GEEK ALERT! Doctor Who Season Seven (Part Two) Trailer, Details & New Posters

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 50^th 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCAMERICA and https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWho

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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.

USA Announces ‘Psych’ Season Seven Premiere Date

Via Press Release:

USA NETWORK FAN FAVORITE “PSYCH” SEASON SEVEN PREMIERE SET FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 AT 10/9C

New Season Will Feature 100th Episode Milestone and Long-Awaited Two Hour Musical

NEW YORK – October 10, 2012 – USA Network’s hit comedy series PSYCH returns for its highly-anticipated seventh season on Wednesday, February 27 at 10/9c with 16 new one-hour episodes. This season, the Network’s longest running series currently on air will celebrate its landmark 100^th episode and unveil the long-awaited two-hour musical.

PSYCH stars James Roday as police consultant Shawn Spencer who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute the precinct detectives think he’s psychic. Dulé Hill stars as Shawn’s best friend and reluctant sidekick Gus, Corbin Bernsen as Shawn’s disapproving father, who ironically honed his son’s “observation” skills as a child, Timothy Omundson as Detective Lassiter, Maggie Lawson as Detective Juliet O’Hara, Kirsten Nelson as Chief Vick and Kurt Fuller recurs as “Woody” the coroner.

Season seven will explore Gus’ personal life, feature the wedding of one of the main characters and deliver new ‘Psych-isms’ crafted for the series’ legions of devoted fans, affectionately known as PSYCH-O’s. Parminder Nagra will recur as Gus’ girlfriend, exposing his romantic side and creating jealousy with Shawn. Additional guests include Katy Mixon, Garcelle Beauvais, Jeffrey Tambor, WWE’s Big Show, as well as the return of Cybill Shepherd and Kristy Swanson.

To celebrate the series’ 100^th episode, PSYCH will host a mini reunion of the popular 1985 movie “Clue” featuring original cast members Christopher Lloyd, Lesley Ann Warren and Martin Mull. The episode will also include guest stars Garrett Morris, Steve Valentine and returning guest star Curt Smith – of Tears For Fears’ fame – who will play himself. The long-awaited “PSYCH: The Musical” – an epic nod to the colorful word of musical theater – will showcase original songs written by show creator Steve Franks and performed by the entire cast with a host of impressive guest stars including Barry Bostwick, Brooke Lyons and Anthony Rapp.

While awaiting the return of their beloved show, fans can play the Emmy nominated PSYCH: Hashtag Killer, a suspenseful thrilling “whodunit” experience allowing fans to engage in a storyline specifically created for this experience, allowing them to send and receive messages directly with Shawn (Roday) and Gus (Hill), in an effort to solve the case.

PSYCH’s sixth season proved to be the show’s most watched among P18-34 with 1.12 million, while showing growth among P18-49 (2.24 million) and P25-54 (2.22 million).

PSYCH is executive produced by Steve Franks, Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze, from Universal Cable Productions in association with Tagline Pictures. Mel Damski serves as executive producer/director. Bill Callahan is executive producer. Saladin K. Patterson, Andy Berman and Todd Harthan are co-executive producers/writers. Kell Cahoon is consulting producer.

For photos of PSYCH, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/. For more information on PSYCH, including press kit materials, screeners, clips and photos, log on to the USA digital press site at http://www.usanetwork.com/press/psych Password: characters.

The #1 network in all of basic cable for six consecutive years and an unprecedented seven straight summers, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

 

BBC America: Doctor Who Season Seven Premiere Date Announced, EXCLUSIVE Trailer Released! Tons of Info on New Season!

Ten days fellow Whovians, ten days…

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.

Doctor Who Series Seven Official Trailer Released [HD Video]

On August 1st, BBC America released a brand new trailer for the upcoming series (season for all of us in the U.S.) seven of Doctor Who.  Now, we knew that the fan-favorite Science Fiction series would be airing in the U.K. on BBC One this fall, but according to BBC America, it appears that it will be airing in the U.S. simultaneously.

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss.

We also would like to note that BBC in the description, BBC America describes this new season as “[f]ourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes…”  Waitminute, there.

