Latest news with #Dalek
Metro
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Violent Doctor Who scene 'put show at risk of being cancelled before it started'
For the last six decades, Doctor Who has had kids (and adults) around the world hiding behind the sofa, and it's easy to see why. While travelling through time and space, the titular Time Lord has battled devious Daleks, sinister Cybermen, and, who could forget, the wicked Weeping Angels. All of these monsters have served as nightmare fuel for fans, but according to one Doctor Who writer, there was one scene involving an iconic monster that took things a little too far. Robert Shearman is the writer in question, and he penned the fan favourite episode, Dalek, for the first season of the Doctor Who revival. Speaking at a recent BFI Southbank event held in partnership with the Doctor Who Appreciation Society (and reported on by Radio Times), the 55-year-old writer admitted in the early days he wasn't sure where to draw the line with onscreen violence. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. 'We weren't sure in the first couple of drafts if we could even kill people on-screen anymore,' he explained. 'It was that bizarre thing – I thought for a while we might have simply to stun people.' However, when Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies gave the all clear to start killing characters, Robert got a little carried away. '''I went away and that day I wrote the scene where Simmons gets suckered – but it was much, much worse,' he explained. 'It went over his head and his skin had burnt off and Russell wrote back to me saying, 'Please don't try and get the entire show cancelled before we start'.' Despite Russell making Robert tone down the violence, Dalek remains one of the revived series' darkest episodes, with the story exploring the Doctor's (Christopher Eccleston) bigotries and survivor's guilt. Robert did admit during the event that he was worried he'd made things too dark, especially after reading the relatively light and frothy Aliens of London and Rose, but Russell pushed him to take things further. Our Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival shares his picks for the 10 scariest Doctor Who (2005-2025) episodes ever… Blink – The grandaddy of Doctor Who scary episodes, this story introduced the world to the Weeping Angels and is in a two-horse race with Midnight for the title of 'scariest New Who' episode ever. – The grandaddy of Doctor Who scary episodes, this story introduced the world to the Weeping Angels and is in a two-horse race with Midnight for the title of 'scariest New Who' episode ever. Midnight – Speaking of which. Midnight is an absolutely terrifying tale about an invisible monster that turns the Doctor's greatest weapon, his gift for the gab, against him. – Speaking of which. Midnight is an absolutely terrifying tale about an invisible monster that turns the Doctor's greatest weapon, his gift for the gab, against him. Dalek – Doctor Who's most iconic villains had become something of a laughing stock before this episode aired, but after watching Dalek, I can guarantee those laughs turned to screams. – Doctor Who's most iconic villains had become something of a laughing stock before this episode aired, but after watching Dalek, I can guarantee those laughs turned to screams. The Waters of Mars – A Doctor Who episode that makes water scary… need I say more? – A Doctor Who episode that makes water scary… need I say more? Hide – Boasting one of the creepiest monster designs ever seen in the history of Who, Hide is an underrated banger. – Boasting one of the creepiest monster designs ever seen in the history of Who, Hide is an underrated banger. Heaven Sent – Heaven Sent sees the Doctor trapped in a labyrinthine castle and is rightly remembered as the best Peter Capaldi episode, but it's The Veil – the creature that haunts the castle's corridors – that earned it a spot on this list. – Heaven Sent sees the Doctor trapped in a labyrinthine castle and is rightly remembered as the best Peter Capaldi episode, but it's The Veil – the creature that haunts the castle's corridors – that earned it a spot on this list. The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances – 'Are you my Mummy?' – 'Are you my Mummy?' The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit – A genuinely disturbing story about demonic possession and satanic worship in space. – A genuinely disturbing story about demonic possession and satanic worship in space. The Haunting of Villa Diodati – A brilliant haunted house story that reveals Frankenstein was inspired by the Cybermen. What more could a Doctor Who fan want? – A brilliant haunted house story that reveals Frankenstein was inspired by the Cybermen. What more could a Doctor Who fan want? Lux – Everyone seems to agree that Lux was the highlight of Ncuti Gatwa's second season, in part because of how downright creepy the villainous living cartoon at the centre of the story was. 'The scene where Chris meets the Dalek for the first time,' he revealed. 'I was holding off for ages, and it was Russell who was always saying, 'Just make it vicious', and so I was allowed to go as dark as I possibly could.' More Trending The latest season of Doctor Who recently came to a close with Ncuti Gatwa seemingly regenerating into Billie Piper. The decision to cast Billie as the 16th Doctor (if that is who she's playing) has split the fandom, with some decrying it as desperate stunt casting while others have hailed it as revitalising their interest in the show. Doctor Who is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Legendary TV star 'busy' as he joins Casualty MORE: BBC drama scoring rave reviews hailed 'Queer as Folk for new generation' MORE: Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster after controversial BBC exit
