Under the Lake - Clips

Ahead of the episode premiere, the BBC have released two clips from the next episode of the current series Doctor Who, you can watch the first above and the second below. 

Doctor Who: Under the Lake broadcasts this Saturday at 8:25pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

The 10 Christmas Specials DVD & Blu-ray Boxsets - Covers & Details

BBC DVD have issued the covers and details for the release of all the current Doctor Who Christmas specials onto DVD and Blu-ray:

This special limited edition box set contains all 10 Christmas specials plus a set of 5 graphically illustrated Christmas cards, exclusive bonus feature and accompanying booklet.

In these action-packed episodes, the Doctor must save the world from an array of monsters including Killer Santas, the Sycorax, Rachnoss, the Wooden King & Queen and the Dream Crabs.

EPISODES
C.01: The Christmas Invasion
C.02: The Runaway bride
C.03: Voyage of the Damned
C.04: The Next Doctor
C.05: The End of Time - Part One
NYS: The End of Time - Part Two
C.06: A Christmas Carol
C.07: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe
C.08: The Snowmen
C.09: The Time of the Doctor
C.10: Last Christmas

BONUS FEATURE
In this exclusive new feature, Rufus Hound journeys through Christmas past to show many of the greatest moments and monsters. Also includes personal reflections from Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat.

Doctor Who: The 10 Christmas Specials boxset is on sale from 19th October priced £25.99 on DVD and £28.99 on Blu-ray.

Under the Lake - Trailer

A TV trailer advertising the next episode of Doctor Who, Under the Lake, is currently airing on various BBC channels in between programmes, you can watch it above. The episode will broadcast on Saturday 3rd October at 8:25pm on BBC One and BBC One HD. In other news: The Witch's Familiar received an overnight rating of 3.7 million, the final BARB ratings will be announced in ten days time.

The Witch's Familiar - Tonight!

The ninth series of Doctor Who continues tonight at 7:45pm on BBC One and BBC One HD, read on for the synopsis to the second episode:

THE WITCH'S FAMILIAR - by Steven Moffat
Trapped and alone in a terrifying Dalek city, the Doctor is at the heart of an evil empire; no Sonic, no TARDIS, nobody to help. With his greatest temptation before him, can the Doctor resist? And will there be mercy?

The series continues next Saturday at 8:25pm with Under the Lake, more details coming then.

Before the Flood - Synopsis

The BBC Media Centre have issued the synopsis for the fourth episode of current series of Doctor Who:

BEFORE THE FLOOD - by Toby Whithouse
On a remote Army outpost, a fearsome alien warlord - the Fisher King - sets in motion a twisted plan to ensure his own survival. The ripples will be felt around the universe. Is this chain of events inevitable? And can the Doctor do the unthinkable?

Doctor Who: Before the Flood will broadcast on Saturday 10th October at 8:25pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Missy 5" Figures - CO Exclusive

Character Options have issued the details for new limited edition 5" action figure exclusive to them in two variants, read on for further details:

MISSY
Missy (The Master) is a Time Lady, and like the Doctor, is from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. The two were friends in their youth and both chose to ignore their people's policy of non-intervention with other species. But unlike the Doctor, Missy chose to travel the universe causing chaos and revelling in wickedness on an epic scale.

Throughout all their encounters they usually showed a respect towards each other and on the occasions when they were forced to work as a team it was clear they made terrific allies. These two rouge Time Lords - so different but so similar - facing the world on their terms with gusto and enormous talent, but forever ending up alone. 

Missy has been firmly established as a new fan favourite character, and as a collector’s figure, she is truly a must have. The Missy Figure will be available in two variants; a purple outfitted version with hat from the Series 8 finale episodes; and alternatively in her ‘Heaven’ outfit, hatless with black jacket and manic grin.

This exclusive and limited edition action figure is highly detailed, features 18 points of articulation and includes Missy's iconic accessories in the form of her umbrella and multi-purpose devicee. The bespoke Collectors Series packaging is perfect for display and for the first time is resealable, so the figures can be enjoyed in and out of packaging without losing their collectability.

