Doctor Who Christmas Special Interview With Mark Gatiss

It's that time again when there is a new episode of Doctor Who and that means interviews from the BBC Media Centre.  Today we continue with the second interview with Mark Gatiss who plays The Capatan.

What have we got to look forward to in this episode? 

This is not just a Christmas special, it’s also the end of Steven Moffat’s era and the end of Peter Capaldi’s era. It’s got two Doctors interacting, two TARDISes, Bill is back, and there’s a very interesting new threat. Plus there’s lots of snow, lots of laughs and lots of tears and - not only that - we get to meet the Thirteenth Doctor. Lucky for some!

How did you get the casting call?

Promo Pics for Doctor Who - Twice Upon a Time

Doctor Who Classic Baddie To Return In Series 10

Details and Covers For Doctor Who Magazine 508

Out today in the UK and everywhere in the world later this month is issue 508 of Doctor Who Magazine and this issue looks back at the 70's era of Doctor Who.  Plus this issue comes with a special 3rd Doctor comic that was released in the 70's.

A FREE Doctor Who comic, *Sub Zero, featuring the Third Doctor and the Daleks, originally presented in 1972!

TERRANCE DICKS INTERVIEWED!

A chat with Doctor Who’s masterful writer, genius script editor, prolific novelist and creator of the Time Lords.

DOCTOR WHO IN THE 1970s!

An exploration of how Doctor Who reflected the real world during the 1970s.

TIME CAPSULE!

We vworp back to revisit what was happening during a single month in Doctor Who history: November 1977.

DOORWAY TO HELL!

Part One of a brand-new comic strip adventure, set in 1973, written by Mark Wright and illustrated by Staz Johnson.

THE BRAIN OF MORBIUS!

1970s Doctor Who meets Gothic horror, as the TARDIS lands on Karn in this issue’s Fact of Fiction.

THE DWM REVIEW!

A look back of the 2016 Christmas Special The Return of Doctor Mysterio, plus all the latest audio releases.

PREVIEWS!

A look ahead to all the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases, coming soon.

AND! All the latest official news, competitions, and answers to The Watcher’s Christmas Quiz.

Doctor Who Magazine 508 is on sale from Thursday 12 January, price £5.99.

Sherlock - The Abominable Bride Review

We take a detour from our Who news to look at the Sherlock New Year's special by Doctor Who Show Runner and writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.

Sherlock:
The Abominable Bride
By Steven Moffat and Mark
Gatiss

“Rest assured there are no ghosts in this world. Save those we make for ourselves”

After a long wait and a lot of speculation on what the New Year’s Day special would be about for the critically acclaimed Sherlock series by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss has finally been shown on our TV Screens.   We now know the answers to all our speculations and was it worth the long wait since 2014 when the show was last on?  Most fans would say yes and for me the lure was seeing the main cast set in Victorian times and yes this special was pretty good if not a tad confusing at times.

Doctor Who - 10th Anniversary of NuWho: The Unquiet Dead Review

Doctor Who:
The Unquiet Dead
By Mark Gatiss

“You're from London. I've seen London in drawings, but never like that. All those people rushing about half naked, for shame. And the noise, and the metal boxes racing past, and the birds in the sky, no, they're metal as well. Metal birds with people in them. People are flying. And you, you've flown so far. Further than anyone. The things you've seen. The darkness, the big bad wolf. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, miss.”

The Unquiet Dead was a Christmas themed Doctor Who adventure that has all the charm of the recent Christmas stories.  Even though it wasn’t aired on Christmas Day it sure would have been at home if it was.  The story takes place on Christmas Day in Cardiff to the dismay of The Doctor and Rose as they were hoping for Naples instead.

Doctor Who - Series Nine News

The BBC have released some teaser photos of the current filming.  One in particular is quite interesting as it looks like a familiar alien race might be making a return. I'll let you make your mind up for yourselves as the released photo is out of focus but you can probably make out what it might be.

Mark Gatiss has confirmed that he will be writing a script for Series 9 and it should already be done. He took time out from writing to be interviewed The Telegraph and he was quoted,

“I’m in the midst of that right now – I broke off to come here today, in fact, but I’m hoping to finish the script tonight. It has been a tough nut to crack, but I’m delighted with how scary it is. I can’t say any more than that.”

