No Surprises

BBC bosses expect Peter Capaldi to leave Doctor Who after the next series – when writer Steven Moffat also steps down.

The 57-year-old’s tenure as the 12th Doctor is likely to end in 2017.

When new chief Chris Chibnall, who created Broadchurch, begins a new era in series 11, it is thought he will also get to choose his own Time Lord.

A source on the BBC show said: “Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves.

“They’ve been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor.

“They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer.”

The move would mirror what happened when Russell T. Davies – who brought the sci-fi series back in 2005 after 26 years – departed at the same time David Tennant left as the 10th Doctor.

A BBC spokesman said Capaldi was signed up for the 2017 series but beyond that said: “We don’t discuss contracts.”

“There will come a time when this is over. But I knew that when I started.

“I was thinking about my regeneration scene from the outset. That’s my terrible melancholic nature.

“When you accept the job you know there’ll come a day, inevitably, when you’ll be saying goodbye.”

(The Mirror)

 

 

Phoenix Comic Con Update

Going to be a fun time…

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

 

 

Showrunner 3: A Fan Boy

He hasn’t even started as showrunner yet but Chris Chibnall is already a prize-winning Doctor Who writer…

Back in 1985, the man who is set to succeed Steven Moffat was not only a paid up member of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society but also won a competition in Doctor Who Magazine (issue 106 in case you’re interested) asking readers to write the lyrics to their own theme song for the show.

Before you try singing it to yourself, I’m told the words were not supposed to fit with the Doctor Who theme tune, so don’t worry that it doesn’t scan. And while it’s a decent effort for a teenager, it’s probably unfair to draw too many conclusions about what we can expect from Chibnall’s future Doctor Who writing…

Altogether now…

1986 Open Air Chris Chibnall

 

Streaming Out

If you’ve been meaning to binge watch Doctor Who on a streaming service then you’d better start as soon as possible. BBC has announced that the popular British sci-fi series will soon depart Netflix and Hulu.

This may sound familiar, as BBC threatened to remove Doctor Who from Netflix in early 2015 before a new deal was reached. This time, there doesn’t appear to be any imminent deal and Netflix has already confirmed that Doctor Who will be gone from its lineup as over February 1.

Considering the fact that streaming services have helped enlarge the audience for Doctor Who, this move would be mystifying…if BBC hadn’t already signaled its intentions to create its own streaming service. Doctor Who is one of BBC’s most popular shows, and BBC will probably use it to entice Whovians to try out its streaming app, whenever it comes out.

BBC is far from alone on this. HBO, Showtime, and CBS already have streaming apps, and there are probably more cable and broadcast networks planning streaming services of their own. The only way to do that is with prime content, and by withholding the most in-demand series from their potential competitors.

A BBC spokesperson told us that American Whovians will still be able to stream seasons 7 – 9 on BBCAmerica.com and that the series will still be available through Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, and more VOD platforms. However they added: “We hope to announce a new digital partner for Doctor Who shortly.”

The spokesperson said they are saving details about the new service until “nearer the time of launch but suffice to say there will be a wide range of programs of various genres and eras, as you would expect from a company with a range of content as deep and wide as [BBC] Worldwide’s, including content that has never been seen before and fan favorites.”

No one can say that Netflix and Hulu didn’t see this coming. Both outlets have greatly increased their original programming in anticipation of this turn of events. But that doesn’t stop a TARDIS-sized hole from opening up in the wake of Doctor Who’s departure.

Would you subscribe to a BBC only streaming service just to watch Doctor Who? (Crave)

NO. And I likely will not when CBS shows the 2017 Star Trek either. I know streaming is the wave of the future and free TV is on the outs, but I’m an old fart and I’m going to do what old farts do. Be grumpy. 🙂

 

 

LEGO Update

It’s very addicting!

I got the Cybermen and the Dalek fun pack.

What is not so fun is that I’m sure I was close to finishing the “Dalek Extermination of Earth” when I hit a computer glitch (apparently they still happen even 2016!) that destroyed the game and I had to start over from scratch…bummer…

But over all, I love the game.

