DWO interviews Doctor Who Actor, Warwick Davis, regarding his role as 'Porridge' in the Neil Gaiman-penned, Doctor Who episode; 'Nightmare In Silver', his career as an actor as well as the upcoming Star Wars movies.

You've worked your way through some of the biggest cult Movies and TV Shows of all time, how did you feel adding the Doctor Who notch to your belt?

I am very fortunate in my career to have been involved in some amazing projects - among them, some really big franchise movies. Getting a role in Doctor Who has been a career ambition ever since I can remember.

I was such a fan of the programme when I was young, and I always imagined being The Doctor. I used to borrow my dads old tyre pressure gauge which looked a lot like a sonic screwdriver and stand in my wardrobe, pretending it was the Tardis. Trouble was, it actually felt smaller on the inside!

I met Jon Pertwee when I was about eight and worked with Tom Baker on the BBC series 'The Silver Chair'. I suppose Tom was 'my' Doctor much in the same way people refer to 'their' James Bond.

Without giving too much away, can you tell us a bit about your character Porridge in 'Nightmare In Silver' and what it was like working with a script from the legendary Neil Gaiman?

Porridge is a very interesting character, with a cool back story. All I can say is, he's quite an important person universally.

Neil Gaiman's script is fantastic and it was a pleasure to play the scenes he wrote. And he included Cybermen - what more could I ask! I sincerely hope the fans enjoy it. I've already received a very warm welcome from them, even before the episode has aired which I hope will continue after they've seen it.

With a new series of Stars Wars movies now confirmed, would you be up for a return to the galaxy far, far away?

Of course, I'd love to. I'd like to play a villain...with a lightsaber. Now that would be cool!

The 'Life's Too Short' special was fantastic (as was the first series) can we expect any more, and what other projects do you have coming up that we can look out for?

The special is it, for now. It's down to schedules and timing. Ricky and Stephen are busy people, but we all enjoy working together, so if we can find time, we'll do more. I am currently developing several documentary series, and a radio show. I have my own YouTube channel called 'The Multiverse'. It's the home of sci-fi and fantasy comedy for the geek in all of us. We are producing some brilliant, original shows (many of which I am in too). Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE for free to be the first to see brand new episodes.

I am soon to start shooting a 10 part fantasy / comedy series I have written, and will be directing and appearing in. It's called 'Dwarves Assemble'. I also have a new company that sells exclusive signed memorabilia, in particular, for the first time anywhere, licensed 'Harry Potter' autographs. There is a lot of cool stuff there already, and I'll be adding more all the time. Check it out here: www.thesignatureshop.co.uk.

Finally, if you could take a round trip in the TARDIS anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

I'd like to check out old London around the time of the plague. I know it sounds odd, but I've always been fascinated by that period in history and I think it would be good to wander around for a bit and take in the atmosphere (not the plague though).

+ Buy Warwick's 'Size Matters Not' Autobiography on Amazon for just £7.19!
+ Subscribe to 'The Multiverse' YouTube Channel!
+ Follow Warwick Davis on Twitter!

[Source: DWO]

The fifth instalment in a sensational series of stories celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who is written by Patrick Ness, multi-award winning author of the Chaos Walking trilogy and the Carnegie winning A Monster Calls.

Speaking to DWO, Patrick had the following to say on his upcoming title:

"I was delighted to be asked! And the Fifth Doctor is so interesting, too. I've been saying he's the one of all of them who would most likely be a novelist. Always watching, observing, before leaping into action.

Tip of the Tongue is about a fad that's swept through the teens of a small Maine town during WWII. And of course, nothing is what it seems.  Maybe I shouldn't say anymore.

But I did think, as this Doctor is the most observant of all the Doctors, why not make this story one of those where he doesn't actually take centre-stage?  One of those where a non-canon character is the lead and we see the Doctor through their eyes. I always like those episodes. They really remind you of the wonderful strangeness of the Doctor"

Synopsis:

In 1945, a strange new craze for Truth Tellers is sweeping the kids of small-town America. The Fifth Doctor and Nyssa soon arrive to investigate the phenomenon, only to discover that the actual truth behind the Truth Tellers is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined…

Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.

About the author:

Born in Virginia, USA Patrick Ness spent his upbringing in the states of Hawaii, Washington and California before moving permanently to the UK.