Accessories

• Multi-Purpose Device
• Umbrella

Both variants of this figure are on sale from 2nd November exclusively from Character Options priced £19.99 each.

The Witch's Familiar - Clips

Ahead of the episode premiere, the BBC have released two clips from the next episode of the current series Doctor Who, you can watch the first above and the second below.

Doctor Who: The Witch's Familiar broadcasts this Saturday at 7:45pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Official 2016 Calendar - Cover & Details

Danilo have issued the cover and details of the official Doctor Who 2016 calendar:

Not looking bad for a man who’s in his hundreds. This galactic battle hopper is doing his upmost to keep men and women safe in their beds, as he fights the good fight. Why not get close and personal with all friends and foes, and time travel from your own home.

Featuring fantastic imagery from the new ninth series staring the 12th Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and the Doctor’s companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) as well as a few other renowned characters.

The official Doctor Who 2016 calendar is on sale from 1st September priced £8.99.

The Witch's Familiar - Trailer

A TV trailer advertising the next episode of Doctor Who, The Witch's Familiar, is currently airing on various BBC channels in between programmes, you can watch it above. The episode will broadcast on Saturday 26th September at 7:45pm on BBC One and BBC One HD. In other news: The Magician's Apprentice received an overnight rating of 4.58 million, the final BARB ratings will be announced in ten days time.

The Magician's Apprentice - Tonight!

The ninth series of Doctor Who begins tonight at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD, read on for the synopsis to the first episode:

THE MAGICIAN'S APPRENTICE - by Steven Moffat
When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from? As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible.

The series continues next Saturday at 7:45pm with The Witch's Familar, more details coming then.

Doctor Who - Latest News

The latest series and merchandise news from Doctor Who:

JENNA COLEMAN TO LEAVE DURING SERIES 9
Jenna Coleman has officially confirmed that she will leave the role of Clara Oswald during Series 9 of Doctor Who, read on for further details:

It’s been officially confirmed that Jenna Coleman, who plays Clara Oswald, will leave Doctor Who during the new series which starts tomorrow, Saturday 19th September.

However, it’s not been revealed exactly when Clara leaves and the question many are already asking is how will she part company with the Doctor?

Jenna Coleman made her Doctor Who debut on 1st September, 2012 as Oswin Oswald in Asylum of the Daleks. She returned on Christmas Day of that year, playing Clara and remained with the Eleventh Doctor from the following episode, The Bells of Saint John, onwards. She stayed on board the TARDIS for all of Peter Capaldi’s episodes to date and after filming for the last series finished, Peter commented, "Jenna has been absolutely brilliant. I think she’s wonderful in the show, and she’s my favourite companion."

But Series 9 sees the Impossible Girl’s departure although the how, why and when are all questions we’ll have to watch the new adventures to find out…

Casting on the next companion is due to begin shortly. Coleman's final series as Clara begins tomorrow at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

THE MAGICIAN'S APPRENTICE - PREQUEL
The BBC have released the prequel to the opening episode of Series 9 of Doctor Who, titled The Doctor's Meditation, you can watch it above. The first episode of Series 9 - The Magician's Apprentice - will broadcast tomorrow at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

UNDER THE LAKE - SYNOPSIS
The BBC Media Centre have issued the synopsis for the third episode of the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who:

Under the Lake - by Toby Whithouse
When an Underwater Base comes under attack, the Doctor and Clara must save the frightened crew and defeat an impossible threat. But what is behind these terrifying events? And can they really be haunted by ghosts?

Doctor Who: Under the Lake will broadcast on Saturday 3rd October at 8:25pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

THE CURATOR 5" ACTION FIGURE - FPI EXCLUSIVE
Character Options and Underground Toys have issued the details for new 5" action figure exclusive to Forbidden Planet International, read on for further details:

The Curator
The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in the 50th anniversary special. In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him...

At the conclusion of this story the Eleventh Doctor meets the Curator, the mysterious guardian of the painting now revealed to be called: "Gallifrey Falls, No More". The Curator seems to know a lot more about the Doctor than he lets on, a mystery that still remains unsolved...

