The BBC is today announcing that Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who after four incredible years on the hit BBC One show. Matt first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the unmissable 50th Anniversary in November and regenerating in the Christmas special. During his time as the Doctor, Matt has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and his incarnation has seen the show go truly global. He was also the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role.
Matt quickly won over fans to be voted Best Actor by Readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season. He also received a nod for his first series at the National Television Awards, before winning the Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012.
Matt has played one of the biggest roles in TV with over 77 million fans in the UK, USA and Australia alone!
Matt Smith says:“Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.
Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.
The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!
It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.”
Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says :“Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him – sometimes literally – his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.
But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt – bow ties were never cooler.
Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!”
Having starred alongside three different companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), Matt’s Doctor has fought Daleks and Cybermen, as well as Weeping Angels in New York. Regularly heard shouting ‘run’ and ‘Geronimo’, through Matt’s Doctor fans have been introduced to a new culinary combination – fish fingers and custard!
Matt’s spectacular exit is yet to be revealed and will be kept tightly under wraps. He will return to BBC One screens in the unmissable 50th anniversary episode on Saturday 23rd November 2013 – TUNE IN!
We’ll have exclusive quotes from Jenna on this site tomorrow and a special video from Matt – coming soon!
By now, you know how much we love the BBC’s Sherlock and we found out recently that Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the role of the titular character in this contemporary take on Sir Arhtur Conan Doyle’s classic, has confirmed that there will indeed be a fourth season (series) of the hit series.
The remarks came at the South Bank Show Awards in London on March 12th, where Cunberbatch also verified the return of his co-star Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson.
“We’ve agreed to two more series but I could get into trouble for saying that. All I know at the moment is I’m doing these three [episodes of the upcoming series] and another three.”
Cumberbatch also stated that both he and Freeman are very interested in doing more seasons, noting that it is all dependent on he, Freeman and showrunner Steven Moffat’s availability.
“It just depends on Martin and I’s availability, how long we can keep it going. It depends on Steven’s ability. I’d love to keep it going.”
Season (series) three of Sherlock was supposed to begin shooting in 2012 but was delayed until January 2013 because of he and Freeman’s schedules (Cumberbatch was shooting the latest J.J. Abrams Star Trek film and Freeman was shooting The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey… with Cumberbatch) and has been delayed yet again as Cumberbatch was recently in Germany shooting the Wikileaks film, The Fifth Estate. Steven Moffat is also the showrunner on the hugely popular Doctor Who so getting everyone together at 221B Baker Street is proving to be challenging.
That being said, production on season (series) three of Sherlock has begun and U.S. audiences can expect new episodes this winter.
AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S PREMIERE, DOCTOR WHO ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR CAST FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Mar 30, 2013 | BBC AMERICA
AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S PREMIERE, DOCTOR WHO ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR CAST FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
David Tennant and Billie Piper to return for blockbuster celebrations with John Hurt also confirmed
Ahead of tonight’s premiere, Doctor Who revealed some of the all-star cast that will mark the 50th anniversary. David Tennant and Billie Piper will join current Doctor and companion, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, while John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alien, Harry Potter) will also co-star.
Last seen as the Doctor on January 1, 2010, this will be the first time Tennant has reprised his role as the Tenth Doctor. During his reign as the Time Lord, Tennant appeared in three series as well as several specials. He was first revealed as the Doctor in the 2005 series finale, The Parting of the Ways.
Meanwhile Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler for two series following the reboot in 2005, will appear in the show for the first time since featuring in Tennant’s last episode, The End of Time in 2010.
Also confirmed to join the cast is John Hurt who will also co-star in the anniversary special that will form part of blockbuster celebrations. Produced by BBC Cymru Wales for BBC One, the 50th anniversary will be written by Steven Moffat and Directed by Nick Hurran.
Billie Piper as Rose Tyler
Filming for the 50th anniversary begins this week in the UK. Meanwhile, Doctor Who returns to BBC America tonight, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT with eight epic episodes, which officially introduces the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. Doctor Who will be immediately followed by the world-premiere of new original series Orphan Black at 9:00pm ET/PT and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist at 10:00pm ET/PT as part of BBC America’s Supernatural Saturday.
All-new special, Doctor Who: The Companions, premieres Sunday, March 31, 7:00pm ET/PT. As the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, steps into the TARDIS, take a look back at previous companions that have won over the Doctor’s heart in Doctor Who: The Companions. Along the way, companions old and new talk about how the show has changed their lives, and how they’ve never quite managed to leave the TARDIS behind. Matt Smith and David Tennant are joined by fellow contributors including John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Arthur Darvill (Rory) and Noel Clarke (Mickey).
Additionally, David Tennant’s two-part special Spies of Warsaw premieres on Wednesday, April 3, 9:00pm ET as part of BBC AMERICA’s Dramaville programming block. Adapted by renowned Emmy®-winning writing team Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Across the Universe, Tracey Takes On…) and executive produced by Richard Fell (Outcasts), Spies of Warsaw is based on The New York Times Bestselling author Alan Furst’s acclaimed novel. David Tennant and Janet Montgomery (Made in Jersey, Black Swan, Entourage) star in the thrilling spy story set in Poland, Paris and London in the years leading up to the Second World War.
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
What better way to get prepared for part two of Doctor Who‘s seventh season then by giving its fans a sneak peek at some of the details about the upcoming episodes and some new posters? For the record, the press release is calling the details “spoilers.” They aren’t. They are basic synopses of the premise. Read further without fear.
Scroll down for your posters.
Via Press Release:
ALL-NEW DOCTOR WHO DETAILS AND POSTER IMAGES REVEALED AHEAD OF MARCH 30 PREMIERE ON BBC AMERICA
Mar 17, 2013 | BBC AMERICA
Doctor Who premiere followed by new series Orphan Black and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist as part of Supernatural Saturday
The Doctor kicks off this new run of adventures by searching for his companion Clara – an Impossible Girl he’s already lost twice. Together they find themselves battling monsters on distant alien planets, trapped in a Russian submarine with a deadly passenger, chasing terrifying ghosts, delving into the heart of the TARDIS, facing the Crimson Horror in Victorian Yorkshire, and coming face to face with an army of upgraded Cybermen. The action grows and the Doctor’s oldest secret threatens to be revealed as the world’s longest running science fiction series builds toward its explosive 50th anniversary in November 2013. Doctor Who premieres Saturday, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA as part of Supernatural Saturday.
