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Mark Gatiss: We were all in tears for Peter Capaldi’s last Doctor Who

Mark Gatiss has said tears were shed when Peter Capaldi filmed his last episode of Doctor Who.

The actor, who has served as a writer on the sci-fi show and created Sherlock with Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, will star as The Captain in the Time Lord’s upcoming Christmas special.

Capaldi and Moffat will both depart the show after the festive episode, with Jodie Whittaker taking over as the Doctor, and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall replacing Moffat.

Gatiss told ITV’s Lorraine: “Earlier this year Steven said to me, ‘Will you keep the summer free because I’ve written a part for you in Peter’s last story and I want you to be there when I go’.

“We were all in tears. It was the screening the other night and we were all in tears, I’m afraid. It’s happy/sad.”

However, of the first female Doctor, Gatiss said: “It’s fantastic. What I love about this, I love the costume – I call it ‘Godspell chic’.

“It’s got a lovely early 70s feel to it, which I really like. I think it’s a fantastic choice, Jodie, it’s a whole new era.

“And I don’t know anything about it which is a position I’ve not been in since 2004. Yes (it’s strange) but it’s nice.”

Gatiss, who is well known for starring in Sherlock as Mycroft Holmes, as well as writing it, also said he does not know if there will be more episodes of the detective drama.

He told the programme: “We deliberately left it in a sort of happy place where we could go back. We have no plans at the moment. Steven and I are going to do Dracula.

“I don’t know yet (if I’ll be in it). The part I’d like is obviously Renfield, the mad man. That’s the best part. We’ll see.”

Via: The Press Office

Doctor Who fans pilot the TARDIS in new virtual reality game

Doctor Who fans can step inside a virtual reality version of the show’s title sequence in a new game from the BBC.

Doctor Who Time Vortex VR gives players the chance to pilot the TARDIS through the depths of the space-time vortex in a new VR game.

The game is a VR reboot of the successful Time Vortex 360 mobile game released earlier this year. As they speed through time, players will tackle hazards and obstacles emerging from the future ahead of them, and will need to quickly react by physically turning around to evade threats from the past. As players progress through the game, they are transported into different time zones from past eras, from the current vortex to re-imagined designs from the 1960s and 1980s.

The game is available to play using cardboard headsets, Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive via your web browser. However, those without headsets can play the game with mobiles and tablets running newer versions of Android or iOS and the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox or Safari. A full list of all supported devices is available in the FAQ.


To play, fans simply need to visit bbc.in/TimeVortexVR. Like the 360 game, the VR version is an Endless Runner, which gets more and more difficult the longer people play, taking them on a visually intense journey through the iconic vortex from the show's opening credits. Using the device's accelerometer, players control the game by physically moving around, even giving the player the ability to turn around and travel backwards in time.

Jo Pearce, Creative Director, BBC Digital Drama, says: “This game allows you to step inside one of the most iconic title sequences in TV history, as you pilot the TARDIS through modern, 80s and 60s versions of the vortex. Digital innovation is at the very heart of Doctor Who - and this new game combines casual, arcade-style gaming with virtual reality to create an unforgettable experience.

“After releasing the 360 version of the game, we had lots of comments from players suggesting it would make a great VR experience. For this re-boot we wanted to offer a VR gaming experience that is as accessible as possible and test the limits of what is possible to develop using WebVR.”

Developed for the BBC by Goodboy Digital, the game has been created using the WebVR API and combines cutting edge HTML5 and WebGL using PixiJS v5.0 to create a breath-taking journey that works on a wide range of hardware.

Doctor Who Time Vortex VR is available to play on BBC Taster, where fans can rate the game and provide feedback.

Via:BBC Media

Doctor Who is the greatest show ever made, says Steven Moffat

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has labelled the sci-fi series the greatest show on television ahead of his final episode at the helm.

The writer’s seven-year reign will come to an end on Christmas Day when the BBC series’ festive special Twice Upon A Time airs.

The episode, which also marks Peter Capaldi’s final outing as the Time Lord, sees the Doctor meet up with his former self, played by David Bradley, and embark on a mission alongside a World War One captain (Mark Gatiss), and assistant Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie).

Moffat said the long-running series’ ability to inspire people to become anything from scholars to scientists to artists made it the “greatest television show ever made”.

“Doctor Who by always being different can never be perfect,” he said, speaking during a panel discussion following a preview screening of the Christmas special.

“Count the hearts that beat a little faster because of Doctor Who.

“People change their view of the world and what they’re capable of because of a silly show about a man who travels around in time and space in a police box.

“So never mind the reviews, never mind the ratings, never mind any of that, count the scientists, the musicians, the scholars, the writers, the directors, the actors. Who became what they are because of this show,” he added.

Earlier, the BBC’s director-general Lord Tony Hall heaped praise on Moffat for his work on the rebooted show, first as a writer under Russell T Davies, and then as the showrunner.

Lord Hall told the audience at the Science Museum the episode was “bittersweet” due the departures of its boss and current star.

“It was 14 years ago this week that Steven Moffat was asked to write his first episode,” he said.

