BBC - Doctor Who

Doctor Who to Return with 'The Bells of Saint John' - First Official Picture!

Doctor Who is to return to BBC One on 30 March in a modern day urban thriller announced today as 'The Bells of Saint John', as the first official image is revealed giving fans a sneak peak at what to expect from the epic new series.

Written by Steven Moffat, 'The Bells of Saint John' will mark the official introduction of the Doctor's newest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman.  Having already made two appearances last year, the opening episode will be the first time fans get to see the Clara that will accompany the Doctor across the series' eight adventures.

Set in London against the backdrop of new and old iconic landmarks, The Shard and Westminster Bridge, 'The Bells of Saint John' will also establish a new nemesis, the Spoonheads, who will battle the Doctor as he discovers something sinister is lurking in the Wi-Fi.

Steven Moffat, executive producer and lead writer, said:

"It's the 50th year of Doctor Who and look what's going on! We're up in the sky and under the sea! We're running round the rings of an alien world and then a haunted house. There's new Cybermen, new Ice Warriors and a never before attempted journey to the centre of the TARDIS. And in the finale, the Doctor's greatest secret will at last be revealed!  If this wasn't already our most exciting year it would be anyway!"

Featuring a movie a week from a ghost story to an underwater siege to a period drama, the new series will also introduce new monsters, as well as bringing back fan favourites the Ice Warriors and Cybermen.

Meanwhile the series' stellar list of guest stars include: Celia Imrie; Richard E Grant; Warwick Davis, Jessica Raine; Dougray Scott and Tamzin Outhwaite, as well as for the first time on screen together, mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg and Rachael Stirling.

And just in case you missed it, don’t forget to check out the thrilling preview to Doctor Who in 2013!

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Categories: Doctor Who

Ray Cusick, designer of the Daleks, passes away

While it was scriptwriter Terry Nation who created the Daleks, it was designer Ray Cusick who gave them their memorable form, and in the process gave the world one of its most iconic monsters.

Cusick joined the BBC as a set designer but was asked to design the Daleks for their first appearance in 'The Dead Planet'. Although many people believe that the design was based on a pepper pot, Ray Cusick later revealed that a pepper pot was only used to show how a Dalek should glide across a surface - with no visual means of movement.

The design was as much about practicality as appearance. The Daleks are a fiercely logical species, and Ray realised that in order for the Daleks to work as a prop they would - logically - need an operator sitting inside them. So he designed the shape of the Dalek around the operator who controlled its action and movement.

The success of the Daleks' first appearance has led to them becoming one of the Doctor's most enduring enemies. Caro Skinner, Doctor Who's Executive Producer, today praised Ray's design achievements, 'Ray Cusick was an extraordinary talent and brilliant designer - and it's a real tribute to his imagination that the Daleks are as much an iconic design classic today as they were 50 years ago when he first created them. This is very sad news, and the thoughts of the Doctor Who team are with his family at this time.'

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, recognised the immense contribution that Ray has made, 'There should be a monument to Ray Cusick, and in a way there are millions - in every household where there are children, somewhere there's a Dalek.'

To see more of Ray's remarkable design, there is a gallery featuring the Daleks from their very first appearance which Steven reviews in this interview.

Categories: Doctor Who

Daleks’ - Invasion of Earth: 2013AD

The Daleks in London, earlier this morning! The Daleks invaded London earlier this morning and resistance was useless – insofar as it was impossible to resist the striking sight of the Doctor’s iconic enemies swarming through the capital!

But their presence was not part of a plan to enslave Earth – or at least that’s what the production team was telling us! The cast and crew of An Adventure in Space and Time were there to recreate some of the most memorable moments from Doctor Who’s early years – the scenes from The Dalek Invasion of Earth where the metal monsters imperiously glided through London, gloriously framed against the backdrop of famous sites like the Palace of Westminster.

Back in 1964 the photos of the ‘invasion’ became instant classics and over the years the imagery of those episodes has been referenced and updated on several occasions. But this is the first time that a production team has attempted to faithfully replicate the 1964 shoot using Daleks that were unique to that single adventure. The results look set to be stunning, as you can find out for yourselves when An Adventure in Space and Time - a one-off drama exploring the genesis of Doctor Who - debuts later this year.

