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

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

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

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

Rachael Stirling said:

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

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

Doctor Who's executive producer Steven Moffat said:

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

[Source: BBC News]

Series 7 of Doctor Who is shaping up nicely, and with it a new wave of casting confirmations and episode title reveals.

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine has confirmed that David Warner, Liam Cunningham, Dougray Scott and Jessica Raine will all have guest roles in the forthcoming series, which is to begin airing this September.

It was recently confirmed that Asylum of the Daleks is indeed the title of Episode One (which DWO reported on our earlier news item on 9th May). Jessica Raine's agent's website also seems to confirm the title of the episode that she will be starring in as Phantoms of the Hex. The site also confirms she will be playing a character called Emma Grayling, and that the episode will be directed by Jamie Payne.

[Sources: Gordon and French; Doctor Who Magazine; Aaron Richardson]

Discover how the BBC's longest-running drama series has evolved in DWM Issue 449.

The new issue of DWM examines the growing pains of a television legend in a major feature on the development of Doctor Who at seven-year intervals, as it approaches 49 UP. It examines the moments that defined the show, including the adolescence that brought major format changes, the teenage years with Doctor Who in rude health, its incredibly successful return to television in 2005 – and asks what the next seven years may hold in store...

Also this issue:

CHIBNALL’S CHOICE
Scriptwriter CHRIS CHIBNALL drops hints about his two new scripts for the next series of Doctor Who  – and how writing for the series is unlike writing anything else – in PRODUCTION NOTES.

YOUR’E HIRED!
Long-serving Doctor Who casting director ANDY PRYOR talks exclusively to DWM about his hand in casting three different Doctors, the joy of working on every single episode of Doctor Who since 2005 – and who he has cast for the next series…

ECHOES OF THE PAST
Doctor Who celebrated a landmark birthday, but the monsters were conspicuous by their absence. Was that necessarily a bad thing? Find out as COUNTDOWN TO 50 revisits 1983 and Series Twenty!

HONOUR AMONGST THIEVES
Amy’s been hijacked by the best thief in town, while the Doctor and Rory have fallen in with the wrong crowd. But what is the secret of the Ziggurat hanging above Cornucopia? Find out in Part Two of THE CORNUCOPIA CAPER, the latest comic strip adventure written by SCOTT GRAY with art by DAN McDAID!

GENESIS OF DALEK
The Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler encounter a lone Dalek deep within a Utah bunker – but Skaro’s finest very nearly didn’t make the party. DALEK, 2005’s triumphant return for the Doctor’s deadliest enemies, is given THE FACT OF FICTION treatment, with detailed commentary on all 11 drafts of writer ROBERT SHEARMAN’s script – with exclusive new revelations from the writer himself!

DETAILS, DETAILS...
If you don’t read the Production Subtitles on the Doctor Who DVDs, then now is the time to start! Subtitle writer (and TV Dalek) NICHOLAS PEGG reveals the arcane secrets of compiling a treasure trove of Doctor Who facts and figures in INFOMANIA.

MONSTER vs MONSTER
Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, Silurians and Macra – they’ve all returned to battle the Doctor since Doctor Who’s comeback in 2005. But what classic creatures are we desperate to see next? TOBY HADOKE wants a return for those green giants the Ice Warriors, while JOHNNY CANDON goes Underground to shout out for the Great Intelligence’s Yeti. Who will triumph in this monster BATTLE OF WITS?

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL?
THE TIME TEAM – Chris, Emma, Michael and Will – have a devil of a time while watching THE IMPOSSIBLE PLANET/THE SATAN PIT. But what will the Team make of this terrifying adventure for the Tenth Doctor and Rose…?

AND THE WINNERS ARE...
The votes are in! See which books, audios and DVDs are hits with the readers of DWM in the results of the latest MERCHANDISE POLL, and discover how your favourites fared…

SUITED AND BOOTED!
The Watcher takes another flick through the pages of the Stockbridge English Dictionary, stares down The Six Faces of Delusion, highlights another masterclass in the dramatic art from a Supporting Artist of the Month, and reaches number 20 in A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects – the Doctor’s Impact Suit. It might not be as implausible as it seems… as WOTCHA explains! 

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

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #449 is out on Thursday 28th June 2012, priced £4.50.

+  Subscribe to Doctor Who Magazine from as little as £16.99 via CompareTheDalek.com!

+  Check Out DWO's Guide to every issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

BBC Books have sent DWO the cover & details for the September release of The Dalek Project by Justin Richards and Mike Collins.

The Dalek Project

Written by: Justin Richards
Illustrated by: Mike Collins

A stunning new graphic novel, featuring the Doctor as played by Matt Smith in an exciting adventure with the Daleks.

1917. It’s the height of the Great War and Hellcombe Hall is a house full of mystery: locked doors, forbidden rooms, dustsheets covering guilty secrets, and ghostly noises frightening the servants. Most mysterious of all, the drawing room seems to open directly onto a muddy, corpse-filled trench on the Western Front…

Arriving at this stately home, the Doctor meets Lord Hellcombe, an armaments manufacturer who has a new secret weapon he believes will win the war: he calls it ‘the Dalek’. Soon, the Doctor and his new friends are in a race against time to prevent the entire Western Front from becoming part of the Dalek Project!

+  The Dalek Project is released on 6th September 2012, priced £14.99 (HB).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: BBC Books]

BBC Books have sent DWO the cover & details for the September release of A History of the Universe in 100 Objects by James Goss and Steve Tribe.

A History of the Universe in 100 Objects

Written by: James Goss and Steve Tribe

Every object tells a story. From ancient urns and medieval flasks to sonic screwdrivers and glass Daleks, these 100 objects tell the story of the entire universe, and the most important man in it: the Doctor.

