Matt Smith and Steven Moffat each settle in more comfortably in their second seasons on “Doctor Who,” the science fictional BBC production about a time-traveling benevolent alien. He traverses time and space in the TARDIS, a ship that’s bigger on the inside than the outside, and that looks from the outside like a 1950s police call box.

Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) are the Doctor’s main companions for this series. He also frequently crosses paths with River Song (Alex Kingston), who has a connection to all of the principals, and whose meetings with the Doctor occur in jumbled chronological order.

Moffat took over as executive producer from the much-acclaimed Russell T. Davies. His main push seems to have been giving the seasons more of an arc, which is in full effect this season. The Doctor, played by Smith, is faced with his upcoming death in the season’s first episode, and while the season has its detours, clues and movements key to the overall arc are seen throughout.

The Blu-ray contains the episodes “A Christmas Carol,” “The Impossible Astronaut,” “Day of the Moon,” “The Curse of the Black Spot,” “The Doctor’s Wife,” “The Rebel Flesh,” “The Almost People,” “A Good Man Goes to War,” “Let’s Kill Hitler,” “Night Terrors,” “The Girl Who Waited,” “The God Complex,” “Closing Time,” and “The Wedding of River Song.”

The sixth series Blu-ray set kicks off with the Christmas special, “Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol,” which features the Doctor time-traveling through various years with a young man in order to avoid a particularly Scrooge-like fate.

Neil Gaiman (“Coraline,” “The Sandman”) writes the episode “The Doctor’s Wife,” in which the Doctor follows a distress signal to a mysterious asteroid searching for another Time Lord. The asteroid’s secret will threaten the TARDIS, and reveal much about the Doctor and a longtime relationship.

By the time “The Wedding of River Song” concludes, the questions raised by “The Impossible Astronaut” have been answered, and the mystery of the creepy villains the Silence has been at least partially unveiled. Smith remains a quick and quippy Doctor when it’s called for, but he also manages to pull real emotional depth throughout, as well. Gillan and Williams are well-cast as the charming but frequently star-crossed lovers who have served as the Doctor’s most recent companions.

The Blu-ray contains lots of extras, including between-the-episodes “Night and the Doctor” scenes, Comic Relief 2011 mini-episodes, prequel trailers, audio commentaries and featurettes.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

River Song (Alex Kingston), Rory (Arthur Darvill), The Doctor (Matt Smith), and Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) in the "Doctor Who" series 6 premiere.

BBC America has announced that the premiere of series six of “Doctor Who” delivered the highest ever Live + Same Day ratings for BBC America.  Announced today, the figures indicate almost 1.8 million viewers tuned in for “The Impossible Astronaut.”

The anticipated episode “The Doctor’s Wife,” written by Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Sandman) airs this Saturday on BBC America.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the full news release.

New York – May 9, 2011- The all new season of sci-fi hit Doctor Who, which premiered on Saturday, April 23, delivered BBC AMERICA its highest-rated, most-watched telecast ever in Live + Same Day with almost 1.3 million viewers. Announced today, the Live + 7 Day figure elevates the total to 1.8* million viewers. This is up 20% from last season’s premiere in Live + 7 Day.

On the heels of the successful launch, NBC News’ Today co-anchor Meredith Vieira’s visit to the set of Doctor Who aired this morning on the program. Meredith spoke with stars Matt Smith and Alex Kingston and filmed a scene that will be featured later this season on Doctor Who. The full feature is available to watch at Today.com http://on.today.com/kLbk8R.

The new season continues this Saturday with one of the most anticipated stories of the year, “The Doctor’s Wife,” written by Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Sandman). Last month, Gaiman showed fans a first look during the Doctor Who panel at WonderCon in San Francisco. The Doctor follows a Time Lord distress signal to a mysterious asteroid in a Bubble Universe – could there really be another living Time Lord out there? But the asteroid hides a secret which could threaten the existence not only of the TARDIS crew, but of the TARDIS itself (Trailer). “The Doctor’s Wife” premieres Saturday, May 14, at 9/8c on BBC AMERICA.

STEVE ROGERS TO RETURN AS CAPTAIN AMERICA

Marvel has announced Steve Rogers’ return as Captain America in “Captain America” No. 1, the first issue of an all-new ongoing series premiering in July. The writer is Ed Brubaker, joined by artist Steve McNiven.

“Captain America and Bucky,” another series from Brubaker and Marvel, will pick up the “Captain America” numbering with No. 620.

FORMER ‘HEROES’ TO VOICE IRON MAN, WOLVERINE

Marvel’s Head of Television Jeph Loeb announced casting for two of the company’s much anticipated anime

The anime version of Wolverine

Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls, Rocky Balboa, Heroes), takes on the title role in WOLVERINE, as Logan claws his way through Japan’s criminal underworld.

“Adrian and Milo are perfect as Iron Man and Wolverine,” said Loeb. “It’s extremely exciting to see these talented guys take on two of the most iconic Super Hero roles of all time.”