He is the author of the Chaos Walking trilogy which established him as one of the most original and exciting writers of today. The trilogy has won many awards including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Patrick’s sixth book A Monster Calls received high critical acclaim and is the winner of the Children’s Book of the Year Award at the Galaxy National Book Awards, the Red House Children’s Book Award and the UKLA Children’s Book Prize.

In June 2012, A Monster Calls became the first book ever to win both prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. His highly anticipated new novel for adults, The Crane Wife, was inspired by a Japanese folk tale and just published by Canongate in April 2013.

A daring new YA novel More Than This is forthcoming later this year from Walker (Candlewick in the US).

+  Tip Of The Tongue is released on 23rd May 2013, Priced £1.99.

+  Preorder this eBook on Amazon for £1.99.
+  Preorder this eBook from iTunes for £1.99.

+  Check Out Patrick Ness's Website.

[Source: Puffin Books]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.11: The Crimson Horror.

The episode achieved a figure of 4.61m viewers, with an audience share of 25.2%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, once again winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 4th May:

1 - 10.13m - Britain's Got Talent - ITV1 (Includes +1)
2 - 7.99m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 4.61m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

Series 7 Part 2 Final BARB Ratings roundup:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John = 8.44m
7.7: The Rings Of Akhaten = 7.45m
7.8: Cold War = 7.37m 
7.9: Hide = 6.61m

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

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:

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

[Source: DWO]

DWO’s spoiler-free preview of episode 7.12 Nightmare in Silver:

When The Doctor takes Clara, Artie, and Angie to Hedgewick’s World of Wonders, the greatest theme park in the galaxy, they find themselves in a run-down world, where a group of soldiers stand guard, and the only attraction is a shabby collection of ‘wonders’ from across the stars. But the time travellers aren’t the only visitors to this world. Unusual insects climb the walls, relaying data to ensure the re-emergence of the Cyberiad… 

It may seem like an odd decision to pit The Doctor against The Cybermen in the penultimate episodes of both the Sixth and Seventh series, but the role they play in events are wildly different between the two stories. Whereas 2011’s Closing Time features a group of tin soldiers who were on their last legs, Nightmare in Silver is very much about looking to the future, and creating the next phase of The Cybermen. 

Writer Neil Gaiman recently commented that he was asked to write the episode with a brief to make The Cybermen scary again:

"I thought, 'Let me see what I can do when I take the 1960s Cybermen and [incorporate] everything that's happened since'. So that's what I'm trying to do. I don't know if it will work."

We're pleased to report that not only does it work, but it works brilliantly. The episode is littered with references to the Cybermen’s past - with design elements from The Tomb of the Cybermen bleeding through into the new design of a Cyber-ship, to references concerning the creatures’ previous allergies and leaders. For a fan of the 20th century version of Doctor Who, this episode is a real treasure trove. 

The Cybermen themselves have had a complete design overhaul, too, which makes them more streamlined that the version the programme has used since 2006. This new design takes in elements from the earliest versions of the creatures, while fully updating them to look sleek and modern. The design also brings with it some new forms of attack, and takes the opportunity to re-appropriate the idea of a Cyberman ‘upgrade’.

But the new-look Cybermen aren’t Nightmare in Silver’s only big draw. The episode boasts a fantastic cast, including Jason Watkins (best known for his role as vampire leader Herrick in Being Human), and a long-overdue appearance in the series for Warwick Davis, Who shines in the role of ‘Porridge’. 

As ever, the episode allows plenty of time to showcase its two lead stars, even giving Matt Smith plenty of time to share the screen with himself, as he battles with the impending threat of a cyber-war. Jenna-Louise Coleman gets to show us what Clara is really made of, when The Doctor leaves her in charge of a platoon of soldiers with two simple instructions - stay alive, and don’t let anyone blow up the planet.

Stephen Woolfenden makes his directorial debut for Doctor Who with this episode, having worked as a second unit director on four of the Harry Potter films, and as a First Assistant Director on Gaiman’s Neverwhere in the 1990s. He brings a bold new look to the series with this episode, and it’s hard not to get swept up in the epic style of the episode. 

Speaking of Nightmare in Silver at the MCM Expo Comic Con in London last year, Matt Smith predicted that the episode would be a ‘fan’s favourite’, and we don’t think he’s going to be wrong!