Each item has a unique tale of its own, whether it’s a fob watch at the onset of the Great War or a carrot growing on the first human colony on Mars. Taken together, they tell of empires rising and falling, wars won and lost, and planets destroyed and reborn.

Within these pages lie hidden histories of Time Lords and Daleks, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, the plot to steal the Mona Lisa and the story of Shakespeare’s lost play. You’ll find illustrated guides to invisible creatures, the secret origins of the internet, and how to speak Mechonoid.

A History of the Universe in 100 Objects is an indispensible guide to the most important items that have ever existed, or that are yet to exist.

+  A History of the Universe in 100 Objects is released on 27th September 2012, priced £20.00 (HB).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: BBC Books]

Our friends over at Underground Toys have announced their San Diego Comic Con, Doctor Who Toy Exclusive for this year.

The company will be releasing a Victory of the Daleks set containing Winston Churchill and Dalek Ironside figures complete with 'loads of extra accessories'.

It is expected that the set will be available as a Forbidden Planet Toy Exclusive in the weeks following.

+  Check Out some of the current Forbidden Planet Doctor Who Toy Exclusives.

[Source: Underground Toys]

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

The Castrovalva Collector's Set features The 5th Doctor, The Master's TARDIS (in Pillar disguise) and a shrunken figure accessory.

The newly regenerated Fifth Doctor escapes with his companions back to the TARDIS. Suffering from post-regeneration trauma, he only narrowly manages to save the ship from destruction as it plunges back to Event One, the hydrogen in-rush that preceded the creation of the universe.

He then seeks sanctuary in the peaceful domain of Castrovalva, only to discover that it is an illusory, dimensionally paradoxical trap set for him by the Master with the unwilling aid of a kidnapped Adric. The Doctor eventually wins the day by enlisting the help of the Castrovalvan people who, although also part of the Master's creation, are nevertheless able to exercise free will.

Contents:

1 x Post-regeneration Fifth Doctor action figure.
1 x Shrunken figure accessory.
1 x Master’s TARDIS as a Stone Column.

+  The Castrovalva Collector's Set is released on 20th August 2012, priced £19.99.

+  Order this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Manufacturer: BBC Worldwide Consumer Products

Written By: Terry Nation

RRP: £20.42

Release Date: 18th June 2012

Reviewed By: Dale Who for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 25th June 2012

The TARDIS suffers a mains power loss, and materialises in a foggy gravel pit on the planet Exxilon. The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) must leave the stricken craft and investigate their surroundings if they hope to repair the TARDIS, but the planet is teeming with hostile life forms and the odd duplicitous Human. However when The Doctor's worst enmies arrive on the scene, affected by the same power problem, it's up to the Time Lord to defeat The Daleks, an intelligent city and an assortment of locals intent on sacrificing everyone possible to their indigenous deity... or a metal snaky root. This single disc BBC release boasts the usual cleaned up and sparkling audiovisual experience, backed up by a decent set of extras and even an Easter Egg hidden away on one of the screens.

Special Features:

Commentary - Toby Hadoke hosts the all-male guest list for this commentary, with Julian Fox (Hamilton), Richard Leyland (Assistant Floor Manager), Michael Briant (Director), L Rowland Warne (Costume Designer), and Dick Millks (Special Sound Maestro) all gathered to discuss the story and its plusses and minuses. Although it can seem to lack the humour of some of the more recent commentary tracks, it is packed full of information and little-known facts, and the featurette runs effortlessly along through the story.

Isolated Score - Are you a fan of saxophones?  Repetitive saxophones playing the same theme for The Daleks over and over and over, with the occasional use of someone with a metal thimble over a metal board to provide more annoying noises, somehow meant to represent Exxilons attacking. It's all a bit bizarre and surreal, but it's all available in the Audio Options section, next to the Commentary.

Beneath The City Of The Exxilons - A rather upset Dalek introduces and narrates this behind-the-scenes look at the serial. Noting creator Terry Nation's parallels with current events of the time, the story's cast crew and current Dalek supremo Nicholas Briggs discuss the origins, locations and power issues with the production. On a majorly positive note, the extra has started using backdrops again as opposed to the dismal stark white background of other recent releases, and the Dalek that trundles across the bottom of the screen introducing guests is just marvellously diverting and amusing. A great use of graphics and "Dalek technology" to illustrate points and segueway scenes add to the brilliance of this extra. A real gem of an feature.

Studio Recording - One of the studio blocks of recording, with The Doctor, the Earth party, and some truly brilliant CSO trickery (yes, that's sarcasm) join the Daleks in this extra - from a time when stories were mostly recorder in order, not as later years when it was done with all relevant scenes on each set in turn. Some rather fun subtitles to illustrate the more visual points - such as appalling mattresses - enhance the amusement, and although not a great deal happens, it's a fascinating look at how old school Who was produced.

On The Set Of Dr. Who And The Daleks - Here's something rather special. Jason Flemyng (he of Primeval, and offspring of director Gordon Flemyng) talks us through - with the aid of Marcus Hearn - the mute film trims from the first big screen version of Doctor Who in 1965. Lots of fascinating clips of Peter Cushing's first outing with The Daleks, and some very nice snippets from Dalek operators and crew fill out the story nicely. Jason Flemyng is eminently likable from the off, and it's nice to feel that he's got a new look at his Father's career as well. A real rarity, a truly wonderful look into the past and an entertaining and thoroughly wonderful extra. A must see, and would make the DVD worth buying alone.

Doctor Who Stories: Dalek Men - The operators of the ever cranky alien dustbins get their moment to shine. John Scott Martin and Nicholas Evans, (footage for both being culled from an interview back in 2003) talk about how to operate a Dalek, how they got the jobs, and Dalek salaries!  Another fun and interesting diversion that even manages to cover how Daleks go to the toilet. Not exactly anything new, as we all know from old VHS releases like "Daleks: The Early Years" how the perambulating pepperpots work, but extra stories about the Slyther, and William Hartnell hold the interest.

