Series 11 (Doctor Who 2005)

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Series 11 of Doctor Who premiered Sunday, 7 October 2018[1] , helmed by new showrunner Chris Chibnall.[2][3] It starred Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor (the first woman to take the role, following Peter Capaldi's regeneration in series 10), Tosin Cole as Ryan, Mandip Gill as Yasmin and Bradley Walsh as Graham.

A series of behind the scenes features were released to YouTube.

Overview

A female Doctor

Chris Chibnall revealed in July 2017 that he "always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman, and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice."[4][5] Prior to Jodie's reveal, bets on who would be the next Doctor were hype, with names like Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kris Marshall among fan favourites.[6]

Whittaker, herself, stated, "I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey … It's more than an honour to play the Doctor [...] It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be."[4]

Peter Capaldi, Whittaker's predecessor, stated his full confidence that "she's going to be a fantastic Doctor". "Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm. She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part."[4] Capaldi had previously expressed that he wanted the next actor to take the role to finally be a woman.[7]

In an interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Whittaker stated that the new incarnation will not fundamentally change the character of the Doctor, saying: "It's a brand new body, and the body happens to be female."[8]

In an interview with Rolling Stone on 5 September 2017, Whittaker said that: "As a young girl, I did not think that 'Time Lord' would ever be on my CV." She continued: "I’m playing an alien and gender is not a part of that. A moment like this of being the first woman cast as something, it makes you really think about your sex, whereas actually what you want to do is play a part where your gender is irrelevant. I am a woman, so I don't need to play that. And so for me, this was the most freeing experience because there's no right or wrong way to do it. The rules went out the window."[9]

Speaking exclusively to The Big Issue, Whittaker said she hoped her role as the Doctor would help people to start seeing women as more than just a genre.[10]

Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine, Jodie revealed that her Doctor would be "high energy" and that "…every episode requires a different side to her".[11]

New TARDIS team

On 22 October 2017, it was revealed that Whittaker would be joined by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole in the TARDIS, as well as Sharon D Clarke joining the show as a "returning role". The BBC said in a statement: "New head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, who made the decision to cast the first ever woman in the iconic role, is also shaking up who will travel with the Doctor in [the TARDIS], with a team of new characters", at the same time also confirming that the new series would run through 10 weeks, with 50 minutes each episode and kicking off with a feature-length opener.[12]

Jodie Whittaker further told Times Magazine that there would be no romance between the TARDIS crew.[13]

In a video recorded by the BBC America, Jodie teased huge character arcs for the Doctor and her companions.[14]

Speaking to Digital Spy, Chibnall and Jodie revealed that the new series would not be focused on the Doctor, saying it would have "an ensemble feel".[15]

Changes in production

In early 2018, Murray Gold announced his departure from Doctor Who at the Gallifrey One convention, confirming that the 2017 Christmas Special, Twice Upon a Time, was his last episode. On 26 June it was announced that Segun Akinola, would be composing the music for the new era, including a fresh new take on the legendary theme tune, which Akinola said he was "thrilled" about.[16] Akinola later revealed that his version of the new theme would feature original recordings of the very first Delia Derbyshire BBC Radiophonic Workshop tune from 1963.[17]

Series 11 is the first Doctor Who job for the visual effects company DNEG, whose previous work can be found on Blade Runner 2049, Interstellar and Inception.[18][19] Series 11 would set a record for the most CGI/VFX effects ever used in the franchise.[20]

Promotion

A teaser was released on 21 February 2018. The new logo was designed by the LittleHawk agency following Chris Chibnall and Matt Strevens' directions, while the music and sound effects were the work of Matthew Herbert.[21]

On 13 July, the BBC released a 12-second soundless teaser showing off the new insignia cut into rock, followed by a black screen which reads, "The Universe is Calling".[22]

On 15 July, the BBC released a new teaser during the half-time of the football World Cup, which showed a brief introduction of the new companions, Ryan, Yasmin and Graham, and lastly the Doctor herself.[23] The music of the trailer was composed by Jamie Salisbury.[24]

A promotional picture of the Thirteenth Doctor and her sonic screwdriver, by Flore Maquin.

