Doctor Who Feeds

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We are all waiting for this Saturday for the premiere of Doctor Who – Star Beast, starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. But there is another series from the Doctor Who universe premiering this Saturday.

Straight after the first 60th Anniversary, Doctor Who: Unleashed airs on BBC Three at 7:30 pm GMT. This new behind-the-scenes series hosted by Steffan Powell, BBC Gaming Correspondent and former Radio 1 Newsbeat Presenter, follows the same format as the beloved and much-missed Doctor Who: Confidential. Once again, fans will be able to learn some fun tidbits about how the latest episode was made as well as watch special interviews with the cast and crew.

Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Steffan Powell, BBC Studios – Photo Sally Mais Sneak Peak of What to Expect

If you aren’t familiar with the old programme, Doctor Who: Confidential, there was an early sneak peek of the new Unleashed show on the official BBC Doctor Who YouTube Channel. Featuring David Tennant and Russell T Davies, the key focus was the changes in the Dalek supervillain, Davro shown during this year’s Children in Need.

 

Doctor Who Unleashed – Star Beast Episode 1

In Saturday’s episode, Steffan chats with David Tennant, Russell T Davies and Star Beast’s director, Rachel Talalay. We have a few candid shots for the first full episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed to whet your appetite.

Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Director – Rachel Talalay – BBC Studios – Photo Alistair Heap Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Yasmin Finney (Rose) – BBC Studios – Photo Alistair Heap Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Director – Rachel Talalay – BBC Studios – Photo Sally Mais Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Director – Rachel Talalay with Russell T Davies- BBC Studios – Photo Sally Mais Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Donna (CATHERINE TATE), Rose (YASMIN FINNEY), Sylvia (JACQUELINE KING), BBC Studios – Photo Alistair Heap Doctor Who Returns

David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprise their roles as the Doctor (14th) and Donna Noble this Saturday when Doctor Who returns to our television sets on 25th November with The Star Beast. Doctor Who.  The first of the 60th Anniversary specials airs at 6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland and on Disney+ in the rest of the world.

Doctor Who: Unleashed, Star Beast Episode 1 – Clapper Board, BBC Studios – Photo Alistair Heap

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Blogtor can’t wait for Doctor Who to return on 25th November.   We are looking forward all that is old being respun into new tales by Russell T Davies, Julie Garner, Phil Collinson and Rachel Talalay.

The BBC has released a number of new teasers in the form of the official synopsis and new photos.  Some old familiar friends and foes are back; it will surely be a great adventure.

The Doctor

We all know that David Tennant has returned to Doctor Who but not as the Tenth Doctor.  He is number Fourteen, following from Jodie Whittaker’s, Peter Capaldi’s and Matt Smith’s incarnations of the Doctor.

With new clothes, old teeth and an old face, the Doctor returns to London and meets up with the Noble / Temple Family.

Doctor Who – The Power of the Doctor & Star Beast Episode 1 – The Doctor (David Tennant) , BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2022 – Screen Shot Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, he Doctor (David Tennant), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – The Doctor (David Tennant), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 0 The Doctor (DAVID TENNANT), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo: Alistair Heap The Noble / Temple Family

At the end of The End of Time, Part Two, we saw Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) married to her fiance, Shaun Temple (Karl Collins).   In Star Beast, the entire Temple / Noble clan returns, starting with Donna (Catherine Tate), Shaun, Donna’s mother Sylvia (Jacquline King) and Wilf (Bernard Cribbins).   A new character appearing is Rose Temple (Yasmin Finney), Donna’s daughter.

And obviously, everyone gets involved with the latest alien adventure with the Doctor.

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Sylvia Noble (Jacqueline King), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, Sylvia Noble (Jacqueline King) and Shaun Temple (Karl Collins), , BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, Shaun Temple (Karl Collins) , BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Sally Mais Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, Sylvia Noble (Jacqueline King) , BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Sally Mais Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Picture Shows: Rose (Yasmin Finney), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Pluse – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Rose (Yasmin Finney),, BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – The Doctor (David Tennant), Shaun Temple (Karl Collins), Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Meep (voiced by Miriam Margolyes) , BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – The Doctor (David Tennant) Rose (Yasmin Finney) Shaun Temple (Karl Collins) Sylvia Noble (Jacqueline King) Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and The Meep (Voiced by Miriam Margolyes), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Pluse – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Rose (Yasmin Finney),, BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1,The Doctor (David Tennant), Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Sylvia Noble (Jacqueline King),BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap New Characters

There are several new characters in the Star Beast episodes.  One who will be familiar to those who read the original Doctor Who and the Star Beast comic story featuring the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) in the Doctor Who Weekly magazine – Fudge (Collin) Higgins (Dara Lall).