Accessories

• Walking Stick
• Lenticular "Gallifrey Falls, No More" Painting

The figure is on sale from 30th September exclusively at Forbidden Planet International priced £29.99.

Torchwood: One Rule - Cover & Details

Big Finish have issued the cover and details of their fourth Torchwood audio play, featuring the return of Tracy-Ann Oberman as Doctor Who character Yvonne Hartman:

Big Finish is delighted to announce the return of Tracy-Ann Oberman as Yvonne Hartman in Torchwood: One Rule, the fourth release in its new series of Torchwood audio plays.

Tracy-Ann first appeared as Yvonne in the 2006 Doctor Who episode Army of Ghosts written by Torchwood creator Russell T Davies. The ruthless head of London’s Torchwood One, her universe-threatening schemes placed her at odds with the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant).

Yvonne perished in a city wide battle, but this new release takes place in Cardiff a year before her death on a secret mission involving a mysterious alien conspiracy. She’s brought her dress sense and her marvellous people skills… and she’s no idea what she’s in for.

"When we presented the idea of using Yvonne," says producer James Goss, "Matt Nicholls at BBC Worldwide came up with a brilliant caveat - he suggested we could have Yvonne, but not the all-powerful Queen Bee of Canary Wharf. Instead he wanted her to come thoroughly unstuck in Cardiff."

Torchwood: One Rule has been written by prolific author Joseph Lidster - whose previous credits include the second series Torchwood episode A Day in the Death.

"Torchwood was my first piece of writing for television and it remains my favourite series." says Joseph, "Not just the television episodes but the books, audiobooks, radio plays, all of it. I’d have been gutted not to have been involved in some way - I’d have happily gone into the studio and made the tea!"

"James Goss gave me a choice of available characters but it was Yvonne who leapt out at me. She’s one of my favourite characters to have appeared in Doctor Who - she has questionable beliefs but she genuinely thinks she’s doing the best thing for her country. She’s also incredibly funny and brilliantly performed by the magnificent Tracy-Ann Oberman."

ONE RULE - written by Joseph Lidster, directed by Barnaby Edwards
It’s been three weeks since the Mayor of Cardiff was killed by a shop dummy and the fight is on to see who will replace him.

Yvonne Hartman is visiting the city to retrieve an invaluable alien device. She's in charge of Torchwood One, she's saving the British Empire and she doesn't care about local politics. But she is going to find herself caught up in that fight. There’s a bloodthirsty alien stalking the streets and there’s a special offer on at the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.

It’s the 26th of March 2005 and it’s the day that everything changes.

Torchwood: One Rule will be released in December priced £9.99 physically and £7.99 digitally.

Series 9 - Radio Times Cover

The latest edition of Radio Times magazine features yet another Doctor Who-themed cover and content in preparation for Series 9, read on for further details:

This issue of Radio Times looks forward to the news series and talks to stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman, who discuss their on-screen relationship, the challenges of working on the series and the success of the show.

Jenna Coleman on the announcement of Peter Capaldi:
"I’d no idea who would take over from Matt Smith, and when I was told it was Peter, it was one of those ‘aha, that makes sense - genius’ kind of moments. But the first thing he said to me was 'There will be no romance in the Tardis.'"

Peter Capaldi on the challenges of working on Doctor Who:
"It’s a difficult show to act. It goes from B-movie sci-fi to Freudian drama and tragedy. There’s romance, pantomime, humour and sadness, so you’re kept on your toes. I try not to be too romantic or sentimental. Sometimes Jenna will run down a corridor shouting, ‘Doctor, there’s a monster,’ and stuff. Part of the tradition is that sets wobble and you have to fight a giant spider made of rubber. I enjoy that. It’s not so well budgeted as viewers might think but it looks great because of the talent of the people working on it."

Also in the new issue, Steven Moffat’s Series 9 episode guide teases each of the twelve episodes in the new series.

The magazine is out now until 21st September priced £1.99 per copy. Frank Skinner - guest star from the Doctor Who episode Mummy on the Orient Express - will host a Doctor Who session at the Radio Times festival on 25th September from 7:00pm. Doctor Who returns this Saturday at 7:40pm to BBC One and BBC One HD.

