546 - Doctor Who Magazine January 2020
546 - Doctor Who Magazine January 2020
49
30
26
PREVIEWS
22 SPYFALL Parts One & Two
36
INTERVIEWS
40 12
26
CHRIS CHIBNALL
TOSIN COLE
40 ANDREW CARTMEL
46 IAN COLLINS
FEATURES
18 MEET THE TEAM
30 AN ADVENT IN SPACE
AND TIME
36 A COUPLE OF CINDERS
58 THE FACT OF FICTION
The Snowmen
80 THE DWM CHRISTMAS QUIZ
REGULARS
IN !
5 PRODUCTION NOTES
6 GALLIFREY GUARDIAN
W 8 GALAXY FORUM
I HG Wells’ The
War of the
Worlds at an
impressionable
age. I’d never seen a film or
television adaptation before
I read the book and heard
Jeff Wayne’s record. In short,
there was nothing to supplant
the images that took root
in my imagination.
Years later, the
Hollywood versions of
The War of the Worlds
were huge disappointments
that left me baffled – why
had no one taken the
trouble to honour the
original Edwardian setting
of Wells’ book, let alone
the plot?
A couple of years ago it
was announced that the BBC was planning
a new production. My excitement was soon
tempered by the anxiety that nothing could
live up to the pictures I’d had in my mind
since childhood.
The BBC’s mini-series was broadcast
from November to December and, while
significant parts of it bore little resemblance
to the story I remember, I must admit
I was deeply impressed. Amongst many
other things, Wells’ 1898 novel was a grim
prophecy of the mechanised conflicts
that would engulf the 20th century. Peter and it’s not derived from a single, definitive While Peter Harness added his own
Harness’ screenplay and Craig Viveiros’ text – although it clearly owes a huge debt elements to The War of the Worlds, I now
direction depict the horror and despair to Wells, amongst other authors. So if a new realise that his sympathetic interpretation
of total war more vividly than any of the episode turns out to be rather different from of Wells’ novel brought an intriguing – and
previous films. our expectations, then who – or what – is it sympathetic – new dimension to the story
As much as I admired the achievement, supposedly betraying? that first gripped me all those years ago.
comparisons with the original book were The reasonable response to this question The War of the Worlds, like Dracula (also
never far from my thoughts. Which scenes is that Doctor Who can be pretty much in line for a BBC revamp), Doctor Who
and characters were invented? Would anything it wants to be. Whatever direction and so many of my favourite things,
Wells have approved? Was a strictly faithful the new episodes take will come to define remains compelling because it’s open
interpretation of the novel even considered? what Doctor Who is in 2020. Spyfall, the to different interpretations.
In a similar way, it strikes me that some title of the opening two-parter, is enough This is why I’m going to approach Fox’s
of us approach a new series of Doctor to tell us that there’s going to be a distinct even newer version of The War of the
Who with our own preconceptions. Which James Bond vibe about this story. And why Worlds with an open mind. And this is
is a curious thing, given that the series not? The series’ writers and directors have why I’m counting the days until Doctor
had no single creator (in fact, its earliest been jumping in and out of other genres Who returns…
foundations were laid by a BBC focus group) since the show began.
CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE
Mike Jones Patrick Mulkern Samantha Lee Howe
When he’s not designing DWM, Mike is busy working Patrick reviews Eric Saward’s novelisation of Revelation Former teacher Samantha writes horror and fantasy
on other classic TV projects. He’s designed books based of the Daleks on page 69. It’s a little-known fact that in under the pen name Sam Stone. Her debut thriller,
on Only Fools and 1975 Patrick played The Stranger in
Horses, Thunderbirds Davros – for his pals Our Bed, will be
and Captain Scarlet. in a derelict laundry published by the
After years of in Chesham. His HarperCollins
lugging a scanner grandad, passing by, imprint One More
around the country called him “a ruddy Chapter in February
in pursuit of rare lunatic”. Ten years (digital) and April
archive images, later Patrick first (paperback). On
he claims that one contributed to page 68 Samantha
of his arms is now DWM and also reviews the Doctor
slightly longer than began writing for Who short story
the other. Radio Times. collection Star Tales.
O station platform, we’re and we meet staff and students. Placing and joys of the team.
about to become doctors. Doctor Who in the heart of Sheffield has At the end we proceed out through
Mandip Gill (aka Yasm in clearly meant a lot to everyone here. Sheffield City Hall, wearing cap and
Khan), casting director We meet screenwriting students Tom gown and medal, as the string quartet
and Ashley, both Doctor Who fans, both plays the Doctor Who theme. And
Andy Pryor, executive producer Matt
stars of their course, who will be vying everyone in the audience is beaming and
Strevens, executive assistant Caroline
ve to do this job one day. There are always laughing at the sheer surreal lunacy of it,
Cook and myself are here to recei
unexpected Doctor Who connections but most of all we are. To be honoured
an honorary doctorate from Sheffield
everywhere you go. The Vice-Chancellor like this, for doing something you love,
Hallam University. It’s an unusual
of Sheffield Hallam University, Professor on a programme you love, is special.
doctorate, made out to me and the cast
Sir Chris Husbands, tells us he was Also: bonkers. Only on Doctor Who.
and crew of Series 11 of Doctor Who.
studying at Cambridge when Shada was Then it’s a Q&A at the students’
When it was first proposed, I loved that s
e being filmed there – he and some friend union with students studying on various
it included everyone: all 693 peopl set and got their photo s
snuck onto the
(yes, Sandra Cosfeld, our brilliant courses. Smart, detailed, precise and
taken with Tom Baker. forensic questions and a few Tom Baker
production co-ordinator, went and
were involved in maki ng We’re taken to be gowned. Oh my word scarves. Someone asks: “Are there
counted) who
we look ridiculous. I can’t believe we let Daleks in the next series?” No. Sorry!
the series – every supporting artist
those photos out. Mandip’s asked by the You can have Cybermen though.
and driver and caterer and medic
photographer to raise her chin slightly to When we get to the hotel, we’ve just
and runner and member of the
catch the light, but Matt thinks the note been sent the finished season trailer for
post-production team and writer and
all is for him so you can see him in the final final sign-off. (You’ll
director and guest and leading actor
now have an honorary have seen it all over
doctorate. It’s an the place by now).
unprecedented honorary I show Mandip and
doctorate. We like Andy, and Caroline,
unprecedented. It’s what on my phone, in a
Doctor Who does. It’s deserted corner of the
what Doctor Who seems lobby. The perfect end
to inspire others to do. to an extraordinary
So there we are, day. Monsters and
waving at each other guest stars and the
as we gather on the Thirteenth Doctor
platform at Sheffield. and Ryan and Graham
I’ve brought my mum, and Yaz. Back. For
to cheer us on. She a whole new series.
was 80 the day before. Oh we’ve got some
This is extending her treats for you.
birthday celebrations and Here we go again!
s, Chris Chibnall
and so she gets to hang r, Matt Streven DWM
Top: Andy Pryo y do cto rate fro m
eive an honorar lf of the cast an
d
out with Yasmin Khan. Mandip Gill rec
iversity on beha
m Un
Sheffield Halla eld Hallam Unive
rsity.
11. Photo © Sheffi
crew of Series d cre w
cast an
me of the 693
Above: Just so Series 11.
ers res po ns ible for making
memb
DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 5
Gallifrey The latest official news
from every corner of the
Guardian Doctor Who universe...
“Something’s coming…”
Series 12 of Doctor Who will begin on New Year’s Day.
he first Series 12 trailer in the 2017 series finale World O Series 12 will see the return the Judoon and the Cybermen, plus new creatures,
Doctor Who was first broadcast Cybermen, ultimately leading “I first appeared in Doctor and it turned into this awesome
– has revealed some tantalising to his regeneration into Jodie Who in The Caves of Androzani dream job!”
glimpses of both new and Whittaker’s Doctor (as seen at at the tender age of 24 in “One of the great joys of
returning foes. the end of the 2017 Christmas 1984,” he says. “Thirty-five Doctor Who is the legendary
As well as an appearance Special Twice Upon a Time). years later I got to be in it again actors who want to come and
by the Judoon, the intergalactic The trailer features some at the not so tender age of join in the Doctor’s adventures,”
mercenary force who made of Series 12’s upcoming guest nearly 60. How time flies!” says executive producer Matt
their first appearance in 2007’s stars too, including Stephen Goran Višnjić is making his Strevens. “We were thrilled to
Smith and Jones, the trailer also Fry, who plays ‘C’, and Sir Doctor Who debut, although welcome Goran and Robert,
confirms that the Cybermen Lenny Henry CBE, who plays he does have plenty of whose work we’ve loved
will return during the 2020 Daniel Barton in the season’s experience around and admired for years.
series. The Cybermen were opening two-parter Spyfall. doctors after playing They create two iconic
last seen in battle with the Anjli Mohindra (Rani Chandra in Luka Kovač in the characters who are
Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) the Doctor Who spin-off series television series ER going to delight
The Sarah Jane Adventures, for nine years from and entertain.”
2007-11) can also be seen in 1999 to 2008. Series 12 of Doctor
the trailer, made up to appear Speaking ahead Who – starring Jodie
as a scorpion-like creature. of his appearance in Whittaker as the
Meanwhile, Goran Višnjić Series 12, Goran says: Doctor alongside Tosin
and Robert Glenister have been “I’ve always been a Cole (Ryan), Mandip
announced as additions to the huge fan of Doctor Gill (Yaz) and Bradley
line-up of guest stars for 2020. Who, so when the Walsh (Graham) –
Glenister – whose previous offer to play one of will begin on New
credits include Hustle (2004), my favourite people Year’s Day. Turn to
Cold Feet (2017) and Law & in history came, it page 22 to read an
O Daniel Barton (Lenny Henry) in Spyfall, Order: UK (2009-14) – is not made me so happy exclusive preview of
the two-part story that opens Series 12. new to the series. to be part of the show the first two episodes.
T Brigadier Lethbridge-
Stewart are set to return in
the sixth volume of Big Finish’s
and I met him and all that era’s
team many more times, so
it feels like an essential part
Third Doctor Adventures. of me. Bringing it back to life
Tim Treloar continues to voice as authentically as possible
the Third Doctor alongside Katy on audio is sheer joy. It’s a
Manning as Jo Grant and Jon nostalgia overload of the very
Culshaw as the Brigadier in this best kind!
box set comprising two new “I find it particularly
adventures. moving that Katy Manning
Operation Hellfire, by has enthusiastically embraced
Jonathan Barnes, features Tim Treloar in the part of the
Winston Churchill; he’s voiced Third Doctor. Without her
by Ian McNeice, who played the blessing and encouragement,
character on TV in Doctor Who we couldn’t have embarked
from 2010-11. Meanwhile upon this.”
Terry Molloy, who played “I’m really enjoying it,” says
Davros in 1980s Doctor Who, Katy. “It’s got the humour that
voices Sir Davenport Finch. o The cast of the sixth volume of The Third
The Poison of the Daleks Doctor Adventures is led by Jon Culshaw,
is written by Guy Adams and John Levene, Katy Manning and Tim Treloar.
Web Premiere
narrated full-cast TV Hilio and Roslyn de Winter
Christmas Box
A soundtrack of the First
Doctor adventure The
Web Planet is to be released
as Vrestin.
Accompanying the vinyl
records are full episode billings,
for the first time. cast and credits, and eight
The six-part serial, which was illustrated panels that form an
first broadcast on TV in 1965, artwork montage.
was written by Bill Strutton The Web Planet is released
and stars William Hartnell as by Demon Records and
the Doctor. Presented across available from 13 December,
three heavyweight 180g pieces priced £55.99 or £49.99 for
of pink vinyl, the soundtrack an Amazon-exclusive edition,
features linking narration which is limited to 500 copies
from Maureen O’Brien (who and pressed on 180g ‘Animus
played Vicki) and the cast Splatter’ vinyl.
includes William Russell as Ian,
Jacqueline Hill as Barbara,
Martin Jarvis as
very existing complete Fools and Horses (1981-2003)
O A polymer clay model of the s Watch the latest trailer for Series
O All of Me by Jack Newman. Doctor by Christopher Mockridge.
