Moffat: Pond Exit and Oswin

Steven Moffat has teased the new companion and how the Ponds’ exit will impact the Doctor.

Speaking to SFX, he revealed that there will be a lasting affect on the Doctor when the Ponds exit: “We are going to do the story properly of the Doctor having lost a friend and making a new one. We’re not taking that lightly. It’s not in one door out the other. It’s the story of how all that affects him, why he engages with somebody else and what’s going on with that – that’s all important.”

He moves on to talk about Oswin: “What does Jenna bring to it? It’s surprising just how much the show changes with a new co-star. The Doctor is quite different with her, and the way you watch them is quite different. “

He continues: “With a different companion he becomes a slightly different man. He dresses differently. The mere fact that he’s so much taller than her suddenly reveals that Matt Smith is very tall, not, as people assume, about average height, because he was about the same height as Karen. He’s the senior man, not in the sense that he’s more important but he’s the one you know already, and he’s training up a new one, as it were.

“In these five episodes the Doctor is practically the adopted son of Amy and Rory. He’s gone from being the wonderful man from space – Space Gandalf, as he wants to be – to being that troublesome kid that they try and keep under control. They even talked about getting babysitters for him in one unfortunately cut scene. They love him, but they know he’s a big kid, they know they have to look out for him, check he eats and all that. Whereas with the new companion he’s back to being the mysterious spacefarer.

“And this never goes away, this thrill – you want to see the reaction when you see it’s bigger on the inside, you want to see the count the hearts moment, you want the story to begin again. And that’s what it gives you. It gives you Doctor Who at its most iconic, because a new person is having to learn the rules – and you’ve seen that story how many times now? I don’t think you ever get tired of it.”

Series 7: Asylum of the Daleks Behind the Scenes

The BBC have released a video taking a look at behind the scenes in Asylum of the Daleks. It also features interviews with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Steven Moffat.

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.

Series 7: Moffat Radio Times Preview

Radio Times along with other television magazines are out in force this week celebrating the return of Doctor Who. 

Radio Times has dedicated a cover to Doctor Who and comes with a Dalek wallchart free inside.

Also, Steven Moffat has previewed the first 5 episodes of Series 7. They are summarised below.

Asylum of the Daleks

The Doctor is summoned by the mysterious Darla Von Karlsen with and a plea to rescue her daughter, it leads him to the Dalek Asylum.

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

A giant spacecraft is plunging to Earth and all humanity is imperilled. But this is no ordinary space craft - it’s ancient and so is the cargo.

A Town Called Mercy

The Doctor finds himself in a crossfire between a cyborg killer and an alien fugitive. He’s in a moral dilemma, but doesn’t seem to care.

The Power of Three

The human race discovers the world has been overrun by… small black cubes. Which then proceed to… do nothing much at all. The Doctor has to wait it out and moves in with the Ponds.

The Angels Take Manhattan

In New York, the Weeping Angels are waiting for the Doctor and co. Not even River Song can save them from the terrible events to come. Heartbreak is always a terrible thing. But imagine if you had two of them….

You can read the whole interview in the Radio Times, out now.

Moffat: Female Doctor? and Other Topics

Steven Moffat has refused to rule out the possibility of there being a female Doctor one day. 

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival he said, "[Attitudes to that idea] have been changing, it is a part of Time Lord lore that it can happen - a Time Lord could potentially turn into a woman. The more often it's talked about, the more likely it is to happen someday, I suppose."

He also spoke about the story arc, saying, "Last year we did an arc, next year we will do something else, every year we have to go in a particular direction. It shouldn’t feel like good old cosy Doctor Who.”

Also he spoke about the possibility of there being a Doctor Who movie someday. "There’s often been talk about a movie, I’m sure we should do one. What I keep saying is it can’t ever be allowed to interfere with the television show, that’s the mothership, that’s the thing that will go on forever.

On picking writers for the show, he said, “If it’s your first television show you have written you are going to screw up royally, I tend to favour highly experienced television writers for the sake of my sanity. We do go outside of the circle … it’s a tough old job. No brand new TV writer should be tackling this one. It’s hard.”

Finally, he spoke about the Daleks being scary again. "Kids are supposedly frightened of Daleks but they take them to bed. Is there a way we can make them scarier, get them back to being more 'monstery'? I hope they will leave them outside their bedroom doors, was my response to that. There is a tremendous temptation to go kitch and sweet with the Daleks. You shouldn’t. They are insane tanks.”