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Fudge (Dara Lall), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap

Also appearing is Shirley Anne Bingham, portrayed by the Years and Years’ actor Ruth Madeley.  Based on the trailers, Shirley quickly becomes a confidant of the Fourteenth Doctor.

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Shirley (Ruth Madeley) and The Doctor (David Tennant), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Shirley (Ruth Madeley), The Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap

If the 60th Anniversary trailer didn’t confirm it, UNIT returns to the Doctor Who universe, restored by Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and other companions.  Star Beast adds another field official to their esteemed ranks – Colonel Chan (Jamie Hayden).

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast,Episode 1 – Colonel Chan (Jamie Hayden) of UNIT, BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Pluse – 2023 Photo by Alistair Heap The Aliens – The Meep and the Wrath Warriors

Ignoring our friendly neighbour, Time Lord, Doctor Who is returning with some familiar aliens.  (Beep) the Meep (voiced by incomparable Miriam Margolyes) appears in London, and the Meep is followed by the Wrath Warriors.  Sound familiar?  We are sure that RTD will have his own twist on these characters.  Familiar but new.

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, The Meep (Voiced by Miriam Margolyes), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, The Meep (Voiced by Miriam Margolyes) and Rose (Yasmin Finney), BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,The Star Beast, Episode 1, The Wrath, BBC Studios / Bad Wolf / Disney Plus 2023, Photo: Alistair Heap The Official Synopsis

Star Beast: The Doctor is caught in a fight to the death as a spaceship crash-lands in London. But as the battle wreaks havoc, destiny converges on the Doctor’s old friend, Donna.

Air Time

As already announced, David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprise their roles as the Doctor (14th) and Donna Noble this Saturday when Doctor Who returns on the 25th of November with The Star Beast. Doctor Who airs 6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland.  For the rest of the world, the episode will be released simultaneously on the streaming channel Disney+.   The North American time is 1:30 pm EST / 10:30 am PST.

All We Can Do Is Wait

That is all the info we have for now.  Now we just have to wait for this exciting new episode.

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Air Time of Doctor: Star Beast Confirmed

Doctor Who: Star Beast will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 25th November at 6:30 pm GMT.   It has also been confirmed that the first of the 60th Anniversary specials will be available on Disney+ simultaneously with viewers in the UK and Ireland – a Worldwide Event.  In North America, viewers will be able to see Star Beast at 1:30 pm EST and 10:30 am PST

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials,25-11-2023,Star Beast,1,The Doctor (DAVID TENNANT) – BBC Studios 2023,Alistair Heap Watch out for Spoilers on the Social Media

However, the streaming channel and BBC One/iPlayer do not deliver content exactly the same way.   On Disney+, viewers have the ability to skip through the episode right to the end without watching the full episode.  In the UK and Ireland, the episode is watched live before it is available on iPlayer.   The difference is just based on the difference on how iPlayer vs Disney+ works.

So for UK and Ireland viewers, we recommend staying off Social media until the episode has aired.   That way there are no spoilers to disturb your viewing pleasure.

David Tennant… back in the box this November (c) BBC Studios Doctor Who Returns

David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprise their roles as the Doctor (14th) and Donna Noble this Saturday when Doctor Who returns on the 25th of November with The Star Beast. Doctor Who airs  6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland, and  is released simultaneously on Disney+ for worldwide audiences

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Torchwood returns to a universe of terrors in an atmospheric sequel to The Impossible Planet which rivals the original for thrills and chills

Part of the glory of Torchwood on audio is how it flits from era to era, from the gothic tinged tales of Queen Victoria’s original reign to the schemes and counter-schemes of 1950s Soho, the cool supremacy of the Torchwood One era, and the rag tag fugitives of the present day. But beyond all of those lies the 42nd Torchwood Archive, as originally seen in Doctor Who’s The Impossible Planet. It’s a place Big Finish have only visited a couple of times before, but Torchwood: Odyssey feels like the first proper sequel to this team’s terrifying beginnings.

