Samuel Anderson (The History Boys, Gavin & Stacey, Emmerdale) is set to join the cast of Doctor Who as a recurring character in series 8, which will also introduce Peter Capaldi as The Doctor to millions of viewers for the first time.  Anderson will play Danny Pink, a teacher at Coal Hill School where companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) also teaches. 

On joining the show Samuel Anderson said:

"I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It’s a quintessential part of British culture and I can’t believe I’m part of it. It’s an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can’t wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!"

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, added:

"For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it’s the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi’s first series of Doctor Who!"

Filming recently began on episode 4 of the new series which will co-star Robert Goodman (Gangs of New York, Game of Thrones) and episode 5, co-starring Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, Groove High), and Pippa Bennett-Warner (The Smoke, Death in Paradise).

+  Series 8 of Doctor Who will air in August / Early September 2014.

[Source: BBC]

New Series Director, Ben Wheatley was recently interviewed for Science and Entertainment News site, io9, about the upcoming Eighth Series of Doctor Who, in which he describes it as "More like Classic Who".

Wheatley talks about the dark nature of the show and how Series 8 feels like it's going back to Doctor Who's darker roots:

"Oh yeah, Doctor Who is pretty dark, I think. Generally it's dark, it's always been dark. Even in the more modern ones. If you look at the Tom Baker stuff, it's especially dark. When he leaves Leela - who's a very beloved assistant - he just laughs after it. There's none of the [breaking down and crying]. He just laughs, and "on to the next one," you know. It's a bonkers show. It's a monster. To have a unity that runs eight years [of the new series]… it's pretty crazy.

They've done everything, they've tried all sorts of stuff. It seems to me the episodes that we're doing now seem more like classic Who. We're going back to that style. But you'll have to wait and see."

Wheatley also talks about Peter Capaldi's casting as The Doctor:

"With someone like Capaldi, he's a massive Who fan. He knows Who inside out. And everything he does is very, carefully planned and thought about. I remember when they first started talking to me about doing it, and I was very nervous for just those reasons. How do you shape this performance?

But then when I heard who was going to do it — when they told me it was Capaldi, [I thought] that's not really a problem. He's so good. I was relieved, pretty much. It would have been a very different situation if it had been another kind of Matt Smith character. A guy who you don't know. Molded from the start. But with Capaldi, you look at his career and you look at his performances they are all so brilliant, and all so different as well. It was a lucky break for me, I think that.

It was something I sought out. I got my agent to kind of badger them about doing, because I was a fan as a kid. But also because my kid was a fan of the show and I wanted to make something that he could see, for a change. That was it. And it's been very geeky indeed. Going into the TARDIS, I held the Sonic Screwdriver the other day, and that was a particular thrill. All sorts of stuff. Also stuff I can't talk about, that's been very, very exciting for me."

+  Series 8 of Doctor Who will air in August / Early September 2014.

[Source: io9]

With the reveal of The 12th Doctor's outfit earlier this week, we have been inundated with requests from fans wanting to know where they can buy it. DWO have done some digging, and we are thrilled to unveil our first 'Get The Look' guide!

View our image to accompany the guide, in the right-hand column!

Get The Look: The 12th Doctor 

Coat
by 'Crombie'
'Retro' Coat - Dark Blue with Red lining
Available at: www.crombie.co.uk

Cardigan
by 'Crombie'
Navy Merino Wool
Available at: www.crombie.co.uk

Boots
by 'Loake'
'Brogue' - Black, smooth leather
Available at: www.loake.co.uk or www.britboot.co.uk

Shirt
by 'Crombie'
White, 'Tommy Nutter' long-staple, cotton poplin
Available at: www.crombie.co.uk

Trousers
by Unknown Designer
Dark Blue

There have been online disputes questioning the designer of the boots, with the BBC initially reporting they were Dr Martens. DWO can confirm that the boots are in fact Loake's, and Peter Capaldi got them himself. Nicholas Roumana, the store owner of the Camden Town branch, told The Telegraph:

“Peter Capaldi came in a week or two before Christmas and said he was looking for a pair of smart dress boots. I suggested this one, because not only is it very smart, it’s exclusive to us and made in England. It’s a great boot. He bought it in size 10.”