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 491

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

THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES OF THE NEW SERIES OF DOCTOR WHO, PREVIEWED  IN DWM 491!
Doctor Who magazine exclusively previews the first four episodes of the new series: The Magician’s Apprentice & The Witch’s Familiar and Under the Lake & Before the Flood…

Under the Lake and Before the Flood form Toby Whithouse’s first two-part Doctor Who story - and it hinges on time travel - and fairly mind-bending time travel at that. While plotting and writing, did Toby ever come to regret taking the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey route?

"Oh never, I loved it! I’ve always wanted to do a timey-wimey episode," he says. "In fact, it was going to be a lot more timey-wimey, but we lost some of that before we started filming. It’s enormous fun to deposit something in a script, then have the reason for it happen later."

This is also the first story that Toby’s written to star Peter Capaldi as the Doctor.

"I think he’s the most ‘alien’ Doctor we’ve had since the show came back," says Toby. "Even though the essentials of the character remain the same - his heroism, his brilliance, his enthusiasm - he feels to me like much more of an outsider than Chris Eccleston or David Tennant or Matt Smith were. He’s more strange and otherwordly. That’s really interesting to play with."

ALSO INSIDE THE BUMPER 100-PAGE ISSUE 491…

TARDIS TAKE-OFF!
The Doctor’s days off and the TARDIS’ take off - showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers’ questions.

CLARA OSWALD’S 100 IMPOSSIBLE FACTS
She has been something of ‘a mystery wrapped in an enigma’ but we’ve got to know Clara better than you might think. Jonathan Morris summarises everything we know about the Impossible Girl.

MONSTERS OF THE MILLENNIUM
How do you go about making monsters for Doctor Who? Millennium FX prosthetic effects supervisor Kate Walshe reveals all!

LEGO DIMENSIONS!
Official Lego products and a brand new video game…. Doctor Who is about to enter a new dimension. DWM talks to the team behind the project.

BEST DRESSED TIME LORD
DWM interviews costume designer Ray Holman, the man behind the Twelfth Doctor’s new look.

“GOOD GRIEF!”
As the Third Doctor returns for a brand new series of audio adventures, DWM talks to the man who is recreating the role made famous by Jon Pertwee: Tim Treolar.

THE WAR GAMES
The Fact of Fiction explores the Second Doctor’s final story, a 10-part epic which threw the Doctor and his companions back into the events of the First World War.

JUNGLE FEVER!
The adventure continues in the brand-new comic strip adventure, Spirits of the Jungle, by Jonathan Morris, illustrated by John Ross.

WHO HOMEWORK
Jacqueline Rayner makes her kids’ summer homework fun with an exciting Doctor Who project in her regular column, Relative Dimensions.

MISSING IN ACTION
Graham Kibble-White reviews The Macra Terror, a Second Doctor story missing from the BBC archives.

COMING SOON
DWM talks to the people involved in the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases, including Justin Richards and Miranda Raison.

THE UNEXPLAINED
The Watcher reflects on past Doctors and anticipates the new series of Doctor Who in Wotcha!.

PLUS! 
All the latest official news, reviews, competitions and the DWM crossword.

AND! 
A giant-sized, double-sided poster!

Issue 491 of Doctor Who magazine is on sale from 17th September until 14th October priced £5.99 per copy. In other news: It's been rumoured that Jenna Coleman will leave Doctor Who following the end of the ninth series, this is however yet to be officially confirmed. 