Claire Rushbrook returns as Ida Scott in a story which builds on the hints provided in that original story. “Still running from Daddy,” said the Beast. And here Daddy is: Odysseus Scott: brilliant scientist, inventor of the Ood’s translation spheres, mercurial control freak, and neglectful father. But most crucially right now: terminally ill with a degenerative cognitive condition. Ida’s sought him out at the Spire, an ancient citadel of long dead alien race the Resilient, where he’s undergoing experimental treatment with the Resilient’s gravity control technology. Ida thinks it’s all alternative therapy nonsense and wants to bring him to a more traditional hospital. And so, Odyssey draws the lines for a battle of wills.

 

Claire Rushbrook as Ida in The Impossible Planet (c) BBC Studios Odyssey feels like a true sequel to The Impossible Planet, with Ida once again plunged into the ancient terrors of a world that shouldn’t exist

Naturally, there’s a lot more going on than family politics. The hidden mysteries of the Spire echo those of Krop Tor so much, in fact, that The Impossible Planet 2 would have been a suitable title. The Spire literally stands on another impossible world, after all. It’s on a planet the Resilient supposedly sang into existence with their gravity magic. Meanwhile there are answers deep below the surface, and an Ood given to making disturbing comments while doing the dusting (“Open the mouths to see if they shall scream.”) More than that, Blair Mowat’s music and Shane O’Byrne’s sound design work together brilliantly to evoke the original. Mowat’s soundtrack vibrates with the same eerie sound of a violin haunted by the ghost of a western gunslinger. And with the Spire’s living spaces patched up with spare parts, O’Byrne recreates the sinister atmosphere of a Sanctuary Base to unnerving perfection.

But none of this skill would matter if this was just a retread. Instead, it’s a worthy successor full of horrors uniquely its own. Underpinning it all is a devastatingly powerful performance by Claire Rushbrook. That same beguiling mix of strength and melancholy that made Ida such a central part of her Doctor Who appearance is here. Only it’s yet more effective thanks to her new lead role. She’s ably supported by Silas Carson. Here he pulls double duty as both the disturbingly polite Ood, and the irascible old goat who gave them voice. The Ood wouldn’t be one of Doctor Who’s must successful 21st century creations without Carson’s perfectly judged voice work, and he relishes every line of a script that shows the tentacle-faced aliens at their creepy best.

 

Torchwood: Odyssey is highly recommended fireside listening on a long winter night

There are threats from beyond time and body horror enough to put you off your tagliatelle. All ensconced in an atmosphere so chilling you may want to move your chair closer to the fire before hitting play. But almost as impressively, in a genre where surprises might be limited by familiar tropes dating back centuries, writer Patrick O’Conner provides just enough red herrings to stop things being too predictable.

Halloween may be behind us. However, Odyssey provides a science fiction twist on some MR James style chills, and can be highly recommended as your Doctor Who ghost story for Christmas this year.

 

Torchwood: Odyssey. Cover by Sean Longmore (c) Big Finish Torchwood: Odyssey

Ida Scott has spent her life running from her father. But now she’s come looking for him.

The Spire is an ancient relic left behind by The Resilient – a mysterious race who warped both gravity and time.

Odysseus Scott lies dying in a bed in The Spire. He believes it will cure him. But are The Resilient really dead?

 

Torchwood: Odyssey, written by Patrick O’Connor, is now available to own as a collector’s edition 1-disc CD (+ download for just £10.99). You can also purchase as a digital download only (for just £8.99),  both exclusively here. Big Finish listeners can save money long-term by pre-ordering Odyssey as part of a six-release Torchwood – Monthly Range bundle. The buncles is priced just £60 (collector’s edition CD + download) or £50 (download only). A 12-release Torchwood bundle is also available for just £110 (collector’s edition CD + download) or £96 (download only).

 

 

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Doctor Who’s 60th Anniversary isn’t just on TV! Here’s what on BBC Sounds over the anniversary period

 

Doctor Who is everywhere again! And not just on television, either. BBC Sounds is also celebrating the 60th Anniversary on audio too. The celebrations include two new documentaries looking at the show and its legacy, interviews with Doctor Who stars about the music that made them who they are, and an awesome archive of audio adventures.

