Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill return to Doctor Who for docu-series
Scottish actress Gillan and English actor Darvill portrayed Amy Pond and Rory Williams, who were the companions when The Crown and House Of The Dragon star Matt Smith was the 11th Doctor in the 2010s.
Since leaving the show, Darvill has won an Olivier Award for his turn as Curly McLain in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and Gillan has been in the blockbuster franchises Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jumanji.
She played Amy as a policewoman kissagram who met the Doctor when she was a small child, and remained on the show for two series alongside Birmingham-born Darvill as her panicky husband.
The hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will also see other iterations of the Doctor past and present – including Ncuti Gatwa, who currently plays the 15th Doctor, David Tennant, who has been the 10th and 14th Doctor, and Jodie Whittaker, who played the 13th Doctor – discuss the series.
Also appearing will be people who are and have portrayed companions such as Varada Sethu, who is in the current series with Gatwa, Billie Piper and Mandip Gill, along with current and former showrunners Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall and Russell T Davies.
Presenter Steffan Powell promises 'secrets' from the show by talking with former production designer Edward Thomas and costume designer Ray Holman, as well as unpacking what Wales has brought to the programme since it was revived in 2005.
Since the time-travelling series was brought back two decades ago, after being on pause since the 1990s, Christopher Eccleston played the ninth Doctor for one season, before Tennant took on the role and continued for a spell with Piper playing his companion, Rose Tyler.
Gatwa has played the Time Lord across two series since fellow Scottish actor Tennant bi-generated in 2023.
His character is set to have a 'high-stakes showdown' in his latest season's finale The Reality War on Saturday.
The episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will land on Saturday June 7 at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and will air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Actress Ruth Jones to guest present The Archers Podcast
The Welsh actress will be joined by Archers cast members Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) and Wilf Scolding (Chris Carter), along with Sarah McDonald Hughes, the writer of this week's episodes. The podcast will be available exclusively on BBC Sounds from 7.15pm on Friday. Jones, who co-wrote and co-starred in Gavin & Stacey, described herself as a 'massive Archers addict'. In the podcast she delves into the Carter family's complex history, including Chris's turbulent relationship with Alice and a powerful archive flashback to his birth in 1988, when he was born with a unilateral cleft lip and rejected by his mother. Jones also picks her two favourite scenes of the week, reveals her favourite quirky Archers character traits, and poses some burning questions about unresolved storylines in the fictional village of Ambridge. Jones said: 'I've been an avid fan of The Archers since the early 90s. 'Despite being an actress and writer myself, the thought of actually being in The Archers, or writing it, absolutely terrifies me because in my mind Ambridge really exists.' The Archers Podcast is released weekly every Friday, immediately after The Archers is broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It is usually presented by Emma Freud, who is on holiday this week. The first national episode of The Archers was broadcast on the BBC on January 1 1951.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Wednesday to Hunting the Yorkshire Ripper: the seven best shows to stream this week
It's a new term at Nevermore, and for the first time in her life, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is dying to go back to school. After all, she's a minor celebrity now and dealing with autograph hunters ('I only ever sign my name in blood. I never said it was my own blood'). However, things are about to get much worse for Wednesday. Like every kid, she dreads the arrival of her family at school, but not only are her parents around more – her troublesome brother Pugsley and formidable grandmother Hester also soon become fixtures. Once again, it's stylish, smart and witty. However you feel about Tim Burton, it's hard to argue that his maximalist gothic style isn't absolutely perfect for this material. Netflix, from Wednesday 6 August The crimes of Peter Sutcliffe (and the flawed police investigation) have proved irresistible to documentary-makers, with the BBC and Netflix recently offering up versions of events. In truth, this latest series doesn't add much to our understanding of Sutcliffe's crimes, though it does broaden to examine the infamous 'Wearside Jack' tape that was sent to police by a man claiming to be the killer. Former DCS Chris Gregg – who assembled a team to catch the hoaxer – is interviewed about his career-long involvement with the case. Prime Video, from Sunday 3 August As represented in TV dramas, cold cases are often glamorous and mysterious. This documentary series shows the reality is sadder, if frequently no less intriguing. It focuses on the work of the DNA Doe Project, a US organisation that, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, uses detective work and genetic investigation to offer the relatives of some of the estimated 50,000 unidentified bodies lying in American morgues a measure of closure. It's a necessarily melancholy affair but also somewhat stirring in its depiction of tireless, valuable service. Disney+, from Wednesday 6 August A third series for this accomplished animation that follows the exploits of the Prouds, an upwardly mobile African American family who mix cartoonish hijinks with strong, slightly earnest moral messaging about identity and hot-button social justice issues. Trudy is worried about screentime and it isn't just her kids who can't put down their phones – her husband Oscar is hardly setting a good example. Cue a decision to live more consciously and to take a family holiday to London, Paris and Nairobi that becomes life-changing for everyone involved. Apple TV+, from Wednesday 6 August Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion The chemistry between Seth Rogen's Will and Rose Byrne's Sylvia continues to underwrite this profound comedy. The series doesn't just tell us that deep, platonic friendships between men and women are possible – it shows us. It's hard to avoid the feeling that Will and Sylvia have more fun together than with anyone else. And that's the whole point: shouldn't that be enough? As we return, Will is preparing to marry Jenna but admits to Sylvia that he has a crush on someone else. The fear that it might turn out to be Sylvia herself soon passes but, even so, is this another symptom of Will's inability to commit to adult life? Apple TV+, from Wednesday 6 August Most people would probably agree that the absence of a gameshow for cats and their owners is a glaring omission from the TV schedules. So thank goodness, finally, for House of Cats, a three-parter of snappy episodes which is hosted by comic Ivo Graham and social media personality, and qualified veterinary surgeon, Cat the Vet. Fittingly, there's no hint of a cash prize here; instead the winning partnership will take home a golden litter tray. Given that cats are notoriously much harder to organise than dogs, they will have certainly earned it. Channel 4, from Thursday 7 August From Walter Presents, this daft but moderately creepy mystery drama from France stars Fantine Harduin as the titular teenager. When Promethea is hit by a car, she eventually wakes from a coma with no recollection of anything but her unusual name. Gradually, her memory starts to return but that proves to be a mixed blessing as a series of disturbing revelations about an unsolved recent murder start to spill out. At first, it seems that Promethea might have witnessed this killing – but could her involvement have been even more hands-on? Channel 4, from Friday 8 August
