Doctor Who

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The Sun reports that Minogue's character, named Astrid Peth, will share a kiss with the Doctor, and that at the end of the special the character "spins off into space in a strange 'half-form' of herself." The article also states:


* The episode is set on board the Titanic, "which has become a spaceship run by arch-baddie Max Capricorn."
* Astrid and the Doctor team up to save the earth from Max's scheme.
* "Astrid tells the Doctor: 'You need someone to look after you -- can I come with you?' He agrees."
* "The special ends with a stunning scene in which the Titanic falls from the sky and looks like crashing on Buckingham Palace."

They sure like destroying London landmarks, don't they? :D

Quote :

BBC News have reported that Billie Piper will be returning to Doctor Who, portraying her original role of Rose Tyler.

The news was originally reported in today's Daily Mirror, which went on to say: The Time Lord, played by David Tennant, starts with Donna (Catherine Tate) as his helper, is then joined by Martha (Freema Agyeman) and then reunites with Billie's character Rose for the finale. A source said: "With Donna, Martha and Rose competing to assist him, Dr Who is going to be spoilt for choice." The paper also reported that the actress will be in at least three episodes of the new series. (also reported by The Hollywood News, Daily Record, Ananova, and Marie Claire)

The breaking news was actually reported on our very own Doctor Who Forum last night by fans present at filming in Cardiff, including photos of Billie Piper at the location. These can be found in the forum here if you really want to see them! Thanks to Brian_Damage and PMount for the reports.

The BBC have also issued a general press release on the Christmas line-up, with the principal item being Doctor Who: "BBC One reaffirms its position as the one to watch with a formidable line-up of television's biggest and brightest award-winning stars. David Tennant stars as The Doctor in a very special edition of Doctor Who, alongside the one and only Kylie Minogue, who plays a waitress on the Titanic."
Billie Piper to return to Dr Who

Actress Billie Piper is to return to Doctor Who, the BBC has confirmed. She will star in three episodes of the sci-fi drama, reprising her role as the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler.

Rose's return will mean the Doctor has three assistants in next year's series - Donna, played by Catherine Tate, and Freema Agyeman as Martha.

The new series begins in March and will run for 13 episodes. There will be three special editions in 2009 before the show takes a break until 2010.

4.X: "Voyage of the Damned"
(Christmas Day, 25th December 2007, 7.00pm)

Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by James Strong (Block 1)

Cast: Kylie Minogue (Astrid Peth), Geoffrey Palmer (Captain), Clive Swift, Debbie Chazen, Clive Rowe, Gray O'Brien, Russell Tovey, George Costigan, Bernard Cribbins, Jimmy Vee, Nathan Head (Glamorous Man), Ian Darlington-Roberts (Mr Cable), Stefan Davis (Colin), John Sullivan (Ships Officer), Bruce Lawrence (Engineer).

The Titanic, which has become a spaceship run by arch-baddie Max Capricorn. The Doctor stows away on board and teams up with feisty waitress Astrid Peth, played by Kylie Minogue. Together, the pair must save the Earth from mad Max’s evil intentions. But they snatch a brief opportunity to get smoochy. Astrid tells the Doctor: “You need someone to look after you — can I come with you?” he agrees, yet things don't go to plan.

At one point Astrid and the Doctor have to get across a bridge that spans a 'massive' chasm, apparently dangerous scene, and magic... (Phil Collinson on Freema's Studio Tour from the DVD boxset).

RTD says that his favourite lines in VotD are the Doctor's "A, B, 1, 2" speech. DT comments that it was "a nightmare to learn".

Pictures from VotD here featuring rather Axon-like angels.


The special ends with a stunning scene in which the Titanic falls from the sky and looks like crashing on Buckingham Palace. BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell will appear as himself giving a spoof report from outside Buckingham Palace. (Daily Mail). Kylie spins off into space in a strange “half-form” of herself. (The Sun)

Exploding engines are in this year's Christmas special, according to Mr Tennant himself no less. (The Doctors Trainers).

RTD says that Bernard Cribbins will not be one of the damned (Box Set "Utopia" commentary). This would lend credence to the speculation that Cribbins is Donna's Grandad and is merely a spectator at the crash of the ship.

See this thread for more discussion.


4.01: TBA (Possibly "Blues" or "Red Alert")

Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by James Strong (Block 4)

Cast: Sarah Lancashire (Miss Foster), Jacqueline King (Sylvia, Donna's Mum), Howard Attfield (Geoff, Donna's Dad), Claudio Laurini (Miss Fosters guard).

