SHOWRUNNER AND TEAM: RTD leaving and Moffat taking over for series 5, news broken by
the Guardian, also see
BBC Press Release.
This poster reports that the series is "tied up till series 9", with SM having a 5 year contract.
There is talk that Murray Gold may be leaving the series after the specials too - see
discussion thread. The story seems to have originated with
Eye of Horus who report, "According to a BBC WALES Source, Murray Gold could be discontinuing his (superb) association with DOCTOR WHO after the 2009 SPECIALS, leaving incoming Producers with the task (if not already completed) of allocating another Composer."
This poster adds that a mate suggested a few months back there would be a new composer.
Another poster reports that he has heard it is official that there will be a new composer for series 5.
The job of producer for series 5 is being advertised by the BBC: contract to run from April 2009 until June 2010. (
BBC jobs; thanks to
this poster)
WRITERS: Rough ideas were being put together for series 5 "as we speak" (May 2008,
post)
SM was writing the first script in July '08 (Comic Con 24 Jul, on
withaterrace livejournal). Apparently he started in January! (email from RTD to Benjamin Cook, printed in
The Times)
Ed Thomas has read this first script and describes it as "very special" (
see this post)
According to an interview in Death Ray (Aug '08) with Steven Moffat (
summarised here), SM expects to write 5 or 6 episodes.
However, given RTD never managed to predict how many he would write, that could easily change (he refused to be drawn in a previous interview (
SM interview, 24 Jul)
A poster reports from the Moffat session at the Edinburgh TV Festival (23rd Aug '08)
- SM has completed the first episode of the season, it was "the easy part, as I'd written it in my head many times before."
- SM has a broad overarching plan for the season that he's currently refining.
- He has had emails from would-be DW writers, including some from "a few quite surprising names".
As of the end of 2008 scripts for episodes 1 and 4 have been written - Matt Smith has read them (
Matt Smith's extended interview around 4:00; see also
post). They are presumably Moffats - Matt in commenting on them talks about how SM is "a brilliant writer" and adds "a funny writer"
Mark Gatiss gave a talk on TV and film horror that had influenced him at Nottingham's Broadway Cinema. He confirmed that he has been approached to write for Series 5 (though nothing else - he said in so many words "I know nothing") (
post)
The Scotsman report Mark Gatiss as "busy writing episodes of the next full season of Doctor Who, for an as yet un-cast (or so he says) Doctor" (
post)
Skins writer Jack Thorne is apparently down to write for Series 5 (
post)
Gaiman is still on the cards and has been asked to prepare two different ideas. Paul Cornell is likely too...
(post) "And I'll confirm the Gaiman and Cornell thing" (
post)
One of the ideas Gaiman is provisionally working on is the Ice Warrior story (
post)
The poster now reports the Gaiman/Ice Warriors/"Faces in the Dust" is not happening.
This is confirmed by Neil Gaiman in his blog (quoted in
this post) which states that he is not writing a Doctor Who episode called "Faces in the Dust". However he is NOT denying anything else about Doctor Who (or confirming anything, other than dinners with Moffat)
When asked if he'd be writing for Steven Moffat, Paul Cornell said "Way too soon to say" (NewCON convention, Oct'08, reported in
this post)
PLOTS/STORYLINES: "THEY'RE BACK"... apparently. We don't yet know what "They" are (assuming SM wasn't just looking for a strong opening line!) (Steven Moffat, DWM 397)
SM confirms that there will not be a series of "Blink"-type stories, "[Y]ou couldn't have a whole series like that [...] You can't have that as the first episode. It's just too grim. So it's different contemplating it from this position, very, very different." The series will also continue to embrace a wide range of tones and genres, Moffat said. Rather than adapting the show to his particular writing style, he looks forward to experimenting with different voices to maintain the show's variety. SM also looks forward to "get[ting] to write episodes that I wouldn't normally write, that wouldn't be expected of me." (
Moffat interview, ScifiWire)
SM has said (Death Ray #15, Aug '08,
summarised here) he thinks the Doctor works best when solving problems rather than fighting armies, that the Doctor has always been a sexy, flirty character, albeit one who doesn't pursue love interests. Also...