Following the premiere of Doctor Who, Matt Smith will be one of the first guests on BBC America’s The Nerdiston Saturday, March 30, 10:00pm ET/PT.
SERIES CREDITS
The Doctor Matt Smith (Going for Gold, Christopher and His Kind)
Clara Oswald Jenna-Louise Coleman (Emmerdale, Captain America: The First Avenger)
Executive Producer
and Lead Writer Steven Moffat (Sherlock)
Executive Producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades)
Series Producer Marcus Wilson (True Dare Kiss, Life on Mars)
SYNOPSES
**SPOILER WARNING**
The Bells of Saint John – Episode 6
The Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald brings him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. Humanity lives in a Wi-Fi soup. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them. As Clara becomes the target of this insidious menace, the Doctor races to save her and the world from an ancient enemy.
Episode credits: Written by Steven Moffat, directed by Colm McCarthy (Ripper Street, The Tudors), and produced by Denise Paul (Taggart).
The Rings of Akhaten – Episode 7
Clara wants to see something awesome, so the Doctor whisks her off to the inhabited rings of the planet Akhaten, where the Festival of Offerings is in full swing. Clara meets the young Queen of Years as the pilgrims and natives ready for the ceremony. But something is stirring in the pyramid, and a sacrifice will be demanded.
Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross (Mama, Luther), directed by Farren Blackburn (Luther, The Fades) and produced by Denise Paul
Cold War – Episode 8
The Doctor and Clara land on a damaged Russian Submarine in 1983 as it spirals out of control into the ocean depths. An alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. With tempers flaring and a cargo of nuclear weapons on board, it’s not just the crew but the whole of humanity at stake!
Episode credits: Written by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Silent Witness).
Hide – Episode 9
Clara and the Doctor arrive at Caliburn House, a haunted mansion sat alone on a desolate moor. Within its walls, a ghost hunting Professor and a gifted psychic are searching for the Witch of the Well. Her apparition appears throughout the history of the building, but is she really a ghost? And what is chasing her?
Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross and directed by Jamie Payne (The Hour, Call the Midwife).
Details on episodes 10-13 will be released at a later date.
INTERVIEWS
STEVEN MOFFAT – Lead Writer and Executive Producer
Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat gives us an insight in to the monsters and adventures that we can expect from the new series.
So it’s back and with James Bond-esque urban thriller. Why did you decide to kick-off the new series with a very modern day threat?
It was Marcus Wilson’s idea. We were discussing how the first ep of the second run would probably be a contemporary Earth adventure, so the Doctor could meet the modern day Clara – and anyway, I wanted to do Wi-Fi monsters – and Marcus suggested we do a proper urban thriller. The Doctor can never be Bond or Bourne – but if he tried it might look a bit like this.
What else can we expect from the new series?
A haunted house, a submarine, a planet with cool rings, Victorian Yorkshire, a journey into the TARDIS, Dame Diana Rigg and her daughter Rachael Stirling together on screen for the first time, new Cybermen, and the Doctor’s greatest secret revealed.
You are bringing back a couple of classic monsters with the Cybermen and Ice warriors, are there any new ones to look out for?
Plenty of new monsters! Watch out for the Spoonheads, the Whispermen, and – my favorite – the Vigil. Oh and Neil Gaiman has done something horrible with the Cybermen!
We finally get to meet the Clara that will travel with the Doctor across the series’ eight epic adventures. Can you tell us a little bit about her character?
You’ve sort of met her, but you sort of haven’t. The same shed load of attitude you saw before, the same rapid-fire banter with the Doctor, but this time she’s living in modern London with no memory of the Time Lord!
How has the dynamic of the relationship between the Doctor and his companion changed since the introduction of Clara?
It’s all new for the Doctor – this time the greatest mystery in the universe is standing right next to him.
What was it about Jenna that made you decide she would be right fit for the role of the new companion?
Casting is a funny process – the right people sort of choose themselves. It happened with Matt a long time ago, and when we saw him bantering with Jenna it happened again. Auditions start with you telling the actor about the character – sometimes they end with the actor telling you. That’s what happened with Jenna!
A ghost story, a period drama to end all period dramas and an underwater siege, was it intentional to go as big as possible with this series in the year of the 50th?
We try to make every year the biggest possible, but when you see that big, glittering 50 hanging above you, you start trying even harder. I’ve been a fan all by my life and I know we have to deliver!
MATT SMITH – The Doctor
Having run down corridors from every monster imaginable, Matt Smith returns as the Doctor to face old and new foe. But he’s not alone. Along for the ride in his brand new TARDIS is the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald. Here Matt talks about what he is looking forward to from the epic new series.
I think it is going very exciting to introduce Clara to the world and Steven has hit a real vein of form, explains Matt as he chats enthusiastically about the new series.
Along with a new costume this series, the Doctor has a new TARDIS to travel through space and time. Walking on to the new TARDIS was like the first day at school, explains Matt. I actually found it quite difficult as I had got so used to the rhythm of acting on the old one, where I used to slide about on the glass floor, but Michael Pickwoad has done a fabulous job, he continues. This one is more like a machine.
Having lost his first companions, the Ponds, at the hands of the Weeping Angels in New York last year and after a period of mourning the Doctor is joined by a new companion this series, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, she’s done brilliantly well, says Matt. She’s kind, charming, thoroughly prepared and very brave as an actress. And most importantly of all we get on, which is vital on a show like this. I’m so proud of what she has achieved in the last year, he concludes.
So what do fans have to look forward to this series? An urban thriller, ‘The Bells of Saint John,’ brings the series back with a bang as the Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald takes him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them. Filming for this James Bond-esque thriller took Matt to Westminster Bridge, the Southbank and St Paul’s,amazing, I loved shooting in London, says Matt, there is something so brilliant about having the locations there ratherthan just adding them in.