This will be his second story for Peter Capaldi's Doctor as he wrote last series Robots of Sherwood. It seems his next story will be a horror story and not be light hearted as his previous stories have been.

Here are the pics that the BBC have released and if you do not want to see them then do not continue on after the break.

Doctor Who - Mark Gatiss To Write Two Doctor Who Episodes

 

Mark Gatiss has been quoted as saying that he will be writing two epiosdes for Doctor Who Series 8.  But then retracted on Twitter by saying it might be one in series 8 and one in series 9.  Mark Gatiss is one of a few who has written for all 4 of the new series Doctor's (along with Steven Moffat) and has penned lots of Doctor Who novels during the New Adventure and Past Doctor range.  His stories have been hit or miss but for the most part have been entertaining.   Here is a quote that has been making the rounds about writing for Peter Capaldi.

Peter has a very different energy to Matt Smith and to David Tennant. He's older which changes everything ... it's amazing what a change does! Matt was sublime and I was very sorry to see him go, but it's also great to have a change, as it has always been with the Doctor.

Source: Doctor Who News Page, Digital Spy

Sherlock - Moffat and Gatiss Have All Ready Plotted Out Series 4 and 5

Steven Moffat revealed in an interview which the Radio Times picked up that he and MArk Gatiss have already plotted out the stories for Sherlock Series 4 and 5. This is pretty good news and pretty much confirms that there will be two more series after Series 3 wraps up on Sunday with "His Last Vow".  Here is what the main man had to say about it.

“Rather excitingly, Mark and I, for no particular reason, we just got out of the rain and sat at the top of the  production bus… and we just started plotting out what we could do in the future and we plotted out the whole of series four and five.”

“So we have got plans – but our plans don’t tend to be ‘Let’s blow up the world or cast the most famous person in the world’ they tend to be ‘What exciting twists and turns can we add to this?’ And I think we’ve got some crackers!" "

"The ideas we had that day, I thought were the best we’ve ever had.”

Lets just hope it doesn't take that long for Sherlock Series 4 to hit our television screens.

Doctor Who - Mark Gatiss Talks An Adventure In Space and Time

The BBC Media Centre has some great interviews about this special docudrama An Adventure In Space and Time which airs tonight in the UK.

Interview with writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss

What can viewers expect from the drama?
Principally, it's the story of how Doctor Who was created, so we concentrate on the very beginnings and the first few episodes. There are lots of treats for the fans but it's also the story of William Hartnell, the first Doctor and how the part transformed his life.

Doctor Who - Cold War Review (Ssspoilersss)

Doctor Who:

Cold War

By Mark Gatiss

“Harm one of us and you harm us all.  By the moons this I swear.”

Cold War became a highly anticipated Doctor Who episode once it was announced that the Ice Warriors would be making their return to Doctor Who in that episode.  I know I was looking forward to it and seeing how they updated the classic Doctor Who villain.   The Ice Warriors have been one of those monsters that have a history with The Doctor and were a staple of the 60’ and 70’s most notably in the Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee eras. 

They weren’t as iconic as The Daleks and Cybermen but the Ice Warriors are one of the classic villains and deserved a comeback and to be updated for the new show.  So will Cold War make the classic Doctor Who fans all excited that an old classic is back and will it also make the newbies enjoy the natives from Mars?  Well read on if you want to find out what I think of Cold War.

Behind The Scenes Doctor Who "Cold War"

Doctor Who "Cold War" BBC America Trailer

Two Trailers For Doctor Who "Cold War"

Sherlock Series 3 First Episode Title Revealed

Mark Gatiss has revealed the title to the story he is written for Sherlock Series on twitter and the title is "The Empty Hearse" which is also the first episode of the new series.  For those who know Sherlock Holmes "The Empty Hearse" will be based on the classic Doyle story "The Empty House" which was used to bring back Sherlock Holmes after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle initially killed him off. So things are taking shape and its exciting times for Sherlock fans.  