It makes no sense, especially when you look at what I was praised for...They'd say "It will be great when Moffat takes over, because there won't be so much romance, there won't be all that soapy stuff, there won't be all this comedy..." But I do all those things, even more than Russell does! And I've got the record for gay jokes. (quoted in this post)
Don't despair of returning monsters in the Moff's reign; "Steven talked about the future in terms of... well, to the extent that I said 'Don't tell me any more!' I want to find out as a viewer. I was even surprised, because I was half-expecting there to be a No Old Monsters rule under The Moff. But no. So that felt good." (RTD,
A Writers Tale)
"Zygons. Series 5. Apparently." (
post);
This poster adds that there will be a zygon companion hiding in human form (with
another poster confirming though his cough...)
It is reported on this
blog that Mark Gattis has been asked to adapt his novel "Nightshade" for series 5 (via
this post).
Another poster reports having heard this, a few weeks back, but as far as he knows Gattis hasn't said yes yet.
Another poster reports that Gatiss "has no idea about the current idea about 'Nightshade' being adapted for series 5".
Mark Gatiss has been approached to write for Series 5 (see writers section)
Information (from the series 5 bible):
- Zygons This post and this post). According to this post Tennant demands Zygons...he gets Zygons. This postsuggests that there may be "Zygon infiltration horror for the Doctor". Plus, apparently "the guys who did Walking With Dinosaurs have been asked to help design and create a CGI Skarasen for Season 5" (post)
This post says the Skarasen is being worked on - Ice Warriors.post All checks out with post. He couldn't possibly deny any of that. Ice Warrior provisional title: The Faces In The Dust (post)
This post suggests that Ice Warrior, Ice Lord and "something else from Mars" has been sculpted.
An Ice Warrior has been modelled in CGI - but for what purpose is unknown. (post) - Daleks (post). Two-parter Dalek episode to open Series 5 post
The plan at the moment is that the series is coming back with a two part Dalek story. As far as I know they won't appear in the series again that year. (post)
This post clarifies the situation - IF the Daleks make an appearance in series 5, they will do so in an opening two-parter, probably set in Edwardian Britain. However SM doesn't really want to use the Daleks, and may persuade the BBC to replace them with something new for that adventure.
A two-parter intro to the series looks unlikely given that Matt Smith has read scripts for episode 1 and 4 (as opposed to 1 and 2 - Matt Smith's extended interview around 4:00; see also post) - The enemy who will reveal themselves in the series denouement will have been in every episode of series 5.(post)
Story picked up by
The Sun (with some confusion over the specials and series 5) mentioning Daleks, Zygons and Ice Warriors.
Note : And in light of all this information, Moffat has delivered his Series 5 plans to people for considerations, feedback, planning etc....
(post, Sept '08) The Moff has presented his preliminary "bible", series 5 stuff is "subject to change but it is the initial outline for the next full series, with a two part opener and a very insidious and, in my opinion, excellent, arc culminating in the finale" (
post)
Note:
This poster has been doing some digging and has discovered that Moffat has apparently seen the relevant posts. His source states that rtd has really done all you can with the daleks and has no plans to bring them back for a while.
As for zygons, he got a hmmmm and a nod.
As for moffs submitted bible, as it were, only a few have seen it.
Basically, what was reported sounds great but it didn't ring any bells with the powers that be.
Also
this post mentions rumblings heard previously about the Ice Warriors.
Latest from
this post is that SM take on these rumours was "B*ll*x "to most of it.
FILMING DATES: This poster has heard (from
Piers Wenger) that filming will follow its usual pattern (so probably July 2009).
