#jane tranter

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of The 60th Anniversary Specials - Part Two

Excerpts from Russell T. Davies' article in DWM 579:

Hello, faithful readers. I must say, I thought I knew the size, scale, and madness of Doctor Who publicity, but when the announcement of David Tennant and Catherine Tate's return actually made BBC One News - on yer proper terrestrial TV - even I went, "Blimey!" An awful lot of planning went into that press release, timing it with Ncuti's announcement too. The idea goes way back, to Christmas 2020. And then a million emails and setbacks and schedules - not to mention the script! All ending with that photoshoot, the one you can see here, in Studio 1 of Bad Wolf in Cardiff on Tuesday 3 May. Given the pandemic, plus added secrecy, that day was the first time Jane Tranter, Julie Gardner, Phil Collinson and I had actually seen our friends David and Catherine in person! Much hugging and hooting. And that was just Day One!

The 60th Anniversary Specials each have their own tag, but the #whoBts60th tag is for general photos and behind the scenes information that span multiple episodes.  The full episode list is [ here ]

[kirjava-stan-account]

Kirjava when she saw that the hdm adaptation made her a fucking basic ass tabby cat instead of a dark smoked-out subtle baddie:

[denimbex1986]

'Sixty years is but the blink of an eye for a time-traveller like The Doctor. But for a television series, a Diamond Anniversary is an extremely rare and impressive occurrence.

BBC’s Doctor Who recently celebrated such a milestone with three one-hour specials which, for the first time, streamed globally on Disney+.

Russell T Davies, fresh from his success on ’80s AIDS miniseries It’s A Sin, returned to the show he brought back so successfully in 2005 to the BBC. Bolstering his team are returning producers Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson, and Jane Tranter, the woman who was instrumental in bringing back Doctor Who in 2005. Bad Wolf, the company founded by Tranter and Gardner in 2015, currently produces the show with BBC Studios.

Another big returning name return was David Tennant, who played the 10th Doctor from 2005-2010 and who also returned for the show’s 50th Anniversary in 2013. Beloved by fans and audiences alike, Tennant’s Doctor was a big ratings draw.

Though, it’s not all returning past glories for Doctor Who. There is a new actor portraying the Time Lord, Ncuti Gatwa, who is taking over the titular role with the the forthcoming season 14, and who made his debut with the specials. The Rwandan-Scottish actor made a name for himself as gay teenager Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy series Sex Education and recently starred as “Artist Ken” in Barbie. His first full season debut in the TARDIS will come in spring 2024, with a premiere date yet to be set.

Not only that, powerhouse streamer Disney+ is now on board to broadcast these new episodes across the world (with the exception of the U.K. and Ireland, where it still airs on BBC)...

What Happened in the 60th Anniversary Specials?

Showrunner Davies brought Tennant back with a cosmic bang and a galactic-sized nod to fan service with an adaptation of a Doctor Who Weekly comic strip first published in 1980.

The first of the three specials, “The Star Beast,” was a 60-minute romp that wonderfully evoked the Tenth Doctor-era, complete with cutesy alien The Meep (think The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda, but bigger and hairier) and the return of much-loved companion, Donna Noble (played by Catherine Tate, The Office).

Last seen in the Tenth Doctor’s finale in 2010, Donna’s return posed a fatal conundrum for the Doctor: If she remembered her past with the Doctor, she would die. Thankfully, writer Davies had a workaround, meaning that the 60th anniversary celebrations did not result in the death of a companion but, in fact, allowed Donna to live unharmed and enjoy some further adventures in time and space with her best friend.

The main question, though, was just why the Fourteenth Doctor, played by Tennant, had the same face and body of the Tenth Doctor, also played by Tennant. This was an unprecedented move in the history, or Whostory, of the show. Special number two, “Wild Blue Yonder,” traveled to the end of the universe and delved into the uncanny, but still posed the query as to why that particular face returned. (It’s a good face, we weren’t complaining).

Fans would have to wait until the third and final special, “The Giggle,” before the mystery was finally revealed. And it was all down to Donna. She surmised that he changed his face and then found her to “come home.” The Doctor commented, “I’ve never been so happy in my life,” as he sat with the Noble family, not fighting aliens and enjoying a spot of lunch.

The Final Special Had More Up Its Intergalactic Sleeve

Aside from the return of fan favorite Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and ’80s-era companion Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford), there was an even bigger returnee waiting in the wings.

Making an all-singing, all-dancing return to Doctor Who was the formidable villain, The Toymaker. Played by Neil Patrick Harris (best known for portraying Barney Stinson on the CBS series, How I Met Your Mother), the Toymaker made his debut opposite the First Doctor (William Hartnell) in the 1966 four-part serial, “The Celestial Toymaker.”

