Doctor Who News, Articles, Cast and Crew Interviews

[iiradned]

Fifteenth Doctor makes Apperance on BBC Four
Saturday, 25 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1..._bbc_four.html

Viewers watching the repeat of the 2013 docu-drama on the origins of Doctor Who, An Adventure in Space and Time, were treated to a surprise appearance of the Fifteenth Doctor as played by Ncuti Gatwa.

The programme originally featured a cameo from the incumbent Doctor in 2013, Matt Smith, but the producers have taken the opportunity to update the ending to reflect the show in 2023

An Adventure in Space and Time 60 years on and the Doctor's legacy continues... ❤️❤️➕????

That wasn't the only change according to the Radio Times additional changes due to the rights issues surrounding An Unearthly Child scenes featuring dialogue during the recreation had to be removed.

[Alan]

The Official Doctor Who Podcast
Saturday, 25 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...o_podcast.html

As the world gears up for Doctor Who mania, BBC Studios has launched The Official Doctor Who Podcast to accompany the latest episodes of Doctor Who.

The Official Doctor Who Podcast is a three-way panel discussion between author and columnist Juno Dawson, pop culture TikToker and movies podcaster Tyrell Charles, and cosplayer and digital creator Christel Dee, with exclusive insights from showrunner Russell T Davies. Each week the team will be reacting to the latest episode, discussing their thoughts, and diving into upcoming theories!

Watch the trailer here:

The 30-minute podcast will drop weekly straight after each Doctor Who episode airs on the BBC starting on Saturday 25th November, and can be found on all major podcast platforms globally and BBC Sounds (UK only). It will also be broadcast globally in a video version on the Doctor Who YouTube channel.

Doctor Who writer and showrunner Russell T Davies said:

No show is complete without its own podcast, and this is a chance for viewers to have their say! I’m proud to have this alongside our vast and unrivalled behind-the-scenes coverage.

BBC Studios’ digital content development director, Chris Allen said

We were thrilled and honoured when Russell T Davies approached us to produce The Official Doctor Who Podcast, And we were even more excited when Juno, Tyrell and Christel all said yes to hosting. Publishing the podcast both in audio via all major podcast platforms, and in video on YouTube means we can reach Doctor Who viewers everywhere, and we hope you join in our conversation.

The Official Doctor Who Podcast is produced by James Goss for BBC Studios Digital. The executive producers are Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Madi Woodstock and Chris Allen.

[Alan]

Doctor Who Back on Christmas Day
Tuesday, 28 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...stmas_day.html

The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will be back on BBC One on Christmas Day for the full debut episode starring the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa.

Doctor Who will be a key part of the BBC offering over the festive season with Gatwa taking control of the TARDIS in his first adventure following Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary celebrations.


Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer says:

This year’s Christmas line-up on the BBC is an extravaganza of must watch shows! Join us as we welcome a brand new Doctor and wave goodbye to our beloved sitcom Ghosts. Alongside a spectacular range of entertainment, drama, comedy and factual programming across the festive fortnight. It’s essential viewing for everyone as we bring friends and families together across the UK.

Doctor Who was an annual feature on BBC One on Christmas Day from 2005 until 2017 before moving to New Year's Day for the Thirteenth Doctor's era.

[Alan]

Wild Blue Yonder
Thursday, 30 November 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...ue_yonder.html

Doctor Who continues this Saturday with the second in the series of three specials made to mark Doctor Who's sixtieth anniversary.

Wild Blue Yonder can be seen on BBC One in the United Kingdom at 6.30 pm. It will be released on Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer at the same time.

The Tardis takes the Doctor and Donna to the furthest edge of adventure. To escape, they must face the most desperate fight of their lives, with the fate of the universe at stake.

Wild Blue Yonder stars David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. It is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Tom Kingsley for Bad Wolf Productions and BBC Studios.

Where are the Doctor and Donna? Where has the TARDIS dropped the Doctor and Donna this time?... ✨ Watch a preview from the upcoming 60th anniversary special 'WILD BLUE YONDER'!

[Alan]

The Church On Ruby Road
Friday, 1 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...ruby_road.html

The BBC has released details of the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, The Church On Ruby Road.

Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth.

New images have been released from the story where Ncuti Gatwa, takes over the TARDIS for his first adventure. The Fifteenth Doctor will be joined by Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, as she makes her debut as the Doctor’s companion.

Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the episode sees the Doctor come face-to-face with the mythical and mysterious goblins as his life collides with Ruby Sunday.

Little is known about Ruby Sunday as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla and grandmother, Cherry, her world is about to be turned upside down when she encounters the Doctor and the two set off on their first adventure together.

Alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson is Davina McCall who will be playing herself as she joins the cast alongside Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.