The start of the new series will see Donna tracking down the Time Lord during an alien emergency in modern-day London.

"Adipose Industries" are somehow involved (The 8th Doctor). Adipose basically means "fatty tissue" leading some to speculate the aliens in this episode are harvesting fat from humans. Adipose is also one of the entries on the SFX blog (see below).

Miss Foster is seen at one point raising her arms, looking up at the sky and saying words to the effect of: "Go, my children... out into the Galaxy, rise up and meet your new mummies and daddies!" (PMount).

Filming has taken place in abandoned offices (for Donna's workplace?), suburban streets (Donna's house?) and at Tiger-Tiger in Cardiff (suggesting a restaurant scene). A black van with flashing purple lights containing two men in security-style uniforms and wearing large metal badges, has also been sighted and photographed. (Set Report thread)

Trailers on set for characters "Penny" and "Clare" (this thread).

This episode involves a bomb in a cinema (Scooty).


4.02: "Planet of the Ood"

Written by Keith Temple
Directed by Graeme Harper (Block 2)

Cast: Tim McInnerny, Silas Carson (Voice of the Ood)

Features the return of the Ood, and their origin. It is set on a "weird and wonderful alien world" (BBC website).

Extract taken from DWM 387

"Doctor get me out!" screams Donna Noble from inside a giant, blue, metal container....
"If you don't do what she says," the Doctor barks at some men with guns, "you're really in trouble. Not from me, from her!"

Speculation:
It may contain a character named Sawahla, who plays a major part in the episode, and may possibly be an Ood herself! (BurnWithMe)

The episode is set before TIP/TSP, and features the Ood hive mind being destroyed by humans, creating the subservient race we saw previously.


4.03: TBA (The Pompeii Episode)

Written by James Moran
Directed by Colin Teague (Block 3)

Cast: Peter Capaldi (Caecillius), Phil Davis (Lucius), Tracey Childs (Metella), Francesca Fowler.

The Doctor and Donna arrive in Pompeii in AD 79, on the eve of the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Should they warn the residents of Pompeii of the forthcoming catastrophe or leave them to fend for themselves?

Filming of the episode took place at Cinecitta studios in Rome, which the Doctor Who team expertly transformed into Pompeii. The episode is apparently very epic. RTD claims James Moran spent all the budget on this episode (DWM October 2007)

An alien craft lands on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius according to the newsletter of a cement company that owned the quarry the scene was filmed in (Doris Wildthyme). StewieGriffinRocks saw the filming of what appears to be the same scene and provided photos. Monk-like figures in black robes were seen on "the slopes". Nuggets he unearthed (besides the new console room and early episode running order) were that the volcano definately erupts and that "alien spray" was required.

Earlier set reports from the same thread revealed the Temple of Peace in Cardiff had been converted into some kind of temple with a bed behind a veil and a large eye symbol above it. Actors dressed as priestesses in elaborate make up were on site. One or two also were made-up with stony-marbley skin, suggesting living statues (but not of the Weeping Angel variety!). Trailers on set outside the Temple of Peace for "Soothsayer", "Priestess", "Sisters 4+5" (this thread)


4.04/4.05: TBA/TBA (The Sontaran Two Parter)

Written by Helen Raynor
Directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Block 5)

Cast: Christopher Ryan (General Staal, Sontaran Leader), David Sullivan (A Sontaran), Dan Starkey (Commander Storr), Mark Lord (Unit Soldier),
Eleanor Matsuura, Ryan Sampson, Rupert Holiday Evans, Bridget Hodson, Clive Standen, Wesley Theobald, Christian Cooke (Ross Jenkins), Rad Kaim, Leeshon Alexander, Meryl Fernandes (DWM, Nov 2007)

The Sontarans return! (BBC) The Blue Suit returns! (Set Report). Martha Jones returns!

This is Helen Raynor's two-parter: "There's a big invasion and lots of good Sontaran action." Apparently it is also better than DiM/EotD which was plagued by problems not of her making and "has a light touch with plenty of humour'. MontyD).

The first part will contain the words "chimney", "pod", "hurricane" and the sentence "Our campaign is progressing slowly".

Story is set around a Tudor Gothic mansion (Margam Castle) which seems to be an Academy called Rattigan House (set report). Does this tie in with "Mrs Rattigan" mentioned in the SFX list below?

Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) is in this episode, and is rumoured to be working with Unit, after a transfer from Torchwood set up by Jack (see this post and this post)

Speculation:
The story may be set in Scotland (set report). One sequence involved a Sontaran emerging from his sphere (set report).
The episode involves a group of aliens creating a weight loss drug that actually grows an alien inside you. This tallies with what I saw being filmed last week at what looked like some training (weight loss) clinic/academy, with lots of people running about in red work-out tracksuits (Scooty).

Bernard Cribbins to reappear? Report of Bernard Cribbins to be in a scene with Donna Noble, where she calls him "Grandad" (set report).

Lt Skree, one of SFX's entries, sounds like a potential potato-headed warmonger.


4.07: "T.U.A.T.W" (Acronym, possibly "The Unicorn and the Wasp")

Written by Gareth Roberts
Directed by Graeme Harper (Block 2)

Cast: Fenella Woolgar (Agatha Christie), Felicity Kendal (Lady Clemency Eddison)

A Whodunnit where the Doctor and Donna meet Agatha Christie.

It contains the words "peach", "sting", "unicorn" and the sentence "The poor little child".

Speculation:
"Unicorn" is one of the entries from the SFX blog. "Sting" may be related to another: "Vespiform" (meaning wasp-like). According to Simon Watkins the filming that took place at Cefn Mably Lakes involved "a giant wasp-like creature emerging from one of the lakes".


4.??: TBA (The Doctor-lite)

Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Graeme Harper (Block 7)

Cast: Billie Piper

Reports from filming:
Brian_Damage: The shoot basically seems to consist some Police barriers, a cordoned off area with Police barrier tape, some officers in uniform, lots of flashing blue lights etc, plus also a couple of army vehicles and some troops.There was no dialogue when I was there - just Donna creeping around the side of one of the land rovers and peering in though a passenger window.

Brian_Damage This was the same set up as I posted about earlier, except now there were a number of ambulances in shot. The gist of it seemed to be Rose running up to Donna asking her what she'd seen or heard. I couldn't quite catch Donna's reply, but it Rose's response was "Oh my God he's dead..." at which she looks distraught. Then there was a rather odd scene with Donna (a bit crossly) accusing Rose of looking at her in a funny way "again", and asking if someone had put something on her back, at which point Rose runs out of shot, leaving Donna looking confused... (confirmed by PMount)

Pictures of Graeme Harper, Catherine Tate and BILLIE PIPER - pictures here and here. Also headlines in the Mirror (see pic here).



Previous Rumour/Speculation

There is a rumour that the Doctor-lite episode for Season 4 will focus on the lives of the Doctor's assistants. Rose is rumoured to return, along with a number of other companions, including Sarah-Jane (spoilers from theotherside here and here).

Set report on Digital Spy (Nov 2007 (now missing?) that Donna and Sarah-Jane were filming together. On the other hand, we have this interview from late October where ES is asked if she is in the finale and says she'd "probably be the last to hear" but that it's news to her. (But what about the Doctor-lite?)

"Belle de Jour" star Billie Piper may be back in the tardis soon in Doctor Who. "I have been asked, and its a great storyline, so who knows?" (Metro) Further confirmation? Emperor Fabulous


Other Episodes

Block six comprises of two episodes directed by Alice Troughton. Block six will double bank with block seven, which is a single episode written by Russell T Davies. Graeme Harper directing. (DWM, Nov 2007)

Greenhorn said his episode will be filmed November/December, so Alice Troughton is directing Stephen Greenhorn and Tom MacRae's episodes.The_Iceman2288

Unattributed Sun report that the Doctor has mislaid the Tardis (nice pic though)

Episode 8 is to feature the line "Chicken or beef" DWM Nov 2007 RTD Production Notes(speculation)

Tom McRae's episode contains the words "Caravaggio", "jam" and the sentence "Engaging tractor beams".

Stephen Greenhorn's episode has the Doctor facing a dilemma unlike anything before, and it is wildly different to The Lazarus Experiment.

Steven Moffat will be writing a two-parter using an idea he first came up with after writing The Empty Child. It will contain the word "node" and the phrase 'Count the shadows'. (DWM, Nov 2007). These scripts are to be delivered "late" (DWM Nov 2007)

Other directors for Series 4 include Euros Lyn (DWM Oct 2007)

Martha Jones will return in episode 4 and will appear in five episodes. She will also be in a relationship with someone.