12 of Doctor Who, which features
FESTIVE FAVES music cue when Astrid falls. And s PHILLIP GILFUS EMAIL some thrilling scenes and a few
STEVE HURR EMAIL I never fail to cry to that epic I enjoy many Doctors, but there familiar faces. Go to:
Voyage of the Damned tune when the Titanic crashes is only one Christmas Special tinyurl.com/WhoSeries12
[2007] was Christmas Special though the atmosphere. A true that I watch every year – A
perfection for me. I love high point of Doctor Who. Christmas Carol [2010] starring
a good disaster movie and this Matt Smith. I love the spin on
delivered in spades. The motley s ARRON LOWE EMAIL the classic Dickens tale, with the
crew of survivors trying to My favourite Christmas Special Doctor using time travel as only
escape the doomed ship while is Voyage of the Damned. he can. The singing of Katherine
battling the ‘Robots of Death’- It had Kylie in it! Adventure. Jenkins and the accompanying
style Hosts – what more could Peril. KYLIE! Humour. music are out of this world and s BabelColour, aka the talented
you ask for after eating your Heartbreak. KYLIE!! her character’s ultimately happy, Stuart Humphryes, presents a trailer
own body weight in turkey and Incredible cast playing an but tragic, ending goes where for the fan film The Ten Doctors
mince pies? Oh I know – just amazing array of characters, few episodes of Doctor Who Re-Imagined. Go to:
one of the biggest superstars a great villain and constant have gone before. You laugh, tinyurl.com/Babel10
on the planet! Kylie was the twists and turns. Incredible! you cry, you get the childlike
icing on the Christmas cake. wonder of the season – and let’s
Voyage of the Damned should not forget Sir Michael Gambon’s
be shown on BBC One every performance as Kazran!
Christmas along with The
Wizard of Oz and Love Actually. s TOBY HALL EMAIL
My favourite Christmas Special
s AIDAN PHILLIPS EMAIL is Last Christmas [2014, s A young Doctor Who fan gets an
I love the spectacle of Voyage starring Peter Capaldi as the out-of-this-world surprise as part of
of the Damned. I think that Doctor], because it combines the BBC’s annual Children in Need
it’s such a great concept – I the base-under-siege scenario telethon. Watch on BBC iPlayer
mean, Titanic in space, sheer with dreams in a brilliant at 27’ 45”. Go to:
genius. Also it gave us David Inception-esque plot which tinyurl.com/CiNWhoSurprise
Tennant and Kylie Minogue, now is also reminiscent of the 50s
that’s a Doctor and companion sci-fi film The Thing from
duo which is just perfect for Another World and its gorier
O The Doctor (David Tennant), Astrid
Christmas. But above all else 80s remake. It also has one of
(Kylie Minogue), Foon (Debbie Chazen)
I love the beautiful score by and Morvin (Clive Rowe) in Voyage of the best lines from Doctor Who:
Murray Gold, especially the the Damned (2007). “There’s a horror movie called 1
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DWM
i s i o n
INTERVIEW
c u t i v e D e c
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and loo
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lifts the
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s i n s to re when
what ’ s…
D o c t o r return
the RN
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Intervie
“I knew it would
job you will ever have. And by ‘maddest’, I’m talking
about the sheer number of hours it will demand from
each day, the sheer relentlessness of it. Steven’s advice
was about the stamina you need, how you survive and
a person, but it profound, but you also know it’s an absolute privilege.”
C
hris’ first series of Doctor Who was broadcast from
year-by-year basis.”
I think you can see this if you look through the history
of the show; some years are more ‘recruity’ than others,
and this was one of them. We were taking a big leap 1
DWM
INTERVIEW
Chris Chibnall
I
n keeping with Series 11’s new laughing. “It’s difficult because
direction, the latest version you have to come up with
of the Doctor Who logo is the something different from all the
result of a radical redesign. logos that have gone before, and
“I remember [outgoing executive you have to bear in mind that
producer] Brian Minchin said, it will appear not just on the TV Far left: Brian Minchin,
show but on every product.” when he was executive
1 Did Chris give the design producer of Doctor Who,
agency a detailed brief? “Not on the set of the Twelfth
a strict brief, no, but there were Doctor’s TARDIS in 2017.
certain things I wanted the logo Left and below left:
to communicate, such as colour, was literally covered in logos. The new Doctor Who
logo was revealed
light and energy. After a while Hundreds of them.”
in 2018.
they said they had some ideas Chris and fellow executive
Below: The Pting
to show us, and I remember producer Matt Strevens picked
from The Tsuranga
thinking, ‘I hope I’m not going the logo they liked best, later Conundrum (2018).
to walk into the room and they’ll showing it to Charlotte Moore and Bottom: The casting of
offer me a thousand choices.’ BBC Head of Drama Development Jodie Whittaker as the
What happened was that I walked Piers Wenger. “Everyone had to first female Doctor was
into the room that we’re in now be happy with it,” says Chris, Chris’ biggest innovation.
and I saw that one of the walls “because a new logo is a big deal.”
but at the same time you might have felt that you didn’t I was saying I couldn’t come up with a title I liked.
know all the details.” ‘Rise of the Spiders’? Not quite right... Literally
This was the first time a showrunner, or indeed any within 30 seconds Vinay came up with Arachnids
producer of Doctor Who, had created scripts in this way. in the UK. I thought, ‘That’s it – amazing!’”
How did the Series 11 writers’ room work? “It’s more The story rooms ran for one or two weeks at a time.
accurate to describe it as a story room,” says Chris, “because “It was very regimented,” says Chris. “We worked from
what we don’t have here is a writers’ room of the sort they 9.00am to 6.00pm. People brought ideas and we talked
have in America. Over there they have writers’ rooms where generally about what this version of the show would
writers are paid to be full-time members of staff.” be. The tone of it, the purpose of it
Co-executive producer Sam Hoyle made the first and – perhaps most importantly
approaches to writers without revealing to them or their – how does Doctor Who
agents that they were being sounded out for Doctor Who. keep evolving and
“We were building a team,” says Chris. “We recruited keep surviving in
up-and-coming writers whose work we liked, whose voices the contemporary
were interesting, and who worked as a contrasting group. television landscape?”
“The other rule,” he adds with a smile, “was that they
C
had to be good people. [American writer and director] hris describes
Joss Whedon once said that you can be the best writer in Doctor Who
the world but you also need to be well-behaved. I need to as “one of the
be able to have you in my house!” most valuable
With the true nature of the project revealed, Chris drama commodities
began sharing stories he’d originally described to Charlotte in the world”, and as
Moore, the BBC’s Director of Content. “I brought a lot such you’d expect him
of the ideas, but not all of them. Joy [Wilkinson] pitched to be acutely aware of the
her episode, The Witchfinders, but most of the others special place it occupies in
were ideas that existed in at least a nascent form. I knew the rapidly evolving world
I wanted to do a story about a mail-order company in of entertainment.
space, I knew I wanted to do a story about Rosa Parks, “Television is moving so
I wanted to do Partition. So when Vinay came into our fast,” he says emphatically.
first story room and said, ‘I want to write an episode “Even in the year we’ve
about the Partition of India,’ I said, ‘Yes!’” been off the air, television
Don’t writers have a reputation for jealously guarding has transformed. There’s
their ideas? “I don’t think this generation of writers is like more drama than ever
that, and the writers own their ideas anyway. One of my before, and the quality
jobs in running the story room, or story conferences, was of it is incredibly
to bring the overview; I knew we were doing giant spiders high. Budgets are
one week, so we needed a cuter monster the week after. higher and the
I wanted to do that so we could get the kids back on board, ratings are going
because we’d scared the life out of them the week before! down. It’s
The Pting [from The Tsuranga Conundrum] was created not that less
by Tim Price, who was there with us. And Vinay came up people are
with the title Arachnids in the UK in a WhatsApp group! watching 1
DWM
INTERVIEW
Chris Chibnall
1 drama, it’s that more people are watching more shows. trailers echoed to the familiar cry of “Exterminate!” Why
Netflix now has a five per cent share of the UK viewing was it decided to add the sound of the Dalek at this late
market. They didn’t have that two years ago.” stage? “Because by then it had already leaked,” says Chris.
Chris says these changes have already made a deep When asked if this was frustrating, he shrugs. “It’s part
impact. “A unifying show is rare. What would you say of the job. You just respond to these things as and when
are the unifying dramas of the last two years? Line of they happen. We wanted to keep the Dalek relatively
Duty, Bodyguard, Killing Eve? I can’t think of any others. low-key until the series had finished, and there was only
There is no way that Peaky Blinders is being judged on a short gap between the series finishing [on 9 December]
its overnight ratings, because it’s been a massive hit on and the Special going out. That was the purpose of trying
BBC One. The ratings system is out of date, especially the to keep it a secret, because otherwise people would have
obsession with overnights. been wondering when the Daleks were coming.”
Chris says that the 2020 episodes, and the approach
“We’re now going to take you to their promotion, will be different from what we saw
in Series 11. “In 2018 we had standalone adventures and
into the deeper corners of we didn’t use any old monsters. That was phase one of a
strategic plan. We’re just about to go into phase two of that
L I M I T E D E D I T I O N 4 - D I S C V I N Y L R E C O R D B OX S E T S
Below: Director
Lee Haven Jones.
Top right: Simon
Jones (Mark Flanagan)
in the Welsh TV drama
35 Days.
Above right:
A publicity image from
Wizards vs Aliens.
N
Cara (as Leonie),
of Hollywood science-fiction
Mandeep Dhillon
films. “I loved the Alien (Tash) and Umbreen
quadrilogy and Star Wars Razia (Shaheeda)
was really huge for me in Hounslow Diaries.
as a child,” she says. “I grew up Left: Director
in Singapore so Doctor Who was Nida Manzoor.
something I came to a bit later,
when we moved to the UK. Although
Doctor Who is globally known, it’s still
very British, which I love.”
Nina has written her own sci-fi, action
and comedy shorts. “Those
genres are where I enjoy
storytelling, and it was through
making those short films that
I progressed to directing some
new comedy pilots for the BBC.”
Back in 2015 Nida was named
one of Broadcast magazine’s
‘Hot Shots’. Since then, she’s
directed the first series of the
online BBC comedy drama Enterprice
(2017-18) – for which she recently received
a Royal Television Society award nomination
– and the pilot episode of BBC Three’s “so to be given this platform with Doctor “Doctor Who combines so many of the
Hounslow Diaries (2018). In 2018 she also Who is so exciting – it’s a dream job to land. things I love. It has such heart and diversity
wrote and directed Lady Parts, an original It was great working with Jodie Whittaker in its characters and storytelling but also
music comedy series for Channel 4. as the Doctor – she blows my mind – and so much adventure and fun, with aliens
“At this stage in my career I’m trying also Chris Chibnall as the showrunner. and spaceships and all the stuff that I really
to find a way into genre stuff,” says Nida, I’m such a huge admirer of his work. geek out over.”
four episodes,
including the opener
and finale. “There
are thematic
ideas that run
amie is a Scottish film director Jamie says joining the 2020 season of through this
Celebrate every
iteration of the Doctor
with these handsome
new pin badges
BBC, DOCTOR WHO and TARDIS (word marks and logos) are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo © BBC 1996.