Following on from this the second episode, ‘The Rings of Akhaten,’ take the Doctor and Clara away from earth and on their first proper adventure…..in outer space. Featuring an alien market Matt remarks, it was very ‘Whoey’. We had between 50 to 60 prosthetic aliens, which is something that only really this show can offer, he continues, making it a very unique experience as an actor.
As well as introducing some new monsters, the new series brings back a couple of old monsters in the form of the Ice Warriors and Cybermen, I think it’s good to pay homage to the classic series, says Matt, especially for the fans. This series we have modernized some of the monsters for a whole new generation.
Soggy, like drowned rats, Matt is explaining the shooting experience for the third episode ‘Cold War,’ written by Mark Gatiss. Set on a Russian submarine spiraling out of control in 1983 an alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. They built a submarine and the five-year old in me was like “yeah it’s a submarine!” says Matt.I loved getting sprayed down at the beginning of the shoot, Matt continues, and it wasn’t a chore as it does so much of the acting for you, making it really authentic.Mark Gatiss has delivered one of the best episodes of the series, he concludes.
JENNA-LOUISE COLEMAN – Clara Oswald
The new series will mark the official introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald. Having already appeared in the series opener ‘Asylum of the Daleks’ in September and as Clara in the Christmas special, ‘The Snowmen,’ here Jenna explains a little bit about her character and working with monsters.
Very excited, Jenna is talking animatedly about her first series as the Doctor’s companion. It will be fantastic to see the final version with all of the elements put together.
Having made a surprise appearance as one of the Doctor’s most notorious of enemies, a Dalek, in last year’s series opener, audiences have been treated to two different versions of the latest companion. We’ve had one introduction to Clara in the Christmas special, but not necessarily the same Clara we will see in this series, explains Jenna. But the essence of all the different versions is the same, Jenna continues, she’s very brave and resourceful, a match for the Doctor and an explorer in her own right. She dreams of travelling and seeing the world and wants more than what’s on offer.
So how has Jenna found working with Matt Smith? Just a joy, it really is. He is the most perfect leading man and sets such a lovely tone on set, making the atmosphere so wonderful.There’s not much more you could ask for in your co-star, she concludes.
The series opener ‘The Bells of Saint John’ is a modern day urban thriller, which sees the Doctor and Clara face a monster in the Wi-Fi, as minds are uploaded by an organization run by Miss Kizlet (Celia Imrie). Set in London, Jenna was thrown in to the deep end as she was asked to get on a motorbike…driven by the notoriously clumsy Matt Smith.
I loved shooting in London, says Jenna, it was so much fun. It was one of those moments where I thought “I’m filming Doctor Who, on a motorbike, riding across Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament in the background.” So would Jenna trust Matt to drive her on a motorbike in real life? Well on screen it looks very exciting, but both of us were being very silly as we were so tightly strapped in. I just clung on!
As the newest edition to the show, Jenna explains how this series will take the viewer on the same journey of discovery she experienced when she first joined, especially for episode two ‘The Rings of Akhaten’ which is set on an alien planet. It’s one of my favorite episodes, says Jenna, it’s so weird and wonderful and something that only this show can offer. It shows Clara for the first time what life with the Doctor will be like. It’s a complete fantasy, she continues, and it’s great for audiences as the story begins again and we get to explore all these strange new worlds together, as well as getting to know the Doctor again.
The third episode, ‘Cold War,’ set on a Russian submarine marks the return of the classic Doctor Who monster the Ice Warriors. They were terrifying, exclaims Jenna, I think this is the first time Clara is really, really scared. The whole set was really realistic and built to size, which wasn’t too much of a problem for me,shejokes. So how did they make it look so realistic? Before every take they would come and spray us, the whole make-up process was reversed as they would damp us down in the morning and rub my mascara off! We were soaking wet for two weeks.
So having completed filming and watched most of the episodes, does Jenna have a favorite? I really like The Rings of Akhaten as and it’s the first proper adventure for the Doctor and Clara.
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
BBC AMERICA’S NEW ORIGINAL SERIES ORPHAN BLACK PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 30 AT 9:00PM ET/PT
Feb 07, 2013 | BBC AMERICA
Sarah has always been an orphan outsider. But a clone is never alone.
Sarah hopes that cleaning out a dead woman’s bank account will solve all her problems. Instead, they multiply at an unnerving rate. Smart, sexy and pulsating with suspense – BBC AMERICA’s new original series, ORPHAN BLACK, features rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Vow, Picture Day). She portrays Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman, “Beth,” who looks just like her. Sarah takes her identity, her boyfriend and her money. But instead of solving her problems, the street-smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers. ORPHAN BLACK premieres Saturday, March 30, 9:00pm ET/PT, as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday.
Led by Tatiana Maslany, the cast includes Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi) as Felix, Sarah’s thorny foster brother and her one true confidante; Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth’s boyfriend – a decent guy with chiseled features, but more complicated than he appears; Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey) as Mrs. S, Sarah’s hard-nosed working class foster mother from across the pond; Michael Mando (The Killing) as Vic, Sarah’s volatile ex, aptly nicknamed “Vic the Dick”; Kevin Hanchard (Republic of Doyle) as Art, a veteran detective working alongside Beth who grows suspicious of her erratic behavior: and Skyler Wexler (Carrie) as Sarah’s seven-year-old daughter. The ten-part conspiracy thriller, produced by Temple Street Productions, is co-created by Graeme Manson (Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus), with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director.
“As we get deeper into the show and peel back the layers, we unearth the conspiracy and the philosophy behind those responsible for the circumstances our characters are facing,” said Graeme Manson.“It’s a thrill ride with no shortage of hooks; the ‘how is she going to get out of this?’ question will be answered by Sarah invariably not getting ‘out’, but going deeper,” added John Fawcett.