According to RTD there are clues to the story arc for series 4 in something that the Master said in "The Last of the Time Lords". This is highly speculated to be the "Cruciform". However according to RTD in his Production Notes in there are 'no plans to show a cruciform at work' (DWM Oct 2007). OG Poster seanoone also stated that this element was also hinted at in an episode earlier in Series 3. Given that one of his previous predictions was that "a significant character from Dr Who will make an appearance in Torchwood" (prior to any hint of Martha turning up) it's worth treating seriously.

RTD confirms that 10 Downing Street makes an appearance in series 4 (Podcast for ep 12 or 13). RTD has something planned for Series 4 revolving around Egypt.(DWM, Nov 2007)

RTD (who seemed to be serious, though it's often hard to tell) says that there will be a visit to an icy planet. (Box set "Utopia" commentary)

In an interview with the Nottingham Post, John Barrowman said that he will be filming "Doctor Who" in January (Nottingham Post)Jack's panto runs up to January 28th.

The TARDIS console room will be slightly different - more golden and with a larger console (StewieGriffinRocks - who saw an image on location). Confirmation that the Tardis console has been worked on can be found here.

New Daleks being built for Series 4 according to the Studio tour on the DVD. (APZonerunner).

It was good. Kylie can't act, but it was good. A little cheesy in places (the shooting star bit at the end), but some interesting characters and a nice twist on the Titanic plot.

DT looked as good as ever :D

The angel things would have been creepier if they hadn't kept saying "Information", and if they hadn't sounded exactly like the Ood.

But I thought it was good, and I loved having a longer episode - every Doctor Who episode should be that long!

The previews from next series looked good as well! Donna looks like she's been slightly toned down in terms of looks (her hair looked very neat), but there wasn't enough to see whether she'd been toned down as a character.

I agree with Amy about Kylie not bing able to act, bless her cotton socks though.

And it was well cheesy! But so funny.

DT was great, and sexy as ever.

There was one point, on the stairs when they running from the hosts, something the doctor said, about him being 903 and a time lord etcit just didnt seem like something our doctor would say.He's never said that before.

And that smug "im so p myself" guy, the one who survived with the old man and the doc, he sooooooooooo was based on Billy Zane's charecter from Titanic

I think next Christmas, the UK should be completely evacuated, poor little island, always under attack.

Oh oh oh SAVE THE CORGIS! loved that bit.

also, the queen saying "thank you Doctor" wouldnt she surely be shouting something along the lines of "off with his head" since Queen Victoria like barred him from the country or sumit in the wolfie epi series 2.

and finally.....



I loved the end, couldn't stop laughing at the whole "i didnt know the currency so i thought a million would do" Sweet endin as well.

And one more thing..... no DT singing? *cries and pouts* he was supposed to sing my heart will go!

Trailers for new series looks great, i wanted desperatly to see a clip of Rose though, and hmm, Donna......time will tell i guess on her, i liked her annoying and "i love me" self i hope they dont change that because it made me love to hate her.

I think she knew it was the Doctor because he phoned them up in advance

Yeah, I agree Etta, that guy's character was absolutely based on Cal.

What did you all think of the funked up theme tune?

i liked the tune, john hated it though.

1. James Marsters guests in the first episode as Captain John Hart, a fellow time agent who has "history" with Captain Jack.

2. The pair actually enjoyed a relationship, which lasted two weeks or five years, depending on which of them you ask. But both accounts are technically accurate.

3. Captain John wears a very special kind of lip gloss.

4. Gwen has got engaged to dopey boyfriend Rhys in Captain Jack's absence, with their wedding set for midway through the series. I hear vampires may be among the uninvited guests...

5. Tonally the show seems very different this year. There's a lot of humour in the first episode, mostly surrounding Captain John (there are great similarities with Spike in this respect), but even Toshiko gets to crack the odd one-liner.

6. Captain Jack is looking to rekindle his relationship with Ianto. Apparently this will be a slow-burner throughout series two.

7. Despite this, Captain Jack is still playing the field. Expect lots of snogging with Captain John in episode one.

8. There are three rules for dealing with Captain John: don't believe anything he says, always keep him in front of you and under no circumstances, let him kiss you.

9. The Time Agency has been shut down.

10. There is a final minute revelation for Captain Jack that will play a part in the "humongous climax" to series two.

Lots more Torchwood gossip to come in the next few weeks - including exclusive interviews with the cast! - but for now I'll leave you with some lines of dialogue lifted from the pages of the premiere script...

"This is the entrance for tourists."
"There's only seven of us left now."
"I saw the end of the world."
"Once a conman, always a conman."
"See you in Hell."
"By the way, I never told you, I found ****"