[brian s]

Matt Smith BBC Breakfast November 2011 - YouTube

Matt confirmed on Breakfast TV that filming begins on the next series of Dr Who next month. He pretty much backs up the press releases issued on 7/6/11 to confirm that there would be another 14 episodes with Matt.

Sam Hodges, Head of Communications for BBC1, Fiction, Daytime and HD at the BBC has confirmed on Twitter that Doctor Who has indeed been commissioned for a further fourteen episodes, with Matt Smith continuing in the role. Head writer Stephen Moffat re-iterated: "14 eps + Matt DEFINITELY."

Meanwhile the Guardian has reported a BBC spokesperson as saying:
The new commission is a big commitment, not many other shows have such a commitment so far in advance. We do not know yet how many will air in 2012.

Series one of new Who started shooting in July 2004 to be shown from Easter 2005. Most of the series since then have followed that basic template though many also included an extra Christmas episode to shown in the same year as production started. The David Tennant year of specials in 2009 broke the mould but Steven Moffat got back into the usual routine in 2010 but the broadcast of the 2011 series was split in two.

There was talk that the production team wanted to do another batch of specials for 2012 to give themselves some breathing room but the BBC were keen on another full series. Whatever happened it's a very late start on making of the series and it is unlikely to begin broadcasting before Autumn and will continue into 2013. The usual Easter start is not an option. Matt said the 14 episodes will include this year's Chistmas Special and the 50th Aniversary Special as well!

I was encouraged by raigraphixs to start this thread sooner than I intended and he supplied me with this news for series 7 which he said is floating around;

- Moffat has said it is unlikely there will be any two-part stories this year.

- Moffat says the first episode (written by him) will be a bit like the movie Die Hard and teased the title as - 'of the'

- Producer Marcus Wilson said that a couple of old classics from the 60′s and 70′s will return but will be “moved on a bit.”

- Writers;
Steven Moffat (5 episodes)
Mark Gatiss (1 episode)
John Fay (1 episode) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fay_(writer)

Thanks rai.

The no 2 parter bit seems odd. They are often better than the single episode stories. Are we getting longer episodes with series 7?

I found this regarding the possible return of one of the old classics. Possible spoiler.

Rumoured Returning Monster for Series 7 | Doctor Who TV

Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are returning as Amy and Rory but in a very much reduced capacity.

That appears to be all of the solid(ish) news so far. Everything else is sheer speculation.

Speculation.

The magazine Scifi Now and one or two sites have said there will be an Easter Special this year. I can't find any hard evidence to support this. If there is was it shot staight after last year's Christmas Special or will it be the first to shoot next month? I think we'd have heard if it had already been made and surely there can't be enough time to complete it on time if it's part of the new production run.

Split series?

I suspect we won't get another split series. One of the official reasons given for last year's was the effect of the light nights on the overnight ratings. With the late start the nights should be nice and dark. Ideal for Dr Who and it's overnight ratings. One problem is that the Christmas "Special" will be part of the normal series and therefore not quite so special. I wonder if they'll incorporate a short break to accommodate this?

The 50th Anniversary Special

When will it be shown? The 50th anniversary date is a Saturday! Ideal but will they really hold it back for a full year before showing it? The potential for spoilers getting out beforehand is huge. I think we can all speculate as to the reason why the 50th anniversary is being made this year rather than as part of series 8. It will ensure Matt's participaton in it. I hope this will be a feature length multi Doctor story. Steven Moffat's prosming something very big.

Bri

[Keith Hurst]

Originally Posted by brian s

I found this regarding the possible return of one of the old classics. Possible spoiler.

Hoping for

 

The Ice Warriors

myself.

KH

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Keith Hurst

Hoping for

 

The Ice Warriors

myself.

KH

Keith it's ok not to use spoilers for your wish list. I'd like to see the return of the Chumblies myself. Joking aside it'd be nice to see a modern take on the Mechanoids. They only appeared once and I loved them.

Bri

[Ed the Penguin]

I keep wondering if the Zygons rumour will come true myself.
I would also say something about my hopes for the Sea Devils, but as the Silurians turned up I doubt it.
I just hope the Moff remembers that kids enjoy Doctor Who too this time round. My lad just wasn't interested after the last series.

