Series 8 Finale for U.S Screening with Series 9 Prequel

Select theatres across the U.S will screen a 3D edition of the Doctor Who two-part Series 8 finale Dark Water and Death in Heaven. The screening will also premeire with an exclusive prequel to the forthcoming ninth series titled The Doctor’s Meditation, read on for further details:

Fathom Events and BBC Worldwide are bringing the Doctor to you early! On Tuesday, September 15th and Wednesday, September 16th, relive the dramatic two-part finale of Doctor Who series eight on the big screen in Real D 3D, plus watch a never-before-seen prequel to the first episode of series nine and an interview with stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman hosted by Wil Wheaton.

The event is exclusive to the U.S, and it is unknown if the prequel will get a UK premiere. Doctor Who returns on Saturday 19th September to BBC One and BBC One HD.

The Diary of River Song - Cover & Details

Big Finish have issued cover and details of the upcoming four-part audio play The Diary of River Song:

Launching in January 2016, Doctor Who: The Diary of River Song continues the adventures of the Doctor’s wife and Time Lady adventuress; once again portrayed by Alex Kingston. Already announced is Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor; but today we’re pleased to reveal other key names.

Opening the adventures will be Alexander Vlahos (Merlin, The Confessions of Dorian Gray) as Bertie, who will join River at an archeological dig in opening story The Boundless Sea, written by popular novelist Jenny T Colgan.

"Jenny has been on my writing wish-list for a while," says script editor Matt Fitton, "and she’s created a funny, thrilling and scary adventure to kick start River’s journey".

From there, River heads to the most exclusive gathering in the middle of Hyperspace in Justin Richards’ I Went to a Marvellous Party. There she meets Gifford (Alexander Siddig - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Game of Thrones) and Isabella (Imogen Stubbs - Twelfth Night, Sense and Sensibility), a pair of socialites with connections to the mysterious Rulers of the Universe.

Next James Goss puts River on the trail of mysterious, planet-killing Spore Ships in Signs, where we are also introduced to a handsome time-travelling stranger  - her future husband Mr Song, played by Samuel West (Howard’s End, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell, Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time).

The series concludes with the Eighth Doctor’s arrival in The Rulers of the Universe by Matt Fitton. River must contend with a secret society, and a face off with an ancient alien force; with her future husband caught in the middle!

THE BOUNDLESS SEA - by Jenny T Colgan
Drawn out of self-imposed academic exile by an archelological dig, River crosses paths with British Consul Bertie Potts - leading to a secret buried in a lost tomb…

I WENT TO A MARVELLOUS PARTY - by Justin Richards
River is invited to the most exclusive gathering; right in the middle of Hyperspace! Hosts Gifford and Isabella hold a connection to the mysterious Rulers of the Universe; but with a murderer on board, is River too late to discover the truth?

SIGNS - by James Goss
River is on the trail of mysterious, planet-killing SporeShips. Her only aid is a handsome time-travelling stranger with a connection to her future - her husband, Mr Song.

THE RULERS OF THE UNIVERSE - by Matt Fitton
The Eighth Doctor is drawn into events, as River must contend with a secret society and a face-off with an ancient alien force - with her future husband caught in the middle!

The Dairy of River Song will be available in January 2016 priced £20.00 on both CD and digital formats.

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 489

Panini have issued the cover and details of this month's edition of Doctor Who magazine:

The next issue of Doctor Who magazine features an interview with sixth Doctor Colin Baker, the Doctor who never had a proper regeneration story - until now! Talking about recording The Last Adventure for Big Finish, he said:

"Big Finish came to me, and said, 'If we write you a really good story, and if we released your seven cats which we've kidnapped, which are suspended above this flame getting lower and lower, will you perhaps do this story?' ... and I reluctantly agreed, and my cats are safe!"

Commenting on why he needed a little persuasion to record the story, and why he changed his mind:

"Oh, the idea of a release. A release from the tension of saying 'no' repeatedly. And... it's Big Finish! That's what changed my mind."

Also in this issue:

UNDER SURVEILLANCE! 