But don’t worry if you can’t wait that long! We’ll shortly be posting a video shot on location that brings you a sense of the scale and excitement of this morning’s Dalek invasion…

UPDATE: INVASION VIDEO IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW!

Categories: Doctor Who

The Daleks have Landed! Remain Calm!

We’re getting reports of a Dalek invasion in progress at this very moment! Citizens of Earth have been urged to remain calm!

Daleks were first sighted in London this morning but at this point it’s not known whether they’re  part of a reconnaissance mission or the spearhead of an all-out invasion force.

We can confirm we have agents in the middle of the Dalek invasion, so to be kept informed of events, simply follow @bbcdoctorwho… now!

UPDATE: INVASION VIDEO IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW!

Categories: Doctor Who

Nick Nominations for Doctor Who

Doctor Who and its stars have received three nominations in the 26th Annual Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

Doctor Who is nominated in the Favourite UK TV Show category and Jenna-Louise Coleman – the Time Lord’s latest companion – is one of four nominees in the Favourite UK Actress section. Meanwhile the Doctor himself, Matt Smith, finds himself up against Andrew Garfield (Frank in Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks) in the Favourite UK Actor category.

To find out more about the awards and to vote for your favourites visit the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards site. Winners will be announced on Sunday 24 March, 2013.

Categories: Doctor Who

The Ice Warriors are Back!

It’s been confirmed that the Doctor’s old enemies, the Ice Warriors, are returning to Doctor Who and will face the Time Lord during the run of eight epic adventures that begins on Saturday, March 30.

The Ice Warriors are an imposing, militaristic race from Mars that first appeared opposite the Second Doctor in the 1967 adventure, The Ice Warriors. In that story the Doctor’s companion was Victoria Waterfield and who better to ask about the Martian menace than the actress who played her, Deborah Watling. We caught up with her at the weekend and she was delighted to hear of the Ice Warriors’ return. ‘They’re terrifying! Absolutely terrifying! It will be lovely to see them again,’ she revealed.

They attempted an invasion of Earth in The Seeds of Death and faced the Third Doctor in 1972’s The Curse of Peladon. By this stage they had largely renounced their warlike approach and even teamed up with the Doctor. But a rogue element of Ice Warriors was up to no good in The Monster of Peladon, showing that their old bellicose tendencies had not been entirely eradicated… More recently, the icy aliens were glimpsed very briefly in a flashback sequence during The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor and they were mentioned by the Tenth Doctor in The Waters of Mars.

The Ice Warriors return in the third episode of the new run in an adventure featuring David Warner and written by Mark Gatiss. Mark reveals 'I've always loved the iconic Ice Warriors and have been badgering to bring them back for ages. And now they're on a ssssssubmarine! With Russians! I'm a very happy anorak right now'.    We’ll bring you more information about their comeback as it emerges, but for today, the final words go to Deborah Watling. ‘The originals were pretty cumbersome,’ she told us, ‘but that somehow added to effect… They’re wonderful!’

The Ice Warriors return in the third episode of the new run in an adventure featuring David Warner and written by Mark Gatiss. Mark reveals 'I've always loved the iconic Ice Warriors and have been badgering to bring them back for ages. And now they're on a ssssssubmarine! With Russians! I'm a very happy anorak right now'.    

We’ll bring you more information about their comeback as it emerges, but for today, the final words go to Deborah Watling. ‘The originals were pretty cumbersome,’ she told us, ‘but that somehow added to effect… They’re wonderful!’

Categories: Doctor Who

A New Dimension for Doctor Who’s Fiftieth Anniversary

Ben Stephenson, the BBC’s Controller of Drama Commissioning, has revealed some exciting news about plans to mark Doctor Who’s half-century. Earlier today he announced, ‘As part of the BBC's blockbuster celebrations to mark the Doctor turning 50, fans will be able to see the Time Lord and his adventures like never before - in 3D!’ 

To be broadcast using some of the BBC’s HD capacity, Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, said:  ‘It's about time. Technology has finally caught up with Doctor Who and your television is now bigger on the inside. A whole new dimension of adventure for the Doctor to explore.’

Categories: Doctor Who