DOCTOR WHO RETURNS TO AMERICA ON APRIL 23Doctor Who delivered record ratings in 2010 and now returns to BBC AMERICA on April 23 for the first block of the new 13 episode season, which opens in with a two-parter set in the U.S.

The premiere episode is written by Neil Gaiman (The Sandman). Doctor Who premieres Saturday, April 23, at 9/8c.

REVIEW FILE: Axe Cop #2, Nonplayer #1, Fear Itself #1, Superman/Batman Annual #5
Comics read in 2011: 532. Still to go: 1479.

The “Doctor Who” Christmas special starring Matt Smith as the Doctor comes to DVD. While it’s not exactly the time of year for a Christmas story, this is nonetheless a charming episode that mixes the Charles Dickens tale with the science-fiction zaniness of “Doctor Who.”

Matt Smith is the latest to play the Doctor, a time-traveling alien who is the last of his kind. He looks human, though he has a sonic screwdriver that can overcome nearly any technological impediment, and the TARDIS, a time-traveling ship that looks from the outside like a 1950s police call box. He often traverses time and space with companions to avoid being alone; as “Christmas Carol” begins, his latest companions have been married and are honeymooning aboard a space cruiser.

When their space cruiser runs into difficulties and may crash, the Doctor attempts to intervene. Michael Gambon plays Kazran Sardick, the “Scrooge” of this tale, an elderly man who controls the skies of his planet. With the Doctor’s companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and her husband, Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill), trapped in the spaceship above, the Doctor needs Kazran to allow the ship to safely land. But Sardick refuses.

Needing to save his friends and the 4,000 others in danger, the Doctor goes back in time to determine the cause of Kazran’s stubbornness. Christmases past, present and future play a part as the Doctor and Karzan alter history — but will it be enough to save the passengers?

The Doctor’s travels through time with Karzan range from the fun to the hilarious to the downright heartbreaking. Smith, who is as quick and as quippy as previous Doctor David Tennant, at 28 brings a youthful exuberance to the role. However, he’s also able to appear wise beyond his years when he needs to convey the full experience of the Doctor’s 900-plus years of life.

Ultimately, “Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol,” like Charles Dickens’ original, reminds us to be mindful of those around us and to fully embrace life.

Extras include a making-of documentary and a concert of the series’ music.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Read more: http://newsok.com/dvd-review-doctor-who-a-christmas-carol/article/3541367#ixzz1EO4LWuNG

BRING THE BACON

Kevin Bacon tells Philadelphia Style that he will play mutant villain Sebastian Shaw in “X-Men: First Class.”

TRON STOP-MOTION DEBUTS

For his latest stop-motion animation project, NewsOK videographer Kyle Roberts tackled “Tron: Legacy.” Shooting more than 800 photographs in the dark, co-host Kyle Roberts used light-painting to make his subjects — the light cycles from “Tron” — race.

CHRISTMAS COMICS

Comic art from “The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories.”

Craig Yoe, who previously edited and designed “The Golden Collection of Krazy Kool Klassic Kids’ Komics” has collated another collection that should delight young and old alike. “The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories,” includes John Stanley (“Little Lulu”), Walt Kelly (“Pogo”) and Richard Scarry (Little Golden Books).  Read more in this Friday’s Weekend Look.

DOCTOR WHO GIVEAWAY

Find out the winners of our Doctor Who DVD and Blu-ray giveaway!

DOCTOR WHO GIVEAWAY

As the 11th Doctor comes to DVD for the first time, we’re giving away a set of the fifth series!  Leave a comment on this post with your favorite Doctor to be entered for a chance to win.

The fifth series of “Doctor Who,” which stars Matt Smith as the eleventh Doctor, and Karen Gillan as his companion Amy Pond, is on sale now.    The DVD contains all 13 episodes of the fifth series, along with hours of extras.

WIZARD WORLD AUSTIN/THE CROW

Stephen Norrington (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is reportedly out as director of “The Crow” reboot. Mark Wahlberg is rumored for the lead. Creator James O’Barr hasn’t had much to do with the films after the original 1994 film starring Brandon Lee, but he is prepping a new, “Author’s Edition” of the graphic novel. He’ll be in Austin this weekend for the Wizard World Comics convention, along with Adam West, Burt Ward, Michael Golden and many more.

WALKING DEAD GETS SEASON TWO

The zombie horror survival series The Walking Dead, based on the comics by Robert Kirkman, is coming back for a second season.

“BATMAN LIVE” HEADING FOR EUROPE

It was announced today that the “Batman Live” world arena tour is kicking-off next summer.

It will tour the UK and Europe, beginning in summer 2011 and arriving in North America by summer 2012.

REVIEW FILE:

Matt and Kyle review Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #6, Ant-Man and the Wasp #1, and Amazing Spider-Man #648, kicking off the “Big Time” storyline.

David Tennant in "Doctor Who"

The former Doctor, David Tennant of “Doctor Who,” takes the No. 12 position in Nerdage’s list of actors with geek appeal.  This is primarily due to Tennant’s appeal as the Doctor in the BBC sci-fi series.  Tennant’s final episode as the Doctor aired in the U.S. on Jan. 2, 2010.  The final episode broke BBC America viewership records.  This month, Tennant’s replacement, Matt Smith, began his run as the Doctor.

