Series 5 Companion Revealed!

The BBC have revealed the actress who will play the Eleveth Doctor's companion in series five of Doctor Who next year. Read on for further details:

Little-known actress Karen Gillan has been unveiled as the next assistant in Doctor Who!

The 21-year-old will star alongside new Time Lord Matt Smith in the new series, to be broadcast next year. Gillan has already appeared in the drama, having played a Soothsayer in The Fires Of Pompeii in the last run.

"I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. - I just can't wait to get started," she said.

"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," she added.

"When she auditioned alongside Matt we knew we had something special," he said.

Writer and executive producer Steven Moffat said they saw some "amazing actresses" but Gillan "walked through the door the game was up".

He described her as "funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too," he added.

Head of drama, BBC Wales, Piers Wenger said she brings "energy and excitement" to the role. Gillan developed a love for acting after attending several youth theatre groups and taking part in various school productions.

At the age of 16 she had decided to pursue her career further and left school to study acting at Edinburgh's Telford College. She went on to secure a place at the Italia Conti drama school in London and landed her first role in the Scottish drama Rebus.

She has had parts in Channel 4's Stacked, The Kevin Bishop Show and James Nesbitt's forthcoming film Outcast followed, but her Doctor Who role is her first high profile to date.

The name of Gillan's character in Doctor Who is yet to be confirmed. Filming for series five of Doctor Who starts in July and will broadcast Spring 2010 on BBC One and BBC HD.

Doctor Who: The Eyeless & The Story of Martha - Audio Covers & Info

BBC Audio have revealed the covers and synopsis of two upcoming Doctor Who audio CDs based on recently released novels: 

THE EYELESS - written by Russel Tovey, read by Lance Parkin 
At the heart of the ruined city of Arcopolis is the Fortress. It’s a brutal structure placed here by one of the sides in a devastating intergalactic war that’s long ended. Fifteen years ago, the entire population of the planet was killed in an instant by the weapon housed deep in the heart of the Fortress. Now only the ghosts remain.

The Doctor arrives, and determines to fight his way past the Fortress’s automatic defences and put the weapon beyond use. But he soon discovers he’s not the only person in Arcopolis. What is the true nature of the weapon? Is the planet really haunted? Who are the Eyeless? And what will happen if they get to the weapon before the Doctor?The Doctor has a fight on his hands. And this time he’s all on his own.

THE STORY OF MARTHA - written by Dan Abnett, read by Freema Agyeman

For a year, while the Master ruled over Earth, Martha Jones travelled the world telling people stories about the Doctor. She told people of how the Doctor has saved them before, and how he will save them again. This is that story. 

It tells of Martha’s travels from her arrival on Earth as the Toclafane attacked and decimated the population through to her return to Britain to face the Master. It tells how she spread the word and told people about the Doctor. The story of how she survived that terrible year.

But it’s more than that. This is also a collection of the stories she tells - the stories of adventures she had with the Doctor that we haven’t heard about before. The stories that inspired and saved the world...

The Eyeless is out now at all good CD stores and The Story of Martha is on sale from 4th June. Both audios are priced £9.99 per copy.

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 409

The cover and info on this month's edition of Doctor Who magazine:

In Doctor Who Magazine issue 409...

Unlucky Thirteen?

A Time Lord can only regenerate 12 times and then he must die... Or must he? Jonathan Morris investigates the truth behind the miracle of the Time Lord, and asks: could the Doctor survive beyond his thirteenth Incarnation?

The End of Ten!

Euros Lyn, director of the forthcoming Torchwood: Children of Earth, as he oversees this year’s Doctor Who Christmas specials, the final story for the Tenth Doctor!

Three’s a Crowd!

The Fact of Fiction takes an in-depth look back at the extraordinary adventure in which the Doctor met himself for the first time - 1972/73’s The Three Doctors!

David Bowie is (nearly) the Doctor!

What do Jonathan Creek, Ford Prefect and Richard O’Brien have in common? Find out, as Neil Harris considers ten characters who are the Doctor all but name in You Are Not Alone!

The final end?

Russell T Davies reveals the behind-the-scenes changes as Doctor Who looks forward to the Eleventh Doctor’s first series in Production Notes.