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Ncuti Gatwa Leaves 'Doctor Who' Having Never Faced Iconic Dalek Foes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ncuti Gatwa is set to depart the long-running BBC television series Doctor Who without ever encountering the Time Lord's most infamous enemies: the Daleks. Despite his groundbreaking tenure as the 15th Doctor and the first Black actor to assume the role, Gatwa's era will close without a showdown against the sci-fi series' iconic villains. Ncuti Gatwa, left in New York, May 5, 2025, in New York; and Billie Piper in London, March 27, 2024. Ncuti Gatwa, left in New York, May 5, 2025, in New York; and Billie Piper in London, March 27, 2024. Evan Agostini,Vianney Le Caer/AP The Context Ncuti Gatwa officially departed Doctor Who on Saturday, saying he "loved every minute of it," after his Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper in a season finale that has sparked mixed reactions from fans. Piper, 42, is no stranger to the series, having first appeared in 2005 as Rose Tyler, companion to Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor, and later alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. Gatwa's exit, long speculated, now confirms him as the second-shortest-serving Doctor, following Eccleston's single-season run. What To Know Gatwa becomes only the second actor never to face the Daleks during his tenure in the lead role—joining Paul McGann, whose Eighth Doctor battled them only in audio dramas, while David Tennant's Tenth Doctor encountered them, but his brief return as the Fourteenth did not. A full size Dalek during a photo call at the Propstore in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ahead of their Doctor Who auction for BBC Children in Need. A full size Dalek during a photo call at the Propstore in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ahead of their Doctor Who auction for BBC Children in Need. Press Association via AP Images Doctor Who first premiered in 1963 and ran until 1989 before going on an extended hiatus. The series, about a heroic time traveling Doctor who battles dark forces of the universe, was successfully revived in 2005 under the guidance of writer Russell T Davies, ushering in a new era for the iconic sci-fi show. Key elements of the franchise's longevity are: the Doctor's Tardis time machine, a converted antiquated police phone box; and the concept of regeneration, in which the Doctor undergoes a transformation into a new body and personality following events that would typically be fatal. This also doubles as a handy dramatic device to switch actors in the lead role. Additionally, the Doctor is kitted out with a "sonic screwdriver," an equivalent to Batman's utility belt. To date,14 actors have officially portrayed the Doctor in numbered roles, David Tennant uniquely returning to play both the 10th and 14th incarnations. Additionally, the late John Hurt portrayed the previously unknown "War Doctor" in a special episode marking the show's 50th anniversary. What People Are Saying Gatwa said: "You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. "This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. "The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can't thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience. Billie Piper said in a press release: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when you'll just have to wait and see." Russell T. Davies in the BBC press release said: "What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights." What Happens Next It remains unknown at this stage when the next series will be released on BBC. In the U.S. the show airs on Disney+. The fact that Gatwa has not battled the Daleks, gives him the perfect excuse to return in a later series, plot permitting.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Doctor Who superfan's homemade Daleks bring joy and support to UK charities
A Doctor Who superfan who creates homemade Daleks to support charities said he has turned a character which 'wants to destroy planet Earth' into a 'cause for something good'. Mark Casto is 67 and retired, but has had an eclectic mix of jobs including as a cartoonist, chef, graphic designer and Baptist minister. Inspired by his daughter Amy who made a gingerbread version of the popular Doctor Who villain, Mr Casto now spends his days creating life-sized Dalek replicas to bring joy and publicity to charities supporting disabled and homeless people. 'A lot of people around here know me as the Dalek man,' Mr Casto, who lives in Ditchingham, Norfolk, told the PA news agency. 'I use them to raise money for a charity or help support a good cause. 'It's good to be able to take something that hates the whole human race and wants to destroy planet Earth, and turn it into a cause for something good.' He made his first Dalek roughly around the time the Covid pandemic began, which he called Dalek DL to pay homage to its head being made from a dustbin lid, which has since been deconstructed and revamped as Dalek Ernie. Since then, he has constructed five more, the majority of which stay in a room in his house when not entertaining people, and have been given names including Dalek Rad, Dalek Bert and Dalek Blisteron. They have taken Mr Casto between six to seven months to piece together and are roughly six feet high and four feet wide. He has used recycled timber and other items like Christmas baubles to create the sensor globes and knitting needles for the weapons, with materials including fibreglass, plywood and metal being welded together to create the support frames for the Daleks. Mr Casto has cited the website Project Dalek as being his go-to source for information on how to build the Doctor Who villains. So far, the Daleks have helped generate publicity for the work done by charities including Emmaus, which aims to end homelessness, and Waveney Enterprises, which provides a space for people with learning disabilities to express themselves through crafting and life skills, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 'I work with a lot of people at Waveney Enterprises that have Down's syndrome and are very big Dr Who fans, and I started working there right after Covid struck,' Mr Casto said. 