The Doctor riding K-9 and blowing sh*t up is great. Riding a Dalek and blowing shit up is awesome.

But, the one good thing is that I can make up for some of the mistakes I made the first time around. More Minikits. Minikits are Cool. 🙂

Did I say this game is addicting… 🙂

 

NO Big Surprise

BBC bosses expect Peter Capaldi to leave Doctor Who after the next series – when writer Steven Moffat also steps down.

The 57-year-old’s tenure as the 12th Doctor is likely to end in 2017.

When new chief Chris Chibnall, who created Broadchurch, begins a new era in series 11, it is thought he will also get to choose his own Time Lord.

A source on the BBC show said: “Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves.

“They’ve been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor.

“They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer.”

The move would mirror what happened when Russell T. Davies – who brought the sci-fi series back in 2005 after 26 years – departed at the same time David Tennant left as the 10th Doctor.

A BBC spokesman said Capaldi was signed up for the 2017 series but beyond that said: “We don’t discuss contracts.”

This should come as any great surprise. I thought this was likely already, even before 2016 was put off until 2017.

The history of the show, and showrunners, generally says this was inevitable.

New Producer (old school term) at Hartnell Regeneration, Troughton and Pertwee.

Then it gets murky after that until 2010 when The Moffat Era began with the wholesale clean out of the Davies Era.

But the point is that is not uncommon for things to radically change when the man at the top changes.

If Capaldi wasn’t signed for Series 10 I’d think he’d could leave in the 2016 XMAS special still but new showrunners like to start fresh.

Though that does make the companion situation interesting.

Maybe now they opt for a 2009 style companion-for-the-episode instead of casting one for the series.

Or they’ll cast a one season companion like  Donna or Martha.

But Capaldi leaving is not a shock. It’s sadness because he is a FANTASTIC Doctor. But this I think was inevitable in the end.

 

Lego Dimensions

Way too much fun!

Frustrating at times (I’m currently stuck on a conundrum on the Hacking Terminal).

But it is a lot of fun.

You have to complete the main level to get to the other doctors and world but it will take hours and hours and hours.

My friend Jeff has entirely too much fun with the Doctor on top of K9, used a blaster. He blows up EVERYTHING in site.

The game is a puzzle and it takes some logic (and other characters) to get anywhere and sometimes its too simple.

Some times its too hard (where I am now).

I am an old style gamer, so a lot of this new generation style takes getting used to.

But if you have the disposable income, go for it. Listening to Capaldi complain and talking about the “attack eyebrows are taking over” is hilarious.

“I don’t do hugs!” 🙂

John Leeson is doing K-9.

Wonder Woman (yes I know…) flys with the 70’s TV Theme music playing).

Hilarious.

Well, this should keep me in WHO for many hours while we wait for out lone Xmas Special in 11 months (YIKES!).

Main cast Edit

Troy Baker – Batman
Elizabeth Banks – Wyldstyle
Tom Kane – Gandalf

Doctor Who cast Edit

Peter Capaldi – The Twelfth Doctor
Michelle Gomez – Missy
Nicholas Briggs – Cybermen, Daleks, Judoon
Julian Bleach – Davros
Neve McIntosh – Vastra
Dan Starkey – Strax
John Barrowman – Jack Harkness
Jenna Coleman – Clara Oswald

Archive sound Edit

William Hartnell – The First Doctor
Patrick Troughton – The Second Doctor
Jon Pertwee – The Third Doctor
Tom Baker – The Fourth Doctor
Peter Davison – The Fifth Doctor
Colin Baker – The Sixth Doctor
Sylvester McCoy – The Seventh Doctor
Paul McGann – The Eighth Doctor
John Hurt – The War Doctor
Christopher Eccleston – The Ninth Doctor
David Tennant – The Tenth Doctor
Matt Smith – The Eleventh Doctor
John Leeson – K-9

 

Chris Chibnall: THE NEW FACE OF WHO

Check out Chris Chibnall’s Doctor Who CV (resume to us Americans): http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/23/new-tardis-boss-chris-chibnall-a-closer-look-at-his-doctor-who-stories-5640415/

Chibnallysis!