An Adventure In Time And Space Cast Announced

The cast has been announced for Mark Gatiss 90 minute docudrama special for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary "An Adventure In Time and Space" which details the beginning of Doctor Who.  The BBC has announced who will be playing the key players. Playing William Hartnell will be David Bradley who was in Harry Potter and plus he was in Dinosaurs in a Spaceship.  Also announced was Brian Cox playing Sydney Newman, Jessica Raine as Verity Lambert and Sacha Dhawan as Waris Hussein. Here is the full press release from the BBC Media Center.


BBC America to co-produce An Adventure in Space and Time to mark Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary
Date: 30.01.2013Last updated: 30.01.2013 at 10.13
Category: BBC Worldwide
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 (1x90) 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.

Mark Gatiss To Pen Drama On Doctor Who's Beginnings

The BBC have tapped Sherlock and Doctor Who scribe Mark Gatiss to pen a docudrama about the beginning of Doctor Who.  This will be one of many projects that will be made to celebrate Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary. Here is the BBC press release on this intriguing project called An Adventure In Time and Space.

AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME TO MARK THE DOCTOR’S 50^th BIRTHDAY
The BBC today announces that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50^th anniversary of Doctor Who next year.

An Adventure in Space and Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who since its first broadcast on 23 November 1963. Exploring all aspects of the longest running science fiction series to date, the special one off 90 minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.

Written by Mark Gatiss, it is Executive Produced by current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. The single drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson Controller, Drama and Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC TWO.

Mark Gatiss, Writer, said:

"This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true Television original. And how an actor - William Hartnell - stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I've wanted to tell this story this for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for 'Doctor Who's 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true".

Steven Moffat, Executive Producer, said:

“The story of Doctor Who is the story of television - so it's fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.”

The production and transmission schedule will be confirmed next year, along with casting.

Diana Rigg to Star In Series 7 of Doctor Who Along Side Her Daughter Rachel Stirling

The BBC Doctor Who website has revealed that Diana Rigg best known for her role as Emma Peel in The Avengers will be in Mark Gatiss's story for series 7 of Doctor Who.  What makes this pretty interesting is that her daughter Rachel Stirling will be in the same episode. 

Here is the official BBC press release.

 Mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg and Rachael Stirling are set to star side by side in the BBC Wales drama Doctor Who, the first time the pair have ever worked together on screen.

Character details remain under wraps, but the episode penned by Mark Gatiss will see Dame Diana and Rachael recreate their off-screen relationship on-screen, as they play a mother and daughter with a dark secret.

Starring alongside the Doctor, Matt Smith and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, the episode will air on BBC One in 2013 and is directed by Saul Metzstein. Filming begins this week (2 July) at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

Dame Diana Rigg, who will play a Yorkshire local, said: “The first time Rachie and I will be working together is on an episode of “Doctor Who” specially written for us by Mark Gatiss. How lucky is that?”

Rachael Stirling, on working on Doctor Who, said: “What joy. I am looking forward to the madness of Doctor Who enormously. Mark Gatiss has written a gift of a script and an on-screen relationship between Ma and I that is truly delicious. We have never before worked together because the offers have not been tempting, but when such a funny and original script comes through you know the time has come.”

Steven Moffat, executive producer and head writer on Doctor Who, said: “Dame Diana Rigg, Rachael Stirling and a Mark Gatiss script - a combination of talents you could only get in Doctor Who! Frankly, I'm terrified already!"

Mark Gatiss Confirmed Writer For Dr Who Series 7

According to a Doctor Who Magazine Mark Gatiss has been confirmed as a writer for the next series of Doctor Who.  In fact he confirmed it himself when he filled in for Steven Moffat this month in Production Notes.   He also gave us three hints about his story and they are Meat, Klaxon, and Vienna.  He joins Steven Moffat, obviously, and John Fay as the only confirmed writers for series 7.

Sherlock Series Two Episode Titles Revealed

I found this tidbit over at Den of Geek.  The article goes on to say that Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss says the fans should expect to see these adventures: A Scandal in Belgravia, The Hounds of the Baskerville and The Reichenbach Fall.  True Holmes fans might have an inkling of what might happen in that last title.  I can't wait to see these when they air later in the year.

Full article here.  http://www.denofgeek.com/television/890518/sherlock_series_2_stories_revealed.html