Tennant and Patrick Stewart starred in PBS’ modern-dress adaptation of “Hamlet,” which aired last night.  You can see it on the PBS web site now, and it arrives on DVD on May 4.

- Matt Price

The BBC provided Nerdage with this interview with new “Doctor Who” executive producers Piers Wenger and Beth Willis.  Read on for their take on the new era.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS INTERVIEW

Piers Wenger and Beth Willis have taken on Executive Producer duties, alongside Steven Moffat, from the outgoing Doctor Who team of Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner. Here they reveal the challenges they have faced with taking on such a hugely successful series and why it’s so important for Doctor Who to evolve.

“It has definitely been a big challenge taking on this show because we love it so much and why tinker with something that has been as popular, successful and brilliant as it has been?” says executive producer Beth Willis.  “But at the same time we are terribly aware we have to look forward and work out how the show is going to survive in the future.  In 2005 the team looked at what was fresh and new then and we have to do a bit of that ourselves.  Looking at the episodes we’ve filmed so far we’re starting to see the impact of those changes; what the team has managed to achieve is pretty thrilling.”

Fellow Executive Producer and Head of Drama for BBC Wales, Piers Wenger, agrees and adds; “The thing which is most important to us is telling a good story at the end of the day; that’s always the thing the audience is going to be most demanding about. Beyond that, any changes we have made have been motivated by giving the show the best production values money can buy.  It’s the nation’s favorite, and that means it deserves the best.”

The marks of the new era

The advances in technology over the past five years have inevitably enabled the program makers to use more sophisticated techniques and create awe-inspiring visual effects. However, a new lead writer and Doctor are undoubtedly what viewers will feel mark the dawn of a new era for the hit series. “The fact we have Steven Moffat writing it and Matt Smith starring in it gives the show an inevitable element of change,” explains Beth.  “However, the one thing that hasn’t made us scared about this change was reading Steven’s scripts. I felt deeply honored and excited to be in a position to be working with such great scripts.  It doesn’t really matter what color you use, where the camera is or how you position a light; Steven and Matt are brilliant which has made mine and Piers’ job much easier.”

Piers, Beth and Steven are all certified Whovians

Renowned as the most dedicated and passionate fans in the world, it seems Whovians certainly have a lot to look forward to. But would Piers and Beth consider themselves part of the loyal following?  “Steven, myself and Piers were some of the most excited people in the country when we found out Doctor Who was coming back in 2005.  Well, in truth, Steven was probably the most excited, but Piers and I weren’t that far behind him!” laughs Beth.

“I’ve always been a fan and I was even accused at the age of eight of shoplifting a copy of Doctor Who Magazine from my local newsagents – completely wrongly I hasten to add,” confesses Piers.  “I was accused of it probably because I was in there all the time reading them!”

Karen Gillan (BBC)

The BBC provided Nerdage with this interview with new “Doctor Who” co-star Karen Gillan.  Read on for her take on her audition, Matt Smith as the Doctor, and more.

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The regenerations of the Doctor are a staple part of the mythology of Doctor Who, but across the past five decades there has been another constant in the series; the changing faces of his companion.  Now Karen Gillan, born in Inverness, Scotland, becomes the latest actress to join the Doctor in the TARDIS. Here she discusses landing the enviable role, the production team’s continued use of secret anagrams (Torchwood was an anagram used for labeling Doctor Who tapes on older seasons) and making her mother cry…

“It was one of the strangest experiences ever; it was a really weird feeling,” exclaims Karen Gillan about her casting as Amy Pond.  “I found out on the day of my second audition with Matt, so at least I didn’t have a really long wait.  It just didn’t feel real, and I couldn’t believe it!”

But auditioning for Doctor Who is unlike any other audition for the excitable, down to earth actress:  “I knew that the audition was for the part of the Companion, but I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about it.  They even had a code name for the role because it was so top secret.  The code name was ‘Panic Moon’; an anagram of Companion which I thought was really clever.”

The secrecy around being cast as Amy Pond

Even after Karen discovered she had been cast as Amy Pond the veil of secrecy was not lifted:  “I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that I got the part but my boyfriend was with me when I found out so there was rather a lot of screaming!

“I decided not to tell my parents as I didn’t want to spoil the surprise but when I finally did tell them I made a special day of it and my mom took a day off work.  She just couldn’t believe it when I told her.  She was doing the dishes and she literally stopped in her tracks and cried.  She’s a huge fan of the show, has been a fan for years.  She even has Dalek bubble bath at home!”

A newcomer to the industry via the Highlands of Scotland

Part of the interest in Karen was due to her being a relative newcomer to the industry, so how would she explain her life so far to the public? “I’m from Inverness in Scotland, right up in the Highlands.  When I was 16 I moved to Edinburgh to study acting and I stayed there for a year, then at 17 I decided to move to London to continue my acting career,” she reveals. “I also did a little bit of modeling for two years which I enjoyed.  I met some great people and it was a really fantastic experience.”