[Fmrl]

I'd love the Sea Devils to return, they used to terrify me when I was a kid. I think there was one scene where they walked out of the sea which gave me nightmares and put me off going to the seaside with my folks

I think it had a lot to do with their whispering voices, the cold dead eyes, and the weird music that they used on the old episodes. Maybe it would be difficult to make them have the same impact these days though.

EDIT: I've just watched a few Sea Devils clips on Youtube - oh dear

They haven't stood the test of time and could definitely do with a 2012 makeover.

...I still think there's something creepy about the eyes though

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Fmrl

EDIT: I've just watched a few Sea Devils clips on Youtube - oh dear

Sounds like they're terrifying in a whole new way now.

We've heard a few ideas about returning monsters but which old characters would everyone like to see return for the 50th anniversary special? I know it's not going to happen but I'd love to see Christopher Eccleston return. I think he's my favourite Doctor now, certainly of the still living actors. I'd also like to see Carole Ann Ford return as Susan. I so wanted her to embrace the younger Peter Davison and say "Grandfather" in The Five Doctors. It didn't happen but it work even better with Matt or David Tennant now that she's 72.

Bri

[brian s]

Karen is a single girl now. Form an orderly queue.

Time travel Karen now a sin-Gil lady | The Sun |Showbiz|TV

It's in the Sun so it must be true.

Bri

[krish]

Just saw this link at the side of that Sun story Bri
- Fern says it’s time to ditch Doc | The Sun |Showbiz|TV

"I hate sci-fi as it's not real and all these people who are fans think it's real and it's some sort of religion to them."

indeed it's not real, as weren't her dieting and exercise claims after gastric band surgery

Room 101 is back hosted by Frank Skinner on BBC1 in a new multi-guest format at 8.30pm on Friday ...

BBC One - Room 101
---> BBC One - Room 101, Episode 1
[BBC iPlayer - Room 101: Episode 1]

Host Frank Skinner invites TV presenter Fern Britton, comedy actor Robert Webb and broadcaster Danny Baker to compete to have their pet hates and peeves consigned to Room 101.

[brian s]

Dr Who isn't real!

Bri

[Master X]

LOL. I wonder if she really thinks that people think scifi is real or is she joking? That's the whole reason I prefer scifi/fantasy TV/Movies. The supposed "realistic" shows I can't stand. Especially the ones so "gritty and realistic" that they go over the top and make life seem so unbeliavably gritty and horrid you'd sooner be dead than alive. So gritty and "realistic" they're no longer realistic anymore. LOL.

[brian s]

Although billed as a preview of The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe this is really a quite interesting Steven Moffat interview.

Preview: Doctor Who - The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe - TV and Radio - Scotsman.com

Regarding the 50th anniversary show he says

As for the 50th anniversary in 2013, Moffat has already promised an appropriately special episode, although when pressed he teasingly replies, “Why talk in the singular? Again, genuinely, the plans are at an early stage, but we have some very clear ideas about some of the things we’re doing, and I think Doctor Who fans and kids will think it’s the best thing ever. We’ve got a load of very big plans – the mere fact that we’re talking about this two years before the event should tell you how seriously we’re taking it.”

Bri

[raigraphixs]

Steven Moffat has promises “at least” 14 episodes from Autumn 2012.

“It will be returning in the Autumn – not exactly saying when – for a long run, he told the Radio Times. I’ll just say it’s at least 14 episodes. Obviously we start in the Autumn so the Christmas special is part of the run.”

[brian s]

At the NTAs Matt Smith is said to have told the Radio Times "I've got a year of Who left, Doctor Who Hollywood beckons". He is then said to have told the BBC Entertainment News Team he has "I've no plans to leave" Doctor Who"

https://twitter.com/#!/RadioTimes/st...76717409468417

https://twitter.com/#!/BBCEntsTeam/s...75515451977728

Take your pick.

Bri

[brian s]

Dr Who Conention attendees will have the chance to visit the Tardis set.

Doctor Who | Official Convention

https://dwconvention.com/tardis-set-...nvention-goers

Bri

[brian s]

Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn on his desire to direct Dr Who and Blake's Seven.

Are there any other British TV shows you’d like to work on?

I would have loved to direct Doctor Who but they didn’t want me — they turned me down last year. Maybe if they revive Blake’s 7 I could do that. I love it. It’s great. That could be fun to update.

