Asked how this series differs from past seasons showrunner Steven Moffat says: “I’ve never done anything differently, at least not deliberately, I just try and think of all the best and maddest Doctor Who stories I want to watch, and get them made – there are worse ways to make a living.”
He does however admit to a difference in story style, observing: “If you look at the stories I’ve written so far I suppose I might be slightly more at the fairy-tale and Tim Burton end of Doctor Who, whereas Russell is probably more at the blockbuster and Superman end of the show.”
For his part Smith says his Doctor is “the mad buffoon genius who saves the world because he’s got a great heart, spirit and soul but he also doesn’t suffer fools. I hope all of these things come across but I think I’ve also injected a bit of my own personality into the role.”
Describing the process of selecting his costume, soon to replicated in miniature on thousands of action figures, Smith says: “Steven Moffat was very keen the outfit isn’t seen as the overriding factor of the Doctor’s personality but we still needed to find something that felt right. We tried on lots of things but kept reaching a dead end and we dismissed a number of items including a long leather coat, a long blue coat and some short punky stuff! But then one day I brought in my braces and a tweed jacket and it went from there. Soon we had the whole outfit although something still felt like it was missing and I asked if I could try on a bow tie – at that point the execs all bowed their heads in concern but luckily when I tried it on we agreed it worked and it has sort of become the signature of my Doctor now.”
The show is widely expected to air on April 3rd, however officially it is yet to be confirmed according to the BBC Press Office website. The first regular series of Doctor Who to be filmed in HD it will be simulcast on the BBC HD channel which is available to Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media viewers.
Blu-Ray/DVD Release
The first three episodes of the series – The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks – are set for Blu-Ray and DVD release on June 7th. The episodes are accompanied by The Monster Diaries, a feature produced by the Doctor Who Confidential team which looks at the new Doctor’s most challenging opponents.