Filming will commence in "Autumn 2009" (
The Sun [18 Jul 08]); August according to
this post A BBC job ad for Doctor Who producer says series 5 is "shooting from July 2009." (
BBC jobs; thanks to
this poster)
There is a distinct possibility they'll film the 2010 Christmas special in April 2010 i.e. immediately after series 5 (
post)
Format and schedulingMoffat says he has fourteen episodes of Who to do. Since the special at Christmas 2009 will be an RTD special and Julie mentions a series return with thirteen episodes (
Julie Gardner, Telegraph), the fourteenth episode is perhaps for Christmas 2010?
Series 5 will be shown in "Spring 2010" (DWC, "The Eleventh Doctor", BBC1, 3rd Jan '09)
- this ties in with dates given by BBC Entertainment News here (
(6 Jul 08)) and here (
23 Aug 08)
Though there is a rumour that series 5 could be moved back to a January 2010 start (
post)
In the series 4 boxset commentaries, SM says that he prefers two-parters but that this will not affect how he approaches the series (
Den Of Geek). See
full quote in this post: although they are easier to write, there will not be more two-parters in the series.
SM has also said that the current pattern of three two-parters was a good balance and it was hard to imagine straying too much from that (
post regarding BAFTA Writers: Time Travel in TV Drama and Comedy Cardiff 6th Oct 2008)
CASTING: The DoctorFor all pre-10th October discussion on DT's participation in series 5 - see
here.
For background on DT stepping down, links about his departure and links to casting discussion see
previous spoiler summary here.
Matt Smith is the Eleventh Doctor (DWC - "The Eleventh Doctor", 3 Jan'09), see
here for the BBC answer to "Who on earth is Matt Smith?"The CompanionFemale companion(
post) A Celtic companion. Non contemporary.
post Confirmed with the addition that there will be no romantic interest with the Doctor (
post - see also
here)
Oh and Celtic means Scottish, Irish or Welsh (
post)
This post reports that the companion will not have a one-series arc; they are keen for her to remain for series 6. This hinges on the Doctor-lite apparently.
This poster confirms that the companion is not for one series (he suggests she will be there to ease the transition to a new Doctor).
The character name is Lucy (provisional name and subject to change) (
post)
It looks like she will be an Edwardian maid (
post), from Scotland (
post).
On a blog, it is suggested that
Annabel Reid is in the running for this part (reported
in this post).
It is suggested (
in this post) that SM is considering moving away from a Scots/Irish companion; also that he is considering casting Sheridan Smith as the 11th Doctor's first companion, though not as Lucie and probably not as a contemporary character (though at the same time there is a whisper that she may be introduced to the Doctor through Jack. More on
Outpost Skaro
Michelle Ryan rumoured to be the new companion in series 5 ([url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sunday-mirror/2009/01/18/who-s-that-girl-115875-21049376/]The Mirror (18 Jan'09) and Telegraph. Might have be sparked by her (at that time secret) casting in PotD, might not. Supporting CastIt has been suggested that casting has started already for series 5 - see
this post - unnamed reoccuring actor and
this post for reoccurring actor.
- Kylie to return? Old rumours from early 2008 : (post 1,post 2, Yahoo Australia Lifestyle News, post)
- Negotiations in train to get back Alex Kingston (River Song) and Georgina Moffett (Jenny) for series 5? (post). See rumours upthread re specials.
When asked (Oct'08) when she would be coming back, Alex Kingston said there were no plans (post) - Tom Baker (unknown role) - originally reported in Comic Book Resources, and then in the Daily Star (reported in this post)
This has since made the Sky TV website - Den of Geek point out that it references a Sun story which appears to have been pulled from their website.
(Many suggestions that Tom would be perfect for Professor Nightshade/Edmund Trevithick - see section above) -this poster reports that Tom himself is unaware of any casting in the offing, but he is very keen and thinks it would be a great idea.
Film rumoursNothing new in a long time - see this
spoiler summary to see what was said...
.jpg)
Posts