What do you think of the costume? Leave your comments below, or in the DWO Forums!

[Source: DWO]

The BBC have unveiled the costume that Peter Capaldi will wear as The 12th Doctor!

The Doctor has a new look as Peter Capaldi’s era officially begins. In an image (pictured-right) released today by the BBC, Capaldi can be seen in the costume that will define his time as the Twelfth Time Lord in one of TV’s biggest roles.

Sporting a dark blue Crombie coat with red lining, dark blue trousers, a white shirt as well as black Dr. Marten shoes, the look was created by Doctor Who costume designer Howard Burden. 

Commenting on his costume, Peter Capaldi said:

“He's woven the future from the cloth of the past. Simple, stark, and back to basics. No frills, no scarf, no messing, just 100 per cent Rebel Time Lord.”

While lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat added:

“New Doctor, new era, and of course new clothes. Monsters of the universe, the vacation is over - Capaldi is suited and booted and coming to get you!” 

Filming for episode one of series 8 began earlier this month, after 10.2 million tuned-in on Christmas Day to get their first much-anticipated glimpse of Capaldi’s Doctor.

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, commented:

"Peter Capaldi's Doctor is officially recorded in history today with the unveiling of his new costume.  It's sharp, smart and stylish - The Twelfth Time Lord means business."

What do you think of the costume? Leave your comments below, or in the DWO Forums!

+  Find Out how to Get The Look, in our News item, here.

+  Series 8 of Doctor Who will air Autumn 2014 on BBC One. 

[Source: BBC]

The new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, stepped on set today for his first full day of filming as production begins on series eight of the hit BBC show.

Arriving on set in Cardiff to begin filming, Peter Capaldi, said:

“New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I'm emerging from the TARDIS into a whole other world.”

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, added:

“First the eyebrows! Then, at Christmas, the face! Coming soon, the whole Doctor. In the Cardiff studios, the Capaldi era begins.”

Accompanying The Doctor on his adventures will be companion Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman.

The first episode of series eight has been written by Steven Moffat, with the second episode penned by Phil Ford. These are the first episodes that Peter will shoot and they are directed by Ben Wheatley.

Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, said:

"Excitement and anticipation fills the air as Peter Capaldi’s Doctor takes control of the TARDIS for the very first time today. It’s going to be one hell of a ride and I can't wait for the journey to start."

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One, commented:

"A new year, a new face, a new Doctor! 2014 has arrived and it's Peter Capaldi's time so let the adventures begin!"

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until August 2014. Doctor Who is executive produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin, and produced by Nikki Wilson and Peter Bennett. It is a BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC One.

Just before Christmas DWO and Blogtor Who met Peter Capaldi who had the following to say on his new role and the upcoming series:

"I met with Matt last night, who gave me some advice about dealing with the attention. He's a lovely guy!

I've just been working this week on the new series and we did the read through yesterday. I've never seen so many people at a read through!

I hope you like the Christmas episode and to see what were going to do with the show."

Watch Peter Capaldi's DWO video greeting:

[youtube:YdKFnh-fzKI]
More news as we get it...

+  Series 8 of Doctor Who will air in August / Early September 2014.

[Sources: BBC; Tim Vine]

Speaking at last nights BFI, 11th Doctor Celebration Event, Steven Moffat confirmed that Series 8 of Doctor Who will not be split.

Back in October, Moffat also confirmed that there would be "at least 13 episodes" in Series 8, with no confirmation (as-yet) if it counts the 2014 Christmas Special.

There had previously been rumours that the series itself would consist of 12 episodes with the Christmas episode making up the thirteenth.

+  Series 8 of Doctor Who will air in August / Early September 2014.

[Sources: BBC; Tim Vine]

The title of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special has now been confirmed by the BBC as 'The Day Of The Doctor'.

We also have confirmation of the running time which will be 75 minutes approximately, as well as some of the other planned programming to surround the anniversary. 

Professor Brian Cox will be presenting a lecture on BBC Two on the science behind the hit show. This will be in addition to the drama 'An Adventure In Space and Time', written by Mark Gatiss. The one-off programme stars David Bradley, of the Harry Potter films, as William Hartnell.

