Doctor Who, Series 5 and Specials.

[KC]

Looks like Martha Jones is to appear in one of the specials. Even more happy now.

Meds, as long as you're happy, I'm happy. I can't say I'm pleased, but I'm happy for the fans who like Martha. :P

By the way, I just found a clip of David Tennant's video diary from a week or two ago that films a little bit of the readthrough they had for Planet of the Dead. I'm a little sad that we don't get to hear bits of the script--spoilers, schmoilers--but it's nice to see a short behind the scenes video of what's happening with the first 2009 special.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pytN0iYUCto

[M-5]

Looks like Martha Jones is to appear in one of the specials. Even more happy now.

I love me some Martha Jones.

[Meds]

Great clip there KC, i'm so happy that DT is doing his video diaries. Will have to keep an eye ball out on more of these.

[Scott]

Possible spoilers ahead...







It appears the bus they are in is part of a set
Possible bad news for the planet of the dead. http://io9.com/5139062/has-doctor-whos-new-vehicle-crashed-already

[Geekyfanboy]

'Doctor Who' To Meet New Bad Guys
By MICHAEL HINMAN
Jan-30-2009

The Daleks? Check. The Cybermen? Check.

The Tritovore ... who?

That's a question BBC hopes fans won't be asking come Easter when the next "Doctor Who" special is set to air with David Tennant and special guest companion Michelle Ryan.

The Tritovore are a new bad guy described by The Mirror as part man, part fly.

"They are disgusting and will last long in the memory," a source told the newspaper. "Everyone remembers the Daleks and the Cyberman, but not a lot else if their honest. The Tritovore will change that."

The Tritovore will be a part of an episode already billed "Planet of the Dead," and will bring Ryan -- best known to American audiences as the star of the short-lived NBC series "Bionic Woman" -- back to the small screen. It also will begin what will be the final stretch of episodes for Tennant, who announced late last year he would be leaving "Doctor Who," to be replaced by Matt Smith.

Little else is known about the episode, except from a publicity still that shows Tennant and Ryan in what appears to be the back of an older style bus.

Talk continues to swirl that either Ryan is the new full-time companion for when the fifth season begins in 2010, or that the specials slated to appear throughout 2009 are sort of an audition for full-time companions.

The inclusion of the Tritovore has not been confirmed by BBC, so it should be treated as any rumor would.

[Geekyfanboy]

I know the Martha Jones info was posted.. but there's a bit more new in this article.

Freema Agyeman Finds Way Back To 'Doctor Who'
Michael Hinman
Jan-27-2009

Talk continues to swirl over whether Michelle Ryan will be the new full-time companion when "Doctor Who" returns to normal seasons in 2010, but for now, an old companion is slated to return.

Freema Agyeman, who played Martha Jones in the third season of "Doctor Who," is nearing a deal to where she will return at least for the final episode featuring David Tennant in the title role, according to the British tabloid The Sun.

"Freema's on board," a source told the newspaper. "It's early days, so it's unclear what exactly Martha will be up to in the new show."

The return does come as a bit of a surprise. Agyeman was slated to make the move full-time over to the "Doctor Who" spinoff "Torchwood" after a trial run in that show's second season, but at the last minute opted to take on a regular role in "Law & Order: U.K." instead. That move was said to have angered some of the management over in the "Doctor Who" camp, most especially outgoing showrunner Russell T. Davies, who had already plotted Martha's return to full-time status on "Torchwood," and even teased such a pairing in the fourth season finale of "Doctor Who."

Whatever rift was there, apparently it's gone, and Agyeman will make at least one guest appearance as a way to say farewell to Tennant.

Tennant, of course, is being replaced by Matt Smith when the show returns for its fifth season in 2010, but it seems he wasn't the first choice of the producers.

Martin Clunes, the 47-year-old actor who American audiences would probably best remember as Gary Strang in the 1990s series "Men Behaving Badly," was apparently the man incoming showrunner Steven Moffat had in mind to take over the sonic screwdriver.