Sarah’s complexities, struggles and troubled past make for a character that both grounds and fuels this intense series.As the story unfolds, we learn that Sarah began life in an English orphanage, bouncing between foster homes, eventually landing on the doorstep of Mrs. S, who adopted her and Felix, later uprooting them (under somewhat suspicious circumstances) to North America. Sarah steadfastly remains the English punk – a street-smart stray with a reckless streak and a loyal heart. She’s made bad choices in life, but has always done right by her daughter Kira, even if that meant the pain of separation. She wants more than anything to reunite with Kira and turn over a new leaf. But Sarah’s simple score to buy a new life turns into a tightrope act when she finds out that not only was Beth (her deceased look-alike) a cop, she was caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Now, Sarah is the next target – fighting to stay alive, while desperately trying to escape from the complex web she’s found herself in. But as more pieces of the puzzle emerge, Sarah is only drawn in deeper. With continual shocks to her identity, she’s left reeling, wondering who she really is.
“Sarah’s unlike any character I’ve seen on television, male or female. She is written so vividly on the page, struggling to survive as best she can in a world that’s never made room for her,” said Tatiana Maslany, star ofOrphan Black. “The series is completely unpredictable, gripping, dark and hilarious. The writers take hugerisks, and that’s what excites me so much about Orphan Black. It pushes boundaries, always with intelligence.”
Following the hit drama, COPPER, Orphan Black is BBC AMERICA’s next scripted series to join the channel’s stable of all-new original programming. The series is part of BBC AMERICA’s new Supernatural Saturday lineup, which launches March 30, with the season premiere of Doctor Who at 8:00pm ET/PT, series premiere of Orphan Black at 9:00pm ET/PT and the series premiere of The Nerdist at 10:00pm ET/PT.
BBC AMERICA TO PREMIERE NEW DRAMA, BROADCHURCH, STARRING DAVID TENNANT, OLIVIA COLMAN, VICKY MCCLURE AND ARTHUR DARVILL IN US
Jan 05, 2013 | BBC AMERICA
Television Critics Association – Pasadena – January 5, 2013 – BBC AMERICA today announced the acquisition of the eight part ensemble drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Vicky McClure and Arthur Darvill.The series explores what happens to a small community when it suddenly becomes the focus of a major murder investigation and is subjected to the full glare of the media spotlight.Broadchurch will premiere as part of BBC AMERICA’s groundbreaking drama block, Dramaville, in 2013.
From the producers of The Hour, MI-5 and Life on Mars, Kudos Film and Television, and distributed by Shine International, Broadchurch is written and created by Chris Chibnall (Torchwood, Law & Order: UK, Doctor Who) with Richard Stokes (Silk, Law & Order: UK, Torchwood) as producer and Jane Featherstone (The Hour,Life on Mars, Law & Order: UK) and Chibnall as executive producers. James Strong (United, Downton Abbey, Silent Witness, Doctor Who) has directed the first two episodes and episodes seven and eight of the series.
The drama centers on the investigation into the murder of a young boy in a British seaside town. Leading the investigation are two detectives, strong yet compassionate local Detective Sergeant, Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), and newcomer Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant), a by-the-book investigator and just appointed as Ellie’s boss. By circumstance they are partnered to solve the murder, keeping the newspapers from derailing the investigation and trying to prevent the crime impacting tourism at the beach where the boy was murdered. The cast also includes Jodie Whittaker as Beth, Andrew Buchan as Mark, Will Mellor playing Stephen Turner and sees Arthur Darvill as the town priest Paul Coates.
“Broadchurch focuses on a small British community which finds itself at the eye of a storm. In the wake of one boy’s death, the residents of Broadchurch come under scrutiny and suspicion,” said Chris. “It’s a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare,” he added.
“We’re proud to have cast an outstanding array of Britain’s finest performers to appear in Broadchurch,” said executive producer Jane Featherstone. “The drama is a snapshot of modern Britain. Its community represents a microcosm of life as we know it with the character of Ellie part of the fabric of Broadchurch. She’s lived amidst the people in this coastal town all her life so when the fabric begins to tear it’s Ellie who will feel the impact the hardest,” added Jane.
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.4 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online,www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visitingwww.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Part Two of Season Seven starts this Saturday, March 30th on BBC America with series premiere of Orphan Black immediately following!
Via Press Release:
BBC AMERICA TO CO-PRODUCE AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME TO MARK DOCTOR WHO’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Jan 29, 2013 | BBC AMERICA
Harry Potter’s David Bradley, Call the Midwife’s Jessica Raine and The Bourne Supremacy’s Brian Cox to star
BBC AMERICA will co-produce and premiere An Adventure in Space and Time as part of the channel’s celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. An Adventure in Space and Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who – which first aired on November 23, 1963 – and the many personalities involved.
Announced today, David Bradley (Harry Potter) is set to play the first ever Doctor, the iconic William Hartnell, in the drama written by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who), who will also serve as executive producer alongside Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock) and Caroline Skinner (Doctor Who, The Fades). An Adventure in Space and Time (1×90) is a co-production between BBC Cymru Wales and BBC AMERICA. The drama will premiere later this year on BBC AMERICA.
The BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman, credited with the creation of the show, will be portrayed by Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Identity) and the producer, Verity Lambert, by Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife). The director of the first ever episode An Unearthly Child, Waris Hussein, will be played by Sacha Dhawan (History Boys, Last Tango In Halifax).
Mark Gatiss, writer and executive producer said: “What a cast! I’m utterly delighted that everyone’s favorite Time Lord will be in such brilliant and stellar company. We have a terrific team who can’t wait to tell the fascinating and surprising story of how the Doctor began his journey through Space and Time.”
Richard De Croce, SVP Programming, BBC AMERICA added: “We’re excited to work with BBC Cymru Wales on this co-production, allowing us to bring An Adventure in Space and Time to Doctor Who fans on both sides of the pond. Mark and the talented team behind the project are sure to create a special that will delight audiences while commemorating this incredible series’ 50th anniversary.”