'I suggested we have a project where we create a Dalek of our own and it involved carpentry and electronics, and we recently completed that. 'It was a pleasure making Dalek Doom with them and they were really excited and all had a go using the voice modulator to do the Dalek voice, and it now lives in (the charity's) craft workshop in Beccles.' Two of the Daleks have mobility scooters inside them, so Mr Casto can often be seen whizzing around his local area disguised as his villainous alter-ego, which has led to some amusing interactions. 'I often get people walking their dogs past me and stay still like I'm a prop, and I wait until they come a bit closer and if the dog seems okay, one of my favourite lines to say in the Dalek voice is 'what is this creature on the lead?'' he said. 'If they say that's their dog, I then say: 'I was not talking to you'.' He also met Barbara Loft, who starred in Doctor Who television story The Mind Robber in her youth. 'One day, when I was in Dalek Rad, this lady came out of her cottage and looked at me and said: 'oh, a Dalek how random' and I told her: 'Daleks are not random, you will be exterminated',' Mr Casto explained. 'She came over and told me she acted alongside Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who in 1968. 'What were the chances of that? That was a highlight.' Despite thinking the Daleks were 'creepy' when he first saw them on his TV as a child in the 1960s, he said they had the biggest influence on him. 'When the Daleks first appeared on TV, they were so strange – we'd never really seen anything quite like them before,' he said. 'I was obsessed with them and when I got older, I wanted to build them and eventually had the skills and time to do it. 'They've changed a lot during the years as well and they're still so popular after so long, and it just goes to show that, like Spiderman and Batman, they've just got something special about them.' The former graphic designer said he has no plans to make any further Daleks – instead those he already has will be put to good use at events and organisations across the country. Mr Casto's Daleks are preparing for a busy summer, as two of them will be at a children's event at Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July.
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Doctor Who superfan's homemade Daleks bring joy and support to UK charities
Mark Casto is 67 and retired, but has had an eclectic mix of jobs including as a cartoonist, chef, graphic designer and Baptist minister. Inspired by his daughter Amy who made a gingerbread version of the popular Doctor Who villain, Mr Casto now spends his days creating life-sized Dalek replicas to bring joy and publicity to charities supporting disabled and homeless people. 'A lot of people around here know me as the Dalek man,' Mr Casto, who lives in Ditchingham, Norfolk, told the PA news agency. 'I use them to raise money for a charity or help support a good cause. 'It's good to be able to take something that hates the whole human race and wants to destroy planet Earth, and turn it into a cause for something good.' He made his first Dalek roughly around the time the Covid pandemic began, which he called Dalek DL to pay homage to its head being made from a dustbin lid, which has since been deconstructed and revamped as Dalek Ernie. Since then, he has constructed five more, the majority of which stay in a room in his house when not entertaining people, and have been given names including Dalek Rad, Dalek Bert and Dalek Blisteron. They have taken Mr Casto between six to seven months to piece together and are roughly six feet high and four feet wide. He has used recycled timber and other items like Christmas baubles to create the sensor globes and knitting needles for the weapons, with materials including fibreglass, plywood and metal being welded together to create the support frames for the Daleks. Mr Casto has cited the website Project Dalek as being his go-to source for information on how to build the Doctor Who villains. So far, the Daleks have helped generate publicity for the work done by charities including Emmaus, which aims to end homelessness, and Waveney Enterprises, which provides a space for people with learning disabilities to express themselves through crafting and life skills, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 'I work with a lot of people at Waveney Enterprises that have Down's syndrome and are very big Dr Who fans, and I started working there right after Covid struck,' Mr Casto said. 'I suggested we have a project where we create a Dalek of our own and it involved carpentry and electronics, and we recently completed that. 'It was a pleasure making Dalek Doom with them and they were really excited and all had a go using the voice modulator to do the Dalek voice, and it now lives in (the charity's) craft workshop in Beccles.' Two of the Daleks have mobility scooters inside them, so Mr Casto can often be seen whizzing around his local area disguised as his villainous alter-ego, which has led to some amusing interactions. 'I often get people walking their dogs past me and stay still like I'm a prop, and I wait until they come a bit closer and if the dog seems okay, one of my favourite lines to say in the Dalek voice is 'what is this creature on the lead?'' he said. 'If they say that's their dog, I then say: 'I was not talking to you'.' He also met Barbara Loft, who starred in Doctor Who television story The Mind Robber in her youth. 