Doctor Who logo and WHO insignia © BBC 2018. Dalek image © BBC/Terry Nation 1963. K-9 image © BBC/Bob Baker/Dave Martin 1977. Licensed by BBC Studios.
Spyfall Part One
octor Who is back. there is only one person they can turn
For the first time in
D
With a two-part story to – and that’s the Doctor.”
Doctor Who’s history, that’s quite unlike
anything the series
“What’s nice about doing a second
season is that you can start kind of
a new series will launch has done before. front-footed,” says Jodie Whittaker,
“It’s a global who returns as the Thirteenth
with a festive hour-long espionage thriller… with aliens!” says Doctor. “In the first season, because
writer Chris Chibnall. “When agents you’ve just regenerated and you’ve
Special. “It had to be around the world are attacked, the been given this new body, you’re
intelligence services still finding your feet. But this time
bigger and better,” says suspect alien I’m starting fully formed thanks to
Mandip Gill. “And it is.” involvement. In
those circumstances
the tools that I’ve acquired over the
last season.”
“A
in the 1970s, part some of them make you sad.” that’s ahead of us.” left: Morven Christie
of what got me In the director’s chair for this Lee also directed episode three, as DS Lisa Armstrong
addicted to Doctor episode is Lee Haven Jones. “Lee is but says even he isn’t fully aware in The Bay. The lead
Who was the very in-demand,” says Chris. “This of what the rest of the series has in director on the series
cliffhangers,” says year [2019] he was nominated for store. “I will definitely be sitting down was Lee Haven Jones,
who has directed
writer Chris Chibnall. “They were a Welsh BAFTA and he was the lead and tuning in. It’ll be fun to see how
Skyfall Part Two.
essential to the DNA of the show. director on ITV’s The Bay. He’s one it all shapes up.” Photo © ITV Studios
The structure of Doctor Who was of [producer] Nikki Wilson’s absolute Global Entertainment.
based on a ‘tune in next favourite directors; she’s s for future adventures,
week’ style of storytelling
that had its roots in
Dick Barton and
been desperate to get him
onto the show.”
“I’m picking up
A “I think the season as
a whole is like one massive
cliffhanger,” says Mandip Gill.
Opposite page above
right: Lee Haven Jones
on the TARDIS set.
Right: Team TARDIS,
Flash Gordon. from a huge “It’s going to raise a lot of questions. ready for new
“That’s not the cliffhanger,” says People are going to question what adventures in 2020.
case in the same Lee. “Even though they know and what they’ve learnt.
way in the modern it’s the follow-up to Each character starts questioning
show,” he adds. “So episode one, episode things about themselves.”
when you do get the two does have quite “There’s absolute character
chance to do a cliffhanger a distinct feel.” development in this series,” agrees
now, it’s really exciting.” Why bring in different Jodie. “The thing that makes this
According to legend, directors for a two-part job for me is that we have this
in 1965 Terry Nation story? “It’s to do with wonderful off-screen friendship.
and Dennis Spooner which episodes we The love and support we have for
would try to shot in South Africa,” each other comes across in the
out-cliffhanger Chris explains. scenes. If one of the characters
each other while “The second part is in danger, or if there’s a fear
co-writing The of Spyfall has very that someone hasn’t made it, then
Daleks’ Master Plan. different locations to we can draw on a genuine sense
“My inner Terry Nation the first, so we divided of fear or loss. And in the lighter
and Dennis Spooner were up the [recording] scenes I think it helps that we
battling it out,” says Chris, blocks accordingly. It was genuinely find each other funny.
laughing. “I knew where
I was going with the second episode,
but I hope the audience will be
“There are sinister forces
wondering, ‘How are they going
to get out of that?!’
at work across different
“The second episode is no less
epic than the first,” he promises,
dimensions.” CHRIS CHIBNALL
“but events take a darker turn. a logistical thing, but it had a great That chemistry’s priceless because
It’s very different in mood and aesthetic knock-on. it keeps everybody’s energy up
visual and tone. There are many “As well as having a different mood, and it helps to create an on-screen
matters of life and death, and episode two also has a really different dynamic that’s very real.”
there are sinister forces at work visual palette. For episode one Jodie hints that over the coming
across different dimensions.” everyone was out in the sunshine in episodes her Doctor will be tested in
“There are some wonderful South Africa. For episode two there new ways. “I try not to limit myself
Easter eggs and everything were night shoots in the cold, the to what I’ve done before,” she says.
is perfectly intertwined in wind and the rain.” “This role enables me to delve into
Chris’ script,” adds Jodie “We were recording all over South different parts and the writing gives
Whittaker. “I treat every Wales,” recalls Lee. “We were in me opportunities to go on journeys
script as a kind of Cardiff Bay and at Howell’s School [in that might show us a completely
toybox to jump Llandaff]. We were also at Tredegar different side to the Doctor.” DWM
M
uch to his surprise,
Tosin Cole is “taking a
back seat” on the set of
Doctor Who.
“I thought it was
gonna be me leading the banter,” Tosin
tells us, “but I’ve got to give the
crown to Bradley [Walsh]. You
just can’t keep up with the guy!
He’s got gags upon gags and he’s
such a prankster. But everyone’s
chipping in; we’re all bantering,
like a little family. I wind up
Bradley whenever I can. Mandip
[Gill], I flick her hair. And I
throw hand warmers at Jodie
[Whittaker]’s head.
“I’m actually still quite
childish,” Tosin admits with
a mischievous smile. The
Fourth Doctor once said
there was no point being
grown up if you can’t be
childish sometimes. “Yeah,”
says Tosin. “He knows! I
will always throw a hand
warmer at your head.”
I
n 2018 Ryan
Sinclair was a new
recruit to Team
TARDIS. According to
Tosin, his character
is “bringing a bit of
flavour into the squad.
He’s young, he’s fresh,
he’s urban. Ryan would
probably be my little
cousin. I can relate to him
in many different ways: I’m
a bit cheeky, I like a bit of
Right: Tosin Cole banter, sometimes I don’t
prepares to lift say the smartest thing in the
the lid on DWM’s room.” But that’s where the
TARDIS tin. similarities end.
“Ryan can’t play sports
because of his dyspraxia but I do
like playing sports, especially
basketball – that’s my sport.
And seeing aliens… Ryan’s got
that by a mile. I don’t relate to
that at all. Obviously.”
Tosin describes himself
as “a proper London boy.
I like walking. I like taking
the tube. I just like being
normal.” Is that tricky now
you’re Spider-Man in the playground. What do you see: a glass half-full or a glass
1 have a certain rhythm to it. Do you prefer It’s basically the same thing but with half-empty?
theatre or TV? It depends. I like to dibble cameras there. I’m going to say 50-50. Bit of both.
and dabble, do different stuff. As Depends how you look at it and if it’s
long as the story’s good! What’s Is Elvis still alive? a good day or not. What is it today? 50-50.
the trickiest thing about working He was at one point.
on Doctor Who? Reacting What is your worst habit?
to aliens. Normally, I’ve Do you remember your I’d say my potty mouth. Do people tell you
been in more dramatic first kiss? off for that? Yeah. Every time I’m in the
stuff where you’re just I was pretty young. How car with my cousin and his son, he’ll have
interacting with other young? I’d say five or six. to remind me that his son’s in the car.
actors, real people. But And you had a girlfriend?
now I’m working with Yeah. I think she was When was the last time you went too far?
aliens and looking at older than me as well. All the time.
things that are meant Seven? [Laughs.] Yeah.
to be there, but ain’t there… She wanted a younger man. Do you have a childhood hero?
but they’re gonna be there. It’s I can’t remember how long Hmm... Spider-Man? You dressed up as him
a different process, but practice she was my girlfriend for, but I can at Halloween? Nah, Spider-Man wasn’t my
makes perfect. How do you practise? I’m remember that I was living in America hero back then – I think that costume was
weird: I’ve been in the mirror for so many and it was Halloween. I remember I was all my mum could get! It’d be a cartoon
hours trying different reaction faces wearing a Spider-Man costume – I had character, I think. Probably [a character
because I don’t want to have the same the mask and everything – and she kissed from] Dragon Ball Z.
reaction to everything. You can get in the me in front of all my boys. I was
habit of just doing your go-to face so it’s proper excited. What is your all-time favourite film?
about finding variety and different levels This question cannot be asked.
to react to things. I really like movies and
[Tosin demonstrates there are just too
two different shocked many films. My
faces.] What’s your favourites
scared face? Listen, probably
I’m a man’s man.
I try to pretend I’m
not scared, so people
don’t see that face
too often. But it’s
fun reacting. Getting
chased by aliens is
like being a kid again
– really using your
imagination like you
used to do in primary
school, pretending
Which body part would you most like Top right: Netflix series
to change? Ozark (2017-) stars
My pinky toe. What’s wrong with it? It just Laura Linney and Jason
does its own thing. Everything else is kind Bateman as Wendy and
of normal and then my Martin Byrde.
pinky toe… it’s just a bit Inset above left:
too… chubby. Chubby?! “Sometimes I might
look at a tree and feel
[Laughs.] Yeah,
inspired,” says Tosin.
it looks like it’s got
Tosin Cole photos
extra popcorn on © Marcus Hearn.
it or something.
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11 December
9 December 1978 “Where’s the TARDIS heading
2005 “HE-LLO AND WEL-COME to next?” asks BBC Northern
TO FRI-DAY’S BLUE PETER,” Ireland’s Richard Lightbody,
intones a Dalek, prowling attempting to grab a word with Tom
the set of BBC One’s Baker. In his capacity as the current
long-running children’s Doctor, Tom has just turned on the
Christmas lights in the city of Derry. who gets in the way!” the cyborg adds, think of who actually lives in a time
Above: David
“Do you know, I don’t know,” says pointing at the hapless host. machine… It’s his home.”
Tennant hosts a
Tom, as he’s mobbed by fans. “I never Doctor Who-themed
know you see. I work on four or six 13 December episode of Never
scripts at a time – I don’t know where 2014 “Probably the best-loved Mind the Buzzcocks
I’m going at all.” Tom juggles pens, time machine in all science in 2009. An Ood and
photographs and personable banter fiction,” declares historian Dominic a Dalek appear on the
show, whose team
for the cameras of Scene Around Six Sandbrook, standing on what he calls members comprise Jo
while affirming: “I’m impressed by the “sacred ground” of the original Whiley, Phill Jupitus
the people of Derry.” TARDIS control room in the BBC and Bernard Cribbins,
Two documentary series Tomorrow’s and Jamie Cullum,
Worlds. Subtitled ‘The 14 December Noel Fielding and
Catherine Tate.
Unearthly History 2008 “You’re appearing in the
of Science Fiction’, Christmas Doctor Who as a kind Far left: Isla St Clair
and Larry Grayson
the edition called of future Doctor Who, which has got
on Larry Grayson’s
Time features everyone saying that you are going Generation Game.
enthusiastic to be the next Doctor Who,” says
Left: David Tennant,
comments on the presenter Andrew Marr, going for the Karen Gillan, Neil
TARDIS from former world record in saying ‘Doctor Who’ Gaiman and Steven
Doctor David in one sentence during BBC One’s Moffat appeared on
12 December Tennant, erstwhile The Andrew Marr Show. His guest Tomorrow’s Worlds,
presented by Dominic
1981 “The problem is quite specific. companion Karen is actor David Morrissey, soon to be
Sandbrook in 2014.
I’m just what the Doctor ordered!” Gillan (alias Amy seen in The Next Doctor and hotly
declares a familiar metal dog, who’s Pond) and series tipped to succeed David Tennant. Above left: Andrew
Marr interviews David
part of a “galactic guest star” line- writer Neil Gaiman, “I can’t obviously reveal too much Morrissey on The
up on BBC1’s Saturday-night game with then-current because it is the Christmas Day show,” Andrew Marr Show
show Larry Grayson’s Generation showrunner says David M. “It was a great job in 2008.