Five things to look out for...

1) It’s not the Moon.

2) “We all know there are no more living Cybermen…”

3) The Doctor encounters the 699th Wonder of the World.

4) Time Lords invented chess.

5) Nobody needs rescuing from anything. 

[Sources: DWO; Will Brooks]

Our friends over at The Westminster Collection have just sent us details of their band new framed collection of Doctor Who Royal Mail Stamps.

With this year being the the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who - the world’s longest running science fiction series - Royal Mail have celebrated with the launch of a special set of 11 new stamps. Now you can own them ALL in one superb Limited Edition Framed Presentation - officially licensed with BBC Worldwide Ltd.

The stamps feature each of the actors who have played The Doctor over the last five decades - from the present Doctor, Matt Smith, through David Tennant, Christopher Eccleston, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton, to the very First Doctor, William Hartnell.

Significantly, ONLY 9,500 collections have been postmarked with the special TARDIS postmark on their First Day of Issue – 26th March 2013 with a specially designed TARDIS postmark – and each will arrive individually numbered and professionally framed, ready to hang in your home.

We already have one hanging in our office and I know they are selling quickly, so please make sure you don't miss out by ordering today!

+  Order The Westminster Collection Doctor Who Framed Stamps Collection.

[Sources: The Westminster Collection]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world’s longest running sci-fi series Doctor Who in 2013, Toys ”R” Us will launch a special 5-inch action figure collection that includes all eleven reincarnations of the Doctor alongside his most infamous foe – the Daleks.

Commencing from May 2013, 11 limited edition commemorative twin packs will be launched, each featuring a different Doctor together with the Dalek design that he faced in his adventures.

The first three packs will be available to pre-order from 1st May and comprise of;

The Second Doctor played by Patrick Troughton and the Silver and Blue Dalek he faced in The Evil of the Daleks.

The Sixth Doctor played by Colin Baker and the White and Gold Dalek he encountered in Revelation of the Daleks.

The Tenth doctor played by David Tennant and the formidable Bronze Dalek that attempted to exterminate the universe in The Stolen Earth.

The 5-inch figure sets are incredibly detailed and expected to be hotly sought after by fans. Each set is only available for a limited time, and will be replaced by another three sets from this unique series in the summer, details of which will be announced soon.

Mike Coogan, Marketing Director at Toys “R” Us commented:

“We are delighted and excited to be able to offer our customers this commemorative Doctor Who action figure collection. There are so many fans of the Doctor and collectors from the past 50 years who will be eager to own mementos of the anniversary year and these prestigious twin packs will have special meaning to them, whatever their age.”

The first three exclusive Doctor Who Doctor and Daleks sets at Toys “R” Us will be priced at £19.99 and fans will be able to pre-order online from 1st May 2013. Updates on expected delivery of sets will be notified via the Toys ”R” Us UK Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/toysrusuk.

[Sources: Character Options]

Earlier this year, Topps released their new Doctor Who Alien Attax Trading Cards, and DWO recently got a chance to check them out.

The 240-card set is full of high quality trading cards featuring both the new and classic series of Doctor Who, with a broad range of Doctors, Companions, Monsters, Villains and other notable characters from the series.

You can kick-start your collection with the Doctor Who Alien Attax Starter Pack, which retails at £4.99 and includes a collector binder, game guide, game mat and a packet of cards, plus a limited edition Animotion card, to help you get straight into the action. The binder itself looks fantastic once you populate it with your cards (back to back), and serves as a great momento in this 50th anniversary to be able to look back over the many characters the show has produced over the years.

You can also get the Doctor Who Alien Attax Multipack for £5, which comes with 5 card packs and a limited edition Weeping Angel card. There's one more limited edition card available in the Doctor Who Alien Attax Tin, which includes 26 x Regular Cards, 3 x Mirror Foil Cards, 1 x Rainbow Foil Card and 1 x Animotion Limited Edition Card changing between David Tennant and Christopher Eccleson.

It's then up to you to get more packs (just £1 each for 9 cards), swap with friends and keep your eyes peeled for special promotional cards in places like Doctor Who Adventures Magazine.

DWO caught up with Topps' Entertainment Marketing Manager, Anup Dave to talk about the series:

How have you found the reaction to your new Doctor Who Alien Attax Trading Card series?