Coming Soon Trailer - The Doctor-Gond (Patrick Troughton), Zo-Gond (Wendy Padbury) and Jamie-Gond (Frazer Hines) take on some oversized vacuum cleaners with delusions of grandeur, whilst Philip Madoc attempts to wreck some early internet terminals and start a very badly thought out revolution, and the TARDIS shows off a flashy new trick. The next scheduled release is The Krotons, coming soon!

There's also a Photo Gallery of behind-the-scenes and publicity shots from the serial, the Radio Times listings for Death To The Daleks (available in PDF format), Info Text giving extra information as the adventure unfolds on-screen, as well as Audio Navigation and Subtitles for those who many need or want them.

Death To The Daleks hasn't dated terribly well in the effects department, and the bright silver Daleks aren't really looking their best, but they still manage to convey a chilling dose of xenophobia with their trigger happy machine guns firing in all directions. The story stands up very well however, and cast and crew hold the attention effortlessly. The host of extras on this single disc release are equally impressive, with some absolute treasures, and everything is bang on target at holding the attention and providing quality entertainment. Can't fault the DVD, and with its superb clean-up of the archive footage, it's a must-have.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of Classic Series Doctor Who Actress, Caroline John.

Caroline was best known to Doctor Who fans for playing The 3rd Doctor's companion; Liz Shaw. Caroline appeared as Liz Shaw in a total of 5 televised stories:

Spearhead from Space
The Silurians
The Ambassadors of Death
Inferno
The Five Doctors

It is understood that she passed away on 5th June 2012, but news has only been made public today.

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to Caroline's family and friends, and particularly her husband (and fellow Doctor Who actor) Geoffrey Beevers.

On announcing the news to the @DrWhoOnline Twitter followers, we asked for some of your comments to include in our obituary, of which we have added a small selection below:

@WhoFrazer - @DrWhoOnline so so sad to hear the news. Another of our family gone.

@BarryAldridge - @DrWhoOnline Caroline John was a wonderful actress on the screen was an equal to Jon Pertwee #doctorwho

@dn21media - @DrWhoOnline She really made that first season of Pertwee top notch, excellent particularly in Spearhead and as Evil Liz in Inferno.

@MattHolme0 - @DrWhoOnline Goodbye Liz. Underrated and understated. Say hi to Sarah,Barbara and the Brig for me x

@Tarkers73 - @DrWhoOnline so sad about Caroline John, put so much back into the show in the DVD era, thank heaven her memories are recorded forever #rip

@OptimusGinge - @DrWhoOnline another great and much loved companion leaves us

+  You can leave messages of condolence in the DWO Forums thread, here.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC Doctor Who Website has released the first in a series of new promo pictures featuring The Doctor and his new companion (rumoured to be called Clara).

On filming the new series, Matt Smith (The Doctor) had the following to say:

"It is going well. Jenna brings a really different energy to the show – one which I think is very interesting."

Shooting is well-underway for The Doctor’s latest adventures and the second read-through featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new companion took place earlier this week at the BBC’s Roath Lock Studios.

Further images and details on the new series will be released through the website in the coming days and weeks.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who Website]

+  If you want to watch more Doctor Who episodes, there are several on www.lovefilm.com. You can stream videos on demand and get a free trial at LOVEFiLM to see if the service suits you.

Rare behind-the-scenes footage from Dalek Invasion of Earth: 2150 A.D has been discovered.

The brief clip shows movie Doctor Peter Cushing preparing to battle arch foe, The Daleks during the making of an early big-screen adaptation of the long-running sci-fi series.

The precious black and white footage, taken on the set of cult sixties film, also captures director Gordon Flemyng - father of film star Jason - behind camera as he talks with stunt-men and plans out the movie's climatic final scenes.

The material is the first to be uncovered documenting the 1966 film and forms part of a 'lost' TV show found recently in the possession of a collector living in Wales.

Though the BBC wiped the master-tape of A Whole Scene Going, a copy of the magazine show - also featuring an interview with Flemyng and musical performances by the Spencer Davis Group - was made and found its way on to the collector's circuit.

Classic TV organisation Kaleidoscope, which recovered the unique 16mm film print in conjunction with the Tim Disney Archive, said the find will “delight” Doctor Who and vintage music fans alike.

Chris Perry of Kaleidoscope said:

“A Whole Scene Going is an exciting TV find. For Doctor Who fans there's a fascinating glimpse into the making of feature film Dalek Invasion of Earth: 2150 A.D., showing Peter Cushing as the Doctor on the set along with director Gordon Flemyng and lots of Daleks. For music lovers there are priceless performances by classic British beat band the Spencer Davis Group as well as American singer/songwriter Judy Collins. Sixties pop shows were routinely shown live or wiped after transmission so it's great to find one that slipped past the eraser's magnet!"

Tim Disney of the TDA said:

“How this print came into existence or found it's way to a Welsh village, we'll never know. However, one theory is that it could have been film recorded by BBC Wales from the network feed down the line from London for transmission at a later date.”

A Whole Scene Going was a short-lived TV teen culture show hosted by Wendy Varnels and Barry Fantoni.

The recovered edition, from March '66, captures Flemyng at Shepperton Studios while directing an action-packed finale involving Horror icon Cushing and an army of Robomen thwarting a Dalek plan to drop a giant bomb into the Earth's core.

Cushing played the Time Lord - currently portrayed on TV by Matt Smith - in two Flemyng-directed films during the height of “Dalekmania”, also starring in 1964's box-office hit Doctor Who and the Daleks.