Game. The Doctor’s former travelling Steven Moffat to do.” “Was? Past tense?” asks the Below: A gold Blue
companion K9 – as correctly emphasising: host, seizing on his guest’s grammar. Peter badge.
identified by both sets of contestants “What makes the “That particular episode was a great
– attempts to plug his forthcoming Doctor unique as show to do,” backtracks David…
show K9 and Company, while the a time traveller is
Generation Game compere responds that he is the only 15 December
without a trace of enthusiasm: time traveller I can 2009 “I certainly had a very good
“I can hardly time, I certainly enjoyed myself and
wait.” After was very proud of it,” comments
that, another departing Doctor David Tennant on
mystery monster the set of St Trinian’s 2: The Legend
– actually of Fritton’s Gold, recalling his Time
a 1960s-70s Lord tenure for Blue Peter presenter
hybrid Cyberman Joel Defries. Before a preview of The
with a 1980s End of Time, David warns: “The final
voice – informs stories which you’ll see at Christmas
the bemused time are a bit of a tear-jerker.” To
Larry that its honour the inspiration he’s offered to
mission is to young actors in his role as the Doctor,
dominate the the star is awarded the prestigious
universe. “We gold Blue Peter badge: “I’m very
destroy anyone honoured. Thank you, Blue Peter.” 1
1 17 December
2010 “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t
it be amazing if I could tell
my grandchildren that one
day I was in Doctor Who,’”
bubbles mezzo-soprano
Katherine Jenkins as she
promotes her tuneful turn as
Abigail in A Christmas Carol on Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson
ITV1’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show. 19 December (K9) and Katy Manning (Jo). Up
Top left and above: After a live performance of In the 1989 Eamonn Holmes, the host against some of the country’s top quiz
Alan Titchmarsh
Bleak Midwinter (anticipating her of BBC1’s Open Air, is questioning champions – the titular Eggheads –
interviews Katherine
Jenkins on a 2010 similar rendition in the forthcoming a group of children from Our Lady’s the time travellers could be facing
edition of The Alan festive Doctor Who episode), the Primary School, Whaley Bridge. “their most dangerous adventure to
Titchmarsh Show. singer explains: “I had never had any “What do you think of Doctor Who?” date” in a quest to win £1,000 for
Above right: Eamonn acting experience before… I loved it. he asks. “Brillllllll!” chorus the their chosen charities. Can Frazer
Holmes interviews I was so nervous of doing it.” Nativity-performing youngsters in remember what sort of hat was worn
Sylvester McCoy on response. Promoting his appearance by 1970s TV detective Kojak?
Open Air in 1989. 18 December in Aladdin at the Manchester Palace
Below inset and 1986 “I was on the 50,000th edition Theatre, Sylvester McCoy says of
bottom left: Colin when the TARDIS prototype was Doctor Who: “They will bring it back
Baker and Ray Reardon
on Tomorrow’s World
shown,” recalls the Sixth Doctor (alias in 1991… supposedly… hopefully…
Christmas Quiz in Colin Baker), captaining the “expert who knows… I don’t know what
1986. panel” of the Tomorrow’s World happens at the BBC. I try to find out
Below centre: A 2010 Christmas Quiz, a festive edition by talking to the man who cleans
edition of Celebrity of BBC1’s long-running science show. the toilets on the sixth floor of the
Eggheads featuring Guessing the purpose of a series Executive Suite, but he’s on holiday
Colin Baker, Louise of new inventions, Colin believed at the moment.”
Jameson, John Leeson,
that a triangular torch item could
Katy Manning and
Frazer Hines. be “a device for looking at the small 20 December
print in a BBC contract”… possibly 2010 “Materialising on planet
Far right: Peter
Davison and Sandra with reference to his unexpected Egghead today are ‘Behind the Sofa’,”
Dickinson promote departure from Doctor Who. declares Dermot Murnaghan, host
Cinderella on Russell The mystery object was in fact of BBC Two’s quiz show Celebrity
Harty’s Christmas a snooker-playing Eggheads as he introduces guest
Party in 1982. aid, as challengers Colin Baker (the Sixth
demonstrated Doctor), Frazer Hines (Jamie),
by world
snooker
champion
Ray 21 December
Reardon. 1982 “Where there’s a doctor,
there’s a Who,” trills actress
Sandra Dickinson (alias the Fairy
Godmother). “Ouch!” exclaims
her husband, Peter Davison (aka
Buttons), as he joins in
a customised version of
the 1935 melody Where
There’s You There’s
Me. The song forms
part of a promotion
for the Doctor Who-
themed production
of Cinderella about to
open at the Assembly
Hall in Tunbridge
Wells, directed by
current Who producer
John Nathan-Turner
O
n Saturday 5 January
1985 I was in the
audience for the
matinée of Cinderella at
the Gaumont Theatre,
Southampton. It was
billed as a “Doctor
Who pantomime” and Colin Baker’s arrival
on stage was met with a huge cheer. He
was playing Buttons and threw chocolate
buttons (and eggs!) into the audience.
I remember the hilarious ‘mistake’ when
Anthony Ainley – playing Baron Hardup
here but better known as the Master on
TV – referred to Buttons as “Doctor”.
After that, bad traffic on the way home
meant I missed Part One of Attack of the
Cybermen. It was an emotional day.
This Cinderella was written and directed
by Doctor Who’s then producer, John
Nathan-Turner, who had a long interest in
pantomime. According to Richard Marson’s
2013 biography, young John was taken to
the panto every Boxing Day and at school
put on a show of his own called Cinder’s
Fella. His first full job in the theatre was
on a production of Puss in Boots starring
Des O’Connor. While working on the BBC
drama The Pallisers, John also wrote
and directed a version of Cinderella for
charity. The single performance took
place at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane,
on 16 December 1973 and starred Judi
Dench, Richard Briers and Penelope
Wilton, with a cameo by Peter O’Toole.
John had apparently loitered in the
canteen of the BBC’s Rehearsal Rooms to
cajole stars into joining the show.
Yet the idea for a Doctor Who
pantomime apparently came from Lovett
Top: A ticket for the Bickford – director of the 1980 TV story
opening night of the
1982 production of
The Leisure Hive. “I had children,” he told
Cinderella in Tunbridge Marson, “and was very keen [they] should
Wells. Picture courtesy of see good theatre.”
Stephen Broome. The producer needed little persuading.
Above: The programme “John loved pantomimes, and had always
for the pantomime. dreamed of putting on his own,” says Peter
Picture courtesy of David Dovey. Davison in his 2016 autobiography, Is There
Right: An article about Life Outside the Box? “We were effectively
the new production from both a willing and captive cast.” That ‘we’
local newspaper The
comprised just two Doctor Who actors –
Courier, published on
5 November 1982. Davison and Ainley, with Davison’s then
wife Sandra Dickinson as Fairy Mirazel.
But other cast members had connections booking is being arranged for a charter December, the Courier pictured Davison,
to the series. Jodie Wilson, for example – package for Doctor Who fans from the again in costume as the Doctor, with the
playing Cinderella – was the daughter of United States.” The same paper ran a young winners of their competition: Sara
Delore Whiteman, who’d played Tegan’s competition to visit the “Doctor Who set” Casbon, Roy Stevens and Edward Jolly. Fifty
Aunt Vanessa in the 1981 story Logopolis. at BBC Television Centre and have tea with runners up were named, each winning a
“John and his partner Gary Downie Peter Davison. ticket to the panto, though Daniel Blythe
absolutely adored Mum,” Jodie tells Doctor of Smarden – later a writer of Doctor Who
O
Who Magazine. “Around the time she did n 10 November, Davison, Dickinson books – tells DWM he doesn’t remember
Doctor Who, my sister Tracey and I were and Wilson wore their pantomime receiving a ticket and didn’t see the show.
performing at the Players’ Theatre in costumes for a publicity appearance The Courier also produced the 28-page
London and Mum invited John and Gary in London’s Covent Garden, with pictures newspaper-style programme for the panto,
to a performance. Then John was casting appearing in newspapers such as the 10,000 copies of which were air-freighted
Daily Mail over subsequent days. On 13 to Doctor Who fan clubs in America, with
“John loved November, Davison was in costume as the
Doctor to switch on the Christmas lights in
another 3,000 sent to Australia.
On 21 December, Davison and Dickinson
pantomimes, Tunbridge Wells – covered by the Courier
on 19 November. On 4 December, Davison
were live on BBC2 as part of Russell
Harty’s Christmas Party, telling jokes and
and had always was again in his Doctor Who costume to sign
books at the local Chiesmans department
performing a song from the pantomime.
(Dickinson: “Where’s there’s a Doctor,
dreamed of store. Badges were given out – “I’m going
to see Peter & Sandra in Cinderella”. On 10
there’s a Who.” Davison: “Ouch!”) Davison
was uncomfortable, telling Harty afterwards
putting on his that “Singing live on TV
like this is just terrible.”
own.” PETER DAVISON (You can judge for
yourself by looking at
Cinderella. He told Mum he would write the clip included on the
a new character called ‘Alice from the DVD of Enlightenment.)
Palace’ so my sister could be in it, too.” Even That wasn’t
so, the sisters had to audition. “We sang all. Davison told
If Momma Was Married from the musical Richard Marson that
Gypsy. I think John saw our mum as a Downie, who acted
Momma Rose figure and he loved the song. as choreographer,
That was the start of a great friendship.” was “horrible to the
On 5 November 1982, the Kent and dancers”, which
Sussex Courier interviewed Bickford about prompted “one of my
his ambitious plans for the forthcoming very few tantrums
pantomime, to be staged at the Assembly in my professional
Rooms in Tunbridge Wells. “There’s going career.” Davison also
to be a BBC Doctor Who science-fiction felt that “The location
exhibition [in the foyer] and already a was terrible… [And] 1
B
the turning-on of the Christmas lights. y then, Colin Baker had succeeded Who,” Nicola Bryant tells DWM. “‘You’re
“I remember a TARDIS outside the Davison in Doctor Who. “Initially, committed to this show,’ he told me. But
Assembly Hall, and the theatre being I remember saying, ‘Well, I’d rather I had to do the pantomime.” She admits she
crowded,” he tells us. “It was a big success.” have Christmas off,’” Baker told Richard found it gruelling. “I’d studied tap dancing,
Davison sang, danced and cracked jokes, Marson, “but John was very insistent.” but where you don’t move your upper body
threw chocolate buttons and hard-boiled Anthony Ainley reprised his role as Baron and it’s meant to look effortless. Cinderella
eggs into the audience, and performed Hardup – in the same green frock coat and was sling-your-arms-around tap, a very
a version of the Wilson, Keppel and Betty orange check trousers as before, but now different style – and Gary Downie was
sand dance – as belly dancer Betty. Ainley with the beard and moustache he wore as a taskmaster. So while doing Doctor Who,
sang and danced too, and got a big laugh the Master. There were more Doctor Who I was desperately practising routines.
when he ‘accidentally’ called Buttons actors this time: Nicola Bryant as Cinderella I so drummed it into my head, I can still
“Doctor” – just as he would and Mary Tamm as Prince remember my moves.”
in Southampton. There seems to have been less
“There were publicity than for the Tunbridge
always a lot of Doctor Wells production. Ten-year-old
Who fans at the Andrew Ledger was a member
stage door wanting of the Doctor Who Appreciation
autographs,” Jodie Society and read DWM but had
tells us. With little no idea there was a Doctor Who
experience of Doctor pantomime on his doorstep
Who, what did she until he saw posters outside the
make of it all? “I was theatre on 27 December. “Then
just very excited to Mum came clean and told me
be playing Cinderella, she had tickets for that very
and I loved the fact night!” he says, laughing. “We
that we had real ponies sat in the stalls, which felt a long
on stage. Also, John way from the stage. But Colin
wrote this lovely dream was great as Buttons.”
sequence where I looked A VHS recording by Gary
into a mirror – but it Downie shows a lively, childlike
was me and Tracey, both Baker performance, very
dressed the same. Tracey different from his version of the
DWM
INTERVIEW
H
named after you? “Well, it’s weird,” says before any of it could be resolved. (The Cartmel Master McCoy (As the Doctor)
and Sophie Aldred (Ace)
Andrew Cartmel. “I don’t know. I quite Plan was fulfilled in the New Adventures novels, though.)
on location in Perivale
like it.” Time Lord? Human? Other? Since Doctor Who returned for Survival (1989).
