Doctor Who Magazine 490 - Cover and Details

STEVEN MOFFAT PREVIEWS THE NEW SERIES
OF DOCTOR WHO, EXCLUSIVELY IN DWM 490!

Doctor Who Magazine spoke to the show’s executive producer and head writer, Steven Moffat, to give us a taste of what’s in store over the next 12 episodes…

“Why not start with a blockbuster?” says Steven of the two-part opening story, The Magician’s Apprentice and The Witch’s Familiar. “Why leave it till the last two weeks? So yes, it’s like starting with a finale, and having a big, grand, movie-sized story, as opposed to a 45-minute story.”

What does Steven like about the longer format? “It allows you to play with certain things,” he replies. “There’s a kind of scale that you can attain in a two-parter, that you can’t have in 45 minutes. It’s a scale that we’re not used to at the moment, as we haven’t done two-parters for quite a while. And in a way, it’s sort of advertising the fact that we’ve got two-parters back this year. We do things in that first episode that I would say are very ‘two-parter-y’.”

ALSO INSIDE ISSUE 490…

THE SECRET DIARY OF THE MASTER!
He’s mad, bad and dangerous to know… and now, DWM has discovered the secret diary of the Master, which reveals the insane thinking behind his… er, her every scheme!

LOST IN TRANSLATION
Why does nearly everyone in Doctor Who speak English? Steve Lyons investigates the mystery of universal translation throughout the history of the series – and comes to some intriguing conclusions…

THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR?
Showrunner Steven Moffat answers more readers’ questions – and presents a brand new scene which explores what the Doctor called himself during the Time War…

THE VAMPIRE MUTATIONS
The Fourth Doctor and Romana encounter creatures with a thirst for blood – and an ancient enemy of the Time Lords – as the The Fact of Fiction explores the 1980 story State of Decay.

THE RETURN OF DANNY PINK
Clara has a shocking reunion with her boyfriend in the brand-new comic strip adventure, Spirits of the Jungle, by Jonathan Morris, illustrated by John Ross.

TRAILS AND TRIBULATIONS
Novelist, fan girl, and mum Jacqueline Rayner celebrates the joy of a new Doctor Who trailer in her regular column, Relative Dimensions.

IT’S THE END…
The Time Team embark on a marathon viewing session as they sit down to watch David Tennant’s swansong as the Doctor: The End of Time.

THE COMPLETE HISTORY
DWM takes a look at a landmark new series of books, which begins in September: Doctor Who The Complete History.

ON THEIR WAY…
DWM talks to the people involved in the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases, including Dan Starkey, James Goss and Gary Russell.

THE UNEXPLAINED
The Watcher examines some of the many unanswered questions in Doctor Who and celebrates a feisty equine talent in Wotcha!.

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


Doctor Who Magazine 490 is on sale from Thursday 20 August 2015, price £4.99.

Doctor Who asks fans to unleash their creative skills for Mission Dalek

The BBC has today (Tuesday 18 August) announced that Doctor Who is giving audiences at home the opportunity to create their own brand new digital stories for the Doctor that take him into the new series.

The Doctor is about to face his oldest and greatest enemies, in Doctor Who series 9. But what has led him to confront the evil Daleks once again? We can only tell you it’s an adventure with thrills, excitement and fun, and that fans of the show have the opportunity to create it.

Audiences can create their story from scratch using new alien enemies from their imagination, or they can use Daleks, Missy and other Doctor Who monsters. Using clips and pictures supplied by the Doctor Who team (found here bbc.co.uk/missiondalek), or video that fans shoot specially on their phone, tablet or camera, it’s an opportunity to create something special and imaginative, that’s full of Doctor Who passion and adventure.

There’s no need to know about the upcoming episodes, except they involve the Time Lord taking on the mighty Daleks. There are ‘how to’ videos and tools to help develop digital skills and ignite audiences’ creative flare on a new website - bbc.co.uk/missiondalek - which also provides a step-by-step guide on how to get involved. And you can follow @bbcdoctorwho and check out #MissionDALEK on social media for all the latest updates.



Selected winners will be invited along to set where they’ll meet Peter Capaldi (the Doctor), encounter the Daleks, step aboard the TARDIS and see the real world of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who Mission Dalek is part of the Make it Digital season, a major UK-wide initiative to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology. Doctor Who Mission Dalek is produced by BBC Cymru Wales. Doctor Who will return to BBC One on Saturday 19 September.

Via BBC Media

Doctor Who Comic Number 7 - On Sale Now

100 PAGE BUMPER ISSUE!

THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE IN...

