Q&A Session Series 7: Part 2 Hints

WARNING: WHILE THIS POST CONTAINS NO MAJOR SPOILERS, SPOILERPHOBES SHOULD READ AHEAD AT THEIR OWN RISK.

Matt Smith and Caroline Skinner took part in a Q&A session today where they talked about many topics with the majority about Series 7: Part 2. Below is a summary of the main points.

• The 50th anniversary wasn't touched on much with the only things said about it being: "it's cool and exciting" and there are big plans.

• Matt expressed his interest in his Doctor facing The Master and wondered if John Simm would play him (Rumours earlier this week said that Simm said he would love to return but he later downplayed the rumours saying they were 'taken out of context').

• Neil Gaiman's episode for Series 7: Part 2 was teased and it contains some "old classics".

• Skinner and Smith both said that they were interested in seeing the Ice Warriors and the Yeti, perhaps clues??

• Smith promised that next year's opener was going to be a classic and contains a great monster.

• Smith was asked about the 'Fall of the Eleventh' but he said there were many adventures to come before that.

• Both Skinner and Smith confirmed that River Song will return next year.

Hmm, sounds very interesting! All of the points that surround Series 7 will be available to see on our Series 7 page which can be found at the top of this page.

WARNING: THE SERIES 7 PAGE CONTAINS NEWS, RUMOURS AND SPOILERS ON UPCOMING EPISODES OF DOCTOR WHO.

50th Anniversary: Shooting Starts Spring 2013

Matt Smith has revealed that Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary will likely begin filming Spring 2013.

In an interview with the Waikato Times, Smith spoke about the plans so far: “[Steven Moffat] was pitching the 50th anniversary at the end of this series and what everything was going to be about and it was a very exciting meal. No doubt he’ll come up with something brilliant because that’s the sort of man he is…

“I hope that we mark it in the best way possible and we honour the people that have been in the show before us and we make it as grand and brilliant and inventive and as much an occasion as possible. What that is, I may have an idea, but I can’t tell you I’m afraid.’’

Asked about multiple Doctors appearing, Smith said: “Who knows? I think it’s an exciting idea. Whether it would be possible, or whether it could ever happen I just don’t know, but whatever we can do to mark that 50th anniversary will be spectacular, that much I do know.’’

‘‘Nothing’s set in stone. I imagine there will be a script knocking around about Christmas and there we will develop further and shoot it next spring.’’

Smith also denied he is quitting any time soon: ‘‘Shock horror. Everyone leaves eventually people. No I’m not leaving any time soon. You know I am coming back for the 50th anniversary. To suggest I am quitting now is wrong,’’ he said.

50th Anniversary: No Old Monsters or Regeneration?

With rumours rife as to what will appear in the 50th anniversary, companion and doctor wise, what about the monsters?

Steven Moffat will probably bring back some of the most iconic monsters (Daleks, Cybermen etc). However, his most recent comments suggest otherwise...

He told the Independent: “One thing I’m slightly concerned about is that you get something like the 50, people start talking like it’s a full stop. I want to build for the future. I want to set up the next 50 years and to say: ‘Here are the new monsters we’re introducing.’ Rather than doing something which might seem like a farewell tour, because it certainly is not.”

Moffat also was quick to rule out a surprise regeneration and a new Doctor appearing: “The search [for the next Doctor] hasn’t started. Matt Smith will be the Doctor forever.”

In the Radio Times, Matt Smith also claimed there would not be a regeneration.

So are you happy about this? Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Smith: Doubtful of 50th Regeneration

Matt Smith has said that Doctor Who's 50th anniversary will be unlikely to feature a regeneration.

In an interview with Radio Times, he dismisses rumours that he will leave the show in November 2013, the month of Doctor Who's 50th anniversary.

"We want to make [the anniversary] as big and bold and as brilliant as we can because, we hope, it can be one of the monumental bits of TV history," said Smith. "But I doubt there'll be a regeneration."

He added: "Steven [Moffat] will tease you all right to the end. Because that's what he does to me."

Moffat - head writer and showrunner on Doctor Who - recently told Digital Spy that the anniversary celebrations would be "huge", but added that fans will have plenty to look forward to before 2013.

"We've got an awful lot of stuff to announce before that," he said. "We don't aim to have one event, over a year in the future - we want to make Doctor Who an event every single week. And we're going to pull that off, so... patience!"

50th Anniversary: Live Episode?

Matt Smith has said they're might be a live episode for Doctor Who's 50th anniversary

Smith told Forbes: “I feel very pleased and privileged to be a part of that year because it’s the biggest year in the show’s history. It’s his birthday, so it’s my birthday.”

He added: “It won’t just be a televised event, I think it will be a live event. The way it’s transmitted on TV will hopefully be an inventive thing–something different.”

This fits in with recent hints from Caroline Skinner who recently said that the production team have “huge ideas for live events,” and it wouldn’t just be things like the Proms.

Ravensburg: New Doctor Who Puzzle

Ravensburg have released a new Doctor Who puzzle this month in the lead up to the new series. 

The 100 piece 'Collector's Edition' shows monsters from both the past and the present and measures 70x50cm.

Based on the iconic BBC television series Doctor Who, the new puzzle depicts some of show’s most infamous characters including the Doctor’s most fearsome enemies such as the Daleks, Weeping Angels and one of the most frightening ever The Silence. The designs show over 20 characters within a space setting, ensuring plenty of puzzling fun as fans assemble the scene!

