Following the recent popularity of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and The League of Gentlemen releases on vinyl, Demon Music Group presents The Daleks’ Master Plan, a narrated full-cast TV soundtrack adventure. Starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, in a battle against his arch- enemies, the vinyl will be released on 15th February 2019 and is now available for preorder. RRP £99.99.

Ben Stanley, Head of Product & Marketing, Demon Music Group, said:

"We’re very excited about the first release in our ‘Vinyl Who’ collection - it’s a new way for fans to discover lost episodes of Classic Doctor Who."

Two versions of the set will be available to purchase: 

-  Standard edition: 7LP x 12” Heavyweight Translucent Blue

-  Amazon exclusive edition (limited to 1000 units): 7LP x 12” Heavyweight Splatter Viny

In this classic 12 part ‘lost’ adventure, first shown on TV from October 1965 to January 1966, the Daleks threaten to destroy the fabric of time itself. In their quest to control the Solar System, they have taken possession of the devastating Time Destructor. Determined to stop them, the Doctor steals the core of the weapon before he and his friends are pursued across time and space by his ruthless, powerful nemeses.

From the eerie sonics of Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire’s original theme tune and the familiar ‘wheezing, groaning’ of the TARDIS, to soundscapes illustrating the jungles of Kembel and alien spacecraft, the story is brought to life by the unique sounds produced by the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop .

Written by Terry Nation and Dennis Spooner, this is the longest single Doctor Who adventure ever made for television. Linking narration is provided by Peter Purves (Steven) and the cast includes Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen, Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Jean Marsh as Sara Kingdom and Peter Butterworth as the Meddling Monk. The film recordings of all but three episodes of this story are lost from the BBC archives.

The prelude episode Mission to the Unknown is presented on its own single-sided disc with a unique Dalek (exclusive edition) or TARDIS (standard edition) etched reverse.

+  The Daleks' Master Plan is released on 15th February 2019, priced £99.99.

+  PREORDER the standard edition on Amazon.co.uk!

+  PREORDER the exclusive edition on Amazon.co.uk!

[Source: BBC Studios]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: AK Benedict

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: December 2018

Reviewed by: Nick Mellish for Doctor Who Online

"The Doctor arrives in present day Iceland and receives a frosty reception from Inspector Yrsa Kristjansdottir when he becomes the chief suspect in a murder enquiry. But the Doctor knows that the real killer is of extraterrestrial origin.

Joining forces with Yrsa, the Doctor goes in pursuit of a ruthless alien that is hunting humans for sport. Yrsa unearths a dark conspiracy which reaches back into her own past.

Determined to expose the truth and prevent further deaths, the Doctor and Yrsa soon find themselves running for their lives, prey on the hunting ground."

2018 ends in the snow for Big Finish. The wolves are running, but it’s Colin Baker and not Patrick Troughton taking centre stage for this tale of hunting, police procedure and cover-ups. Plus aliens and robots, because what's Doctor Who without a nasty monster waiting in the wings every so often? Dull, that’s what.

Things get off to a pleasingly disorientating start with a child’s bedtime story interrupted by screaming and pleading and roaring, all before the theme tune kicks in. We’re soon introduced to Inspector Yrsa Kristjansdottir and placed in the middle of a murder investigation that smells of Forbrydelsen, to the point where I kept expecting Sarah Lund to turn up in one of her trademark cosy jumpers. Again, it’s a pleasingly Doctor Who thing where you have something so familiar interrupted by the Doctor and alien activity and that’s exactly what we get. Chuck in a singing printer and unusual wolves, and you have an entertaining start to the adventure.

Despite all this good work though, the play throughout feels like it lacks a certain something. The ingredients for something wonderful are all there and the story continues to throw such things at us, from hidden spaceships to bickering bureaucrats, to car crashes to traitors, but the glue holding all these things together is web-thin. Doctor Who meeting Scandinavian crime drama is a nice idea, in theory, but there is a notable disconnect between these elements in The Hunting Ground, to the extent that it feels like the two genres are fighting for the spotlight and as a result they both feel a tad undercooked.

It’s a shame as, as noted above, there is much to praise in AK Benedict’s script. I enjoyed her crack at the Eleventh Doctor in The Calendar Man, and there is a similar blend of fairytale with normality here, too. Unlike there though, again these two things sometimes work against one another.

I really like the approach taken towards what is often dismissed as supernatural and ‘other’ in this play. People speak of elves and trolls with a shrug, as if they’re nothing out of the ordinary, which is at once unusual and refreshing. It feels like a nice and respectful blend of traditional Icelandic folklore and the show’s existing mythology, but this lack of wonder at the ‘other’ sadly bleeds over to elsewhere.

I can understand the natural extension of the police accepting magic folk so therefore not finding it a great stretch to accept that the Doctor is an alien and that alien activity may be involved with the murder case. I see, too, why this may have crossed the mind of Yrsa Kristjansdottir before, seeing as her father died in similarly unusual circumstances. However, she is then almost roundly unimpressed and surprised as time travel, alien hunters and robots all announce themselves and as such it’s a bit hard for the listener to be enthused or excited.

And then we have the very ending which hints that Yrsa may be about to become a new companion of the Sixth Doctor. I actually let out a small groan at this point as it just feels so ordinary and expected and, again, underwhelming. They’ve tried to pull off the ‘Sixth Doctor and an unexpected companion!’ trick once already in 2018, in the truly terrible release The Lure Of The Nomad, so by now it’s like a bad joke. Whether Yrsa does make it aboard the TARDIS or not seems unclear for now, but the door is open so I suspect it will be but time. I can’t say I am counting down the days.

The Hunting Ground, then...  It’s a strange story with much to praise and celebrate, but it’s also one that feels disjointed and lacking. It’s a bit of a damp end to 2018’s monthly releases from Big Finish, but perhaps you can exaggerate the peaks and troughs here to make a good symbol for how the main range has been this year: some terrific highs and some perilous lows.

I hope that 2019 provides us with a bit more consistency. More monsters and fewer people shrugging off the wonderful. A bit less of the predictable and a bit more of the surprising. We shall see. For now, let’s look at the good here and hope it’s built upon After all, what is a new year if not a chance to reflect upon the good and bad and vow to do better?

+ The Hunting Ground is OUT NOW, priced £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download).

+ ORDER this title on Amazon!

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

Written By: Colin Sinclair

RRP: £17.99 (Hardback) / £9.05 (Paperback) / £3.01 (Kindle)

Release Date: 23rd June 2018

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 14th January 2019

Every month we get sent a large number of books to review - so many, in fact, that we can't get through them all. We've actually become a little guilty of judging a book by its cover, but in Colin Sinclair's case, we're glad we did... his book 'Elji And The Galrass' has a striking cover that instantly called to us, and what lay within was nothing short of a pure joy to read.

"Elji, a boy from a village outside the city of Mehem discovers a "Galrass" a tool usually wielded only by those who understand its power. Perhaps it was left for him to find or perhaps it was just a random happening?

The Galrass embroils him in a struggle he never expected to be part of or even imagined existed. Dregar, a being from a different planet and galaxy ‘feels’ the boys interruption of the universal essence and takes him under his wing and so his journey begins.

Friendships are made and lost and many lives must be put in danger to usher the civilization into its rightful place among the Universal essence. Will Elji fulfill his potential and help save his world or will it fall into darkness?"

Elji And The Galrass is epic fantasy adventure at its best, and really takes the reader on a breathtaking journey - not only through its richly detailed locations, but for the characters within. On top of all that, there are some important messages and morals for the reader to take home, and Sinclair seamlessly embroiders his good nature and true heart throughout this tale.

There is an incredible attention to detail, from floral fountains to fire pits, Sinclair evokes sights, sounds and smells in such clarity that he not only ensnares your imagination, but your senses too. In fact, I've never read a book that has been able to do this quite so effectively, before.

The topography of the book is also to be marvelled; one minute you are peering out the shutters of a room, overlooking bustling streets, and the next you are navigating a mountain range, or a desert. Again, this further adds to the feeling of having travelled far and wide, and when you're done reading, you almost feel out of breath.