Interspersed with the footage is an interview with Flemyng - who died in 1995, aged 61 - revealing that he preferred making “entertainment pictures”as opposed to more high-brow films, but “didn't take them any less seriously”.

The emergence of A Whole Scene Going has also got music fans excited with the discovery of a rare interview with the Spencer Davis Group, who also perform chart-topping single “Somebody Help Me Now” in the studio.

Kaleidoscope and the TDA - who bought the film print privately from the collector - are currently in the process of returning a digital copy to the BBC Archive.

Eager fans will get the chance to see the recovered footage for the first time in more than four decades at Kaleidoscope's next screening event, taking place in Stourbridge, West Midlands, on Saturday 9th June.

Tim Disney of the TDA added:

“Dr Who was not the primary draw for us in recovering this programme, but the content of the programme as a whole — the exciting period of popular culture it reflects and it's place in the history of British television. Thankfully, after the collector discovered he had a unique TV recording he was keen to ensure it would be returned to the BBC archives, turning down silly money offers to deal instead with Kaleidoscope and the TDA.”

To see a clip from the recovered show visit www.timdisneyarchive.com.

[Source: Kaleidoscope]

BBC Consumer Products have sent DWO the cover and details for the Doctor Who DVD release of Vengeance on Varos: Special Edition.

Vengeance on Varos: Special Edition

Featuring: The 6th Doctor

The Doctor visits the planet Varos to obtain supplies of a rare ore called zeiton 7, vital to the functioning of the TARDIS. Varos was once a colony for the criminally insane and the descedants of the orginal guards still rule over the rest poverty-striken population. The Doctor and Peri meet two rebels, Jondar and Areta, and Peri and Areta are captured by Qullam, the Dome's sadistic commandant... 

Cleared Special Feautres:

•  00:44:42:11 - DOCTOR WHO - VENGEANCE ON VAROS - PART ONE (WITH AUDIO COMMENTARY)
•  00:44:45:02 - DOCTOR WHO - VENGEANCE ON VAROS - PART TWO (WITH AUDIO COMMENTARY)
•  00:01:37:07 - (ACID BATH SCENE) (ALTERNATE MUSIC TRACK)
•  00:29:37:17 - NICE OR NASTY? - THE MAKING OF VENGEANCE ON VAROS
•  00:07:29:11 - THE IDIOT'S LANTERN (FEATURETTE)
•  00:12:54:03 - TOMORROW'S TIMES - THE SIXTH DOCTOR (FEATURETTE)
•  00:07:31:05 - (FRENCH AND SAUNDERS) (TELEVISION CLIP)
•  00:17:42:04 - (EXTENDED & DELETED SCENES)
•  00:06:38:08 - VENGEANCE ON VAROS - PHOTO GALLERY
•  00:01:07:01 - (NEWS) (TELEVISION NEWS CLIP)
•  00:15:07:11 - (SATURDAY SUPERSTORE) (TELEVISION CLIP)
•  00:05:41:15 - BBC BREAKFAST TIME (TELEVISION CLIP)

+  Vengeance on Varos: Special Edition is released on 10th September 2012, priced £20.42.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Consumer Products]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming Doctor Who CD release of The Androids of Tara.

In this brand new novelisation of the original 1978 TV story by David Fisher, the 4th Doctor, Romana and K9 become enmeshed in a Prisoner of Zenda-style adventure where the evil Count Reynart plots to become ruler of Tara.

Read by John Leeson.

+  The Androids of Tara is released on 5th July 2012, priced £13.25 (CD) / £12.29 (Download).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming Doctor Who CD release of The Nu-Humans.

The Doctor, Amy and Rory arrive on the planet Hope Eternal, where colonists from Earth have reworked themselves with new internal organs and DNA structures. But their presence is far from welcomed by the colony governor - and when the travellers unearth some dark home truths, their lives are put in danger.

Read by Raquel Cassidy.

+  The Nu-Humans is released on 5th July 2012, priced £10.20 (CD) / £6.79 (Download).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming Doctor Who CD release of Dark Horizons.

On a windswept Northern shore, at the very tip of what will one day become Scotland, the islanders believe the worst they have to fear is a Viking attack.

The Doctor is just looking for a game on the famous Lewis chess set. Instead he encounters a people under attack from a power they cannot possibly understand. The islanders must take on a ruthless alien force in a world without technology; without communications; without tea that isn't made out of bark. Still, at least they have the Doctor on their side... Don't they?

A thrilling new adventure starring the Doctor, as played by Matt Smith.

Read by Neve McIntosh.

+  Dark Horizons is released on 5th July 2012, priced £13.25 (CD) / £12.29 (Download).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

William Russell, the original star of Doctor Who, talks candidly about his time in the TARDIS in Doctor Who Magazine - Issue #448.

Sixties action hero William Russell, talks to DWM about his role as science teacher Ian Chesterton, companion to the First Doctor in the very earliest days of the series:

"William Hartnell never forgave me for leaving," he reveals. "He couldn't understand it, which was nice in a way. He said to me, 'What's the matter with you? You've got three kids, you've got a job, we're having a great time – what more do you want?!' 'I want to do a play, Bill.' He didn't understand that. Maybe he was right. But he never forgave me for jumping ship."

ALSO THIS ISSUE:

FREE AUDIO ADVENTURE!
DWM, in association with Big Finish Productions, is proud to present an exclusive brand new audio adventure starring WILLIAM RUSSELL. THE REVENANTS, written by Ian Potter, features the First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan and is available FREE to all readers this issue!

POLL POSITIONS
The votes have been counted and the winners of DWM's annual poll can now be announced! Find out which stories, actors, authors and directors came out on top in 2011. And where did YOUR favourite come in the race for the most popular Doctor… ?