Segonax’s got talent!

Roll up! Roll up! See how the Time Team react to the weird events in the Seventh Doctor adventure The Greatest Show in the Galaxy!

Hai!

The Watcher reverses the polarity, rolls up his frilly sleeves and tells you everything you need to know about the Doctor’s dashing and dynamic Third Incarnation in his latest essential guide!

60's chick!

Anneke Wills, who played companion Polly to the First and Second Doctors, chats candidly to DWM about outdoor baths, the swinging 60s... and meeting David Tennant on the Doctor Who set!

Ten in trouble!

Majenta has a shock in store for the Doctor in Part Two of new comic strip The Age of Ice, by Dan McDaid with art by Martin Geraghty.

Good dog!

It’s finally happening! DWM takes a first look at the new spin-off series featuring the Doctor’s second-best friend, K.9!

Plus! 
All the latest news, previews, reviews, competitions and much, much more!

Issue 409 of Doctor Who magazine is on sale now at all good newsagents until 24th June priced £3.99 per copy.

Doctor Who Movie Script in Production!

Lizo Mzimba, a correspondent for BBC Entertainment (and Doctor Who fan) has reported via his Twitter page that a new Doctor Who movie script is in production. You can read what he said below:

"BBC Films have confirmed a Dr Who film script is in development. But IF it does go into full production that's likely to be some time away."

"So, to be clear, it's not guaranteed a Dr Who movie will be made. All BBC Films are doing is developing a script, before making a decision.""

It is rumoured that Russell T Davies is heading to America to work on a Doctor Who movie, this hasn't been officially confirmed.

The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Doctor to Guest Star!

The BBC Press Office has released a press pack concerning some information on a story from the next series of The Sarah Jane Adventures:

Doctor Who fans are in for a treat this Autumn as David Tennant makes a special appearance as the Doctor in CBBC's hit drama series The Sarah Jane Adventures with a starring role across two episodes.

Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, one-time companion to that strange wanderer in time and space known as the Doctor, is reunited with her old friend as The Sarah Jane Adventures is back for a third series of alien-busting adventures on CBBC this October.

Elisabeth Sladen, who plays Sarah Jane, says: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day."

"It's fantastic news that Sarah Jane is going to spend some time working with the Doctor again and is testament to just how successful this CBBC series is."

Russell T Davies, executive producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, adds: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat."And it's not just a cameo from David - this is a full-on appearance for the Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."

The series includes twelve weeks of brand new adventures featuring a new alien race, the reptilian Veil and their enemies the Judoon, alongside an extraterrestrial girl that can make people play games against their will.

There will also be a living painting, the inhabitants of a supposedly haunted house, monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed and a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.

Alongside adopted son Luke, Sarah Jane's team is made up of Luke's streetwise pal Clyde Langer, their schoolmate Rani, who lives opposite and has aspirations to become a journalist like Sarah Jane, and Mr Smith, their Xylok supercomputer up in the attic, plus Sarah Jane's robot dog, K.9.

Series three of The Sarah Jane Adventures is currently being filmed and is set for broadcast this Autumn on CBBC.

New Doctor Who Animation Confirmed!

The latest issue of Doctor Who magazine confirms that a new Doctor Who animation is currently in production, read on for further details:

Debuting in Autumn, a new animated Doctor Who story entitled Dreamland will be hitting the small screen through the BBC Red Button service and CBBC. There will be seven episodes comprising of approximately six minutes. Viewers may remember The Infinite Quest from 2007 which ran on the show Totally Doctor Who and was subsequently released on DVD.

Starring as the Doctor is David Tennant and he will be joined by: Georgia Moffett (The Doctor's Daughter) though she is not playing Jenny, her character is called Cassie Rice; the voice of Bernice Summerfield, Lisa Bowerman (Survival); and the legendary David Warner (Tron, Time Bandits). Warner is also no stranger to Doctor Who having played the Time Lord himself in a 2003 audio play (reprising the role in 2008).

The writer for Dreamland is Phil Ford who is one of the few to pen stories for the triumvirate of Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood. His Who story, The Waters of Mars (due to be broadcast in November), was co-written with Russell T Davies. Directing the project is Who stalwart Gary Russell.

