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Gillan and Darvill to leave Doctor Who

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has confirmed that Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, who play Amy Pond and Rory Williams, will be leaving the series next season.

Brand lands late night show

Russell Brand has signed on to host a late night show for the FX network in America. The half-hour programme will debut in the spring of 2012.

Attenborough teams up with Sky

Sir David Attenborough is again teaming up with Sky to film a new 3D series called Galapagos 3D.

Royal Variety Performance draws 6.76m

This year’s Royal Variety Performance drew an audience of 6.76 million to ITV1 on Wednesday night. The figure was down from the 8.34m who watched last year’s show on BBC One.

Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will both leave Doctor Who during next season, it has been confirmed.

Showrunner Steven Moffat announced the news that the characters of Amy Pond and Rory Williams will leave at a press screening, saying that “a new friend” will join Matt Smith on the series.

“The final days of the Ponds are coming during the next series,” he said. “I’m not telling you when or how, but that story is going to come to a heartbreaking end… Then The Doctor will meet a new friend.” 

Matt Smith said: “The show will miss the Ponds, brilliantly played by Karen and Arthur, but the great thing about Doctor Who is its ability to change.

“We had the most incredible journey. We took over the show and we’ve really had to hold hands and help each other through it.

“So it’s very disappointing, but one has to remember that this show is about change and regeneration, and that’s what galvanizes it and pushes it forwards.”

Gillan tweeted: “I’m so grateful for everything. Honestly. I’ve met such amazing people who I will definitely keep in touch with & had the time of my life!”

Source: Digital Spy

A survey has found that British TV viewers are looking for a change to the way they access TV content.

Red Bee Media conducted the survey as part of a programme that aims to build a picture of the world’s media in 2020.

The key findings involved the fact consumers are hungry for new and different approaches to navigating, accessing and paying for TV content.

71% of those surveyed wanted more freedom to choose what they watched and when they can watch it.

Around half believe that content should be released to everyone around the world at the same time.

The same number agreed that illegal downloads would drop if viewers were able to pay to watch new TV series from around the world earlier than the UK premiere date.

“Viewers are more engaged with TV and movies than ever before and it is clear that our industry will continue to experience an unprecedented level of change. The results show that viewers are increasingly savvy about what they watch and how and when they watch it and they are ever more cynical about current offers when their preference is for a more immediate, selective and flexible experience”, said Bill Patrizio, CEO, Red Bee Media. “This research provokes us to listen closely to what tomorrow’s consumer has to say and ask ourselves whether or not their expectations are driving our industry’s innovation agenda.”

Click here For the full findings. 

Source: redbeemedia

Katona to feature in new series

Kerry Katona will appear in a new four-part Channel 5 series called Celebrity Wedding Planner. Katona will accept the challenge of organising an entire event for couples looking to get married.

This is England ’88 returns to 2.23m

This Is England ’88 returned to Channel 4 with an average audience of 2.23 million on Tuesday night, while My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas pulled 5.11m for the broadcaster.

Modern Family leads SAG TV nominations

Modern Family is leading the nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The comedy series picked up five nominations, including individual nods for Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Sofia Vergara and Julie Bowen.

Barlow to write Marcus Collins album

Marcus Collins has said that his X Factor mentor Gary Barlow will begin working on his debut album after Christmas. “I’m looking forward to taking a few days to calm down,” he said. “Gary’s told me he wants me working from January 1.”

Sky1 has given the green light for a second season of Spy.

The series will return for another ten episodes as well as one Christmas special, according to Broadcast.

Darren Boyd stars in the series, which centres on a man who is inadvertently hired by MI5.

Sky’s head of comedy Lucy Lumsden said: “Finding smart yet accessible pre-watershed comedy for adults and kids to watch together is a vital part of our story on Sky1.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start [for Spy] and are excited by the plans for the next series.”

Source: Digital Spy

UKTV’s Dave are thrilled to announce their biggest import of 2012 – US Drama, Suits. Dust of your sharpest two-piece, shine your shoes, and prepare to enter the high flying world of the Hardman and Pearson law firm.

The all new American drama focuses on Michael ‘Mike’ Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a lazy but brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory. On the run from a drug deal gone bad, Mike accidentally slips into a job interview with one of New York City’s best lawyers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht).

Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, suave quick-witted businessman Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot, despite the firm’s policy of hiring only Harvard Law graduates.

Proving to be an irrepressible duo and invaluable to the practice, Mike and Harvey must keep their secret from everyone including managing partner Jessica (Gina Torres) and Harvey’s arch nemesis Louis (Rick Hoffman), who seems intent on making Mike’s life as difficult as possible.

The insider look at life at the top is like no other – drama, comedy, romance and suspense. Sharp suits, women, gambling and cocktail bars galore – already a US hit, Suits portrays the perks and downfalls of life as a high flyer.

Christmas and New Year shoppers of Westfield and Bluewater shopping centres will be able to exclusively view the series over the festive period in a specially built ‘Dave’ chill out lounge. Visitors will have the chance to step into the office of Harvey Specter and have their picture taken with secretaries alongside the beautiful New York skyline to share with friends on Facebook.

Little Mix sales below Matt Cardle

Little Mix were beaten by Matt Cardle in the first day single sales stakes, with Cardle topping the charts last Christmas with his single ‘When We Collide’. Little Mix sold more than 68,000 singles on the first day, which was les sthan Cardle sold last year.

4.3m for Young Apprentice final

The final of BBC One’s Young Apprentice was seen by 4.3 million viewers on Monday night, winning its 9pm timeslot.

BBC not sacking Clarkson

The BBC has ruled out sacking Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson after around 32,000 complaints were received regarding Clarkson’s comments about striking public sector workers.

Mark Wright to host Take Me Out spin-off

Mark Wright will co-host a Take Me Out spin-off series alongside Zoe Hardman on ITV2. Take Me Out: The Gossip will feature behind-the-scenes news, interviews and footage from the series.

This year’s X Factor final failed to excite as much as in previous years, with a drop of 4 million viewers from last year.

Little Mix’s victory at Wembley Arena was seen by 12.8 million viewers on Sunday night, with a peak of 15 million, well down on the 19 million peak of last season’s final that was won by Matt Cardle. Joe McElderrys’ win in 2009 also peaked at 19 million. 

This year’s final managed to narrowly beat Strictly Come dancing on BBC One, which pulled 10.8 million for its semi-final results episode.

Source: Tellymix

Mark Wright has been announced as the new presenter of a Take Me Out spin-off on ITV2.

The former TOWIE cast member will join Zoe Hardman in hosting Take Me Out: The Gossip, which will deliver behind-the-scenes news, interviews and footage from the dating series.

Wright said: “I’m so excited to be co-presenting Take Me Out: The Gossip. I’ve always been a huge fan of the series and I’m looking forward to finding out what the couples really think about each other after their dates and what goes on once the cameras are switched off.”

Hardman added: “I am really excited to be involved in such a brilliant new show and even more excited to find out what really went on between the couples on the Isle of Fernando’s.

“It’s going to be a fantastic experience and I am really looking forward to presenting alongside Mark Wright, we will be sure to bring the viewers all of the gossip!”

Source: Tellymix

The BBC has released a new trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special on BBC One.

The promo features new footage of the episode – entitled ‘The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe’ – in which young Cyril (Maurice Cole) and Lily (Holly Earl) journey into a winter wonderland.

Claire Skinner, Alexander Armstrong, Bill Bailey and Arabella Weir all make guest appearances in the episode.

The special will air on Christmas Day at 7pm on BBC One.

Source: Digital Spy