Elji And The Galrass was easy to read thanks to its short chapters and attention-grabbing storyline. It never felt weary, and you almost always end up reading more than you planned to.

I eagerly await the sequel, and will be pestering the author until its release. Fantastic!

+  Elji And The Galrass is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Follow Colin Sinclair on Twitter.

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Paul Magrs

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: December 2018

Reviewed by: Nick Mellish for Doctor Who Online

"Oooh la la! It's been a long time coming, but the Doctor is about to be reunited with Iris Wildthyme! They're both in 1920s Paris and everyone's flocking to Iris's salon.

But wait...! What's that noise..? Thud thud thud...! It's the soft, approaching feet of a small and acerbic Art Critic Panda...!"

December 2018 for Big Finish’s main range of Doctor Who plays gives us two Winter treats. With Colin Baker in The Hunting Ground, we’ve snow and isolation and wolves a-running, whereas with Muse of Fire we’ve something with a far lighter, end-of-term feel.

The play gets off to a very good start, bursting in with the full edit of the Sylvester McCoy opening theme tune instead of the truncated version Big Finish usually use. It’s a small thing, but it grabs your attention immediately and suggests an attention to period detail… that is almost immediately kicked to the curb for pandas, nude modelling and a bus bound for Putney Common via the Multiverse.

Yes, Iris Wildthyme is back in all her glory and wild eccentricity and Muse of Fire takes that as its lead. The play is set in Paris in the 1920s, a time of artists and poetry and creativity and - but of course - alien ne’er-do-wells. It’s a fun setting that fits Iris well and also the Doctor, not to mention Panda, whose art criticism is sending waves rippling through the city and perverting the known course of history.

Now, I’ve heard some grumbles about Ms Wildthyme in the past; people claiming she should be confined to spin-off media and her own series instead of lumped in with the good ship TARDIS, irrespective of her roots (discounting the Phoenix Court Iris, that is). These same voices will hold up the charge of silliness, idiosyncratic writing and everything being a bit over the top: to which I say, go for it.

Give me an authorial voice that has purpose and drive (and love him or no, Paul Magrs’ writing certainly does when given freedom as is the case here). Give me over-the-top action (seriously, have people never seen the show?)

And as for silliness? Yes please. I said earlier that this play is lighter, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s lightness with a wink and a breath in its lungs, in a script with depth and heart and weight amid the silliness: and oh! How glorious it is to be silly sometimes. Doctor Who is often at its best when it’s smiling and Muse of Fire is worth grinning over.

I noted depth a moment ago, because this play has it in spades. It’s a sincere and sweet look at artistic integrity and feeling valueless when surrounded by others more successful than yourself. It’s a search for validity in your work and voice, and a sombre warning to not let that make you blind to the love of others who aren’t possessive of an artistic mindset. That it has that weight and also a cybernetic panda is about as Doctor Who as you can possibly get. Plus, Hex gets his kit off, which will get a lot of fan approval from certain quarters.

There are fingers one could point if one was minded to. The disposal of the big bad near the end feels rushed, for example, and the final line feels a bit like there is meant to be a musical swirl or follow-up sentence after it; the end theme tune coming in surprises the listener a little. But frankly, I don’t care.

This is a fun play to listen to and everyone, from Magrs to the cast, to Jamie Anderson directing, all seem to be having a lot of fun. Indeed, McCoy is full of enthusiasm in the extras for this release and that’s lovely to hear. Hopefully it’ll encourage more intelligent nonsense: and I mean that in the most loving way possible. Let’s hope that the flame lit by this muse of fire keeps on burning for a while yet and inspires more of this quality down the line.

+ Muse Of Fire is OUT NOW, priced £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download).

+ ORDER this title on Amazon!

Publisher: Self Published

Written By: Mark J.G. Fahey

RRP: £8.00 (Paperback) / £7.19 (Kindle) / $11.95 (Paperback) / $9.15 (Kindle)

Release Date: 25th January 2016

Reviewed by: Sebastian J. Brook

Review Posted: 11th January 2019

Imagine if Halley's Comet wasn't really a comet...but an intergalactic Casino! In that one sentence you get a taste of the bonkers but brilliant mind of Mark J.G. Fahey!

Set in 1986 (a time period experiencing renewed exposure in current pop culture) Halley's Casino follows the adventure of Nebula (Neb) Yorker; a 26-year old stargazer who's life is about to be turned upside down as the comet he has been waiting for turns out to be something very different indeed...

Thus heralds the beginning of a whirlwind adventure, with a clever use of time travel and well-researched historical side-steps.

If you're a fan of Douglas Adams' work, then Fahey is rooted very close to Adams' sense of humour and sheer inventiveness with rich, crazy storylines and characters. Humour is laced throughout the story, and it's better for it - not just the odd laugh, but well-paced, timed and intelligently placed humour.

There are some particularly long chapters in Halley's Casino - in most cases the reader would be flicking forward to see a suitable pause point, but such is Fahey's writing and momentum, that time seems to literally stand still whilst you're reading it.

With cult references a-plenty, including Star Trek and...yes...even Doctor Who, there are many, many moments within that will have you knowingly smiling or chuckling away at them.

Fahey has crafted a rich and vibrant story and we genuinely cannot wait to read the sequel!

+  Halley's Casino is Out Now!
+  Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com!
+  Follow Mark J.G. Fahey on Twitter.

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of New Series Doctor Who Actor, W. Morgan Sheppard.

W. Morgan Sheppard featured in the opening episode of Series 6 ('The Impossible Astronaut') as Canton Delaware III. His real-life son (Mark Sheppard) played the younger version of the character in the series.

It may surprise some fans to learn that he (along with his son) was actually born and raised in London, England. Both actors nailed the American accent for Doctor Who!

W. Morgan's long career includes the following credits; Z Cars, Shogun, Max Headroom, Star Trek (Movie & TV series) & Biker Mice From Mars (to name just a few).

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to W. Morgan's family and friends.

[Source: DWO]

2018 was an incredibly exciting year for Doctor Who; we got our first female 'Doctor' - something that would change the history of the show, and take it into a new, exciting direction. Having now seen the entirety of Series 11 and the New Year's Day Special ('Resolution'), we are thrilled with Jodie and her awesome TARDIS team. It's just such a shame we now have to wait a whole other year until the next series. :( - I guess, though, when you really think about it, it's actually not that much of an extended wait than we're used to. The Christmas special was the only thing that really broke up the wait between series, and what makes it feel longer is the fact that 2020 - a year which, to many of us, still feels like a futuristic SciFi movie setting - is one whole year away from us, at the time of writing.

Of course, 2018 also brought with it some other key Doctor Who moments; Doctor Who On Twitch was a particular revelation, and with it saw some fantastic memes and personalities that emerged as a result. In case you missed it, we got confirmation yesterday that another Twitch run will begin as of tomorrow!

There was also the release of some terrific Doctor Who merchandise; a new sonic, new toys, clothing - and the long-awaited release of Classic Who box-sets on Blu-ray.

As for the DWO site, we are now in our 22nd year (crazy, I know?!), and we have lots of exciting things planned in this (slightly quieter) year. We are planning a full site revamp, and the return of a few features that many of you will consider to be some old favourites. Our Forums continue to grow, with over 49,000+ members - again, we will be unveiling some design tweaks on there, as well as some new guests for our popular 'Ask & Answer' section.

On social media, DWO continues to amass a large Twitter following (@DrWhoOnline); we now have over 130,000+ followers, and we plan on some exciting new content and interactivity on the platform during 2019.

In a recent tweet, we asked you to tell us some of your favourite moments / memories & merchandise during 2018, and, as promised, here are some of your replies:

When the Doctor tried to save the giant spider. People are so divided on that moment, thinking there was no way to save her, but after offering to save Davros, the Master, and countless *actual* monsters, the Doctor would have found a way.