In this month's Doctor Who magazine, RTD hints that a third special project might be on the way (David Tennant's appearance in The Sarah Jane Adventures being the first), he says: "... it would be nice to round things off with a Special Project 3... I can promise, it's worth waiting for!"

Doctor Who: Dreamland will broadcast this Autumn on the BBC Red Button service.

Tonight's the Night Mini Doctor Who Sketch

Earlier this evening, a mini Doctor Who sketch broadcasted during the final of John Barrowman's Tonight's the Night talent show. The clip features Tim Ingham, winner of the show's monster competition and Doctor Who fan, in his alien's costume. You can watch the sketch above. In other news: Filming for the 2009 Doctor Who specials is complete and is now awaiting editing.

Doctor Who Adventures - Issues 116 & 117

The cover and info on this week and next's week's editions of Doctor Who Adventures magazine:

There’s a FREE Cyber stationery set and the issue is packed with Cyberman terror!
Read a fascinating fact file about the heartless Miss Hartigan, the woman who was turned into the CyberKing, which is biggest piece of Cyber tech ever.

Plus, look out for the top ten Tardis moments in Doctor Who!

All this and…

• Exclusive posters!
• Make your own K-9.
• Monster survival guide.
• TARDIS Tales.
• Comic strip action.
• Puzzles and competitions - cool prizes up for grabs!
• Subscription offer - subscribe today and get a free gift.

Get a fantastic set of Doctor Who magnets and stickers!
In a special psychic issue, Doctor Who Adventures looks at the seriously spooky people we’ve met in the series and we ponder what’s next for the Doctor…

Plus, we’ve got ten of the best companions in Doctor Who! Who do you think is number one?

All this and...

• Exclusive posters!
• Create your own psychic paper.
• Monster survival guide.
• Loads of facts.
• TARDIS Tales.
• Comic strip action.
• Puzzles and competitions - cool prizes up for grabs!
• Subscription offer - subscribe today and get a free gift.

Issue 116 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is on sale now at all good newsagents until 27th May priced £2.10 per copy. Issue 117 is on sale from 28th May, also priced £2.10 per copy.

Doctor Who DVD Files - Issue 10

The cover and info on this fortnight's edition of Doctor Who DVD Files magazine:

Episode Guide: Rise of the Cybermen/ The Age of Steel

The Doctor: Monster's Revenge

Enemies: Davros

Technology: Cybus Ship

Allies: Sarah Jane Smith

Behind the Scenes: Graeme Harper

Issue 10 of Doctor Who DVD Files magazine on sale from today at all good newsagents until 3rd June priced £6.99 per copy.

Doctor Who Magazine - 200 Golden Moments

Panini Magazines have revealed the cover of a new special edition of Doctor Who magazine titled 200 Golden Moments. The magazine takes a look back at all the Doctor Who television stores from An Earthly Child up to Planet of the Dead. 200 Golden Moments is on sale 18th May at all good newsagents priced £6.99 per copy.

Torchwood: 3 New Radio Plays Announced!

The BBC have confirmed that Torchwood will return to BBC Radio 4 in three exclusive new radio plays. Read on for further details:

Following the huge success of Torchwood: Lost Souls, which was broadcast as part of Radio 4's Big Bang season last year, the Torchwood cast are set to return to the airwaves in three brand new Torchwood radio plays.

Three 45 minute episodes will air in Radio 4's Afternoon Play slot at 2.15pm. The three new radio plays bridge the gap between Torchwood: Lost Souls and the upcoming Torchwood: Children of Earth television series.

The episodes feature Captain Jack (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles) and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) and have been recorded over the last two weeks. The episodes will be broadcast in advance of Torchwood: Children of Earth and will be available in the UK on BBC iPlayer and as a download for 7 days after broadcast. Here are the forthcoming radio play synopsis.

ASYLUM - by Anita Sullivan

The story of a teen runaway called Freda who is brought to the attention of Torchwood by PC Andy. As Gwen, Jack and Ianto investigate where this troubled girl has come from, Andy finds himself drawn closer than ever before into the world of Torchwood.

