Throng

I'm probably asking for trouble when I say this... but I really don't get Doctor Who. Tackling sci-fi and fantasy fans is like walking into a baptist church in middle America and defecating on a crucifix whilst puking up into the Stars and Stripes.

Of course, not all sci-fi fans are mental... but tell them that their chosen obsession (Star Trek, Doctor Who, Blake's Seven, whatever) and they'll stop being that reasonable person you know and their faces will tense up like they've just been caught with their member in the pickle jar.

David Tennant is joined by Lindsay Duncan and Peter O'Brien in second special episode of 2009

Mars, 2059. Bowie Base One. Last recorded message: "Don't drink the water. Don't even touch it. Not one drop."

Doctor Who will return to BBC One on Sunday 15 November for The Waters Of Mars – the second of four specials airing throughout 2009.

Get this! Richard Curtis, the bloke who was a driving force behind Comic Relief, the bloke who brought us Four Weddings and a Funeral and loads of other soppy middle class quirkfests... but more importantly, he's the man behind Blackadder... and he's going to write an episode for Doctor Who.

Let the conspiracy begin.

Curtis will write one of the episodes starring the new doctor, Matt Smith and filming for the new series has already kicked off, with transmission due next year.

Concerning the plot, Curtis said: "There will be a monster. And a famous historical figure will battle the monster."

So here it is. The first look at the new animated Doctor Who as he will appear in the new animation, Dreamland, which is due for broadcast later this year. The six-part series will be premiered on the BBC Red Button and the Doctor Who website (click here).

The 45-minute long animation will be broadcast in its entirety on CBBC on BBC Two this Autumn and also on the BBC HD channel. Written by Phil Ford (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Sarah Jane Adventures) Dreamland will see the Doctor – played by David Tennant – arrive at the infamous alien hot spot, Roswell.

During a visit to a local diner he stumbles upon a mysterious alien artefact that leads him on a mission to rescue Rivesh Mantilax from the threat of the Viperox and the clutches of the American military.

The BBC today releases the first image of the animated Doctor as he will appear in the new animation, Dreamland, which is due for broadcast later this year.

The six-part series will be premièred via the BBC Red Button on BBC One and the Doctor Who website (bbc.co.uk/doctorwho).

The 45-minute long animation will be broadcast in its entirety on CBBC on BBC Two this autumn and also on the BBC HD channel.

The new actor to take over the role of The Doctor, Matt Smith, starts filming today. Smith is taking over from David Tennant, who has been a very popular Doctor since 2005. He will make his appearance as the 11th Doctor of the show in 2010 in the start of the 5th series.

Smith was a surprise choice for the role, as he had been a relative unknown before being announced as the new Doctor, and he had mostly starred in television dramas. He also starred along Christian Slater in the West End show, Swimming with Sharks, which received much critical acclaim.

Speaking about how he feels taking over the coveted role, he said: “I feel very privileged and proud to be part of this iconic show. I’m excited about the future and all the brilliant adventures I get to go on as the Doctor.”

A new Doctor, a new companion, a new era

Production started today on the new series of Doctor Who, in which BBC One viewers will meet the 11th Doctor and his companion for the very first time.

The latest incarnation of the iconic character is played by Matt Smith (Party Animals).

The BBC today revealed that the companion for the forthcoming series of Doctor Who will be Karen Gillan.

Twenty-one-year-old Gillan will star alongside new Time Lord, Matt Smith, when the smash hit drama returns to BBC One in spring 2010.

With filming due to begin this summer, Gillan beat off dozens of hopefuls to land one of television's most coveted roles.

Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith – who will take over from David Tennant in the New Year – has finally been presented with his own co-star, Scots actress Karen Gillan.

The relatively unknown actress has appeared in several small but notable roles on TV over the past couple of years, most notably detective drama Rebus and a 2008 episode of Doctor Who, The Fires of Pompeii.

Speaking about her casting, Gillan said:

"I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.
"Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him – I just can't wait to get started!"

Future Doctor Who star Matt Smith was interviewed at the Cannes Film Festival recently as short film Together was nominated for a Critics Choice Award at the film festival on the French Riviera.

Denying claims that he has been snapped in costume and on location shooting Doctor Who recently, ubiquitous actor, singer and John Barrowman has claimed this week that he was simply out shopping in his own Captain Jack outfit.

It’s a claim Barrowman has repeated in the past – yet a quick visit to Google Images show that few photos of him wearing the Captain Jack overcoat exist that aren’t stills from Doctor Who or Torchwood; those that do are from other fan snaps.

Speaking to Digital Spy at the press launch of Torchwood Children of Earth, Barrowman even claimed to have not seen a script for the final Doctor Who episodes to star David Tennant.
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BBC Wales has announced three key appointments to its flagship production Doctor Who as the new series starring the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, prepares for shooting.

Tracie Simpson (producer of Doctor Who: Planet Of The Dead) and Peter Bennett (producer of the forthcoming Torchwood series) have been appointed as producers on the multi-award winning BBC One show.

Beth Willis, producer of the hugely popular and award-winning BBC drama series Ashes To Ashes, will join new Lead Writer Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger as an executive producer.