When he script-edited Doctor Who in to TV in 2005, no production team has dared go there.
Above: Former Doctor
the late 1980s, was The Cartmel Master The Doctor’s origins remain under wraps. “Well, for Who script editor Andrew
Plan even a thing? Or were Andrew’s attempts to restore now,” says Andrew, smiling. “Seriously, one day someone Cartmel.
some Darkness™ and Mystery™ to the title character will tell that story – and probably do it better than we Photo © Helen Solomon.
– to turn the Doctor into a manipulative, amoral chess would have.” Below inset: Ace believes
master who’s far more, and something ‘Other’, than just Another part of the Master Plan got much more that the Doctor is dead in
a Time Lord – only dubbed The Cartmel Master Plan screen time: the Seventh Doctor’s ruthless streak. “Yes, Part Three of Survival.
in retrospect? “If you’re asking me if the Master Plan ruthless is a good word. And manipulative. He has to Below: The Doctor is
existed when I was script editor,” replies Andrew, now be. And Sylvester [McCoy] totally got behind it. He transported to the planet
61 (he doesn’t look it), “I’d say yes… and no. completely brought it to life. As soon as he got a whiff of the Cheetah People
in Survival.
“I had a very definite and particular determination of that darker, more ruthless approach, he liked it.”
to make the Doctor more powerful, more active, Doesn’t the Doctor’s manipulation of Ace
darker and more mysterious,” he explains between border on emotional abuse?
mouthfuls of red velvet cake, as we chat in “That makes the Doctor a more
a café off Portobello Road. “I wanted him interesting character,” argues 1
to have agency – be the doer, not the
done-to; be the mover, not the moved. And
I wanted to restore the enigma inherent
in the title of the show. All of those things
were very conscious, and that collection
of approaches came to be known as The
Cartmel Master Plan. So that totally existed.
“But it was never called that at the time.
There was never a folder called The Cartmel
Master Plan, with a list of things to do in it. It
was a general tendency and a sort of… definite
intent. It was an informal but specific approach. The
right approach. I saw what needed doing, I discussed it
with the writers, and it worked. I’m very proud of The
Cartmel Master Plan.”
It was some time later that Andrew first heard the
term – “at a convention, I think, in the late 90s or early
2000s. I was on a panel with the divine Paul Cornell
[writer of several of Virgin Books’ New Adventures in
the 1990s, and subsequently episodes of the TV series].
He said, ‘Andrew, have you heard of The Cartmel Master
Plan?’ ‘The what?’ The fans must have come up with the
name. It was yonks later that I thought, ‘Oh, it’s kind of
a play on The Daleks’ Master Plan. OK, clever.’”
T
Master Plan would be a string of revelations
about the Doctor’s past – his real beginnings,
way back, pre-First Doctor, all entwined with
early Time Lord history. Except, on screen this only
amounted to a handful of hints during the last two of
I
n DWM 543, Andrew capacity for alcohol. Also, to point out, everybody
discussed John Nathan- he was a smoker. I hated at the BBC was drinking
Turner the producer. But cigarette-smoking. In those and smoking.” Not
what was John the man like? days, there was actually Andrew, though? “No,
“Very good and very bad,” a sign up in the production John and I lived very
considers Andrew. “More gallery that said, ‘In different lives. I didn’t
good than bad.” the interest of health smoke. I wasn’t a drinker.
He adds: “John was a and safety, please keep I wasn’t gay. I was in
party animal. He had a huge smoking to a minimum.’ a steady relationship,
Sometimes whereas John was very
John would promiscuous. Although
try to be we were aware of those
nice and aspects of each other, it
sit in the wasn’t really relevant,
opposite because we didn’t hang
corner of out socially. I’d do my
the gallery job and go home. If you
to smoke. do your job and don’t
As if the go home, if you hang
smoke out with the boss, that’s
wouldn’t potentially a disaster.”
only works in the extended edit; the broadcast version in the Galaxy [the Season 25 finale] – minimum make-up, Above left: Nicholas
was too drastically shortened.” just contact lenses, fangs and claws. Instead we got The Courtney (who played
So did Andrew often feel let down by Doctor Who’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Less is more if you can’t do ‘more’ the Brigadier) and John
Nathan-Turner.
budgetary and time constraints? “We were aware of that properly, and we couldn’t. It was a tragic flaw, though Photo courtesy of
problem. We were aware of that danger. You can put as not a fatal flaw, in that wonderful story; otherwise a Stephen Cranford.
much detail as you like in the scene directions, but it often masterpiece from beginning to end. So if people could Above: Unlike Andrew,
just won’t make it to screen. We thought we’d found a watch my era in that light, that’s all I ask.” JNT was a smoker.
way around it. On [the Season 26 opener] Battlefield, Ben For several years, however, Survival had the dubious Photo courtesy of
said, ‘But if we put it in the dialogue, they have to pay honour of being Doctor Who’s last-ever broadcast Stephen Cranford.
attention to it.’ He had this scene where they were inside TV serial. In DWM 513, Rona Munro confessed that Below: The Cheetah
an alien spaceship and Ace says, ‘It’s like being in some she “minded enormously at the time… It felt like this People prepare to go
huge animal.’ But then what we actually got was a spiral enormous grief. It was like a death… It just is a memory hunting in Survival.
staircase with some Christmas tree lights on it. At that that’s quite painful to revisit.”
point, you just give up.” “Of course it is,” says Andrew, in a low and sincere tone.
Apart from some scenes on the Cheetah People’s planet, “The BBC’s stupidity beggared belief. Rona wrote one
Season 26 is set entirely on Earth. “I was always pushing of the greatest Doctor Who stories ever. How could you
for that, because we could do those stories better. John watch that and say, ‘We’re not going to do this any more’?
always wanted to do monsters and alien worlds, because They got rid of us just when it was really getting good
he thought that’s what Doctor Who was. But it was what again. Which angers me beyond the
Doctor Who did least well, especially at that time. ability of language to express.”
I never wanted the Cheetah People to be in costumes. When did Andrew realise that
I wanted them to be like Mags in The Greatest Show Doctor Who might not be returning 1
S
eason 26 is, in many ‘undercurrents’. And Rona gay or bi characters – which
ways, powered by Ace’s writing in Survival about is sad, but there we are. So
coming-of-age story. the deep, underlying we had to sneak it
She addresses her childhood feelings. And the in. I’m immensely
traumas. She works through bi or lesbian proud we did.
her angst. And she explores references, like “It was
her sexual identity, notably Ace’s close only relatively
in The Curse of Fenric and bond with recently
Survival. Karra.” that people
“What a double punch,” See also: her pointed
Andrew says of those two chemistry with out to me
serials. “They’re fantastic Gwendoline in how influential
stories and, yes, consumed Ghost Light and my era, especially
with sexuality. All that with Shou Yiong in Season 26, was on
Freudian stuff Ian Briggs Battlefield. “It’s all terrific the revived show and
how Ace set the template
for so many companions
that followed. Characters
like Bill Potts wouldn’t
have existed without
Ace. So I’m very
pleased that my
writers and I set the
template, prepared
that groundwork.”
hat’s next for Andrew? He’s devoting his script editor, you’d to witness the chains
of Fenric shatter in Part
W commission yourself.”
energies to three projects. Firstly, his series Three of The Curse of
of crime novels, The Vinyl Detective. “I really Fenric.
am proud of them. They’re finding a growing Below left: Sylvester
readership with each book.” The fifth, Low Action, was and financially – that was a big mistake,” he acknowledges. with a canine chum, on
location for Survival.
finished in October and is out in May. Also, he’s written “It was the unwritten rule: if you were a script editor,
a stage play, Partner in the Firm, which will debut next you’d commission yourself immediately. You weren’t Below right: Flip Back
(2019) and Low Action
summer. “I’m fantastically excited,” he says. supposed to, but everybody did. Except me. It wasn’t a (to be published in
“Fingers crossed DWM readers will come and lack of confidence; more a genuine desire, having got 2020), two crime novels
see it.” It’s on at London’s Tristan Bates through the door myself, to give a whole bunch of in Andrew’s range The
Theatre from 24 May to 21 June 2020. other writers a chance. At the time, it felt like the Vinyl Detective.
He’s written a children’s book too. right thing to do. For some years afterwards I
“It’s a rhyming book, like a Dr Seuss regretted it. But I regretted it because I was
book. It’s called Kitten on the Loose. broke. Now I’m quite happy that
‘There’s a kitten on the loose. It’s not I gave all those other writers a chance.
a mouse, it’s not a moose.’ If it finds “Also, I didn’t expect the show to go away as
the right publisher, I think it could be quickly as it did. I sort of intended to write for it,
very popular,” he says, then adds: “So in but then never got around to it, and before I knew
an ideal world, I’d write a Vinyl Detective it the show had been cancelled. So I’d love to have
novel a year, a stage play a year, and a a crack at it today, writing for Jodie’s Doctor. I should
kids’ book a year.” add, ‘And I’ve got a story idea!’ At the same time, I know
And how about that Ben Aaronovitch has a story idea that’s really
an episode of TV dynamite. And they should hire Marc Platt to do
Doctor Who? He some, because he was wonderful.” He pauses,
never wrote a then smiles. “See, I’m doing it again. This is
whole one back always my problem. I’m putting my other
in the day. “In writers first. So let’s say yes, before anybody
career terms – else. Ben, Marc, Ian, Rona… but chiefly they
should hire me.” DWM
DWM
INTERVIEW
F
Above: Ian Collins riday 5 October 2018. It’s two days before Jodie but because I wanted to see how television worked. The
in his current role as Whittaker makes her on-screen debut as the first thing I did was The Bill. Then one day the agency
a presenter, in the Thirteenth Doctor and at BBC Radio Kent a rang and said, ‘We’ve got this job: it’s to be a monster in
Talkradio studio.
new breakfast-show presenter is about to be Doctor Who. Do you want to do it?’ In about a tenth of a
Below: Captain Sorin revealed. “It’s like a Doctor Who [regeneration] second, I went, ‘Yes of course I do.’ I spent the next few days
(Tomek Bork) uses his
faith to escape the
– a reinvigorated moment,” says Ian Collins, as thinking, ‘What’s the monster? Am I going to be a Dalek? Or
Haemovores in The he introduces himself to listeners. a Cyberman? Or something new?’ I had no idea. All I knew
Curse of Fenric (1989). “You have a rather bizarre Doctor Who claim to fame, was I had to go to Hawkhurst Church for three days’ filming.”
The Haemovore played don’t you, Ian?” asks his co-host, Anna. Arriving on location in Kent, Ian discovered he was to be
by Ian is on the left “Yes,” he replies. “I was a monster in Doctor Who.” a Haemovore. He recalls getting into character in the
of the photo, wearing
In a past life, Ian played a Haemovore in 1989’s The make-up trailer. “Because of the eye holes in the masks, our
a frilly collar.
Curse of Fenric. Ahead of the Blu-ray release of The eyes had to be made-up in Haemovore blue. Nowadays you’d
Collection – Season 26, he’s invited DWM to Radio Kent probably have a more considered fitting for a mask but we
to recall the making of the serial. just turned up and put them on.”