BBC Four will introduce new audiences to Hartnell, with a re-run of the first ever story. The four episodes are being shown in a restored format, not previously broadcast in the UK.

BBC Two's flagship arts programme The Culture Show is to present Me, You and Doctor Who, with lifelong fan Matthew Sweet exploring the cultural significance of the BBC's longest running TV drama.

A 90-minute documentary on BBC Radio 2 will ask "Who Is The Doctor?" - using newly-recorded interviews and exclusive archive material to find an answer - while BBC Three will be home to several commissions.

Danny Cohen, Director BBC Television said:

"It's an astonishing achievement for a drama to reach its 50th anniversary. I'd like to thank every person - on both sides of the camera - who has been involved with its creative journey over so many years."

Smith has already started filming his final scenes as the Doctor, which are due to air in this year's Christmas episode. His replacement, Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, was announced in August.

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer on Doctor Who said:

"50 years has turned Doctor Who from a television show into a cultural landmark. Personally I can't wait to see what it becomes after a hundred."

[Sources: BBC News]

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 464 of DWM.

The Twelfth Doctor, Peter Capaldi, has a special exclusive message for the readers of Doctor Who Magazine! 

Doctor Who Magazine 464 goes behind the scenes of Doctor Who Live, the special show which finally revealed the identity of the Twelfth Doctor. The mag features interviews with the people who made it happen, including show runner STEVEN MOFFAT, presenter ZOË BALL and producer RUSSELL MINTON… and there's also has an exclusive letter from PETER CAPALDI himself! 

Steven Moffat tells DWM, “He’s always looked like Doctor Who, how has this taken us so long?! Because the moment you say his name, you go ‘Of course!’ Because he’s got the hair, and he’s got the look, he’s brilliant, he’s known to be a fan, of course it’s bloody him!”

ALSO THIS ISSUE:

WAITING IN THE WINGS…
STEVEN MOFFAT writes exclusively for DWM about how Peter Capaldi came to be chosen as the Twelfth Doctor.

NO HIDING…
The author of the recent episodes The Rings of Akhaten and Hide, and the creator of the acclaimed drama series Luther, NEIL CROSS talks exclusively to DWM about how he came to fulfil his dream of writing for Doctor Who.

OUT OF THE WILDERNESS…
In the second part of The Way Back, we continue to examine the rebirth of Doctor Who in the 21st and take a look at the other Ninth Doctor whose life was cut short after just one animated adventure, Scream of the Shalka - with contributions from RUSSELL T DAVIES, JULIE GARDNER, JANE TRANTER and many more…

BACK TO THE SIXTIES
The Seventh Doctor and Ace take a trip to 1960s London where the Doctor hidden a dangerous Time Lord artefact. Unfortunately, two opposing Dalek factions also want to get their suckers on it... Remembrance Of The Daleks from 1988 takes its turn under the scrutinising lens of FACT OF FICTION, which reveals new and fascinating facts about the production.

DEAD MAN WALKING
The Doctor is killed by an impossible astronaut – and that's just the start of his problems! DWM’s journey through Doctor Who’s long history arrives at 2011 and the thirty-second series, as COUNTDOWN TO 50 continues.

BLINKING MARVELLOUS?
Chris, Emma, Michael and Will are keeping their eyes open as they watch the award winning Doctor Who episode Bllink from 2007. What will our fearless Time Team make of Steven Moffat’s ‘Doctor-lite’ episode, and will they escape being sent back in time by the Weeping Angels? 

FIGHT AND FLIGHT!
The Doctor’s bug problems are bigger than ever as the over-sized insect Koragatta’s plans come to fruition and the Prime Mother and her swarm threaten the Earth, in the exciting final episode of the DWM comic strip A WING AND A PRAYER, written by SCOTT GRAY, with art by MIKE COLLINS.

THE BEST OF THE BEST
The votes have been counted in the 2012 DWM readers merchandise poll and the winners are revealed, including your favourite fiction and non-fiction books, audios, and DVD releases. Plus, we also reveal the top features, covers and interviews from DWM itself.

AIN’T MISBEHAVING…
Mother of twins and devoted fan JACQUELINE RAYNER shares those occasional embarrassing moments when Doctor Who has let her down in the company of friends and family, in this issue’s RELATIVE DIMENSIONS.

