James R | On 01, Mar 2020

“This is going to hurt.” That’s the promise of the Doctor Who Season 12 finale.

In the epic and emotional conclusion to Jodie Whittaker’s second run in the TARDIS, the Cybermen are on the march. As the last remaining humans are ruthlessly hunted down, Graham, Ryan and Yaz face a terrifying fight to survive. Civilisations fall. Others rise anew. Lies are exposed. Truths are revealed. Battles are fought.

And for the Doctor – trapped and alone – nothing will ever be the same again.

Guest starring Julie Graham, Barack Stemis, Steve Toussaint and Ian McElhinney, and written by Chris Chibnall with Jamie Magnus Stone again at the helm, the episode premieres at 6.50pm on BBC One on Sunday 1st March.

Here’s the trailer:

 

Teaser: Cybermen begin their Ascension in Doctor Who finale

21st February 2020

The two-part finale of Doctor Who Season 12 begins on Sunday 23rd February, and a new teaser gives us a glimpse of the Ascension of the Cybermen.

The Doctor and friends must protect the last of the human race against the Cybermen in Episode 9 of the 10-part season, as they arrive in the far future. But in the face of such a relentless enemy, has the Doctor put her best friends at risk? What terrors lie hiding in the depths of space? And what is Ko Sharmus?

Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone, the two-parter guest stars Julie Graham, Patrick O’Kane, Steve Toussaint and Ian McElhinney.

Here’s the video – or you can catch up with our review of Episode 8 here.

Doctor Who Season 12 finale announces guest stars and villain

8th February 2020

Ian McElhinney and Steve Toussaint are set to appear in the explosive two-part finale of Doctor Who as the Doctor comes face-to-face with one of her most dangerous and relentless enemies once more: The Cybermen.

Entitled Ascension of the Cybermen (part one) and The Timeless Children (part two), the two-part finale sees the Doctor and her friends face one of their biggest and most dangerous challenges yet, but will they be able to defeat one of the Doctor’s deadliest foes?

Ian McElhinney, best known for his roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Fall, and Game Of Thrones, says: “I very much enjoyed my time on Doctor Who. The team were a delight to work with and everyone was very supportive and welcoming. All in all it was a blast.”

Steve Toussaint, who is best known for Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time, Judge Dredd, and Mutant Chronicles, says: “It was an honour to play a part in the giant of British (and world) TV that is Doctor Who. What’s not to like? I had such a great time working with Jodie and ‘the Fam’; another one off the bucket list!”

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer, says: “We were delighted to have Ian and Steve on board the TARDIS for the drama filled two-part finale. Their wide-ranging talent and versatility as actors help bring series 12 to a dramatic conclusion. They were an absolute joy to work with and we can’t wait for viewers to see them in action.”

 

Teaser: Matthew McNulty joins Doctor Who for Season 12, Episode 6

30th January 2020

Two identical deaths on two different continents. That’s the starting point for Doctor Who’s sixth episode, as Season 12 hits the halfway mark.

Just as you’re recovering from the shocking twists and mind-boggling mysteries of The Fugitive of the Judoon (read our review here), Doctor Who is already hoping to distract you from solving the big picture with an urgent, small-scale mystery: what connects a missing astronaut, birds behaving strangely in Peru, and a US naval officer who washes up on a Madagascan beach?

The Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham split up to investigate the strange events across 21st century planet Earth. As the mystery deepens, and lives are put at risk, the TARDIS team face a deadly race against time to save humanity.

Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill are joined by Warren Brown, Matthew McNulty, Molly Harris in this episode, which is written by Pete McTighe and Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Stone.

It airs at 7.10pm on BBC Two on Sunday 2nd February. Here’s the teaser:

 

Teaser: The Judoon return in Doctor Who Season 12, Episode 5

21st January 2020

Ko Sho Blo! Trigger-happy space police the Judoon make a welcome return in Episode 5 of Doctor Who Season 12.

The episode sees the Judoon targeting 21st century Gloucester. The Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham race back to Earth in order to prevent them doing too much damage to the cathedral city. But who are they looking for? And what did they do to incur the wrath of the Judoon?