“I was 16 and I’d signed up with an extras agency,” he Was it difficult to breathe behind the mask? “No, it
says, “not because I had big ambitions to become an actor was fine. I remember Nicholas Parsons, who played
O
nce the Haemovores were made up, says Left: The Haemovores,
Ian, “Like all extra jobs, there was a lot of led by Phyllis (Joanne
hanging around. There’s a scene where Bell) and Jean (Joann
a Haemovore chases Sophie Aldred [Ace] up a Kenny) go on the attack.
ladder. I think they used a stunt man for that. Ian’s Haemovore is in the
centre of the frame.
The rest of us had to sit on the church roof for
about two hours, just waiting in case they needed Below: The Rev Mr
Wainwright (Nicholas
a couple of extra Haemovores.” Parsons) attempts to
Ian may not have chased Sophie Aldred up prevent the vampiric
a ladder but he had a more than adequate monsters from entering
consolation prize. “The coolest thing I did,” his church.
he confides, “was definitely chasing Nicholas
Parsons around a graveyard. Also, the bit where he’s
battling to shut the door of the church, have you noticed
the candlestick moment? He’s using it to bash the
Haemovores away but, because it’s a prop, it’s made of
rubber. If you watch it back, you’ll see the candlestick
actually bends at one point!”
One of Ian’s highlights was meeting Sophie Aldred
and Sylvester McCoy. “They were both wonderful in
between takes. One lunch break I remember shouting out
to Sylvester, ‘Can I do a quick picture?’ He said, ‘Yes, of
DWM
INTERVIEW
Ian Collins
W
hen writer-director Pete McTighe got in touch I sit underneath it…’ So when you see the Blu-ray, assuming
with Ian about doing an interview for the upcoming they use it, there’ll be a shot of the mask rotating which
Season 26 Blu-ray, he was sceptical at first. will look like it’s on an automatic plinth, but it’s actually
“I actually thought it was a joke and I didn’t reply for Pete McTighe under the table moving it with his hands.”
about three weeks. Eventually I emailed, saying, ‘Sorry Ian laughs. “I was like, ‘You’re the director, mate,
if I’m coming back to you too late on this.’ He replied, you shouldn’t be doing this.’ But he was so enthusiastic
‘We’re filming on Sunday. If you can make it, that’d about the whole thing and really wanted to get it right.
be great.’ Apparently, The Curse of Fenric is his favourite story. Pete
“The guy who designed the Haemovore masks [Stephen said when he returned from Australia the first place he
Mansfield] was at the interview too. I thought the masks headed was Hawkhurst, because he wanted to go to the
church and see where it was filmed. He’s such a big fan
and such a nice bloke.”
CHEQUE IT OUT Ian suggests that “Most people alive probably have
a memory of Doctor Who. The fact that I was in it always
creates a conversation. I’ve spoken to really quite well-
“T
en years ago sat down and had a drink. known actors who have said they would do a day in a mask
I met Sylvester He spoke to me like I was for Doctor Who. David Walliams was one of them. Of
McCoy again at part of the family. course, he’s done it now. [Walliams played Gibbis in 2011’s
Soho House in London,” “I remember I said The God Complex.] Who doesn’t want to be a monster in
says Ian. “Me and my to Sylvester, ‘The funny Doctor Who? I was only an extra for a very short period
mate were at the bar thing is, I still get cheques of time but my Doctor Who experience was amazing.”
and he said, ‘There’s for being in The Curse He smiles. “The fact that you can’t actually see my face
Doctor Who over of Fenric for DVD sales is completely irrelevant.” DWM
there! You should around the world. You
introduce yourself.’ obviously get them as
I thought, ‘As if I’m well but for a lot more.’
going to do that.’ He said, ‘I should jolly
“My mate is well hope so… I was the
quite an extrovert, Doctor.’ He said it in
so he went up to such a nice way and he
Sylvester and said, wasn’t bragging at all.
‘Ian was one of He was just proudly like,
your monsters.’ ‘I was the Doctor.’”
Sylvester said, Does Ian still get those
‘Which one were cheques now? “They
you, dear boy?’ stopped coming recently.
I told him I was They were only for really
a Haemovore and small amounts but it was
he said, ‘Come always quite nice when
and join us!’ So we one came through.”
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O
morning, a little boy second episode (broadcast 6 May 2013), it
discovers that the was revealed that Freddie has been invited
snowman he made in his to a “fan club screening” of his Doctor Who
garden has come to life… episode: “Apparently, I’ve been voted the
The Snowmen begins, tenth most popular villain of all time… Does
then, exactly like The Snowman (1982) something like that even mean anything?”
– the animated TV film that gave us the The Snowmen was extensively
song Walking in the Air. Really, though, restructured in post-production.
The Snowmen began with the late Douglas As scripted, this ‘young Walter’
Adams, who, circa 1979, briefly served as scene came later, following on
script editor of Doctor Who. Interviewed from the opening titles, and
for the academic study Doctor Who: The the pre-credits sequence,
Unfolding Text (1983), Adams recalled set in 1892, was focused
how he’d once imagined a story in which around another boy entirely:
the Doctor decided that he was sick and a boy dropped from the
tired of travelling the universe, fighting finished programme. As
evil: “And I wanted him actually to try written and recorded,
and escape out of it, and refuse to have the episode opened with
anything to do with whatever problem the a little boy (played by
universe may throw at him. But gradually Max Furst) looking out
having to return to that because of of a bedroom window
something that happened.” The Snowmen into a small back
was that idea, writer Steven Moffat garden, and frowning
admitted in the Radio Times: “I remember at the sight of the “big
reading about it and thinking it sounded round jolly snowman”
so great that, if I ever had the chance, standing there. The
that would be one hell of a story to tell…” snowman had no
Here, the ‘something that happens’ features: “no coals
to rouse the Doctor from the existential for eyes, or carrot
funk caused by the loss of his companions nose… and somehow
Amy and Rory Pond is Clara Oswald. its blankness is
At the time of recording, new companion almost sinister.”
actress Jenna-Louise Coleman had The boy asked his
not only recorded her appearance as mother (Devon Black)
‘alternative Clara’ Oswin Oswald in if snowmen came back –
2012-13 series opener Asylum of the because outside, he insisted,
Daleks, but a further two episodes as the Above: The was the same snowman they’d
‘regular’ 21st-century version of Clara: sinister Dr Walter made the year before…
Simeon (Richard
Hide, then Cold War – which aired as
E Grant) in The
the fourth and third episodes of 2013. Snowmen (2012).
Meaning we all expected the Victorian
Right: A mother
Clara to turn out to be the regular Clara. (Devon Black) and
But she wasn’t, as became apparent in her little boy (Max
The Snowmen’s cruel twist; when she Furst) look out
failed, in fact, to go walking in the air… from his bedroom
Which deserves to be remembered window in a scene
cut from the
as one of the nastiest surprises in
finished episode.
Doctor Who’s history.
W in the guise
of Victorian
governess ‘Beryl
Montague’, puts her charges
Poppins consultant Miranda
Barnes (15) notes that, whereas
Poppins is first seen to live on
a cloud in the sky, and uses an
producing
a full-sized
hat-stand from
its interior…
changed her name, probably faked some
references and pretended to be a qualified
governess – which led her to ask, sharply:
“Are you a qualified doctor?”
Frannie and Digby to bed (at umbrella to descend to the London The exchange in which Clara asks
31m 50s), she promises them house where her two young how they got up “so high so quick”, and
that a man who “lives on charges Jane and Michael the Doctor told her how the staircase
a cloud in the sky” is live, ‘Miss Montague’ was “taller on the inside”, didn’t
coming to help – which will eventually (at feature in the shooting script and
the children take to 39m 39s) use an appears to have been dubbed in
be another of her umbrella to help her post-, to cover the discontinuity
“definitely true” stories, ascend from her two left by the loss of the lines above.
like having being born young charges’ London
behind the clock face of Big house to the cloud in the 40m 57s The Doctor leads
Ben, and inventing fish. sky where her friend the Clara inside the TARDIS – the
Clara isn’t a magical Doctor lives. camera following the pair
nanny, like Mary Stranger still to Top: The malevolent through the doors into its new,
Poppins – as most observe that, whereas ice governess. impossibly dimensioned control
famously incarnated by the bow-tie-wearing Inset left: Mary Poppins room interior in a single unbroken
Julie Andrews in the Walt Doctor has a police box (Julie Andrews) and Clara shot, for the first time in the
Disney film of 1964 – but that’s bigger on the inside with their umbrellas. series proper (although a similar
is there an interesting comparison than the out, the bow-tie-wearing Above: Clara in her role shot had featured in the 1993
to be made here, nonetheless? Poppins carries around a carpet as a governess. anniversary documentary
30 Years in the TARDIS).
Out now
I
didn’t have a very had barely begun opening their Advent Daughter of the Gods, which, considering
happy Christmas. calendars. While the Doctor, Steven and the timing of its release, is almost like
Just four episodes into Sara got to enjoy a notorious Christmas the Christmas present she never got.
The Daleks’ Master Plan Day comedy runaround three weeks later, Conceived for Big Finish’s own 20th
(1965-66), the historically and viewers were gleefully unwrapping anniversary celebrations, this new audio
displaced TARDIS traveller was sucked their Anti-Dalek Fluid Neutralisers, she drama imagines what an anniversary
out of an airlock, saving the others from was presumably still floating through the story – in the style of The Three Doctors
vacuum of space. As if to emphasise (1972-73) and The Five Doctors (1983) –
how keen everyone was might have been
Reviewed this issue to move on, writer like in 1968. It finds
Terry Nation simply the First Doctor,
o Daughter of the Gods marked her exit in the Katarina and Steven
Featuring the First Doctor, the Second Doctor, script with “SPEECH crossing paths with
Steven, Katarina, Jamie and Zoe HERE TO COVER the Second Doctor,
RRP £14.99 (CD), £10.99 (download) THE CHARACTER Jamie and Zoe at
o Blood on Santa’s Claw OF THE GIRL”. an early stage of The
and Other Stories There was more Daleks’ Master Plan.
Featuring the Sixth Doctor, Peri and Joe indignity to come With Peter Purves
RRP £14.99 (CD), £12.99 (download) when all five episodes (Steven) and Frazer
featuring Katarina were Hines (Jamie)
Available from bigfinish.com wiped, meaning that for standing in for their
many years there was respective Doctors,
W to open an audio
collection called The
Sinister Sponge and Other
in residence. Culshaw’s reading
boasts his trademark urgency
and also a pleasingly tetchy
his Fourth Doctor
in The Sinister
Sponge, while
appearance
and beauty,
given flair
Stories on Christmas morning? Doctor. Culshaw returns for Louise Jameson by Bryant’s
This latest BBC Audio rattlebag the excellent Third Doctor narrates the bombastic and
curated from the pages of the adventure The House That affectionate
World Distributors’ Doctor Who Jack Built – notable for being rendering of the
Annuals is a treat, with seven written by Keith Miller of the Sixth Doctor.
stories from five narrators. then Doctor Who Fan Club It’s well worth
The standout is the curtain- – and the Fifth Doctor/UNIT putting The Sinister
raising Terror on Tiro, read team-up The Nemertines. Sponge and Other
by Jon Culshaw. This has The latter is the weakest Stories high on your
the epic spin of the earliest of the seven, but the reading list for Santa.
annuals, which saw the First lifts things and we get to hear MARK WRIGHT
Dalek Saucer
12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver
Etch Cube
Light & Sound Effects
Paperweight Pewter Belt Buckle
4 Evolution of £14.99 + £4 p&p
TARDIS Purse £9.99 + £4 p&p £24.99 + £4 p&p
the Cybermen Coasters £15.99 + £4 p&p
£19.99 + £4 p&p
BBC Licensed
Prop Replica
4 Gallifreyan
Symbol Coasters
Boxed
£49.99 + £4 p&p
TARDIS Soap
Tea for One Set
Dispenser Caves of
Desk Tidy Teapot and Mug
with soap
(no stationery £14.99 + £4.50 p&p Androzani Set
£4.99 + 5" Sharaz Jek & Peri
included)
£4 p&p Action Figures
£19.99 + £4 p&p
TARDIS Wallet Cosmetic Bag £26.99 + £4 p&p
£12.99 + £4.99 + £2 p&p
£4 p&p
Christmas Coin
Metal Keyrings SFX Card Espresso Set Cyberman Cufflinks.