THE OTHER HALF
Author NEIL GAIMAN, writer of the acclaimed 2011 episode THE DOCTOR'S WIFE, talks exclusively to DWM about writing the story and reveals the secrets of the scenes you DIDN'T see…

SAYING GOODBYE
Doctor Who's commander-in-chief, STEVEN MOFFAT, writes exclusively for DWM in PRODUCTION NOTES and tells of the sad day on which Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill recorded their very last scene as departing companions, Amy and Rory. Have your hankies ready!

TIMELASHED
GLEN McCOY, author of 1985's time-twisting Timelash, talks to DWM about writing the Sixth Doctor's infamous adventure and his early career in television.

A NEW BEGINNING
It's 1982 and the Fifth Doctor takes the helm of a crowded TARDIS and navigates the series into a new era as our voyage through five decades of Doctor Who continues with 1982's Season 19 in COUNTDOWN TO 50.

DEFENCE OF THE REALM
DWM goes behind the scenes of the making of a brand new Doctor Who spin-off audio drama series from Big Finish Productions. COUNTER MEASURES features characters from 1988's REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS, and DWM talks to actors PAMELA SALEM, SIMON WILLIAMS and KAREN GLEDHILL who reprise their roles after more than 20 years!

COMIC STRIP CAPERS
The Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory get involved in some very organised crime on an alien world as they embark on a brand new adventure, THE CORNUCOPIA CAPER, written by SCOTT GRAY and drawn by DAN McDAID.

FALL OF THE SHADOW
As the hunt for the Key to Time comes to a dramatic climax, the Fourth Doctor, Romana and K9 face the ultimate forces of darkness in THE ARMAGEDDON FACTOR. THE FACT OF FICTION examines this universe-stopping six-part adventure from 1979 and uncovers dozens of fascinating new facts…

LOST OR FOUND?
As well as all broadcast episodes of Doctor Who, there are a multitude of scripts and story ideas that never made to the screen. Some of these are now being produced as audio dramas, but it would be have better to let the stories rest in peace and make brand new adventures for the Doctor instead? TOBY HADOKE and JOHNNY CANDON debate the pros and cons in A BATTLE OF WITS!

FLASHBACK TO THE FIFTIES!
THE TIME TEAM slick their hair back and join the Doctor and Rose in post-war London where the alien Wire is riding the airwaves of the nations TV broadcasts. Join Chris, Emma, Will and Michael as the bathe in the warm glow of 2006's THE IDIOT'S LANTERN. 

OFF THE RECORD!
The cunning Watcher challenges readers with The Six Faces of Delusion, outs another Supporting Artist of the Month and examines Doctor Who's use of the definite article in A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects – all crammed into 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 #448 is out on Thursday 31st May 2012, priced £4.50.

+  SUBSCRIBE and get 12 x Issues, 1 x Special and Worldwide Shipping for £85 via CompareTheDalek.com!

+  Check Out DWO's Guide to every issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Big Finish has revealed that Tom Baker and Louise Jameson will return in a third season of The Fourth Doctor Adventures, which will be released commencing in January 2014. The series of full-cast audio plays will consist of eight stories, and will again be set after the TV adventure The Talons of Weng-Chiang.

“We’ve been delighted by the response to the first season of our Fourth Doctor stories,” says executive producer Nicholas Briggs. “We had such an exciting and rewarding time making series one and two, and we’re just thrilled to be back in the studio again with Tom and Louise recording more. Of course, the second series – which features Mary Tamm as Romana, with John Leeson as the voice of K9 – won’t be released until January 2013. But, recording schedules being what they are, we are always working well ahead.”

“We began recording on series three on May 9,” says producer David Richardson, “and production will continue through until July. At the moment it’s too early to reveal many story details, but we can say that Geoffrey Beevers will again return as the Master, the travellers will discover what lurks in the dead of night and the Doctor will encounter an even deadlier version of an old foe.”

Gareth Thomas, best known as freedom fighter Roj Blake from Blake’s 7, will be portraying the last surviving member of the Colophon race in one episode. Jessica Martin (Mags in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy) also guest stars in the story.

Season Three is available to pre-order now at bigfinish.com.

Meanwhile, June 2012 sees the release of the final story in the first series of Tom’s first season with Big Finish – in which he takes on the Master and the Kraals in The Oseidon Adventure.

[Source: Big Finish]

Matt Smith will carry the Olympic Torch in Cardiff on Saturday, the official Doctor Who Twitter account has confirmed.

Smith, who is currently filming the seventh series in Cardiff with new companion, played by actress, Jenna Louise-Coleman, said:

"To carry the Torch is an honour, one I thought I'd never get. I'm very excited!"

The news will come as consolation to fans who have been campaigning for David Tennant (The 10th Doctor), to be the official lighter of the Olympic Flame. An online petition has acquired over 37,000+ signatures from fans wishing for the scene from the Series Two adventure; Fear Her, in which The 10th Doctor lights the Olympic Flame, to become reality.

[Source: Official Doctor Who Twitter]

BBC Books have sent DWO the cover & details for the July release of The Wheel of Ice by Steven Baxter.

The Wheel of Ice

Written by: Stephen Baxter

Resilience. Remembrance. Resolution. Whatever the cost.

She had no name. She had only her mission - she would return Home. And bathe in the light of a long-dead sun... Even if it meant the sacrifice of this pointless little moon to do it.

The Wheel of Ice: a ring of ice and steel turning around a moon of Saturn, home to a colony mining minerals for a resource-hungry future Earth. A bad place to grow up.

The Wheel has been plagued by problems. Maybe it's just gremlins, just bad luck. But what's the truth of the children's stories of 'Blue Dolls' glimpsed aboard the gigantic facility? And why won't the children go down the warren-like mines? And then sixteen-year-old Phee Laws, surfing Saturn's rings, saves an enigmatic blue box from destruction.