As well as the aliens making a return, the episode also marks a comeback for Demons of the Punjab writer Vinay Patel (Murdered by My Father) and is also directed Nida Manzoor, who helmed last week’s fun Tesla-centred episode.

In front of the camera, guest stars include Neil Stuke, Jo Martin, and Ritu Arya.

Here’s a teaser:

 

Watch: Doctor Who Season 12 Episode 4 tease

13th January 2020

“Nikola Tesla dreamed up the twentieth century before it happened!” Doctor Who will dive into Nikola Tesla’s Night Of Terror in Episode 4 of Season 12, and a teaser gives us a sneak peek of what’s in store.

1903. On the edge of Niagara Falls, something is wrong at Nikola Tesla’s generator plant. Who or what is sabotaging the maverick inventor’s work? Has he really received a message from Mars? And where does his great rival Thomas Edison fit into these events?

The Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham must join forces with one of history’s great minds, to save both him and planet Earth.

Written by Nina Metivier and directed by Nida Manzoor, the episode guest stars Goran Visnjic as Nikola, Robert Glenister as Edison and Anjli Mohindra.

The episode airs at 7.10pm on Sunday 19th January. You can read on for the teaser, or catch up with our review of Episode 3 here:

 

Warren Brown and Matthew McNulty to guest star in Doctor Who

11th January 2020

Following Doctor Who’s explosive return to screens on New Year’s Day, Warren Brown and Matthew McNulty are set to guest star in an upcoming episode as team TARDIS work to solve a mystery which threatens the entire planet.

Best known for his roles in Versailles, The Bay and more recently Deadwater Fell, Matthew McNulty says: “I had such a blast filming the episode and couldn’t ask for anything more for my Doctor Who debut.”

Ahead of his debut role in Doctor Who, Warren Brown who has starred in a variety of television roles including Luther, Liar and Strike Back, says: “I was on such a high when I got the call from my agent, then such a low when I had to keep it top secret and couldn’t tell anyone! I can honestly say though it was and has been one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had to date!”

Jodie Whittaker reprises her role as the Thirteenth Doctor alongside Tosin Cole (Ryan) Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) who are all returning for their second series.

Chris Chibnall returns as Showrunner with Matt Strevens as Executive Producer.

Strevens says: “We are totally thrilled to be welcoming Matthew and Warren to the cast. Their talent and versatility sets this action adventure alight.”

Doctor Who continues on BBC One on Sunday 12th January at 7.10pm. Catch up with our reviews here.

 

Anjli Mohindra and Laura Fraser to guest star in Doctor Who

14th December 2019

Anjli Mohindra and Laura Fraser are set to guest star in upcoming episodes of Doctor Who.

Previously starring as Rani Chandra in the CBBC Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, Anjli is no stranger to the Whoniverse but as she takes on a new character, it’s safe to say she’ll be worlds away from her usual appearance…
Starring in a separate episode, Laura has previously starred in various dramas including the hit BBC show, The Missing and more recently Better Call Saul.

On appearing in Doctor Who, Anjli Mohindra says: “As a huge fan of the last series, it’s a bit of a dream come true getting to work opposite Jodie, Mandip, Tosin and of course after all these years, to work with Bradley again! There’s something undeniably special about Jodie’s Doctor, and to be bringing some terror to the joint was rather fun indeed.”

Laura Fraser adds: “I love this episode and couldn’t resist playing such an intense character. I watched Doctor Who every week as a child, so it was a massive thrill to be asked to take part in such an iconic show.”

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer, says: “It was a real joy to welcome Anjli and Laura to the show. We’ve wanted to work with them since we started and have found the perfect characters for them to show off their talent and range – both formidable in very different ways.”

Doctor Who will return to BBC One on New Year’s Day at 6.55pm.
The new season will begin with a two-parter entitled Spyfall, with part two airing on Sunday 5th January.

Jodie Whittaker will reprise her role as the Thirteenth Doctor alongside Tosin Cole (Ryan) Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) who are all returning for their second season. Other confirmed guest stars for Season 12 include Stephen Fry, Lenny Henry, Goran Višnjić and Robert Glenister.