THE TWELFTH DOCTOR

THE FRACTURES PART 2 When the Doctor returned Clara to Earth, she expected a brief respite from adventure. Instead, a crack has formed in the Void between universes – and trouble is spilling out.  In our world, UNIT scientist Paul Foster was killed in a car crash, while his family survived – in his, it was his wife and daughters that perished. Now, this alternate Paul Foster has made the leap through the Void to reunite with his family. But he doesn’t belong in this dimension, and a menacing group of body-hopping entities known as the Fractures are hunting Foster to stop reality from rupturing! Can the Doctor save the universe AND bring a family back together – or will sacrifices have to be made?

THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR

THE ETERNAL DOGFIGHT & THE INFINITE ASTRONAUT Alice, Jones and ARC have joined the Doctor aboard the TARDIS. During a time-twisting adventure where the flow of time reversed inside the vortex, the Doctor succeeded in preventing Jones’ death and the destruction of an entire planet. Now Alice must return to London and confront the challenges of everyday life. With her landlord in the process of evicting her, and as she mourns the loss of her mother, the last thing she needs is to face a sky full of alien fighter pilots. But travels with the Doctor never do turn out quite as you’d expect...

THE TENTH DOCTOR

THE WEEPING ANGELS OF MONS PART 2 The Doctor and Gabby are trapped in the chaos of World War One, where trench foot is the least of their worries. With the TARDIS seemingly scattered across No Man’s Land and the Sonic Screwdriver in the hands of the military, the Doctor and Gabby must now convince the skeptical Captain Fairbairn that they are not spies – or face the firing squad! Far from the trip to paradise Gabby was hoping for, they’re stuck in a desolate wasteland where even the statues are deadly. Can the Time Lord’s new companion make it out alive?

Courtesy of Character Options, fourteen lucky winners will get
their hands on three* of the new Wave 4 Doctor Who Figures!
Highly detailed and fully poseable, these action figures are a must
have for Whovians of all ages!

To be in with a chance of winning this competition, pick up a copy of Doctor Who Comic UK #7, available at all good retailers
or buy online at: www.titanmagazines.com 
 

*Styles may vary

Doctor Who Adventures Number 5 - Out Now

In this issue...

Summer’s here and the time is right for reading the latest issue of Doctor Who Adventures. Issue 5 is set to land at a newsstand near you on 13th August!

TRUST
 The Doctor takes Clara back to the liberation of Paris in World War Two for the biggest party the party capital of the world has ever seen, but things soon go awry when the deadly Darapok Empire try to take over the war weary city. Take a summer trip to Paris in 1944 in TRUST written by Jason Quinn, illustrated by Russ Leach and coloured by John Burns, it’s going to be a party you will never forget!

THE FEAR FACTOR
Do the Weeping Angels make you weep with terror, or do Scarecrows have you screaming for mercy? Or will you run howling from the Autons and the Racnoss? Find out which of the Doctor’s enemies would be most effective against you in battle in this issue’s Fear Factor quiz.

VORTEX MANIPULATOR
Clara takes you into the TARDIS Craft Studio and shows you how to create your own mini-vortex in the safety of your home…

UNIT ALIEN ARCHIVES
The best way to survive an alien attack is to know all about your enemies and we’re giving you access to the UNIT Archive on the Weeping Angels, so you’ll know what to do if they come hunting for you.

STRAX’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
This month, Strax shows you the delights you can expect to find on Karn, Krop Tor, and Midnight before whisking you away to the end of the universe to meet Futurekind on Malcassairo.

TIME LORDS AT WAR
They’ve faced off against each other many times before but who really has the edge? Who do you think would win the final showdown – the Doctor or Missy?

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Get ready for an awesome adventure in this cool board game, where you get to be either the Doctor or Missy as you try to escape from the Weeping Angels and make your way to the safety of the TARDIS.

THE PATERNOSTER GANG INVESTIGATES
It’s back to Victorian London where Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax are employed by the Prime Minister to protect the inventor of… a time machine? As they find themselves targeted by enemy agents, Vastra asks herself, are humans ready for time travel?

Doctor Who Adventures #5 – summer won’t be summer without it!
Issue Number: 5
Price: £3.99

Covermounted Gift: Free Dalek notepad and pencils and special make your own Doctor Who scene stickers!
On sale: Thurs 13th August 2015

Doctor Who Series Nine Trailer (Number Two) and Official Screencaps

The Doctor and Clara return to save the universe in the second series 9 trailer, below are the latest pictures released by the BBC from the trailer...