Aboard the Wheel, The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe find a critical situation - and three strangers who have just turned up out of nowhere look like prime candidates to be accused of sabotage ... The Doctor finds himself caught up in a mystery that goes right back to the creation of the solar system. But it's a mystery that could have dire repercussions for the people on the Wheel. It's a mystery that could kill them all.

A thrilling, all-new adventure featuring the Second Doctor, as played by Patrick Troughton in the legendary, classic series from BBC Television.

+  The Wheel of Ice is released on 16th August 2012, priced £16.99 (HB).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: BBC Books]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Eddie Robson

RRP: £8.99

Release Date: 31st May 2012

Reviewed by: Matthew Davis for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 24th May 2012

Jamie McCrimmon is trapped. Trapped not only within a four wall cell but within several time streams and not all of them are in the right order. 

His interrogator, and at some points prisoner Moran is interested in The Doctor and his agenda towards the local alien race the Unhelt. Jamie maintains that the Unhelt are harmless and that The Doctor trusts them. But why does Jamie keep switching from prisoner to captor and why do the Unhelt seem to be the enemy he believed they weren’t?

It soon becomes clear that someone is playing a game with Jamie. But it seems that there are two more players than just the highlander and Moran. The mysterious Si is behind it all, informing The Doctor that Jamie is indeed part of a game and it is one that will guarantee his freedom, if he can put the pieces of the puzzle in the right order.

Jamie McCrimmon must now face a test not just of his own resources but of his trust in the Doctor as he may not be right this time around.

Big Finish has recently been experimenting with the format of The Companion Chronicles by releasing them as audio dramas rather than talking books. This can be seen in the recent release Binary and the same format is used here to great effect. The nature of the story allows the pace to be kept at a great momentum in the audio drama format and as a result the story never feels boring.

The Jigsaw War is an intriguing play and certainly not one for a causal listen. This story, with its jumping about in time at an almost disorientating pace, demands your attention. Part of the fun is hearing Jamie trying to figure out his escape route as we hear him in both increasingly desperate and relatively calm situations within the same room. 

Frazer Hines is superb as Jamie especially when he is on the defensive about The Doctor towards Moran. This story is again another opportunity to hear Hines’ uncanny impersonation of Patrick Troughton, this time given full credit as The Doctor and not Jamie impersonating him. When these moments come they are delightful as Hines really acts like the Second Doctor which lends it more authenticity than simply doing a heightened impression of Troughton. It is a joy to listen to.

Hine’s fellow cast member Dominic Mafham is terrific as Moran, particularly as the actor has to play the character at several points in a very disjointed timeline. These moments require many different emotional states which Dafham excels at. He makes for a wonderful straight sparring partner against the rough and ready Scot and the contrast is admirably brought to life by both Hines and Mafham.

Deep within the puzzle of the play are some very interesting questions about The Doctor that Moran raises to Jamie during their interrogations. These mostly concern the off audio Unhelt and The Doctor’s opinion of them. The Unhelt to Jamie and The Doctor are simply subjugated and oppressed by Moran’s people whereas Moran present s a plausible case that they are dangerous and his people’s methods in containing them while admittedly cruel do serve a greater purpose in keeping the peace between the races. It is suggested by Moran that The Doctor simply takes things on face value and sees only a small part of the picture without full possession of the facts. This does cause an interesting moral dilemma for Jamie but it is brushed away somewhat by the far bigger puzzle that is the main story.

When the conclusion comes it is rather abrupt and does not really leave the listener fully satisfied. However, writer Eddie Robson has been rather clever to design the story in such a way that when the story is over, a way is offered to the listener to hear the adventure in the correct chronological order of events. It is a clever twist and adds a great deal of replay value to the listener.

The Jigsaw War is an enjoyable Companion Chronicle despite some of the more intriguing ideas being swamped by the main narrative in whatever order you choose to listen to it. A recommended listen.

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Alan Barnes

RRP: £10.99

Release Date: 31st May 2012

Reviewed by: Matthew Davis for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 24th May 2012

Derbyshire in the year 1979. The Doctor and Leela arrive in the middle of a hunt for a missing girl.

Confronted by suspicious locals and the retired though rather unhinged Colonel Spindelton, the travellers begin to discover that everyone is living in fear of an ancient legend from the time of the Romans. It tells of a great White Worm, living in the Dark Peak Gap surfacing only for the flesh of animals or children.

Since the Derbyshire countryside is rife with trails of mysterious slime and missing people, all evidence suggests that the Worm is much more than a mere legend.

The Doctor begins his investigation of the strange events but he is not the only Time Lord interested in the White Worm. This Time Lord has been waiting and planning for a long time and the Worm is essential to his schemes. The Doctor is about to confront an ancient evil and a very old nemesis. 

Trail of the White Worm is not only a love letter to Bram Stoker and the Hammer Horror influences of the Philip Hinchcliffe era, but the return of The Master to Big Finish.

It is no secret that the character was coming back and the weight of expectation to see Geoffrey Beevers return to the role opposite Tom Baker was huge. The last time these two actors met as their characters was Baker’s penultimate story The Keeper of Traken, so it is a little disappointing that this adventure is not as strong as one would hope.

Having said that when The Master is present Beevers’ performance is sublime; dripping with menace, charm and a gleefully sadistic nature. When The Doctor and The Master finally confront one another it is tantalisingly brief but promises great moments to come in the next story.

Trail of the White Worm is a standalone adventure which concludes as a direct set up for the finale of the first Fourth Doctor season. It is only towards the end of part two that we see the story setting up the next act and this rather hurts it, as, upon reflection, the story begins to feel a little rushed. This is a shame as the concept and ideas on display here are so good.