Some of these programs are already available now, while others will be released over the anniversary period. BBC Sounds is free to listen to worldwide, so provides a great way to get involved in the anniversary, wherever you are in the world.

 

Toby Hadoke – Surviving Doctor Who: An A-Z 18-19 November

Across two episodes, comedian Toby Hadoke presents a wry insight into the ups and downs of being one of the universe’s most misunderstood species: the Doctor Who fan. From Anticipointment to Zarbi, via Kennedy (John F) and Underpants (Tom Baker) here’s a guide to everything you need to know about surviving being a follower of one of TV’s strangest and greatest hits, using a true fan’s favourite thing: a list.

Listen here!

 

 

Sue Perkins presents Doctor Who: 60 Years of Friends and Foes on BBC Radio 4 Doctor Who: 60 Years of Friends and Foes 24 November 21:00

As Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary, Sue Perkins explores how the programme has reflected our social history across the decades both on and off screen. From advances in technology to politics, violence, gender and sexuality.

Featuring archive footage, interviews and new conversations with showrunner Steven Moffat, script editor Andrew Cartmel, former companions including Anneke Wills, Katy Manning and Janet Fielding, and the voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs along with Dalek Operator Barnaby Edwards. Also, there’s analysis from several academics who have published books on the subject.

Sue examines how progressive the show has been, questioning if our favourite time traveller has kept with the times.

Listen here!

 

Radio 2 Celebrates Doctor Who at 60: My Life as a Mix Tape

A series of interviews over the 60th anniversary period, as the stars of Doctor Who reveal the music that made them who they are. Listen here!

Guests include:

• Peter Davison
• Sylvester McCoy
• Segun Akinola
• Janet Fielding
• Sophie Aldred
• Ruth Madeley
• Bonnie Langford
• Nicholas Briggs

Plus, already available are episodes of My Sounds featuring Jodie Whittaker and Russell T Davies

 

The three stories Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume One are on BBC Sounds now(c) Big Finish Doctor Who: The Audio Adventures

An archive of Big Finish audios: full cast audio dramas featuring all your favourite Doctors in new adventures never seen on TV. Including stories starring Tom Baker, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate and more! Listen here and here!

• The Beginning starring Carole Ann Ford as Susan
• The Isos Network starring Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury as Jamie and Zoe
• Fallen Angels starring Peter Davison as the Doctor versus the Weeping Angels!
• Mind of the Hodiac by Russell T Davies, starring Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford as the Doctor and Mel
• Judoon in Chains starring Colin Baker as the Doctor
• 1963: The Assassination Games starring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred as the Doctor and Ace
• Harvest of the Sycorax starring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor
• The Sontaran Ordeal starring Paul McGann as the Doctor
• Ravagers starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor
• Infamy of the Zaross starring David Tennant and Billie Piper as the Doctor and Rose
• Technophobia starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the Doctor and Donna
• Time Reaver starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the Doctor and Donna
• Death and the Queen starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the Doctor and Donna
• Out of Time starring Tom Baker and David Tennant as the Fourth and Tenth Doctors

 

Doctor Who: The Missing Episodes

97 episodes of Doctor Who remain missing from the BBC Archive. But thanks to the work of fans recording at home, the audio survives! Remastered and with linking narration by members of the original cast, three of these missing stories are now on BBC Sounds to listen to for free. Listen here!

• Marco Polo – the First Doctor, Susan, Ian and Barbara find themselves in historic China and encounter the famous Venetian explorer (7 episodes)
• The Daleks’ Master Plan – the First Doctor, Steven and Katrina must save the entire galaxy from the Daleks’ newest super-weapon (12 episodes)
• The Wheel in Space – the Second Doctor and Jamie arrive at a space station full of mysterious events. The cause? The Cybermen! (6 episodes)

 

And don’t forget that all five episodes of Doctor Who Redacted Series Two from earlier this year are also still on BBC Sounds.