Commenting on his upcoming role, David Bradley said, “I’m absolutely thrilled. I first heard about this role from Mark while watching the Diamond Jubilee flotilla from the roof of the National Theatre. When he asked if I would be interested, I almost bit his hand off! Mark has written such a wonderful script not only about the birth of a cultural phenomenon, but a moment in television’s history. William Hartnell was one of the finest character actors of our time and as a fan I want to make sure that I do him justice. I’m so looking forward to getting started.”
An Adventure in Space and Time is a co-production between BBC Cymru Wales and BBC AMERICA. Filming begins at the beginning of February at BBC’s Television Centre in London before moving to Wimbledon Studios. The drama is produced by Matt Strevens (Misfits, Skins) and directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street).
Doctor Who recently delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA when the Christmas Day special Doctor Who: The Snowmen became the channel’s best ever telecast in demo, delivering 2.4 million total viewers and 1.3 million A25-54 in Live+7, rounding out a year of success. Doctor Who returns on March 30 as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday programming block, alongside world premieres of new original series The Nerdist and Orphan Black.
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
Instead of doing a crap-ton (yes, that’s a legitimate unit of measurement) of pieces on the upcoming midseason 2012 – 2013 midseason schedule, we decided to make it really easy for you and just give you the rundown on the new shows that are premiering and the returning shows that we have an interest in and we know you do, as well. If your show isn’t covered, drop us a line and we’ll get you caught up! As a bit of an aside, and before anyone asks, we have no idea when season six of Mad Men will be premiering because, as usual, Matthew Weiner and AMC are being obnoxiously tight-lipped about it. That being said, John Slattery (Roger Sterling) expects it to be premiering around the same time as season five did last year.
(All times Eastern, * Indicates a New Series/Show Premiere)
What better way to celebrate Christmas Day after all the presents are opened, you’ve visited your friends and family and finally settled down at the end of the day then to enjoy the latest adventure with your favorite time-traveling Time Lord and his newest companion? we certainly cam’t think of any and if you haven’t seen any of the Doctor Who Christmas specials in the past, you are in for a treat. Last year’s The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe was by far the best of the lot and just a fantastic adventure for the whole family. Below is the announcement on BBC America’s website regarding the latest entry following that is the press release providing all sorts of cool news about the upcoming second have to season seven.
Following the epic mid-season finale, the Doctor gets in the holiday spirit in the all-new Christmas special written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock). Accompanied by his newest companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, the Doctor’s latest adventure through space and time sees him once again crossing paths with the homo-reptilian Silurian Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh) and her cohort Jenny (Catrin Stewart). The Doctor Who Christmas Special premieres December 25, 9:00pm ET. Twitter: #DoctorWho
Via Press Release:
BBC AMERICA CONFIRMS CYBERMEN AND STELLAR CAST FOR DOCTOR WHO IN 2013
Nov 07, 2012 | BBC AMERICA
BBC AMERICA CONFIRMS CYBERMEN AND STELLAR CAST FOR DOCTOR WHO IN 2013
BBC AMERICA confirms that the Cybermen will be menacing the universe once again when Doctor Who returns for a run of eight epic episodes in spring, 2013. The iconic enemies will be featured in an adventure directed by Stephen Woolfenden and written by the acclaimed Neil Gaiman whose previous Doctor Who episode, “The Doctor’s Wife,” garnered a Hugo Award.
Starring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new companion, the episode co-stars Warwick Davis (Life’s Too Short, Harry Potter), Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, Law & Order: UK) and Jason Watkins (Being Human, Twenty Twelve) as a band of misfits on a mysterious planet…
Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, told us, “Cybermen were always the monsters that scared me the most! Not just because they were an awesome military force, but because sometimes they could be sleek and silver and right behind you without you even knowing.” He added, “And with one of the all-time classic monsters returning, and a script from one of our finest novelists, it’s no surprise we have attracted such stellar names as Tamzin, Jason and Warwick.”
The Cybermen last appeared in 2011’s “Closing Time,” but debuted in 1966 opposite William Hartnell’s Doctor in the classic “The Tenth Planet.” Over the years they have proven constant in their attempts to terrorize the Time Lord, invade our planet and destroy humanity… Secrecy surrounds all future adventures but we can’t wait to find out more about the Cybermen’s latest deadly gambit.
Doctor Who returns to BBC AMERICA on December 25 for the Christmas Special and is back for a run of eight episodes in spring, 2013.
Read the press release below, folks, there’s episode synopses and cast and production staff interviews in there, as well. The only thing that strikes us as rather confusing is that in all previous announcements from BBC America, they have indicated that the season would consist of 14 episodes (as per the usual), not five, as noted in the press release below. Heck, even in BBC America’s video description on YouTube they mention the 14-episode season. What it looks like to us is that the first five episodes of the seventh season are going to be standalone adventures that center around the Ponds and their ultimate departure in episode five. The rest of the season will be an arc that picks up from that point. We’ll look into this and provide more details as they become available.
Via Press Release:
BBC AMERICA’S DOCTOR WHO RETURNS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 WITH FIVE BLOCKBUSTER EPISODES
Aug 22, 2012 | BBC AMERICA
BBC AMERICA’s Doctor Who returns after a record-breaking season with five blockbuster episodes on September 1 as part of Supernatural Saturday. Join the Doctor, his companions Amy and Rory (aka the Ponds) and numerous friends on their latest escapades through space and time where they puzzle an unexpected invasion of Earth, save a spaceship full of dinosaurs, don Stetsons in a Wild Wild West adventure and are even kidnapped by the Doctor’s oldest foe. The explosive series concludes with Amy and Rory’s heart-breaking farewell – a race against time through the streets of Manhattan. Will the Doctor really lose the Ponds forever? There’s only one way to find out… Doctor Who premieres Saturday, September 1, 9:00pm ET as part of Supernatural Saturday.
Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat on the new season: “We have, I think, our biggest range of stories EVER. We’ve got the return of the Daleks AND the Weeping Angels – both of them poll-topping Doctor Who adversaries – in cracking new stories, we’ve got Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (it’s what you’ve always wanted), we’ve got a glorious western with a Cyborg Gunslinger, the most unusual invasion Earth story EVER, and location shooting in New York for the Pond finale.”