— Stephen Monteith, World's Greatest Secret Author (@ThePapermage) December 31, 2018

Most defiantly the 'Rosa Parks' episode. That should be shown in ALL the schools

— Mark Bandey, Author (@bandey_mark) December 31, 2018

My favorite 2018 #Doctorwho moment...getting this beautiful, best modern who story! Thanks @VinayPatel and @JamieRossChilds pic.twitter.com/OuNcxb6puS

— Jamaica Raquelle Hayes (@ProtegoMente) December 31, 2018

Getting a signed pretzel from Alex Kingston herself after answering a trivia question from David Tennant while Matt Smith looked on. pic.twitter.com/I2ERZKak6Y

— Corrie Davidson (@corrietweets) December 31, 2018

The Episode 'Rosa', yes, the entire episode.

One of the single most not just important episodes of Doctor Who but one of the most important pieces of television in 2018, it taught MILLIONS of children about Rosa Parks' bravery all those decades ago. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/JmbXTh1Sbw

— Xeno (@XenoChu) December 31, 2018

Meeting so many amazing DW fans at @VworpCon. A great independent con that I can't wait to return to in 2019.

'Demons of the Punjab'. The show's most emotionally affecting and powerful episode since 2011. @VinayPatel crushed it!

Re-watching 'Robot' on Blu-Ray.#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/yV0aG7pMxN

— TrilbeeReviews (@TrilbeeReviews) December 31, 2018

The 2 full season Blu-Ray box sets being released.

— stefan atter (@redarmyof1) December 31, 2018

Its got to be #WhoOnTwitch

— Rory Lamberton (@The_RoryL) December 31, 2018

Hearing The Macra Terror is being animated. A much better story than it gets credit for.

— Iorwerth Owen (@Dal_Credu) December 31, 2018

Favourite #DoctorWho moment of 2018 was easily thirteen stepping up and saying that she was THE doctor! Jodie’s speech in 11x01 was just perfect - she’s been such an incredible doctor

— Bekah (@bekahjlee) December 31, 2018

As always, thank you all for your continued support of Doctor Who Online! It's hard work - especially as I also juggle it with taking care of my young family, but reading your emails and tweets is a genuine highlight of my day.

I posted a blog entry last year about some health issues, which impacted some of the regular updates on the site, and whilst I'm still getting through these, I can confirm that things are much better, and shouldn't affect the regularity of updates going forward.

I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and am very much looking forward to what 2019 has in store! 

Sebastian J. Brook - Site Editor
Doctor Who Online
January 2019

+ Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!
+ Follow @SebastianJBrook on Twitter!
+ Join the DWO Forums!
+ Donate to DWO's running costs via PayPal!

[Source: DWO]

Doctor Who is returning to popular streaming platform Twitch, starting from 5th January 2019, the BBC has confirmed!

2018 saw a hugely positive reaction from fans - old and new - who tuned in to watch episodes from the Classic Series, which were streamed on Twitch. Meme's such as Ian and Barbara returning to "London 1965" catapulted the service to reach even more fans, and talented personalities such as Pip Madeley (@pipmadeley) emerged. Madeley (previously of the Planet Skaro site) produced trailers for the stream as well as some hilarious observations.

For a full list of streams, episodes and times, check out the doctorwho.tv website.

[Source: BBC Studios]

Series 12 of Doctor Who will air "very early in 2020" according to comments by Tony Hall (BBC Director General) at the recent BFI preview screening of 'Resolution', Digital Spy reports.

The news means that we could be having another New Year's Day special! Jodie, and her companions have all been confirmed to return for the new series when it airs in 2020, with Chris Chibnall at the helm, once more.

In the meantime, you can catch the 2019 New Year's Day special 'Resolution' at 7:00pm on BBC One.

[Source: Digital Spy]

The 4 x 25 min missing episodes, which were originally part of Doctor Who’s (now mostly lost) fourth season, have been animated for the first time, to be released on DVD, Blu-ray, special edition Steelbook and digital download. 

Pre-order will be available from midnight tonight on Amazon and HMV (links will go live at 00:00). 

Originally broadcast in four weekly parts from 11th March to 1st April 1967, and starring Patrick Troughton, Anneke Wills, Michael Craze and Frazer Hines, no full episodes of this serial are known to have survived on film. Fortunately for fans, a complete audio recording of all four parts still exists. Now, 52 years later, the four episodes will be brought back to life through the power of animation, available on disc and digital download, in both colour and black and white, from 18th March 2019. 

Anneke Wills says:

"Back in 1967 “There's no such thing as Macra!” was the cry; and for many years after there was no such thing as “The Macra Terror”. Now, thanks to the magic of animation, we can see the story come to life again. I can't wait to see this adventure and how gratifying to have a little more of Ben and Polly’s time with the Doctor available to be seen by new generations."

The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions arrive on a human colony in the far flung future. The colony appears to be a giant recreational complex - a holiday camp for rest and relaxation. Everyone looks happy and carefree but all is not as it seems. The colony has been infiltrated and brainwashed by a race of giant parasitic crab creatures called the Macra. 

The Macra have only returned once since, 40 years later, coming face to face with the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) in the 2007 episode Gridlock. 

Paul Hembury, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says:

"After the success of Shada, we were very excited by the possibility of further animations. We are therefore delighted to be able to bring fans these missing episodes in a completely new form."

Special features for the DVD and Blu-ray release include: Animation Gallery, Behind the Scenes Film and Audio Commentary.

Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be released on digital download, DVD (RRP £20.42), Blu-ray (RRP £25.52) and special edition Steelbook (RRP £40.84) on 18th March 2019.

A special screening of Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be held at the BFI Southbank, London on the 16th March 2019. Tickets will go on sale to BFI members on Tuesday 5th February with public sale opening on Tuesday 12th February. Further information will be available soon via the BFI website.

+ PREORDER this title from Amazon.co.uk! 

[Source: BBC Studios]

BBC Studios continues to offer Doctor Who fans the opportunity to build their own home archive on Blu-ray. Following the sell-out success of Tom Baker’s debut season, his seventh and final series will be released on 25th February as Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 18.

Tom Baker’s final year saw the programme undergo radical changes in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. Producer John Nathan-Turner revamped the series with new writers, new directors, a new title sequence and theme arrangement, glossy production standards and – throughout the course of the season – a brand new regular cast. Over seven classic adventures the Doctor and his companions encountered the Foamasi, Meglos, the Marshmen, vampires and Tharils, building to a final deadly showdown between the Doctor and his arch nemesis the Master. As a special bonus this set also includes the 1981 K9 & Company Christmas pilot episode, plus hours of brand new material.

Starring alongside Tom Baker are Lalla Ward as Romana, Matthew Waterhouse as Adric, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, Janet Fielding as Tegan, Anthony Ainley as the Master, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah-Jane Smith and John Leeson as K9.

Special Features exclusive to this set include: a new Making-Of documentary and updated special effects for Logopolis, revealing new 2019 commentaries moderated by Matthew Sweet (Tom Baker on The Leisure Hive, Lalla Ward & Rachel Davies on State Of Decay), surround sound mix for Warriors’ Gate, rare behind-the-scenes footage from The Leisure Hive, Full Circle and Logopolis, eight more editions of Behind The Sofa, brand new documentaries The Writers Room and Weekend With Waterhouse, a new interview with K9 & Company’s Ian Sears, another dip into the Panopticon convention archives with Tom Baker, HD photo galleries plus scripts, production files and rare documentation provided as PDFs. The eight-disc box set also includes hours of extensive special features previously released on DVD.

All material has been remastered for Blu-ray by Peter Crocker and Mark Ayres. Lee Binding has provided stunning packaging and new series writer/content consultant Pete McTighe has written another extensive booklet. Russell Minton is Executive Producer.

Blu-ray trivia: when filming took place for Logopolis (1980), Tom Baker’s last adventure, the intention was to shoot at the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory. Instead, production took place at Crowsley Park with the team using model shots. For the brand new Blu-ray, almost 40 years later, BBC Studios received permission to film at Jodrell Bank with a drone. Offered as an alternative viewing option, fans will now be able to experience the finished product just as it was originally intended. 

The set will be released on 25th February 2019, priced £56.16, although we expect the date could be pushed back if there are any technical issues.

+ PREORDER this title from Amazon.co.uk! 

[Source: BBC Studios]

Our friends at Super Loot have been in touch with us to tell us about their revamped Geek and Gaming Mystery Box - along with a unique offer for Doctor Who Online readers!