As soon as The Doctor and Leela arrive we head straight into the adventure, and the marvellously mysterious characters that are set up either have their motivations exposed quickly or are dispatched just as fast. This is more evident in the supporting characters such as the wonderfully mad Colonel Spindelton and the rather enigmatic Demesne Furze. Spindelton’s motivations are explained but his reasoning for siding with The Master seems rather fickle but then again people have done far worse things for the most selfish of excuses. Furze, a character we eventually learn is crucial not only to this story but in helping to spark the beginning of the next one comes perilously close to being merely a plot device by the end. This is in no way a reflection on the cast as everyone is on top form.

Tom Baker and Louise Jameson continue the wonderful rapport they have built throughout this season and once again prove that age and time are no barriers to them returning to these classic parts. Michael Cochrane is fantastic as the barking mad Spindelton and Rachel Stirling creates a real sense of mystery in her portrayal as Furze which elevates her character from becoming too much of a device to simply get the story going. 

Trail of the White Worm feels like it should have been a much longer and darker tale than what we have here, but despite its flaws it is still very entertaining, but you cannot escape the feeling that this story is merely a stepping stone to a much larger one.

Today sees the worldwide release of one of the finest Doctor Who games to date; The Eternity Clock - so what can we look forward to in the game?

You can play as the Doctor and River Song as they race to save the universe and time itself, whilst trying to unravel the mystery of The Eternity Clock and stop its deadly path of destruction before it’s too late.

Equipped with the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver, River’s Blaster and other fantastic gadgets, journey through four London time periods and a number of alien locations in search of the answers. Face up to the most fearsome monsters including Silurians, Cybermen, Daleks and the Silence.

Outwit and destroy foes, solve puzzles and make the right choices in an epic action-adventure to save the future.

Other great gameplay features:

•  Explore the universe of the Doctor, across 4 distinct 'London' time periods.
•  Play as the Doctor and River Song to solve the riddle of The Eternity Clock.
•  Collaborative multiplayer - play together simultaneously and in different time periods.
•  Time travel gameplay mechanics - changes to one time period affect the layout of another, solve puzzles across the centuries.
•  Innovative 2D to 3D camera switch play.
•  Experience 'being the Doctor' - face challenging decisions and puzzles.
•  Cross platform play between PS3 and Vita game.
•  An intriguing, expansive and yet simple plot developed in collaboration with the team behind the TV show  - set across 600 years of history and into the alternate futures of earth.

DWO are offering our visitors a chance to win a Download Code to get the game for FREE. Simply pop over to our Competitions page and answer the question to enter.

[Source: BBC Games]

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

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

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

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

[Source: SciFiCollector]

BBC Worldwide have sent DWO another video for the upcoming Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock video game, focusing on making an interactive episode, introduced by Simon Harris (Executive Producer) and Nick Dixon (Design Director).

The Eternity Clock launches on 23rd May for PS3 and 13th June for PS Vita on the PlayStation Network.

[youtube:LWyFuklyRp8]

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Writer, Neil Gaiman and Director, Richard Clark have scooped up an a win at this years Nebula Awards for their work on the Series 6 story; The Doctor's Wife.

The award was won in the 'Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation' category, which also signifies the first time Doctor Who has ever won at the awards. It was the only television episode to make it to the category and was up against stiff competition from The Adjustment Bureau, Attack the Block, Captain America, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, and Source Code.

On winning the award, Neil Gaiman (@NeilHimself) took to Twitter with the following words:

"Just won a Bradbury award at the #nebs2012 for The Doctor's Wife. Thanked everyone, including Verity Lambert and Sydney Newman. #glowing"

Gaiman also tweeted a picture of the award [pictured right].

Steven Moffat (@Steven_Moffat) congratulated the pair via Twitter with the following tweet:

"Hey, you two! FANTASTIC news. Doctor Who has never bagged one of those, tho' we've tried. Clearly we needed YOU."

Richard Clark (@rclarkie) replied with the following tweet:

"Too kind. It's not everyday you can claim to have stolen a march on Scorsese AND Woody Allen. Giggle."

DWO would like to extend its congratulations to Neil, Richard and the whole of the Doctor Who team on winning this fantastic award.

[Source: SFWA]

Doctor Who Showrunner and Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat is to receive a special prize at this year's BAFTA TV awards, organisers have announced.

Recognising his "outstanding creative writing contribution to television", the award will be presented on 27 May at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Previous recipients include Russell T. Davies, who preceded the 50-year-old Scot as Doctor Who's head writer.

"Blimey! A special award!" said Moffat, "I didn't even know I was ill."

The accolade follows the writing prize he received at last Sunday's BAFTA Craft Awards for A Scandal in Belgravia, the first episode of Sherlock's second series.

The Paisley native won his first Bafta in 1991 for Press Gang and was further recognised for his work on Doctor Who and Sherlock in 2008 and 2011 respectively. Moffat said he was "so thrilled" to be recognised again, "especially after two years of [working on] my two favourite shows ever".

Bafta chair Tim Corrie described him as "one of the finest exponents of his craft" and said the special award - presented in honour of Dennis Potter - was "very well deserved".

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is up for the best actor prize at this year's awards, which will also see his co-stars Martin Freeman and Andrew Scott go head to head in the supporting actor category.

[Source: BBC News]

BBC Worldwide have sent DWO another video for the upcoming Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock video game, focusing on the monsters featured in the game, introduced by Simon Harris (Executive Producer) and Nick Dixon (Design Director).

The Eternity Clock launches on 23rd May for PS3 and 13th June for PS Vita on the PlayStation Network.

[youtube:OOc7ULEuoVk]

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

We regularly get requests from our visitors wanting us to post some Top 10 lists, so we thought we'd get the ball rolling with one that can only be described as the stuff of legend; Steven Moffat's Hair!