"Producers wanted Martin to take over Tennant's job full-time and were desperate to see him in the Christmas episode," sources told the tabloid. "They saw it as a trial for the main job, but they found the whole casting process very frustrating. Talent comes at a price and the show could simply not afford Martin."

"Doctor Who" returns with an Easter special this spring on BBC.

[spidey27]

Doctor Who in HD!

Set rebuilds on the way as the doc goes hi-def at last...
Doctor Who is the latest show to join the "High~Definition" television revolution with filming currently taking place using the format, reports Doctor Who Magazine.

Planet of the Dead has already started filming in HD and the rest of the specials will continue to use the format. There is no word on whether or not Series 5 will be shot this way.

Danielle Nagler, Head of BBC HD, describes this change as "a more intense viewing experience" whilst Julie Gardner comments that this has been planned since the show's return in 2005.

[Dangelus]

Doctor Who in HD!

Set rebuilds on the way as the doc goes hi-def at last...
Doctor Who is the latest show to join the "High~Definition" television revolution with filming currently taking place using the format, reports Doctor Who Magazine.

Planet of the Dead has already started filming in HD and the rest of the specials will continue to use the format. There is no word on whether or not Series 5 will be shot this way.

Danielle Nagler, Head of BBC HD, describes this change as "a more intense viewing experience" whilst Julie Gardner comments that this has been planned since the show's return in 2005.

This is great news!

[Meds]

Some cool posts here. I'm excited about Michelle She's going to rock. As for the whole freema thing, tv is tv. I think Kenny will agree that acting jobs are hard to come by and if she wanted to try something new RTD would undertand that. I like the idea of clunes as the Doctor plus he has already been in a Doctor Who episode back in the early 80,s with the 5th doctor.

[Meds]

First special is to be televised in the UK around Easter time. Michelle Ryan will be playing Lady Christina De Souza a woman with a very mysterious past. Hmmm. Sounds cool.

[Meds]

The Daily Record newspaper is reporting that actress Lindsay Duncan has been cast as the Doctor's companion, named in the report as Adelaide, in the second of the forthcoming special episodes which will see out David Tennant's tenure as the Tenth Doctor.

Duncan is well known for her roles in high-profile television dramas such as GBH and Rome. She is also appearing as Margaret Thatcher in next week's much-publicised BBC Two drama Margaret, concerning the former Prime Minister's final days in power.

The paper quotes Duncan as saying: "I'm thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who. I've never done anything like this before and I'm really looking forward to working with David Tennant and the Doctor Who team."

The special's co-writer and executive producer Russell T Davies is also quoted, saying: "Lindsay is an incredibly talented actress and I've been an admirer of her work for some time. We are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team and playing the Doctor's most strong-minded companion yet."

[KC]

New DT video diary on the set Planet of the Dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D9hvTHsVV0#ws-hq

[Meds]

Thanks Kc, that was the bus that has now been smashed up. Cool.

[Geekyfanboy]

http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2009/03/04/smith-will-have-new-tardis-interior/

Smith Will Have New TARDIS Interior
March 4, 2009 by Michael Hickerson   || Category: TV

Maybe this is the TARDIS re-design some fans were talking about on our Voice Mail show a few weeks ago.

The TARDIS will get a new interior design with Matt Smith takes over at the 11th Doctor next year according to the Daily Mirror.  The BBC recently signed off on a new design for the interior of the Doctor's time-machine.

The production team will also improve the quality of the police box exterior for the opening episode of Smith's tenure.

Production sources say the decision is being taken by new Doctor Who writer and executive producer Stephen Moffat, who wants to distance himself from previous show chief Russell T Davies.

He wants the arrival of Matt Smith to signify a new era, and also to withstand Doctor Who being in high definition. A source said: "It will be the most hitech, intricate TARDIS ever."

[Meds]

Oooooooo this is good news. I don't see the need to alter the exterior of the Tardis  as there is not much you can do with it, bar make it bigger/ taller/thinner etc (don't get me started on all the different size's used in the series because you know I'll be here for ever). The interior well I was never really a fan of the new interior, as the 5th doctor said "you've changed the desk top theme again". We'll still have the central column but I'd like to see a minimalistic approach.