Doctor Who: An Unsolved Mystery

“AND the Doctor’s greatest secret will be revealed.”

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat speaking at a London press conference last Friday morning.

The content of which was embargoed until now, just after midnight in the early hours of Monday, together with the new pics which also feature on this page.

We were shown The Bells of Saint John – the opening episode of series 7b – written by Steven Moffat.

To be screened on BBC1 and BBC America on Saturday March 30.

The media preview was followed by that Q&A with Matt Smith (the Doctor), Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara) and Steven Moffat.

You can read my full transcript further down this blog, edited to remove any major spoilers.

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BBC Drama 2013: The Full Story

THE stars of BBC Drama gathered in London last night for a preview of what is to come in 2013.

Along with leading writers, directors, producers and executives.

With members of Her Majesty’s Media – me included – also invited along to the event at The King’s Fund in Cavendish Square.

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Doctor Who: The Snowmen Q&A

Doctor Who Christmas Special 2012

“NOT my problem.”

Doctor Who: The Snowmen finds an apathetic and reclusive Time Lord (Matt Smith) living in Victorian isolation.

On a cloud, to be precise.

Still mourning the loss of Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), he has given up on helping anyone who might need him.

“The universe doesn’t care,” he maintains.

“Those were the days,” he tells Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, when they first meet outside The Rose & Crown pub.

Having forgotten that they met once before…

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Bert And Dickie: Matt Smith

NO time machines were required when Matt Smith travelled back to the London Olympics of 1948.

An era of post-war austerity, rationing and that certain kind of British spirit.

Bert And Dickie is a BBC1 drama telling the real life story of two young men from different sides of the river.

Bert Bushnell, played by Matt, was a “chippy” single sculler from Maidenhead in search of solo Olympic glory.

Instead finding himself paired with Eton and Oxford educated Dickie Burnell (Sam Hoare) in the double sculls.

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Doctor Who: Farewell Amy and Rory

docwhoxmas11a — Steven Moffat (centre) makes the announcement tonight.

WE knew it was going to happen sooner or later.

But it’s sad news all the same.

Doctor Who stars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, who play Amy and Rory Pond, are to leave the show in the next series.

The revelation came out of the blue in the middle of a Q&A session at BBC TV Centre in west London tonight (Thursday).

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Doctor Who: Let’s Kill Hitler BFI

DOCTOR Who supremo Steven Moffat:

“There are more beginnings and more endings this series than you’re perhaps ready for.”

“Assuming an intelligent audience is a good idea. Clearly going by our ratings it’s a successful idea. They are clever. They will get it.”

“I think you’ve got to be challenging and difficult and on the edge all the time.”

Lead writer, executive producer and showrunner Steven after last night’s exclusive big screen preview of Let’s Kill Hitler.

Or in other words, Doctor Who series six, episode eight to be broadcast by BBC1 on Saturday August 27 after the mid-series break.

With Mr M revealing: “My younger son said, ‘Won’t Hitler be offended?’”

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Exile: John Simm

“DON’T measure me against him. He’s won an Oscar,” smiles John Simm.

We’re sat in a conference room at BBC TV Centre in west London, where a few days before I’d also interviewed Jim Broadbent.

John and Jim co-star in superb new BBC1 drama Exile, to be screened over three consecutive nights from Sunday May 1.

Relaxed in a grey V-neck jumper, white T-shirt and blue jeans, an unshaven John was in good spirits during the small round table chat back in January.

Where the conversation ranged from Hamlet to Harry and Paul via Exile, Doctor Who and Sam Tyler.

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Doctor Who: One Small Step

MATT Smith summed it up at tonight’s press launch for the new series of Doctor Who:

“I think that’s great television – it’s certainly not a part I want to give up anytime soon.”

Episodes one and two of season six provide the darkest – and scariest – opening ever to a Doctor Who series.

Ninety minutes of sometimes quite astonishing television containing secrets that cannot yet be told.

Gathered at London’s Kensington Olympia, current home of the Doctor Who Experience, we were shown the two-part opener – The Impossible Astronaut and Day Of The Moon.

Followed by a 30-minute on stage Q&A with writer and showrunner Steven Moffat, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Alex Kingston (River Song) and Arthur Darvill (Rory), chaired by the Daily Telegraph’s Neil Midgley.

You will find some spoilers below but, I hope, nothing major to detract from your enjoyment of watching these two episodes for yourself.

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Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

“HALF way out of the dark…”

The BFI Southbank in London tonight for a preview screening of the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special – A Christmas Carol.

Followed by a Q&A – chaired by journalist Caitlin Moran – with Matt Smith, who plays the 11th Doctor, Katherine Jenkins, who guest stars as Abigail Pettigrew, plus lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat.

Which was later thrown open to the audience, including a fishy question from Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) in the stalls.

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Doctor Who: It’s About Time

mattamy500 — Matt and Karen at last night's launch

MATT Smith reflected: “To my mind, it’s the greatest part in British television.

“I’m fortunate to have it.”

With new executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat describing the show as: “The most entertaining thing that British television has ever done.”

The world premiere in Cardiff last night of the latest Doctor Who series.

Featuring Matt in his full debut as the 11th Doctor and the Time Lord’s first meeting with new companion Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan.

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