Davina McCall said:

It is beyond an honour to be asked to appear in not only Doctor Who but also Ncuti’s first episode as the new Doctor. It was such an extraordinary experience and Russell has written you all a Christmas delight! Now I just can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Russell T Davies, Showrunner adds

From Day One in this job, I wanted Doctor Who back on Christmas Day! And with Ncuti, Millie, Davina and the Goblin King, I hope it’s a feast for all the family!

[Alan]

Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 598
Thursday, 7 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...issue_598.html

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine introduces the readers to the fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa.
The bumper edition includes a 32-page mini-mag of the original Star Beast comic strip and a double-sided poster.

The issue also includes a special offer to download a free audio drama featuring the Fifth and Seventh Doctors.

This issue’s features include:

• An in-depth interview with new doctor Ncuti Gatwa.
• Exclusive previews of new episodes The Giggle and The Church on Ruby Road with Russell T Davies.
• Mum and grandma of new companion Ruby (alias Michelle Greenidge and Angela Wynter) on joining the show in this year’s Christmas Special.
• The final interview with much-loved national treasure Bernard Cribbins.
• The Diary of the Meep! A minute-by-minute account of the irrepressible Miriam Margolyes’ journey to becoming the Meep.
• Further Than We’ve Ever Been Before – DWM’s Emily Cook on the set of Wild Blue Yonder to discover its VFX secrets.
• A very special comic strip adventure featuring the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna…
• 80s director Andrew Morgan remembering his time on Doctor Who.
• A glimpse behind the scenes on 60s Doctor Who.
• Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies is in the festive spirit, and even lets a few secrets about the next series slip.
• Production Diary – script editor Scott Handcock on how production on Doctor Who has reached its busiest point yet!
• The Fact of Fiction – all you could ever want to know about the 2015 series finale Hell Bent.
• Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news.
• Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
• Reviews – The Underwater Menace animation, Frazer Hines’s Evil of the Daleks and action figures!
• The fiendishly festive DWM Christmas quiz!

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 598 is on sale Thursday 7 December from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £10.99 (UK).

Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £9.99.

[Alan]

The Celestial Toymaker Animation
Thursday, 7 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...animation.html

The BBC has confirmed that the part-missing first Doctor story The Celestial Toymaker will be the next animation to be released on Blu-ray.

The story, first shown in 1966 stars William Hartnell as the Doctor with Jackie Lane as Dodo and Peter Purves as Steven. Michael Gough plays the mysterious Toymaker, a character returning to the series this Saturday.

Only Episode Four of the four-part story exists in the BBC archives.

The Celestial Toymaker sees the Doctor and companions separated when they come up against The Toymaker. While the Doctor plays the Trilogic Game, Steven and Dodo are forced to play seemingly childish but ultimately dangerous games with the aim of being reunited and getting back to the TARDIS.

The two-disc set features all four episodes animated in colour using off-air audio recordings of the missing three episodes.

Special features include:
Disc One

• Episodes 1-4 – Animation – Black and White
• Episodes 1-3 – Reconstruction
• Episode 4 – Original 1966 Episode newly restored
• New Audio Commentaries

Disc Two

• Episodes 1-4 – Animation – Colour
• Making The Animation
• Doctor Who Escape Room – Team First Doctor
• Sylvester McCoy Introduction for episode 4 as per the original VHS release
• Photo Gallery
• PDF Material including camera scripts

The disc is available to preorder on DVD, Blu-ray and as a Steelbook.

The Celestial Toymaker: Animated Teaser The first game between the Doctor and the Toymaker - now fully animated! ????

[Alan]

Christmas single: The Goblin Song
Thursday, 7 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...blin_song.html

The BBC is releasing a Christmas single, featured in the upcoming Christmas episode, The Church On Ruby Road.

The Goblin Song, described as a fiendishly catchy song, is being released as a single, ahead of the big event. It is an original composition by Murray Gold and Russell T Davies, with proceeds going to BBC Children in Need.

The single’s music video shares exclusive content from the special as Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa takes his first adventure through time and space in the TARDIS.

The track features in Doctor Who’s Christmas episode, where the Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, goblins, stolen babies, and perhaps uncovers the secret of her birth.

As well as meeting Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) for the first time – the Doctor meets Davina McCall who plays herself, Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.

The Goblin Song is available on BBC Sounds from Monday 11th December and will also be available via Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.

Murray Gold said

I don’t like these goblins and you won’t either but they have agreed to donate everything from their song to BBC Children in Need so let’s not give up on them

Claire Hoyle, Director of Income & Engagement at BBC Children in Need said

We’re delighted to continue our long standing relationship with Doctor Who, and we are so grateful for their support with this Christmas single.

Russell T Davies said

We’re releasing this as an early Christmas present for everyone. And if you want to see how the Doctor and Ruby escape from the Goblin King at the end of the song, you’ll have to watch on Christmas Day!