Series 9 - All Episode Titles Revealed

The BBC have confirmed all twelve episodes titles for Series 9 of Doctor Who and their respective writers, they are as follows:

9.01: The Magician's Apprentice - by Steven Moffat
9.02: The Witch's Familiar - by Steven Moffat
9.03: Under the Lake - by Toby Whithouse
9.04: Before the Flood - by Toby Whithouse
9.05: The Girl Who Died - by Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat
9.06: The Woman Who Lived - by Catherine Tregenna
9.07: The Zygon Invasion - by Peter Harness
9.08: The Zygon Inversion - by Peter Harness & Steven Moffat
9.09: Sleep No More - by Mark Gatiss
9.10: Face the Raven - by Sarah Dollard
9.11: Heaven Sent - by Steven Moffat
9.12: Hell Bent - by Steven Moffat

Series 9 of Doctor Who commences this Saturday at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Big Finish - Torchwood: Series 2 Confirmed

Big Finished have announced that their Torchwood audio series will return for a second run in 2016, read on for further details:

Hot on the heels of the release of Torchwood: The Conspiracy, Big Finish is pleased to confirm that another six Torchwood releases are currently in pre-production for 2016. Series 2 will begin in March 2016; just one month after Series 1’s concluding instalment.

"Everyone involved’s just had so much fun that we didn’t want to stop," says producer James Goss, "And Big Finish said, “It’s okay, you don’t have to”. We’ve already got the first script in and it’s a delight."

The new series will continue the adventures of Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and his team, with stories taking place at different points in Torchwood’s history.

"It’s wonderful to be able to commit so soon to a second series of Torchwood" says Big Finish executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, "This is completely down to the immense support we have received from the fans of the series. We are delighted to be continuing the adventures of Captain Jack and his team!"

"I couldn’t really imagine that the response to our Torchwood series wouldn’t be positive," added co-executive producer Nicholas Briggs, "So I’m very pleased not to have been proved wrong. The series has so many dedicated followers and the audios have been written, directed and produced with such love for the source material. James Goss, as producer, has brought so much enthusiasm and joy to the project. I find myself hoping every day that I’ll receive another excited email from him."

"And we’re so grateful that the brilliant stars of Torchwood have come in to record and have been so bloomin’ good! Russell T Davies has been so supportive and full of encouragement too. Frankly, we had no choice but to get on with a second series as soon as possible."

The first Big Finish Torchwood audio The Conspiracy is availavble to purchase now, the next two - Fall to Earth and Forgotten Lives - will be available in October and November, respectively. Three further releases of Series 1 are to follow.

Doctor Who - Latest News

The latest series and merchandise news from Doctor Who:

THE MAGICIAN'S APPRENTICE - PROLOGUE

The BBC have released a new mini episode Doctor Who that serves as a  prologue to the first episode The Magician's Apprentice, you can watch it above. The episode will broadcast on Saturday 19th September at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

GAME MAKER - DETAILS
As part of the BBC's Make It Digital campaign, they have issued the details for a new way for fans of Doctor Who to create content, read on for further details:

If you love online games or have ever wanted to create and share your own Doctor Who game, stand by for some great news!

The Doctor Who Game Maker launches on 15th September and is designed to help you create brilliant games using a huge range of heroes, monsters and worlds visited by the Doctor. The variety of games you’ll be able to make and play is enormous. From the simple to the staggering, the only limits are your imagination and ambition.

Or if you’d prefer to simply enjoy other people’s games - no problem! You can battle foes like the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans and attempt to guide the Doctor through encounters with Missy and new enemies that make their entrances in the imminent series.

If you’re up for making your own games you’ll find it’s much easier than you think and incredibly rewarding! Video tutorials featuring the Doctor’s Sontaran ally, Strax, will help make the build process easy-to-understand and fun and once your games are online you can challenge your friends to try them… And give theirs a whirl!

The Doctor Who Game Maker will premiere on the official Doctor Who site on 15th September.

12th DOCTOR IN POLKA DOT SHIRT 5" FIGURE - FPI EXCLUSIVE
Character Options and Underground Toys have issued the details for new Twelfth Doctor 5" action figure variant - exclusive to Forbidden Planet International, read on for further details:

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" 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 polka 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 30th September exclusively from Forbidden Planet International priced £14.99.

NEW TIME SQUAD FIGURES
Character Options have issued details of their new set of Doctor Who Time Squad figures:

Character Options, official creator of the Doctor Who toy figures and playsets, is proud to unveil the brand new Doctor Who Time Squad collection: ten 2.5" characters available in store soon.