In a word: Fantastic! The response has been phenomenal, so much so that we sold out of the Doctor Who Alien Attax Collector Tins online and have since had to rush around to see if we can get our hands on as much stock as possible. It’s the fastest selling tin product we have had and at retail, sales have been strong. In fact, upon its launch, Doctor Who Alien Attax was the number one selling entertainment title in several retail chains. 

We have hugely positive feedback on the quality of the collection, from consumers as far away as Australia. The trading card collection is colourful, vibrant and not many product lines can showcase the fact that they feature 50 years of Doctor Who in one complete set.

Topps have had a long and respected reign as producers of trading cards, how did the Doctor Who license come about and did the company ever wish to produce Doctor Who cards before now?

Topps has previously produced the Doctor Who Sticker Collection, from which we launched four fantastic collections, so it was a natural progression for us to seize the opportunity to work with such a renowned, and of course iconic, British show and be able to bring to market an all-new, exciting and compelling trading card game. You could say it was on the cards!

Are there any plans for future additions to the series?

Yes! It’s the 50th Anniversary of the Doctor Who TV show this year, so definitely stay tuned. We would love to reveal more, as we are very excited about the 50th Anniversary, but we are currently at the planning stage to make things happen for a very compelling and exciting product….watch this space!

Fancy winning one of 10 Doctor Who Alien Attax Starter Packs? Head on over to the DWO Competitions section!

+  For further information about the Doctor Who Alien Attax cards, visit www.toppsdirect.com.

[Sources: DWO; Topps]

He may not be in the 50th Anniversary Special (as far as official confirmation in this month's Doctor Who Magazine goes) but thanks to a YouTube user, you can now watch some unseen footage of Paul McGann as The Doctor in his audition video for the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie.

The video includes scenes that didn't make it into the final script, with some rather surprising revelations concerning Borusa and The Master, in a rare glimpse into what could have been.

Watch Paul McGann's audition video below:
[youtube:hq5A3HRTfuc] 
[Source: YouTube]

Doctor Who Showrunner Steven Moffat reveals secrets about the explosive series finale, The Name Of The Doctor, exclusively in Doctor Who Magazine 460.

“We’ve only just finished shooting the actual completed ending – it’s ridiculously secret – but it’s quite a thing, hopefully,” says Steven, about The Name of the Doctor. “There’s often an element of throwing in some lovely names, and then figuring it out later, but I’ve always had a sort of plan for the Doctor and Trenzalore. Things will be resolved. Things I’ve left hanging in plain sight – and sometimes not in plain sight – will be tied up…”

Also this issue:

NEW EPISODE PREVIEWS!

DWM previews the final three episodes of the latest series – The Crimson Horror, Nightmare in Silver and The Name of the Doctor – and talks exclusively to writers MARK GATISS and NEIL GAIMAN, and returning guest stars NEVE MCINTOSH (Vastra), CATRIN STEWART (Jenny) and DAN STARKEY (Strax).

OLD FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

The Doctor reflects on the many battles he has had throughout his lives, and must travel to the past to save the future of the Earth… Don’t miss the penultimate chapter of our comic strip epic, HUNTERS OF THE BURNING STONE, written by SCOTT GRAY, with art from MARTIN GERAGHTY, DAVID A ROACH and JAMES OFFREDI.

FAREWELL TO THE CREATOR

DWM takes a look at the life and career of the late RAYMOND P CUSICK, and pays tribute to the man who designed the Daleks back in 1963.

100, NOT OUT!

Gaffer MARK HUTCHINGS is the only person to have worked on every single episode of Doctor Who since its return to production in 2004. With more than 100 episodes under his belt, Mark shares his memories of working with three Doctors over nine years…

CHILDISH QUESTIONS

Doctor Who's commander-in-chief STEVEN MOFFAT responds to readers’ queries – and reveals not only how the Statue of Liberty made it to Winter Quay without being seen, but also how what changes he would have made if he’d script-edited the very first episode, An Unearthly Child…

MARTHA NOT ARTHUR

It's 2007 – the Tenth Doctor is joined in the TARDIS by Martha Jones and together they confront the Macra, the Daleks and the Master! DWM’s journey through five decades of Doctor Who continues with Series 29 in COUNTDOWN TO 50!

