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.”

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.