Fans of legendary Timelord will be delighted with this new Vinyl style decet of figurines featuring many favourite characters from past and present series’. The Twelfth Doctor and Clara are of course represented as well as the Eleventh Doctor, the new Cyberman and the Doctor’s ever-present foe, the Dalek.

Figures Include:
Eleventh Doctor
Twelfth Doctor
Clara Oswald
Purple Clockwork Man
Ood Nephew
Dalek
Weeping Angel
Vashta Nerada Suit Creature
Pryovile
Cyberman

At just £2.99 this pocket money line is ideal for younger collectors or for die-hard fans and can be showcased in an alternative Time Squad display of favourite characters , alongside their traditional Doctor Who figure collections.

The Time Squad figures are on sale later this year priced £2.99 each.

Series 9 - BBC America Trailer

BBC America are currently airing a new trailer for the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who featuring new previously unseen clips, you can watch it above. Series 9 of Doctor Who commences Saturday 19th September at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Torchwood: Forgotten Lives - Cover & Details

Big Finish have issued the cover and details of their third Torchwood audio play, featuring the return of Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper and Kai Owen as Rhys Williams:

Big Finish are thrilled to announce the return of Eve Myles and Kai Owen as husband-and-wife team Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams in the third release in a new series of Torchwood audio dramas.

"Captain Jack’s the poster boy, Ianto’s the style, but Eve and Kai are the heart of Torchwood," says producer James Goss. "Listening to the two of them back together is an utter joy. We pick up their story after Miracle Day. How has life been treating them? It’s a delight to find out."

Eve appeared in all 41 episodes of the popular BBC series, created by Russell T Davies. A dedicated police officer turned Torchwood second in-command, Gwen fought tooth and nail to defend Cardiff and her family from the very worst the Rift had to offer.

Husband Rhys supported her from home, keeping their infant daughter Anwen safe during the worldwide phenomenon known as the Miracle. Eve and Kai return in Forgotten Lives. The couple are plagued by the same alien plot uncovered by Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) in opening story The Conspiracy. Many years later, and Torchwood is just a fond memory for Gwen and Rhys. Then, one day, the phone rings….

Forgotten Lives is written by Emma Reeves who is the co-creator and lead writer of robot drama Eve for CBBC. Other TV credits include The Dumping Ground, Tracy Beaker Returns, Dead Gorgeous, Young Dracula, Spirit Warriors, The Murder of Princess Diana, Doctors and Belonging. She also writes for radio, and for stage, where her work includes the Olivier-nominated
adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather.

"I still can’t believe that I’ve been asked to write a story for the brilliant characters of Gwen and Rhys" says Emma. "I’ve been lucky enough to write for Eve before, on Belonging, and I know that she has a unique gift of imbuing every syllable with the deepest meaning. Getting Eve Myles and Kai Owen, too, is basically like winning the writer lottery."

FORGOTTEN LIVES - written by Emma Reeves, directed by Scott Hancock
It has been four years since the Miracle, and Gwen and Rhys's lives have gone back to normal, very normal. They're raising their daughter (they've got pictures they'd be only too happy to show you), they're living in a nice house, and they're almost on top of the laundry.

Captain Jack Harkness has been missing from the world and their lives for a long time. But late one night the phone rings, and they're summoned to an isolated part of North Wales. The Bryn Offa Nursing Home contains a dark secret, an alien threat, and someone who really shouldn't be there.

Gwen and Rhys are about to discover that Torchwood stays with you for the rest of your life.

Torchwood: Forgotten Lives will be released in November priced £9,99 physically and £7.99 digitally. In other news: the time of broadcast for Doctor Who: The Magician's Apprentice has been finalised as 7:40pm on Saturday 19th September.

The Witch's Familiar - Synopsis

The BBC Media Centre have issued the synopsis for the second episode of the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who:

THE WITCH'S FAMILAR - by Steven Moffat
Trapped and alone in a terrifying Dalek city, the Doctor is at the heart of an evil empire; no Sonic, no TARDIS, nobody to help. With his greatest temptation before him, can the Doctor resist? And will there be mercy?