Purse
Dalek or TARDIS £4.99 + 4 Cups & Saucers Pewter
£8.99 +
£5.99 + £1.25 p&p each 75p p&p £9.99 + £5 p&p £17.99 + £4 p&p
£4 p&p
Prices correct at time of going to press. Postage is for the UK only. Send SAE for catalogue.
Reviews
tells Yaz about the time Harry Houdini. This gives the
Left: Escapologist
and illusionist Harry
Houdini in 1918.
Above inset: Aviator
Amelia Earhart and
scientific genius
Albert Einstein.
Right: The Doctor
(Jodie Whittaker)
gives Yaz
(Mandip Gill)
a reassuring hug.
WIN ! The competitions are free to enter. Just visit the DWM website
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he latest Doctor Who Blu-ray
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36 37
S Seeds of Arodor is
a new independent
production featuring
Sil, played by Nabil Shaban,
I release from BBC
Audio, Bonnie
Langford reads
Ian Briggs’ novelisation
who first appeared in the 1985 of his 1987 serial Dragonfire,
story Vengeance on Varos. a story featuring the Seventh
Awaiting a deportation Doctor, Mel and Ace.
hearing while confined in When the Doctor and Mel
a cold detention cell on the arrive at the space trading
Moon, Sil faces the death colony Iceworld, there is
sentence if he’s found guilty mischief afoot. They soon
of drug offences on Earth. discover that the culprit
To add to Sil’s distress, his is their old acquaintance
employers at the Universal Sabalom Glitz.
Monetary Fund aren’t very The Doctor decides to join
pleased with him. the charismatic rogue in the
As time runs out and friends desert him, Sil must use all ice passages and together
of his devious, underhanded and ruthless business acumen they search for the so-called
to survive. How can he possibly slime his way out of this one? ‘Dragon’s treasure’. But the
Sil and the Devil Seeds of Arodor is available now from Doctor doesn’t know the true
Reeltime Pictures, priced £15 on Blu-ray, £10 on DVD, £6 value of this mythical hoard. Only Kane, the most
to download and £3 to stream. We’ve got FIVE copies of the feared man in Iceworld, knows the secret of the Dragonfire...
Blu-ray to give away to lucky readers. For a chance to win one, Dragonfire is available now, priced £20 on CD. Thanks to
answer this question correctly: BBC Audio we’ve got FIVE copies to give away. Plus, for
ONE winner – an exclusive print of updated artwork by
What peculiar food does Sil enjoy eating? Alister Pearson, signed by Sophie Aldred, who played Ace.
To be in with a chance of winning one of these prizes, correctly
A Marsh minnows B Swamp sprats C Bog breams
answer the following question:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS The competitions open on Thursday 12 December 2019 and close at 23.59 on Wednesday 8 January 2020.
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B
by taking us back to E-Space, we generally do both types of stories, because
Written by Jonathan Morris, the pocket universe featured in variety is always the spice of life. But for Series 9,
Marc Platt three stories of Doctor Who’s I was keen to stick with the four-parters,
STARRING 18th season (1980-81). And which would be very true to Season 18,
The Doctor Tom Baker for the first time since The and it would mean that the E-Space trilogy
Romana Lalla Ward Fourth Doctor Adventures began, each serial was now expanded to seven very rich
Adric Matthew Waterhouse comprises four episodes – the norm for the TV four-part adventures.”
K9 John Leeson series at the time. Volume 1 collects the first two new stories,
Colonel Aesillor Zyre Nimmy March “Nicholas Briggs [the executive producer] beginning with Marc Platt’s Purgatory 12.
Crimsson George Watkins and I agree on many things, but we look at “Purgatory 12 is an isolated asteroid in
Scraya/Pips Amy Downham story lengths differently,” says producer David E-Space,” Marc explains. “It’s a sort of cross
Mang/Wunshooz/Darklish Liam Fox
Richardson. “Nick is a big fan of two-parters – between a Russian gulag and the historical
Moni Lucy Heath
Bolan Christopher Naylor
he finds them compact and more exciting. I like Botany Bay in Australia, a penal colony full of
Laker Tania Rodrigues the four-parters – I find them more expansive, convicts transported from Britain from the 18th
there’s more to devote to the guest characters, century onward. So the inhabitants are
Top: Matthew
Waterhouse, John
Leeson and Lalla
Ward return as Adric,
K9 and Romana.
Above inset: George
Watkins plays
Crimsson.
Left: Tom Baker and
Matthew turn the
clock back 40 years.
A
their reunion in The Sarah Bidwell for “Jo doing
Jane Adventures, Jo Jones Groundhog Day” and “the
(née Grant) is back with Eleventh Doctor waiting in
the Eleventh Doctor – her arrivals holding a sign with
old friend with a new face. Jo’s name”, leaving her to
“Jo has been fighting the good fight for come up with the details.
the environment and is off to Mexico to “She plays around with tenses
help raise awareness in certain
about problems like sections to help reinforce on from her time with the Third Doctor,
deforestation,” explains the in-universe sense but literally has a problem with moving
RRP £2.99 (download)
Alfie Shaw, producer of disorientation,” says forward. The Doctor is emotionally clinging
RELEASED January
of The Infinite Today. Alfie, “which was a really onto his friend, as well as trying to save
“But she can never fabulous touch that I her. The Eleventh Doctor has Rory and Amy
Written by Sharon Bidwell
reach Mexico. She didn’t see coming at all. taken from him, and we see the lengths the
keeps landing in Featuring Eleventh Doctor “I think the emotional Twelfth Doctor goes to protect Clara and try
Gatwick, on the same and Jo Jones core of the whole story is to help Bill, so it felt a very appropriate ‘new
flight, with the same Performed by Katy Manning how we try and move on,” Who’ theme to explore, but with one of the
cabin crew.” he adds. “Jo has moved Doctor’s old friends.”
The Diary of River Song carnival in there as well,” says Matt. “It’s the
Weeping Angels establishing their foothold
in New York, as we see on TV when the
T
wife is back. These new a medieval mystery in an abbey, and Liz says Matt. “And what was nice in those
adventures explore River gave it this brilliant female slant by having earlier series were the little side-steps where
Song’s occasional role as an an abbess and novices who are hiding we saw what River was doing away from
investigator – sometimes in something within the cloisters.” the Doctor. So we’re starting to explore
the Melody Malone persona James Kettle’s Barrister to the Stars the whole universe of River’s life, because
seen on screen – by drawing on different is a courtroom drama. “It feels very like there’s so much more we can do with that
kinds of detective fiction. as well.”
The first is Colony of Strangers, STARRING Right: The cast of The
written by James Goss. “All the River Song Alex Kingston Diary of River Song:
Series Seven includes
tropes of the Scandi drama that Karl Charles Armstrong
Glen McCready, Alex
everyone fell in love with on Gudrun/Espen Wanda Opalinska
Kingston, Charles
BBC Four are there,” says script Robosurgeon/Tors Glen McCready Armstrong and
editor Matt Fitton. “A moody Sister Patrick Aurora Burghart Wanda Opalinska.
policeman, taciturn characters, Sister Ursula Jaye Griffiths
a mayor who may or may not Sister Magdalene Janet Henfrey
Thomas/System Paul Heath
be corrupt, grumpy farmers and
Hodgkiss David Rintoul
desolate beaches… You can
Integer(s)/Queen Anabelle Dowler
imagine River in a big woolly Judge/Computer Annette Badland
jumper solving the mystery! Duke of Ferrox Clive Hayward
“What Liz has done feels quite Stark/Prosecutor Robert Whitelock
Cadfael or Name of the Rose- Like Sullieman Timothy Blore
like,” he continues, turning to
T
between
“ the Seventh
Doctor and
Ace is a
JANUARY RELEASES
s Dark Universe
[Seventh Doctor] by
Guy Adams
complicated Big Finish £14.99 (CD),
thing,” says Guy Adams, £12.99 (download)
who reunites the duo in his
script for Dark Universe. “Our s The Diary of River
hero, who we all love dearly, Song: Series Seven by
does spend a significant Roy Gill, James Goss,
chunk of his time with Ace James Kettle,
being terribly manipulative. Below: Dark Lizbeth Myles
Universe stars Big Finish £24.99 (CD),
For all his protestations that
Mark Bonnar, £19.99 (download)
he’s trying to make her into Sylvester McCoy
a better person, it’s not and Sophie Aldred s The Fourth Doctor
necessarily his place to decide as the Eleven, the Adventures: Series 9 –
that. I think if you were telling Doctor and Ace. Volume 1 by Jonathan
those stories now, you’d have Morris, Marc Platt
to address that a little bit. determined to make sure that Big Finish £24.99 (CD),
“And it would be possible this happens.” £19.99 (download)
for Ace, as a grown woman, RRP £14.99 (CD), £12.99 Guy was initially asked to
to look back on that time as (download) RELEASED January tell the story of the Seventh
s Torchwood:
Fortitude by James Goss
a time when she travelled Doctor capturing the Eleven Big Finish £9.99 (CD),
with someone who was Written by Guy Adams and delivering him to Gallifrey £7.99 (download)
not necessarily kind,” he – an event established in the
STARRING
continues. “We never really Eighth Doctor’s Doom Coalition s Torchwood: The Sins
The Doctor Sylvester McCoy
think about that possible Ace Sophie Aldred storyline (2015-17), where the of Captain Jack
relationship between a The Eleven Mark Bonnar Eleven became a major villain. by David Llewellyn
Doctor and a companion. We Ollistra Carolyn Pickles “My immediate response Big Finish £27.99 (CD),
expect them to look back and Gabriel Owen Aaronovitch was: OK, but we know what £24.99 (download)
think, ‘Ah, that wonderful Rasmus Damian Lynch happens there, so why is this
Tribe Leader Glen McCready s The Infinite Today
time when I travelled with story going to be important?” [Eleventh Doctor] by
the Doctor and nearly died Dark Citizen Lin Sagovsky Guy recalls. “So I wanted to Sharon Bidwell
on a daily basis!’ But I think come up with a story that was Big Finish £2.99
it’s interesting for Ace to look back on it and so vitally important in its own right that the fact (download)
go, ‘That person I travelled with… Were they that it was plugging this piece of continuity was
entirely as good as I felt they were at the time? the least of it all. It had to earn its place, so it’s Thursday 2 January
Did they have my best interests at heart?’ a story with huge stakes in which very huge, s Revelation of the
I think it’s worth asking those questions, even if very permanent changes are wrought on the Daleks (written by Eric
we only ever answer them in ways that reassure universe, the Doctor and Ace. Saward; narrated
by Terry Molloy)
us that our hero is as heroic as we think.” “I was determined that the scope of it would
BBC Audio
be almost absurdly ambitious,” he continues. £22.50 (CD)
hen Dark Universe begins, Ace is on a “I actually thought in terms of comics. Every so
W mission with the Time Lord psychopath
known as the Eleven, using her clout as
often, the comics companies do huge crossovers
designed to sell millions of issues because the
s Ninth Doctor
Novels: Volume Two
founder of A Charitable Earth to get him across stakes are higher than ever before – that sort (written by Steve
borders. Many years have passed since she last of hugely operatic, OTT storytelling. I wondered Lyons, Justin Richards,
saw the Doctor, and her feelings towards him if I could take something that is absurdly big – Gareth Roberts;
narrated by Camille
have evolved. proper end-of-season storytelling – and apply it
Coduri, Anthony
“The Eleven is trying to find what to something that might at first glance be: ‘Well, Head, Stuart Milligan)
is potentially the most dangerous why did you need to tell that story?’ BBC Audio £16
artefact in the universe,” says “So it was just mad ambition on my part,” he (download)
Guy. “It’s something that opens a concludes, with a smile. DWM
doorway to another universe – a
universe where one species has BLU-RAY
dominated entirely and
Monday 20
wiped out all other life.