“And he has gone on to write over 40 more. And of course, you may not know this, but he turned down Hollywood to take the reigns as showrunner in Cardiff.

“He’s continued to surprise and delight us. He’s a master craftsman, ingenious, adventurous and great fun and I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

“Quite magical and also profound,” he added of the festive episode, which will see the first ever female Time Lord, Jodie Whittaker, regenerated as the Thirteenth Doctor.

Capaldi, who could not make the screening as he was in Scotland, sent a message apologising for his absence and thanked “everyone who loves the show for sharing it with me”.

He added: “I wish Jodie and the new Tardis team all the best for the future, and the past, and everything in between.

“I look forward to watching them journey into new places. For me it’s been an amazing trip. I went to the end of time, I met fantastical creatures and I blew them up but now it’s over, time I was off.”

Via: The Press Office

Doctor Who Magazine - Number 520 - Image and Details

THE LATEST ISSUE OF DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE INCLUDES A FREE THIRTEENTH DOCTOR POSTER/TWELFTH DOCTOR WALLCHART AND A
REVEALING PREVIEW OF THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!


Also in this issue…

PEARL MACKIE
Pearl talks to DWM about saying goodbye to companion Bill Potts.

MARK GATISS

An interview with Mark Gatiss, who plays the Captain in the 2017 Christmas Special.

STEVEN MOFFAT
Doctor Who’s outgoing showrunner previews his final story, Twice Upon a Time.

EARL CAMERON
Actor Earl Cameron – 100 years old this year! – recalls playing astronaut Glyn Williams in the 1966 story The Tenth Planet.

PHILIP HINCHCLIFFE
The legendary Doctor Who producer explains how the series’ feature-length omnibus repeats were created in the 1970s.

PADDY RUSSELL
A tribute to the late Paddy Russell, Doctor Who’s first female director and one of British television’s pioneers.

INSIDE SHADA
The team behind the new version of Shada reveal how Douglas Adams’ ‘lost’ 1979 story was finally completed.

DANIEL HILL AND OLIVIA BAZALGETTE
Actor Daniel Hill and production assistant Olivia Bazalgette tell DWM how the filming of Shada marked the beginning of their long relationship.

SHADA ON LOCATION
Memories of the making of Shada from special effects assistant Steve Cambden, along with rare and
previously unseen images from the 1979 location shoot.

THE FACT OF FICTION
This issue’s festive Fact of Fiction explores the 2011 Christmas Special The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe.

THE PHANTOM PIPER
Part Two of the Doctor and Bill’s latest comic strip adventure, written by Scott Gray and illustrated by Martin Geraghty.

PLUS…
The Blogs of Doom, previews, book and audio reviews, news, the DWM Christmas Quiz and prize-winning competitions!

Doctor Who Magazine 520 is on sale from Thursday 14 December, price £5.99

Via: Doctor Who Magazine

PRH to publish first all-female Doctor Who short story collection

Penguin Random House Children’s will publish what is believed to be the first ever all-female authored Doctor Who collection of short stories, with input from writers Jenny Colgan, Dorothy Koomson, Scottish comedian Susan Calman and Doctor Who author Jacqueline Rayner.

It will be published in hardback on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2018 by PRH Children’s imprint BBC Children’s Books retailing at £12.99.

Designer Kelly Wagner has created the cover for the title which is aimed at primary school-aged and teenage readers “as well as Doctor Who fans of all ages and genders”.

The publication of The Day She Saved the Doctor also marks the year in which the role of the Doctor will be taken up by a female actor for the first time in the BBC series’ history. Jodie Whittaker will take over from Peter Capaldi’s in the upcoming Christmas special.

PRH editor Gabriella de Matteis bought world rights in all formats for all four stories from Jo Unwin of the Jo Unwin Literary Agency on behalf of Colgan, Vivienne Clore from the Vivienne Clore agency on Calman's behalf while Antony Harwood of the Antony Harwood Ltd literary agency represented Koomson. Rayner represented herself in the negotiations.

A PRH Children’s spokesperson told The Bookseller: “We believe it is the first ever all-female authored collection, as the only other publisher in the Doctor Who world is [fellow PRH imprint] Ebury. Whilst they have published novels by individual female writers, there hasn’t been an anthology from so many female writers with a female illustrator too.”

Calman, Colgan, Koomson and Rayner’s stories feature “fan-favourite companions” Clara, Rose, Bill and Sarah Jane respectively, as they “explore time and space, get into trouble, fight enemies with the Doctor and step in to save his life”.

It was revealed in July that BBC Books and PRH Children's had struck an exclusive two-series deal with BBC Worldwide to continue their line of Doctor Who publishing. The deal for global rights included all formats including non-fiction, fiction, activity, novelty, audio and the annual, which PRH said marked a "new era" for the franchise.

PRH children’s publisher, Ruth Knowles, added: “At this momentous time in Doctor Who’s history, with millions excitedly awaiting Jodie Whittaker’s arrival in the Tardis, we are thrilled to be publishing these four Doctor Who stories by such talented female authors.”

