DOCTOR WHO TO FILM IN THE U.S. FOR THE FIRST TIME
Upcoming season’s first two episodes to be set in the U.S.
The BBC announced today that season six of Doctor Who, which delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA earlier this year, will open with a spectacular two-parter set in the U.S. and penned by ‘Who supremo’ Steven Moffat.
In the special two-parter co-produced with BBC AMERICA, key scenes will be filmed in Utah for a story set in the late ‘60s in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah - right to the Oval Office itself.
Production on episodes one and two of the new season starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston who reprises her role as River Song.
Showrunner and lead writer, Steven Moffat, said: “The Doctor has visited every weird and wonderful planet you can imagine, so he was bound get round to America eventually! And of course every Doctor Who fan will be jumping up and down and saying he’s been in America before. But not for real, not on location - and not with a story like this one! Oh, you wait!”
Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Wales and Executive Producer, added: "Steven's scripts generally inspire us to go that extra mile - this time we're going that extra four thousand. Thanks to our friends at BBC AMERICA and to the continuing ambition of our lead writer and production team, the first two episodes of Matt Smith's second season as the Doctor are going global and look set to become Doctor Who's most action-packed and ambitious season opener yet".
The new season follows on from the Doctor Who Christmas special guest starring Katherine Jenkins and Michael Gambon which is due to premiere during the holiday season. Season six will start airing on BBC AMERICA in spring 2011 and has been split into two blocks, with the second block airing in autumn 2011. By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting Doctor Who cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.
2010 has been a breakthrough year for the Doctor Who franchise across all platforms since BBC AMERICA became the official home of the series. The series reached the number one spot on the “Top TV Seasons” chart on iTunes and now Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Season hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD on November 9.
Doctor Who was co-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning for BBC One and Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One and will be produced by Marcus Wilson (Life on Mars) and Sanne Wohlenberg (Margaret). Steven Moffat is Lead Writer and Executive Producer (Sherlock Holmes) with Piers Wenger, Head of Drama, BBC Wales and Beth Willis (Ashes to Ashes), also Executive Producing
Sunday, 10 October 2010
BBC America Press Release For American Filming - River Confirmed
Here is the BBC America press release for the upcoming shoot in america. It confirms the return of River, as well as november filming. Settings will include Utah and The Oval Office. Moffat and Wenger also talk a little
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Sorry, why is it so great that they're filming the programme in America? For one thing it's going to be expensive, and the programme is currently suffering from budget cuts, so why take money from the show just to make some supposedly eyecatching overseas episodes? I expect the rest of the season will look distinctly low budget as a result.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, two words - Miami Twice. That was a BBC programme where the idea of filming in America preceded the story, and it showed. I bet it will be the same here.
Third, why set it in America at all? I would rather watch episodes made in Britain. I can only assume this is designed to help raise the show's 'profile' in America. Sorry, why? Who cares if Americans like the show or not? It's doing very well here, if Americans want to watch it they can, if not, the programme makers shouldn't be going and chasing their business. I'm sure most licence fee payers - which in america numbers precisely zero - would rather see an episode set in some beautiful part of the United Kingdom. Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Yorkshire, Liverpool, Cumbria, Scotland - all British, all visually striking. Why the hell do I want to pay to see some place called Utah that I've barely heard of? I mean seriously, what's so ¤¤¤¤ing special about Utah that it couldn't be filmed here? Does it have some incredible unique landscapes or something that can't be found in Britain? I think not.
Fourth, will the story feature historical American characters? Mention of the oval office suggests it will. I would much rather that British schoolchildren learnt about historical characters from a stirring and heroic era of British history. That money could have paid for a story about a British composer like Elgar, or a writer like Chaucer, or a war hero like Douglas Bader or any of the Kings and Queens from our wonderful history.
Doctor Who is a British show, Americans are all very well, but I cannot for the life of me understand what makes it so essential to throw British licence payers money at them.
lol well....I'm American and excited for this. It's just 2 episodes after all. It's not like they are making an American version of "Doctor Who"...which I would be against, by the way. I'm still having a hard time adjusting to the fact that the upcoming Torchwood series is set America, even though I am excited for it all the same. But still...only 2 episodes.
ReplyDeleteFirst I must remark: The fact that I am an American is irrelevant. America is a giant melting pot; a blended and eclectic country built on many, many varied cultures and their influences through the span of our Democracy. My heritage is Irish and English, but I was merely spat into the world within these borders. The great thing about the arts; about entertainment; film, theater, music, and beyond; it reaches all of us. Humanity united, in that we all love to be entertained!
ReplyDeleteBritain's Talent and Hollywood often work together brilliantly, and don't forget that with collaboration there is twice the creativity, twice the opportunity, and thus, very possibly twice the revenue. By marketing to multiple countries and cultures the show may well gather the interest of other sources willing to provide funding. They are also increasing revenue in America through the sales of Dr Who related merchandise. This is all, of course, besides the additional fact that one of many of the brilliant factors of this show, and its writing, is that it is handled with great care and also with consideration to the fans responses to the directions in which this brilliantly unfolding endless story points itself. The great care and clearly long-term forethought brought to the writing style and storyline development is among the greatest strengths and virtues of this show. Therefore, I can say with confidence that I am sure there is concise, and justified reason for the filming in the states for the two episodes in the coming season. As it unfolds on air, I am sure the reasoning and brilliance behind it will become perfectly clear to us all. I have faith in the team behind Dr Who, as the universe can have faith in the Doctor!
First I must remark: The fact that I am an American is irrelevant. America is a giant melting pot; a blended and eclectic country built on many, many varied cultures and their influences through the span of our Democracy. My heritage is Irish and English, but I was merely spat into the world within these borders. The great thing about the arts; about entertainment; film, theater, music, and beyond; it reaches all of us. Humanity united, in that we all love to be entertained!
ReplyDeleteBritain's Talent and Hollywood often work together brilliantly, and don't forget that with collaboration there is twice the creativity, twice the opportunity, and thus, very possibly twice the revenue. By marketing to multiple countries and cultures the show may well gather the interest of other sources willing to provide funding. They are also increasing revenue in America through the sales of Dr Who related merchandise. This is all, of course, besides the additional fact that one of many of the brilliant factors of this show, and its writing, is that it is handled with great care and also with consideration to the fans responses to the directions in which this brilliantly unfolding endless story points itself. The great care and clearly long-term forethought brought to the writing style and storyline development is among the greatest strengths and virtues of this show. Therefore, I can say with confidence that I am sure there is concise, and justified reason for the filming in the states for the two episodes in the coming season. As it unfolds on air, I am sure the reasoning and brilliance behind it will become perfectly clear to us all. I have faith in the team behind Dr Who, as the universe can have faith in the Doctor!
sorry, was someone trying to be cute with that copy and re-post of my remarks? Hm. Must have missed the comic timing - or wait I know - perhaps you're simply not amusing. yes, I think that must be it.
ReplyDeleteLet's not be either immature or unoriginal. Nor both alike for that matter. Let's just wait with baited breath as the story of our beloved Doctor unfolds as it will. Brilliantly; to the end of time and beyond.