DOCTOR BLUE?
The Watcher takes his cue from the casting of Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor and selects the TARDIS Swear-Box as this issue’s A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects; presents a Capaldi-themed joke in What a Load of Rubeish; and celebrates another extra in Supporting Artist of the Month. Plus regeneration forms the basis of the brain tease in The Six Faces of Delusion and a Top Ten Fine Wines with a Doctor Who vintage are revealed. All in this issue’s WOTCHA!

PLUS! All the latest official news, TV and merchandise reviews, previews, competitions, a prize-winning crossword and much, much more!

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #464 is Out Tomorrow, priced £4.75.

+  Subscribe Worldwide to DWM for just £85.00 via CompareTheDalek!

+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Amid much hype and speculation, Peter Capaldi was unveiled as the next Doctor during a special live television event on BBC One tonight.

Widely regarded as one of the biggest roles in British television, Capaldi will be the Twelfth Doctor and takes over from Matt Smith who leaves the show at Christmas.

Peter Capaldi says:

“Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer says:

“It's an incendiary combination: one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television. Peter Capaldi is in the TARDIS!”

Doctor Who companion, Jenna Coleman says:

"I'm so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the Twelfth Doctor. With Steven's writing and his talent I know we'll be making an amazing show with an incredible incarnation of number 12. I can't wait to start this new adventure!"

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One says:

"Peter Capaldi has all the genius and versatility needed to take on the mantel of the great Time Lord and make the role his own.  He'll bring his own particular wisdom, charisma and wit to the Twelfth Doctor and take the show into an exciting new era.” 

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says:

“We started thinking Peter Capaldi might be the right person to take on this iconic part a few months ago. But it was only when he did a secret audition at Steven's house under the cover of darkness that we knew we had our man. He's an extraordinarily talented actor who can seemingly turn his hand to anything. We can't wait to premiere his unique take on the Doctor on Christmas Day and we are sure he's going to become one of the all-time classic Doctors.” 

Doctor Who Online, fan website says:

"The casting of Peter Capaldi has thrilled a lot of fans. Peter will bring a new angle on the character and mix up the Doctor / Companion relationship. The calibre of acting he brings to the role is stellar and we are incredibly excited to see his first scenes this Christmas. So good to see him introduced on stage during Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor; thumbing his blazer lapels in a Hartnell-style was a knowing nod for the fans, and it's awesome to know he is such a big fan himself."

See Peter introduce himself as The Doctor in the video below:

Peter Capaldi's Biography:

Peter Capaldi is an award winning actor, film maker and lifelong Doctor Who fan. He has enjoyed an illustrious career to date in both film and television.

Before securing the coveted role of the Twelfth Doctor, Peter first appeared in Doctor Who in 2008, playing Caecilius in the episode "The Fires of Pompeii".

Peter grew up in Glasgow and attended the Glasgow School of Art, while studying there he secured his first breakthrough role in Local Hero (1983). He has also had roles in Dangerous Liaisons, The Crow Road, The Devil’s Whore and Torchwood: Children of Earth.

It is his role as Government spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC comedy series, The Thick of It , that has earned Peter both international and award success. In 2010 he won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Role and the BPG Best Actor Award. In both 2010 and 2012, Peter won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor.  A film spin-off from The Thick of It, entitled In the Loop, was released in 2009.

As well as appearing in front of the camera, Peter is an award winning film maker.  In 1995, he won the Oscar for Best Short Film (Live Action) for Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life.  He also wrote Soft Top, Hard Shoulder, which won the audience award at the London Film Festival, and wrote and directed Strictly Sinatra. Peter's stage credits include Professor Marcus in The Ladykillers at the Liverpool Playhouse, which saw the play transfer to the Gielgud Theatre in London.

2013 has been a busy year for Peter who has been seen on screen in the film World War Z and in BBC Two drama series The Hour, for which he was BAFTA nominated. Not only will Peter film his first scenes for Doctor Who this Autumn, but he will appear in the forthcoming film The Fifth Estate and the Disney film Maleficent.

Peter is currently filming new BBC One drama series The Musketeers, in which he plays Cardinal Richelieu which will launch in early 2014.

Photo copyright to Rankin.

[Source: BBC]