In the season opener, Asylum of the Daleks, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission after being kidnapped by his oldest foe – to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter…. the Asylum. A planetary prison confining the most terrifying and insane of their kind, the Doctor and the Ponds must find an escape route. But with Amy and Rory’s relationship in meltdown, and an army of mad Daleks closing in, it is up to the Doctor to save their lives, as well as the Pond’s marriage.
Last year, Doctor Who was the #1 top-selling series on the iTunes Store in the US. Last month, the series became the first British television series to ever grace the cover of Entertainment Weekly.
SYNOPSES
**SPOILER WARNING**
Asylum of the Daleks– Episode 1
Kidnapped by his oldest foe, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission – to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter…. the Asylum. A planetary prison confining the most terrifying and insane of their kind, the Doctor and the Ponds must find an escape route. But with Amy and Rory’s relationship in meltdown, and an army of mad Daleks closing in, it is up to the Doctor to save their lives, as well as the Pond’s marriage.Asylum of the Daleks premieres Saturday, September 1, 9:00pm ET.
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship – Episode 2
An unmanned spaceship hurtles towards certain destruction – unless the Doctor can save it, and its impossible cargo…… of dinosaurs. By his side a ragtag gang of adventurers; a big game hunter, an Egyptian Queen and a surprised member of the Pond family. But little does the Doctor know there is someone else onboard who will stop at nothing to keep hold of his precious, prehistoric cargo. Dinosaurs on a Spaceshippremieres Saturday, September 8, 9:00pm ET.
A Town Called Mercy– Episode 3
The Doctor gets a Stetson (and a gun), and finds himself the reluctant Sheriff of a Western town under siege by a relentless cyborg, who goes by the name of, the Gunslinger. But who is he and what does he want? The answer seems to lie with the mysterious, Kahler-Jex, an alien doctor (yes another one) whose initial appearance is hiding a dark secret.A Town Called Mercypremieres Saturday, September 15, 9:00pm ET.
Details on episodes 4 & 5 will be released at a later date.
CREDITS
The Doctor Matt Smith (Going for Gold, Christopher and His Kind)
Amy Pond Karen Gillan (We’ll Take Manhattan, The Kevin Bishop Show)
Rory Williams Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch, Little Dorrit)
Executive Producer
and Lead Writer Steven Moffat (Sherlock, The Adventures of Tintin)
Executive Producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades)
Writers Steven Moffat (ep 1) Chris Chibnall (ep 2) (Torchwood, Camelot, Law & Order: UK) Toby Whithouse (ep 3) (Being Human)
Directors Nick Hurran (ep 1) (Little Black Book, The Prisoner) Saul Metzstein (ep 2&3) (Upstairs Downstairs)
Series Producer Marcus Wilson (True Dare Kiss, Life on Mars) INTERVIEWS
STEVEN MOFFAT – LEAD WRITER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat gives us an insight into the monsters and adventures that we can expect from the new series.
So it is back with a bang and with Daleks from every decade. Why did you decide to kick-off the new series with a Dalek filled episode?
We’ve been off the air for longer than usual, so it was an easy decision to come back with Doctor Who at its most iconic and that means Daleks. Lots and lots of scary Daleks. There have been many monsters to face the Doctor over the years, but only one that can sum up the whole series just by being there.
Also, it’s my first go at writing for them. I LOVE the Daleks, and I’ve held off till now. But I had what Ithought was a good idea, and couldn’t resist any longer!!
Are there any new monsters to look out for and star guest appearances?
There’s a terrifying Cyborg in the old West, and wait till you see what’s invading Earth in episode 4. There’s never been an extra-terrestrial incursion like this one!! Guest stars include David Bradley, Rupert Graves, Stephen Berkoff, Mike McShane, Ben Browder, Adrian Scarbourgh and Anamaria Marinca.
As well as filming in and around Cardiff, you ventured abroad to Spain and NYC for episodes 1, 3 and 5, what was it like to shoot in those locations?
I don’t think I’ve ever worked on a show before that’s had foreign location shoots on three out of five episodes – it’s quite astonishing. We have snowy mountains for the series opener, New York for the finale and along the way a full-blooded Western shot on location where all the best cowboy movies come from – Spain. Location shooting at this level is such a blast of fresh air for the show – wide open spaces and wide open skies! It’s easy to say “movie scale” but that really is what we’re delivering.
We know to expect Amy and Rory’s departure in episode 5, why was it decided that this should be the time for them to go and with an episode featuring the Weeping Angels?
The story of the Ponds hasn’t even begun to end yet – they’ve got loads more adventures with their mad friend the Doctor ahead of them, and we’ll see more of their lives and Time Lord-complicated relationship than we ever have before. This more than any other, is the year of the Ponds.
But, yes, it’s true, I cannot lie – somewhere out there, the Weeping Angels are waiting forthem….
What are you going to miss most about the characters and Karen and Arthur?
Amy and Rory have been with the Doctor since I took over the show, they’re part of the landscape for me. It was just traumatic to consider a future without them. Amy is everything I admired (and sometimes feared) about strong, clever, reckless women, and Rory is the man I’d like to be – so strong he never has to show it.
Karen and Arthur have become friends, and I still can’t get my head round the fact that I’ll never find them on the set again. Brilliant performers and warm and lovely people – the best of the best.
MATT SMITH – The Doctor
Donning the compulsory tweed for the third time, Matt Smith gets ready for more adventures through space and time as the Doctor. Herehe talks about his hopes for the new series, what fans have to look forward to and saying goodbye to the Ponds.
Asylum of the Daleks is going to be a cracker, states Matt as he talks excitedly about the opener of the new series. Steven has written andabsolute belter and we have made the Daleks scary again, something I am not sure we got right before.
THE UPCOMING SEASON
With five big adventures for the Doctor and his companions, this series it is set to be epic.
We have five of the most exciting standalone episodes, with everything from Daleks to dinosaurs and of course, the fall of the Ponds, explains Matt.