How Amy compares to previous Companions

Since Doctor Who’s return in 2005, there have been a number of memorable Companions for the Doctor.  How does Karen feel Amy compares to those that have gone before?  “Well, for a start Steven has written a brilliant character.  I do think Amy is different from previous Companions because she’s very equal to the Doctor.  She doesn’t take his word as gospel and she’s always happy to challenge him.  If he tells her to do something then she won’t necessarily do it, she might go off and do her own thing which can sometimes create a rift between the two of them!  They are best pals though and it’s a very up and down relationship because they are both very passionate people.”

Amy and the Doctor’s relationship

So is it fair to say that we will see some conflict between Amy and the Doctor? “The Doctor is definitely an alpha male and Amy is an alpha female, so when they meet, they combust.  They have quite a turbulent relationship but it’s also really passionate and they care about each other.  Amy can really hold her own against him and Steven’s written some great one-liners.  It’s a great relationship.”

How Karen feels about Matt as the Doctor

And Karen feels Matt, as the youngest actor to play the Doctor, has risen to the challenge admirably. “I think Steven said it perfectly; Matt manages to be old and young at the same time,” explains Karen. “That’s the great thing about the Doctor; he has the energy and mischief of a young child as well as the wisdom, age and intelligence of someone a lot older.  Also, with Matt’s performance in particular, he’s so believable that he isn’t human.  He has all these things that he does that make you really believe he is an alien or a Time Lord you’re drawn in by that.”

Matt Smith as the Doctor. (BBC)

The BBC provided Nerdage with this interview with new “Doctor Who” star Matt Smith.  Read on for his take on the first day of filming, the fans, the TARDIS and more.

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It may be the eleventh time an actor has taken on the iconic role of the Doctor, but Matt Smith hasn’t let that stand in his way of creating his very own vision for the character. Here he explains what it was like to land the role and talks about his dream trip in the TARDIS.

“It was quite weird news to receive,” says Matt Smith, the youngest actor to play the title role of hit show Doctor Who. “I mean at that point it was a piece of information I couldn’t share with anyone so it didn’t feel tangible, but needless to say I was very pleased.”

“I actually ended up walking around London listening to Sinatra on my iPod,” laughs the 27 year old as he

Matt Smith as the New Doctor

tries to explain the moment he found out he had won the much coveted role of the Doctor. “Funnily enough my mum had texted me to say she thought I should play the Doctor a week before my agent asked me to audition so she was delighted I got the part. I was also abroad when it was announced on the BBC and my phone went mad – the bill was enormous!”

Taking on the role of the Doctor

Spanning five decades, Doctor Who has been a part of British culture for nearly 50 years. Since its successful return in 2005 both Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant have played the title role and made their own mark on the eccentric Time Lord. Now it’s Matt’s turn to give his own portrayal of the iconic character; a challenge which some young actors may have shied away from. “I think these things are only as intimidating as you allow them to be,” explains Matt. “It’s a real privilege to join such a successful show; it’s a bit like joining Manchester United (soccer team). It’s good to be part of something strong and long may it continue. Plus I couldn’t have inherited the role from a nicer man. I guess it’s like anything really, the more you do something the less daunting and intimidating it becomes.”

First day of filming

However, Matt admits his first day of filming, which took place on a beach in wet and windy conditions, was both daunting and challenging. “It was very tough because we were up against the tide and could only film until 3pm,” reveals Matt. “It felt like being in a twilight zone because there were so many people watching and dozens of paparazzi around! It was nice that Karen was there as well though,” he continues, “because we were both going through the same experience. We were also surrounded by Doctor Who fans and every time I had to nip to the toilet they followed me. I’ve now learnt this is the norm on Doctor Who!”

The new TARDIS will be a surprise

Central to the story is the TARDIS which transports The Doctor across time and space to a wonderful array of worlds and universes. The TARDIS is a living creature and regenerates along with the Doctor in the opening episode of the new series. The details of the new TARDIS will remain an on screen surprise for viewers but Matt confesses he was like a boy in a candy store when he first set foot in it. “It’s like a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche all molded into one!” exclaims the excited actor. “It’s so incredible because the TARDIS is an icon of our cultural history and suddenly I’m the one who’s flying it. I am quite clumsy though so I kept breaking parts of the console and the poor production team had to keep fixing it,” chuckles Matt. “But the TARDIS is a magic concept and it provides a constant source of wonderment and adventure for both the Doctor and the viewers.”