DWM tells the remarkable story of writer Malcolm Hulke, the creator of the Time Lords, Silurians and Sea Devils - and why he came under under scrutiny by MI5...

TROUBLED TEEN

Ellis George, the actress who plays cheeky schoolgirl Courtney Woods talks to DWM about travelling in the TARDIS, and what its like to be a teenager starring in Doctor Who.

TOP OF THE POPS! 

The much-anticipated results of the 2014 DWM Season Survey are in! Discover which story from Peter Capaldi's début season topped the poll, and who won the accolade for best writer, what was the favourite monster, and more...

THE MONSTER OF PELADON! 

The Fact of Fiction takes a close look at the 1974 serial The Monster of Peladon, and digs deep to unearth fascinating new facts about this Third Doctor adventure.

JUNGLE TERROR! 

There's ghostly goings-on for the Doctor and Clara in a brand-new comic strip adventure, Spirits of the Jungle by Jonathan Morris, illustrated by John Ross.

HELLO, YOUNG MAN! 

Doctor Who's showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers' questions - and comes face-to-face with his 10-year-old self!

TIS THE SEASON? 

Jacqueline Rayner considers what time of year it's traditional - and best - to watch Doctor Who - and comes to a surprising conclusion...

THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES

The Time Team fight for space behind the sofa as they watch David Tennant's penultimate, chilling story: The Waters of Mars.

ON THEIR WAY... 

DWM talks to the people involved in the latest Doctor Who CD releases, including Bonnie Langford, Nicholas Briggs, Lisa Bowerman and Mike Tucker.

PLUS! 

All the latest official news, reviews, competitions and The DWM Crossword.

Issue 489 of Doctor Who magazine is on sale from today until 19th August priced £4.99.

12th Doctor in White Shirt 5" Figure - FPI Exclusive

Character and Underground Toys have issued the details for a Twelfth Doctor 5" action figure - exclusive to Forbidden Planet International, read on for further details:

Doctor Who follows the adventures of the last Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who simply goes by the name "The Doctor". At the end of the 2013 season, the Doctor regenerated into his new form and new personality, and is portrayed by legendary Scottish actor Peter Capaldi. This new incarnation, the Twelfth Doctor, is a spiky, brusque, pragmatic, yet funny, passionate and fearless character who travels with his companion, Clara Oswald. His adventures with (and without) Clara in the 2014 season lead him to make tough and ruthless decisions that make him question his character and the value of his travels.

This all new 5 inch tall figure showcases the new look the Doctor takes on after the regeneration, featuring his now signature dark blue Crombie-style coat with red lining, dark blue trousers, a long collared white shirt buttoned to the top with no tie, and brogue boots. He also comes with his trusty Sonic Screwdriver.

The figure is on sale from 31st October exclusively from Forbidden Planet International priced £14.99.

Torchwood: Fall to Earth - Cover & Details

Big Finish have issued the cover and details of their second Torchwood audio play, featuring the return of Gareth-David Lloyd as Ianto Jones:

Big Finish are delighted to announce that fan-favourite actor Gareth David-Lloyd will star as Ianto Jones for the second release in a new series of Torchwood Audio Dramas.

"Well, how could we not?" says producer James Goss. "Ianto’s such a brilliant character, and if we kept people on tenterhooks any longer, we’d be fools. Of course he’s in it and as soon as possible. We recorded with him literally the first day after he finished a theatre tour. Did he want to put his feet up? Nope. He wanted to be Ianto."

Gareth appeared throughout the first three series of the popular BBC show, created by Russell T Davies. A mild-mannered administrator for the Torchwood team, Ianto helped defend Cardiff from the horrors of the rift, and aided the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) in a battle against the Daleks in two episodes of Doctor Who.

Ianto made his final TV appearance in the 2009 mini-series Children of Earth, but his popularity and legacy has stood the test of time, with a special commemorative memorial for the character erected in Cardiff Bay.

Gareth returns in Fall to Earth, following on from John Barrowman’s return as Captain Jack Harkness in the opening instalment, The Conspiracy.