 

Goran Višnjić and Robert Glenister to guest star in Doctor Who Season 12

23rd November 2019

With the countdown well and truly underway for the return of Doctor Who, the BBC continues to drip-feed new details about its starry guest line-up. Now, hot on the heels of Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry, the Beeb has confirmed that Goran Višnjić and Robert Glenister are set to appear in an episode of Season 12.

After previously starring in Doctor Who over three decades ago, Robert Glenister is no stranger to the TARDIS and as he takes on a new character, it’s safe to say emotions will be charged as he meets the Doctor and her friends.

Making his Doctor Who debut, Goran Višnjić has plenty of experience around doctors after playing Luka Kovač on the television series ER, but how will he fare when he comes face to face with the Time Lord?

Glenister says: “I first appeared in Doctor Who in The Caves of Androzani at the tender age of 24 in 1984. Thirty five years later I got to be in it again at the not so tender age of nearly 60. How time flies!”

Višnjić adds: “I’ve always been a huge fan of Doctor Who, so when the offer to play one of my favourite people in history came, it made me so happy to be part of the show and it turned into this awesome, dream job!”

Matt Stevens, Executive Producer, says: “One of the great joys of Doctor Who are the legendary actors who want to come and join in the Doctor’s adventures. We were thrilled to welcome Goran and Robert, whose worked we’ve loved and admired for years. They create two iconic characters who are going to delight and entertain.”

Jodie Whittaker will reprise her role as the Thirteenth Doctor for the new season, alongside Tosin Cole (Ryan) Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) who are all returning for their second run in the TARDIS. Chris Chibnall returns as Showrunner with Matt Strevens as Executive Producer.

Doctor Who will return in early 2020.

 

Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry join Doctor Who Season 12

20th November 2019

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry will both appear in Season 12 of Doctor Who.

Season 11 marked a brand new era for the long-running sci-fi adventure series, with showrunner Chris Chibnall replacing Steven Moffat, just as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor also stepped into the TARDIS. Joined by new companions Bradley Walsh (Graham), Mandip Gill (Yasmin) and Tosin Cole (Ryan), the result has been a decidedly new direction for the show, with an emphasis on character, particular those of the sidekicks, and a running theme of understanding, compassion and communication.

With the record opening episode recording a consolidated audience of 11 million – making it one of the top 10 programmes in 2018 – it was no surprise that BBC One ordered a second run in the TARDIS for Whittaker’s Doctor, with Walsh, Gill and Cole reprising their roles. Now, we know two other faces ready to board the big blue box when the show returns in 2020: Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE.

They will both appear in the series opener when the TARDIS lands once more, but will they be friend or foe remains to be seen…

Fry says: “Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme and I readily concede that I’m past the age where I’d be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) – then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement.”

Henry adds: “It was absolutely brilliant to be welcomed into the fantastical world of Doctor Who. The nearest I have been to the TARDIS was when I played the Caribbean Doctor in the Lenny Henry Show, so as a life-long (hiding behind the sofa type) Doctor Who fan this is a very special moment for me.”

We also know that the show will welcome back The Judoon as one of the Doctor’s adversaries. More than 12 years after they stampeded onto screens to terrorise the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones on the moon in 2007’s Smith and Jones, the rhino-headed, brutish intergalactic police will return to cause havoc and thrill children and adults alike. These ruthless enforcers are on a deadly mission. But what for? And why has it brought them to present-day Gloucester?

Chibnall comments: “Doctor Who is coming back with a bang – with two great British icons in major roles. One of the great joys of Doctor Who is getting to work with actors from your wish list. Stephen and Lenny are two of my absolute favourite actors – and to be able to bring them into Doctor Who, in one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new series, is an absolute thrill.”

Filming on Season 12 finished this week, and the new run will air in early 2020.

⭐Guest Star Announcement!⭐@stephenfry and @LennyHenry to appear in the new series of #DoctorWho. Read more here 👉https://t.co/751ouBpuq5 pic.twitter.com/IArCuOgpoe

— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) November 20, 2019

 

Doctor Who Season 12 unveils writers and directors

14th November 2019

With the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her friends well on their way to landing back on our screens, Season 12 is set to welcome an exciting host of new directors and both new and returning writers aboard the TARDIS.

