As we head into the home stretch there is so much going on in the Whoniverse that it is impossible to contain all of the excitement!
It’s a two-pronged attack of awesome as news about Day Of The Doctor and An Adventure In Space And Time is starting to come out as promotional campaigns kick into hight gear.
There is a lot happening. Tom Baker has made his presence known while another former Doctor is going to the bank after his new movie opens. Meanwhile, things are weird for the latest incarnation who seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence from his superiors, which is stupid.
But wait there’s more…Neil Gaiman is back and the cast of Day Of The Doctor is speaking up.
So much to do,so little time!
AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME
BBC America has announced that it will air Mark Gatiss’ An Adventure In Space And Time on November 22nd at 9pm ET/PT.
From the BBC America press release:
What do you get when you mix C.S. Lewis with H.G. Wells, and sprinkle in a bit of Father Christmas? An alien Time Lord exploring space and time in a Police Box spaceship called the “TARDIS” (Time And Relative Dimension in Space). On November 23, 1963, a television legend began when the very first episode ofDoctor Who was broadcast on BBC One. Fifty years later, the genesis story is retold in a new BBC AMERICA co-production film celebrating the 50thanniversary of the franchise.
Travel back to witness the genius that was the first Doctor, William Hartnell (David Bradley Game of Thrones, Broadchurch) and the unlikely production team behind the series, Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine, Call the Midwife), Waris Hussein (Sacha Dhawan After Earth) and Sydney Newman (Brian Cox, The Bourne Identity, X2: X-Men United). From writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who), executive producers Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock) and Caroline Skinner (Doctor Who, The Fades) and director Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street), the stylish drama reveals the struggles and ultimate triumph of the British series created to “keep the sports fans and kids hooked.
An unlikely trio of misfits set out to create a genre series that all ages would love. A 55-year-old actor conceivably at the end of a frustrating career, a former production assistant fighting to make her mark in television, and a foreign born, novice director were tasked with bringing a vision for an exciting new science fiction story to life. William ‘Bill” Hartnell, displeased with his career, was presented with a chance to break out of the hard-man roles he’d become known for. And with the instincts of first time producer, Verity Lambert and first time director, Waris Hussein, The Doctor was born. As the success of the show grew, William went from unhappy curmudgeon to beloved television star who relished his career resurgence and found a new lease on life. But all good things come to an end. How will Bill face leaving behind the part that has made him a hero to millions of children? And can the show survive without him? Journey back fifty years through space and time to witness the exciting beginning and untimely end of the First Doctor in this touching drama.
The press release featured comments from Mark Gatiss.
An Adventure in Space and Time is principally a human interest story you can enjoy even if you know nothing about Doctor Who, You’ll see the story of some amazing people who come together under extraordinary circumstances to create this wonderful thing that is still with us today.
This is a story that I’ve always wanted to tell. In fact I pitched it for the 40thanniversary ten years ago and now it’s finally happening! I wanted to write it because I grew up with Doctor Who and even though Jon Pertwee was my Doctor, the legend of how the show began has always been there for me, in my blood. From how the show started small, then along came the Daleks, and ultimately, how the part changed William Hartnell’s life. This is a story that had to be told.
AN ADVENTURE IN TIME AND SPACE DVD
Fans in the UK can score the DVD of An Adventure in Space And Time on December 3rd. The BBC has provided some information on the forthcoming release.
Synopsis
This fantastic one-off drama travels back in time to 1963 to see how the beloved Doctor Who was first brought to the screen.
Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry’s glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama, time travel and monsters!
Allied with a team of brilliant people, they went on to create the longest-running science fiction series ever, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.An Adventure in Space and Time is written by Mark Gatiss, executive produced by Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner and directed by Terry McDonough.
David Bradley (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Broadchurch) plays the lead role of William Hartnell while Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, The Woman in Black) co-stars as the first ever producer of Doctor Who, Verity Lambert.
The stellar cast is joined by Sacha Dhawan (Waris Hussein), Lesley Manville (Heather Hartnell), and Brian Cox (Sydney Newman). A must see drama for all Doctor Who and drama fans alike.
Some extra features for the DVD have also been announced. No Blu Ray release has been announced.
Leaflet featuring programme images and an exclusive foreword by writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss.
William Hartnell: The Original (a documentary about the actor).
The Making of An Adventure: Narrated by Susan herself, Carole Ann Ford.
DVD Reconstructions include the following:
Filmed scenes from: An Unearthly Child and the pilot.