Moffat: Who fans have right to complain

Steven Moffat has said that Doctor Who fans have a right to complain about the show.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, he discussed being a Doctor Who fan and how that makes it difficult for him to write for broader audience needs.

"The first thing you have to do is shut out [your own] fan voice," he explained. "You have to [ignore] your own whiny little voice saying 'But in 1977...' - which it does all the time, believe me! You absolutely have to address the mainstream audience, the kids and the people who watch it in families."

Moffat admitted that he wants the show to retain its "mainstream hit" status and tries to "aim the show at absolutely everybody".

"We had 15 years of being an obscure thing that people thought we were strange for watching," he said, "so [the fans are] all very happy with me doing that.

"In a way, the forums and these obsessive fan conversations... I shouldn't listen to them - that's eavesdropping," he added.

"[Fans] should be allowed to sit and complain about Doctor Who - what is the point in loving something if you can't complain about it incessantly?"

Moffat: No Budget Issues

Steven Moffat has denied claims that Doctor Who suffers from budget issues.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Moffat admitted that he would never turn down "more money" but insisted that Doctor Who's current budget is ample.

"The schedule and the pressure of trying to do Doctor Who on any budget - including Avatar's - is horrific," he said. "I am never, ever going to say I've got enough [money] - that's like asking, 'Would you like to be more happy?'"

However, Moffat did clarify: "Doctor Who is incredibly well looked after by the BBC - they are incredibly aware of its crown jewel status, that it's not merely a show that's successful now. I truly believe it could be a show that outlives everybody in this room. It could carry on that long, so it doesn't just make money now - it'll make money forever."

Moffat concluded by maintaining that he has "no complaints" about the amount of money allocated to Doctor Who.

"Of course I'd like more money, [just as I'd like] to be happier, thinner and more handsome!" he joked.

Series 7: Part 1 Episode Hints and Details

In an interview with SFX Magazine, Steven Moffat has revealed some hints and details on Part 1 of Series 7. Below is a summary of the interview in an episode by episode format.

Asylum of the Daleks

• Apparently, the whole of 'Every Dalek ever' thing was mainly for publicity. The huge collection of Daleks isn't what the story is about.

• A picture of Darla (Anamaria Marinca) was in the magazine and can be seen above.

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

• The episode isn't a real drama and is just a nice light-hearted episode.

• A T-Rex will feature in the episode!

• Moffat said he knew fans wouldn't be keen on the title. (I quite like it!)

A Town Called Mercy

• Doctor Who is perfect for the wild west and Matt Smith is perfect for a horse!

The Power of Three

• The episode takes place over the course of a year.

• The story is told through the Pond's perspective of having a 'Mad Man with a box' turn up on your doorstep all the time and how that affects you.

The Angels Take Manhattan

• Moffat has had the idea for the Pond's exit from the start and has also known how the episode will end for a long time - and this will be 'noticeable' when we watch the episode.

• Moffat says he doesn't have a mythology for the angels - he thinks this would spoil them.

• He said he has more ideas for the Weeping Angels. One episode in the future might be about someone being chased around a house by a single angel.

No hope for Classic Villains

Steven Moffat has ruled out a return for classic villains such as the Rani, Meddling Monks and the Krotons.

Speaking to SFX magazine he says, “Even people who don’t know the past very well get thrilled by the idea that you’ve brought something back. Everyone got very excited – and by everyone I mean real people – when the Master came back, even though most people could barely remember him.

“It has to be self-explanatory, it has to be free-standing, it has to be clear for everybody. If I did the Meddling Monk teaming up with Mavic Chen’s daughter and the Krotons then yeah, that’s too much, because no one gives a toss.

He added: “People always ask me “Do you want to bring back the Rani?” No one knows who the Rani is. They all know who the Master is, they know Daleks, they probably know who Davros is, but they don’t know who the Rani is, so there’s no point in bringing her back. If there’s a line it’s probably somewhere there."

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.

BFI Screening Q&A Guests Announced

The BFI (British Film Institution) have announced that Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will attend the preview screening of Asylum of the Daleks on the 14th August.

Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner will join them afterwards for the Q&A session, which is chaired by broadcaster and fan of Doctor Who, Richard Bacon.

Tickets for Doctor Who related events at the BFI are extremely popular with tickets for the preview of Asylum of the Daleks selling out in just one hour!