New writers joining the show include Nina Metivier, Maxine Alderton and Charlene James, while returning directors, after making their debut in 2020, include Nida Manzoor, Emma Sullivan, Jamie Magnus Stone and Lee Haven Jones. Three writers also return from Season 11, including Vinay Patel (Demons Of The Punjab), Ed Hime (It Takes You Away), and Pete McTighe (Kerblam!)

After graduating from the National Film and Television School, Emma Sullivan was named one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow. Her short film, After Tomorrow, was also nominated for a Palme d’Or at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, and won Best Short Film at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2009. She has also directed for the critically acclaimed dramas Call The Midwife and Silent Witness.

Nida Manzoor was named one of Broadcast Magazine’s Hot Shots back in 2015. Since then, she has gone on to direct the BBC comedy-drama Enterprice and has recently received an RTS nomination for her work. Nida is also currently writing and directing an original music comedy series for Channel 4 called Lady Parts.

Jamie Magnus Stone is a film director and animator who graduated from the National Film and Television School. Jamie created and directed the Bafta-nominated short Orbit Ever After and other recent work includes Tripped and The Last Dragon Slayer.

After studying at RADA, Lee Haven Jones has gone on to direct multiple episodes of hit dramas including The Bay, Vera and Shetland. Lee has won two Welsh Baftas for his work as a Director and his first feature film, Gwledd/Feast, will premier later in 2020.

Nina Metivier is the co-creator and co-writer of teen thriller series The A List (BBC/Netflix), and produced and wrote on the Bafta-winning TV series Dixi.

Maxine Alderton has written for CBBC’s The Worst Witch and ITV’s long running series Emmerdale, winning a Yorkshire RTS award for Best Writer for a special standalone episode about dementia, and has been nominated for a Writers’ Guild award twice.

Charlene James has previously written for the television show A Discovery Of Witches as well the award-winning theatre play, Cuttin’ It.

Pete McTighe is the originating writer of Wentworth, the female prison drama that screens worldwide on Netflix, and is currently Executive Producing and writing season two of A Discovery Of Witches for Sky/AMC/BadWolf.

Ed Hime was nominated for a Craft Bafta for his first episode of Skins, and won the Prix Italia for his radio play The Incomplete Recorded Works Of A Dead Body.

Vinay Patel’s television debut, Murdered By My Father, won the 2016 Royal Television Society Award for Best Single Drama and was nominated for three Baftas.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner, says: “We’re thrilled that Doctor Who continues to attract some of the most the most exciting and dynamic talent working in television. Along with our returning faces, we’re excited to welcome new members to the Doctor Who family. The Doctor Who team is crammed with British television’s brightest writers and directors: We’ve adored working with them, and can’t wait to show you the explosive stuff they’ve created!”

Whittaker will return as the Thirteenth Doctor in early 2020 when Doctor Who makes an explosive return to screens for another action-packed series of thrilling adventures. Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole will all be reprising their roles alongside an exciting host of soon to be announced guest artists.

 

The Judoon will return to Doctor Who

22nd May 2019

When Jodie Whittaker returns to Doctor Who next season, the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends won’t be the only familiar faces.

The show is set to welcome back The Judoon as one of the Doctor’s adversaries.

More than 12 years after they stampeded onto screens to terrorise the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones on the moon in 2007’s Smith and Jones, the rhino-headed, brutish intergalactic police are returning to cause havoc and thrill children and adults alike. These ruthless enforcers are on a deadly mission: But what for? And why has it brought them to present-day Gloucester?

The episode will also star acclaimed actor Neil Stuke. Neil has an established career on stage, television and films, and is a two times Bafta nominee. Neil’s recent credits include Doctor Foster, Silk and Silent Witness.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner says: “No! Sho! Blo! The Judoon are storming back into Doctor Who in full force, and the streets of Gloucester aren’t safe. If anyone has anything to hide, confess now. The Judoon are taking no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to fulfil their mission! The whole team on Doctor Who are delighted and scared in equal measure to welcome them back: One of many treats we’ve got in store for viewers next series. And we’re over the moon (with Judoon), to be welcoming the wondrous Neil Stuke as guest star. We can’t wait to show you what happens when his path crosses with the Thirteenth Doctor.”

Season 12 of Doctor Who is currently in production.

 

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