The new series of Doctor Who means the return of Doctor Who Confidential, the BBC Three show that takes you behind-the-scenes and gets you up close to the cast and crew.
The first episode, Call me the Doctor, captures all the backstage excitement from Matt Smith's first episode and gives a real 'getting to know you' taster of life as the Doctor. There's an exclusive look at the read-through for The Eleventh Hour and Production Designer Edward Thomas and Matt Smith give you a guided tour of the new look TARDIS.
Highlights from early episodes include an exclusive interview with the Oscar-nominated guest star Sophie Okenedo and an unmissable Confidential that gives you the definitive low-down on the return of the Daleks!
At 5ft 10in, Matt Smith is apparently three inches shorter than David Tennant – so a new set of Daleks has been made so that they can see eye-to-eye, rather than have Matt look up to them.
This seems all a bit odd to us – we don’t recall the Daleks being redesigned for some of the more – ahem – diminutive Doctors of years gone by. (Sylvester McCoy being just 5ft 6in according to his agency, the same height as Patrick Troughton.)
And what about them being adjusted the other way – after all, Colin Baker was a big chap, at 5ft 9in or thereabouts.
From the trailers so far, it’s pretty hard to say if the story is true.
(Source: Dalek Links)
Entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba takes a look at Matt Smith's first outing as the 11th Doctor.
As an episode this has a few boxes to tick.
It has to introduce a new Doctor, a new companion and sustain the momentum the series has built up since its return in 2005. For the most part, it does this well.
The plot picks up with the newly regenerated Doctor crashing his Tardis into a young girl's garden. This being Doctor Who, an alien threat isn't far away.
As a story it veers between witty and creepy. And speeds along as well as the best episodes of the last few years.
Matt Smith's Doctor is a quirky, energetic one. Perhaps the most alien interpretation for many incarnations. Frequently clumsy and uncoordinated in his physical approach. While mentally firing off ideas in all directions.
It's not instantly accessible, it's too complex for that. But it's often performances like this that can, as the series goes on, prove ultimately more satisfying.
 Matt Smith is the youngest actor to take on the role |
Karen Gillan's companion has more instant appeal. Full of qualities designed to make her popular with the audience. She's feisty, brave and funny.
Ultimately it's their relationship that has to power the series. And on the evidence of this first episode, there's certainly potential.
The 12 other episodes to follow (on the strength of a montage of scenes shown on Thursday) combine classic Who monsters - the Cybermen will return - with all new villains.
The expected impressive special fx - spitfires dogfighting in space. And the Doctor exploring history - he visits Stonehenge and encounters what appear to Roman centurions.
Matt and Karen aren't the only new faces. There's a new head writer Steven Moffat.
Moffat is the man behind some of the most popular episodes of the past few years including Blink which featured scary statues and a young Carey Mulligan.
With such a pedigree expectations for the series are high. And this first story, which Moffat wrote, rightly concentrates on the Doctor and his new partner. And provides a solid start for what is definitely its most challenging season yet.
The Eleventh Hour will be shown on BBC One this Easter.
(From the BBC news page.)
There has been allot of rumors that Tom Baker (The 4th doctor) will be doing some Big Finish audios, today Big Finish posted this on there news page:
John Hutch another famous youtuber is to play the 6th doctor in the fan audio Doctor Who: the 12 doctor's, Henry (me) said this "It's very nice to have John on board on the audio, as he has such a wonderful voice" Doctor who: the 12 doctor's will be made this year and next, it will be out on youtube and here late 2011.
