Doctor Who

Sherlock named world's favourite BBC character

Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock has been named the favourite BBC TV character by a third of TV viewers surveyed.

The research was conducted in the lead up to BBC Worldwide Showcase. Over 7000 people aged 18 to 64 from Australia, France, USA, Germany, India, Japan and Mexico were asked to take part in the survey, which identified the most popular BBC TV character and most memorable scene from BBC television.

Visual effects aid creativity, say TV craft gurus

A panel of experts discussed the use of visual effects in TV – both real and CGI – and argued that, used responsibly, they aid creativity.

Visual effects have moved on apace over the past two decades. Graeme Harper first directed Doctor Who in 1984, although as a floor assistant at the BBC in the 1960s he worked on the series when Patrick Troughton was the Time Lord.

“The Doctor Who [series] of the 1980s were great because the stories were great – we all forgave them that the sets creaked,” said Harper.

Peter Capaldi's best bits from Doctor Who

Doctor Who, TARDIS, Pearl Mackie, Peter Capaldi

The upcoming series will be Capaldi’s last as the irascible Twelfth Doctor. He said “From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It's been cosmic."

The upcoming series will also be the last for showrunner Steven Moffatt who is giving up the mantle to Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. 

Jane Tranter: Give Wales a Chance

Before 2005 and the production of Doctor Who in Cardiff, Wales was always seen by the BBC – including me – as the “problem child”. But, just as with a “problem child” in a classroom, alarmingly, the problem is more often with the teacher/adult than the child; invariably, “problem children” are the most interesting in class and mature into the best of adults.

Launch date announced for Doctor Who spinoff Class

The show launches with a double episode, released simultaneously on the channel.

Class is set in Coal Hill School, a regular time-travelling hotspot since the Doctor first arrived there in 1963.

Years of time travel have caused the barrier between space and time to wear dangerously thin, and something frightening has been waiting on the other side…

The series is darker than previous Doctor Who spin off The Sarah Jane Smith Adventures, and is suggested to be more in line with adult sci-fi hit Torchwood.

Face to face with casting director Andy Pryor

Andy Pryor, Casting, Doctor Who

At its most basic casting involves finding actors to play roles in TV and film, however there is far more to it as it is one of the few television roles that seems to bridge the creative and the technical sides of television.

“It’s very much a taste-based role” Andy says. “What people don't see is the enormous amount of work that you put into casting a show – in terms of researching and trying to pull the whole thing together, getting the right people seen, managing expectations and then negotiating the artists contracts.”

Doctor Who casting director introduces new companion, Pearl Mackie

Doctor Who, TARDIS, Pearl Mackie, Peter Capaldi

The RTS sat down with Doctor Who casting director Andy Pryor who has worked on the show since it was resurrected in 2005. He gave us the low-down on the new face in the TARDIS.

Since the departure of Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, at the end of the last series, the Doctor has been flying alone. Coleman has gone on to play Queen Victoria in the forthcoming  ITV drama Victoria, hitting screens later this year. 

BBC to reveal new Doctor Who companion

Doctor Who, Dr Who, Peter Capaldi, Clara Oswald, Jenna Coleman

The reveal will be made during half-time of the FA Cup semi-final Match of the Day Live: Everton vs Manchester United at around 18.00GMT.

The new companion will star alongside current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, who plays the 12th iteration of the character.

The new companion replaces outgoing character Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, who was written out of the series in the Christmas 2015 special.

How to revive a hit

As the cost of failure in TV gets ever higher, particularly in drama, it is no surprise when commissioners turn to the past to fill tomorrow’s schedules. Some of these second-life shows become huge hits.

Poldark returned from 1975 to score as one of the biggest new dramas of 2015. Some reboots, such as Doctor Who, become such an established part of the TV landscape that it’s hard to believe they ever went away. Others, such as ITV’s revival of Stars in Their Eyes last year, misfire.

BBC Three heads to Class with Doctor Who spin off

Class, BBC Three, Katherine Kelly

Coal Hill School has been a regular site of alien activity since Doctor Who began in 1963, and all those years of time-travel have caused the barriers between time and space to start wearing dangerously thin, and something frightening is waiting on the other side.

This young adult drama is being created by young adult writer Patrick Ness, and will star The Night Manager, Happy Valley and Mr Selfridge actor Katherine Kelly as a Coal Hill teacher.