On 19 July, the official trailer for series 11 was revealed in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, along with the new sonic screwdriver.[25]

On 7 September, a second teaser trailer was released showing the Doctor standing in the middle of a great hall, while a glass ceiling crashes down around her, with "Glorious" by Macklemore and Skylar Grey playing in the background.[26]

On 20 September, a second trailer for the series was released, giving a better look at some of the locations and revealing a few of the new enemies. This trailer also used the song Glorious.[27]

A preview clip for The Woman Who Fell to Earth was released on 28 September.[28] This happens to be the same clip that was leaked back in late June.[29]

Other notable changes

During an interview at the Comic-Con on 19 July, Chibnall stated that series 11 would be all standalone episodes.[30] Matt Strevens told Empire magazine that Series 11 would be "a box of chocolates", giving viewers something new in each episode.[31]

Chibnall further confirmed that the Daleks would not return for the entire series[32], saying "I don’t know how many times I need to say it. There are no old monsters this series".[33]. Furthermore, there would be no River Song, Missy, Paternoster Gang or Cybermen.[34]

In an interview, Chibnall told that the new series would have something for everyone, hoping that while bringing in new viewers, the long-term fans could expect everything they love about the show, saying "The show has a history of renewal, while also staying faithful to what it is."[35] Whittaker further said that this would be a very inclusive series, saying "Doctor Who is for everyone and anyone…".[36]

Jodie Whittaker revealed that the series would "go back to basics", being as simplistic and easily understandable as possible, given recent series' decline in viewing numbers and criticisms for being too convoluted.[37]

Whittaker and Chibnall said, during an interview with The Times, that this Doctor would have "no tears" (a far cry from recent incarnations) and would be more outward-looking compared to Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor[33].

Broadcast

Sharmill Films announced a cinema event for series 11[38] that saw The Woman Who Fell to Earth shown in select cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. BTS stuff was also be shown.[39] The AMC Theatres chain showed said episode on 10 October in the U.S., also including bonus content,[40] it was done in collaboration with Fathom Events.[41]

After the UK broadcast, ABC iView premiered the episodes. Following that, ABC Comedy ran the fan show Whovians, hosted by Rove McManus.[39]

A press launch screening of The Woman Who Fell to Earth occurred on 24 September in Sheffield. Fans were able to attend the Red Carpet and meet the cast up close, but the actual screening was invite-only.[42] The press launch screening was scheduled to happen in the Light Cinema.[43]

The opening episode, The Woman Who Fell to Earth was screened at New York Comic Con in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden at 1.45pm simultaneously to its premiere on BBC America. The screening was followed by a Q&A panel with Jodie, Chibnall and Matt Strevens.[44]

Along with each episode, a one-minute Case File was released. In it, Yasmin Khan spoke about the monster(s) of the week, resurrecting a form that had been used years previously with Monster Files.

Cast

Recurring

Guest

Production

Unusually, series 11 had a global premiere, with many markets around the world having at least the same start time. Oddly, though, The Woman Who Fell to Earth was initially broadcast in an altered visual form in some markets. Although it was the first episode of the programme filmed in a 2:1 aspect ratio, its global premiere on networks like BBC America and Space was actually in the previous standard of 16:9. This had the effect of truncating some of the frame.

Crew

Producers

Chris Chibnall and Matt Strevens were co-executive producers.[45] They were later joined by Sam Hoyle.[46] Nikki Wilson returned[47][48], this time as series producer, now joined by Alex Mercer, the new producer.[49]

Writers

Alongside Chris Chibnall, a variety of new names have been confirmed to pen the series. These are Malorie Blackman, who previously wrote an official Seventh Doctor tie-in novella, Ed Hime, Vinay Patel, Pete McTighe and Joy Wilkinson.[50] Chibnall wrote episode 1 and 2.[51]

When interviewed for an issue of SFX Magazine, Chibnall revealed that the writers had no idea that they were writing stories for a female Doctor, saying "a lot of drafts of scripts have got 'he' in".[52]

