The News Desk
Updated 29th April
Win a Remote Control Dalek from CBBC (Blue Peter page)
Open to UK entrants under 16
Doctor Who Tops The Guardian's 'The Must List'
The Dalek on Doctor Who
It's the moment several generations have been waiting for: the return of Doctor Who's most terrifying enemies. An unsuspecting billionaire has bought one of the metal exterminators - and it has been upgraded. With a 360° swivel-head feature, a shiny gold finish and a stair-defying ability to levitate, this top-of-the-range Dalek is the most fearsome yet.
DWM Announces Season Two Writers
From Outpost Gallifrey
The latest issue of DWM has confirmed the writers for the second season of Doctor Who. Executive producer Russell T Davies will pen five scripts for the second season, sharing the writing duties with five other confirmed writers. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat will return from the first year's writing bloc, and they are joined by Matt Jones, former script editor on Davies' "Queer as Folk," "Linda Green" and "Clocking Off", writer of "Now you see her", "Serious and organised", and "P.O.W" as well as the Virgin Doctor Who novel "Bad Therapy" and the Bernice Summerfield novel "Beyond the Sun"; Tom MacRae, writer of the films "Nine Lives" and "School's Out" and the pilot episode of Sky One's "Mile High"; and Toby Whithouse, an actor/writer whose credits include "Money Can Buy You Love," "No Angels" and "Attachments". Jones and MacRae are each writing two episodes, with Moffat, Gatiss and Whithouse writing one. One additional script has yet to be assigned, but that story will be done in-house (meaning, don't expect to find a major announcement of another writer.) Jones noes that the working title for his story is "The Satan Pit", and Davies has apparently asked him to make it "as scary as possible."
Episode 12 Title Announced
From Outpost Gallifrey
Manchester Online Interviews Bruno Langley
Wednesday, 27th April 2005
 |
| Bruno Langley |
BRUNO LANGLEY is standing by a threatening Dalek as Coronation Street’s new bingo caller, Antony Cotton, gets a drink at the bar.
“This thing has given me nightmares,” confesses the young actor, still best known as Weatherfield’s Todd Grimshaw.
“I filmed some of the scenes with the Dalek and when I went to bed that night I had all those dreams where people are chasing me,” he laughs.
Bruno, 22, is here to talk about his guest role in two episodes of Doctor Who (BBC1, Saturday, 7pm). Friend Antony, who plays Corrie knicker factory worker and part-time bingo employee, Sean Tully, has come along to provide moral support.
Legs 11 would be the appropriate call this weekend, in an episode long-awaited by Whovians throughout the universe. The Dalek has a new command – “Elevate!” – and can, at last, climb stairs.
“It’s probably one of the biggest gags in the series and I get to say one of the best lines, so I’m very privileged,” says Bruno.
The return of the Doctor’s greatest enemy contains a few more surprises.
For a start, the story features just one Dalek – like the Doctor, said to be the last of its kind – and the lethal tin can may even win the sympathy of the watching audience.
Writer Rob Shearman focuses on the creature inside the machine and gives us a Silence Of The Lambs moment when the Doctor, played by Eccles-born Christopher Eccleston, first meets his old foe after the Time Lord and Rose (Billie Piper) land deep beneath Utah, where billionaire alien collector Henry Van Statten (Corey Johnson) holds his prize exhibit.
Kept prisoner in chains, the lone Dalek is refusing to talk, despite being tortured, and sends out a distress signal which is picked up by the time traveller.
The Dalek’s voice is provided by Nicholas Briggs, who began voicing the machines five years ago on Doctor Who audio CDs.
He says: “The Dalek is initially very vulnerable and suffering from a mental breakdown.
“He came shooting to Earth through the time-space vortex many years ago and spent goodness knows how long in a huge crater just screaming.
“He is very much a character. That might sound ludicrous as people tend to think of Daleks as machines that go round shouting orders, but there is a living creature inside the machine and he strikes up a real relationship with the Doctor and Rose.”
Manchester-based Bruno is just too late to repay Ant and Dec in the ratings for their “Toddo” visit to Weatherfield, when they fooled Bruno by disguising themselves as ardent Japanese fans. The Geordie duo’s Saturday night ITV1 show ended its run a few weeks ago, but the Doctor’s work is never done.
Having quit his role as confused gay Todd, Bruno plays scientist Adam Mitchell, who works for Van Statten. He also gets to travel in the Tardis in the following week’s episode, having taken a shine to Rose. There’s a definite frisson on screen.
“They’re attracted to each other,” he smiles.
Bruno knew series lead writer Russell T Davies and landed the role while completing his final media interviews for Coronation Street as viewers saw his character depart on screen.“I went straight from GMTV to the audition. I was in Linda Green for a bit and Russell wrote some of those episodes.”