"Seeing Gareth in studio was an absolute delight," glowed director Scott Handcock. "He clearly loves the part and had a great time. And can’t wait to be back."

The new story will be released in October, allowing for an unbroken run of stories from September. Four more releases will follow at monthly intervals through 2016.

"There was originally going to be a gap after the first release," explains James, "but we soon realised that everyone we spoke to was being so helpful, we’d be in studio a lot. BBC Worldwide have all been amazing - ‘Well, since it’s Torchwood’ everyone kept saying. So it’s coming out early."

FALL TO EARTH - written by James Goss, directed by Scott Handcock
The SkyPuncher is the first private spaceflight. But Ephraim Salt’s visionary project has gone horribly wrong – the ship is falling out of the sky and there seems no way to stop it.

Ianto Jones thought the flight would be sabotaged. The only problem is… he’s on board.

The first Big Finish Torchwood audio play The Conspiracy will be available in September, followed by the rest of the instalments over the following months, prices and retailing info are to be confirmed.

Festival - Michelle Gomez & Ingrid Oliver Added

Two more cast members of Doctor Who are to attend the Doctor Who festival this Autumn, read on for further details:

Michelle Gomez and Ingrid Oliver to come face-to-face at the Doctor Who Festival this year ExCel Exhibition Centre, London

BBC Worldwide are excited to announce that Michelle Gomez and Ingrid Oliver will be joining Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat at the official Doctor Who Festival, which will take place at ExCeL, London, on the 13th, 14th and 15th November 2015. The festival will offer fans an exclusive and interactive glimpse into how the inimitable world of Doctor Who is created.

We are also pleased to confirm that photo opportunities will be available with Peter Capaldi, Ingrid Oliver and Michelle Gomez, plus the opportunity to have an iconic photo taken on the set from Series nine.

In a weekend event like no other, television fans of all ages will be invited to see how one of the UK’s most-loved television programmes is created. Ticket holders will be able to discover the inspiration behind the Doctor’s recent adversaries, the imagination required to create whole new worlds and the ingenuity that goes into designing and making the beautiful backdrops that give Doctor Who its unique look. This festival is a must-attend event for die-hard Doctor Who fans and for those who want to learn more about television production, with many, many more exciting announcements to come!

DAY TICKET PRICES

• Standard ticket: £65
• Standard child ticket: £30
• Standard family ticket: £165
• TARDIS ticket: £110 SOLD OUT
• TARDIS child ticket: £50 SOLD OUT
• TARDIS family ticket: £285 SOLD OUT

THEATRE SHOWS
See the writers and cast from the series as they talk about how to make an idea become reality on a series as big and bold as Doctor Who.

ON SET PHOTO
Photo opportunities on one of the current filming sets.

WARDROBE DEPARTMENT 
A display of costumes and props from the series.

COSPLAYERS SHOWCASE 
Fans can showcase their impressive Doctor Who-themed outfits.

THE FAN CHALLENGE!
Fans young and old can test their knowledge of Doctor Who.

DRAMA SCHOOL
The techniques and secrets that the cast learn when filming Doctor Who.

OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE
The official fan shopping area.

PRODUCTION VILLAGE
A chance for fans to understand what it takes to film a scene in Doctor Who.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
An opportunity for fans to purchase an individual photograph with the current cast members appearing.

The ticket price includes day entry to the Festival, access to three theatre shows, lanyard, show planner and all of the above. TARDIS tickets to include the above plus brochure, lounge access, front block theatre show seats and a limited edition Doctor Who Festival 2015 T-shirt. Tickets, further information and monthly newsletters are available from www.doctorwhofestival.com

Doctor Who Festival will also be coming to Australia a week after on 21st-22nd November 2015. Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat will also be attending the Australian event.

The festival will take place between 13th and 15th November. Tickets are now available to purchase from the ExCel website.