 

The Doctor (DAVID TENNANT), Donna Noble (CATHERINE TATE), Rose (Yasmin Finney), the Meep and the Wrarth in The Star Beast. BBC STUDIOS 2023 ,Zoe McConnell and Alistair Heap Doctor Who returns on the 25th of November with The Star Beast at 6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland, and Disney+ worldwide

 

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The Doctor is back where they belong… helping Children in Need in a good humoured mini-romp that plays fast and loose with Who history

 

It’s November. The last time we saw them, the Doctor’s just regenerated into David Tennant. They’d also become slightly obsessed with their own teeth. But we’ll get our first proper look at the new Doctor thanks to Children in Need, with a specially recorded short scene as part of their charity telethon. But is it 2005 or 2023? Because time may wibble and wobble in its timey wimey way, but it sure does love to rhyme when the Doctor’s involved. Yes, it’s the new short Destination: Skaro, falling in the footsteps of David Tennant’s original debut in 2005’s Born Again.

However, it’s safe to say that it’s a lot more whimsical than its predecessor. Born Again saw the Doctor trying to convince Billie Piper’s Rose that he was absolutely the same man who ran with her in the basement of Herrick’s, and despite being specially written to help raise money for charity, could have just as easily been a scene cut from The Christmas Invasion. Russell T Davies also insisted pre-transmission that Destination: Skaro was “NOT a comedy skit.”

All the same, there’s no doubt the new minisode’s primary concern really is just having a bit of a laugh.

 

Julian Bleach in Destination Skaro (c) BBC Audaciously silly, every line begs the audience to laugh a surprised ‘did they really just do that?’

Taken on its own terms, it’s a great success. David Tennant shows he’s lost none of his sparkle or charm, and bounces lightly through a script full of wild ideas. Because the TARDIS’ latest destination is Skaro (not that you couldn’t have guessed from the title.) But this Skaro before the Daleks, as their genesis is just beginning. The TARDIS crashes into the workshop where first ever “Mark III Travel Machine” is being designed and assembled. And, well, hilarity ensues. As he accidentally inspires several key points of Dalek lore, the Doctor frets “the timelines of canon are rupturing.” It’s quite possibly the first time the word ‘canon,’ in the fan sense, has shown up on screen and it winks to the viewer to maybe not talk all this too seriously.

And it’s all wonderfully audacious. Almost every line is designed to make the audience laugh out loud ‘did they really just do that?’

But its best idea has to be bringing back a certain actor. It’s not often that an actor is barely recognizable because they’re not in makeup, and the dedication just makes it all the sweeter. Plus, they’re just so good here, managing to be seamlessly terrifying and hilarious.

 

The universe’s very first Dalek (c) BBC The timelines of canon may be rupturing, but like all good fans, there’s always a wibbly wobbly answer

Not that it’s impossible to thread those canon timelines together. After all, the Fourteenth Doctor’s story started in Liberation of the Daleks, the comic book which picked up the action seconds after the regeneration. That comic pitched the Doctor into a Dalek theme park. One where each land represented a different version on Dalek history populated by people and Daleks unaware they’re not real. So if you’re happy to accept this new secret origin of the Kaled mutants at face value, that’s fine. But if that’s a step too far, then simply imagine this is set during Liberation, bringing the real Fourteenth Doctor face to face with unreal Kaleds.

Either way, one thing is clear by the end of Destination: Skaro. David Tennant’s Doctor can absolutely still command a room, and dance along that line of humour and drama. He’s still got it. Roll on next week!

 

David Tennant and Steffan Powell behind the scenes of Children in Need’s Destination Skaro for Doctor Who Unleashed ,BBC Studios,Natalie Seery We also get our first look at Doctor Who: Unleashed

The minisode also gives us our first glimpse at Doctor Who: Unleashed, the new behind the scenes sister show. It’s a successor to the well loved Doctor Who Confidential, and is both familiar and different, much like the new Doctor himself. Oh, how Blogtor has missed these little peeks behind the curtain. As with Confidential, it’s brilliant to see just how much the people who work on the show seem to love it. Tennant remains as much the uber-fan as ever, happily geeking out over having a classic Dalek in the correct Genesis colours on set. While his bashful tolerance, rather than joy, at the whole crew singing happy birthday to him is wonderfully sweet.

But there’s room for controversy too. One contribution from Russell T Davies reveals one element of the minisode designed to stick should we ever return to Skaro in the main show. It’s one he’s “very, very proud” of, but has probably already caused acres of furious online debate by the time you’re reading this.

