BBC

Comfort Classic: Doctor Who

Sixty years ago this November, a day after the assassination of John F Kennedy, William Hartnell stepped out of the Tardis and into the Stone Age in the very first Doctor Who story, An Unearthly Child.

Ratings were disappointing for a Saturday tea-time slot; the BBC’s new sci-fi show attracted an average audience of 6 million over its four-part run. Reviews were mixed, too: “There was little to thrill [and the] wigs and furry pelts and clubs were all ludicrous,” sniffed The Guardian.

BBC Factual commissions new documentary to examine UK euthanasia laws

In a recent poll, 73% of Britons showed support for doctor-assisted euthanasia for the terminally ill. This comes alongside the ever-growing debate surrounding assisted suicide.

Carr (Silent Witness, Good Omens) has long campaigned against a change in the law, worrying that disabled people are scarcely consulted about the issue. Carr, who wrote and presented the documentary, said: “Too many disabled people will have had the experience of someone, often a complete stranger, telling them, ‘If I was like you, I’d rather be dead'.

Channel 4, BBC and NFTS to launch new freelancer support programme

In partnership with the National Film and Television School, the programme will provide free masterclasses, workshops, training and wellbeing sessions across two weeks in October 2023.

The sessions will be delivered online to ensure it is accessible to all freelancers across the country, and will explore topics as varied as financial planning, networking and development.

Sinead Rocks, Managing Director of Nations and Regions at Channel 4, said: “The TV production sector is facing unprecedented challenges and we know that many freelancers are struggling.

BBC sets release date for return of Rose Matafeo's Starstruck

Like a modern day Notting Hill, the love story was sparked by Matafeo's Jessie sleeping and falling in love with a movie star named Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel). Despite many ups and downs, and Tom's agent Cath (Minnie Driver) warning him against dating a 'civilian', the two stuck it out through to series two.

But the second series, which aired in 2022, explored what happens after such a fairy-tale ending, and the drama came to a head in the finale after Tom found out that Jessie had accepted a job from her librarian ex-boyfriend Ben (Edward Easton).

Hit BBC drama Showtrial announces all new cast for series two

The series will leave the case and cast from series one behind, opening with a climate activist being left for dead following a hit and run, but managing to reveal his attacker as a serving policeman with his dying breath.

The following trial unpacks the motives and background of the mysterious and unnamed ‘Officer X’, and whether the death of the high-profile climate activist could be due to a thoughtless accident, or a targeted attack.

Romesh Ranganathan gets double recommission from the BBC

Misadventures sees Ranganathan travel to some unusual tourist destinations and challenge his preconceived ideas and stereotypes of the countries and the people that live there, whilst finding some hidden gems along the way. Across the three new parts, he will be travelling to Uganda, Rwanda and Madagascar on an adventure through central Africa.

The new episodes of Misinvestigations cover the shooting of hip hop star Tupac Shakur, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder of Nancy Spungen, the girlfriend of Sex Pistols Bassist Sid Vicious.

BBC reveals cast and first look images for ‘Drive’ director’s reimagining of The Famous Five

The new adaption is based upon the 21 children’s books Blyton wrote about four fictional children-turned-adventurers and their faithful companion Timmy the dog.

The stories follow Julien, Dick and Anne as they go and stay with their aunt, uncle and cousin Georgina (who refuses to answer to anything but ‘George’) in the fictional British coastal village of Kirrin for their summer holidays. Together the five find themselves entangled in countless adventures.