Each month Super Loot delivers a hand-picked box of 5-7 mystery collectible items from geek and gaming, tv and film straight to their subscribers' door. Each box typically has an RRP of £45+ and guarantees at least one collectible figurine and a limited edition t-shirt amongst the items. 

Not only are they an awesome treat for yourself each month but they also make for great gifts - either as a one off, or as the 'gift that keeps on giving' with a 3,6 or 12 month option.

All new subscribers from DWO get 20% off the regular first box price with code DWONLINE, making it only £15.99 for your first box, as well as being entered into a draw to win a special Doctor Who Funko Pop.

Check out Super Loot here: https://www.superloot.co.uk/product/mystery-monthly-box-subscription/ 

Use code: DWONLINE at checkout to get your extra 20% off the your first box. 

[Source: Super Loot]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Steve Lyons

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: November 2018

Reviewed by: Nick Mellish for Doctor Who Online

"It’s time the truth was told. About UNIT. About the Cybermen invasion. About the so-called ‘Doctor’. About what happened all those years ago, at Warlock’s Cross. About the man they keep locked up in a cage, in a secret prison…

It’s time. Because UNIT scientific adviser Elizabeth Klein is going to help ensure the truth is brought to light.

Today’s the day… that UNIT falls."

The Seventh Doctor’s five-release-run in the Main Range from Big Finish continues here with Warlock’s Cross by Steve Lyons; the final play in the ‘New UNIT’ trilogy.

It’s a bit of an odd play for various reasons, but we’ll get to that in a bit. Things kick off with some set up and well-executed exposition (sometimes a rarity in audio). The Doctor himself is sidelined fairly early into proceedings with a nice gag on how he wasn’t really much of a player in the 1990s, and it’s not long before all the main players are established, including the return of Blake Harrison as Daniel Hopkins and Tracey Childs as Klein. They are joined by others along the way, but it’s Colonel McKenna who takes central stage. He is the man in charge now and proves to be as waspish as he predecessors; the moment he name-checks Lewis Price as the best of the best is a nice shorthand for everything you need to know about his character.

By the end of the first episode, we’ve a mystery to solve, a jailbreak, betrayal and uncertainty over some characters’ motivations. It’s a lot to work with, so it’s a surprise then that the episode itself is a bit of a damp squib. Much happens, but not an awful lot of it is all that interesting. The same goes for Part Two, which had me concerned. The previous two entries in this trilogy have failed to land for me and I was very concerned this one was heading the same way.

Thankfully, we have here a Doctor Who story which bucks the trend by actually improving as it goes along and Part Three in particular is enjoyable with some fun concepts. Part Four is perhaps more pedestrian, but Lyons throws us some nice bones here and there with interesting character development for Klein and weighty discussion on what the Doctor did to her by interfering with her past. It helps justify her inclusion in the play, which otherwise would be hard to do, regardless of how good Childs is in the role (and she is: she’s very, very good).

A lot of the issues at the start of the story really boil down to the performances of some of the cast, but a lot of that is down presumably to directorial decision and tics in the script itself.  It’s very similar to the problem with Ashildr back with Series 10 on television. If you write a character as having a tough exterior and being emotionless, the performances given are going to lack warmth and subtlety and so it is here, too. The actors in this cast are very good actors but I would be lying if I said I felt they gave us incredible performances. I don’t feel that’s really something they can be entirely blamed for though, especially when it comes to the character of Hopkins. It’s a decision taken at a higher level, to make him the way he is, and it’s made for a very bland character that you wish had been flagged up as a misstep somewhere down the scripting or script editing road.

Compare Blake Harrison’s performance here to that in The Helliax Rift. I didn’t enjoy that play, but it’s fair to say Harrison had a lot more to go with and his performance is accordingly better for it. Harrison is a good actor, but saddled as he is here with scripts and character development that are lacking, it’s a wonder he does as well as he does.

In the end, the decision to go down the route they did with Hopkins weighs down the New UNIT trilogy, a trilogy which has felt ill-conceived and poorly executed from the start. I can see where they were aiming with it all (UNIT in Battlefield, for example, feels very different to how UNIT was in the Pertwee era or indeed Tennant’s, Smith’s or Capaldi’s) but it lacked the believability to really make it sing, populated by characters who should know better when dealing with the Doctor and stories that feel largely tired.

The 1990s were not the kindest of times to Doctor Who in many ways and perhaps ending the trilogy in this era rubbed off. Warlock’s Cross is by far the best of the three in the loose arc, but I don’t think it’s a play I’ll be returning to any time soon.

+ Warlock's Cross is OUT NOW, priced £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download).

+ ORDER this title on Amazon!

BBC Audio have sent DWO the cover and details for an exclusive audiobook edition of Doctor Who: Warriors’ Gate by Stephen Gallagher, based on the author’s original, never-before-seen version.

Warriors' Gate, first broadcast on BBC1 in 1981, was a four-part TV serial in Tom Baker’s final season as the Fourth Doctor. Notable at the time for its high-concept story and its cinematic visual style, it has subsequently become highly regarded as a unique slice of Doctor Who. 

Writer Stephen Gallagher novelised his scripts for the Target Books range, under the pen name John Lydecker. Before publication, however, the book was substantially reworked and reduced in length. Ever since, Doctor Who fans have speculated about what the original manuscript might have contained. 

Now, for the first time, Stephen Gallagher has reassembled that original manuscript from his original paperwork, enabling listeners to experience the novelisation as he originally intended it, substantially longer and with significant structural changes. This version also now better reflects the author’s original vision for the TV episodes.

Stephen Gallagher says:

“I couldn’t be more delighted with the way it’s all worked out. Performed by Jon Culshaw, with John Leeson reprising the voice of K9, it’s feeling more like a resurrection than a reconstruction.”

+  Warriors' Gate is released on 4th April 2019, priced £20.00 (CD) / £7.00 (Download).
+  PREORDER this title on Amazon.co.uk! 

[Source: BBC Audio]

The BBC have confirmed recent rumours that the traditional Christmas Special slot has moved from Christmas Day to New Year's Day. Below is the BBC press release in full:

With 2018 marking a brand new era for Doctor Who it is only right that 2019 kicks off in spectacular style. 

So to mark the occasion, in this year’s festive episode the TARDIS will travel through the time vortex from its traditional timeslot on Christmas Day and will land in style on New Year’s Day.

Charlotte Moore, Director of Content, says:

“We’re delighted the Doctor and her companions will be welcoming BBC One audiences into 2019 with this exciting new episode. The Doctor's fans are in for a special treat on the first day of the new year.”

Showrunner, Chris Chibnall says:

“We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC One, as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family.”

As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

[Source: BBC Studios]

Our friends over at TBT Props have just taken delivery of some of the new MFX Doctor Who mask replicas, and you can get your hands (or rather, heads) on them now!

The masks are all made from the original moulds and are hand-painted by the highly skilled artists at Millennium FX.

Other masks currently available, include:

-  Davros
-  Clockwork Droid (Male)
-  Clockwork Droid (Female) 
-  Weeping Angel (Serene)
-  Scarecrow 

+  Check out the range now at: http://tbtprops.com/product-category/mfx-masks/

[Source: TBT Props]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Guy Adams

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: October 2018

Reviewed by: Nick Mellish for Doctor Who Online

"The Doctor and Ace are locked up. The TARDIS is gone. Things just couldn’t get worse, could they?

Of course they could. Things can always get worse — the new President of the Solar System, Josiah W Dogbolter, didn’t get where he is in life without learning that. That’s why he has a Quantum Possibility Engine. It’s a wonderful machine, creating a wonderful Solar System. And with this wonderful device, he can bring happiness and peace to all.

Possibly.

Either that or tear the universe to shreds, it’s hard to be sure which."

Right now as I write this, Doctor Who on screen is going out of its way to be accessible to new audiences. If you dived in to The Woman Who Fell To Earth having never seen the show before, you’d find your feet soon enough and not feel you’re missing out on anything - fleeting reference to a white-haired Scotsman aside.