GOLDEN AGE - by James Goss

Torchwood go to India to investigate the disappearance of hundreds of people. The trail leads them to an old colonial club which seems strangely stuck in the past as does its young and beautiful owner, the Duchess.

THE DEAD LINE - by Phil Ford

A series of mysterious phone calls lead Jack into danger, and result in 'a very emotional moment for Ianto'.

BBC Radio 4 is available in the UK on 92-96FM, on digital or online.

All three audio plays will air prior to the start of Children of Earth this Summer, which will broadcast on BBC One and BBC HD.

Torchwood: The Sin Eaters - Cover & Info

BBC Audio have revealed the cover and synopsis for an new exclusive Torchwood audio CD story:

THE SIN EATERS - written by Brian Minchin, read by Gareth David-Lloyd
Alien larvae in a baptismal font mark the beginnings of a terrifying adventure for the Torchwood team in this exclusive audio adventure, read by Gareth David-Lloyd. Searching for the source of a bizarre Rift reading, Gwen, Jack and Ianto find a corpse on the beach, his face covered in hundreds of tiny cuts. Watching from the shadows is a man in black...

The Reverend Hayward thinks he has found a way to take away people's sins. The trouble is, his special baptisms tend to take away their lives too. For the creatures he collects and puts in his church font are nightmarish parasites, feeding on their hosts' negative emotions before consuming them. It is up to Torchwood to track them down and destroy them...

Torchwood: The Sin Eaters is on sale from 4th June at all good CD stores priced £12.99 per copy and comes as a two-disc set. Please note that the audio contains strong language and adult themes.

Doctor Who Adventures - Issue 115

The cover and info on the next edition of Doctor Who Adventures magazine:

Look out for the monsters voted the scariest ever by readers of Doctor Who Adventures - the Weeping Angels. You’ll also find out the nine runners-up in our scariest monster top 10.

The issue has a tall cover, with a scary scene from Doctor Who, inside featuring these fearful Weeping Angels. There’s a terrifying fact file to read and a hideous Angel mask for you to cut out and frighten your friends with, too.

The FREE gift this issue is an inflatable Angel - blow it up and stand well back! Remember not to blink at it.

All this, plus…

• Posters: Sally Sparrow, the Doctor and an Angel, a Cyberman and Dalek Sec.
• Tales from the Tardis: Trouble for Christina and the Doctor as they race away from hungry monsters in an exciting photo story.
• Terror through time: The Sontarans.
• Understanding aliens: Find out how the Doctor and his friends can understand strange languages.
• Puzzles & competitions: Things to work out and win, including the latest Doctor Who DVD and Star Trek toys.
• Comic strip: A dangerous cat is on the loose…
• Subscription offer: Subscribe today and get a Cyberman stationery set!

Issue 115 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is on sale from 15th May at all good newsagents until 21st May priced £2.10 per copy.

Doctor Who: The Official 2010 Annual - Cover & Info

Puffin Books have revealed the cover and synopsis of the official Doctor Who 2010 annual:

This official Doctor Who annual is the perfect gift for any budding Time Lord. Packed with exclusive comics, stories, features and activities, the Doctor Who Annual is the one book no fan should be without!

Doctor Who: The Official 2010 Annual on sale from 6th August at all good book stores priced £7.99 per copy.

Mini Doctor Who Sketch on Tonight's the Night!

A new mini Doctor Who sketch is to broadcast on the final of John Barrowman's Tonight's the Night talent show. Read on for further details:

If you're missing the monsters and mayhem that Doctor Who delivers then tune into Tonight's the Night, presented by Captain Jack himself, John Barrowman!

John's BBC One show helps ordinary people live out their performing fantasies for real and true to its aim of making dreams come true, Tonight's the Night has run a competition giving one viewer the opportunity to take part in a special Doctor Who scene, working with the Doctor Who production team, and shot on the set of the Tardis. The scene will star the winner alongside show host John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness.