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE!

The Fourth Doctor and Leela find themselves on a remote island defending a lighthouse from attack by an alien Rutan in HORROR OF FANG ROCK. THE FACT OF FICTION takes a long, hard look at the four-part adventure from 1977, and reveals a wealth of fascinating new facts about the story. 

DALEKS USA!

THE TIME TEAM travel across the Pond to 1930s America where Chris, Emma, Michael and Will discover that the Daleks are responsible for the construction of the Empire State Building in the two-part adventure, Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks.

EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE

Writer, passionate fan and mother of twins JACQUELINE RAYNER reveals that when it comes to choosing favourite moments and episodes, everyone in her family has their own personal choices in her latest candid column, RELATIVE DIMENSIONS.

TRUE BLUE

The Watcher reveals how Margaret Thatcher had a lasting influence on Doctor Who in A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects; challenges readers with The Six Faces of Delusion, champions another Supporting Artist of the Month and provides deliciously culinary theme to Ristorante Italiano Top Ten. All this and more 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 #460 is out Thursday 2nd May 2013, priced £4.75.

+  Subscribe Worldwide to DWM from just £29.99 via CompareTheDalek!

+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Character Options have sent DWO details of their upcoming 'Cold War; 1983' Time Zone Playset.

Collect and build the universe of Doctor Who with these 3D card diorama playsets that feature different time zones visited by the Doctor in the hit TV series. You can travel between different time zones or clip the sets together to build bigger ‘zones’. The playsets are in scale with the Doctor Who 3.75-inch action figures so you can create your own adventures or simply display your collection. There are two Time Zone playsets to collect… 

Cold War; 1983 - In the cold waters of the Southern Arctic Ocean a Russian nuclear submarine is returning from patrol.  As the ‘Cold War’ between the Americans and Russians drags on, tensions run high as the crew constantly run missile launch simulation drills. Also on board is a high ranking Russian scientist with a rapidly thawing block of ice - a block of ice which contains a mysterious creature. When the creature revives, breaks loose and rampages through the ship, the Submarine loses all power and starts to sink, plunging deeper with every passing second. The TARDIS materialises on board and, with mere seconds to spare, the Doctor saves the submarine but leaves it stranded and crippled 700 metres down. But that is the least of his worries when the Doctor realises they are up against one of his oldest and coldest enemies. Cold War Time Zone Playset includes 1 exclusive Ice Warrior ‘Creature’ figurine. One supplied. For ages 5 years and over.

Key Features:

•  3D card diorama playset
•  Clip the sets together to build bigger ‘zones’
•  In scale with the Doctor Who 3.75-inch action figures
•  Each playset includes 1 x exclusive accessory or figurine

+  The 'Cold War; 1983' Time Zone Playset is released in May 2013, priced £9.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Character Options]

Character Options have sent DWO details of their upcoming 'Dalek Invasion; 2075' Time Zone Playset.

Collect and build the universe of Doctor Who with these 3D card diorama playsets that feature different time zones visited by the Doctor in the hit TV series. You can travel between different time zones or clip the sets together to build bigger ‘zones’. The playsets are in scale with the Doctor Who 3.75-inch action figures so you can create your own adventures or simply display your collection. There are two Time Zone playsets to collect… 

Dalek Invasion; 2075AD and the Daleks have invaded Earth once more. Using their mighty Saucer ships they bombard London driving the surviving population underground. Once they land, the Daleks patrol the ground looking for survivors in the rubble to either exterminate or transform into their puppets using Dalek nanocloud technology. In the skies the Daleks use long range ‘Hoverbout’ Anti-gravity disks to pursue the resistance. The TARDIS materialises near to a Trans-Sys matter transmission station in Hyde Park and the Doctor realises that he will need all his resources to once again defeat his oldest enemies and save the Earth from destruction. The future of the human race hangs in the balance. Dalek Invasion Time Zone Playset includes 1 exclusive hoverbout accessory. One supplied. For ages 5 years and over.