Doctor Who’s Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, airs December 25th on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and streams on Disney+ globally outside of the UK and Ireland.

[Alan]

The Giggle
Friday, 8 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/12/the_giggle.html

Doctor Who continues this Saturday with the third and final story in the series of specials made to mark Doctor Who's sixtieth anniversary.

The Giggle can be seen on BBC One in the United Kingdom at 6.30 pm. It will be released on Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer at the same time.

The giggle of a mysterious puppet is driving the human race insane. When the Doctor discovers the return of the terrifying Toymaker, he faces a fight he can never win.

The Giggle stars David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. It is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Chanya Button for Bad Wolf Productions and BBC Studios.

Dancing With The Toymaker... | PREVIEW The Doctor and Donna are back on Earth - but what's happened to the human race? ????

[Alan]

Goblins Top iTunes
Monday, 11 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...op_itunes.html

The Goblin Song, written by Murray Gold and Russell T Davies, has rocketed to the top of the UK iTunes charts on the day of release.

The single is taken from the soundtrack of the 2023 Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road due to be broadcast on BBC One on Christmas day as well as being available worldwide on Disney+.

The story is the first full adventure for the Fifteenth Doctor as played by Ncuti Gatwa.

In the episodes the Doctor's world collides with Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson

The episode also stars Davina McCall as herself, Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood, Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, and Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry.

The Goblin Song is available on BBC Sounds and is also available via Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.
All proceeds will go to BBC Children in Need.

The Goblin Song - Official Lyric Video The Goblins are coming for Christmas! ???????? Listen to THE GOBLIN SONG from 'The Church on Ruby Road' - available to stream now! ????

[Alan]

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson Light Up the London Eye
Tuesday, 12 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1..._london_e.html

Ncuti Gatwa has made his first public appearance as The Doctor to switch on the lights at the London Eye on London's South Bank.

The newly regenerated Doctor was joined by his companion Millie Gibson who plays Ruby Sunday in the upcoming series.

Also attending was showrunner Russell T Davies and stars from the upcoming Christmas story The Church on Ruby Road including Anita Dobson.

The cast and crew were present for the press launch of the episode. Ncuti Gatwa told the audience

Doctor Who is just the perfect show for Christmas. It's a family show

Millie Gibson described the story

Absolute magic, something you've never seen of the Doctor before

While Russell T Davies spoke of his delight the new Doctor was finally being seen

Ncuti's here, Millie's here. The Goblins are here. It's going to be fun.

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road, can be seen on Christmas Day at 5.55 pm UK time on BBC One in the UK and worldwide on Disney+

[Alan]

The Church on Ruby Road on DVD and BBC Books
Friday, 15 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...bbc_books.html

Doctor Who Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, is now available to pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray and as a TARGET novelisation.

The Church on Ruby Road will see the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa take control of the TARDIS and meet a new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.

Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth...

Little is known about Ruby Sunday as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla and grandmother, Cherry, her world is about to be turned upside down when she encounters the Doctor and the two set off on their first adventure together.

Alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson is Davina McCall who will be playing herself as she joins the cast alongside Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.

Doctor Who’s Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, airs December 25th at 5.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and streams on Disney+ globally outside of the UK and Ireland.

Fans can pre-order the DVD and Blu-ray here

As well as the DVD and Blu-ray, BBC Books will be publishing a novelisation of The Church on Ruby Road under the TARGET imprint. Russell T Davies' original script has been novelised by up-and-coming literary talent Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.

Jikiemi-Pearson is a science-fantasy author and co-founder of the organisation Impact of Omission, as featured in the Guardian, Huffpost, and the Channel 4 Documentary "Where's My History?" with footballer and anti-racism campaigner Troy Deeney.

An audio version of the novel will be available read by Angela Wynter

The Church on Ruby Road (BBC Books, £14.99) is out in hardback on 25th January 2024. Pre-order here

[Alan]

Sixty Years of the Daleks
21st December 2023

Happy Anniversary to The Daleks by alan_kelly43, on Flickr

[Alan]

The Church on Ruby Road - This Christmas
Friday, 22 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus

https://www.doctorwhonews.net/2023/1...christmas.html

Doctor Who continues on Christmas Day with the first full story for the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa.

The Church on Ruby Road can be seen on BBC One in the United Kingdom at 5.55pm.

It will be released on Disney+ and the BBC iPlayer at the same time.

Long ago, on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow.

Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, goblins, stolen babies and, perhaps, the secret of her birth

The Church on Ruby Road also features Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood and Davina McCall as herself.

It is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Mark Tonderai for Bad Wolf Productions and BBC Studios.

[Alan]

Merry Christmas /
Happy Holidays,
Fellow Whovians!!!!