Series Four [Season 30] (2008)


Press and Publicity Articles for Series Four [Season 30] (2008)


List:
02 Jul 2007Freema Agyeman returns as Martha Jones and guest stars in Torchwood
04 Jul 2007Catherine Tate confirmed as new companion
10 Aug 2007Filming begins on series 4
01 Feb 2008Doctor Who hits the big screen
05 Apr 2008Radio Times covers (5-11 April 2008)
07 May 2008Create your own Doctor Who trailer

The BBC has announced the first casting details for the fourth series of Doctor Who following the acclaimed end of the third series - widely hailed by critics and public alike as the best series yet.

The final episode, screened on Saturday on BBC One, saw The Doctor's companion Martha - played by Freema Agyeman - leave to care for her devastated family, and to break the cycle of unrequited love she feels for The Doctor.

The production team has now confirmed that the character is set to make a triumphant return in the fourth series.

Freema, who gained rave notices for her portrayal of Martha Jones, is also set to join the cast of Torchwood where she will continue to play the character in three new episodes before returning to Doctor Who in the middle of the fourth series.

Doctor Who Executive Producer and Head Writer Russell T Davies said: "Series three has gained outstanding reviews and Freema has been a huge part of that success, gaining rave notices for her portrayal of Martha.

"Now we are taking the character of Martha into brand new territory with a starring role in Torchwood."

Freema said: "I can't wait to start filming on Torchwood and the new series of Doctor Who. It's a huge new challenge for me and I'm delighted Russell has decided to expand the character of Martha Jones."

The announcement leaves a vacant space in the Tardis and a new companion for The Doctor, who will join the new series for the entire 13-week run, will be announced shortly.

The fourth series of Doctor Who goes into production this month.

LinkCredit: BBC Press Office 
 

Hot on the heels of the critically-acclaimed season three finale of Doctor Who, the BBC has announced that Catherine Tate is set to return to the Tardis for the complete 13-week run of the new BBC One series.

Award-winning comedian Catherine Tate has been confirmed as the Doctor's new companion, returning to her role as Donna who featured in last year's Christmas special The Runaway Bride.

Donna mysteriously vanished as she prepared to marry her boyfriend in a glittering ceremony on Christmas Eve. She reappeared, much to her astonishment, in the Tardis with the Doctor.

As the Tardis raced to the church, it soon became apparent that Donna was the key to an ancient alien plan to destroy the Earth.

The episode ended with The Doctor inviting Donna to travel with him – an invitation which, at the time, was declined…

Catherine Tate was asked if she would like to become the Doctor's new companion at the press screening of The Runaway Bride.

She replied: "I would love to, but no-one has asked!"

Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, the Doctor's companion, throughout the critically-acclaimed third series will return to the show to join the Doctor and Donna mid-series.

Doctor Who's Executive Producer and Head Writer Russell T Davies said: "Catherine was an absolute star in The Runaway Bride and we are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series.

"Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

Catherine Tate said: "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."

The fourth series of Doctor Who goes into production this July and will hit UK screens in Spring 2008.

Yesterday the BBC announced that Kylie Minogue will be joining the Doctor Who cast in a major lead role in an hour-long Christmas special to be broadcast in December 2007.

Kylie will star alongside David Tennant (the Doctor) for the episode, Voyage Of The Damned.

LinkCredit: BBC Press Office 
 

Doctor Who series four filming is underway with Catherine Tate joining the BAFTA award-winning BBC One drama series as The Doctor's brand new companion, Donna Noble.

Award-winning actress Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride who featured in last year's Doctor Who Christmas special.

The start of the new series will see Donna tracking down the Time Lord during an alien emergency in modern-day London.

The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the new series including meeting one of Doctor Who's most popular aliens, The Ood, in a brand new episode, Planet Of The Ood.

Donna and The Doctor – David Tennant – will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie.

Agatha Christie will be played by Jekyll star Fenella Woolgar and The Good Life actress Felicity Kendal will star as Lady Clemency Eddison.

Blackadder and Notting Hill actor Tim McInnerny will also guest star later in the series.

Doctor Who's executive producer and head writer, Russell T Davies comments: "Visiting Agatha Christie has been on my wish-list for ages now and, for the Doctor, it's a real meeting of minds! Viewers can expect many more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson, comments: "What a brilliant idea that Agatha Christie and Doctor Who should meet! Two characters whose contribution to British entertainment is absolutely unrivalled.

"As far as I know my grandmother, Agatha Christie, never saw Doctor Who, but I am sure she would have been intrigued, excited and above all flattered by all this attention in 2007."

Catherine Tate said: "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."

Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, The Doctor's companion throughout the critically acclaimed third series, will return to the show to join The Doctor and Donna mid-series.

The fourth series of Doctor Who will hit BBC One in Spring 2008.

The producer is Phil Collinson; Executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.

LinkCredit: BBC Press Office 
 

An exclusive trailer of the eagerly awaited new series of BBC One's BAFTA Award-winning drama Doctor Who breaks today in cinemas across the UK.

The trailer is part of a BBC test with Carlton Screen Advertising to showcase BBC content.

The deal, which covers 837 Odeon screens, 736 Cineworld screens and 142 Empire screens, will see a 90-second trailer of the new series shown before some of the most anticipated new releases including Cloverfield, Juno, John Rambo and There Will Be Blood.

The trailer will debut on Friday 1 February.

Naomi Gibney, Head of Marketing, BBC Vision, said: "This is a great opportunity for the BBC to reach new audiences with an exciting preview of the new series of Doctor Who."

Award-winning actress Catherine Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride, and will star as The Doctor's companion throughout the new series alongside David Tennant as The Doctor.

The first episode of the new series will witness Donna tracking down The Doctor during an alien emergency in modern-day London.

LinkCredit: BBC Press Office 
 
Radio Times (5-11 Apr 2008) - Cover D Radio Times (5-11 Apr 2008) - Cover C Radio Times (5-11 Apr 2008) - Cover B Radio Times (5-11 Apr 2008) - Cover A
Credit: Radio Times 
 

The Emmy-nominated BBC Wales-produced Doctor Who website has launched a new and innovative tool that will allow users to create their very own Doctor Who footage.

Trailer Maker will offer users the chance to mix a wealth of video clips, images, sound effects and music tracks together, to create their own special Doctor Who trail.

Over the coming weeks more clips and sounds will be added so that users can interact with the latest content from their favourite episodes from the current series.

After the huge success of the website's BAFTA-nominated Comic Maker feature, it is hoped that the Trailer Maker will continue to inspire fans to let their creative juices flow.

"With nearly 40,000 comics already published from the Comic Maker feature we thought it was time we pushed things even further and offered fans a chance to get creative with video," says website producer Rob Francis.

"Users of the site have always been incredibly imaginative and we're extremely keen to encourage more of that creativity. Hopefully the Trailer Maker is something we can develop in the future to offer users many more exciting possibilities."

The Trailer Maker is part of the redesigned Doctor Who website. For the past two series the website has consistently been one of the biggest BBC programme support websites on bbc.co.uk.

The trailers will be stored on the website for six months and given a unique code, so that users can show off and share their creations with friends and family.

Other highlights on the site include: the monster files, exclusive behind-the-scenes video, episode commentaries, fear forecast, quizzes, puzzles, screensavers and exclusive wallpapers.

During this series the Comic Maker will also be enhanced with a wealth of Series Four monsters and locations.

There will also be brand new mini-adventures from series writers including James Moran, Keith Temple and Paul Cornell.

LinkCredit: BBC Press Office