Key Features:

•  3D card diorama playset
•  Clip the sets together to build bigger ‘zones’
•  In scale with the Doctor Who 3.75-inch action figures
•  Each playset includes 1 x exclusive accessory or figurine

+  The 'Dalek Invasion; 2075AD' Time Zone Playset is released in May 2013, priced £9.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Character Options]

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]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

The episode achieved a figure of 4.9m viewers, with an audience share of 26.68%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, once again winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 27th April:

1 - 9.3m - Britain's Got Talent - ITV1 (Includes +1)
2 - 7.9m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 4.9m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

Series 7 Part 2 Final BARB Ratings roundup:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John = 8.44m
7.7: The Rings Of Akhaten = 7.45m
7.8: Cold War = 7.37m 
7.9: Hide = 6.61m

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

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:

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

[Source: DWO]

Fifty Years in Time and Space: A Short History of Doctor Who is a new critical study by Frank Danes, available from St Mark’s Press.

Those of you with long memories may remember that Frank used to edit the fanzine Fendahl way back in the late 70s and early 80s.

These days, Frank says of himself:

"I’ve always been a Doctor Who fan even as I have become (in Terrance Dicks’ words) older, fatter, greyer, but not noticeably wiser."

Professionally, Frank is Head of English at King’s Ely in Cambridgeshire; he’s also written Victorian Literature for CUP.

Frank comments:

"Fifty Years in Time and Space is inevitably a personal reading of the series and is coloured by my own critical preferences:  any book about the programme which doesn’t demonstrate the author’s own views would, I think, be very dull.  I haven’t religiously covered every single story and I haven’t provided a plot précis or production details of every one.  Interested readers can find these in many of the programme guides that are available online or in book form.  I hope readers will forgive me for jumping around and pursuing the bits I’m most interested in.  Since these bits include all of Doctor Who, I hope most issues are touched on, in more or less detail."

The book offers a new approach to the history of the series; by turns analytical, by turns funny – and with a stunning cover by Roger Langridge.

+  Fifty Years In Time And Space is Out Now, priced £11.95 from www.stmarkspress.com.

[Source: St Mark's Press]

Ebury Publishing have sent DWO the cover and details for the upcoming BBC Doctor Who book title; Harvest Of Time.

Synopsis:

After billions of years of imprisonment, the vicious Sild have broken out of confinement. From a ruined world at the end of time, they make preparations to conquer the past, with the ultimate goal of rewriting history. But to achieve their aims they will need to enslave an intellect greater than their own…

On Earth, UNIT is called in to investigate a mysterious incident on a North Sea drilling platform. The Doctor believes something is afoot, and no sooner has the investigation begun when something even stranger takes hold: The Brigadier is starting to forget about UNIT's highest-profile prisoner. And he is not alone in his amnesia.

As the Sild invasion begins, The Doctor faces a terrible dilemma. To save the universe, he must save his arch-nemesis… The Master.

From award-winning science fiction writer Alastair Reynolds, a spellbinding new adventure featuring The Third Doctor.

+  Harvest Of Time is released in Hardback on 6th June 2013, Priced £16.99.

+  Compare Prices for this product from as little as £14.44 on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Books]

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]

BBC Consumer Products have sent DWO the box-art and details for the Doctor Who 'Regeneration' DVD Box-set.

Regeneration - Box-set
Featuring: The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th 9th & 10th Doctors

Regeneration: a limited edition collectors’ book, including over 1000 minutes of Doctor Who adventures on DVD will be released in June.

The Doctor Who Regeneration set is an individually numbered, beautifully packaged, coffee table album including six DVDs of Doctor Who adventures – including fan favourites like The Caves of Androzani and The End of Time, plus an advance release of the First Doctor’s final adventure The Tenth Planet.

The set is adorned with superb photography from across the era and features detailed and informative accounts of each regeneration. The collection features each Doctor’s iconic regeneration episode; from the First Doctor played by William Hartnell, exhausted after battling the Cybermen to Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor suffering from radiation that had been unleashed by the Great One; and from the spectacular transformation of the Ninth Doctor to David Tennant’s emotional farewell as the Tenth.

And if that wasn’t enough, new to DVD is The Tenth Planet featuring the Doctor’s first regeneration – beautifully restored with the missing fourth episode now brought to life with stunning animation. Utilising the original soundtrack, off-screen photographs and a short surviving sequence of the Doctor’s regeneration the episode has been now reconstructed in animated form, incorporating the restored version of the surviving sequence.