Farewell to Susan?
Title Sequence
Festive Greeting
Deleted Scenes include: The Radiophonic Workshop, Verity’s Leaving Party
DAY OF THE DOCTOR
There’s a lot of news this week about the anniversary special!
The BBC has released a more information about the 50th Anniversary special on their media page.
Synopsis
The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in this 50th anniversary special.
In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.
Written by Steven Moffat. Directed by Nick Hurran. Executive produced by Steven Moffat and Faith Penhale. Produced by Marcus Wilson Starring: Matt Smith, David Tennant and Jenna Coleman with Billie Piper and John Hurt
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2013/48/doctor-who-50.html
BBC America has also released new images from the special.
The BBC also announced that a new trailer for the special will air this Saturday at 8pm (GMT)
#SaveTheDay
A new website has gone up for fans to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Launched by the BBC, www.doctorwhosavetheday,com will allow fans to see five clips from the special while also culling together the best bits from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Designed to help generate excitement about the 50th Anniversary, this interactive site will allow fans to contribute content in a big way.
From The BBC:
www.doctorwhosavetheday,com is a website which allows Doctor Who fans around the world to show their support by submitting their Doctor Who themed messages, pictures and videos. Simply tag your messages with #SaveTheDay on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or on the site itself. These submissions will help build the TARDIS and unlock sneak previews in the build up to the global celebration on the show’s 50th anniversary on 23rd November 2013
There is even a greeting from Matt Smith to welcome visitors.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X80Xq-sHwIw
Steven Moffat has told the BBC (in an interview picked up by The Radio Times) that he noticed there was divided loyalties for Billie Piper whom is close friends with both Matt Smith and David Tennant.
Dan Starkey has recorded another Strax Field Report ahead of the 50th anniversary special. This one is about The Zygons!
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nUp8Duwtyc&feature=player_embedded
TENNANT TALKS RETURN
David Tennant told the BBC that he knew he was destined to return to the series.
I think since I left, the expectation had been that I’d end up in this special, because there is a precedent for old Doctors coming back for a visit around the anniversary time…I was thrilled because it’s a huge thing for Doctor Who and it’s a huge thing for television in general.
In what is sure to be a restless night for many, it was announced this week that both Matt Smith and David Tennant are lined up as special guests for The Graham Norton Show on Friday, November 22nd.
PAGE PUCKERS UP FOR TENTH DOCTOR
Joanna Page chatted about kissing David Tennant and a few other things here: http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/joanna-page-on-kissing-david-tennant-my-lips-were-numb?
MOFFAT DISPELS SOME RUMORS ABOUT JOHN HURT
Speaking with SFX, show runner Steven Moffat has cast some light onto how John Hurt fits into the anniversary special. Moffat clearly notes that he is not an incarnation between Doctors number Eight and Nine. But remember, The Moff lies…
Link: http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/11/07/exclusive-steven-moffat-talks-john-hurt-and-the-day-of-the-doctor/
HOOKED ON SONICS
This week the BBC issued a series of interviews from cast members ahead of Day Of The Doctor. In one of them Matt Smith tipped off fans about some of the fun that happens between Doctors Ten and Eleven.
There’s a funny bit in the script between the tenth and eleventh Doctors comparing Sonics, so there’s competitiveness in the story.
I just enjoyed spending time with David.. Obviously for me as well, as I am about to leave the show, it was really interesting to talk to him about that experience and his experience on the show, because it is a very individual experience playing the Doctor. It was quite nice to go, ‘What was that bit like for you?’ and it was just sort of enlightening really.
MANKIND REISSUE SINGLE
Yes everyone that can cash in on fifty years of Doctor Who is trying. Case in point the disco group Mankind who have revamped their 1978 dance floor thumper, Doctor Who? just in time for the big birthday!
Avert your eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBWEpbmd1Uk
Repackaged for a new generation as Dr Who? (Time Waits For No Man), the single features Mankind vs Dos Amigoz feat Diane Charlemagne.
THE SCIENCE OF DOCTOR WHO
There is a new trailer for the upcoming BBC Two special, The Science Of Doctor Who.. Matt Smith and Brian Cox appear in the clip.
Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFT5YJfrmCQ
BBC Two has also released a synopsis for the special.
For one night only, Professor Brian Cox explores the universe of the world’s favourite Timelord, Doctor Who.