As the tenth Doctor would say:

We don ‘t know about you we’re reading that as each episode is going to be at least 90 minutes long, like the incredibly popular Sherlock.  No complaints from us because that’s exactly how this show should be done.  They’ve always had the top-notch effects and the epic story-telling but they’ve been confined to multiple episode story arcs for the most part.  This might just be BBC America exaggerating (and abusing the English language) but we really want to believe.  Here’s the latest trailer and at the bottom we’ve posted the first teaser trailer that came out last year because it was just so cool.

From BBC America:

The new season will see the last days of the Ponds, with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill making their final rollercoaster voyage with The Doctor (Matt Smith). Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) have been at the Doctor’s side for more than two seasons but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

New guest stars so far confirmed to star will include David Bradley, Rupert Graves and Mark Williams. Season 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when The Doctor meets a new friend – the recently-announced new companion, played by Jenna-Louse Coleman. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year.

Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes – each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you’ve never seen them before.

SCOOP: Showtime Releases First Two Minutes of Dexter Season Seven Premiere At Comic-Con [VIDEO]

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

If you didn’t see the season finale of season six of Showtime’s hit, Dexter, or you want to wait to see what happens immediately following the final shocking moment of the finale, stop right now and go no further because we don’t want to ruin anything for you.

But for the rest of you, enjoy!  We did!

Via Press Release:

SHOWTIME^® PRESENTS AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT THE SEVENTH SEASON PREMIERE OF DEXTER^®

San Diego Comic-Con Attendees Exclusively Viewed Homeland Season Two Trailer

 

SAN DIEGO, CA – (July 12, 2012) – This evening at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012, SHOWTIME premiered the first two minutes of the upcoming season seven debut of the Emmy^®-nominated series DEXTER, as well as an exclusive Comic-Con only trailer for the anticipated second season of the Golden-Globe^®-winning drama series Homeland. Both trailers were unveiled in front of a standing room only crowd during the annual DEXTER panel presented on the first day of the world-famous gathering in San Diego.

The gasps from last season’s finale can still be heard among every DEXTER fan as their worst fears were realized – Dexter (series star and executive producer Michael C. Hall) got caught and by none other than Deb (Jennifer Carpenter)! What will he do, what will she do…what’s next for America’s favorite serial killer? Watch and find out:

The network’s top-rated drama series, DEXTER and Homeland return on Sunday, September 30^th – DEXTER will make its seventh season premiere at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by Homeland at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

GEEK ALERT: Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) Joins Season 7 Cast of Dexter, Premiere Date Announced…

Keep your pants on nerds but your favorite hottie spy from five seasons of fan-favorite Chuck, Yvonne Strahovski, has been cast on your favorite Sunday night gorefest, Dexter, and let’s be honest, this is Dexter we’re talking about so there’s a 50/50 chance that your fantasy will be fulfilled and she will appear naked or at least topless on-screen… or get chopped up into a bunch of tiny pieces and dumped in the ocean.  We’re pulling for option one.

In the meantime, enjoy this. You’re welcome…

Via Press Release:

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 12, 2012) – Actress Yvonne Strahovski has joined the cast of the Emmy^®-nominated SHOWTIME^® drama series DEXTER. Strahovski, who will appear in a multi-episode story arc in the upcoming seventh season, will play the role of Hannah McKay, a strong, independent woman with a past that she’s struggled to put behind her. As a turn of events leads Miami Metro Homicide to ask for her help in solving some old cases, Dexter works with her and begins to wonder if there’s more to this woman than she’s professed. Production on season seven began last week and will premiere on SHOWTIME on Sunday, September 30^th at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Yvonne Strahovski is best-known for playing CIA operative “Sarah Walker” on NBC’s long-running action-comedy Chuck, from executive producers Josh Schwartz and McG. Up next, she co-stars in two films: Guilt Trip opposite Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen; and as the female lead in I, Frankenstein with Aaron Eckhart. She also starred in the 2011 Toronto Film Festival darling Killer Elite.

One of the most acclaimed series on television, DEXTER stars Golden Globe^® and SAG Award winner Michael C. Hall as a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer. The show has received both multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for best television drama series, as well as a prestigious Peabody Award in 2008, and was twice named one of AFI’s top ten television series. The show also stars Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas, and James Remar.

•••

Oh, yeah… almost forgot…

Dexter season seven premieres Sunday, September 30th at 9:00 p.m. on Showtime.