A full list of stories included on the DVD are:

•  The Tenth Planet
•  The War Games
•  Planet of the Spiders
•  Logopolis
•  The Caves of Androzani
•  Time and the Rani
•  Doctor Who: The Movie
•  Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways
•  The End of Time

Watch a trailer for the box-set below:
[youtube:bjICZ4qzLmM]

+  The Regeneration Box-set is released on 24th June 2013, priced £43.25.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Consumer Products]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.9: Hide.

The episode achieved a figure of 5.0m viewers, with an audience share of 24.5%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, once again winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 20th April:

1 - 10.3m - Britain's Got Talent - ITV1 (Includes +1)
2 - 7.9m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 5.0m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

Series 7 Part 2 Final BARB Ratings roundup:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John = 8.44m
7.7: The Rings Of Akhaten = 7.45m

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

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:

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

[Source: DWO]

Our friends over at The Doctor Who Appreciation Society have been in touch with details of a charity eBay auction of items belonging to late Doctor Who fan, Philip Jessett, who sadly passed away of Leukaemia.

By agreement with Phllip's mother Paula, the items in the collection are now available to bid on via the DWAS eBay site. 100% of each item's sale price will be donated (via eBay's charity partner Missionfish) to 'Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research'.

We hope that everyone who reads this will take a look at the items available and consider placing a bid for something.

Some items have been restricted to UK bidders as delivery costs to overseas locations are likely to be prohibitive.

+  More information about the charity can be found at: http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk

[Source: DWAS]

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]

BBC Consumer Products have sent DWO the cover and details for the Doctor Who DVD release of The Mind Of Evil.

The Mind Of Evil
Featuring: The 3rd Doctor

Professor Keller has created a machine that can pacify even the most dangerous of criminals.

But when the Doctor and Jo arrive at Stangmoor Prison for a demonstration, things start to go horribly wrong – especially when they discover that the Doctor’s old enemy the Master is responsible for the machine.

What could he possibly want from the criminals? And what connects him with an impending World Peace Conference?

Special Features:

Disc One: 

•  6 x 25 mins approx colour episodes with mono audio.
•  Commentary – stereo. With actors Katy Manning, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlowe, director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and stunt arranger Derek Ware. Moderated by Toby Hadoke.
•  Programme subtitles.
•  Subtitle Production Notes.

Disc Two:

•  The Military Mind (dur. 22’ 43”) – shot back in 2009 on location at Dover Castle, this look at the making of the story is made unexpectedly poignant by the appearance of Nicholas Courtney and Barry Letts, who both passed away in the intervening years. Featuring actors Nicholas Courtney, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlow, director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks. Narrated by Cameron McEwan.
•  Now & Then (dur. 7’ 06”) – the latest in our long-running series visits the filming locations used in the story to see how they have changed over the years.
•  Behind the Scenes: Television Centre (dur. 24’ 00”) – back in 1971, at around the time The Mind of Evil was in production, presenter Norman Tozer visited Television Centre to find out what went on over 24 hours in the life of what was then an incredibly busy ‘television factory’.
•  Photo Gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
•  Coming Soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

+  The Mind Of Evil is released on 3rd June 2013, priced £20.42.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Consumer Products]

Doctor Who is about to face his greatest challenge: his number one fan.

Rob Lloyd (Fan Number One) is putting The Doctor on trial - not just for Doctor Who fans, WHO, ME is a show about obsession and it’s many faces.  

After sell out seasons for the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival plus full houses for Armageddon Expo 2011, Whovention (Sydney) 2013 and Lords of Time Convention (Melbourne) 2013, Rob Lloyd will be asking the BIG questions, as he takes WHO, ME on the road to the Sydney, Auckland & Perth Comedy Festivals in May 2013. 

Rob Lloyd will be investigating whether Doctor Who (the television show) is guilty of inciting in him a debilitating obsession, or whether it has shaped him into a well-rounded, mentally-sound member of society. 

The Sydney Comedy Festival season of WHO, ME runs from 30th April-4th May 2013, tickets can be purchased here: http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/who-me/

The Auckland Comedy Festival season of WHO, ME runs from 7th-11th May 2013, tickets can be purchased here: http://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/auckland/show/who-me-

The Perth International Comedy season of WHO, ME runs from 14th-18th May 2013, tickets can be purchased here: http://www.perthcomedyfest.com.au/events/music/rob-lloyd-who-me/

+  For more information visit Rob's website: http://www.roblloyd.com.au
+  Follow Rob Lloyd on Twitter: @futurerobby
+  'Like' the WHO, ME Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Who-Me/103024733135485

[Source: Rob Lloyd]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

'The Daemons' Collector's Set features The Brigadier, The Master and Bok, as featured in the 3rd Doctor adventure; The Dæmons.