Elsewhere we get a taste of the differences. Having an onscreen host in the form of Steffan Powell creates a new energy. Tennant places a steadying hand on the younger man’s shoulder as Powell worries about the continuity implications of the day’s filming. Meanwhile Mawann Rizwan (Mr Castavillain) attempts to sneak onto the new TARDIS set, promising to blame Powell if he gets caught, leading to some playful bickering. It promises a new sense of self deprecating humour to add to the fascinating backstage insights.

 

David Tennant stars as the Doctor in a new minisode as part of this year’s Children in Need Don’t forget Children in Need!

Destination: Skaro was just one part of a whole night dedicated to raising money for Children in Need. So if you enjoyed, do consider giving whatever you can. You can make a purchase through the online shop. Products even include the charity’s Pudsey mascot dressed as either the Fourth or Eleventh Doctors. You can also donate directly to the charity, or take part in the many fundraising events across the UK this month.

 

 

The Doctor (DAVID TENNANT), Donna Noble (CATHERINE TATE), Rose (Yasmin Finney), the Meep and the Wrarth in The Star Beast. BBC STUDIOS 2023 ,Zoe McConnell and Alistair Heap Doctor Who returns on the 25th of November with The Star Beast at 6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland, and Disney+ worldwide

 

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The new Daleks colourisation will soon be yours to own on Blu-ray, DVD and Steelbook

One of the most fun looking treats of the 60th Anniversary is the new edition of The Daleks. Only the second Doctor Who story every made, it introduced the eponymous mutants on the 23rd of November it will return to TV in a brand new edition. And you won’t have long wait before it arrives on DVD, Blu-ray and Steelbook too.

The story has been dazzlingly colourised by Rich Tipple, Kieran Highman, Scott Burditt, and Timothy K Brown. Benjamin Cook has also weaved them together into a 75 minute blockbuster to appeal to today’s modern audiences. There’s also new sound design, and new music created by Mark Ayres, and even new material written by Russell T Davies! All in all, it looks to be a glorious alternate way to enjoy The Daleks. Thoroughly updated, but as thrilling as it was when it began in 1963.

Viewers can enjoy watching the colourised version of The Daleks when it arrives on 23rd November on BBC Four, or within the iPlayer Whoniverse where both it and the original black and white serial are available. But you’ll also be able to own it on physical media! The Daleks colourisation comes out on DVD, Blu-ray and Steelbook on the 12th of February. It’s accompanied by a 15 minute documentary going behind the scenes of the new version. All three format releases will include the original 1963/4 black and white serial (in SD) and all the extras from the earlier DVD release of The Daleks.

 

Two Daleks plot the extermination of thir enemies, the Thals in the new colour version of The Daleks ,BBC,Archive Doctor Who: The Daleks in Colour

The story follows the very first crew of the TARDIS as they land in a petrified forest on an alien planet. Determined to explore, the Doctor (William Hartnell) leads his companions into the metal city, where they discover danger at every corner and what will become his deadliest enemy, the mutant Daleks.

Doctor Who: The Daleks in Colour is available from all good stockists on the 12th of February

 

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The Fourteenth Doctor faces the Daleks in an exclusive minisode for Children in Need!

They say you’re not really the Doctor until you’ve come sonic to eyestalk with the Daleks. And with his short 60th Anniversary existence, it always seemed possible the Fourteenth Doctor would miss his chance. But thanks to Children in Need, David Tennant will be encountering the blubbery blobs of hate on their home ground.

Ahead of the three specials for the 60th anniversary, the brand new exclusive scene will have viewers smiling from ear to ear, as David Tennant stars as the Fourteenth Doctor who shares an encounter with a mysterious new character, played by actor and comedian Mawaan Rizwan. It is then that the Doctor uncovers an age old mystery involving one of the his oldest foes…

The minisode was written by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, and made specifically for BBC Children in Need. It’s just before viewers hop back into the TARDIS for a brand new set of adventures for three special episodes set to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary this November.

BBC Children in Need viewers will also get a glimpse at the creation of the scene. There will be an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip thanks to new companion series Doctor Who: Unleashed.

 

Mr Castavillian (MAWAAN RIZWAN) in the new Children in Need,Bad Wolf/BBC Studios,Natalie Seery The five minute scene is described as a genuine mini-episode of Doctor Who with full FX and score, rather than a comedy skit or parody

David Tennant said: “Every year that I was on Doctor Who we did something for BBC Children in Need, so it only feels right to be doing something this year. Children in Need is a national tradition, it’s certainly a BBC tradition and Doctor Who is part of that. I’m so glad we’re able to give Children in Need viewers this little extra treat.”