What to expect from the bow-tie wearing Doctor

There have been 10 previous incarnations of the Doctor, each with their own traits and quirks, but what can viewers expect from this bow-tie wearing Doctor? “He is still the same man but I think my Doctor is a bit more reckless; he’s a thrill seeker and addicted to time travel,” reveals Matt. “He is the mad buffoon genius who saves the world because he’s got a great heart, spirit and soul but he also doesn’t suffer fools. I hope all of these things come across but I think I’ve also injected a bit of my own personality into the role. I also helped choose the Doctor’s costume which was great fun. Steven was very keen the outfit isn’t seen as the overriding factor of the Doctor’s personality but we still needed to find something that felt right. We tried on lots of things but kept reaching a dead end and we dismissed a number of items including a long leather coat, a long blue coat and some short punky stuff! But then one day I brought in my braces and a tweed jacket and it went from there. Soon we had the whole outfit although something still felt like it was missing and I asked if I could try on a bow tie – at that point the execs all bowed their heads in concern but luckily when I tried it on we agreed it worked and it has sort of become the signature of my Doctor now. ”

The Doctor and Amy’s slightly mad relationship

Joining the Doctor on his adventures throughout time and space is new Companion Amy Pond, played by redheaded beauty Karen Gillan and Matt admits the pair of them found it difficult to remain serious when filming scenes together. “I always used to look forward to us being in make up together, we would just make each other crack up. I think that’s important because it forms part of the energy of the show,” explains Matt. “I also think the Doctor and Amy share a slightly mad relationship; she’s a handful and he likes the fact she challenges him and can sometimes act a bit bonkers. The way they are introduced to each other is truly magical and they form a deep affinity for one another.”

Filming in Croatia and being pummeled with freezing cold water

Throughout this series Amy and the Doctor go on some truly extraordinary adventures. “I loved filming the vampire stuff in Croatia which doubled up for Venice,” reveals Matt. “I had to climb a huge bell tower with a rain machine pummeling water at me. It was freezing cold but I absolutely loved it! I also enjoyed filming part of episode 10 when I was yanked through the air on a harness after being hit by an invisible monster. However, my favorite scene to film was in episode one when I ate fish fingers and custard with the character Amelia. Luckily they were actually breaded cakes so it wasn’t quite as bad as it sounds. I had to eat a lot of them but it was an enchanting scene so it was worth it.”

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Steven Moffatt

Steven Moffat is a BAFTA-award winning writer whose career in television has spanned more than 20 years and produced some of the UK’s best-loved television dramas in that time.  But more than that, he is a Doctor Who fan who has just been handed his dream job – in charge of this iconic drama series.

“I suppose I could say the reason I started working in TV is because I was such a huge fan of Doctor Who,” explains Steven. “I was absolutely fascinated and thrilled by the show. I wanted to know how the TARDIS disappeared, how all the special effects worked and why the Doctor changed.  As a viewer you want to know why he looks different; it’s a show that compels you to look behind the scenes.  In fact, over the years I think I’ve bought every single issue of Doctor Who Magazine since it launched.”

But there was a long period when Doctor Who was not on screen; did Steven ever worry that he wouldn’t get the opportunity to achieve his lifelong ambition and write for the show?  “I tumbled through the door of children’s TV, became quite a cool children’s TV writer for about 48 seconds in 1989 and they basically axed Doctor Who that day!” says Steven with a chuckle. “After 26 years, just when I thought I’d finally get to write for the show, I missed out by an afternoon.”

The transition to lead writer and executive producer

However, fate was obviously on Steven’s side and in 2005 Doctor Who was resurrected and has become one of the biggest shows on UK television under the guidance of Russell T Davies.  “The transition has been strange and has lasted a long time for me; since I first got an email from Russell about the job in fact,” explains the Paisley, Scotland born writer.  “We’ve been saying goodbye to each other for two and a half years now – we’d really better stop before one of us drops dead in a desperate bid for closure.  I hugely enjoyed working with Russell and every time I came back to Doctor Who during those years it was an absolute treat.  I knew this job was going to be difficult; I was never under any illusion about it.  I could see that Russell was getting tired and he has acknowledged he is a workaholic.  I’ve managed to take up workaholism, but it never sits quite as easy with me.”

The actual moment of regeneration was, of course, the pinnacle of that transition and Steven’s first chance to write for the new Doctor. “It was Russell’s courtesy to allow me to write Matt’s first scene when the regeneration happened and he was adamant about that.  He’s a fan like I am and he’ll always be motivated by that.  He wouldn’t like to think as a member of the audience that the old writer had written the new Doctor.  In our heads that’s where the new era begins, that’s what matters to us.”

Casting the Doctor

Doctor Who has already had multiple incarnations on television, so casting the perfect actor for the lead role presented some interesting debates. “I had a clear idea, which actually turned out to be the absolute opposite of what we ended up doing – which always happens when you get the casting right,” reveals Steven.  “I actually remember at the beginning of the process when I got a little bit cross while looking at the list of actors as it was full of people in their twenties.  I said to everyone that we couldn’t have a Doctor who is 27.  My idea was that the person was going to be between 30 – 40 years old, young enough to run but old enough to look wise.  Then, of course, Matt Smith comes through the door and he’s odd, angular and strange looking.  He doesn’t come across as being youthful at all, in the most wonderful way.”