Bringing with him a wealth of showrunner experience and genuine fanboy credentials, Chibnall is a smart choice; coming as he does off the back of Broadchurch, his biggest success to date. Featuring nearly every actor to have appeared in Doctor Who, the hit ITV drama isn’t the only experience he has of being in charge of a big TV project.

He was previously involved as the de facto showrunner for Russell T Davies Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, which he ran for two series and, crucially for Doctor Who, penned finales for both series and the series 2 opener.

Along with Doctor Who – Chibnall penned 42, The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood, Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and The Power of Three –  his time wrangling Captain Jack has given him experience of managing various tones and settings; a must for anyone looking to shape the world the Doctor inhabits.

If we were looking for themes to build a series upon, family and domesticity play an important part in most of Chibnall’s episodes – it was Chibnall who introduced Brian, Rory’s father, and took him on an adventure with the Doctor – along with a focus on celebrity historical guest stars like Egyptian Queen Nefertiti in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

Could this attention towards family and domesticity mean we’re heading back to Russell T Davies era home-life? And, what with the Torchwood connection, will this all be tempered with a darker, watershed baiting edge that’s become familiar under Moffat?

Outside the Doctor Who connection, he also served as a showrunner on ITV crime drama Law and Order: UK, Arthurian drama Camelot for Channel 4; was a producer or writer for BBC 1’s Born and Bred, helped develop Merlin and was the only guest writer to work on both series of Life on Mars.

Then there’s the acclaimed one-off dramas including The Great Train Robbery and United – about the Manchester United Munich air disaster staring the Tenth Doctor himself David Tennant (it’s great, a personal favourite of mine)

And, let’s face it, if nothing else comes from all this experience, Broadchurch has taught him to be discreet.

Without wanted to draw too many conclusions from his past, whatever happens in the future, Chibnall will almost certainly give us something unexpected, something familiar and hopefully, something that builds on past successes.

So what do you think of Chibnall’s appointment? What changes do you want to see under his tenure? What don’t you want to see? What’s your favourite Chibnall episode/drama? (kasterborous)

Changing of The Guard

But not until 2018.

And, by the way, it will be an extra long Doctor Who Winter.

Only a Doctor Who Christmas special will air in 2016. Moffat’s final series to be broadcast next year in order to create a “huge event” for fans. Chibnall will begin his tenure in 2018.

All the Moffat haters just let a collective SQUEE!!!

I was never a hater, but I did think it was time. But he did produce one of the best season in a long time this past 2015 so I am sorry to see him go, but everything has its time.

Steven Moffat has decided that his “timey wimey” as showrunner of Doctor Who has come to an end and he will step down as the show’s lead writer and executive producer after six series at the helm, RadioTimes.com can reveal.

Moffatt will hand over the keys to the TARDIS at the end of the next series in 2017 to Broadchurch writer and Doctor Who fan Chris Chibnall.

BBC1 has decided to air Moffat’s final 12-part series – the 10th of the modern era – in spring 2017. Chibnall’s debut series as head writer and executive producer will launch in 2018.

A Christmas special WILL air this year overseen by Moffat, though it is unclear whether Peter Capaldi’s new companion will feature. The companion, who will replace Jenna Coleman’s Clara Oswald, will definitely be in place for the spring 2017 series, say BBC sources.

No word on Chibnall I being Spring 2018.

Explaining the decision to hold Moffat’s last series until next year, BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said: “I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in Spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel.   2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 – I promise it will be worth the wait!”

It is unclear if the plan is now to make Doctor Who a series which regularly begins its runs in the spring when Chibnall becomes showrunner. “That is all to be decided,” said a BBC source, who pointed out that it began airing in the spring when it was relaunched by Russell T Davies in 2005.

Moffat said of his decision to quit: “Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I’m just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out. While Chris is doing his last run of Broadchurch, I’ll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him. It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”

Moore, who next month takes over a super controller’s job at the BBC, paid tribute to Moffat and welcomed Chibnall into the Doctor Who fold. 