The character was originally played by English actor Michael Gough, who would go on to play Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred in the four Batman films directed by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher. Though, it’s hard to picture Gough pulling off NPH’s manic routine to The Spice Girls’ 1997 hit, “Spice Up Your Life”.

And then there was the first appearance of the new Doctor, Gatwa. But this was no simple regeneration, as seen in Doctor Who so many times previously. Just as the return of a previous actor to play a new regeneration of the Doctor was unprecedented, Davies debuted another new element in the show’s mythology: “bigeneration.” This left fans shocked as the Fourteenth Doctor, seemingly regenerating as per usual, actually split into two, revealing Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor and Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor standing, looking at one another just as surprised as the millions of Whovians watching across the globe.

What is Bigeneration and What Does it Mean for the Future?

As is explained in the behind-the-scenes show Doctor Who Unleashed, “instead of a new body taking over from the old body, the new body separates from the old body, and both are left alive.”

This means that there are two distinct Doctors roaming the universe at the same time. While it might take some time for Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor to pick up the keys to his TARDIS and start planet-hopping, as he seems quite happy to kick back in England for a while, it’s possible — nay, highly likely — that the Gatwa and Tennant Doctors will meet again.

For the time being, though, Davies has stated that there are “no plans” for a Fourteenth Doctor return, adding that he’s “parked” on Earth with Donna Noble for a “happy life.”

Interestingly, Davies has also suggested that this has even bigger implications for Doctor Who. This bigeneration has created a new timeline where all previous incarnations have been affected, with every Doctor continuing to exist after their own regeneration. Davies may be joking when he refers to this as a “Doctorverse,” but he has established “The Whoniverse” (bringing in previous spinoffs such as Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures) so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that audiences could witness various team-ups featuring Gatwa with previous Doctors at any moment. Or, perhaps more spinoff series could be on the way featuring the past Doctors on their own...'

[blackgirlnerds]

Everything We Can Expect from 'Doctor Who' in 2025

Ever since it was rebooted in 2005, the classic British science fiction series Doctor Who has continued to gain worldwide popularity, and its upcoming Season 15 is currently shaping up to be its biggest one yet. Showrunner Russell T. Davies shared an update in Doctor Who Magazine about the upcoming 2025 season and beyond, revealing that Varda Sethu will debut as the Doctor’s new companion,…

[thedoctorwhocompanion]

Bad Wolf's Jane Tranter Confirms New Doctor Who Spin-Off Is Currently in Post-Production

Bad Wolf's Jane Tranter Confirms New #DoctorWho Spin-Off Is Currently in Post-Production

Jane Tranter of Bad Wolf, one of the production companies behind Doctor Who, has confirmed that upcoming spin-off, The War Between The Land And The Sea, is being edited — and so is Doctor Who Series 15! She enthused: “We announced last week that we’re doing The War Between The Land And The Sea, which is the first time there’s a mini series within the whole universe. So we’re thrilled that the…

[oops-all-tentacles]

Doctor Who is over for me until they bring on an entirely new creative team.

Russell t. Davies, Juno Dawson and every person that could have possibly affected the writing and messaging of this episode should be ashamed.

If the rumors are true, Ncuti has every right to leave this show behind and forget about it. He did the right thing pulling out of Eurovision and he'll be doing the right thing if he pulls out of Doctor Who. (Ncuti has been wonderful and deserves better)

Shameful, insulting, offensive, and dangerous television.

[softest-butch]

terrible episode of doctor who all round <3 unfortunately ive got all my thoughts out of my system by bitching about it with my butch for an hour because im 25 but. im pointing and laughing. so bad

[angel2angel]

woke up half an hour after my fitting calltime and walked 40 minutes to get here but goddamn it we persist we work we LIVE!!!!

[theimpossiblescheme]

It's been several days since "The Reality War", and I have a bunch of posts about it sitting in my drafts talking about the god-awful politics, the racism and misogyny, the complete disrespect to Belinda as a character, the lack of true closure for anybody, the mishandling of the Rani and Omega, the continued key-jingling of all the Susan hints, the rejection of all of Doctor Who's fundamental themes, the waste of a regeneration to shoo out one of the most charismatic actors to ever play the Doctor in favor of RTD's favorite blonde white woman...

But honestly? I don't think I have the energy anymore. New Who is dead to me. I saw the trailer for their UNIT spin-off show, and I didn't think it was possible for me to give any less of a fuck, but this finale leeched any possible goodwill I might have for future Doctor Who. I will not be coming back to this show until we get some new blood on the program. Maybe I'll take this opportunity to catch up on Big Finish or the Eighth Doctor Adventures. Who knows? But I do know this--these are my Wilderness Years. "The Story and the Engine" was my "Survival."

