- TV Review: Doctor Who – Oxygen - 13 May, 2017
- TV Review: Doctor Who – Knock Knock - 6 May, 2017
- TV Review: Doctor Who – The Pilot - 17 April, 2017
It’s July, which means that the next series of Doctor Who is (reportedly) just around the corner. Recent rumours suggest a late August/early September airing, which is in line with last series. The Twelfth Doctor’s debut story premiered on August 23 2014 so we at Vada are going to hazard a guess at August 29 2015 being the premier date for series 9. Don’t hold us on that one though.
So what can we expect? Well, the ninth series of Doctor Who will break tradition once again, as instead of a run on standalone episodes, this time round we’ll be greeted to six multi-episode stories. Most of these are the traditional two-parter stories, but a few will be technically standalone but connected stories. It’ll make more sense when we break it down.
Below is the current news and rumours pertaining to series 9. Colour us excited at Vada, because we LOVE Doctor Who.
Spoilers to follow; you have been warned.
Episode 1 & 2 – The Magician’s Apprentice & The Witch’s Familiar by Steven Moffat
The opening two-parter will see the return of Michelle Gomez as Missy/The Mistress, and if her show-stealing performance in the finale of series 8 is anything to go by we’re certainly in for a treat. Some are complaining that her return is too quick, but we’re excited. Michelle Gomez has completely reinvented this deranged villain.
Jemma Redgrave is also back as Kate Stewart, which suggests that UNIT will play some part in the story. It’s rumoured to take place on contemporary Earth, and an alien planet. Which alien planet, I hear you ask.
Well the rumour-mill has been in overdrive, and reports have suggested that the Doctor, Clara and Missy will encounter a young Davros (y’know, the leader and creator of the Daleks, last played by the sublime Julian Bleach) and the Doctor will be faced with the dilemma of killing him as a child to prevent the creation of the Daleks.
Whilst we highly doubt Davros will be killed (if this rumour is true at all), we have no doubt that Capaldi will deliver a stunning performance. This is one rumour we’d like to see come true; otherwise hopefully the Daleks won’t appear at all this year.
Kelly Hunter will also be starring. She previously played the Shadow Architect for the Shadow Proclamation in ‘The Stolen Earth’, though whether she is playing the same character this time round remains to be seen.
Episode 3 & 4 – Currently Untitled by Toby Whithouse
Not much is known about this story, other than it was the first to be shot. It’s been described by Moffat as a ‘brilliantly creepy two-parter’ and ‘one of our scariest adventures yet!’.
Rumours suggest that Neil Fingleton will play the Fisher King, an underwater alien who crashes on Earth and makes the Loch Ness it’s home. Paul Kaye (Mongrels, Game of Thrones, Dennis Pennis) will co-star as Prentis.
Episode 5 & 6 – The Girl Who Died & The Woman Who Lived by Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat, and Catherine Tregenna
Two consecutive period pieces that are rumoured to be narratively connected, the first is set during the Viking era and stars Maisie Williams (who may, or may not, be playing a younger version of Clara) and Rufus Hound.
David Schofield will play Odin in BOTH episodes, suggesting that there is at least a tie between the two.
Episode 7 & 8 – Currently Untitled by Peter Harness
Set on contemporary Earth, this two-parter see’s the Zygon’s invade. Hopefully this time round they’ll be the primary focus. Also back are Jemma Redgrave’s Kate Stewart, Ingrid Oliver’s Osgood (she died last series, so her turn will most likely be as a Zygon duplicate, unless the Moff has decided to reverse her death – please no!) and, presumably, the rest of UNIT. The connections to the earlier series of Doctor Who are becoming more and more apparent.
Episode 9 – Currently Untitled by Mark Gatiss (TBC)
Whilst Mark Gatiss hasn’t been confirmed as the writer, he has previously told The Telegraph that he is writing an episode for series 9. Moffat has claimed that a ghost story is incoming for series 9, and this is the only episode where it can fit in, as the plot points of the rest of the stories are generally known. This will be the last episode to be filmed, which is why nothing is really known about it.
Gatiss, who helmed the return of the Ice Warriors in series 7, suggested that he’d love to see them return en mass, though we wouldn’t suggest holding your breath here. That sort of story would require a two-parter, surely.
Episode 10 – Currently Untitled by Sarah Dollard
Another story set on contemporary Earth, episode 10 will see the return of Rigsy from series 8, the graffiti artist from Bristol.
Episode 11 & 12 – Currently Untitled
Teased way back before series 8 had even aired, the penultimate episode of series 9 will feature a massive cliffhanger, one which the Moff doesn’t think fans will see coming.
Rachel Talalay is back directing (she directed the finale last year and is more widely known as the director of both Tank Girl and Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare), and her recent tweet suggests that the Silence will be returning.
It is unknown whether Clara will depart in this episode, with varying rumours suggesting she’ll appear in only half the episodes this year, as well as the full run. Basically, nobody knows. But Peter Capaldi has recently said that he hopes she’ll appear in series 10, which would mark her as one of the longest serving companions ever. Would you like to see her return?
Episode 13 – Christmas Special by Steven Moffat (TBC)
As with last year, the 13th episode will be the Christmas Special, which will air the month after the finale on Christmas Day.