Viewers over 18 were invited to submit an application featuring a photograph of themselves in a home-made alien costume, along with information about their alien, such as where it's from and its characteristics. The entries were a fantastic mix ranging from fearsome to funny but all of them were imaginative, eye-catching and full on! Over the next three weeks viewers of Tonight's the Night will see a parade of aliens and John Barrowman, Doctor Who casting director Andy Pryor and a team of judges will be selecting the best.

The top ten aliens will be required to face the judges - assuming they have faces - and may be assessed on vocal ability, movement and quite literally, star quality. Three finalists will then undergo one further series of alien orientated challenges, but only one will win this once in a lifetime experience.

The winner will film a scene in the Tardis to be broadcast on May 23rd. John Barrowman was delighted to make a dream come true for one lucky Doctor Who fan, commenting, "This is a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to see the winner experience performing on the set of Doctor Who."

The final of Tonight's the Night will broadcast on Saturday 23rd May at 7:20pm on BBC One.

Doctor Who Adventures - Issue 114

The cover and info on this week's edition of Doctor Who Adventures magazine:

In this week’s Doctor Who Adventures magazine…

There are two free gifts for every reader - a fantastic Dalek wallet and a memory card stuffed with the coolest Doctor Who facts.

Doctor Who Adventures looks at the top ten deadliest battles between the Doctor and the Daleks. Be prepared for top shocks and loads of screaming Daleks.

We go behind the scenes with Doctor Who Confidential to find out what happened when the bus from Planet of the Dead was damaged while it was being taken out to Dubai.

The memory card is a send-away offer, postage and packing payable.

All this, plus…

• Posters: Chantho, the Doctor and a Dalek, the Ninth Doctor and Rose.
• K-9 Tales: What has happened to Sarah Jane?
• Who’s where?: Can you find the missing UNIT ID cards?
• Puzzles and competitions: Fun things to work out and win.
• Comic strip: Something strange is happening at the Monster Idol auditions.
• Subscription offer: Subscribe today and get a Cyberman stationery set!

Issue 114 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is on sale now at all good newsagents until 13th May priced £2.10 per copy.

Torchwood: Eve Myles Expecting a Baby!

Torchwood's Eve Myles, who plays Gwen Cooper in the Doctor Who spin-off, has announced that she's pregnant. Read on for her interview with What's On TV:

"I've wanted to do this for such a long time, but I kept getting job after job after job," said Eve, who plays former police officer Gwen Cooper in the cult series.

"I thought, if I put this off any more I'm going to be 65. My partner and I decided this year was going to be the year, and we were blessed that it happened so quickly.

"It's the best thing that ever happened to me – we're over the moon."

Eve, who is three and a half months' pregnant, joked about the fact that her character Gwen gave birth in series two - to an alien.

"We went for a scan and my mum was there," she recalled. "And my mum went: 'No, it's not a Nostrovite! It's a real Welsh human!' But of course it crosses my mind – I hope it's not an alien!"

Eve added that motherhood will not make her quit her role in Torchwood.

"I hope we get a new series," she said. "I'd really like to play Gwen as a mother. It's not like I have to really save the world - I just have to sit in make-up!"

Eve's baby is expected to be born this Autumn, she will return as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood: Children of Earth this Summer on BBC One and BBC HD. In other news: John Barrowman stars in the 100th episode of the BBC One sit-com, My Family, tonight at 8:00pm.

Doctor Who: Cardboard Standeess - Wave 3

Star Stills have revealed the third wave of Doctor Who cardboard standees. The wave includes:

Davros

Supreme Dalek

Tenth Doctor in Brown Suit

Captain Jack Harkness

The standees are on sale later this month at all good sci-fi collectible stores priced £29.99 each.

Doctor Who DVD Files - Issue 9

The cover and Info on this fortnight's edition of Doctor Who DVD Files magazine:

Episode Guide: School Reunion/ The Girl in the Fireplace

The Doctor: Robots & Reptiles

Enemies: Cybershades

Technology: SS Madame De Pompadour

Allies: K.9

Behind the Scenes: Cast Away

Issue 9 of Doctor Who DVD Files magazine is on sale is on sale from tomorrow at all good newsagents until 19th May priced £6.99. In other news: Paul Marc Davis who plays the Trickster in The Sarah Jane Adventures has confirmed that his character will return in the next series.