The Witch's Familiar will broadcast on Saturday 19th September at 7:45pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Doctor Who Adventures - Issue 6

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

This is the best September ever! Not only does Doctor Who return to our TV screens on the nineteenth, but on 10th September you can feast your eyes upon Doctor Who Adventures issue 6… the greatest magazine this side of the Seventh Quadrant!

HYPERBALLAD
Journey into the 53rd Century for a cruise on board the luxury warp cruiser SS Berry Gordy, and help the Doctor and Clara save the most popular singer in the galaxy from a gang of space pirates known as the Skinks, in this awesome tale from James Peaty, Russ Leach and John Burns.

COMPETITION TIME
This issue gives you the chance to win tickets to the Doctor Who festival in November and a copy of the brand new Doctor Who Annual!

ARE YOU A DALEK MASTERMIND?
Check your Dalek knowledge in this issue’s quiz time and then take a look at some of the strangest Daleks ever!

CYBERMAT SURPRISE
Let Clara show you how to make your very own Cybermat as we enter the TARDIS Craft Studio!

UNIT ALIEN ARCHIVE
The universe is a dangerous place, but we’re giving you access to the UNIT Alien Archives on one of the most dangerous villains in the entire cosmos. This is your chance to find out all there is to know about the renegade Time Lady known as Missy!

STRAX’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
This month Strax will show you the delights of Mondas, Telos and Hedgewick’s World of Wonders as we look at some of the favourite hang-outs of those cybernetic warriors known to us all as the Cybermen!

THE TUDOR ENGAGEMENT
The Paternoster Gang are on the hunt for a time travelling thief and end up in the court of King Henry VIII. Will they manage to keep their heads or will one of the gang end up becoming the seventh wife of King Henry?

Summer’s over, but who cares when you can beat the cosmic blues with the greatest magazine in the history of the universe? Issue 6 comes with a Free Cyberman key ring, badges, sticker and stamper set! Don’t miss it!

Issue 6 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is on sale from 10th September until 7th October priced £3.99 per copy.

The Magician's Apprentice - Trailer

A TV trailer advertising the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who, The Magician's Apprentice, is currently airing on various BBC channels in between programmes, you can watch it above. The episode will broadcast on Saturday 19th September at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD. 

The Magician's Apprentice - Synopsis

The BBC Media Centre have issued the synopsis for the first episode of the upcoming ninth series of Doctor Who:

THE MAGICIAN'S APPRENTICE - by Steven Moffat
When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from? As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible.

The Magician's Apprentice will broadcast on Saturday 19th September at 7:40pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Festival - More Events Added

BBC Worldwide has issued further details concerning the Doctor Who Festival due to take place in London this November:

BBC Worldwide is thrilled to confirm additional activities for the official Doctor Who Festival, including a special guest appearance by Mark Gatiss on Friday 13th November.

Doctor Who festival is the only official event this year to include appearances from Peter Capaldi, Michelle Gomez and Ingrid Oliver as well as executive producer Steven Moffat. An event for fans of all ages, the festival offers a fantastic opportunity to get the inside track from the cast and crew of Doctor Who in this extravaganza of immersive and interactive opportunities.

Along with theatre panels with the show’s stars, further panels have now been scheduled to take place across the weekend with all seven Series 9 writers, as well as shows and demonstrations by special effects companies Real SFX and Millennium FX, and exclusive looks at three sets from Series 9.

Ticket holders also get the chance to take part in Drama School sessions run by one of the show’s directors, in addition to trying their hand out at some of the many jobs on set in the Production Village.

The minds behind Doctor Who will be quizzed in the writer’s panel where all Series 9 writers; Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Sarah Dollard, Toby Whithouse, Catherine Tregenna, Peter Harness and Jamie Mathieson will talk through the development and design of some of the show’s favourite characters and compelling storylines.

Special effects supervisor Danny Hargreaves and his team at Real SFX reveal what happens on a typical day’s filming and wow fans with their impressive live show.

Multi-award winning artists Millennium FX will be bringing a monster to life in a live demonstration. Big Finish will give ticket holders the opportunity to have a go at voice acting, learning from the voice of the Daleks himself, Nick Briggs.