In the peaceful village of Devil’s End something very strange is happening. A professor is preparing to open a nearby burial mound and a local white has foresees death and disaster. Meanwhile, the new vicar looks suspiciously like the Master and he is using black magic to conjure up an ancient Daemon.

Contents:

1 x Brigadier action figure in jersey with U.N.I.T. beret and pistol.
1 x The Master action figure.
1 x Bok the dæmon action figure.

+  'The Dæmons' Collector's Set is released in August 2013, priced £29.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet for £29.99!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Our friends over at Candy Jar Books have sent DWO the cover and details for their fantastic new Doctor Who book title; Companions: 50 Years Of Doctor Who Assistants.

A brand new Doctor Who book is now available for pre-order. Companions: Fifty Years Of Doctor Who Assistants is an unofficial and frank guide of the Time Lord’s adventures in space and time. Drawing on plots from the TV series as well as other media, this book is fascinating reading for fans of both the classic and current series of Doctor Who.

To coincide with the launch of the book the publisher, Candy Jar, is asking fans to vote for their favourite Doctor Who companion. The results will be released when the book is published in June. To vote go to: http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/companions/index.html

Companions: Fifty Years Of Doctor Who Assistants provides readers with an in-depth account of each Doctor's fellow travellers and shows the impact they had on both the Doctor and the viewers.

Andy Frankham-Allen has been a Doctor Who fan since his childhood and has relished the opportunity to write this book in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the series. Andy, who penned several Short Trip stories for Big Finish, feels the time is right for a more detailed look at the journey of the Doctor Who companion. He said:

“It's been a long time since there's been an honest and frank look at the Doctor's journey and the lives he changes. This book will challenge the notion that he always takes the best.”

Gary Russell, former Doctor Who Magazine editor, Big Finish producer, BBC script editor and Doctor Who novelist, has provided the book’s foreword. Gary said:

“Of course there have been books about companions before – but few of them go into this amount of detail, display this amount of in-depth knowledge and above all, this amount of love. As a celebration of everything that makes the Doctor’s (and therefore our) best friends unique and special, this book is essential.”

Doctor Who first appeared on our screens in 1963. The show continued until 1989 but the series was then re-launched in 2005 attracting old fans and new. Doctor Who is now one of the most prestigious shows on British television, loved and watched by millions.

Signed copies of the book are now available to pre-order from the Candy Jar Books website (www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/companions.html) for no additional charge. 

+  Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants is released on 27th June 2013.

+  PREORDER - Companions: 50 Years Of Doctor Who Assistants, for just £8.99.

[Source: Candy Jar Books]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.8: Cold War.

The episode achieved a figure of 5.7m viewers, with an audience share of 26.4%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 13th April:

1 - 10.5m - Britain's Got Talent - ITV1
2 - 6.7m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 5.7m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

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:

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

[Source: DWO]

The BBC have put together an official location report video from the recent filming in London for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special.

Watch the Doctor Who location report video with Jenna-Louise Coleman, Jemma Redgrave and Ingrid Oliver, below:

[youtube:6IbgOJd-VGw]

The video confirms the as-yet unannounced casting of Ingrid Oliver.

UPDATE - Tuesday 9th April @ 1:00PM

Londoners were treated to the sight of a flying TARDIS swooping over Trafalgar Square this morning as Matt Smith and the team were in town shooting more scenes for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special.

It was an early start for Matt Smith (The Doctor), Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara), director Nick Hurran and the rest of the cast and crew but judging by the smiles it was worth it. At one point the famous blue box was suspended over Trafalgar Square with Jenna-Louise Coleman inside, peering out across the capital whilst the next moment saw another figure – looking like The Doctor – dangling from the TARDIS as it was suspended way above ground level!

The BBC have included a promotional image from today's shoot (pictured-right), and a promotional video below:

[youtube:Za6A6vh1nEk]

+  The 50th Anniversary Special is due to air on 23rd November 2013.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]