User:Nfitz/sandbox/Doctor Who series 14

Nfitz/sandbox/Doctor Who
Series 14
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Release
Original networkBBC One
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The fourteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who is set to premiere in 2024. It will be the fifth series led by Russell T Davies as head writer and executive producer, and the first since his return to the show, having previously worked on it from 2005–2010. This series is set to be the fourteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and will be the fortieth season overall. The fourteenth series was announced with Davies' return to the programme for its 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond.

The series will introduce Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, a new incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box on the outside. The series also introduces Millie Gibson as the Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday.

The series, which is set to be preceded by the 2023 Christmas Special, is set to consist of eight episodes, which have been directed by Dylan Holmes Williams, Mark Tonderai, Julie Anne Robinson, Ben Chessell and Jamie Donoughue. Filming began in December 2022, with production moving from Roath Lock Studios to Wolf Studios after Bad Wolf became a co-producer of the series.

Episodes

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No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
AI
Special
TBATBATBDTBD2024 (2024)[1]TBDTBA

Casting

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In July 2021, Jodie Whittaker announced her intention to leave the programme as the Thirteenth Doctor following the thirteenth series and three associated specials, to air by 2022.[2] Mandip Gill and John Bishop who portrayed Yasmin Khan and Dan Lewis later stated that they were unsure if they would continue starring following the 2022 specials but Gill confirmed her departure from the show on 3 May 2022.[3] Davies confirmed that auditions for the fourteenth series would begin in late 2021.[4]

On 8 May 2022, Ncuti Gatwa was announced as Jodie Whittaker's successor as the programme's lead, and many reports, including that of the BBC itself stated he would play the Fourteenth Doctor and that Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor would regenerate into an incarnation portrayed by Gatwa.[5][6] Casting director Andy Pryor assisted in the casting of Gatwa.[7] Upon Whittaker's final appearance as the character, she instead regenerated into a form seemingly identical to the Tenth Doctor. This character, portrayed by David Tennant, was confirmed to be the Fourteenth Doctor, with later clarification that Gatwa would actually portray the Fifteenth Doctor.[8] Auditions for the next companion took place on 24 September 2022.[9] On 18 November 2022, during Children in Need, Millie Gibson was announced as the new companion Ruby Sunday.[10]

On 9 January 2023, the BBC announced that Aneurin Barnard would appear as Roger ap Gwilliam, and that Jemma Redgrave, having reprised her role in the previous series would continue to appear as Kate Stewart during the fourteenth series.[11] On 20 January 2023, further casting announcements from the BBC revealed that Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge would appear in undisclosed roles.[12] On 3 April 2023, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would play a major role in the series.[13] On 5 May 2023, it was announced that Jonathan Groff would play a key role in the series.[14]

Production

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Development

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In May 2017, it was announced that due to the terms of a deal between BBC Worldwide and SMG Pictures in China, the company has first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of future series of the programme until and including Series 15.[15][16] In October 2019, a deal was made between HBO Max and BBC for an additional two series of Doctor Who, including the thirteenth and fourteenth series.[17]

On 29 July 2021, the BBC announced that Chris Chibnall, who served as executive producer and showrunner of the series for the Thirteenth Doctor, would depart the series after a run of specials in 2022.[18][19] In the BBC press release, Chibnall is quoted as saying: "I wish our successors - whoever the BBC and BBC Studios choose - as much fun as we've had. They're in for a treat!"[20] The new series was first teased by Piers Wenger on 25 August 2021, when he said an upcoming change for Doctor Who would be "radical".[21]

On 24 September 2021, the BBC announced Russell T Davies would return to Doctor Who as showrunner, after having previously acted as showrunner from 2005–2010 for the Ninth and Tenth Doctor. He will succeed Chibnall for the show's 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond.[22] Davies will be joined by the Bad Wolf production company, which was founded by former Doctor Who executive producer Julie Gardner and former BBC head of drama Jane Tranter.[23] In October 2021, it was announced that Sony would acquire a majority of Bad Wolf.[24][25] Bad Wolf also took over creative control of Doctor Who beginning with the series allowing the BBC to focus on establishing Doctor Who as a global brand.[26]