Nicolas Winding Refn Interview - Films - ShortList Magazine

[Mr Regan]

Maybe the can do the third series of The Tripods that they forgot to make

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Mr Regan

Maybe the can do the third series of The Tripods that they forgot to make

Padon what's that got to do with Dr Who?


Bri

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Mr Regan

Maybe the can do the third series of The Tripods that they forgot to make

Ah did you mean Nicolas Winding Refn could direct the third series of The Tripods?

Bri

[Mr Regan]

Originally Posted by brian s

Ah did you mean Nicolas Winding Refn could direct the third series of The Tripods?

Bri

Don't think the BBC will do it now as i think Disney own the rights, But who knows if he would do Blake 7,

If The Tripods did come back I'm hoping it will be a trilogy but we will most likely end up with one movie

[Mr Regan]

Originally Posted by brian s

Ah did you mean Nicolas Winding Refn could direct the third series of The Tripods?

Bri

Yes

[brian s]

This is on at 4.00 am friday morning on BBC2.

Episode 1 of 3, Class Clips, Creative and Media

Duration: 1 hour

First in a series of three programmes to support the Creative and Media Diploma. Using extracts from the BBC archive, this programme goes behind the scenes with the special effects team on Doctor Who and with the Life on Mars creators, who discuss their creative writing techniques.


BBC Two - Class Clips, Creative and Media, Media

Bri

[brian s]

This Who fan decided to propose as Matt's Doctor.

Judging by the size of the jacket he's also a big fan of David Bryne of Talking Heads.

Matt Smith Proposes | The Mary Sue

Bri

[raigraphixs]

Doctor to meet new companion?


Steven Moffat;

Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary is coming. In Cardiff, we’re gearing up for the biggest, the best and the most ambitious season we’ve ever made. There will be shocks, surprises and heartbreak – the Doctor is about to say goodbye to his very best friends, Amy and Rory.

And then he’s about to say hello to someone very different – the Doctor is going to meet someone very new in the very last place he could ever have expected…

[brian s]

Karen Gillan says her exit from Doctor Who was a "mutual decision" between her and the show's producers.

BBC - Newsbeat - Karen Gillan says Doctor Who exit was 'mutual decision'

[raigraphixs]

Two returning writers back on board

Both Toby Whithouse and Chris Chibnall are penning episodes for the new series of Doctor Who.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by raigraphixs

Two returning writers back on board

Both Toby Whithouse and Chris Chibnall are penning episodes for the new series of Doctor Who.

Whithouse told SFX magazine that his script is currently planned as third episode of the new season, and – although he wouldn’t confirm if it was the final Amy & Rory story – he did suggest it would be “one of the final ones”.

Filming on the new series starts on 20/2/12.

Bri

[raigraphixs]

Confirmed the first director and new to Dr Who, Saul Metzstein.

The first director to shout 'action' will be the award-winning Saul Metzstein whose previous credits include Micro Men (starring Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman), the critically acclaimed Late Night Shopping and BBC Wales' Upstairs Downstairs.

For the very first time, Doctor Who will be produced at the new BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, which officially open in March. The production team includes Steven Moffat (Executive Producer and lead writer), Caroline Skinner (Executive Producer) and Marcus Wilson (Producer).

Steven Moffat;

“We just had our official day commencing pre-production on Doctor Who, so as for knowing when it’s actually going to be shown is a little bit optimistic. But we’ll definitely show it, and I’m pretty sure it will be the autumn.”

[brian s]

Matt Smith interview. It's mainly about the Young Writers Festival but he talks Who at about 6 minutes in.

Doctor Who's Matt Smith interview: 'I'm itching to come back to theatre' - video | Stage | guardian.co.uk

Bri

[brian s]

Steven Moffat interview.

“We just had our official day commencing pre-production on Doctor Who, so as for knowing when it’s actually going to be shown is a little bit optimistic. But we’ll definitely show it, and I’m pretty sure it will be the autumn.”

The University Observer » The Man Who - Ireland's Award-Winning Student Newspaper

Warning. The full interview contains spoilers on both the last series of Dr Who and Sherlock.

Bri

[brian s]

Karen Gillan is to appear at the Cardiff Dr Who Convention on the 24th and 25th March.

Bri