During this series Matt Smith’s Doctor gets faced with a lot of new challenges. Not only did he get to live out many a childhood dream of becoming a cowboy for the day by riding a horse in the western themed episode,A Town Called Mercy, but he also got the once in a lifetime opportunity…to ride a dinosaur. More painful than you can imagine, Matt gives us an insight into just what that was like, I had to wear padded trousers! Dinosaurs are a lot lumpier than horses, so it was a painful couple of hours, a laugh though and definitely worth it as it’sgoing to look great.
FAVORITE… DALEK?
With Asylum of the Daleks featuring Daleks from all of The decades, does Matt have any favorites?
Absolutely! The blue and white ones from the 1960s, I think they are from the Troughton era…they are just kind of groovy, smaller but fantastic. And the lovely Barnaby (Edwards) who operates them. The day we filmed with all of those Daleks there was such an excitable atmosphere on set from cast and crew alike. It was a brilliant few days at work!
PREHISTORIC CREATURES
The second episode sees viewers taken on an incredible prehistoric adventure with the unusually titledDinosaurs on a Spaceship, so what did Matt think when he first heard those four words?
Steven you are a genius! It’s Doctor Who in a nutshell. I have always wanted to do a dinosaur episode, he continues, so I was very pleased to get the chance. And the Director Saul (Metzstein) has done a fantastic job, with David Bradley playing a cracking villain. I think it is such a fun episode with a wonderfully crafted script by Chris Chibnall.
ON LOCATION
As the most ambitious season to date, locations play a key role in creating scale and meeting that ambition. Travelling to the Spanish mountains for episode 1, Almeria in Spain for episode 3, A Town Called Mercy, and New York for the Pond’s departure in episode 5, Matt believes they really help transport the viewer and the character, commenting that, There is only so much CGI can do.We were in the middle of a western village, which was brilliant for Doctor Who,adding to the imagination of it all. And I am such a fan of New York, and we got to use some properly iconic locations, like Central Park. There is nothing quite like running through Times Square trying to shoot a scene.
SAYING GOODBYE TO HIS BELOVED COMPANIONS
As well as visiting new locations and facing new monsters, Matt got his first taste as TheDoctor of what it is like to be on the receiving end of one of the show’s most widely known formulas, a change in companion.
It was terribly sad and I do miss them as they are such great chums, Matt shares his thoughts on his last days on set with Karen and Arthur, we knew it was coming, but just didn’t believe it. It is one of those things like when you are on holiday and you suddenly realize it is Friday and you are going home on Monday. But that is what the show is about, evolution and regeneration, and we now have Jenna who is lovely and great.
So did he agree with Steven’s choice to send them out in an episode with the Weeping Angels,Oh absolutely, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that the Weeping Angels are one of our favorite monsters. The fact that they don’t speak just makes them crueler. And with the last episode set in New York and to have River back, it all just made sense. I really think, Karen and Arthur go with a bang and tear!
Stupid dancing, stupid faces and stupid everything, is how Matt sums up what he will miss most about having Karen and Arthur on set. Being ridiculous, there were points when we wouldn’t even have conversations, but just make noises at each other. We had a laugh and that really informed the energy and spirit of the show. The relationship between our characters on screen and off screen really blurred!
PRANKS ON SET
Renowned for his pranks on set, Matt gleefully explains how much he used to enjoy making Karen scream, I used to hide in her trailer a lot and just jump out at her and she is a real screamer. Or I would dance really close to her face, which would also make her scream! It was very much like a brother and sister relationship with Arthur and I pranking her like older brothers!
KAREN GILLAN – Amy Pond
It’s Karen Gillan’s last season as Amy Pond. Having travelled through space and time for three years, she is about to hang up her TARDIS key.
THE UPCOMING SEASON
Here she gives us a glimpse at what is to come in episodes 1 to 3 from Daleks to Dinosaurs and some thoughts on her departure.
It was AMAZING! We have totally made them scary again. I expect everyone to be watching from behind theirsofas, I know I will…
This season has been done in a really interesting way with five standalone epic episodes, like a movie a week, all building to the departure of the Ponds! We actually kick-off the season with Amy and Rory’s relationship in a sticky situation; it is less than marital bliss. Those scenes were really interesting to do, she explains, because they created such a different on-screen atmosphere between Amy and Rory, something that the viewers wouldn’t have seen before. That is the good thing about Doctor Who, it gives you the chance to shift the character, and you never know what is going to happen from episode to episode.
ON WORKING WITH THE DALEKS…
Karen is talking excitedly about the return of the Doctor’s most fearsome and famous enemy the Daleks. The opener to season 7, Asylum of the Daleks, will feature the most Daleks ever to be seen on screen and from the different decades, including a special appearance from Russell T Davies’ Dalek.
I am so pleased that he now owns an official Dalek, it was a real honor to act opposite him and I think he is going to go far! she says rather cheekily.
I think my favorite is the 1960s Dalek with the white and blue armour, she continues, there is something more menacing about them as they are smaller and they just look so original. If I was going to own one, it would be one of those, Karen concludes, I would keep it in my kitchen.
DINOSAURS ON A SPACESHIP
But it isn’t all upset for the Ponds, as the adventures continue in episode two with Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, written by Chris Chibnall.
That was a crazy filming adventure, exclaims Karen, with all the adventures that I have been on through-out the show that was perhaps the most surreal! There was a lot of running from things we couldn’t see, whichis always fun, BUT a couple of the cast got to ride a dinosaur…..
NEW GUEST STARS
Mark Williams comes along for the ride as Rory’s dad Brian Williams.
He was so fantastic, naturally funny and such great casting, you could totally imagine Rory having a dad like that. This series has some great guest stars, characters and of course monsters, she teases.
Guest stars making their Doctor Who debut are James Bond Baddy, Steven Berkoff, Jemma Redgrave and Ben Browder. Alex Kingston as River Song makes her return in episode 5, just in time to say goodbye to Amy.
ON LOCATION
While the majority of the filming was done in the home of Doctor Who, Cardiff, the cast and crew found themselves in the perfect spaghetti western location of Almeria, Spain, giving Toby Whithouse’s episode 3, A Town Called Mercy, a truly authentic western feel….