Casting the new Companion

Karen Gillan (BBC)

But alongside the new Doctor is a brand new Companion, played by Scottish actress Karen Gillan.  What was it about her that made her perfect for the role? “The challenge with casting the Companion is that there are only so many people that would actually go through those blue doors.  It has to be someone that loves adventure and doesn’t quite feel at home with where they are,” explains Steven.  “They have to be a feisty, fun-loving and gutsy person – and now we’ve got Karen Gillan. She was just exactly right for the role despite inhabiting Amy Pond in a way that was quite different from how I originally wrote the part.”

The new Doctor Who stories

An inevitable question that will be asked of the new series is how it differs from those that have gone before.  “I’ve never done anything differently, at least not deliberately,” says Steven.  I just try and think of all the best and maddest Doctor Who stories I want to watch, and get them made – there are worse ways to make a living.  You could say that I’m more into the clever plots; I like the big twists and the sleight of hand.  I like playing around with time-travel but I don’t think it should be at the front of Doctor Who in every episode.  However, I do think it should happen more often and reinforce the fact he has an odd relationship with time.  For example, no one is ever dead to him.  He can’t say ‘I knew Winston Churchill’ he’d say ‘I know Winston Churchill’. Everyone in the whole universe is still alive to him and he has no sense of time passing.  I find that all fascinating.  If you look at the stories I’ve written so far I suppose I might be slightly more at the fairytale and Tim Burton end of Doctor Who, whereas Russell is probably more at the blockbuster and Superman end of the show.”

First day of filming

Despite the lengthy transition, there finally came the day when all of the hard work was realized; the first day of filming of the new series. “By accident it was the most magical beginning.  We went down onto this perfect, white beach,” reveals Steven.  “The TARDIS and our two main characters were there and we could just see that blue rectangle facing us. It was like a stamp stuck on a picture, it was so perfect! I remember walking down thinking this is properly magical; we’re not starting with some secondary characters that end up getting killed by an electric slug, or something. We’re actually starting with the Doctor and the Companion stepping out of the TARDIS talking to River Song.”

Where he would travel in the TARDIS

Steven has, in the past, described the TARDIS as the best storytelling and plot device that there is.  But if he had his own, where would he choose to go? “I have no real desire to go anywhere else because I’m genuinely so happy with my life the way it is at the moment.  I’d probably like to go to the future but stay away from libraries in case I found out when I died; that would be a bit miserable.  I’d like to see what the toys and gadgets are in the future and all the fun I’m going to miss out on.  But most of all, I’d like to know who’s playing the Doctor!”

So, as a life-long Doctor Who fan, who is his favorite Doctor?  “The one with the two hearts that travels in the TARDIS… And word on the street is, he’s never looked finer.”

Matt Smith as the new Doctor in "Doctor Who."

According to a release from the BBC, “Doctor Who” returns for a new series from writer Steven Moffat on April 17.  The premiere will air at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is an extended version with limited commercial interruption.

The episode is described as follows: With his time machine, the TARDIS, wrecked and the sonic screwdriver, his most crucial device destroyed, the new Doctor has just 20 minutes to save the whole world – and only Amy Pond to help him.

Steven Moffat, who created the BAFTA-winning “Doctor Who” episode “Blink,” which starred Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, takes over as lead writer and executive producer.

“Doctor Who is the adventures of an entirely mysterious stranger from outer space. With a time and space machine that can go absolutely anywhere,” Moffatt said in a news release. “It’s literally a television show set in everyplace in the universe, every point in history and in every style and every genre. It’s all the other shows in one. You don’t have to watch the rest of television – this is it.”

“Doctor Who” fans will get a chance to see the premiere early at special screenings at WonderCon in San Francisco on April 3 and C2E2 in Chicago on April 16.

For more on Doctor Who, please visit http://bbcamerica.com/doctorwho.

- Matt Price

Check out today’s Planet 46 for a look at the final episodes of David Tennant’s Doctor Who, and an interview with Julie Gardner recapping why she thinks the relaunch of Doctor Who in 2005 became so successful.

- Matt Price

David Tennant’s final turn as the Doctor comes to DVD and Blu-ray in “Doctor Who: The Complete Specials.”

The Doctor is the last Time Lord, a human-looking alien who saves the day in times of crisis and frequently travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a ship that resembles a 1950s police call box. Tennant’s wisecracking, ever-prepared version of the Doctor has provided popular with fans, and these five specials are the last in which he will star.

The first of the specials features the time-traveling Doctor in 1851 London on Christmas Eve. He meets someone else who also believes himself to be the Doctor, and the two face off against Cybermen, cyborg invaders from another dimension.

The second special, “Planet of the Dead,” features Michelle Ryan as a jewel thief who teams up with the Doctor when they are thrown through a rift in space. On an apparently desolate planet, they must find their way back to earth, along with a busload of passengers accidentally stranded.

The third special, “The Waters of Mars,” features the Doctor’s encounter with Earth’s first pioneers on Mars.

The final two specials, “The End of Time” parts one and two, feature the return of the insane Master (John Simm), who is intent on taking over the Earth. But the Master is just a pawn in a larger play. The first of the two-part episode feels oddly paced, but it all comes together in the end, as Tennant’s final episode of “Doctor Who” sends him out with emotion and grace. Fans also get the first look as Matt Smith as the new Doctor.

