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Stuart Mascair

Welcome to the News & Reviews section here at Doctor Who Online! This is where you will find all the latest Doctor Who related news and reviews split up into easy to use sections - each section is colour coded for your convenience. The latest items can be found at the top, and older items follow down the page.

Archived news and reviews can be accessed by clicking on the relevant area on the News / Reviews Key panels to the right.

E-Mail NewsE-Mail Reviews
2 July 2012

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]

29 June 2012

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]

8 June 2012

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.

20 May 2012

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]

9 May 2012

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

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

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

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

[Source: The Guardian]

26 April 2012

American actor Michael McShane will be appearing in Series 7 of Doctor Who.

The Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves star will be seen in Episode Five of Series 7 playing a villain alongside returning monsters the Weeping Angels.

He revealed his involvement with the BBC sc-fi show on his twitter page writing:

"Most fantastic time doing Doctor Who; best cast and crew I've been with in a while! Long live Gallifrey. (sic)"

The episode is set in New York and has huge significance in the programme's storyline because it will be the last adventure to feature the Doctor's companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams - who are played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill respectively.

McShane, who is famous for his appearances on improvisation comedy show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' - has been teasing Doctor Who fans on his twitter page by writing about his role but not giving any hints as to who he is playing.

He tweeted: "Spoiler Alert for Dr Who; in my episode the Doctor finds he's got a /;;zapppppp GACK. sizzle, hissssss... (sic)"

It has also been revealed that Riann Steele is playing Egyptian Queen Nefertiti in the second episode of the upcoming series - which will be current Time Lord; Matt Smith's third in the iconic role.

[Source: Evening Standard]

26 March 2012

The BBC have unveiled the Series 7 Teaser Trailer (as shown at The Official Doctor Who Convention).

View the trailer below:

** Please Note this video is only viewable to fans based in the UK.

+  Series 7 of Doctor Who will air Autumn 2012.

[Source: BBC]

23 March 2012

BBC America have uploaded a promotional picture featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman with the TARDIS.

The image (pictured right) is the first to be released since the announement of Coleman's casting.

Is is still unknown as to what the name of her character will be, but it is expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks and possibly months.

Coleman's first appearance in Doctor Who will be in the 2012 Christmas Special.

[Source: BBC America]

21 March 2012

The BBC have confirmed the scheduling and some further details for Series 7 of Doctor Who.

It was announced at today's press conference, which also saw the confirmation that Jenna-Louise Coleman would be the new Doctor Who companion, that there will be 6 episodes of Doctor Who (including the Christmas Special) this year, and 8 episodes next year.

Steven Moffat also confirmed that Rory and Amy's last episode will be Episode 5, and that "Amy & Rory will leave in a final encounter with the Weeping Angels. Not everyone gets out alive and I mean it this time".

More news to follow...

[Source: BBC]

21 March 2012

Jenna-Louise Coleman has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to become the new companion to Doctor Who, it was announced today by Steven Moffat.

Twenty-five year old Jenna from Blackpool will star alongside the 11th Time Lord, Matt Smith, to mark the biggest year in the show’s history.

Best known for her roles in Emmerdale (Jasmine Thomas) and Waterloo Road (Lindsay James), Jenna will replace Karen Gillan when she and Arthur Darvill bow out of the show in a heartbreaking departure after one final series of rollercoaster voyages later this year on BBC One.

Jenna says: "I'm beyond excited, I can't wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure."

The Doctor will meet his new friend in a dramatic turn of events as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year - full of thrills, adventures and big surprises. Series seven is currently filming and comprises 14 big, blockbuster-movie episodes - each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you've never seen them before.

Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, says: "It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She's funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS.

"It's not often the Doctor meets someone who can talk even faster than he does, but it's about to happen. Jenna is going to lead him his merriest dance yet. And that's all you're getting for now. Who she's playing, how the Doctor meets her, and even where he finds her, are all part of one of the biggest mysteries the Time Lord ever encounters. Even by the Doctor's standards, this isn't your usual boy meets girl."

Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One, adds "As we approach Doctor Who's 50th anniversary it's great to welcome a new companion to the TARDIS. I feel confident the Doctor will look after her in his own very unique style."

In 2011 Jenna made her big screen debut in Captain America: The First Avenger and is soon to star as Annie Desmond in ITV1’s Titanic. She has just finished filming on Stephen Poliakoff's Dancing On The Edge for BBC Two.

+ Watch the BBC News interview with Jenna on her casting.

[Sources: BBC]

22 February 2012

Filming has just started on Series 7 of Doctor Who in Cardiff. This series will see the last days of the Ponds with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final, rollercoaster voyage with The Doctor.

Amy and Rory have been at the Doctor's side for more than two series but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third series as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: "It's thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends."

Karen Gillan adds: "It's just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet"

Plus new guest stars so far confirmed to star will include David Bradley, Rupert Graves and Mark Williams.

Series 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when The Doctor meets a new friend. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year. Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes - each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you've never seen them before.

+  The seventh series of Doctor Who is currently slated to air Autumn 2012.

[Source: BBC Pictures]

17 February 2012

An episode of the upcoming Series 7 of Doctor Who will be filmed in Spain, according to the Shepperd-Fox Agency.

Rob Cavazos, an Actor represented by the agency, is listed as playing:

'Walter in the new series of 'DOCTOR WHO' (BBC). He shoots in Spain next month'.

Filming on the new series will begin this Monday (20th February) with Saul Metzstein directing the first block.

[Source: Shepperd-Fox]

30 January 2012

Matt Smith reckons he'll get traded in for a "younger, cooler person" on Doctor Who some day.

The actor has won critical acclaim - and a best actor gong at last week's National Television Awards - since he was announced as the 11th Timelord in 2009. But the 29-year-old admitted he wouldn't be playing the role forever.

"I just sort of take each year as it comes really. We've got all the rest of this year to get through and then we'll just sit down and review it from there and see where it goes," Matt said.

"But I love playing the part and I love working with (writer) Steven Moffat."

Referring to Tom Baker, the longest-running Doctor from 1974 to 1981, he added: "I think there will need to be a younger, cooler person than me - or maybe an older, cooler person, who knows? But I don't think I'll be doing it as long as Mr Baker."

Shooting on the new series starts mid-February and Matt - who will be joined by a new sidekick following the departure of co-star Karen Gillan - said he stays healthy to cope with the hectic filming schedule.

"Fruit, vegetables, good sleep if you can and preparation is the key," he explained.

[Source: Press Association]

3 January 2012

The final BARB viewing figures are in for 6.14: The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.

The episode achieved a final figure of 10.77m viewers, with an audience share of 37.3%. This is compared to the overnight's which reached 8.9m viewers, with an audience share of 34.2%, meaning a total time shift of +1.87m viewers.

Doctor Who came third for the highest TV ratings for Christmas Day:

01 - Downton Abbey - 11.60m (34.4%)

02 - EastEnders - 11.33m (32.4%)

03 - Doctor Who - 10.77m (37.3%)

Figures do not include BBC iPlayer downloads for this episode.

The episode also achieved an AI score of 84.

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

[Source: Andy Parish]

16 December 2011

Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill - who play Doctor Who companions Amy Pond and Rory - are to leave the show during the next series.

Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat made the announcement at a screening of the Christmas episode at BBC TV Centre in London.

"The final days of the Ponds are coming," Moffat said. "I'm not telling you when or how, but that story is going to come to a heartbreaking end."

He said the Doctor, played by Matt Smith, was going to meet "a new friend". It is believed that role has not yet been cast.

On the departure of Gillan and Darvill, Matt Smith said:

"We had the most incredible journey. We took over the show and we've really had to hold hands and help each other through it. So it's very disappointing, but one has to remember that this show is about change and regeneration, and that's what galvanizes it and pushes it forwards."

[Source: BBC News]

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