On the other side of the fence, Big Finish seem to be increasingly catering for a niche audience; one which is familiar and comfortable with several dozen strings of continuity. Take the Main Range right now; the latest trilogy ends with this play here, The Quantum Possibility Engine by Guy Adams, but that’s not it for the Seventh Doctor. The next release is Warlock’s Cross, a solo outing for this incarnation at a later point in his lifetime and a sequel to the ‘Modern UNIT’ trilogy that’s been running across the year which also sees the return of Klein. Straight after that we dip back in his timeline and also Ace’s (in relation to this month’s play) with Muse of Fire. It’s a tangled web of time and placement at odds with everything else right now.

Even this month’s play is not immune. We have Narvin in it; a popular character from the spin-off series Gallifrey, but a younger Narvin than the one in much of that series, and the main antagonist is Dogbolter from the Doctor Who Magazine comic strips. In fairness, both elements are explained away in the script, so no prior knowledge is necessary but it shows a far more insular and fan-focussed approach to the show.

Perhaps appropriately then, this play often feels like a bit of a greatest hits collection at times. The main bulk of Part Two and Part Three for Ace, the Doctor and Narvin will be very familiar to anyone who has read the comic strip The Glorious Dead, watched Forest Of The Dead and to a lesser extent Human Nature, or listened to Big Finish’s own The Crowmarsh Experiment. That’s nothing compared to the ending though, where a great portion of it isn’t so much similar to The Girl Who Died as a direct rip-off. It’s hard to not have a sense of slight fatigue at times thanks to this, all of which makes it surprising that I enjoyed the play as much as I did. In fact, I’d say it’s one of Adams’s best outings so far.

The points about repetition aren’t its only problem, mind. Mel falls into the tired trap of telling someone a load of exposition for no reason at all other than to have this information used against them later on, which always irks me (it’s justified when Dogbolter does similar later on), and I’m not sure I ever once bought the reason Mel didn’t tell the Doctor or Ace about her predicament: that smacks more of needing a cliffhanger ending and arc across a trilogy than anything truthful. But everything else has a real sense of fun about it, so much so that I’m happy to let these niggles pass.

I’d somehow completely missed the fact Narvin was in the play, so that came as a genuine surprise.  His inclusion here makes sense, far more so than it ever did with Dark Eyes years ago now. I must be honest that I was uncertain when he first popped up that it would be an inclusion for the sake of an inclusion as was the case there, but thankfully not. Sean Carlsen is always brilliant value regardless of script and he’s a welcome addition here, too.

The same goes for Toby Longworth, whose Dogbolter is as fun here as he was in The Maltese Penguin, many moons ago when our canonical Doctors numbered but eight. His inclusion feels perfectly suited to the overall comic-y ambience of the play and whilst I think continual cameos and kisses from the past aren’t healthy when done with regularity, I wouldn’t be against more of this type on occasion if handled with equal skill.

Big Finish may be playing hopscotch with the story placement in their release schedule, but plays such as this one leave me smiling. Perfect? By no means, and yet here I am giving it a thumbs up. A patchwork of past glories it may be, but it’s fun and a nice way to pass a couple of hours. In the end, Doctor Who should aspire to be this way, always.

+ The Quantum Possibility Engine is OUT NOW, priced £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download).

+ ORDER this title on Amazon!

Last month, it was confirmed that British jewellery designer, Alex Monroe, would be producing an officially licensed range of Doctor Who jewellery.

The collaboration between Alex Monroe and BBC Studios, offers fans the chance to buy an exact replica of the 13th Doctor's ear cuff, as well as a supporting capsule collection in celebration of the first female Doctor.

DWO caught up with Alex, for one of our '5 Questions With...' interviews.

How did the opportunity come about?

I’ve been making jewellery for the BBC for a long time. I remember the first things were for Eastenders and French and Saunders back in the early eighties! It’s lovely because Jodie has worn our jewellery since she was at drama school, so we have a long connection, and of course the amazing Ray Holman was the costume designer on Dr Who. We’ve done some wonderful projects together over the years. So it was just a really natural fit, I suppose.

Did you ever watch Doctor Who as a child, and if you did was there a particular Doctor / Story you remember? 

Oh my days yes. I was addicted. I think Dr Who was responsible for my fear of spiders. And there was just a new one with spiders in which hasn’t helped! Slightly strangely I always really liked the Brigadier. He popped up from time to time over the years. I’ve no idea why he was my fave character! All three of my daughters have loved it. Now my youngest has Sunday night Dr Who parties. All her mates over, they order pizzas, settle in for the opening credits then chatter incessantly all the way through. It drives me mad!

Your galaxy ear cuff is exquisite! It’s literally an exact replica from the one we see on screen! How much of an input did Jodie have in the final design?

Jodie was so important. We were designing for her character so she was my main inspiration. We talked and discussed and I made all sorts of sketches. Then I made a few prototypes which we discussed together, until we settled on the final design. Each element has all sorts of inspirations and meanings but I think I’ll keep all that between me and Jodie.
 

Is there a possibility we could see more great, who-themed pieces from you? 

I never rule anything out! The sketchbook is full of all sorts of great ideas.

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

Do you know what… I’m really quite keen on the here and now. There’s so much going on, so many new challenges and so much to do! But I guess the nice thing about the Tardis is that I could do all sorts of stuff then re-appear as if no time had passed!

I think I’d go back and tell my younger self not to be so insecure. Especially with the girls. Once I’d sorted my younger self out I’d go and spend a week on the Bounty as it sailed into Fiji to collect the breadfruit. And a week on the Endeavour with Captain Cook and Joseph Banks. Not Cape Horn… Fiji and the discovery of Australia please. I think I would have liked Cookie and Banksie.

Watch Alex discuss the creative process behind the jewellery in this video from the BBC:

[youtube:msSdDdhA1qk] 

+  Check out Alex Monroe's Doctor Who jewellery range via their website!

[Source: DWO]

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of Classic Series Doctor Who Script Editor & Producer, Derrick Sherwin.

Derrick began his work on Doctor Who as Script Editor for the following stories: The Web Of Fear, Fury From The Deep, The Wheel In Space, The Dominators & The Mind Robber. He then took on the role of Producer for The War Games & Spearhead From Space.

Derrick also wrote the 2nd Doctor adventure, The Invasion, which was the first story to properly introduce UNIT. It was also his idea to exile The Doctor to Earth for Jon Pertwee's early 3rd Doctor stories.

Derrick's other career highlights include acting credits for; Here Lies Miss Sabry, United!, The Scales Of Justice and even an uncredited cameo appearance in Spearhead From Space as a UNIT Commissionaire.

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to Derrick's family and friends.

[Source: DWO]

The overnight ratings are in for 11.4: Arachnids In The UK.

The episode achieved an overnight viewing figure of 6.43m viewers, with a 29.3% audience share.

The final BARB ratings will be confirmed in the next 7 days, and will include the time shift which will see a rise in the final rating.

Series 11, Accumulative Viewing Figures:
11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth - 8.2m / 40.1% share. Final BARB: 10.54m / AI: 83.
11.2: The Ghost Monument - 7.1m / 33.4% audience share. Final BARB TBC.
11.3: Rosa - 6.4m / 29.6% audience share. Final BARB TBC.
11.4: Arachnids In The UK - 6.4m / 29.3% audience share. Final BARB TBC.   

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

[Source: DWO]

Following Jodie Whittaker’s successful debut as the new Doctor and ahead of Comic Con 2018, BBC Studios and Escape Hunt today exclusively reveal the official name of the forthcoming Doctor Who – The Live Escape Game, which will be called Worlds Collide.

To celebrate the news, visitors to London’s Comic Con will be able to test themselves against the clock with a world first taster experience of the new game on the official BBC Studios stand from 26th to 28th October at ExCeL London. The ‘Worlds Collide Escape Cube’ is designed as a fun prequel to the escape room game launching later this year.

Furthermore, fans can also enter an Escape Hunt competition to become one of the first in the UK to experience the full game at their nearest venue with up to five friends. To enter, fans must simply like a picture of the ‘Worlds Collide Escape Cube’ taster experience at Comic Con on Escape Hunt UK’s Facebook page (T&Cs apply).