Lego Dimensions - Doctor Who Trailer

The Lego Group have released a new trailer for their new Lego Dimensions video game, you can watch it above, while a press pack can be read below: 

Doctor Who, which has never before been in a Lego video game, will be playable in the Lego Dimensions Starter Pack with a complete Doctor Who level where the game’s heroes continue their quest while encountering Daleks, Cybermen and other adversaries from the Whoniverse.

Fans who want more Doctor Who in Lego Dimensions will be able to purchase the Doctor Who Level Pack which includes an additional mission-based Doctor Who level, along with a Lego minifigure of the Twelfth Doctor and Lego models of the TARDIS and K-9, all playable in the game. 

When the 12th Doctor is defeated in the level, he returns as the 1st Doctor and then regenerates back up to the 12th Doctor again. The interior of the TARDIS will reflect the corresponding Doctor the player embodies or can be manually selected. There’s even a jukebox inside where players can choose among different versions of the Doctor Who theme music. The TARDIS and K-9 models can each be physically built and then rebuilt twice to do entirely different things in the digital game for massive variety.

There will also be a Doctor Who Fun Pack, which includes a playable Cyberman minifigure and Dalek model which can be physically built and then rebuilt twice for a total of three different objects.

Lego Dimensions will be available to play from 27th September on the game consoles Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Wii U.

Series 9 - First Trailer & Premiere Date

The first full-length trailer for the ninth series of Doctor Who was played today at San Deigo Comic-Con, you can watch it above. The BBC also issued the following press release regarding the new series:

Exploding with epic and thrilling adventures, Doctor Who returns to BBC One on Saturday 19th September in the ninth series of the hit show.

The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is joined by Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) for time travel on a cinematic scale. Having the time of their lives, the pair meets new and old monsters, and go on a journey that takes them to deadly alien planets, creepy underwater bases, Vikings villages, a global Zygon uprising, and leads them through hidden alien dens, to the very end of time itself.

Meeting monsters old and new the Doctor will come face to face with Missy (played by Michelle Gomez), a city of Daleks, deadly mercenaries called the Mire, terrifying ghosts and far more.

Having filmed in Cardiff since January, Peter Capaldi said, "Soaring through all of time and space, series nine sees the Doctor throw himself into life with a new hunger for adventure. The Cosmos is there for the taking, thrilling, epic and enticing, and his to play in. But he’s almost reckless in his abandon. It’s almost like he’s running from something, something that if it ever catches him will turn his life upside down."

Previously announced and taking up a guest role in the new series will be young new talent Maisie Williams, having already achieved global success for her role as Arya Stark in the fantasy drama series Game of Thrones. Michelle Gomez (Missy) returns to plague the Doctor and Clara in the series opener, and UNIT are back with Jemma Redgrave and Ingrid Oliver (Osgood) returning to series nine following their popular entrance in series eight. Also confirmed as guest cast in the series are Rebecca Front, Rufus Hound, Paul Kaye, Joivan Wade and Sophie Stone.

The show’s ninth series has been written by lead writer Steven Moffat, Toby Whithouse, Jamie Mathieson, Peter Harness, Mark Gatiss, and new writers to Doctor Who - Sarah Dollard and Catherine Tregenna; directed by Hettie Macdonald, Daniel O’Hara, Ed Bazalgette, Daniel Nettheim, Justin Molotnikov, Rachel Talalay; and produced by Tracie Simpson, Derek Ritchie, Nikki Wilson and Peter Bennett.

The star-studded cast continue to shoot in Roath Lock studios, Cardiff Bay, having previously filmed in Tenerife, and south Wales locations, Caerwent, Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff Castle, St Athans and Margam Park.

Doctor Who has had a decade of success and is one BBC One’s most highly regarded shows. The much-loved brand is already a phenomenon delivering on a global scale, with the last series’ (Series 8) consolidated average at 7.4 million.

The trailer also confirms that the series will premiere Saturday 19th September on BBC One and BBC One HD. Further details regarding the new series are to follow.