January
The last thing you’d Doctor Who: The Collection
ever want to do is – Season 26
open that gate and BBC Studios £56.16
meet those people,
but the Eleven MAGAZINES
is… mentally
interesting, and he Thursday 2 January
doesn’t necessarily s DWM Yearbook 2020
recognise the folly Panini £6.99
of doing that.
Thursday 9 January
And surprisingly,
s DWM 547 Panini £5.99
he seems to have
assistance from s DWM 547: Deluxe Edition
Ace, who seems quite Panini £9.99 (available at WH Smith)
F
admitted to living his
days like crazy paving,
it’s perhaps appropriate
that the Seventh Doctor
should make his Blu-ray
debut with his last hurrah.
“There’s no scientific method, as such,
for how we select which seasons to
release,” explains Russell Minton, executive
producer of the Doctor Who Blu-ray range.
“But we try to mix it up, to appeal to fans
of every era. We’ve got five or six years of
these sets to come, so we’re trying to get
The next Blu-ray box set includes the right mix – of Doctors, of companions,
of monsters – so you feel like you’re getting
restored and expanded episodes from something fresh every time.”
the end of the series’ original run. As such, it’s the well-loved TARDIS team
of Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred
whose final adventures have been freshly
Preview by PAUL KIRKLEY scrubbed for January’s lavish Doctor Who:
The Collection – Season 26 box of delights.
The twilight years of Doctor Who’s
original run are a particularly fertile
source for extended and alternative cuts,
as the scripts had a habit of drastically
overrunning. Hence the inclusion here
of no fewer than three versions apiece
of Battlefield and The Curse of Fenric –
the original, plus both the DVD and VHS
extended editions – all of which have been
remastered and spruced up for HD.
A ‘workprint’ version of the celebrated
Victorian chiller Ghost Light has also been
collated by Mark Ayres from surviving
VHS material, while the broadcast version
has been remastered for HD, with results,
according to Mark, that look “a lot less
smeary than it did on DVD.” Ghost Light
with less ghostly light, if you will.
Mark has also worked his usual magic on
all audio elements of the set – including,
for the first time in the range, revisiting his
own scores (for Ghost Light and Fenric).
“I’m far enough removed from them now
that, from a mastering point of view, I treat
them as any other,” he says. “Yes, it
brings back memories, and of
course there are things I’d
do differently now. But
in general I’m just very
relieved that they seem
to hold up pretty well
after 30 years!”
20 January 2020
£56.16 (Blu-ray)
STARRING
The Doctor Sylvester McCoy
Ace Sophie Aldred
CONTAINS
Battlefield
Written by Ben Aaronovich
Directed by Michael Kerrigan
Ghost Light
Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Alan Wareing
The Curse of Fenric
Written by Ian Briggs
Directed by Nicholas Mallett
Survival
Written by Rona Munro
Directed by Alan Wareing
to participate – it was a real joy to reunite felt in the film via extensive archive interviews
– and even first-person narration. “We’ve
him with Sylvester and Sophie.” PETE McTIGHE interviewed 17 people for the documentary,
but the 18th interviewee is John himself,”
says Chris. “We wanted to get as much as
we could of John in his own words. Thanks
new documentary telling the really do feel like a gang,” agrees Russell. to David Richardson and Nick Briggs at
A behind-the-scenes story of the
Gothic classic The Curse of Fenric
“There’s a real familiarity as soon as they
start talking.”
Big Finish, we were able to use the audio
recording of John’s memoirs, and there’s
proved to be a labour of love for range Chris has also directed what is arguably a really crucial, incredibly candid interview
content consultant Pete McTighe. “When the jewel in this set’s crown. Showman that Bill Baggs shot with John in Brighton in
the DVD was issued, all the funds went into is a moving, immersive 82-minute the early 1990s. So hopefully you’ll actually
the Special Edition, so the story never had documentary about the life of producer feel like you’re walking John’s life with him.”
a ‘making of’,” he explains. “That had to be John Nathan-Turner. The team behind the Blu-ray range
rectified – and it’s one of my very favourite “I think there’s something really powerful are thrilled with the response from fans.
stories, so I decided I’d like to direct it. about John, as a story of rise and fall,” “They’ve become a bit of a shared experience
We took Sylvester, Sophie and Tomek Bork says Chris. “He begins his life with all this – bringing people together as part of the
(Sorin) back to all the original locations potential and energy and charisma – same conversation,” notes Russell.
– the beach, the church and the he’s incredibly young when he “Particularly this year,” adds Chris,
army camp – and assembled becomes Doctor Who producer. “when there hasn’t been any new Doctor
studio interviews with other And then the second half Who on the telly, the box sets have become
key contributors. of his life ends very sadly. a really lovely, positive focus for fandom.
“Nicholas Parsons was It’s a real privilege to be It’s a great way of shining a light on these
thrilled to be asked to able to tell that story, of different eras of the show, and giving them
participate and travelled miles this almost Greek tragedy the love they deserve.” DWM
from his home to see the
church again – it was a real joy Opposite page top:
to reunite him with Sylvester and Sylvester McCoy and
Sophie. He’s 96 now, but as erudite Sophie Aldred go Behind
and charming as ever. The final result is the Sofa.
a very thorough, energetic and emotional Above: Sophie, Sylvester
look back at a beloved story.” and Nicholas Parsons
are reunited for the new
Sophie Aldred is also in the hot seat for
making-of documentary
this set’s conversation with interviewer Buried Treasure: 30 Years
Matthew Sweet, while regular feature The of Fenric. Photo © Pete McTighe.
Writers’ Room reunites script editor Andrew Above left: Producer John
Cartmel with Ben Aaronovitch (Battlefield), Nathan-Turner introduces
Marc Platt (Ghost Light), Ian Briggs (The the new Doctor to the press
Curse of Fenric) and Rona Munro (Survival). on 2 March 1987.
“Traditionally writers would have a Left: Ian Briggs, Ben
relationship with the script editor, but not Aaronovitch, Rona Munro,
Andrew Cartmel and Marc
with each other,” observes director Chris
Platt discuss their work
Chapman. “But under Andrew, those writers in The Writers’ Room.
spent a lot of time hanging out together – Photo © Chris Chapman
they had a writers’ room, essentially.” “They
New Special Features New Special Features ● That’s the Way to the Zoo
● Photo
● Buried Treasure: 30 Years of Fenric – of John Nathan-Turner
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The DWM
Christmas Quiz So make yourself comfortable, pull up a
mince pie, a glass of sherry and a Dalek
Sec voice-changer mask, and let’s see how
much you remember. Answers next issue –
no prizes, it’s just for fun!
SANTA TELL ME
Some easy ones to start
with. Simply find the
connection in each
of the following...
1) The Thirteenth
Doctor, the Tenth
Doctor, a Doctor
from The Curse
of Fatal Death,
a mother, Idris
and Epzo.
2) Azal, the Fifth Doctor,
Tegan, Turlough and
the Thijarians.
3) Campbell Singer,
Bernard Horsfall,
Ian Reddington,
Damon Jeffery and
Bradley Walsh.
4) Nurse Crane, Joan
Redfern, Midshipman
Frame, Maggie Cain
and the General.
5) The planet Krop Tor,
River Song, Clara
Oswald and the
Dalek in Resolution.
F
ans of every generation have 8) “And how’re you spelling that?”
their own cherished memories 9) “What’s that? Oh my God!”
be Christmas at DWM of Doctor Who at Christmas. 10) “No, I will not go!”
Settling down to watch The
Towers without the Feast of Steven on Christmas EVERY DAY’S LIKE CHRISTMAS
Day 1965 while perusing the first World Christmas is all around... and not just
annual brainteaser. Distributors annual. Watching an omnibus in stories broadcast at Christmas. From
repeat of one of the best adventures of the which non-festive Doctor Who stories
Are you sitting past year. Tearing open gift-wrapping to have the following quotes been lifted?
comfortably? Good. reveal Target novelisations, videos, New
Adventures and Big Finish audios. Then, for
11) “So, do you think you can top last
year’s Christmas Special?”
Then we’ll begin… the last 14 years, settling down to watch a 12) “You got stuffed and it wasn’t
brand-new Doctor Who Special. even Christmas.”
That’s what this year’s quiz is all about. 13) “I mean, that’s like meeting Charles
Compiled by JONATHAN MORRIS Celebrating all those Christmases. The Dickens and he’s surrounded by
Illustration by BEN MORRIS Christmas past and the Christmas presents. ghosts at Christmas.”
26 29
22 23
24 27 30
14) “We could just keep this as a funny known as K9 and Company: A Girl’s CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS
little film and play it every year at the Best Friend. TILL YOU GET HERE
Christmas party.” 36) The opening titles show us a typical And now, the Doctor Who Christmas
15) “He’d make a right Father Christmas, day in Sarah Jane Smith’s life. In what Specials themselves. We’re sure you’ve
wouldn’t he?” order does she do the following?: watched them all many times, even the
16) “If I were human, I’d say it was (a) Go for a drive. William Hartnell one that nobody has
Christmas.” (b) Go for a run. seen since 1965, so these questions
17) “Can you take a look at it now? (c) Enjoy a glass of white wine. should be no problem.
Double time Christmas bonus?” (d) Sit on a dry stone wall. 41) Which previous Doctor Who story
18) “You’d be wizard at writing Christmas 37) What terrifying incident befalls Sarah is named in the ‘silent
crackers, you two.” Jane in A Girl’s Best Friend movie’ captions of
19) “On Christmas Day I was taking photos that previously The Feast of Steven?
all over the place.” happened to her 42) In how many
20) “Next Christmas, take a vacation.” in Planet of the Doctor Who stories
Spiders? do we hear
I WANT AN ALIEN 38) Why does the Merry Xmas
FOR CHRISTMAS nature of that Everybody 1
So far there have been 14 Doctor Who terrifying by Slade?
Christmas Specials, plus two New Year’s incident
Day Specials. But they aren’t the only hold a grave
Doctor Who stories to be shown – or personal
repeated! – over the Yuletide holiday. significance
Here are the opening lines of five Doctor for her?
Who programmes broadcast in the week 39) Where had
before or after Christmas. Again, all you K9 previously
have to do is identify the stories… given a
31) “Hello, Bruce. What are you doing rendition of
here, huh?” We Wish
32) “It’s weird. I don’t understa – !” You a Merry
33) “As soon as the capsule is in position Christmas?
over the fissure, release it.” 40) When K9
34) “When are we going to get modern appeared in
equipment?” The Generation
35) “Om mani padme hum, om mani Game on
padme hum...” 12 December
1981, what
CHRISTMAS IS GOING was presenter
TO THE DOGS Larry Grayson’s
Who can forget that K9 also had his response to the
own Christmas Special back in 1981? prospect of
We refer, of course, to the gripping tale K9 having his
of market gardening and ritual sacrifice own show?
Series 12
The story behind
some of Doctor
Who’s most unusual
merchandise
OUT
NOW!
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