And they're off...!

 Officially announced by the BBC this afternoon that both Jodie W and Chris Chibnall are leaving together in the autumn of 2022. This will be at the end of three special episodes, which it seems are likely all we are to get next year.

Series 13, which we knew was going to be shortened due to Covid restrictions, has now shrunk from 8 to only 6 episodes. No mention if one of these will mark a festive special, or if that is going to be the first of the three final Specials. 

The final JW episode will be in the autumn rather than Christmas / New Year, as it is intended to tie in with the BBC's centenary celebrations. 

The festive period of 2022/23 may mark the first adventure of Doctor 14, under the new show runner, neither of whom are known. We should find out the new showrunner well before they cast their Doctor. 

What to make of today's announcement? Proof positive that the Chibnall era has been a failure. He's quitting after only 2 and a bit series, and well before the next big anniversary (the 60th) in 2023. Someone else is going to take over and get to celebrate that.

I feel sorry for Jodie, having been landed with some truly awful scripts and showrunner decisions, but will be mighty glad to see the back of him.

Update

 It was announced today that Jacob Anderson, best known for Game of Thrones, will be joining the series in a regular role. He plays a gun-toting character named Vinder. He is neither described nor presented as a new companion, however. There were rumours that Captain Jack was to have played a significant role in the new series, after his return last New Year's Day. Could it be that this new character has been created to replace Barrowman, following "flashergate"?

You'll recall that the character of Captain Jack was created primarily to have a fighter on board the TARDIS, as the Doctor would not bear arms. Well, 13 is even more of a pacifist, and the series needs to rediscover its Action-Adventure roots.

On a personal note, I've just had another emergency operation (bringing forward something they would have to have tackled later anyway). It has resolved one of my main issues, but set my recovery back slightly. I should be back home in August, when I can pick up the blog more fully.

Evil of the Daleks animation confirmed

A trailer clip has been released of the Doctor's first meeting with the Dalek Emperor. All 7 episodes will be animated and in both colour and B&W. No date given, only that it will be sometime in 2021.

Coincidentally, some fans were in North Wales the other day and came across a small film crew, with a TARDIS prop. Nothing to do with the currently filming Series 13, but much more likely a documentary team filming something for The Abominable Snowmen, which was reported to be getting animated in the same news report as Evil of the Daleks. We can safely say that report from weeks ago was correct.

I meant to mention earlier that The Web of Fear got a release date (16th August). Sadly, the whole missing third episode has been animated in the same style as the trailer. It looks great until characters start moving...

No news on what the next Blu-ray box set will be. Fans claim Season 20, but then it is favourite every time a set is due. As previously stated, I really want to see a 1960's set - preferably 1 or 2.

As I'm still in hospital, I've now got two box sets still to watch - 8 and 24.

Jackie Lane (1941 - 2021)

 It is being reported in several places that Jackie Lane has passed away, at the age of 79. She played companion Dorothea "Dodo" Chaplet at the tail end of the William Hartnell era. Supposed to bring a fresh contemporary vibe to the series, with a character similar to original companion Susan, Dodo ended up being messed about with by the production team. In her first appearances we hear Lane using her natural Manchester accent, but this quickly reverts to BBC received pronunciation. Infamously, Lane departed from the series midway through the story (The War Machines) which introduced her replacement (Polly), with the character denied any kind of farewell.

Lane distanced herself from the programme afterwards, so it was a surprise to see her appear on the 50th Anniversary celebration programme. She latterly lived in France.

She gave up acting to concentrate on actor management, and had an agency which counted Tom Baker, Nicholas Courtney and Janet Fielding among its clients.

RIP.

Rumour has it...

 Lots of rumour flying around regarding the longevity of the Thirteenth Doctor. It was reported in the media some time ago that JW was quitting after this next, shortened series. Whilst never confirmed, it was noted that the BBC failed to deny either.

The other day the cover of the 2022 annual was revealed, and it doesn't have the Doctor on it. Just an image of the TARDIS. This has led some to speculate that we might have a new Doctor this side of Christmas. 

Latest is that JW will see out this next series, and then there will be a couple of specials only in 2022, the last of which will see her regenerate. 

Regarding the next series, there's a rumour that Donna Noble will cameo, and may actually be a relative of John Bishop's character. Monsters known to be featuring, because photographed in public areas, include Sontarans (with new silver and black costumes), Weeping Angels and Daleks. A word of caution about some of these is that scenes might not be filmed for the series itself, but for some spin-off project. Just look at all the filming that has gone into the Time Fracture experience. 

Galaxy Four animated

Apparently the Hartnell story Galaxy Four will be released soon in animated form. Good to see a move away from Troughton stories, and this one is an obvious choice for a Hartnell as it has a small cast, limited settings and easily animated robots. Also, only three of the four episodes are missing - although I suspect they will animate all four anyway (they did this with The Faceless Ones, so you could watch a fully animated story and not have to switch between live / animated).

Of course, those of us who bought The Aztecs Special Edition DVD already have this story animated to an extent. The surviving episode, plus the large chunk of Episode One which exists, were coupled with some reconstruction animation to give a near complete version of the story, edited down quite a bit.

Last year two Troughton stories were mentioned as being animated - Evil of the Daleks and The Abominable Snowmen - and there's been no more about them, plus we're still waiting for The Web of Fear with animated third episode.

Everything needs confirming.

Still around...

Finally getting around to a quick update on here. As it is, my ailment has proven more serious than first thought and, seven weeks later, I'm still in hospital. Still haven't seen Season 8 Blu-ray box set...

At least have some IT set up but main issue is fluctuating energy levels, making it hard to concentrate on one thing for very long. I will therefore start putting short items on the blog every so often to keep it - and myself - ticking over. Might be news comment or just quick musing. Biggest Who related story at the moments seems not to do with current filming but with the behaviour of Noel Clarke, including when he was promoting the series around 2005 / 2006, just as everyone is celebrating that first year with Eccleston reprising the Doctor on audio. Will the Clarke scandal get any mention in the next issue of DWM?

Many thanks for persevering and popping back.