Doctor Who casts first transgender actor Bethany Black

Bethany Black is to become the first openly transgender actor to appear in Doctor Who.

The comedian, who has appeared in Channel 4’s Tofu, Cucumber and Banana, confirmed the news on her Facebook fan page, writing: “Now to sit back and wait until The Mail realises the BBC have cast an open trans lesbian in a family show.”

The news marks the first time a transgender actor has been cast in the BBC sci-fi drama since the series began in 1963.

It is not known yet if Black will play a transgender character or not.  

Speaking to The Independent earlier this year about playing trans character Helen in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 crossover dramas, she said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour to be representing trans people.

“There’s a massive responsibility but you also know you can’t really represent anybody - you can’t even represent yourself.”

Black joins other guest stars confirmed by the BBC for Doctor Who series nine including actor and comedian Reece Shearsmith, Maisie Williams, Michelle Gomez, Rufus Hound and Rebecca Front.

EastEnders’ Elaine Tan, Desert Dancer’s Neet Mohan and Coronation Streets’ Paul Courtenay Hyu will also guest star. 

Doctor Who series 9 begins on Saturday 19 September on BBC One.

Via The Independant

Doctor Who cast 'banned' from eating BISCUITS as producers fear for their diets

The Doctor is facing his biggest battle yet - against custard creams.

Lead star Peter Capaldi has reportedly been banned from eating the biscuits after taking a fancy to them during fiming.

Co-star Jenna Coleman - who plays his sidekick Clara Oswald - is allegedly the person responsible for getting the actor hooked.

Producers are believed to have got worried when the brunette asked catering to order heaps of the treats for the cast.

Bosses have since panicked about the stars' diets and ordered the snacking to stop.

However sneaky Jenna isn't prepared to go cold turkey just yet.

A source told The Daily Star: "They've been taken off the menu but Jenna keeps an emergency packet in her dressing room."

The BBC have denied that biscuits are not allowed.

Via The Mirror

No Doctor Who Season 10 In 2016?

Private Eye, the British satirical magazine, really has become a font of knowledge for the inside goings-on at the Doctor Who production offices. You might remember this little nugget.
 

 

Today, they have revealed that there will be no new Doctor Who series in 2016, though giving room for a series of “Specials” and it’s down to the continuing battles between the BBC and showrunner Steven Moffat, including increased pressure for him to step down from the show. Without actually firing him or anything that would be just gauche.
And they also give a little inside-BBC job-juggling, and one rather damning snippet.


Yeah, I mean they can’t even go up stairs, how are they meant to fly?


Via Bleeding Cool

Reece Shearsmith joins Doctor Who as a star guest

Actor, comedian and award winning writer Reece Shearsmith joins Peter Capaldi (the Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) as he takes-up a guest role in a special episode of Doctor Who, returning to BBC One this September.

Reece has previously played Patrick Troughton in a docu-drama about the conception and making of Doctor Who, An Adventure In Space And Time, and returns to Cardiff for a part in an adventure written by Mark Gatiss, directed by Justin Molotnikov and produced by Nikki Wilson.

Most famously known for his work as part of The League Of Gentlemen, along with fellow performers Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss and co-writer Jeremy Dyson, Reece comments on his casting for the hit show:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be filming Doctor Who, as Mark Gatiss has written a fantastic role for me in a very scary episode. It has been so exciting to be part of a very singular episode - which, I can say with authority will be unlike any previous episode of Doctor Who. It’s a joy to play a part in the show - certainly a badge of honour.”

Mark Gatiss, writer of the episode, adds: “I’m delighted to be writing again for Peter and Jenna’s brilliant TARDIS team and very excited about this particular story. It’s been brewing in the dark recesses of my mind for a while now! I’m also chuffed to bits to finally welcome my old friend Reece Shearsmith onto the show. He’s been badgering me for ten years!”

Reece will be joined by Elaine Tan (Eastenders, Entourage), Neet Mohan (All In Good Time, Desert Dancer), Bethany Black (Cucumber, Banana) and Paul Courtenay Hyu (Dalziel And Pascoe, Coronation Street).

Other guest cast for the new series, launching on Saturday 19 September, include Michelle Gomez, Maisie Williams, Rufus Hound, Ingrid Oliver and Rebecca Front.

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.

Doctor Who series 9 is shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock studios and is a BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC One.