Mawaan Rizwan said: “It was such an unbelievable joy to work with my Whoniverse idols David Tennant and Russell T Davies. My inner child was losing his mind on set.”

Russell T Davies said: “Doctor Who has a fine tradition of supporting BBC Children in Need, and I hope that fans and new viewers alike will be able to watch, enjoy, and contribute to this wonderful cause.” On Instagram, Davies added it was “NOT a comedy skit [but] a fully scored and FX’d five-minute scene, produced by Scott Handcock and directed by Jamie Donoughue, music by Murray Gold, written by me. The new Whoniverse arrives on Friday 17 November!”

In terms of whether or when international viewers could see it, Davies said, “Worldwide? No idea, my monkeys. But if you can, please contribute to the most wonderful cause.” (For what it’s worth, in Blogtor Who’s experience the official Children in Need YouTube channel typically posts these scenes shortly after broadcast.)

BBC Children in Need start at 7pm on Friday 17th November on BBC One. Tune in to see the Fourteenth Doctor in his first adventure. Both the exclusive scene, and an extended look behind the making of it, will also be found in the Whoniverse on iPlayer.

 

Children in Need works tirelessly to support the UK’s most vulnerable children

BBC Children in Need has been helping children and young people in every corner of the UK be the best they can be for more than half a century. They believe that every child should have the chance to thrive and be the best they can be. They’re committed to being there for children across the UK when they need help the most. Together with the BBC and their partners, they inspire people throughout the country to support this work.

You can support the worth of Children in Need in several ways. You can make a purchase through the online shop. Products even include the charity’s Pudsey mascot dressed as either the Fourth or Eleventh Doctors. You can also donate directly to the charity, or take part in the many fundraising events across the UK this month.

 

The Doctor (DAVID TENNANT), Donna Noble (CATHERINE TATE), Rose (Yasmin Finney), the Meep and the Wrarth in The Star Beast. BBC STUDIOS 2023 ,Zoe McConnell and Alistair Heap Doctor Who returns on the 25th of November with The Star Beast at 6.30pm GMT on BBC One in the UK and Ireland, and Disney+ worldwide

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Lady Audacity Montague enters the Doctor’s world, but for good or ill?

With Doctor Who: Audacity, the largest family in the universe continues to grow as yet another steps into the Police Box and, with it, the Doctor’s world. Big Finish have by now created almost as many original companions as there’s been on TV. This time they introduce the eponymous Lady Audacity Montague. She’s a regency era aristocrat, providing a dynamic we haven’t seen before and Jane Austen references abound. Though Audacity’s not like a traditional Austen heroine. Rather, she’s more akin to the iron willed grand dames that those heroines sometimes had to deal with. And the Eighth Doctor will clearly have his hand full with Audacity’s… audaciousness, for at least a little while.

 

The Devouring introduces Audacity as one of the Regency nobility, and a woman in need of adventure

Audacity’s introduction in The Devouring calls to mind recent Sixth Doctor Adventures. Those brought two new characters to the Time Lord’s world. One was Hebe Harrison, who at first encounter seemed snarky and brittle. But Hebe quickly became a firm favourite as she revealed that beneath that caution, there was a loyal, courageous friend. The other was Patricia McBride, whose more difficult traits were soon confirmed as not things for us to admire. Instead they were warning signs of how unsuitable she was for the time travel life.

For now, Audacity sits somewhere between the two, waiting to land on one side of the coin or the other.

 

The new TARDIS team! Paul McGann (The Doctor) and Jaye Griffiths (Audacity) (c) Big Finish Audacity waves many red flags to suggest we may be in for a cautionary arc reminding us why not everyone can be the Doctor’s companion

Residing near the top of British aristocracy, she’s remarkably entitled and self-involved. From subverting democracy by using blackmail and extortion to bend government policy to her will, to sighing to her maid about how hard her life is, her days are full. Her nights meanwhile, are filled with stealing from the rich (though less wealthy than herself) to give to the poor, while spending her own money on the vanity project of an enormous personal telescope. Elsewhere, those closest to her says she’s capable of being “fond” of other human beings. But then they confess it’s more like how someone feels about puppies than real human connection.