Richard Harpham, CEO Escape Hunt PLC, says:

"At Escape Hunt, we’re incredibly excited to be working with BBC Studios to create Doctor Who – The Live Escape Game. Comic Con is one of the biggest events in the Doctor Who calendar and with the series having such a dedicated fan base from all over the UK, being able to give these fans the first taster experience of Worlds Collide is a huge opportunity. We just hope they have as much fun trying to crack it as we’ve had creating it.”

Doctor Who – The Live Escape Game will open in Escape Hunt venues around the country from early 2019. Please go to www.escapehunt.com for further information and to register for news about tickets.

To enter the prize draw for the chance to win a free game in the Worlds Collide room, participants must simply like a picture of the ‘Worlds Collide Escape Cube’ at Comic Con on the Escape Hunt UK Facebook page between the 26th October and 5th November. The winner will be notified on the 6th November. For full T&Cs visit https://escapehunt.com/uk/comps/

+  Comic Con is hosted at ExCeL London at the Royal Victoria Dock between 26th-28th October.

[Source: Stripe Communications]

When Tim Treloar and Katy Manning return as the Third Doctor and Jo Grant in The Third Doctor Adventures: Volume Five, they’ll be joining forces with three other iconic characters from 1970s Doctor Who.

In this new audio box set from Big Finish Productions made in association with BBC Studios, several friends of the Third Doctor will be returning for more Doctor Who adventures in this iconic science-fiction franchise.

Jon Culshaw takes on the role of UNIT commanding officer Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, a character appearing under licence from the Haisman Literary Estate.

After an extensive casting process, senior producer David Richardson and executive producer Nick Briggs finally remembered a conversation they’d had with Jon, when he told them the thing he’d most like to do for Big Finish would be to play the Brigadier.

Nicholas Briggs said:

"After checking his rendition of the character in the BBC Audiobook of The Five Doctors, we just gave him the job! It was a very tricky thing casting someone to do justice to Nicholas Courtney’s brilliant, original performance. Jon has done this with honour and love for what the splendid Mr Courtney did all those years ago."

Returning alongside the Brigadier is Liz Shaw, the first companion of the Third Doctor. She will be portrayed by Daisy Ashford, the daughter of the original Liz Shaw actress, Caroline John (who played the role on TV and returned to the role for several Companion Chronicles at Big Finish).

Plus, returning to play Sergeant Benton is John Levene. John first played the part of Benton (who was then a corporal) in the Second Doctor TV adventure The Invasion. He returned to become a regular with Third Doctor Jon Pertwee (also appearing with later with Tom Baker), and has previously reprised Benton twice for Big Finish.

Tim Treloar, who has portrayed the Third Doctor on audio since 2015, has been at the forefront of a new era of 70s audio Who treats.

David Richardson, Producer of The Third Doctor Adventures, said:

“It’s been so rewarding to see how Doctor Who fans have embraced these new Third Doctor stories. We knew Tim’s performance (and it is a performance, not a mere impersonation) as the Third Doctor was extraordinary – and it’s clear that listeners feel the same way too."
 

The two adventures in The Third Doctor Adventures: Volume Five will require the Third Doctor, all his companions AND the full might of UNIT to save planet Earth.

Primord by John Dorney 

The Scream of Ghosts by Guy Adams

The Primords (from the Doctor Who TV story Inferno) interrupt the Doctor and Liz Shaw’s reunion, and become one of the fiercest tests of UNIT and the Doctor to date. And in the second, 'ghostly' adventure, the population of a village are apparently being spirited away in the oddest of manners.

Katy Manning (who plays Jo Grant) told us during recording what it was like to bring back these beloved characters:

“It was a joy working with Jon Culshaw, and working with Tim has been so much fun, watching him become the Doctor more and more. But Jon came in and in an instant (and I won’t tell him how!) caught the Brigadier immediately!”

Daisy Ashford says of coming to the Big Finish fold to play Liz Shaw:

“I’m really excited and honoured to have been asked to play Liz, and to step into my Mum’s brilliant shoes!”

Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures Volume Five will be released in May 2019.

Pricing:
Pre-order: £25 (CD box set) / £20 (Download) from www.bigfinish.com

Big Finish online: 

Website: www.bigfinsih.com
Twitter: @BigFinish
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheBigFinish
Instagram: @BigFinishProd

[Source: Big Finish]

The overnight ratings are in for 11.3: Rosa.

The episode achieved an overnight viewing figure of 6.39m viewers, with a 29.6% audience share.

The final BARB ratings will be confirmed in the next 7 days, and will include the time shift which will see a rise in the final rating. DWO expect the final consolidated figure to be considerably higher than average, due to the interest in the episode.

Series 11, Accumulative Viewing Figures:
11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth - 8.2m / 40.1% share. Final BARB: 10.54m / AI: 83.
11.2: The Ghost Monument - 7.1m / 33.4% audience share. Final BARB TBC.
11.3: Rosa - 6.4m / 29.6% audience share. Final BARB TBC.  

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

[Source: DWO]

The overnight ratings are in for 11.2: The Ghost Monument.

The episode achieved an overnight viewing figure of 7.1m viewers, with a 33.4% audience share.

The final BARB ratings will be confirmed in the next 7 days, and will include the time shift which will see a rise in the final rating.

Series 11, Accumulative Viewing Figures:
11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth - 8.2m / 40.1% share. Final BARB: 10.54m / AI: 83.
11.2: The Ghost Monument - 7.1m / 33.4% audience share. Final BARB TBC.
11.3: Rosa - 6.4m / 29.6% audience share. Final BARB TBC.

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

[Source: DWO]

There is a wonderful sense of renewal as we head into Series 11. We have a new show runner, a new writing team, a new composer, a new look and feel - heck, even a new airdate...oh, there's also a new Doctor!

In fact, there hasn't been this much change since the show returned in 2005, but change has always been at the heart of Doctor Who, and its heart is beating as strong as ever.

From the beautiful opening shots of a hilly Sheffield, we are introduced to our new companions, and, after a little exposition, we're thrown right into the action.

About 5 minutes in, it became refreshingly apparent just how little we all know about this new series. Being at the forefront of Doctor Who news and information, it can be tricky to avoid plot details and images (thanks to the many emails we get from our visitors), but for once, every single scene was fresh and new, and unspoiled. Kudos really has to go to the production team on a sterling effort to protect the show's secrets!

We are incredibly hesitant to talk too much about the episode, but what we can say is just how different it feels to the new series direction, thus far. That being said, there's a comforting familiarity, too. This isn't a radical change for the sake of change - it's an evolutional change that takes the show in a bold new direction.

The fact that The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) now happens to be a woman, really isn't as big of a deal in the show as you would think. I mean, of course it's a big deal in the grand scheme of equality and diversity, and for girls (and boys) to have a rolemodel they can look up to, but, as far as the canonical issue of The Doctor now being a woman is concerned, she is every bit The Doctor as her predecessors, and it's business as usual.

Let's unpack Jodie's Doctor a bit more though. From the second you see her on screen, there's no time for you to question the if's or how's - it's straight into the action, and nitty gritty of getting to the bottom of the alien threat of the story. In fact, it isn't really until about two thirds in that there is a breathing space for her Doctor to start to unfurl who she is. That being said, by the time the credits roll, there is no question that this is The Doctor and she very much knows what kind of a woman she is.

As for our companions, Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Graham (Bradley Walsh), again, we want to keep light on the detail, but they fit in perfectly with Jodie's Doctor, and all 4 of them already have a wonderful camaraderie with each other and The Doctor. Very much like with the Russell T. Davies era, you genuinely care about the characters, and the fact that there are consequences and fallout from actions and situations in the episodes.

The overall feel of the show is like a perfect mesh between new and classic who in its delivery. It's the familiarity we mentioned early on, and although it's hard to quantify exactly why, there are a couple of moments that stand out, and if you happen to be a fan of the classic series, you will know exactly what we mean.

That being said, this is still very much new ground we are treading. Gone are the monsters of old (for now), and before us stands a brave new world full of scary new threats. It all feels more real and grittier, and you can't help but feel like anything could happen.