“I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given Doctor Who – I’ve loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy,” she added. “I will be very sad to see him leave the show but I can’t wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series.”

 

Like Moffat, Chibnall is also a lifelong Doctor Who fan and a multi-award winning writer and executive producer. He has most recently achieved success with the triple BAFTA winning hit ITV series Broadchurch. His other credits include BAFTA nominated The Great Train Robbery, United, Law & Order: UK, Life on Mars and Torchwood.

He said: “Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world.  So it’s a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama. I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore.  Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who’s creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult.”

Polly Hill, BBC controller of drama commissioning, added: “Like Charlotte I would like to thank Steven for his brilliance, which has made Doctor Who a global hit under his tenure.  Chris Chibnall is the perfect successor to take over the reins of this incredible show, so I am delighted that his love for Doctor Who has made it impossible for him to resist!  Chris is an incredible writer and his vision and passion for Doctor Who gives it an exciting future and promises to be a real treat for Doctor Who fans across the world.”

 

So buckle down, it’s going to be a Long Winter’s Nap for the good Doctor.

But we have some new Presents coming in 2018.

What do you want to bet the debut of The 13th Doctor as well…

 

Rory is A Time Lord

Time Master, sorry. 🙂

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow — “Pilot, Part 1” — Image LGN101d_0438b — Pictured (L-R): Arthur Darvill as Rip Hunter and Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer/Atom — Photo: Jeff Weddell/The CW — © 2015 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

He’s a Time Master who railed against the Non-Interference policy of his Council

FIRST TIME LORD: You have heard the charge against you that you have repeatedly broken our most important law of non-interference in the affairs of other planets, what have you to say – do you admit these actions?
DOCTOR: I not only admit them, I am proud of them! While you have been content merely to observe the evil in the galaxy I have been fighting against it!

He stole a Time Machine.

He kidnapped a Teacher and some others.

An Alternate Universe version of Rory is a Time Lord!…Master… 🙂

TIME CAN BE REWRITTEN!

(and Superman is now the Atom?) 🙂

“When they pitched the idea of the show, I was like, ‘This is very close to ‘Doctor Who,'” Darvill told Headlines & Global News while promoting “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow ” at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif.

“We had various discussions and, obviously, it deals with similar themes like time travel. I’m an Englishman in a long coat and [there’s] a time machine, so there’s no getting away from that,” he added. “But, as the series goes on, I’m pleased you will notice more and more differences between Rip Hunter and the Doctor. They are very different.”

For fans of “Arrow,” “The Flash” and “Doctor Who,” the series is highly recommended and, if you want to learn more about the show, continue reading HNGN’s interview with Darvill below.

So, you are playing a doctor again?
Yeah, I’ve been promoted. I know, and it’s a complete mystery to me.

Did you kind of giggle because of the similarities?
I did, but there is also a concern there as I didn’t want it to be close to that. I’ve been so thankful because we were just brought on with the promise of, “This is going to be really good.” I’ve been really lucky with the scripts that we’ve gotten and, as you learn more about Rip’s character, it’s interesting, dark and kind of led by ego and wanting to do the right thing but not quite knowing what the consequences of his actions are. I think that’s a fascinating character to explore, and not at all like any character I’ve had the chance to play before. That was the main reason for me wanting this role: I’m often cast as the guy who makes comments in the corner or the sidekick, and it’s really nice to be offered a role where I get to lead the charge. That’s a very new thing for me, and I’m really enjoying it.

Did you feel any pressure?
I probably should have, but no. Working with these guys, you are only as strong as the people you’re working with and we’re just having a lot of fun. Obviously, there’s a pressure to make it good and we all egg each other on. It’s a very encouraging group of people.

Has there been any backlash from the more passionate “Doctor Who” fans?
No. Everyone has been really positive about the whole thing. I think people are enjoying the similarities, and I’m not going to stand here and say there are no similarities because there are, but what’s great is the show is so totally different from that show. (HNGN)

RORY WILLIAMS MASTER OF TIME & SPACE!