WhoVew

New Doctor prepares for invasion

2005-12-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4524180.stm

The BBC News website interviews David Tennant, preparing to defend the Earth from alien invasion in a special Christmas edition of sci-fi series Doctor Who.

In his first full episode as the Doctor, Tennant barely has time to change out of his pyjamas before he is hunted by robot Santas, a lethal spinning Christmas tree and bloodthirsty Sycorax aliens.

It brings to an end a busy year for Tennant, who won acclaim in dramas Blackpool and The Quatermass Experiment, took the lead in Casanova and ITV thriller Secret Smile and joined blockbuster movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Tennant's breakthrough came after he graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

'Very curious'

Small parts in acclaimed productions such as the 1996 movie Jude led to larger roles in films including Stephen Fry's Bright Young Things.

He also appeared on stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Romeo and Juliet, The Rivals and The Comedy of Errors, and was nominated for a best actor Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for his 2002 performance in Lobby Hero.

But time traveller Doctor Who is a dream role for the 34-year-old actor from West Lothian, who is a long-term fan of the BBC series.

"It is a thrill to be part of it," he told the BBC News website. "I keep thinking 'It isn't real is it?'. It has been very curious to sit watching the titles roll with my name on them."

When he replaced Christopher Eccleston in the coveted role in April, Tennant was welcomed into the job by two previous Time Lords.

"I was sent good luck cards from Tom Baker and Peter Davison," he said. "They were the Doctors I grew up watching, while eating toast and drinking Tizer at home, so I was very honoured."

Tennant's Doctor is as courageous and unpredictable as his predecessors, but he adds a trench coat, trainers and mild Cockney accent (supposedly picked up from companion Rose Tyler) to the legacy.

"Unlike other enduring characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Tarzan, being the Doctor allows you a certain freedom that is both very demanding and very thrilling," he said. "It allows you to make the character using elements of yourself."

However, there is a danger of making such "open-ended" characters too quirky, he added.

"You can drop yourself in it by saying 'My Doctor must always hop on a Tuesday' so you end up with this rather ugly mannerism for no good reason."

He denied drawing upon other Doctors for inspiration, and said he did not discuss the role with his predecessor Eccleston.

"I never set out to do certain things in the way that Tom or Chris did them," Tennant said.

The Christmas special and forthcoming 13-part Doctor Who series reunites Tennant with Casanova writer Russell T Davies, who is also working on new spin-off series Torchwood.

Mr Davies said it would be "marvellous" to also make a Doctor Who movie with Tennant, but added: "We are too busy to blink at the moment."

Eccleston surprised viewers by leaving the role in April, having commented on the demanding filming schedule for the BBC series.

Nevertheless Tennant "fully intends" to play the Doctor for at least another year.

"Your social life does have to take a bit of a back seat. Even when you are not filming, there are lines to learn and scripts coming in all the time.

"But it's a real thrill for me, and I do thrive on hard work."

In addition to new heroes and villains, the forthcoming series will feature the return of the murderous Cybermen plus cameos from past assistant Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) and robot dog K9.

Judging from the Christmas special, the action and humour of the previous series - and the closeness between the Doctor and Billie Piper's Rose - will remain.

"There is a short kiss between the Doctor and Rose, but you will have to wait and see what happens," Tennant said. "It is not safe to assume anything."

Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion will be screened on BBC One on Christmas Day at 1900 GMT. The new series of Doctor Who will be broadcast in 2006.

David Tennant

"I was sent good luck cards from Tom Baker and Peter Davison"
David Tennant

A deadly Christmas tree is sent to track down the Doctor

"There is a short kiss between the Doctor and Rose, but you will have to wait and see what happens"
David Tennant

Doctor Who fans in for a treat

2005-12-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

From icWales

Dec 22 2005
South Wales Echo

TIMELORD fans are being invited to see behind the scenes of the Doctor Who series, including a glimpse inside his famous tardis.

At an exclusive preview yesterday, a small group of fans viewed the props and scenery at the exhibition which opened to the general public today.

Adam Jenkins, nine, of Canton, Cardiff, who won a place at the event by entering a competition in the Echo, said: “It’s good. You recognise everything from the television and it is really cool.”

Launched by Cardiff council leader and Doctor Who fan Rodney Berman, the multi media exhibition, which opens to the public today features some of the Doctor’s mortal enemies such as the Daleks, who in the first of the new series, learned to climb stairs.

Fans old and new can come face to face with the Auton Brides, characters from the Forest of Cheem episode, and see Mickey’s severed plastic head.

Doctor Who show opens in Cardiff

2005-12-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4550064.stm

An exhibition on the BBC's Doctor Who opens in Cardiff on Thursday.

Doctor Who Up Close will be held at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay to help celebrate the city's golden jubilee as the capital of Wales.

Visitors to the free exhibition will see an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of the last series, filmed in Cardiff by BBC Wales.

Fans will also be able to see Daleks past and present at the show, which runs until 26 February.

A section of the display is devoted to a look back at the last 40 years of Doctor Who, with an opportunity to view his previous incarnations.

Visitors will also be able to see elements of the Christmas special - including some of the new props and costumes after the show has aired on Christmas Day (BBC 1, 1900 GMT).

BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: "Doctor Who is a huge success and I'm delighted that we can help to bring this exciting exhibition to people in Cardiff.

"It's a great opportunity to go behind the scenes and get a sense of what goes into making Doctor Who."

The exhibition also has a graphic display highlighting Doctor Who's production in and around Cardiff.

Rodney Berman, leader of Cardiff Council, said: "It is particularly fitting that this experience is being launched as Cardiff marks its golden jubilee as the capital of Wales.

"This is yet another reason for the city to celebrate by providing a first class destination for everyone to visit.

"As a big fan of Doctor Who myself, particularly the new version made right here in Cardiff, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to visit the new exhibition.

"It will be an exciting insight into the behind the scenes goings on of the series over the years."

Visitors will get a behind the scenes glimpse of the last series

The Doctor Who Christmas special was filmed in Cardiff last July

R1 DVD Screenshot Previews

2005-12-19T23:12:00.000-08:00

More great piccies...

Courtesy of Rhymephile's Livejournal ...

Today I received a very special birthday present from the BBC -- the preview discs for the Region 1 complete box set of the new Dr. Who series, starring Christopher Eccleston!

It's 5 discs: the first four discs contain the episodes just like Volumes 1-4 of the British DVD releases (plus special features), and Disc 5 is completely made up of bonus material called "Doctor Who Confidential."

It's not even available for pre-order yet, but it is rumored to be streeting on February 14, 2006 (according to TV Shows on DVD.com). But because you read my LJ, you get an exclusive first look, with screencaps. Feel free to use the caps however you'd like, or point friends here.

So for those of us in the U.S. who haven't downloaded the episodes, this comes as a nice treat. I'm looking forward to watching the episodes this weekend.

The menu screen from disc 1:

Special features screen from disc 1:

Scene selection screen from the first episode, "Rose":

Who opening titles (also at the top of the post, before the cut):

"By the way, I'm the Doctor":

Inside the TARDIS:

Disc 5 special features:

9th Doctor R1 DVD Cover!!!

2005-12-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

Whoa, Time Lords gather round and check this out...

Courtesy of TV Shows on DVD ...

We have a special look at the artwork for the first season of the new Doctor Who. The title is coming on February 14, but it's not up for preorder yet.

~ Stay tuned! Screenshot Previews coming next! ~