It’s his first TV job since leaving the soap last year, although he did film a role in the new League Of Gentlemen movie.
Having spent time visiting family in Australia, Norfolk-born Bruno’s next role is playing Romeo in a Stafford Castle production of Romeo And Juliet, alongside Scarlett Johnson, who played Vicki Fowler in EastEnders. It opens on June 30.
Dropped off in England at the end of next week’s episode, his character might be back in the next series of Doctor Who, when Casanova star David Tennant takes over from Eccleston.
And, despite what you see on screen this week, don’t rule out a comeback by the Daleks.
The door was also left open for Bruno to return to the Street one day, should the right storyline come along.
“I miss all the guys there so much, but it wasn’t a hard decision to leave. I wanted to go and the time was right. But I hope they all watch this. I think they’ll love it.”
26th April:
The Radio times brings us another great fold-out cover, which re-creates the 1964 Doctor Who story when the Daleks invaded London, with an offer to get the poster for free by collecting tokens. The magazine is chock full of Dalek articles, as the magazine celebrates the return of on of the Doctor’s most fearsome foes!!
Doctor Who topping the new CBBC ‘Favourite TV Programme’ poll
Doctor Who is currently (27th April 1.25pm) topping the “Vote for your favourite TV programme” poll at 20.57% of the 1638 votes cast – get there now and cast your vote!!!
Doctor Who in the press:
Former star Peter blasts Chris for quitting show
CHRISTOPHER Eccleston has come under fire from former Doctor Who star Peter Davison for quitting after just one series.
The Times Online asks “What has Russell T. Davies got against Tony Blair?
see the new site here.
Call him Dr View now!
Extra zap ... Corrie's Bruno joins Dr Who
and Rose in a new episode of the hit show
By EMMA COX
DOCTOR Who exterminated Celebrity Wrestling in the Saturday night ratings war.
The BBC sci-fi episode drew in an average 7.3 million viewers while ITV1’s new prime time offering managed just 3.8 million.
The Beeb’s Strictly Dance Fever, with 4.3 million, also trod on ITV1’s Hit Me Baby, with 2.6 million, while Hell’s Kitchen dipped to 3.7 million.
Ex-Corrie star Bruno Langley has also deserted ITV — by switching from gaylord to Timelord.
Bruno, 21, who was gay Todd Grimshaw in the soap, plays Adam Mitchell who joins the Doc (Chris Eccleston) and assistant Rose (Billie Piper) on May 7
Floored ... ITV's Celebrity Wrestling
Picture: BIG
They visit the year 200,000 and enter Satellite Five, a news channel which transmits information to a million planets.
The Doc finds anyone promoted to Floor 500 on the satellite is never seen again.
Adam and Rose join him to watch a worker tap into the satellite’s system using her mind.
A BBC insider said: “It’s a great role for Bruno. His episode is one of the best of the series — certainly the most dramatic.”
BBC News Article with Dalek spoilers
BBC News has posted a great article online about the forthcoming episode ‘Dalek’, including some Dalek function spoilers and some pictures from the episode.
The article reads: “The new series of Doctor Who has seen Christopher Eccleston fight living dummies, restless spirits and aliens disguised as MPs, but he has yet to face his mortal enemies The Daleks. That will be rectified in a forthcoming episode entitled simply Dalek, in which the Time Lord finds that one of the metal killing machines has been collected by an unsuspecting billionaire.”
We are also reminded that stairs have not been a problem for the fearsome foes since 1988, when they levitated towards Sylvester McCoy, in Remembrance of the Daleks. “The new Dalek can also spin its torso independently of his head, so creeping up from behind is no longer an option. Its trademark "sink plunger" attachment also reveals a terrifying new function.”
"We have taken all the perceived weaknesses of the Dalek and made them deadly," says Mike Tucker, the BBC model unit's miniature effects supervisor.
BBC Press Office publications
*with some spoilers*
Page two of the BBC Press office’s highlights document (adobe .pdf document)previews episode 7:‘The Long Game’ which is due to air on 7 May. *Warning: article contains spoilers*
The Press office have also published their Programme Information document pi (adobe .pdf document) which has a short article regarding David Tennant taking over the role of the Doctor for the next series of Doctor Who.
“David Tennant, confirmed as the 10th Doctor Who, declares:“I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own Tardis.” Tennant,whose recent credits include BBC Three’s critically acclaimed drama series Casanova, BBC One’s Blackpool and He Knew He Was Right, will star alongside Billie Piper, who returns as Rose Tyler.”
The official ratings for The Unquiet Dead were released by BARB: 8.86 million viewers officially watched the show, making it the fifth most watched program of the week, beaten only by multiple episodes of "Coronation Street," "EastEnders," "Emmerdale" and "Heartbeat." The show actually came in at number 15 for the week, though three of the other four series (except "Heartbeat") show multiple episodes weekly. These final ratings include viewers who recorded the program for viewing later in the week.