Via BBC Media

Doctor Who series 9 to shed light on Peter Capaldi’s surprise Day of the Doctor cameo

In November 2013, Doctor Who special The Day of the Doctor gave us our very first look at Peter Capaldi in the title role, and although it was only a glimpse of attack eyebrows and a hand it was enough to have us all super excited about what to expect from the next incarnation of the Time Lord.

However, if you think Capaldi’s Day of the Doctor story ended there then you may be mistaken – because the actor himself has suggested we’ll be seeing an episode that explains his out-of-sync appearance in the forthcoming series.

When asked at San Diego Comic-con earlier this month if series nine would explain how the Twelfth Doctor came to Gallifrey’s aid in the anniversary special (see video below), Capaldi replied emphatically “Yes,” though he went on to explain that he couldn’t say much more about exactly how that would play out.

“Well you know, it’s really hard,” he told Erik Nagel. “Right at this moment, I’m here at Comic-Con, but I’m actually in the middle of filming episode 11, which is part of the finale of this season.”

“So I know stuff that is unfolding in episode 11, and I know certain things that are happening in episode 12… I haven’t read episode 12, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on there, but in answer to your question… you’ll have to wait and see.”

Tantalising stuff – and it wouldn’t be the first time Capaldi’s era of Doctor Who has crossed over with past series. Matt Smith’s preceding incarnation of the Doctor appeared for a cameo phone conversation in Capaldi’s first full episode Deep Breath, and also popped up for a flashback in series finale Death in Heaven (where it was explained that Michelle Gomez’s Missy had been responsible for putting the Doctor and Clara together in the first place).

That said, giving a whole new side to a storyline we’ve already seen is definitely a bigger step for the sci-fi series – but whatever happens, we can’t wait to see just how it all plays out. Only 51 days and 11 episodes to go…

Doctor Who will return to BBC One on the 19th September

Via Radio Times

Steven Moffat: The Doctor is neither 100% male nor female - like all of us

The question of whether a woman will ever play the lead role in Doctor Who has been asked many times in recent years. Yesterday showrunner Steven Moffat said that it's possible — and added that he doesn't see The Doctor's gender as fixed. 

“I’m not making it inevitable and I’m not preventing it; I’m just saying ‘it’s possible,'” Moffat said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Friday. “The key thing about changing The Master to Missy is that The Doctor doesn’t react to it at all. He just carries on talking. He is shocked that she’s there; he doesn’t say anything about the fact she’s a woman, so clearly that’s a very big statement. That’s just a thing that happens.

“In my head, rationally, it seems to me — you know how human beings are never completely male or female; you’re mostly a woman, I’m mostly a man? — that maybe a male Time Lord is someone most of whose regenerations are male,” Moffat continued. “Maybe he’ll have a couple of female ones. The science-fiction of that would make sense to me. Otherwise I think life might be a little bit complicated on Gallifrey — or would it? I don’t think they’d care.”

Moffat went on to say that “very, very few people” can play The Doctor and it's about finding the right actor, regardless of sex.

“It’s not an impossibility to have a lady Doctor. It is not a lock either. There is no guarantee. I wish sometimes that the politics of that would take a backseat and we’d just talk about the art, because it’s not really about that. It’s just about ‘would it work?’ The day it will work is when somebody says, ‘That person would be amazing,’ and the most conservative, most traditional member of the audience says, ‘Oh god, yes. I would hate the idea of a lady Doctor, but that one would be great.'”

Asked what qualities an actor, male or female, needs to be considered for the role, Moffat replied: “Sheer carved out of solid star. Someone who you can’t take your eyes off, not because they’re beautiful — usually they’re not quite beautiful — somebody whose face is so fascinating.”

Last December Moffat said that he cast Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor rather than a woman because "It didn't feel right to me, right now" – and that lots of female fans had told him they felt the same way.

 Peter Capaldi, Steven Moffat and executive producer Brian Minchin will talk Time Lords, Daleks and Cybermen on Friday 25th September at the Radio Times Festival at The Green at Hampton Court. You can buy tickets here.

Via Radio Times

Steven Moffat destroys any hope of a movie: 'It would be incredibly damaging'

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has shot down hopes for a movie of the show.

The writer and executive producer of the long-running BBC sci-fi show spoke about the possibility of a movie version of the show happening - with or without current Doctor Peter Capaldi - at the TCA press tour.

"What are we going to do? Shut down for a year and make a movie?" he told a reporter who asked him about the possibility.

He added: "Does everyone really want that? One movie instead of a whole series?"