Photo opportunities with Mark Gatiss, Danny Hargreaves and Nick Briggs are also now available for purchase via the website. Visitors will experience what it’s really like to be on the Doctor Who set in front of and behind the camera in the Drama School and Production Village. 

Two of the iconic sets from Series 9 will be on open display to all ticket holders, and the set of Clara’s living room will be available to ticket holders for photo opportunities. Fans of the show will also be put to the test in the Doctor Who Festival Cosplay Showcase and The Fan Challenge.

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

The ticket price includes day entry to the festival, access to three theatre shows, lanyard, show planner and access to all the activity in the Festival Hall. TARDIS tickets also include the 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

The 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 Doctor Who Festival will take place between 13th-15th November at the London ExCel Exhibition Centre.

2015 Christmas Special - River Song to Return!

The BBC have confirmed that Alex Kingston is to reprise her role as River Song in the 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special, read on for further details:

Alex Kingston returns to Cardiff to reclaim her role as Professor River Song for the highly anticipated 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special, part of BBC One’s essential seasonal viewing.

It’s Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveller River Song meets her husband’s new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas.

Day one of filming the eleventh Doctor Who Christmas special starts this week and is written by lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, produced by Nikki Wilson and directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Doctor Who, Sherlock).

River Song made her first Doctor Who appearance in 2008 in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead and has appeared in 15 episodes to date.

Award winning Alex Kingston comments on her reappearance, "To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special. Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humour and surprise guest castings. I met Peter for the first time at Monday’s read through, we had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September? Why not!"

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, adds, "Another Christmas, another special for Doctor Who - and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song? The last time the Doctor saw her she was a ghost. The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it’s a matter of time..."

The witty line-up of guest cast joining Alex for a magical adventure on the TARDIS will be announced over the coming months.

The 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special will broadcast this December, while Series 9 commences on Saturday 19th September on BBC One and BBC One HD, a time to be confirmed.

9.S03: The Husbands of River Song

DOCTOR WHO

2015 Christmas Special

THE HUSBANDS OF RIVER SONG

Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Douglas Mackinnon
Producer: Nikki Wilson

Synopsis: It’s Christmas Day on a remote human colony and the Doctor is hiding from Christmas Carols and Comedy Antlers. But when a crashed spaceship calls upon the Doctor for help, he finds himself recruited into River Song’s squad and hurled into a fast and frantic chase across the galaxy. King Hydroflax is furious, and his giant Robot bodyguard is out-of-control and coming for them all! Will Nardole survive? And when will River Song work out who the Doctor is?

Original Broadcast: 25th December 2015
Duration: 56:12
Ratings: 7.69 Million
Cast: Twelfth Doctor - Peter Capaldi
Professor River Song - Alex Kingston
King Hydroflax - Greg Davies
Nardole - Matt Lucas
Ramone - Phillip Rhys
Flemming - Rowan Polonski
Scratch - Robert Curtis
Concierge - Anthony Cozens
Alphonse - Chris Lew Kum Hoi
Receptionist - Nicolle Smartt
Starline Galactic Villain - Clem So
King Hydroflax's Body - Liam Cook
Voice of King Hydroflax's Body - Nonso Anozie

9.S02: The Doctor's Meditation

DOCTOR WHO

Prequel to The Magician's Apprentice

THE DOCTOR'S MEDITATION

Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Ed Bazalgette
Producer: Derek Ritchie

Synopsis: In a Medieval time, the Doctor starts his meditation. But the water isn't fresh enough, Bors and his men can't find a well, and it seems as if the Doctor is only putting off the inevitable. Even after twelve days when Bors finds a well with the freshest water in the land, the Doctor finds another excuse to avoid his meditation. Confronting the Time Lord, Bors asks why is he compelled to leave. The Doctor has seen many battlefields, but the next one might well be his last...

Original Broadcast: 15th September 2015
Duration: 06:36
Ratings: None
Cast: Twelfth Doctor - Peter Capaldi
Bors - Daniel Hoffmann-Gill