show as The Doctor's daughter, Jenny, has been dating Tennant for over two years.

Although an official confirmation of the news has yet to be made, a source speaking to UK tabloid, The Sun, stated that the couple are 'besotted with each other and cannot wait to tie the knot'. The couple are expecting to marry in early 2012.

DWO would like to extend its congratulations to David and Georgia.

Georgia Moffett is a guest in the DWO Forums, and is answering questions from her fans as part of our Ask & Answer section.

[Source: The Sun]

At the end of last night's Doctor Who Christmas special, the BBC aired a trailer for Series 6 of Doctor Who.

DWO have now uploaded an HD version of the trailer to our YouTube Channel, which you can view below:

[youtube:CnOeHDfN_V0]

[Source:  BBC]

The overnight ratings are in for 5.14: A Christmas Carol.

The episode achieved a rating of 10.3m, with an audience share of 39.8%. (This includes the BBC HD viewers).

Doctor Who was the second most-watched programme of Christmas Day, with EastEnders taking the top slot with 11.4 million viewers.

[Source: Andy Parish]

BBC Three's Doctor Who Confidential and YouTube video blogger, Charlie McDonnell, have uploaded the fourth behind-the-scenes video, which looks at this years Doctor Who Christmas Special, A Christmas Carol.

The feature can be found behind the BBC Red Button on Digital TV packages, and on the BBC's YouTube Channel.

The fourth video, 'Charlie and The Doctor's Badger' is now online and can be seen below:

[youtube:gldWm0oVAlQ]

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

It's Christmas Eve! And DWO have one final present for all our visitors before the big day. With all the Christmas shopping now done, and all the Christmas cards posted, it leaves just enough time to make a simple sweet treat, with a Doctor Who twist.

Join Seb as he attempts to follow his wife's recipe making some Dalek Sugar Cookies:

[youtube:7Naa_jrUNkw]

Let us know what you thought of the video, by rating and leaving your comments on the DWO YouTube Channel.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

BBC Three's Doctor Who Confidential and YouTube video blogger, Charlie McDonnell, have uploaded the third behind-the-scenes video, which looks at this years Doctor Who Christmas Special, A Christmas Carol.

The feature can be found behind the BBC Red Button on Digital TV packages, and on the BBC's YouTube Channel.

The third video, 'Charlie and the Christmas Lunch Bus' is now online and can be seen below:

[youtube:3vp9PyGbEX8]

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

As the big day approaches, we wanted to put together a final Christmas present to all our visitors. And so we present to you, our humble Christmas poem:

The Delight Before Christmas