Directors

Jamie Childs directed the trailer that revealed Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor.[53] He also directed the opening block for this series[54] consisting of episodes 1 and 7, as well as episodes 9 and 10.[55] Sallie Aprahamian directed the third filming block[49] consisting of episode 4 and 6.[55] Mark Tonderai directed episodes 2 and 3.[56] Jennifer Perrott directed episodes 5 and 8.[55] Wayne Yip will direct this series' holiday special[48], which will be a New Year Special, rather than Christmas.[57] Another source says Childs will direct episode 6.[58]

BTS from It Takes You Away, with a cut monster played by Paul Sturgess.

Acting

At the premiere of The Woman Who Fell to Earth in Sheffield on 24 September, Jodie Whittaker revealed that for episode 1 only, she did all of her own stunts. For the remainder of the series, Whittaker's stunt double Belinda McGinley took over. Tosin Cole additionally added that he acted being bad at riding a bicycle,[59] because of his character's dyspraxia.[60]

At the same event, Bradley Walsh revealed that he's wearing a wig for the entire series, due to his character's requirement to look older, and him not being that old, and because he's hosting The Chase too.[61]

Filming

Jodie Whittaker used the codename "The Clooney", a reference to George Clooney, when discussing her role.[62]

On the 3 August 2018, it was announced that filming of series 11 had officially wrapped.[63]

During auditions, the show was referred to as "Plane Hitters".[64]

Television stories

Regular series

# Title Writer Director Notes
1 The Woman Who Fell to Earth Chris Chibnall Jamie Childs First full-length story with Thirteenth Doctor. Introduction to Graham O'Brien, Grace O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair and Yasmin Khan. 65-minute opener. Introduction of the Stenza.
2 The Ghost Monument Mark Tonderai First appearance of the new opening title sequence. Debut of the Thirteenth Doctor's TARDIS design. New companions' first alien planet.
3 Rosa Malorie Blackman & Chris Chibnall Ryan, Yaz and Graham's first trip to the past, where they meet Rosa Parks on the verge of the Civil Rights Movement. The Doctor Who theme is omitted from the end credits. Instead, "Rise Up" by Andra Day is played.
4 Arachnids in the UK Chris Chibnall Sallie Aprahamian Introduction to Najia, Hakim and Sonya Khan. Graham, Ryan and Yaz choose to continue their travels with the Doctor.
5 The Tsuranga Conundrum Jennifer Perrott The Doctor gets separated from the TARDIS again. The world in this story was created entirely with CGI/VFX.[65][20]
6 Demons of the Punjab Vinay Patel Jamie Childs The TARDIS team travel to the Partition of India. Reappearances of Najia, Hakim and Sonya Khan. The Doctor Who theme has been given a special Indian rendition for the end credits.
7 Kerblam! Pete McTighe Jennifer Perrott The TARDIS team travel to a warehouse on the Moon of a planet to discover an evil plot to murder its customers.
8 The Witchfinders Joy Wilkinson Sallie Aprahamian The TARDIS team travel to the Witch trials of the 17th century and meet King James I.
9 It Takes You Away Ed Hime Jamie Childs TARDIS team discover a portal to an ancient-time mirror dimension which can potentially damage all of reality.
10 The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos Chris Chibnall Reappearance of Tzim-Sha and reveal of what happened to him. Return of SniperBots. The Doctor calls the TARDIS her "Ghost Monument" and uses it in a similar manner to Umbreen's watch.

New Years special[48][25]

# Title Writer Director Notes
N/A Resolution[66] TBA Wayne Yip[67][48] The Christmas episode was rumoured to have been skipped.[68] Ultimately, this was proven half-true.

Episode notes

Aliens and enemies

Rumours

  • The Daleks are rumoured to return in the New Year Special. They will return with a new design, losing the bronze that has featured since the reboot in 2005.[72]

Adaptations and merchandising

Home media

DVD / Blu-ray

S11 Amazon pre-order, as seen on 27 June 2018

In the summer of 2018 — before and during the San Diego Comic-Con press junket — logged-in US Amazon Prime customers were given at least two release dates for both the DVD and Blu-ray versions of The Complete Eleventh Series. On at least 27 June, the US release date was said to be 27 August. By at least 20 July, that date was said to be 18 September.