'One day, when I was in Dalek Rad, this lady came out of her cottage and looked at me and said: 'oh, a Dalek how random' and I told her: 'Daleks are not random, you will be exterminated',' Mr Casto explained. 'She came over and told me she acted alongside Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who in 1968. 'What were the chances of that? That was a highlight.' Despite thinking the Daleks were 'creepy' when he first saw them on his TV as a child in the 1960s, he said they had the biggest influence on him. 'When the Daleks first appeared on TV, they were so strange – we'd never really seen anything quite like them before,' he said. 'I was obsessed with them and when I got older, I wanted to build them and eventually had the skills and time to do it. 'They've changed a lot during the years as well and they're still so popular after so long, and it just goes to show that, like Spiderman and Batman, they've just got something special about them.' The former graphic designer said he has no plans to make any further Daleks – instead those he already has will be put to good use at events and organisations across the country. Mr Casto's Daleks are preparing for a busy summer, as two of them will be at a children's event at Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doctor Who superfan's homemade Daleks bring joy and support to UK charities
A Doctor Who superfan who creates homemade Daleks to support charities said he has turned a character which 'wants to destroy planet Earth' into a 'cause for something good'. Mark Casto is 67 and retired, but has had an eclectic mix of jobs including as a cartoonist, chef, graphic designer and Baptist minister. Inspired by his daughter Amy who made a gingerbread version of the popular Doctor Who villain, Mr Casto now spends his days creating life-sized Dalek replicas to bring joy and publicity to charities supporting disabled and homeless people. 'A lot of people around here know me as the Dalek man,' Mr Casto, who lives in Ditchingham, Norfolk, told the PA news agency. 'I use them to raise money for a charity or help support a good cause. 'It's good to be able to take something that hates the whole human race and wants to destroy planet Earth, and turn it into a cause for something good.' He made his first Dalek roughly around the time the Covid pandemic began, which he called Dalek DL to pay homage to its head being made from a dustbin lid, which has since been deconstructed and revamped as Dalek Ernie. Since then, he has constructed five more, the majority of which stay in a room in his house when not entertaining people, and have been given names including Dalek Rad, Dalek Bert and Dalek Blisteron. They have taken Mr Casto between six to seven months to piece together and are roughly six feet high and four feet wide. He has used recycled timber and other items like Christmas baubles to create the sensor globes and knitting needles for the weapons, with materials including fibreglass, plywood and metal being welded together to create the support frames for the Daleks. Mr Casto has cited the website Project Dalek as being his go-to source for information on how to build the Doctor Who villains. So far, the Daleks have helped generate publicity for the work done by charities including Emmaus, which aims to end homelessness, and Waveney Enterprises, which provides a space for people with learning disabilities to express themselves through crafting and life skills, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 'I work with a lot of people at Waveney Enterprises that have Down's syndrome and are very big Dr Who fans, and I started working there right after Covid struck,' Mr Casto said. 'I suggested we have a project where we create a Dalek of our own and it involved carpentry and electronics, and we recently completed that. 'It was a pleasure making Dalek Doom with them and they were really excited and all had a go using the voice modulator to do the Dalek voice, and it now lives in (the charity's) craft workshop in Beccles.' Two of the Daleks have mobility scooters inside them, so Mr Casto can often be seen whizzing around his local area disguised as his villainous alter-ego, which has led to some amusing interactions. 'I often get people walking their dogs past me and stay still like I'm a prop, and I wait until they come a bit closer and if the dog seems okay, one of my favourite lines to say in the Dalek voice is 'what is this creature on the lead?'' he said. 'If they say that's their dog, I then say: 'I was not talking to you'.' He also met Barbara Loft, who starred in Doctor Who television story The Mind Robber in her youth. 'One day, when I was in Dalek Rad, this lady came out of her cottage and looked at me and said: 'oh, a Dalek how random' and I told her: 'Daleks are not random, you will be exterminated',' Mr Casto explained. 'She came over and told me she acted alongside Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who in 1968. 'What were the chances of that? That was a highlight.' Despite thinking the Daleks were 'creepy' when he first saw them on his TV as a child in the 1960s, he said they had the biggest influence on him. 'When the Daleks first appeared on TV, they were so strange – we'd never really seen anything quite like them before,' he said. 'I was obsessed with them and when I got older, I wanted to build them and eventually had the skills and time to do it. 'They've changed a lot during the years as well and they're still so popular after so long, and it just goes to show that, like Spiderman and Batman, they've just got something special about them.' The former graphic designer said he has no plans to make any further Daleks – instead those he already has will be put to good use at events and organisations across the country. Mr Casto's Daleks are preparing for a busy summer, as two of them will be at a children's event at Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July.
