The BBC today announced that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who next year.

An Adventure In Space And Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who since its first broadcast on 23rd November 1963. Exploring all aspects of the longest running science fiction series to date, the special one-off 90-minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.

Written by Mark Gatiss, it is executive produced by current Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat, and Caroline Skinner. The single drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson Controller, Drama, and Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two.

Mark Gatiss said: "This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true television original. And how an actor - William Hartnell - stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I've wanted to tell this story for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for Doctor Who's 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true."

Steven Moffat, Executive Producer, said: “The story of Doctor Who is the story of television - so it's fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.”

The production and transmission schedule will be confirmed next year, along with casting.

[Source: BBC Media Centre]

Mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg and Rachael Stirling are to star side by side in a Doctor Who adventure to be broadcast next year. It is the first time the pair have worked together on screen.

The actresses will play a mother and daughter with a dark secret alongside Matt Smith, as the Doctor, and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman. Filming began this week at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

Dame Diana Rigg, who played Emma Peel in The Avengers in the 1960s, will play "a Yorkshire local". She said:

"The first time Rachie and I will be working together is on an episode of Doctor Who specially written for us by Mark Gatiss. How lucky is that?"

Rachael Stirling said:

"I'm looking forward to the madness of Doctor Who enormously. Mark Gatiss has written a gift of a script and an on-screen relationship between Ma and I that is truly delicious. We have never before worked together because the offers have not been tempting, but when such a funny and original script comes through you know the time has come."

Stirling's TV work includes Women In Love and Tipping the Velvet.

Doctor Who's executive producer Steven Moffat said:

"Dame Diana Rigg, Rachael Stirling and a Mark Gatiss script - a combination of talents you could only get in Doctor Who! Frankly, I'm terrified already!"

[Source: BBC News]

Tom Baker is back at 79 Strand for the first time in over a year on Thursday May 24th, and is joined by Mark Gatiss, who as well as writing for and appearing in Doctor Who has of course written and starred in Sherlock to great acclaim. 

Ian McNeice who appeared in Doctor Who as Churchill and alongside Martin Clunes in Doc Martin will be joining Tom and Mark and it all kicks off at 10am and will last until mid afternoon. To meet the guests you will need to purchase a qualifying item from the range of Official Fletch Prints and Licensed covers that are on offer. Prices for a single signed item start at £15.

Also available will be a range of Exclusive Classic Action figure sets, the new TARDIS Teapot and a great array of Whovian memorabilia.

Don't worry if you cant get there. It's all available online from scificollector.co.uk.

[Source: SciFiCollector]

Series 7 of Doctor Who will begin airing on either Saturday 25th August or Saturday 1st September.

The possible airdates come after the announcement that Episode One of Series 7 will be getting its premiere at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival in August.

The festival, which takes place between 23rd-25th August 2012, will be screening the new Dalek episode (rumoured to be titled 'Asylum of the Daleks'), as well as hosting a Sherlock Masterclass led by Showrunner, Steven Moffat, Co-creator, Mark Gatiss, and Producer / Wife of The Moff, Sue Vertue.

DWO have therefore deduced (see what we did there) that Series 7 will either get its BBC One premiere on Saturday 25th August, or Saturday 1st September.

[Source: The Guardian]

Radio Times have confirmed that Imelda Staunton will be lending her vocal talents to the role of 'Voice of Interface' in 6.10: The Girl Who Waited.

BAFTA award-winning actress, Imelda, will be best known to cult fans for her role in the Harry Potter movies as Professor Dolores Umbridge.

In other casting news, the synopsis for the Series 6: Part 2 DVD confirms that Simon Callow (Charles Dickens in the Series One episode The Unquiet Dead), will be in the final episode of the season 6.13: The Wedding of River Song. The synopsis also confirms rumours that Mark Gatiss (New Series Writer & Professor Richard Lazarus in 3.6: The Lazarus Experiment), will also appear in the finale.

It is unknown at this point, which character he will be playing, but we cannot rule out a return to the role as Charles Dickens.

[Sources: Radio Times; 2|Entertain]

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]