Novels

Audiobooks

to be added

Footnotes

  1. [1]http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/a0f9fe6c-8981-4cfb-a1f1-7165bae27370
  2. Dowell, Ben (22 January 2016). Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat quits to be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. RadioTimes. Retrieved on 16 July 2017.
  3. Jeffery, Morgan (31 July 2017). Doctor Who series 11 with Jodie Whittaker will 'launch in late 2018'. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Jodie Whittaker: Doctor Who's 13th Time Lord to be a woman. BBC News (16 July 2017). Retrieved on 16 July 2017.
  5. http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-07-16/13th-doctor-jodie-whittaker-i-want-to-tell-the-fans-not-to-be-scared-by-my-gender
  6. Smith, Ress (3 July 2017). Doctor Who: Who will be the next Doctor? Who will replace Peter Capaldi?. Express. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  7. RadioTimes staff (1 February 2017). Peter Capaldi wants this female Harry Potter star to be his Doctor Who successor. RadioTimes. Retrieved on 16 July 2017.
  8. Fullerton, Huw (25 August 2017). Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker says the new Doctor's "body happens to be female". RadioTimes. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  9. McEwan, Cameron K (5 September 2017). Jodie Whittaker on Thirteenth Doctor: 'Rules Went Out the Window'. doctorwho.tv. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  10. https://www.bigissue.com/culture/film-tv-radio/jodie-whittaker-i-just-hope-we-start-to-see-that-women-are-not-a-genre/
  11. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=jodie-whittakers-performance-in-doctor-who-will-be-high-energy
  12. Dowell, Ben (22 October 2017). Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Sharon D Clarke join Jodie Whittaker as regular cast members. RadioTimes. Retrieved on 26 December.
  13. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-10/doctor-who-jodie-whittaker-no-romance-with-companions/
  14. http://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-series-11-huge-doctor-companion-character-arcs
  15. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a866277/doctor-who-series-11-ensemble/
  16. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/6e908208-0ebe-4a2d-bcba-16f3c3a47032
  17. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-26/the-new-doctor-who-theme-tune-includes-recordings-of-the-1963-original/
  18. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a850111/doctor-who-series-11-special-effects-from-blade-runner-2049-team/
  19. http://www.dneg.com/dneg_tv_joins_doctor_who
  20. 20.0 20.1 http://sciencefiction.com/2018/08/30/new-series-doctor-will-feature-cgi-ever/
  21. Jodie Whittaker Unveils Brand New Doctor Who Logo
  22. https://www.google.dk/amp/s/www.radiotimes.com/news/2018-07-13/doctor-who-new-footage-jodie-whittaker-series-11-world-cup-2018-final-bbc/amp/
  23. https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/15/10-things-we-noticed-in-the-new-doctor-who-trailer-7718308/
  24. https://www.facebook.com/636315939/posts/10155381117925940/
  25. 25.0 25.1 https://www.blogtorwho.com/the-san-diego-comic-con-doctor-who-panel-what-we-learned/
  26. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-07/doctor-who-series-11-trailer-jodie-whittaker-new-trailer-glass-ceiling/
  27. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-20/new-doctor-who-monsters-revealed-for-first-time-in-fresh-footage/
  28. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06mg7sb
  29. http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/footage-of-jodie-whittaker-as-the-13th-doctor-in-series-11-leaked-87616.htm
  30. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a861904/doctor-who-season-11-no-two-parters/?utm_content=buffer98bba&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=maintwitterpost
  31. http://cultbox.co.uk/general/executive-producer-says-doctor-who-series-11-is-a-box-of-chocolates
  32. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-07-20/doctor-who-series-11-monsters-no-daleks/
  33. 33.0 33.1 https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-22/chris-chibnall-i-dont-know-how-many-times-i-need-to-say-it-there-are-no-old-monsters-this-series/ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":0" defined multiple times with different content
  34. http://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-series-11-no-tears-for-the-doctor
  35. https://www.blogtorwho.com/interview-chris-chibnall-s11/
