Doctor Who

Production starts today (Monday 12 July) on the 2010 Doctor Who BBC One Christmas Special in which the thrilling adventures of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and newlyweds Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) will continue in a fun-filled and heartfelt festive story.

In the grand tradition of Doctor Who Christmas specials, this year the show has once again attracted stellar guest stars as veteran actor Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, The Singing Detective) and opera diva Katherine Jenkins, in her first acting role, join the Time Lord for what might be his most Christmassy adventure yet!

Arriving on set for her first day of filming, Katherine Jenkins said: “I’m over the moon to be involved in the Doctor Who Christmas Special – I can’t quite believe it as it’s a part of the family tradition at the Jenkins household. I heard the news that I got the role on my 30th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever!”

About the series, lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, commented: “Oh, we’re going for broke with this one. It’s all your favourite Christmas movies at once, in an hour, with monsters and the Doctor and a honeymoon and – oh, you’ll see. I’ve honestly never been so excited about writing anything. I was laughing madly as I typed along to Christmas songs in April. My neighbours loved it so much they all moved away and set up a website demanding my execution. But I’m fairly sure they did it ironically.”

The Christmas special follows on from Matt Smith’s first series as The Doctor, which attracted huge critical acclaim for Smith, his companion, Gillan, and lead writer Moffat, from press and legions of fans alike.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, said: “Matt Smith and Karen Gillan captivated audiences in their debut series and Doctor Who’s clever twist on the much loved A Christmas Carol will thrill BBC One viewers this year with special guest stars Sir Michael Gambon and singing sensation Katherine Jenkins joining Amy and the Doctor for an unforgettable present!”

The series was co-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning for BBC One, and Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One. Steven Moffat is lead writer and executive producer with Piers Wenger and Beth Willis also executive producing.

Production started today on the new series of Doctor Who in which BBC One viewers will meet the 11th Doctor and his companion for the very first time.

Accompanying The Doctor on his further adventures in time is a new companion, Amy Pond, played by Scottish actress Karen Gillan (The Kevin Bishop Show), who will first meet The Doctor in episode one of the new series.

New show-runner and long-running Doctor Who fan Steven Moffat has developed this series and, as Lead Writer and Executive Producer, will be responsible for the overall creative direction of the show, as well as plot and character arcs.

Moffat’s previous episodes of Doctor Who, including the BAFTA-winning episode Blink, have garnered widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike.

He commented: “And here it is, the big moment – the new Doctor, and his new best friend.

“And here’s me, with the job I wanted since I was seven. 40 years to here! If I could go back in time and tell that little boy that one day all this would happen, he’d scream, call for his mum, and I’d be talking to you now from a prison cell in 1969. So probably best not then.

“Matt and Karen are going to be incredible, and Doctor Who is going to come alive on Saturday nights in a whole new way – and best of all, somewhere out there, a seven-year-old is going to see them, fall in love, and start making a 40-year plan…”

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until March 2010. Thirteen x 45-minute drama produced by BBC Wales for BBC One.

Conker Media has been signed up by the BBC to create a new interactive digital thriller titled The Well.

All’s Well for Conker

Set to air in the Switch zone on BBC Two – Saturday’s from noon to 2pm – the show will look to engage with its teen audience beyond the TV screen, luring them online to play a multi-level game where they can unlock hidden drama content and delve deeper into The Well.The show has been created by Melvin Burgess and boasts a cast headed up by Karen Gillan, who has recently been announced as Doctor Who’s new assistant.

It centres on a derelict building that contains the titular well – apparently ‘the resting place of a dormant malevolent force’.

Conker’s Lee Hardman said of the show, which will be broadcast in the autumn: “The Well bridges the gap between traditional TV and digital media by showing the creative potential of multi-layered drama in terms of storytelling.

“This approach deepens the audience’s engagement with the story and enables them to get one step ahead of the TV drama – something that works particularly well with the Switch audience.”

www.conkermedia.com

From how-do.co.uk

Digital Spy took a look at the new movie

Set in the grimiest parts of Edinburgh, New Town Killers is a gritty cat and mouse thriller with a bit of social commentary thrown into the mix.

Young actress Karen Gillan, who recently grabbed plenty of headlines when she was announced as the new Doctor Who companion, pops up here in a very brief cameo appearance as a seemingly friendly lass who encounters Sean in a bus station. Although barely on screen for a minute, the omens are good for her impending stint in the Tardis as she undoubtedly has screen presence and is clearly a very assured and confident actress.

The BBC today revealed that the companion for the forthcoming series of Doctor Who will be Karen Gillan.

Twenty-one-year-old Gillan will star alongside new Time Lord, Matt Smith, when the smash hit drama returns to BBC One in spring 2010.

With filming due to begin this summer, Gillan beat off dozens of hopefuls to land one of television’s most coveted roles.

Gillan said: “I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor’s new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can’t quite believe I am going to be a part of it.

“Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him – I just can’t wait to get started!”

Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, added: “We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up. Funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too.”

Executive Producer and Head of Drama BBC Wales, Piers Wenger, said: “We knew Karen was perfect for the role the moment we saw her. She brought an energy and excitement to the part that was just fantastic. And when she auditioned alongside Matt we knew we had something special. It is a partnership that is ready to take on the universe!”

The new series of Doctor Who comes to BBC One, Spring 2010.

BBC Press Release

The Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) arrive in what the Doctor believes to be Rome in the first century AD. After an earthquake and witnessing a nearby mountain begin to smoulder, he realises he has in fact materialised in Pompeii on 23 August, AD 79, one day before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. When he and Donna returns to the TARDIS’ location, he is told it was sold to a Lucius Caecilius Iucundus (Peter Capaldi), a marble sculptor.