Moffat also confirmed that he would be opposed to any film that featured a different Time Lord than Peter Capaldi's current incarnation.

"I think that would just be incredibly damaging to the franchise. I'm totally in the Capaldi camp."

The comments came after he teased Maisie Williams' role in the show.

The Game of Thrones actress's role is a closely guarded secret but the long-running BBC sci-fi adventure show's showrunner has confirmed that she won't be playing a returning character - unless he's lying.

With fans going into overdrive trying to work out who Williams will be playing - and many speculating she could be playing the second regeneration of the Doctor's daughter/clone, Jenny.

"[Maisie] is not playing a returning character," said Moffat.

"She's not someone from the Doctor's past. Unless I'm lying!"

The Doctor Who showrunner then teased: "Once you see what she's up to on the show, you'll appreciate what a clever idea it was. It's a significant role.


"We're not just getting star value and throwing it away. It's a great part, and she's terrific in it."

Via The Mirror

Daleks invade Redditch museum Sun 9 August 2015: 11.00am to 4.00pm

Doctor Who’s most notorious villains, the Daleks, are set to invade Forge Mill Museum this weekend. 

The Charity Dalek Squad will be taking over the museum on Sunday, August 9 between 11am and 4pm and visitors will be able meet and interact with the Daleks whilst trying to avoid being exterminated.

The Daleks will be getting together twice during the day for their ‘Audience with the Daleks’ forum where members of the public will be able to quiz the alien mutants.

There will also be a fancy dress competition for both children and adults with a special prize and children can enjoy free face painting and balloon modelling.

To add to the sci-fi fun, Barry Noble, an original cyberman from the classic 60s Dr Who series, will be a guest at the event.

Atmospheric music will be provided by Tiffany Lunn and a chance to visit the ‘Alien Invasion’ exhibition will be available.

 

Museum officer Debbie Lakeman said: “The event was great fun last year with six different Daleks roaming around the site and interacting with the public so we are really looking forward to the Charity Dalek Squad taking over the museum again.”

ADVERTISING

Entry costs £4 for adults and £1 for children. For more information visit forgemill.org.uk.

Via the Reddich and Alcester Advertiser

Doctor Who Adventures Issue 5 Cover and Details

In this issue
TRUST
The Doctor takes Clara back to the liberation of Paris in World War Two for the biggest party the party capital of the world has ever seen, but things soon go awry when the deadly Darapok Empire try to take over the war weary city. Take a summer trip to Paris in 1944 in TRUST written by Jason Quinn, illustrated by Russ Leach and coloured by John Burns, it’s going to be a party you will never forget!

THE FEAR FACTOR
Do the Weeping Angels make you weep with terror, or do Scarecrows have you screaming for mercy? Or will you run howling from the Autons and the Racnoss? Find out which of the Doctor’s enemies would be most effective against you in battle in this issue’s Fear Factor quiz.

VORTEX MANIPULATOR
Clara takes you into the TARDIS Craft Studio and shows you how to create your own mini-vortex in the safety of your home…

UNIT ALIEN ARCHIVES
The best way to survive an alien attack is to know all about your enemies and we’re giving you access to the UNIT Archive on the Weeping Angels, so you’ll know what to do if they come hunting for you.

STRAX’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
This month, Strax shows you the delights you can expect to find on Karn, Krop Tor, and Midnight before whisking you away to the end of the universe to meet Futurekind on Malcassairo.

TIME LORDS AT WAR
They’ve faced off against each other many times before but who really has the edge? Who do you think would win the final showdown – the Doctor or Missy?

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Get ready for an awesome adventure in this cool board game, where you get to be either the Doctor or Missy as you try to escape from the Weeping Angels and make your way to the safety of the TARDIS.

THE PATERNOSTER GANG INVESTIGATES
It’s back to Victorian London where Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax are employed by the Prime Minister to protect the inventor of… a time machine? As they find themselves targeted by enemy agents, Vastra asks herself, are humans ready for time travel?

Issue 5 comes with a Free Dalek notepad and pencils and special make your own Doctor Who scene stickers. On sale 13th August 2015, price £3.99

Series 9 Wallpaper from the Doctor Who Team

It was great to hear so many people loved the new series 9 image and we were inundated with requests for high resolution versions of the shot. So here you go!

The Doctor and Clara will be back on our television screens from 19 September but you can have them on your computer screens right now by downloading the image and setting it as your wallpaper!

Just click on the required format of the version you prefer and when it opens, right click to save the image or set it as your wallpaper.

Series 9 Wallpaper… 16x9 / 4x3