To any of you still doubting Jodie as The Doctor, honestly, genuinely you have nothing to fear! She encompasses everything The Doctor was and is, and if this episode alone is anything to go by, we hope it is the start of a long tenure in the role.

Quick mention of Segun Akinola's powerful musical score! It's a little Broadchurch-y in places, and somewhat industrial, too, which feels very different to what we've become used to, but it totally fits. Music is such an important part of Doctor Who, and it really sets the tone of the series. We don't get a title sequence for episode one, but there is a little cue of the new theme in the episode, and it is truly fantastic! Hold out until the end credits and you may just start to fall in love with our new composer!

Finally, a huge tip of the hat to Chris Chibnall for an episode that feels so much larger than the sum of its parts. Beautiful dialogue, believable, earthy characters and an emotional vein that makes you care about them. Between Jodie and Chris, the show is truly in good hands, and what an exciting time it is to be a Doctor Who fan!

5 Things To Look Out For:

1)  A poignant bookend.
2)  Teeth.
3)  A nose-picking Doctor?!
4)  Sheffield Steel.
5)  A moment at the end that is pure Classic Who!

+ 11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth airs on Sunday 7th October at 6:45pm on BBC One.

[Source: DWO]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Mark Morris

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: September 2018

Reviewed by: Nick Mellish for Doctor Who Online

"The Doctor, Ace and Mel are caught in a forever night. After crossing the threshold, a strange world awaits them.

An army of tortured souls. A lift that leads to an alien landscape. An alien warlord, left for dead, and willing to do anything to prolong his life… it’s all in a day’s work for the Doctor.

But when his companions become victims of the desperate and powerful Arkallax, the Doctor will have to do battle in a psychic environment where he must make a choice. Save his companions… or himself."

When I’m writing these reviews, I try to avoid other people’s. You don’t want to have your ‘voice’ accidentally imitate someone else’s viewpoint and articulation, and you certainly don’t want to start framing your arguments with somebody else’s words, albeit accidentally.

It’s been hard, though, to avoid everyone’s praise for this play and while it did not land for me in the same way Red Planets did, last month, it’s easy to see why it’s getting plenty of nods in the right direction.

The story starts with a battle in space, but before too long, things have been dragged down to Earth with a real bump: an abandoned estate, zombie-esque humans shuffling and moaning that they’re hungry, Northern accents aplenty and a lift that does not go where it should be going, all get thrown into the mix alongside an alien that takes over both the body and vernacular of a local resident, a young couple trapped as the monsters make their way across the land, and, of course, the Doctor, Ace and Mel. Sylvester McCoy especially sounds like he’s enjoying this one, though the extras reveal that Bonnie Langford and Sophie Aldred are in what is termed a “playful” mood during the recording session, which is a lot of fun to listen to.

(As in the norm nowadays, no extended extras were available to listen to upon release or across the days following, which is a real shame but Big Finish don’t appear to be changing this any time soon, sadly. It’s doubly painful this month as The Dalek Occupation Of Winter came out with a set of extended extras simultaneously, the day after The Dispossessed was released. Ah well.)

The opening couple of episodes of the play are very strong, with a nice sense of menace and that wonderfully Doctor Who thing of merging the mundane with the fantastical: a block of flats being attacked by an alien menace. Actually, that sounds a lot like Attack the Block, doesn’t it? Perhaps Jodie Whittaker has been having a word.

Mark Morris has constructed a good setting and nice characters here. None of them entirely likeable and all of them people you root for. That’s so bloody hard to pull off, and I am in awe with how easy he makes it look here. (I also appreciated the return of his running gag about how much sugar the Seventh Doctor takes in his tea.)

It was near the ending that for me things started to feel less spectacular, though never bad or dull. Spoilers will follow, so look away now if you wish to not be ruined…

… still reading? Okay, spoilers begin.

In the end, the big bad is another psychic foe (or rather, a foe with psychic abilities) and though Morris has a neat and novel spin on it, it does rather boil down to the Doctor ensnaring a villain in their own trap and lots of shouting about possession and minds and battling with mental powers.  It just feels beyond over-familiar from Big Finish now to be falling back on this once again and it rather flattens the second half of the play.

I’m also not entirely comfortable with the brain tumour subplot. I understand that Morris is trying to make a point here about how diseases in the past once thought incurable can now be corrected with little fuss, but it comes off as a little trite to have one of our lead supporting characters cured of his with a nod and a lot of laughing about how silly it is to be worrying about them. I wonder if something like terminal cancer would be dealt with which such flippancy? It just felt in rather poor taste for me, though I appreciate the point that was being made.

The Dispossessed ends with Mel going rogue and leading the Doctor, Ace and the TARDIS to the lair of none other than Dogbolter himself, which could be a lot of fun. It’s not the return of Frobisher comic book fans, but it’s close and I’ll take it. The only downside is that this means Guy Adams will be absent from script editing duties. On the strength of his efforts this year, that’s a crying shame and I hope it is not too long before he is persuaded to return to the role.

This does not diminish the good though so let us be grateful for another solid script in this run of Doctor / Mel / Ace adventures. Here's hoping more comes our way soon.

+ The Dispossessed is OUT NOW, priced £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download).

+ ORDER this title on Amazon!

The BBC have just released a second full trailer for Series 11 of Doctor Who, which you can view, below:

[youtube:XCt6f1Ttmy4]

+ 11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth airs on Sunday 7th October on BBC One.

[Source: BBC Studios]

Michelle Gomez, who played the Doctor’s best friend and wicked enemy, Missy, in the recent Doctor Who television series, will be returning to the role in some brand new audio adventures from Big Finish Productions made in arrangement with BBC Studios.

Throughout her time on Doctor Who, Missy – an evil incarnation in the guise of a Victorian nanny – was a delightful devil, at one point sentenced to death for terrible crimes against the universe. And now we get the chance to hear more of what she is really capable of. 

These new adventures see an unleashed Missy bringing the universe to wrack and ruin. We can’t wait for its release in February 2019!

Michelle, speaking about her return said:

“I was very excited to return to Missy’s world via the medium of audio because along the way I’ve always had a lot of fun with Missy; her voices and her rhythms. I absolutely love capturing it and distilling it down to the word on the page. I’m absolutely delighted! She’s such a ridiculously brilliant character, and hopefully that earns her that moment in the spotlight. To find myself centre stage with these Missy adventures is thrilling – I’m very grateful.”

And (whilst evading the Doctor’s clutches) Missy will encounter another enemy of her ‘boyfriend’ as she crosses paths with the Meddling Monk played by Rufus Hound.

David Richardson, producer of these adventures, said:

“Missy’s own series is just like the Time Lady herself – anarchic, funny, unpredictable and wildly imaginative. It’s absolutely glorious to have Michelle returning to the character at Big Finish, and our recording days have been filled with so much laughter. And we haven’t even met face to face yet! Michelle’s busy filming the new Sabrinaseries in Vancouver for Netflix and so we’ve been pairing studios down the line; Michelle thousands of miles away while we’re in London synched up with her. It’s been a joy to make. And just wait until you hear the collaboration of Missy and the Meddling Monk!”

Jason Haigh-Ellery, executive producer, said:

“Having Michelle Gomez return to Big Finish is wonderful – a lovely lady who was magnificent as Missy in the past couple of seasons of Doctor Who.”  

Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Producer: David Richardson

Script Editor: Matt Fitton

Director: Ken Bentley

Pricing:
 

Pre-order: £23 (CD box set) / £20 (Download) from www.bigfinish.com

General Release: £35 (CD box set) / £30 (Download) from www.bigfinish.com

Big Finish online: 

Website: www.bigfinsih.com
Twitter: @BigFinish
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheBigFinish
Instagram: @BigFinishProd

[Source: Big Finish]

The BBC have unveiled a new iconic image for Series 11 of Doctor Who, along with information for the first two episodes and some interviews!

Bigger and bolder than ever, this series marks the arrival of Jodie Whittaker, the Thirteenth Doctor - a super-smart force of nature, alongside a team of new and delightful characters. This series is full of action and adventure, humour and thrills - an unmissable drama everyone will enjoy.

