BBC - Doctor Who

Ray Cusick, designer of the Daleks, passes away

While it was scriptwriter Terry Nation who created the Daleks, it was designer Ray Cusick who gave them their memorable form, and in the process gave the world one of its most iconic monsters.

Cusick joined the BBC as a set designer but was asked to design the Daleks for their first appearance in 'The Dead Planet'. Although many people believe that the design was based on a pepper pot, Ray Cusick later revealed that a pepper pot was only used to show how a Dalek should glide across a surface - with no visual means of movement.

The design was as much about practicality as appearance. The Daleks are a fiercely logical species, and Ray realised that in order for the Daleks to work as a prop they would - logically - need an operator sitting inside them. So he designed the shape of the Dalek around the operator who controlled its action and movement.

The success of the Daleks' first appearance has led to them becoming one of the Doctor's most enduring enemies. Caro Skinner, Doctor Who's Executive Producer, today praised Ray's design achievements, 'Ray Cusick was an extraordinary talent and brilliant designer - and it's a real tribute to his imagination that the Daleks are as much an iconic design classic today as they were 50 years ago when he first created them. This is very sad news, and the thoughts of the Doctor Who team are with his family at this time.'

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, recognised the immense contribution that Ray has made, 'There should be a monument to Ray Cusick, and in a way there are millions - in every household where there are children, somewhere there's a Dalek.'

To see more of Ray's remarkable design, there is a gallery featuring the Daleks from their very first appearance which Steven reviews in this interview.

Categories: Doctor Who

Daleks’ - Invasion of Earth: 2013AD

The Daleks in London, earlier this morning! The Daleks invaded London earlier this morning and resistance was useless – insofar as it was impossible to resist the striking sight of the Doctor’s iconic enemies swarming through the capital!

But their presence was not part of a plan to enslave Earth – or at least that’s what the production team was telling us! The cast and crew of An Adventure in Space and Time were there to recreate some of the most memorable moments from Doctor Who’s early years – the scenes from The Dalek Invasion of Earth where the metal monsters imperiously glided through London, gloriously framed against the backdrop of famous sites like the Palace of Westminster.

Back in 1964 the photos of the ‘invasion’ became instant classics and over the years the imagery of those episodes has been referenced and updated on several occasions. But this is the first time that a production team has attempted to faithfully replicate the 1964 shoot using Daleks that were unique to that single adventure. The results look set to be stunning, as you can find out for yourselves when An Adventure in Space and Time - a one-off drama exploring the genesis of Doctor Who - debuts later this year.

But don’t worry if you can’t wait that long! We’ll shortly be posting a video shot on location that brings you a sense of the scale and excitement of this morning’s Dalek invasion…

UPDATE: INVASION VIDEO IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW!

Categories: Doctor Who

The Daleks have Landed! Remain Calm!

We’re getting reports of a Dalek invasion in progress at this very moment! Citizens of Earth have been urged to remain calm!

Daleks were first sighted in London this morning but at this point it’s not known whether they’re  part of a reconnaissance mission or the spearhead of an all-out invasion force.

We can confirm we have agents in the middle of the Dalek invasion, so to be kept informed of events, simply follow @bbcdoctorwho… now!

UPDATE: INVASION VIDEO IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW!

Categories: Doctor Who

Nick Nominations for Doctor Who

Doctor Who and its stars have received three nominations in the 26th Annual Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

Doctor Who is nominated in the Favourite UK TV Show category and Jenna-Louise Coleman – the Time Lord’s latest companion – is one of four nominees in the Favourite UK Actress section. Meanwhile the Doctor himself, Matt Smith, finds himself up against Andrew Garfield (Frank in Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks) in the Favourite UK Actor category.

To find out more about the awards and to vote for your favourites visit the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards site. Winners will be announced on Sunday 24 March, 2013.

Categories: Doctor Who

The Ice Warriors are Back!

It’s been confirmed that the Doctor’s old enemies, the Ice Warriors, are returning to Doctor Who and will face the Time Lord during the run of eight epic adventures that begins on Saturday, March 30.

The Ice Warriors are an imposing, militaristic race from Mars that first appeared opposite the Second Doctor in the 1967 adventure, The Ice Warriors. In that story the Doctor’s companion was Victoria Waterfield and who better to ask about the Martian menace than the actress who played her, Deborah Watling. We caught up with her at the weekend and she was delighted to hear of the Ice Warriors’ return. ‘They’re terrifying! Absolutely terrifying! It will be lovely to see them again,’ she revealed.

They attempted an invasion of Earth in The Seeds of Death and faced the Third Doctor in 1972’s The Curse of Peladon. By this stage they had largely renounced their warlike approach and even teamed up with the Doctor. But a rogue element of Ice Warriors was up to no good in The Monster of Peladon, showing that their old bellicose tendencies had not been entirely eradicated… More recently, the icy aliens were glimpsed very briefly in a flashback sequence during The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor and they were mentioned by the Tenth Doctor in The Waters of Mars.