Lego Dimensions - Further Doctor Who Details

The Lego Group have issued further details of Doctor Who's involvement in their new video game Lego Dimensions:

It’s a fan-fiction writer’s dream come true - provided that dream is built entirely from Legos. The franchise-mashing Lego Dimensions, due this fall, will bring together some of pop culture’s most beloved characters, everyone from Superman to Gandalf to Back to the Future’s Doc Brown. And for a game spanning so many different worlds, it’s only fitting that a spacefaring time traveler would be among the cast, transported here by a Jurassic World dinosaur.

"We love these characters and these worlds, so we take great pleasure in imagining how they will interact," says Mark Warburton, associate producer at developer TT Games.

No less an interstellar figure than Doctor Who’s eponymous Time Lord himself will be a playable character in the upcoming title, adventuring alongside the likes of Batman, Scooby-Doo, and Homer Simpson. The twelfth and current actor to play the role in the main series, Peter Capaldi, will lend his voice to the character in Dimensions, as will his co-stars Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez, who will reprise their roles as Clara Oswald and Missy, respectively.

Lego Dimensions is set for release across all mainstream consoles from 27th September, while Doctor Who-themed Lego sets are set for release at a currently unknown date.

Interactive Cyberman Attack & Infra-red Blaster Toy

Character Options have issued the details of a new Doctor Who interactive toy:

Doctor Who fans will love this cool Doctor Who Interactive Cyber Man Attack and Infra-red Blaster. It’s an interactive game where you need to beat the clock and defeat the Cyberman.

3 shots on target will blast one arm off a further 3 shots will blast his other arm off and 3 more will deactivate him and make him fall. Disrupt Cyberman’s electronics with blasts using the Infra-red blaster.

Features

• Shoot from 2.5m away
• Shoot both his arms off
• Each level gets more difficult
• Contents: Cyber Man and a Infra-red Blaster
• Batteries Required: 4 AAA batteries (not included)

The Cyberman Attack & Infra-red blaster toy is on sale now priced £29.99.

Doctor Who Adventures - Issue 4

Panini have issued the cover and details of the next edition of Doctor Who Adventures magazine:

Doctor Who Adventures issue 4 is set to materialise on UK news stands on 16th July and promises a summer holiday in Ancient Greece, a Sontaran Extravaganza and more excitement than most Time Lords can cope with in seven lifetimes!

When Clara asks the Doctor to introduce her to Homer, he whisks her off to Ancient Greece where our heroes soon find themselves on the menu for a tribe of hungry Cyclopes. Doctor on the Menu is drawn by Russ Leach, written by Jason Quinn and coloured by John Burns.

LIVING LEGENDS
The Cyclopes aren’t the only legendary creatures the Doctor has met in his travels, here we take a look at Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts and Sirens!

CLARA’S CRAFT STUDIO
Ideal for all messy humans; Clara shows you how to make a TARDIS shelf to help keep your bedroom tidy. It may not be really bigger on the inside but it’s the coolest bookshelf ever!

UNIT ALIEN ARCHIVES
We then sneak into the UNIT Alien Archive to uncover the raging truth about yet another so-called mythological creature… the Minotaur, last seen in the Doctor Who episode The God Complex.

STRAX’S HISTORY OF PLANET EARTH
This month, Strax takes a break from his guide to the galaxy and takes you into Earth’s past where he gives you his views on Alexander the Great, Zeus, Heracles and Mount Olympus.

THE PATERNOSTER GANG INVESTIGATES
Strax seems to have taken over this issue and this time we are treated to a Sontaran Field Report as Strax relates the case of the House of Sorrows, in which he comes face to face with an alien threat in the heart of Victorian Yorkshire.

Doctor Who Adventures issue 4 contains all your favourite features, posters, games and puzzle activities and is sure to excite adventurers of all ages from 3-3000! Issue 4 comes with a free Doctor Who stationery set and a collection of awesome glow in the dark stickers!

Issue 4 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is on sale from 16th July until 12th August priced £3.99.

Series 9 - First Image & Details

Entertainment Weekly interviewed Peter Capaldi on the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who as well as released the first promo image for it. The interview can be read below:

Could you tease the two-part premiere?
It places the Doctor in a conflict that is central to his being, as well as containing some subtle tributes to the ’60s, and truly wonderful guest performances.