Extras include Doctor Who Confidential, deleted scenes, video diaries with Tennant, audio commentaries and featurettes.

- Matthew Price

David Tennant’s final bow as the Doctor in “Doctor Who” brought ratings records to BBC America.

The U.S. Premiere of “Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two,” followed by the premiere of the series “Demons,” brought the highest-ever primetime rating and delivery in total viewers to BBC America.   The shows aired Saturday, Jan. 2.

A “Doctor Who” marathon throughout the day of Jan. 2 brought BBC America its best total day delivery ever in A25-54 in Live and Live + Same Day DVR.  BBC AMERICA’s previous highest ever primetime rating was delivered by the first special, “Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars,” which aired two weeks earlier.

The final special starring David Tennant as the tenth Doctor ended with the Doctor regenerating into the eleventh Doctor, to be played by Matt Smith.

“Demons,” which followed “The End of Time, Part Two” stars Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars,” “Ashes to Ashes”) and puts a contemporary spin on Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”    A teaser for Doctor Who season five was shown during “Demons.”   That teaser is now online here.

Source: Nielsen NH1, 1/2/10 Live and Live+ Same Day; Info from BBC America.

BBC America has announced that Saturday’s showing of “Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars” brought in the highest-ever primetime rating for the network.

More than 1.1 million viewers tuned in to “Waters of Mars,” the first of three Doctor Who specials that will air on three straight Saturdays, as David Tennant ends his run as the Doctor.

BBC AMERICA ranked No. 13 in coverage rating during the premiere among ad supported cable nets for A25-54.

Click past the cut for the full release.

Television’s longest running hit science fiction series, Doctor Who, has never been bigger in the U.S. On Saturday, December 19, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars delivered BBC AMERICA its highest ever primetime rating and delivery in total viewers and A25-54.

The Waters of Mars is the first of three Doctor Who specials airing three straight Saturdays on BBC AMERICA, the finale to David Tennant’s era as the Tenth Doctor.

Over 1.1million viewers watched the program on Saturday, ranking BBC AMERICA #13 in coverage rating during the premiere among ad supported cable nets for A25-54.

“The final specials starring David Tennant have opened the door for new audiences to this iconic series while taking longtime fans on an incredible journey,” says Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President Programming, BBC AMERICA. “Tennant’s remaining two specials, The End of Time, Part One and Part Two, are the most anticipated episodes in the history of the series – which is why we’re airing them just a day after their UK premiere.”

The final two End of Time specials, premiere December 26, 9:00pm ET/PT and January 2, 8:30pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA. Guest stars include John Simm, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins. Both specials are written by lead writer and executive producer Russell T Davies and directed by Euros Lyn.

Following the specials, the Tenth Doctor will regenerate into actor Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor, whose adventures will begin on BBC AMERICA in 2010. BAFTA award-winning writer Steven Moffat is the new lead writer and executive producer.

The air date for the final episode of David Tennant’s “Doctor Who” was announced today.  “The End of Time, Part Two” will air at 8 ET/PT on Jan. 2, one week after “The End of Time, Part One.”  I’m looking forward to the finale, but melancholy about Tennant’s exit.  As I’ve said before, I wasn’t a Doctor Who fan prior to the relaunch, so I’ve only watched the show with Christopher Eccleston and Tennant.  Given how much fun Tennant’s episodes have been, the next Doctor (Matt Smith) has some large shoes to fill.

Click past the cut for the release from BBC America.

BBC AMERICA today announced the U.S. premiere of David Tennant’s final special as the Tenth Doctor. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, premieres January 2, one week after Part One, on BBC AMERICA. The finale to the era of David Tennant is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. Guest stars include John Simm (Life on Mars) as the Master, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins. New synopses for the final three specials airing on the channel three straight Saturdays over the holiday season are available below.

Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars airs Saturday, December 19, 9:00pm ET/PT

Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One airs Saturday, December 26, 9:00pm ET/PT

Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two airs Saturday, January 2, 9:00pm ET/PT

Regarding the final specials, lead writer and executive producer Russell T Davies told Radio Times, “It’s personal for the Doctor. The Master (John Simm) is his enemy, his opposite, and yet so tantalizingly close to being his soul mate. There’s something epic about their sheer existence – the last two survivors of an ancient race. It’s a clash of the titans. Both of them, heading for death, and yet both determined to survive – at any cost!”

Davies and Tennant are passing the baton to Steven Moffat and actor Matt Smith, who will play the Eleventh Doctor in a new season of the re-imagined series premiering in 2010 on BBC AMERICA.

BBCAmerica.com/DoctorWho has exclusive Doctor Who video clips including Inside Look interviews with David Tennant, Russell T Davies and executive producer Julie Gardner as well as sneak peeks of The Waters of Mars and The End of Time, Part One.

The BBC will release The Waters of Mars and The End of Time, Part One and Part Two on DVD and Blu-ray, Tuesday, February 2, 2010. A 5-disc set, Doctor Who: Specials Collection, which includes The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars, The End of Time, Part One and Part Two and a 16-page booklet with an introduction written by David Tennant, hits stores the same day.