She also displays a high handed attitude to the Doctor himself. A recurring theme is her belief she understands concepts better than him five seconds after he introduces them to her. Altogether, plentiful red flags warn that of a cautionary arc on why not everyone is companion material. Tellingly, when she does join the TARDIS, it’s because circumstances demand it. Though the Doctor seems quite content about it, we may never know if he’d have taken her aboard given the choice.

 

The Great Cyber-War picks at the golden threads Revenge of the Cybermen left dangling, answering questions nobody asked

Audacity’s first venture to the stars creates a case of the wrong companion in the wrong place at most definitely the wrong time. Her uncommon mix of naivety and self-confidence leads to poor decision making with long term consequences in The Great Cyber-War. Though that’s a subplot that perhaps will only be truly possible to appreciate in retrospect, once we know these are mistakes she learns from, or doubles down on.

The story itself is Big Finish’s prequel to 1975 classic Revenge of the Cybermen, though ‘classic’ might not be a word many fans would use to describe it. Cyber-War’s attempt to address that feels wrong-headed, however. It takes a snag list of Revenge’s various oddities and attempts to ‘fix’ things that really don’t need fixing.

Some may have idly wondered exactly how you move an entire planet like Voga from one star system to another, but the more technobabble explanations you throw at the idea, the sillier it sounds. Meanwhile, a huge chunk of the plot revolves around explaining the real reason gold is lethal to Cybermen. But that only succeeds in replacing a vaguely unconvincing idea with a totally preposterous one. Similarly, Christopher Robbie’s wonderfully unique take on the Cyber-leader, hands on hips, ready to break out into the Time Warp at any moment, requires absolutely no explanation. But be prepared to get one, anyway.

 

Some of the cast of The Great Cyber-War. (l-r) Trudie Goodwin, Karen Archer, Jaye Griffiths, James MacCallum, Diana Yekinni (c) Big Finish The story’s every attempt to fix or explain an old discrepancy yields only sillier results, while the original aspects of the plot rely on some bizarre character decisions

The new aspects of the plot are built are on a foundation of misunderstandings. Voga, planet of gold, is central to the war effort to save all life from the rampaging armies of the Cybermen. But the miners feeding the war effort’s inexhaustible hunger for gold ammunition are beginning to feel taken advantage of. So much so, that, egged on by Audacity, they might be about to make a very foolish alliance indeed.

It has echoes of the most recent Gallifrey set, and again feels akin to workers in WWII throwing in their lot with the Nazis because they’re sick of rationing and double shifts in the Spitfire factory. Meanwhile, the other side of the debate is represented by the smarmy genius weaponsmith Oberon Fix. It leaves the Great Cyber-War guest cast lacking in anyone to relate to or root for. Even the Doctor himself spends much of the two episodes simply exclaiming variations of “Of course!” in response to all kinds of improbable and outlandish revelations.

All in all, The Great Cyber-War’s greatest achievement may be returning to the world of Voga to tell a story even sillier than the original.

 

As a set Audacity will bear a repeat listen once we know where the arc that bear’s her name is heading

More intriguing than the stories in Audacity themselves is where we go from here. What sort of arc we’ve set out on? Whether a story of a new companion’s personal growth by the Doctor’s side, or of one falling short of the standards he sets for those travelling with him, we’ll have to see. But the closing moments of this opening set throw a surprising twist into the mix. It’s a delightful shock that makes finding out how Audacity’s role will develop incredibly compelling. Based on that, the upcoming In the Bleak Midwinter will be a Christmas present Blogtor can’t wait to unwrap.

 

Doctor Who: Audacity. Cover by Sean Longmore (c) Big Finish Doctor Who: Audacity

The Doctor is about to gain a new best friend. Lady Audacity Montague has carved her own path in Regency England. She has also been watching the heavens, wondering what lies beyond. When the Doctor gatecrashes one of her famous society balls, Audacity is given the chance to find out…

 

Doctor Who – The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Audacity is now available to own for just £19.99 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £16.99 (download only), exclusively here. Big Finish listeners can save money by pre-ordering Doctor Who – The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Audacity along with December’s In the Bleak Midwinter together in a bundle for just £38 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £33 (download only).

 

 

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