Brian takes an audience, with the help of celebrity guests, on a journey into the wonderful universe of The Doctor, in a specially recorded programme from the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Brian reveals the science behind the spectacle and explains the physics that allows Doctor Who to travel through space and time. Fun, but filled with real science, it’s a special night for Who fans as well anyone with a thirst for understanding.
Brian is in the unique position of knowing The Doctor’s universe inside out as well as the reality behind the drama. When the TARDIS travels through time and space, Brian understands the physics involved. And when it comes to life on other planets, Brian knows the real science that could prove extra-terrestrial life might just really exist in our galaxy.
NOTHING O’ CLOCK
Neil Gaiman has again returned to Doctor Who. This time as the author of Nothing O’ Clock, the latest e-book celebrating fifty years of the show.
Due out on November 21st, this Eleventh Doctor adventure, set between Victory Of The Daleks and The Time of Angels, caps off Puffin Books monthly series of titles featuring renown authors adding their own take to the Whouniverse.
Thousands of years ago, Time Lords built a Prison for the Kin. They made it utterly impregnable and unreachable. As long as Time Lords existed, the Kin would be trapped forever and the universe would be safe. They had planned for everything… everything, that is, other than the Time War and the fall of Gallifrey. Now the Kin are free again and there’s only one Time Lord left in the universe who can stop them!
An Extract from it is here: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/interactive/2013/nov/05/doctor-who-story-neil-gaiman
ECCLESTON IN THOR: THE DARK WORLD
Unless you have been hiding under a rock you know that Christopher Eccleston is starring on big screens everywhere right now as Malekith, Lord of the dark elves in the new Thor film.
Although he is buried between some serious makeup and speaks Elvish Eccleston still manages to pull off the tricky task of being a super hero villain without going too over the top or standing n the capes of his costars.
He was a terrific villain who both terrified and electrified onscreen with a balanced performance that held its own in an all-star cast.
Eccleston spoke with SciFiNow about the role.
Malekith is a dark elf and one of the problems we had with that is people associate elves with being kind. So in terms of what he was in the comics, he’s been given more gravitas, he’s heavier. He’s a member of an ancient race, he speaks his own language, he was humiliated by Odin’s father, he’s a very angry elf!
He also commented on how physically difficult the role was.
It was difficult, yeah, but it was interesting to see myself on-screen, physically transformed and vocally transformed. Six hours in make-up made me suitably angry! Hopefully it suggests that they’re as ancient a race as the Asgardians, that was the idea. We needed to be formidable, because he’s a big lad!
CAPALDI FOR ONLY ONE YEAR?
It looks like Peter Capaldi’s time in the TARDIS could be short-lived.
Marking a sign that the BBC brass may be worried about an older Doctor, The Express reported this week that the new Doctor has only been contracted for thirteen episodes and that his future for additional seasons will be based on well he does in the role. Steven Moffat had hinted at this previously in an interview with Broadcast magazine.
Despite the fact that his casting has been universally praised by past Doctors, companions and producers of the series his popularity seems to be the sole determining factor in whether he makes it past one season.
Read it here: http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/440539/Who-s-Next-New-Doctor-Peter-Capaldi-may-stay-just-13-episodes
TOM BAKER TALKS ANNIVERSARY
While his fellow Doctors have spoken up about the fiftieth anniversary frequently over the last year, Tom Baker has been surprising low-key in his comments and thoughts about the new series and the anniversary special.
That all changed this week when he made his voice heard in a chat with the BBC. This is important because Baker’s time as the Fourth Doctor helped define the series, making him THE Doctor to an entire generation of fans.
When the special airs on November 23rd he will be amongst the millions worldwide watching with interest. Baker, who admitted to not watching the show, is optimistic.
I hope it’s going to be terrific. It’s such a landmark. It’ll be a big, emotional thing, but I don’t know what they’ll do, I’ll make an exception and watch that.
As The Doctor, Baker was catapulted into an intense level of fame. Baker reflected on this.
It was a great experience. Actors want a big audience, and to be admired and to get applause is one thing, but to be adored is something I recommend.
Everywhere I went I was waving like royalty and dishing out 50 pence pieces….It was so much better than real life. I stayed so long because real life at the time wasn’t so terrific.
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24657064
Next time..Soundtracks, Peter Davison, Chicago TARDIS, The Escape Artist and more 50th Festivities!
The post Doctor Whooligan: Day Of The Doctor, Gaiman’s E-book, Capaldi’s Tenure, An Adventure In Space And Time appeared first on Tardistopia.net.
