John Barrowman Reveals He’s in “Very Secrective” Talks to Appear in “Doctor Who” 50th!

In an appearance on Friday, on ITV’s “This morning”, when asked about his  involvement in this year’s “Doctor Who” 50th anniversary season, he responded:

I haven’t had any information up until just about right now.  And all I can say to you is we’re discussing things.

Then with visible enthusiasm he added:

That’s a total exclusive!  You guys are the first to ever hear.  Even yesterday I was giving interviews and I was saying I’ve heard nothing.  And now I can give you a little bit of an exclusive.

Later he noted:

It’s all very secretive.

You can watch the whole interview after the jump …

Happy Birthday Christopher Eccleston!

Great actor.  Great Doctor.   After the jump, a few of the better tribute videos to the 9th Doctor!

New Pix from the “Doctor Who” Christmas Special “The Snowmen”!

Here’s some great promotional and production still thanks to Doctor Who’s Facebook account.  Enjoy them all after the jump!

FARSCAPE Star Joins ARROW!

CW’s “Arrow” has filled its cast with some sci-fi favorites.  Colin Salmon from “Doctor Who”.  John Barrowman from “Doctor Who” and “Torchwood”.  And now Ben Browder from “Farscape” and “Stargate: SG-1″.   Learn more about Browder’s role on the series  after the jump.

Matt Smith in a DeLorean!

Inspiring a bit of double take from time travel fans, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan arrived at a “Doctor Who” screening on Saturday in New York City in a vintage DeLorean.  The DeLorean (DeLorean DMC-12), was the sole car produced by John DeLorean’s DeLorean Motor Company, and it was made famous to movie fans when it was used as the time machine in the Back to the Future films.

More pix after the jump …

DOCTOR WHO: First Official Picture of Matt Smith’s Doctor with His New Companion

Here’s the first official photograph of Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman as the Doctor and companion.  Coleman will take over as the Doctor’s full time companion in this year’s Christmas special.  Little is known about who Ms. Coleman will be playing.    We don’t know where she’s from.   Earth?  Another planet?  Another reality?  We don’t know when she’s form.  The past?  The present?  The future?  We don’t even know her name.  Though some evidence points to her first name being “Clara”.  Though the BBC has yet to confirm that.  So for now we’re just going to have to satisfy ourselves with official pictures like this one.  And unofficial ones snapped by fans during location shoots.

And you’ll also notice if you look closely at this photo that Matt is sporting a slightly different look as the Doctor.  New frock coat and waistcoat.  But he’s still got the bow tie.  Because, as we all know by now, bow ties are cool.

Bill Nighy Turned Down Lead in “Doctor Who”!

Since before the reboot, many “Doctor Who” fans believed Bill Nighy would be perfect for the role of the centuries old Time Lord.  There were even rumors that he had been offered the role and turned it down.  But there was never proof.  Now there is!  In an interview with The People, Nighy had this to say:

I was offered the role once, I won’t tell you when because the rule is that you’re not allowed to say you turned that job down because it’s disrespectful to whoever did it. I will say that I was approached.

But I didn’t want to be the Doctor. No disrespect to Doctor Who or anything. I just think that it comes with too much baggage.

The “two much baggage” comment is believed to be a reference to the intense media scrutiny stars of “Doctor Who” endure.  It’s not surprising that an intensely private man like Nighy would not welcome this.

Video: Tour the Studio Where They Film DOCTOR WHO!

Cardiff is now one of the top centers of television production.  Less than a decade ago such a statement would have been met by gales of laughter.  But people aren’t laughing now.  The BBC has produced some its biggest shows of the 21st century in the Welsh capital, including “Doctor Who”, “Torchwood”, “Sarah Jane Adventures”,  “Casualty”,  and “Upstairs Downstairs”.  And now they have a new state-of-the-art, purpose-built television facility in Cardiff called Roath Lock.  Below you’ll be treated to a video tour hosted by Arthur (Rory Williams) Darvill.  And, think of this, many children today, dreaming of going into television won’t be setting their sites on London, or even Hollywood, they will be aiming for Cardiff!

Video: DOCTOR WHO Mini-episode Written by Kids!

Here’s the “Doctor Who” mini-episode that appeared on the legendary British children’s program “Blue Peter”.    The script was written by children who won a competition to write a short “Doctor Who” episode which somehow involved the 2012 London Olympic.  We think they did a great job.  And, with no “Doctor Who” until fall, this mini-episode makes a nice little bonus to tide fans over.

First Publicity Shot from Russell T Davies’ “Wizards Vs. Aliens”!

(click on image to enlarge)

Russel T Davies, the man behind 2oo5′s hugely successful “Doctor Who” reboot, has his eyes set on thrilling the children of the UK again with his new CBBC series “Wizards Vs. Aliens”.  The first promo still (above) has just been release, featuring Scott Haran as “Tom Clarke” and Percelle Ascott as Benny Sherwood.  In addition to releasing this photo, the BBC also reports:

Filming is now underway on CBBC’s thrilling new action adventure drama, created by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford. Wizards Vs Aliens, produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), will air on CBBC this Autumn. Filming has begun at the BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff and on location around the area.

They also note these other cast members:

Annette Badland (Doctor Who episodes Aliens of London, WWIII and Boom Town), Michael Higgs (Eastenders), Jefferson Hall (Doctors) and Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones). Don Gilet (Doctor Who, The Runaway Bride) and Nina Sosanya (Doctor Who, Fear Her) make guest appearances as Benny’s parents.

And give this rundown on the story:

Wizards Vs Aliens brings magic and sci-fi together to tell an epic tale. Aliens are intent of devouring all the magic on Earth – one 16-year-old boy stands in their way. Tom Clarke is a seemingly ordinary boy who loves football. He lives with his dad Michael and grandmother Ursula in an ordinary house in an ordinary street – but there’s something different about Tom. He has an astonishing secret – his family are Wizards! When the alien Nekross arrive on Earth hungry for magic, there’s big, big trouble in store for all wizardkind.

With the help of his friend and science super-brain Benny, Tom must stop them – but will these two unlikely heroes succeed, or will the Nekross devour all the magic on Earth with disastrous results for the whole planet?

The series is set to air in the fall.  We’re definitely looking forward to this one.