Calman revealed that she was “excited, delighted and honoured to contribute to this amazing book”. She added: “Doctor Who is one of my greatest passions in life and it’s a thrilling time for the show with the wonderful Jodie Whittaker about to take the helm.”

Colgan said: “It felt quite odd to be asked to write a story for Rose where she was the central character - Rose has always been absolutely central to Doctor Who for me, from the second she appeared, and I think the fans agree.”

Koomson described her “story is very much about accepting who you are, enjoying what you look like even if you don’t fit expected beauty aesthetics and always, always being yourself”. She said: "I think that’s a message a lot of young girls and women need to hear.”

Rayner said: “The Doctor’s assistants are often looked upon as being interchangeable sidekicks, just there to say ‘Why, Doctor?’, but that’s very far from the truth.

“It’s wonderful to be part of a project celebrating some of the strong women of Doctor Who.”

"Twice Upon a Time" will air on BBC One on 25th December, featuring the debut of new lead Whittaker, the series' first female Doctor. Pre-order from Amazon UK here

Via: The Bookseller

David Bradley on playing the First Doctor and imitating William Hartnell

The Game of Thrones and Harry Potter star talks reviving William Hartnell's original role, his time watching the series in the 1960s and future Doctor Jodie Whittaker

“I don’t think it’s too scary for a three-year-old, is it?” David Bradley asks, worried that having watched his appearance in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special, his granddaughter might spend the rest of the day hiding behind the sofa.

He pauses, concerned. “It’s the Cybermen… I mean, they freak me out!”

Bradley’s own Doctor Who journey began at a more mature age, when as a 21-year-old he watched William Hartnell emerge from the Tardis for the first time back in 1963.

“You’d have your tea, watch Doctor Who and then go out on the town when you were in your early 20s,” the now 75-year-old actor recalls. “I’d never have dreamt of being in it because at the time I was an engineer.”

“So I would have had to seriously question the sanity of anybody who suggested that it might be a possibility.”

Of course, it was still a long road before Bradley took his first steps into the Tardis. After leaving engineering for drama school in 1966 (coincidentally the same year William Hartnell left Doctor Who due to ill health), Bradley went on to rack up an impressive theatre CV, winning an Olivier Award for a production of King Lear in 1991 and also taking on roles in TV and film.

It was in later life, though, when Bradley became more well-known after being cast as malicious school caretaker Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film series and evil Lord Walder Frey in Game of Thrones – villainous roles that led to his first Doctor Who appearance in 2012, where he played a vicious space trader called Solomon who clashed with Matt Smith’s Doctor in an episode penned by Chris Chibnall (who takes the reins of Doctor Who entirely next year).

“That was going to be my once-in-a-lifetime Doctor Who experience,” Bradley says of Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (above), which at the time he counted as a career highlight. “And then what happens?”

Well, what happened was that while watching the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee flotilla in 2012 Bradley found himself tapped on the shoulder by Mark Gatiss, who was working on a drama about Doctor Who’s founding for the series’ 50th anniversary and needed an actor to play the late Hartnell himself.

That story became 2013’s An Adventure in Space and Time, with Bradley’s performance as the sometimes irascible and increasingly frail Hartnell attracting praise – and so when series writer Steven Moffat decided the perfect goodbye to Peter Capaldi’s incumbent Doctor would be to bring back the very first version of the Time Lord, Bradley got the call once more.

“It’s part impersonation, part capturing some of those mannerisms — but not just a direct mimicry,” says Bradley of playing Hartnell’s Doctor, rather than the man himself. “I wanted to make it my own, while honouring his performance.”

The end result sees Bradley’s slightly more serious Time Lord clashing with Capaldi’s ragged, punk-like Doctor, while the current Doctor’s more PC attitude puts him at odds with some of Bradley’s Doctor’s 1960s attitudes.

“There’s a lot of fun to come out of that dynamic, between the two of them,” Bradley says.

“Hopefully, it’s kept a kind of lightness of touch and has a comic energy, although there are sometimes some dark moments in it.”

Of course, the elephant in the room for this year’s Christmas Special is that many fans will be most looking forward to the episode’s final moments, when Capaldi’s Doctor regenerates into Jodie Whittaker’s new female Time Lord — and Bradley, who worked with Whittaker on ITV’s Broadchurch in 2013 (alongside Chris Chibnall, who cast them both) is as excited as anybody.

“When I heard it was Jodie I thought, ‘Well, that’s perfect’ — because she’s got the range and she’s funny,” Bradley says.

“They just need to keep that sense of fun and not forget the comic energy – no matter how dark the situation is in the story. And just enjoy it, and keep that sense of fun. She’s got that, all she needs to do is tap into it, and I’m sure she’ll do the biz.”

For now, though, Bradley gets to enjoy being the Doctor himself – which also means he has the ideal present for his two grandkids.

“I’m looking forward to receiving my figurine, so I can officially say I’m Doctor Who,” he says. “Part of a pantheon. If my grandkids want one I’ll treat them.

“Unless it’s a bit too early to be thrusting replicas of myself at them…”

This interview appeared in a condensed form in the 9th-15th December edition of the Radio Times magazine

Via: Radio Times by Huw Fullerton