Sack Russel T. Davies. Sack Jane Tranter. Sack Phil Collinson. Sack Julie Gardner. And I'll come back.

[asgoodeasgold]

"You do your homework, you turn up and you do your best."

After yesterday's revelation that Matthew was told not to read the Department Q books and rely on the script and deep chats with Dept. Q writer/director Scott Frank instead, I thought it would be interesting to revisit this Adow interview in which he talks about asking producer Jane Tranter to read the books. He also discusses the differences between movies and TV, prepping for the role and breaks into a hilarious imitation of his director doing the stag hunt scene.

📷 My edit from MTV UK A Discovery of Witches interview with Matthew Goode (Sept 2018)

[rainbowpopeworld]

“It was Michael Sheen, wasn’t it?”

“We tried to get him and he wouldn’t do it.” 😅😂

David Tennant challenging executive producer Julie Gardner and BBC’s Head of Drama/Fiction Jane Tranter to name all ten actors who have played the Doctor (back in 2007)

…plus a Michael Sheen cameo

[radiofreeskaro]

Radio Free Skaro #1002 - 1002 Alzarian Nights

Radio Free Skaro #1002 - 1002 Alzarian Nights - #gally1 recap with #DoctorWho writer Andrew Smith! - Gallifrey One to end in 2028.... :(

http://traffic.libsyn.com/freyburg/rfs1002.mp3 Download MP3 It’s a bittersweet podcast today as we wrap up what has been a fantastic weekend at Gallifrey One, our home away from home. But it’s even more sad as it’s been announced that Gallifrey One will end its unprecedented run of conventions in 2028. It will take a while for the Three Who Rule to process this (probably more than the three…

[icewarrior2000]

The Reality War

(Series 15, Episode 8)

Summary: Anita’s back! She conveniently opens a door in the Time Hotel in order to save the Doctor and then, sadly, spends the rest of the episode…just holding a door.  Ah, well.  Belinda gets shoved in a box with her newfound daughter, Ruby saves Conrad by wishing him happiness, the Doctor stuffs Omega back into his prison and everything goes back to normal.  And THEN it starts to unravel; though, for a moment, I was so excited to see an old face, I almost didn’t notice.  Farewell, Ncuti – you deserved so much more.

Watch because: So you’ll know what everyone’s bitching about.

Original Air Date: 31 May 2025

Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa

Companions: Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) & Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson)

Writer: Russell T Davies

Director: Alex Sanjiv Pillai

Producer: Chris May

Executive Producer: Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Jane Tranter, Joel Collins & Phil Collinson

[denimbex1986]

'Disney+ and BBC have announced premiere dates for the three new Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.

The first special, The Star Beast, will premiere November 25, followed by Wild Blue Yonder on December 2 and The Giggle on December 9. The specials reunite the 14th Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) as they come face-to-face with their most terrifying villain yet: the Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris in his Doctor Who debut. All will premiere on Disney+ globally except in the UK and Ireland, where they will air on the BBC.

We’re also getting an expanded look at the specials in a new trailer...

Additional new cast includes Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble, Miriam Margolyes as the voice of the Meep and Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, as well as returning characters Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.

Doctor Who is the longest running action-adventure television series in the world spanning 60 years and winning over 100 awards. This quintessentially British show has a huge global following, with 9.6m fans across social platforms/channels and 100m video views on YouTube in the last year alone.

Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios. Russell T. Davies returns as showrunner, and also serves as a writer and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter. The 60th anniversary specials are written by Davies and directed by Rachel Talalay, Tom Kingsley, and Chanya Button, respectively. BBC Studios is handling global distribution.

Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the TARDIS as the 15th Doctor in the new season, which will stream globally in 2024 on Disney+ and on the BBC in the UK and Ireland.'

[red-of-raxacoricofallapatorious]

doctor who is fucked. i honestly believe the show has no hopeful future after this finale. the only thing that can save it as it is would be a major retcon of the last half decade - and that's coming from someone who thoroughly believes in loose canon. don't know if I have much more to say.

sack russel t davies, sack jane tranter, sack phil collinson, sack julie gardner.

[thedoctorwhocompanion]

The War Between The Land And The Sea: Is A Doctor Who Spin-Off With the Sea Devils in the Works?

The War Between The Land And The Sea: Is A #DoctorWho Spin-Off With the Sea Devils in the Works?

There are more rumours of a Doctor Who spin-off show featuring the Sea Devils — but these don’t hail from newspapers, but instead a production listings site which includes a few further details, including the series’ supposed name. The War Between The Land And The Sea is described as a “spin-off of the fantasy-action saga Doctor Who, that will feature the Sea Devils” (the “fantasy-action” term…