Phil Collinson returned to the show as producer, having previously produced episodes from 2005–2008.[27] By January 2022, according to the CV of block producer Vicki Delow, it stated that series 14 was "currently in production";[28] Davies confirmed by March 2022 that production had begun at Bad Wolf Studios in Cardiff.[29] William Oswald is also editing for the new series, having last edited for Doctor Who in "Twice Upon a Time" (2017).[30]

Writing

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Steven Moffat, who served as a writer on the series from 2005–2017 and showrunner from 2010–2017 for the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctor, commented in December 2021 that he had talked with Davies about his plans for the series.[31] In December 2021, Davies confirmed that he had already written some episodes.[32] In December 2022, Davies stated in Doctor Who Magazine that the script for the 2023 Christmas Special had been signed-off a long-time earlier, and that he was currently writing the script for the 2024 Christmas Special, which would sandwich the season of 8 episodes.[1][33] On 12 February 2023, Davies was quoted on the Michael Ball show on BBC Radio 2 stating that the fourth episode was "one of the greatest things I've ever made in my life".[34][35]

Filming

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Filming for the series is set to mark a change in the studio location, with the new studio, Wolf Studios, taking over from Roath Lock Studios as the company for in-house filming, where the series has filmed since 2012.[36] This change came about as Bad Wolf was set to co-produce along with the BBC going forward.[23] Bad Wolf further filed for a new subsidiary company, also run by Gardner, called "Whoniverse1 LTD".[37]

Pre-production for the series commenced on 26 September 2022,[38] and filming began on 5 December.[39] Dylan Holmes Williams directed the first block, consisting of the fourth and fifth episodes.[9][40] Mark Tonderai directed the second block, consisting of the 2023 Christmas Special, having previously directed the eleventh series episodes "The Ghost Monument" and "Rosa" (both 2018).[40] [41]Julie Anne Robinson directed the two-episode third production block.[42][43] Ben Chessell directed the two-episode fourth production block, which included the second episode.[44] Jamie Donoughue directed the two-episode fifth production block, which included the finale.[45]

Production blocks are arranged as follows:

Block Episode(s) Director Writer(s) Producer
1[40][35] Episode 4 Dylan Holmes Williams Russell T Davies Vicki Delow
Episode 5 TBA
2[40] 2023 Christmas Special[1] Mark Tonderai TBA TBA
3[43] TBA Julie Anne Robinson TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA
4[44] Episode 2[45] Ben Chessell TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA
5[45] TBA Jamie Donoughue TBA TBA
Episode 8 TBA TBA

Music

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On 24 April 2023, the BBC announced that Murray Gold would be returning as composer for the 2023 specials,[46] and the fourteenth series.[45]

Release

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The series is set to be preceded by three specials to begin airing in November 2023 marking Davies' return and the show's 60th anniversary.[47] Gatwa's first full episode will premiere "over the festive period in 2023",[8] and the fourteenth series will be screened in 2024.[48]