Alongside Jodie’s Thirteenth Doctor, is an all new cast with Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole. 

The series showrunner, Chris Chibnall, said:
 

“Finally – Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor is about to crash land on to the nation’s screens. It’s thrilling to think, there will be children encountering Jodie’s Doctor in the next few weeks who’ve never seen the show before. She’ll be forever their Doctor: you never forget your first. 

Alongside Jodie, we have a delightful ensemble of new characters for the audience to fall in love with, led by the incomparable Bradley Walsh.

So break out the popcorn and hunker down for Sunday night adventures in space and time, with the Thirteenth Doctor and her new best friends. The journey’s about to begin.”
 

Episode One: The Woman Who Fell To Earth
Action-adventure for all the family, starring Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill. 

“We don’t get aliens in Sheffield.” In a South Yorkshire city, Ryan Sinclair, Yasmin Khan and Graham O’Brien are about to have their lives changed forever, as a mysterious woman, unable to remember her own name, falls from the night sky. Can they believe a word she says? And can she help solve the strange events taking place across the city?

Guest starring Sharon D Clarke, Johnny Dixon and Samuel Oatley. Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Childs.

Episode Two: The Ghost Monument
Still reeling from their first encounter, can the Doctor and her new friends stay alive long enough, in a hostile alien environment , to solve the mystery of Desolation? And just who are Angstrom and Epzo?

Guest starring Shaun Dooley, Susan Lynch and Art Malik. Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Mark Tonderai.

Interview: Jodie Whittaker - The Doctor

Why should viewers tune in this series?

If you’ve never seen the show before this is a great season to start with. It doesn’t need an encyclopedic knowledge of Doctor Who to get into it.
 

The show has a very rich history of about 55 years. The wonderful thing about this is every time there’s new cast members, and new Doctors or new companions, the show is regenerated in a literal sense with the character. New energy is brought into it.

We wanted to make a series that was very inclusive because for people like me, we’re all very new Whovians as well. We’re introduced into this world as new fans will be on this season.

What do fans have to look forward to this series?

If you’re a fan of the show already, it’s got everything you expect. It’s got new monsters, it’s got fantastic new worlds. It’s also got worlds that we’re familiar with, but are maybe seen from different points of view. It honours everything that has gone before, but it then has a different burst of energy with all the new cast members. Doctor Who is for everyone and anyone.

What journey do the characters go on this series?

This season is ten stand­alone episodes so you have contained storylines within every episode. So you have a huge series character arc for many of the characters. But if you come in at episode five, you’ll get a stand-alone story which feels like a film, and which stands up amongst all the television that’s available to anyone now.

What themes do you think are important this series?

Friendship and loyalty and survival. All things that are very human, interlaced with things that are very far from human and familiar. It’s a very inclusive world. 

When I watch TV and film I want to feel engrossed and excited, particularly in this world and genre. Doctor Who in itself is its own genre. I suppose you want it to feel like a roller coaster ride!

Interview: Chris Chibnall - Showrunner

Do viewers need to have seen Doctor Who before to enjoy this series?

Not at all. This series is the perfect stepping on point.

With the new Doctor you’ve got a new beginning, a new opportunity for people to join the show as viewers, for people who might have drifted away or haven’t seen the show for a few years, or 10 years or 20 years; it’s a great time to remind people of how amazing Doctor Who is and to have a restart. But also, it’s a great time for a new generation of children and families to start the habit of gathering around the television together to watch this funny, scary, extraordinary show!

It’s not a reboot it’s just that great, unique thing which is built into Doctor Who: a fresh start happens every few years. This is no different to when Tom Baker changed to Peter Davison, or when the show went from black and white to colour, with Patrick Troughton handing over to Jon Pertwee. The show has a history of renewal, while also staying faithful to what it is.

It’s the amazing thing about Doctor Who is this fresh start every few years which brings a whole new jolt of energy to the show. And hopefully encourages the next generation of audiences to try the show, while also reminding existing audiences why they love it.

Casting a new actor also brings in new opportunities to think about where the show is, think about where the world is, think about where you might want the stories to go. I hope we’ve got a fresh set of stories that are engaged with, and resonate with, the world we live in now.

What can viewers expect this series?

You can expect emotion, you can expect action and adventure and monsters and far off planets and huge alien vistas. You can expect a lot of humour, a lot of warmth and some great characters.

Four great new friends for you to meet as they go through past, present and future and meet some incredible people from history and go and battle on alien planets and fight threats closer to home. 

It’s really a whole array of different stories. Ten individual stories that show off the range of the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends but also of the show as a whole. I hope you can expect everything you’ve ever loved about Doctor Who.

More than anything, it’s hopefully incredibly entertaining and I think this series has something for absolutely everyone. If you’ve seen Doctor Who before I hope we’re going to be giving you all the stuff you love. If you’ve never seen it before, this is the place to start and I think you’re in for a rollicking ride.

Interview: Bradley Walsh is Graham O'Brien

Have you enjoyed being part of this year's ensemble cast?

I love being part of an ensemble. I love it. Jodie leads from the front and she’s fun and she’s upbeat and she keeps it all together – it’s great.

Working with Jodie, Mandip and Tosin and the different directors that are coming in, and this fantastic crew – that’s the thing I’m enjoying most about being on Doctor Who.

How do you think audiences will react to the Thirteenth Doctor?

I think they’re going to be excited by Jodie and I’ll tell you for why... Not only is she an exceptional actress, the energy she brings, because she’s still so young, the energy she brings is extraordinary. To keep up with her is hard work! 

Describe the show in a sentence. 

This new dawn for Doctor Who will be ground­ breaking and exciting and fantastic and unpredictable and beautiful and timeless.

I’m telling you now, this is going to be so brilliant. Jodie is fantastic! She works so hard and is so enthusiastic. She leads from the front and she’ll trailblaze for a lot of other shows.

The new series of Doctor Who in a sentence is forward thinking, innovative, bold and brave.

+ 11.1: The Woman Who Fell To Earth airs on Sunday 7th October on BBC One. 

[Source: BBC Studios]

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 530 of DWM.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JODIE WHITTAKER, PLUS PREVIEWS OF HER FIRST TWO EPISODES – ONLY IN DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE!

DWM meets Jodie on the set of the new series: “I don’t ever forget what I’m a part of because Doctor Who’s been around much longer than I have,” she says. “But every part of this experience is to make it my own.”

Also in this issue...

CHRIS CHIBNALL
The latest update from Doctor Who’s showrunner.

WHO’S CREW
Meet the team responsible for bringing the new series to our screens.

MATT BERRY
He’s best known for his sitcom appearances, but Matt Berry is reinterpreting the Doctor Who theme for his new record. 

TARDIS EVOLUTION
Secrets of the TARDIS control room revealed!

COSPLAY
A meticulous recreation of the torn coat worn by the Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctors in Twice Upon a Time and The Woman Who Fell to Earth.

THE SEVATEEM
An interview with Christian Erickson, whose new concept album is inspired by The Caves of Androzani.

THE CLOCKWISE WAR
The Twelfth Doctor’s final DWM strip adventure comes to a shattering conclusion.

THE TIME TEAM
The Time Team watches four very different episodes in an effort to discover what the First Doctor was really like.

THE FACT OF FICTION
In-depth analysis of the 2006 Tenth Doctor story School Reunion.

PLUS...
The Blogs of Doom, reviews, news, a huge prize-winning competition and much, much more!

***

A deluxe edition of this issue is also available, exclusive to WHSmith. As well as the regular edition, it includes:

SERIES 11 GUIDE featuring new interviews with Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill

DOCTOR WHO CD from Big Finish

FOUR DOUBLE-SIDED ART CARDS of the Doctor, Graham, Ryan and Yasmin

A MASSIVE, DOUBLE-SIDED POSTER featuring scenes from the new series

FOUR DOCTOR WHO DOWNLOADS from Big Finish and BBC Audio

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #530 is on sale from Thursday 20th September, priced £5.99 (regular edition) / £9.99 (deluxe edition).
+  SUBSCRIBE to Doctor Who Magazine, digitally from just £2.69 a month!
+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]