  36. https://www.blogtorwho.com/breaking-jodie-whittaker-talks-series-eleven-inclusivity-and-the-doctors-new-friends/
  37. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/jodie-whittaker-doctor-new-series-goes-back-basics-first-time/
  38. http://www.sharmillfilms.com.au/allfilms/2018/7/19/doctor-who-series-11-cinema-event
  39. 39.0 39.1 https://www.blogtorwho.com/australian-and-new-zealand-fans-receive-a-cinema-premiere-of-doctor-who-the-woman-who-fell-to-earth/
  40. http://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-series-11-premiere-in-us-cinemas-october-10
  41. https://www.fathomevents.com/events/doctor-who-1?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=doctor+who+series+11+premiere&utm_term=fathom
  42. http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/doctor_who_premiere_24sept18
  43. https://www.blogtorwho.com/doctor-who-premiere-fandom-reacts/
  44. http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2018/09/bbc-america-brings-doctor-who-to-new-york-comic-con-sunday-october-7th
  45. Sarah Deen (14 July 2016). Chris Chibnall and Matt Strevens will share the job of Doctor Who executive producer. Metro. Retrieved on 16 July 2017.
  46. Mitchell, Bea (25 October 2017). Doctor Who hires Broadchurch producer to join Chris Chibnall for series 11. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  47. Creative Media Management: Sarah Davies. Creative Media Management (2017). Retrieved on 6 January 2018.
  48. 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 https://twitter.com/ruther2/status/1014603498552512514?s=21
  49. 49.0 49.1 Berlin Associates: Helen Murphy. Berlin Associates (2017). Retrieved on 6 January 2018.
  50. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/dae5242d-e859-43cb-941c-e0a9f39e5928
  51. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a866379/doctor-who-season-11-episode-2/
  52. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-12/doctor-who-series-11-scripts-originally-written-for-male-doctor/
  53. Sandwell, Ian (27 October 2017). Doctor Who series 11 lands its first director as work gets under way on Jodie Whittaker's debut. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  54. Jamie Childs. Independent Talent. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 http://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2018/05/11/complete-list-of-doctor-who-series-11-directors-confirmed/
  56. Sesler: Tico Poulakakis. Sesler. Retrieved on 10 January 2018.
  57. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=doctor-who-festive-special-to-air-on-new-years-day#_
  58. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-10-15/doctor-who-to-explore-partition-of-india-in-upcoming-series-11-episode-demons-of-the-punjab/
  59. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-27/doctor-who-series-11-jodie-whittaker-stunts/
  60. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a867121/doctor-who-ryan-tosin-cole-dyspraxia-chris-chibnall/
  61. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-27/doctor-who-series-11-bradley-walsh-wig/
  62. Doran, Sarah (16 July 2017). Jodie Whittaker used a codename to keep her Doctor Who casting a secret. RadioTimes. Retrieved on 26 December 2017.
  63. https://www.blogtorwho.com/series-11-its-a-wrap/
  64. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-12-01/jodie-whittakers-doctor-who-series-had-this-secret-codename-during-auditions/
  65. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-08-28/jodie-whittaker-will-enter-a-zany-cgi-world-in-an-upcoming-doctor-who-episode/
  66. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-12-08/doctor-who-new-years-day-special-episode-title-confirmed/
  67. https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/wayne-yip
  68. http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-05-30/everything-we-know-about-the-next-series-of-doctor-who/
  69. http://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-the-ghost-monument-spoilers-do-they-find-the-tardis
  70. http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/rumour-series-11-features-educational-episodes-in-us-india-87196.htm
  71. http://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-series-11-spoilers-new-monsters-discovered
  72. http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/rumour-classic-foe-to-return-in-new-years-special-89946.htm?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DoctorWhoTv+%28Doctor+Who+TV%29&utm_content=FaceBook