More info from BBC America about the air dates of the final David Tennant Doctor Who episodes.  Note, the five-disc set containing all the specials comes out on my birthday, Groundhog Day 2010.

PRESS RELEASE

The finale to the era of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. As previously announced, the next special, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars premieres Saturday December 19, 9:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA. The final two specials, Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One and Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, will premiere over the holiday season starting December 26 on BBC AMERICA. Guest stars John Simm, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate, Lindsay Duncan and Bernard Cribbins join Tennant on his final journey. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One premieres Saturday December 26, 9:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA. The End of Time, Part Two premiere date will be announced very soon.

BBCAmerica.com/DoctorWho has exclusive Doctor Who clips including a sneak peek to The Waters of Mars, which The Times says is “a big-budget, knock-yer-socks-off blockbuster” and the Guardian exclaimed “it’s a belter, a watery nightmare – scary, moving, relevant, believable.”

The site also has a new world premiere clip from The End of Time, Part One, with never-before seen footage that will keep fans all over the globe wondering what’s in store for the Doctor.

This slick re-imagination of Doctor Who, created by Russell T Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk), puts a fresh spin on the adventures of the iconic Time Lord and his feisty companions – who travel across the universe to protect Earth from dangerous aliens and terrifying monsters. Davies and Tennant are passing the baton to Steven Moffat and actor Matt Smith, who will play the Eleventh Doctor in a new season of the re-imagined series premiering in 2010 on BBC AMERICA.

The BBC will release The Waters of Mars and The End of Time, Part One and Part Two on DVD and Blu-ray, Tuesday, February 2, 2010. A 5-disc set, Doctor Who: Specials Collection, which includes The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars, The End of Time, Part One and Part Two and a 16-page booklet with an introduction written by David Tennant, hits stores the same day.

Tennant’s time-traveling Doctor finds himself in 1851 on Christmas Eve. It’s there he encounters someone else calling himself “The Doctor.” The Doctor is a Time Lord who regenerates into different appearances periodically, often when injured. So, he presumes this man, who acts very similarly to The Doctor himself, must be the “Next Doctor.” But the Next Doctor, played by David Morrissey, has gaps in his memory, and he claims not to recognize The Doctor.

Still, there are Cybermen afoot in 1851 London, and it’s up to the Doctors to put a stop to their plot while they try to figure out what’s caused the Next Doctor’s memory problems. The Next Doctor has been investigating strange murders, which he believes the Cybermen have committed. The Cybermen are a race of cyborgs that have often come in conflict with The Doctor. Here, they’re attempting to cause the rise of a Cyber King, with the aid of Miss Hartigan (Dervla Kirwan), a woman who rails against Victorian-era mores.

The show crackles along during the first half, as the mystery of the Next Doctor is explored. Once the mystery is solved, the final conflict with the Cybermen is anticlimactic. Overall, it’s fun but nonessential.

No behind-the-scenes extras on this disc, but there is the hourlong “Doctor Who at the Proms,” featuring the music of “Doctor Who” at Albert Hall, with appearances from the show’s stars.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead

There’s soon to be a new Doctor in the house, but fans can celebrate one of the final adventures of David Tennant’s Doctor Who with “Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead.”

The first of four Doctor Who upcoming DVD specials featuring Tennant as the 10th Doctor will be released July 28. “Doctor Who” features a 900-year-old human-looking alien who can travel through time and space, righting wrongs and saving the innocent.

Julie Gardner

Julie Gardner, who executive-produced “Doctor Who” until earlier this year, talked about the final days of the current Doctor, and the 2005 revamp that put the long-running British sci-fi program back on the map.

“‘Planet of the Dead’ is the last big adventure romp,” Gardner said. “It’s a great chase and a great kind of survivor story.”

In “Planet of the Dead,” the Doctor is on a bus that travels through a rip in space that deposits the bus and its passengers on a faraway, dangerous planet. He’s teamed with a jewel thief, played by Michelle Ryan, to figure out a way to safely return the bus through the rift.

Gardner says she thinks “Doctor Who” caught on in the U.K. again in 2005 as people were hungry for family drama.

“We were able to reach a family audience. A lot of research said the family is disjointed and people aren’t watching together – ‘Doctor Who’ in the U.K. proves that not to be the case,” Gardner said. “It’s got to be intelligent and witty and fun and engaging, and not always easy.”

Gardner has now passed the torch on “Doctor Who,” much as the Doctor himself is about to do. (The next Doctor will be played by Matt Smith, 26. Gardner works in Los Angeles at BBC America. She thinks change is key for “Doctor Who’s” appeal.

“It’s a show that, written into its very DNA, is regeneration,” she said. “I think it needs new vision every four, five, six years. Because as a show that has such a robust format, you could look at ‘Doctor Who’ and say this could still be on air in 20, 25 years. But I think in order to do that, it needs to be given the space to reinvent itself.”

By Matthew Price
From Tuesday’s The Oklahoman