What can you tell us about the exclusive photograph from the premiere?
The photo shows the Doctor about to make a mistake that has cataclysmic repercussions.

How is the Doctor different this season from last?
He’s throwing himself into life with a newfound hunger for adventure. He’s in pursuit of joy and grabbing every thrill that he can along the way. But I sense him running from something, that even he does not yet understand.

Tell us about the villains and monsters the Doctor will be encountering this season?
There is an epic sweep to this season and I think the villains and monsters reflect that. Great new ones, brilliant old ones, and some very scary creatures looming in stories with real emotional ambition.

And Missy?
In the hands of Michelle Gomez, Missy is more magnificently bad than ever before.

Maisie Williams is one of the new season’s guest stars. How was working with her?
Maisie is fantastic. A sharp, talented tornado. As an 18-year-old, she has taught me many new words and expressions. All I’ll say about her character is she shifts in cosmic ways.

How would you describe the relationship between your Doctor and Jenna Coleman’s Clara this season?
They’ve suddenly realized that they are the most fortunate people in all of time and space and are hellbent on adventure. Jenna continutes to deliver a beautifully nuanced, complex, and funny performance that marks her out as one of the best companions ever.

Jenna had planned on leaving last season before changing her mind. Will these be her last shows?
I hope not.

Series 9 of Doctor Who broadcasts this Autumn on BBC One and BBC One HD.

12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver Remote Control

The Wand Company have issued the details of their new remote control in the style of the Twelfth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, read on for further details:

The Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Remote Control is finally here to give Doctor Who fans what they have been asking for: a brand new, hero prop replica which is a superb recreation of the Sonic Screwdriver used by Peter Capaldi in Series eight.

A limited run of 168 laser-etched numbered Sonics will be available exclusively to purchase on the BBC America booth (#4129) for the first time at San Diego Comic-Con (8th-12th July 2015) prior to general sale from 7th September from www.BBCShop.com .

The new Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver is a fully functioning gesture-based universal remote control which can control your TV and other home entertainment equipment. Learning the gestures and programming the Sonic Screwdriver is easy, and the intuitive gestures allow the user to become the Doctor. Flick it open and the clasps extend with a satisfying clunk; press the grip mounted button for instant light and sound action or use the Any-TV-Off function just for fun!

The Twelfth Sonic has been made in direct response to the huge number of requests that The Wand Company received from fans all over the world asking for an extending version of their famous Eleventh Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver.

"Since our Eleventh Doctor’s Sonic went on sale, we have had a constant stream of requests from fans of all ages asking us to make an extending version. It wasn’t easy to engineer a solidly reliable device that can withstand being repeatedly flicked to extend it, but we’ve been able to do it, and I’m certain that any fan of Doctor Who is going to love it," said Chris Barnardo, co-founder of The Wand Company.

Jason Easy, senior licensing manager at BBC Worldwide, said, "The Wand Company continually exceed expectations with their range of Sonic Screwdrivers, and the Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic is no exception. The Sonics are not just technologically sophisticated, but also beautifully made and have exciting features that delight fans."

Product Details
The Wand Company’s new extending Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver universal remote control prop replica contains the following features:

• 1:1 scale replica of the Series eight Sonic Screwdriver hero prop
• Highly authentic flick-to-extend action
• Grip-mounted action button
• Press and hold button to make Sonic buzz and tip light in FX Mode
• Any-TV-off function that turns off any television at the press of a button, without having to program the Sonic first
• Stores up to 39 remote control commands
• Customisable personal lock code
• Ivory-coloured handle with subtle fleck
• Redesigned copper-plated handle end
• Gallifreyan stand for vertical presentation
• 12 new secret Morse-coded Twelfth Doctor phrases
• 12 different sonic screwdriver sound effects

The Twelfth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver remote control is on sale from 7th September exclusively from the BBC Shop priced £69.99. In other news: Rachel Talalay, who directed the series eight final Dark Water / Death in Heaven is to direct the finale of the next series of Doctor Who.