Some readers will recognise the puzzle image as an extension of the 50th anniversary artwork which was released earlier this week by Tea-Lady Design.

50th Anniversary: Artwork

Two striking pieces of art have been released by Tea-Lady Design that promote the upcoming 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. They can both be seen below.

Smith on Rose, Skinner on 50th and AAITAS

Matt Smith has revealed he would like to see Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) come back for the 50th Anniversary. 

He said: “If I wanted a companion from the past I would say Rose because I am good friends with Billie.”

Meanwhile in a different interview to Digital Spy, Caroline Skinner (Executive Producer), has spoken about 2013 Doctor Who. "I think next year is going to be a really enormous year of storytelling. I’m thrilled about the plans that are coming together…The challenge is to make the 50th as huge an event as we possibly can, because it’s Doctor Who, and the fans deserve it. I can’t tell you what we’re going to do, but it’s going to be really, really big. Who needs sleep anyway?”

Skinner also talked about the upcoming Mark Gatiss written docudrama, An Adventure in Time and Space. “I just read the first draft of the script this morning and it’s such a beautiful character piece. It’s something that Mark Gatiss has been wanting to write for the best part of a decade and it’s a fabulous story. There are so many things that the fans will love about the origins of Doctor Who, but also the characters who made it are just such extraordinary people. It’s something that will be a joy to bring to life.”

Asylum of the Daleks: Q&A Round Up

Matt Smith and co took part in a Q&A session at the BFI screening of Asylum of the Daleks which took place last night. They revealed some details about Series 7.

Den of Geek have a nice summary and here are some key points.

• The title sequence has changed. (SFX said, "Revamped logo, no more swooshy cast credits, new typography.")

• There are plans for some more live events to coincide with the 50th anniversary and Caroline Skinner said the proms might be a venue but she didn't indicate that a new one was coming.

• Matt Smith has said of the report that he has signed a contract to be staying on the show until 2014 to be nothing that he had heard about and that he was always going to be staying.

• They all talked about the airdate and say they haven't been told anything yet however they did say to expect to hear something soon...

Visit the Den of Geek website to find out more about the Q&A session.

Matt Smith to stay on until at least 2014

Matt Smith has confirmed that he will be staying as the Doctor until at least 2014.

Speaking to The Sun's TV Biz, he said that Steven Moffat didn't have to do much to stay with the "brilliant" show. He added that he is having great fun filming for the new series.

He also said that Moffat is already working on another run of the show for 2013. About this Matt says, "His first episode sounds great. It hasn't been written yet but the idea is as brilliant and as mental as you'd expect from Steven. So there's a lot to look forward to... When Steven was going to pitch the next season to me not long ago he said, 'Are you ready to cry?'"

Matt also said that he can't wait to start filming for the 50th anniversary celebrations next year, which will be marked with a special doc-drama telling the story of the show from it's beginnings.

Matt said, "We want to do 50 years - and everyone that's been associated with the show - justice. We want to go 'Look world, here is Doctor Who. It's 50 years old, a science-fiction show, still going and going from strength to strength'. Steven will do something brilliant. He'll do something grand or maybe something very simple but he'll come to it as a fan. He'll go 'What would I want to see?'"

So are you happy that Matt Smith is staying on as the Doctor for at least another two years? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

An Adventure in Time and Space

The BBC has confirmed rumours that Mark Gatiss will be writing a docudrama about Doctor Who for the 50th anniversary next year. 

Gatiss also announced the news on Twitter: "One day I shall come back. Thrilled to announce I'm writing a long-cherished drama about the creation of 'Doctor Who'!"

Below is the official press release from the BBC about the docudrama titled An Adventure in Time and Space:

The BBC today announces that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th 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 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 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.

50th Anniversary Monopoly

Winning Moves are to release a special edition of Monopoly for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary. Below is the official description. 

Celebrate 50 years of the world's favourite time lord with this very special edition of Monopoly! Featuring all eleven doctors, the best loved companions and of course, the monsters and baddies from across space and time, from the Brigadier and Captain Jack to Jo, Susan and Ace. Play with extra special Dr Who tokens, including the Dr's scarf, designed just for this edition! It's an adventure like no other as you revisit 50 years of this amazing show!

The limited edition set is expected to become available from 28th August, and can pre-ordered from online stores such as Forbidden Planet and play.com. 

Tennant on Doctor Who Return and Olympics

David Tennant has once again been talking about the possibility of returning to Doctor Who for the 50th anniversary.

Speaking in an interview to G4, he says "I cannot be drawn on anything. Who knows what will happen next year? I'm sure there are lots of plans being discussed in quite rooms by men with long beards and great power. I am not confirming or denying anything!" 

But, Tennant did say that his costume was on standby: "I have it in a very secure location... I have one of everything that I wore. I hope moths haven't got it!"

Tennant also spoke about how he had no appearance at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. He jested: "What happened? What went wrong? I was waiting for the phone call. There was an online petition apparently, which the London Organising Committee chose to ignore. Worse than that, in the Opening Ceremony there was this Doctor Who sequence that got cleared. We all had to sign off on it and they cut it!"

So maybe there might be a chance of a multi-doctor story for the 50th anniversary after all as Tom Baker has also been speaking recently about the 50th anniversary, but as of yet nothing has been confirmed.