DWO therefore proudly present:

10 Things Inspired by The Moff's Hair!

Thing #1 - The Portugese Water Dog

Perhaps the biggest influence The Moff's hair has ever given was to that of the Portugese Water Dog. The breed formally known as 'Poodle' decided to take the next step in its evolutionary path, after a chance viewing of Dogtor Who Confidential way back in 2005. The breed, which no-one has ever heard of until now, is also the dog of choice in the Obama household!

Thing #2 - Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Up until 2005 all we had was green Broccoli, sure it tastes good, but we can all agree it was lacking something - that was, until The Moff arrived on the scene. Suddenly, TV chefs everywhere, up and down the country were using a suspiciously new variety touted as the 'purple sprouting broccoli'. This lead to the Vegetable Patch craze (known as 'patching') that swept the country in 2006, where fans (believing they had sighted The Moff) arrive en-masse to allotments and vegetable patches in the hopes of a sneaky autograph. Alas, Anthony Worrall-Thompson was made the scapegoat, and blamed for stealing the regular green varieties (from Tesco), painting them a dark purple, and planting them nationwide.

Thing #3 - The Health Lottery

2011 saw the arrival of The Health Lottery - complete with Moff-hair-wearing mascots. The principle behind the scheme was that for every £1 spent, 50 pence will go to the Hair & Make-Up department at BBC Wales to ensure the future preservation of The Moff's hair. The other 50 pence is channelled directly into the NHS to fund patients looking to recreate their icon's famous bounce. Winners who correctly matched all 5 numbers win £100,000 as well a curling iron made out of pure gold, laser signed by The Moff himself.

Thing #4 - James Nesbitt in Jekyll

In the year of our Moff, 2007, Steven Moffat approached the BBC with a pitch for a brand new series based on the story of Jekyll and Hyde. Having seen Steven's recent Doctor Who episodes, they jumped at the chance and so casting began. James Nesbitt was the actor of choice for The Moff, but despite being offered the role flat out, Moffat was thrice turned down by the actor owing to Nesbitt wanting to emulate Moffat's hair in the role as it "just felt right". Moffat finally agreed and production was fast-tracked for the June air date.

Thing #5 - The Microphone

In 1876, Emile Berliner invented the first Microphone, but history forgets that it was his partner Douglas McBarnet Moffat (great-grandfather of The Moff), that actually inspired the design. Carrying the same genes transported through time in what can only be described as a 'timey-wimey' transference, Douglas passed down the famous follicles, and in 2012 they are just as inspirational today as they were all those years ago.

Thing #6 - Black Tennis Balls

You heard it here first! Back in 2008, the Duchess of Kent - a huge fan of The Moff, tried to pass a bill through to the Wimbledon Board of Governors to allow the use of Moffat-inspired Black Tennis balls. Deemed as "too radical" and "too distracting to one's eye", the bill was sadly not passed, and the image above is the last surviving reminder of what we believe could have changed the face of Tennis as we know it.

Thing #7 - Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons

Cast your mind back to 1990 and you will remember the appearance of the villainous Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons. Matt Groening, creator of the show, was a huge fan of Moffat's work and after watching his ITV production of The Devil Wept in Leeds, he wanted to immortalise The Moff in his own show. Although the hair colour may not be the same as Moffat's (save, that time in the summer of '69 when The Moff experimented with Lemon juice), the texture of Sideshow Bob's hair was identical, and thus a popular recurring character was born.

Thing #8 - David Tennant's new look

In 2008 David Tennant took a short break from Doctor Who to perform his now famous portrayal as Hamlet for The Royal Shakespeare Company. Tennant had a few months before he had to return to the show, and wanted to try out some new hairstyles. The Moff was top of his list for inspiration and paid a whopping £5000 on achieving the new look. Unfortunately the RSC were not very happy with his new locks and ordered him to wear a beanie [pictured] until it grew out a little longer.

Thing #9 - River Song

2008 also saw the first appearance of River Song, as played by Alex Kingston. Having being asked to return to Series Five with new Doctor, Matt Smith, Kingston had a few 'requirements' to settle before signing the contract. Having been good friends with James Nesbitt and seeing his success in Jekyll, Kingston wanted to emulate the same hairstyle (originally inspired by The Moff). Once more Moffat reluctantly agreed. Kingston was keen on knowing how Moffat achieved his legendary look, to which Moffat replied "I will tell you when we begin production on the next series, but you can not tell anyone, not a soul, not even Matt, Karen or Arthur - at least not until Episode 7."

Thing #10 - The H Bomb

Bit of a controversial one, but it is a known fact that the first H Bomb was exploded in 1952 - just 9 years before The Moff was born. Coincidence? Well...yes, actually. But you gotta admit, the shape of the explosion is almost identical to that legendary do! 

[Source: DWO]

Karen Gillan made a surprise appearance at Cannes Film Festival yesterday, sporting a breathtaking new look.

The Doctor Who star, who has just completed her final scenes on the show, was pictured wearing a etherial white mullet dress with bright neon yellow-heeled shoes. Gillan was also spotted with a new hairstyle, which DWO are dubbing 'The Edinburgh Fringe'.

Karen was in town to promote her first major film, 'Not Another Happy Ending', which you can help fund here.

After sharing the released image [pictured right] with our @DrWhoOnline Twitter followers, we were deluged with comments from fans whose breath was literally taken away by the stunner from Inverness.

[Sources: DWO; Cannes Film Festival]

BBC Worldwide have sent DWO a video introduction featuring interviews with Simon Harris (Executive Producer) and Nick Dixon (Design Director) for the upcoming Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock video game.

The game will be launched on 23rd May for PS3 and 13th June for PS Vita on the PlayStation Network.

[youtube:_1H8AotHo5g]

[Source: BBC Worldwide]