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Pull new Masterchef series to stop Gregg Wallace accusers being triggered', Broadcast union urges BBC
The BBC is facing growing pressure to pull the new unaired series of Masterchef to stop accusers being 'triggered'. Philippa Childs, head of broadcast union Bectu, has warned the BBC that if it airs the upcoming series of the cooking show, those who complained about Gregg Wallace and John Torode 'will legitimately feel distressed'. It comes as a contestant for the upcoming season claimed she was 'eyed up and ogled' and said she was edited out after asking for the series not to be broadcast. Last week, the BBC confirmed that 'after careful consideration' it will air the new series, adding that there was 'widespread support' from the contestants. It is understood that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Wallace and Torode's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings. However, Ms Childs has urged the broadcaster BBC to 'reconsider', adding that it should not 'reward bad behaviour with prime-time coverage'. 'Whilst the BBC claims that it has consulted with contestants there appears to have been no consultation with complainants; freelancers who have taken the very difficult step of speaking out and who will legitimately feel distressed as the show appears on their screens several times a week over the next two months,' she told the BBC. She added that the decision to air the series would 'undoubtedly' cause those who have had their complaint upheld to be 'triggered'. Philippa Childs, head of broadcast union Bectu, has warned the BBC that accusers of Gregg Wallace and John Torode 'will legitimately feel distressed' if the show is aired One former MasterChef worker who claimed Wallace groped her said the airing of the programme would show 'a blatant disregard for the people who have come forward'. While another employee, who claimed Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her, said the decision was 'profoundly disrespectful'. She added: 'It ultimately sends a message that such behaviour can be overlooked.' Sarah Shafi, a contestant who took part in the latest series of MasterChef, said she believed the upcoming broadcast of MasterChef should be axed out of respect for the complainants. She told the Guardian that 'prominent figures have been abusing their power', adding that there has been an 'enabling environment' that allowed 'individual powerful men' to act inappropriately. Ms Shafi also revealed on Newsnight on Thursday that she was left 'flabbergasted' after being edited out of the hit cooking competition by the BBC following a heated conversation where she felt pressured to agree to the cut. In response to Sarah's complaint, the BBC said that Banijay had 'consulted with all the contestants before that decision was made' and received 'widespread support' to go ahead with broadcasting the show. 'We are sorry that this contestant does not support the decision and we are grateful she raised this with both the BBC and Banijay,' it added. A Banijay UK spokesperson said in a statement: 'We are sorry that Sarah does not support the decision to air this series of MasterChef. We carefully considered her concerns about broadcasting the series and discussed them with the BBC. 'However, having consulted with all contributors in the series ahead of the decision being made, the resounding feeling from those taking part was support for airing the series.' The BBC said it had taken the decision to broadcast the unaired series 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'. In a statement, the corporation said: 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.' The BBC also said it had not yet made a decision on the completed celebrity series and Christmas special, filmed with Torode and food critic Grace Dent. In its statement, the BBC said: 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. 'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' An independent legal review, into behaviour on MasterChef, conducted by the law firm Lewis Silkin began in November and upheld 45 of 83 complaints made against Wallace. In total, 41 people complained. The review that concluded last month said that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour'. It added that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated', with 'one incident of unwelcome physical contact' also substantiated. In an interview with the Sun, Wallace tearfully apologised to anyone he had hurt and while he didn't deny being guilty of some of the claims, he believed things had been 'perceived incorrectly'. He said that he understood some of his actions may have offended people and 'weren't socially acceptable' but denied being a 'wrong-un'. Wallace insisted he is 'not trying to play the victim' and claimed his autism diagnosis was partly responsible for some of his alleged behaviour as it means he struggles 'to read people' and can be perceived as 'odd' at times. Torode was the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of co-presenter Wallace. Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. The BBC and Banijay have been approached by the Daily Mail for further comment. Gregg Wallace is alleged to have made inappropriate sexual comments towards 13 women who worked with him on a variety of television programmes in a 17-year period. BBC News contacted the star's representatives on Tuesday outlining the full range of allegations. Gregg is alleged to have told 'sexualised' stories and jokes while on the MasterChef set, and openly spoken about his sex life in front of colleagues. He is also alleged to have taken his top off in front of a female colleague saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and to have told another junior worker he wasn't wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans. Further to this, BBC News reported claims Gregg: Showed topless photos of himself to a MasterChef worker and asked for massages Told a female worker on Channel 5's Gregg Wallace's Big Weekends he was fascinated by the fact she dated women and spoke about sex and spanking Showed another worker on the 5 show photos of a woman in her underwear Stared at a female colleague's chest at the BBC Good Food Show in 2010 Openly spoke about his sex life, including how often he was having sex and his ability as a lover, on the show Impossible Celebrities Allegedly told an Eat Well for Less colleague: 'You can come to my car but can you handle the fact everyone will think you got off with a celebrity?' After receiving the letter, Gregg said he would step back from presenting MasterChef
