New Doctor Who to be revealed tonight

By John Freeman on August 4, 2013

(Updated): Here’s the full text of the press release about the show which will announce the next actor to play the Doctor in Doctor Who tonight on BBC1 and BBC America: here at downthetubes we are also wondering if this show will finally confirm any of the rumours about the screening of recovered “missing episodes” of the show, which have been circulating to growing speculation (and, in some quarters, derision) for the past couple of months…

Suggestions for the next Doctor include Peter Capaldi, with national media debating the casting of a woman in the role on a regular basis.

Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury was on BBC Breakfast this morning to add to mounting speculation, the interview diverging into a wider discussion about the show’s success and the enduring fear Daleks still instil.

Tom equated SF fans speculation over the new Doctor’s identity with the boy-girl questions about the gender of the Royal baby and alluded to Matt Smith’s arrival of the Doctor, a name few had attached to the role in the run up to the announcement of the Eleventh Doctor’s identity.

His feeling was that the new Doctor would however be a male actor this time around.

Various Doctor Who connected people have also been lined up to discuss the casting on BBC local radio around the country tomorrow, including comics artist Brian Gorman, who is on BBC Manchester at about 7.00am tomorrow. (Brian is also the man behind the new V for Vendetta stage play, which will be performed again as part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October).

Next Doctor to be exclusively revealed in Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor on BBC One

Widely regarded as one of the most hotly contested roles in British television, the show’s host Zoe Ball will unveil the 12th Doctor in the first-ever interview in front of a live studio audience set against the backdrop of a swirling vortex, among Daleks and the TARDIS.

The half-hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans.

Excitement will reach fever pitch as they speculate and recall their favourites, plus feature clips and moments from across the show’s 50-year history.

Current Doctor Matt Smith and lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat will both give interviews about one of the biggest roles in TV and set out just what it takes to be the Doctor.

Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, says: “BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation. The Doctor is a truly iconic role and I’m more than excited about the booking.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning says: ‘We can’t wait to unveil the next Doctor with everyone live on BBC One on Sunday night. Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we’ve been using the codename Houdini as a decoy! It’s the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news about the show and special guests as we build to the big climax over the next few days, and follow facebook.com/BBC One, and @bbcdoctorwho and bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.

The special live show is made by BBC Entertainment and Events for BBC One. Guy Freeman is Executive producer and Pinki Chambers is Executive Commissioning Editor. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One.

The show will be simulcast live on BBC America.

Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.