So much fun, claims Karen, using a location that had actually been the set for other westerns made everything feel so much, well, realer. In the episode Amy Pond gets her hand on a gun, something Karen agrees that she really shouldn’t be let anywhere near. Definitely, Amy Pond should be nowhere near a gun, exclaims Karen. I remember for a previous episode I had to fire a gun with blanks, followed quickly by Rory shouting ARGHHH as though I had hit him. I completely forgot this when action was called, so when I fired and he shouted I really thought I had shot him! It was awful! In this episode when she gets hold of a gun you can see the fear on the faces of the other characters, but they weren’t acting, I genuinely think all of the actors including Matt and Arthur were in fear for their lives!
AMY AND THE DOCTOR
Featuring an alien with a score to settle A Town Called Mercy also reveals a different side to the Doctor as Amy claims, So this is what happens when you travel alone. In the series we see a slight shift in the Ponds’ relationship with the Doctor, Just as any relationship changes when it matures, explains Karen. We get to see a glimpse of what Amy and Rory do when the Doctor isn’t around and how the adventures and time away from home has affected their own relationships with friends and family. I think the Doctor also begins to realise how he has changed Amy and what happens when heisn’t there, and at first he doesn’t really understand it. There is a really sweet moment in episode 5 when the Doctor notices Amy is wearing glasses, she hints.
HER FINAL FAREWELL…
Following the Western the series takes us to Amy and Rory’s house and a deadly outbreak, before heading to the final episode of the Ponds, shot in New York and with the return of the Weeping Angels.
The never ending pranks and my two best friends, Karen is talking about what she is going to miss as she takes her bow from the show, Matt used to hide in the cupboard of my trailer and jump out of it at me and I used to go flying back against the wall in absolute shock! He must have done it like a hundred times and I fell for it every single time! But honestly even with the bruises, it really was the biggest and most exciting time of my life. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
I always knew that Steven had an ending for Amy Pond and when I met with him a year or so ago it was kind of like, so what are the plans for the character and we both said that she should go at this point. It was such a fantastic mutual decision and completely the right time for Amy to leave. I will miss her, but I can’t wait for fans to see what happens…..
ARTHUR DARVILL – Rory Williams
Having joined Doctor Who in the fifth season, Arthur became a regular character in season six and is now set to make his departure alongside onscreen wife Karen Gillan in episode 5.
THE UPCOMING SEASON…
Here he shares his favorite moments, monsters and how you can make Karen scream!
Rather wonderful, the great thing about Doctor Who is that it always tries to better itself and that has really happened this series, Arthur is talking fondly about the upcoming series, it feels like a movie!
What is fantastic is that the Daleks are actually scary in this episode, continues Arthur as he gives his thoughts on Asylum of the Daleks. It was quite an odd experience being on set that day, not only because of all of the Daleks, but because there was generally a lot more people on set as they were so excited about what was about to happen.
Such an amazing title, but to be honest I wasn’t sure how they were going to do it, getting Dinosaurs on a Spaceship! But that episode is made extra special with Mark Williams playing Rory’s dad, he was just hilarious, so lovely and just a funny guy, remembers Arthur. With one of the biggest sets ever built to house the prehistoric creatures, Arthur exclaims, The dinosaurs were huge, going on set was like walking in to a massive aircraft carrier.
A NEW SIDE OF AMY AND RORY
So with Amy and Rory’s relationship in a slightly sticky situation in episode 1, how did Arthur find that to play?
Every relationship has their rocky moments, Arthur explains, but it was quite fun to play out a problem in their relationship and it shows a different side to both of their characters and makes them more real. I think that was an important side to show.
THE WESTERN
In episode 3, A Town Called Mercy, we see The Doctor and his companions in a western themed setting, where Amy Pond gets her hands on a weapon.
I am always terrified when Karen picks up anything! Of course there was a guy there to make sure it wasn’t loaded. But Karen is better at these things than she pretends to be, even though she looks like she is made of spaghetti!
I am a huge fan of westerns, me and my dad used to spend Sunday afternoons watching them, so it was kind of like living out a boyhood dream, filming in Almeria where so many westerns had been shot.
HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE SERIES
Along with Karen Gillan, Arthur makes his exit in episode 5, but before we get to that heartbreaking ending there is glimpse of the Pond’s everyday life in episode 4, a side to the couple that hasn’t previously been explored.
So what does Arthur think about his exit?
Just brilliant, he exclaims, I was really happy to go out in an episode with the Weeping Angels. They are a relatively new monster, but Steven immediately made them a classic. I think they are one of the scariest villains within Doctor Who and episode 5 is very creepy, he hints.
FAVORITE MONSTERS
Are there any other monsters that Arthur favored?
The Silence were pretty good, they look scary. Along with the Weeping Angles they have a psychological effect. Steven is good at writing those, making quite terrifying television!
MORE PRANKS ON SET
We know Matt is fond of pranks on set, but did Arthur also torment Karen?
During down time on set if there was a lull a great way to entertain yourself was to tell Karen that a moth was flying around her head. She would literally go mad, flinging her arms around and screaming, it was hilarious! She hates anything with wings!
The people, it is such a big family, Arthur is explaining what he will miss the most about the show. But me, Matt and Karen still chat every few days and meet up when we can. The great thing about Doctor Who is that you get to work with the best of the best. It has been such a fantastic adventure and I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the ride.
BBC AMERICA delivers US audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 79 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition in all markets, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us onwww.twitter.com/bbcamerica.
Matt Smith says: “Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.
Sarah hopes that cleaning out a dead woman’s bank account will solve all her problems. Instead, they multiply at an unnerving rate. Smart, sexy and pulsating with suspense – BBC AMERICA’s new original series, ORPHAN BLACK, features rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Vow, Picture Day). She portrays Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman, “Beth,” who looks just like her. Sarah takes her identity, her boyfriend and her money. But instead of solving her problems, the street-smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers. ORPHAN BLACK premieres Saturday, March 30, 9:00pm ET/PT, as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday.
The SuperGeeks Super Blog 