The Ice Warriors return in the third episode of the new run in an adventure featuring David Warner and written by Mark Gatiss. Mark reveals 'I've always loved the iconic Ice Warriors and have been badgering to bring them back for ages. And now they're on a ssssssubmarine! With Russians! I'm a very happy anorak right now'.    We’ll bring you more information about their comeback as it emerges, but for today, the final words go to Deborah Watling. ‘The originals were pretty cumbersome,’ she told us, ‘but that somehow added to effect… They’re wonderful!’

The Ice Warriors return in the third episode of the new run in an adventure featuring David Warner and written by Mark Gatiss. Mark reveals 'I've always loved the iconic Ice Warriors and have been badgering to bring them back for ages. And now they're on a ssssssubmarine! With Russians! I'm a very happy anorak right now'.    

We’ll bring you more information about their comeback as it emerges, but for today, the final words go to Deborah Watling. ‘The originals were pretty cumbersome,’ she told us, ‘but that somehow added to effect… They’re wonderful!’

Categories: Doctor Who

A New Dimension for Doctor Who’s Fiftieth Anniversary

Ben Stephenson, the BBC’s Controller of Drama Commissioning, has revealed some exciting news about plans to mark Doctor Who’s half-century. Earlier today he announced, ‘As part of the BBC's blockbuster celebrations to mark the Doctor turning 50, fans will be able to see the Time Lord and his adventures like never before - in 3D!’ 

To be broadcast using some of the BBC’s HD capacity, Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, said:  ‘It's about time. Technology has finally caught up with Doctor Who and your television is now bigger on the inside. A whole new dimension of adventure for the Doctor to explore.’

Categories: Doctor Who

David Bradley Returns in An Adventure in Space and Time

Earlier today we were delighted to confirm that David Bradley would be taking on the role of William Hartnell – the man who played the First Doctor – in An Adventure in Space and Time.

But this isn’t his first foray into the world of Doctor Who… In 2012 David Bradley won plaudits playing the villainous Solomon in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and in 2010 he voiced one of the Shansheeth in The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor – a two-part story that featured Matt Smith as the Time Lord. He’s also well-known around the world for his portrayal of Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies as well as appearances in blockbusters like Captain America: The First Avenger and TV shows ranging from The Professionals to Game of Thrones.

As previously reported, he’ll be joined in An Adventure in Space and Time by ‘Call the Midwife’ star Jessica Raine who plays producer Verity Lambert and Sacha Dhawan (History Boys, Last Tango In Halifax) as director Waris Hussein. The influential Sydney Newman will be played Brian Cox whom fans may recall provided the voice of the Ood Elder in the Tenth Doctor’s farewell story, The End of Time.

You can see David Bradley as he appeared in Doctor Who in a gallery for Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and he features in our behind-the-scenes video that detailed the making of the episode.

Categories: Doctor Who

David Bradley to play William Hartnell in Celebration of Doctor Who

As part of the BBC’s blockbuster celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, David Bradley (Harry Potter) is set to play the first ever Doctor, the iconic William Hartnell in the BBC Two drama ‘An Adventure in Space and Time’.

‘An Adventure in Space and Time' will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who - first aired on 23 November 1963 - and the many personalities involved.  The BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman, credited with the creation of the show, will be portrayed by Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity) and the producer, Verity Lambert, by ‘Call the Midwife’ star Jessica Raine. The director of the first ever episode, ‘An Unearthly Child’, Waris Hussein, will be played by Sacha Dhawan (History Boys, Last Tango In Halifax).

Commenting on his upcoming role, David Bradley, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled.  I first heard about this role from Mark [Gatiss] while watching the Diamond Jubilee flotilla from the roof of the National Theatre.  When he asked if I would be interested, I almost bit his hand off!  Mark has written such a wonderful script not only about the birth of a cultural phenomenon, but a moment in television’s history.  William Hartnell was one of the finest character actors of our time and as a fan I want to make sure that I do him justice.  I’m so looking forward to getting started.”    

The one-off 90-minute BBC Cymru Wales produced drama is written by Mark Gatiss who will also act as executive producer alongside Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner.

Mark Gatiss, executive producer and writer, said:

“What a cast! I'm utterly delighted that everyone's favourite Time Lord will be in such brilliant and stellar company. We have a terrific team who can't wait to tell the fascinating and surprising story of how the Doctor began his journey through Space and Time.”

Filming begins at the beginning of February at Television Centre before moving to Wimbledon Studios. It is produced by Matt Strevens (Misfits, Skins) and directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street).

Categories: Doctor Who