Doctor Who

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry join the new series of Doctor Who

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry (credit: BBC)

The two British TV icons have landed major roles in what showrunner Chris Chibnall has called “one of [Doctor Who’s] biggest ever stories to kick off the new series”.

As for whether Fry and Henry will play friends or enemies remains under wraps.

Reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor at the helm of the TARDIS will be Jodie Whittaker, alongside her usual time-travelling team with Tosin Cole as Ryan, Mandip Gill as Yaz and Bradley Walsh as Graham.

Russell T Davies celebrates his TV career with RTS Wales

Russell T Davies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Credit: Aaron Lowe Photography)

RTS Cymru Wales Chair Judith Winnan made the award at the end of a sold-out event at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to mark the RTS Centre’s 60th anniversary.

The multi-award-winning writer and regenerator of Doctor Who had been discussing his career with Gethin Jones. The TV presenter met Davies when he was working on Blue Peter 15 years ago – and went on to appear in Doctor Who, albeit as a Dalek and Cyberman.

In Conversation with Russell T Davies: Sold Out!

The Royal Television Society commemorates its 60th year in Wales with an evening dedicated to Swansea-born Russell T Davies on Monday 28 October at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Russell is responsible for such groundbreaking shows such as Queer As Folk and the multi award-winning A Very English Scandal, starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.

His 2019 drama series Years And Years, set in a near-future where British society teeters on the edge of collapse and starring Emma Thompson and Anne Reid, has received global critical acclaim.

Bodyguard snags the top spot on BBC iPlayer

David Budd (Richard Madden) (Credit: BBC/BBC Studios)

In 2018, BBC iPlayer received requests for 3.6 billion programmes throughout the year.

Among the top ten requested shows per series included Bodyguard, Killing Eve, McMafia, Doctor Who, Keeping Faith, The Cry, Dynasties, Our Girl, Bing and MOTD Live.

“In 2018 we saw people who use iPlayer increasing the amount of time that they spend watching programmes on it,” said Dan McGolpin, Controller of Programming for the BBC.

Doctor Who announces writers and directors for new series

(Credit: BBC)

Showrunner Chris Chibnall commented, “Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job. (It matters!) They love Doctor Who. And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special, later this year.”

Past notable writers have included Neil Gaiman, Douglas Adams and Richard Curtis.