The series will be released internationally on Disney+;[49] the BBC and Disney Branded Television were in talks regarding the partnership in July 2022,[50] and it was announced in October.[49]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Davies, Russell T (December 2022). "Letter from the Showrunner". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 585. p. 7.
  2. ^ "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to leave in 2022". BBC News. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ Fullerton, Huw (25 October 2021). "John Bishop and Mandip Gill say they could stay in Doctor Who after Jodie Whittaker's exit: "It's a conversation to be had"". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. ^ Hattenstone, Simon (22 December 2021). "Russell T Davies: 'I genuinely thought – who wants to watch a show about Aids?'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  5. ^ Fullerton, Huw; Knight, Lewis (8 May 2022). "Ncuti Gatwa announced as the next Doctor in Doctor Who". Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  7. ^ Cook, Laurence (5 January 2022). "New 'Doctor Who', Marianne Faithfull Biopic + More UK Projects Greenlit". Backstage. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b Kilbane, Aoife (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who: Here they come..." BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b TVZone (9 November 2022). "Doctor Who: Series 14 Updates And Production Team Confirmed". TVZoneUK. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Millie Gibson is the new Doctor Who companion, Ruby Sunday | Doctor Who". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Jemma Redgrave returns to Doctor Who and Aneurin Barnard joins the cast". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Doctor Who - Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge join the next series". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  13. ^ Monsoon, Jinkx (4 April 2023). "Hi Jinkx!". Instagram. Retrieved 4 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Doctor Who Hits Another High Note as Jonathan Groff Joins". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  15. ^ Fullerton, Huw (3 June 2017). "The BBC is already preparing for at least FIVE more series of Doctor Who". RadioTimes. Immediate Media Company. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Doctor Who Gets Brand Boost in China" (Press release). BBC. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  17. ^ Amaya, Erik (29 October 2019). "The BBC's HBO Max Deal Yields Two Additional Seasons Of Doctor Who". Comicon.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  18. ^ Kanter, Jane (29 July 2021). "'Doctor Who': Jodie Whittaker & Showrunner Chris Chibnall Are Leaving Iconic Sci-Fi Series, BBC Confirms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to leave Doctor Who in a trio of Specials in 2022". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to leave Doctor Who in a trio of Specials in 2022". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  21. ^ Holmes, Martin (26 August 2021). "BBC Boss Promises 'Radical' Change for 'Doctor Who' After Jodie Whittaker Exits". TVInsider. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  22. ^ Fullerton, Huw (24 September 2021). "Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Doctor Who: Russell T Davies returns as programme showrunner". BBC News. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  24. ^ Morris, Lauren (11 October 2021). "Doctor Who producer Bad Wolf 'to be acquired by Sony'". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  25. ^ Laford, Andrea (1 December 2021). "Sony have acquired future 'Doctor Who' producer Bad Wolf". CultBox. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  26. ^ Craig, David (2 November 2021). "Doctor Who will "radically build" on success as Bad Wolf assumes 'creative control'". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  27. ^ "Phil Collinson". Independent Talent. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  28. ^ Laford, Andrea (20 January 2022). "Russell T Davies Doctor Who "currently in production"". CultBox. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  29. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (3 March 2022). "Doctor Who's Russell T Davies teases return as season 14 production begins". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Jenny Carney Associates". Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  31. ^ Graham-Lowery, Nathan (11 December 2021). "Steven Moffat Says Russell T Davies' Plans For Doctor Who Are Fantastic". Screen Rant. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  32. ^ Wright, Minnie (22 December 2021). "Russell T Davies has already written new Doctor Who episodes ahead of November 2023". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  33. ^ Laford, Andrea (7 December 2022). "Russell T Davies reveals series plans to Doctor Who Magazine". CultBox. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  34. ^ Goldbart, Max (15 March 2023). "'Doctor Who' Spin-Off Details Emerge As Russell T. Davies Says Episode Of New Series Is "One Of The Greatest Things I've Ever Made In My Life"". Deadline. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Russell T Davies teases new Doctor Who is one of the greatest things he's ever made". Digital Spy. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  36. ^ Laford, Andrea (10 November 2021). "Doctor Who to move its filming base from Roath Lock Studios to Wolf Studios". CultBox. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  37. ^ "WHONIVERSE1 LTD overview". Companies House. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  38. ^ Laford, Andrea (9 November 2022). "Doctor Who Series 14: production and crew updates". CultBox. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  39. ^ @bbcdoctorwho (5 December 2022). "💙💙➕🎥 Filming has officially begun today for the next series of #DoctorWho!" – via Instagram.
  40. ^ a b c d Laford, Andrea (16 January 2023). "Doctor Who filming with Aneurin Barnard at Cardiff City Stadium". CultBox. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  41. ^ Laford, Andrea (22 December 2022). "Doctor Who Series 14: returning director discovered". CultBox. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  42. ^ Laford, Andrea (3 February 2023). "Doctor Who Series 14: new director, crew announced". CultBox. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  43. ^ a b Laford, Andrea (1 March 2023). "Doctor Who filming: Block Three begins". CultBox. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  44. ^ a b Bates, Philip (8 March 2023). "Ben Chessell Announced as Doctor Who Series 14 Block Four Director". The Doctor Who Companion. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d Laford, Andrea (27 April 2023). "Russell T Davies shares Star Trek hint about Doctor Who title". CultBox. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Award-winning composer Murray Gold returns to Doctor Who". Doctor Who TV. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  47. ^ Ritman, Alex (12 August 2022). "Ncuti Gatwa to Start Filming First 'Doctor Who' Season This November (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  48. ^ Marcus (11 November 2022). "Production Team Confirmed". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  49. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (25 October 2022). "'Doctor Who' Moves To Disney+ Outside UK And Ireland Via BBC-Disney Branded Television Partnership". Deadline. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  50. ^ "Disney in Talks With BBC to Stream 'Doctor Who' Series". Bloomberg UK. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.