BBC Recruit children to review the scariness of episodes!
The official Doctor Who website has introduced a panel of children aged four to twelve, which they call their "Fear Forecasters," who are giving ratings for the scariness of the episodes.
ABC television, In Australia, has started its publicity campaign for the new Doctor Who; with a trailer, containing clips from ‘Rose’, aired after Thursday night’s, comedy "Nighty Night," as the start of their publicity schedule for the series which is due to air in May. Also aired before "The Glasshouse," (a local comedy news commentary) was a five-second teaser trailer of a shot of the TARDIS materialising with green text typing itself on the screen saying "Guess who's back!"
Radio Times: Dalek Special! Released next Tuesday, to coincide with the broadcast of the forthcoming Dalek episode of the new series. Also, free giant poster offer!
Richard and Judy Doctor Who slots...
Thursday’s Richard & Judy (Ch4) featured a 14-minute slot promoting "Dalek." with Sylvester McCoy and Nick Briggs The section started by showing a clip from the next episode, “ World War Three”, with the Doctor confronting the Slitheen. McCoy said that he became hooked on the new series after being sent a DVD of the first episode to review for BBCi, but also commented that he wasn't very keen on the new interior of the TARDIS. Viewers were reminded that the Daleks' ability to "fly" was shown in Remembrance, and then an "exclusive preview" clip - lasting one minute seven seconds - from Dalek was shown. At the end of the slot, it was announced that Billie Piper will be appearing live on the show on Friday 29 April.
Blue Peter Doctor Who slot...
Blue Peter will also have another Doctor Who event on the same day, April 29. "The gang go behind the scenes of Doctor Who, the destination for this year's summer expedition is revealed, Rooster perform in the studio and Meg has an exciting piece of news."
Little Britain stars to join Doctor Who cast...
The Sun reveals that David Walliams and Matt Lucas (of the British comedy series ‘Little Britain’) - are to have cameo roles in the next series of Doctor Who, which begins filming in July.
Doctor Who Press Pack updated...
The BBC Press Office has today released the fifth phase of its Doctor Who press pack, featuring interviews with Rob Shearman, Bruno Langley and Nick Briggs, with three new colour photographs from episode six. The interviews contain mild spoilers for the episode.
Billie takes pity on
a captured and tortured Dalek.
Radio times Doctor Who cover: "Exclusive: Doctor Who Monsters in the Making: meet the Slitheen!" Radio Times for the fifth consecutive week, has Doctor Who as its top recommendation for Saturday in its selection of the week's best television (p4), with a small photo of the Doctor walking past a police car and is amongst Saturday’s choice (p62), described as "a strange but enjoyable brew of body-snatching horror (unsuitable for the very young), political intrigue and flatulence gags… Nifty effects and Russell T Davies's wry one-liners keep things humming, while references to weapons of mass destruction and the future prime minister keep the chaotic action nicely grounded. But you sense that the best is yet to come in this series.".
This week's full-colour, two-page picture exclusive (p12 & 13) shows a behind the scenes look at the new alien bad guys the Slitheens, with pictures of Neill Gorton making Slitheen outfits and a small Slitheen model, together with a short interview with Gorton.
Also "Next week in RT... They're back! Don't miss our Dalek special, and free giant poster offer!"
Today's Daily Star reveals that Eve Myles (Gwyneth in "The Unquiet Dead") will next play an underwear model in "Belonging," a BBC Wales series.
Tennant, whose recent credits include BBC THREE's critically-acclaimed drama series Casanova, BBC ONE's Blackpool and He Knew He Was Right, will star alongside Billie Piper who returns as Rose Tyler.
Julie Gardner, BBC Head of Drama, Wales says: "Christopher Eccleston has given an exceptional performance as the ninth Doctor.
"David Tennant is a great actor who will build on the excellent work already done by Christopher in establishing Doctor Who for a new generation."
David Tennant says: "I am delighted, excited and honoured to be the tenth Doctor!
"I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own TARDIS.
"Russell T Davies is one of the best writers television has ever had, and I'm chuffed to bits to get the opportunity to work with him again.
"I'm also really looking forward to working with Billie Piper who is so great as Rose.
"Taking over from Chris is a daunting prospect; he has done a fantastic job of reinventing the Doctor for a new generation and is a very tough act to follow."
Executive producer/writer Russell T Davies adds: "Christopher Eccelston's wonderful Doctor has reinvented the role, so that it now appeals to the best actors in the land.
"I'm already writing David's first new adventure on board the TARDIS!
"Regeneration is a huge part of the programme's mythology, and I'm delighted that new, young viewers can now have the complete Doctor Who experience, as they witness their hero change his face!"
A new 13-part adventure and Christmas special begins filming in Cardiff in the summer for transmission on BBC ONE.