The premiere of Doctor Who season 8 starring newest Doctor Peter Capaldi is finally almost here, and to celebrate, BBC America has scheduled Doctor Who Takeover Week programming that started today: all Doctor Who (and Who-related) programming all the time, except for two hours daily for that pesky world news upon which they insist.
And while it isn’t a large surprise, news has surfaced that Jenna Coleman, who plays companion Clara Oswald, may be leaving the series after this year’s Christmas special.
The Mirror reported the news, and while the BBC has not yet confirmed, we wouldn’t be surprised to see that news shortly after Saturday’s premiere. We’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, check out the latest press release about Saturday’s premiere, followed by TV spots for the Doctor Who Takeover and Saturday’s programming:
BBC AMERICA Presents Doctor Who’s Feature-Length Season Premiere Deep Breath
Peter Capaldi joins Jenna Coleman for his first season as the Doctor
Doctor Who is back with award-winning actor Peter Capaldi as the mysterious time traveler in the feature-length season premiere episode, Deep Breath. Capaldi’s first season as the Doctor kicks off on BBC AMERICA on Saturday, August 23, 8:00pm ET with a 15-minute live pre-show, followed by the series premiere of Intruders at 10:00pm and Doctor Who: After Who Live at 11:00pm. The live pre-show and post-shows are hosted by comedian and Doctor Who superfan Chris Hardwick.
In this pulse-racing adventure, directed by Ben Wheatley and written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, the beginning of the Twelfth Doctor’s era stars Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald, and sees the return of The Paternoster Gang with Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra, Catrin Stewart as Jenny Flint and Dan Starkey as Strax.
When the Doctor lands in Victorian London he finds a dinosaur rampant in the Thames and a spate of deadly spontaneous combustions. Who is the new Doctor and will he and Clara’s friendship survive as they embark on a terrifying mission into the heart of an alien conspiracy? The Doctor has changed. It’s time you knew him.
Fans can join Chris Hardwick live along with special guests as they discuss their reactions to the premiere in Doctor Who: After Who Live at 11:00pm ET. The show will feature an array of guests including writer and actor Mark Gatiss, actress Natalie Morales, and others, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
Doctor Who will dominate BBC AMERICA when The Doctor Who Takeover Week begins with a series of special programming including Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion on Saturday, August 16, 9:00pm ET followed by The Real History of Science Fiction: Time at 10:00pm ET and Doctor Who: The Ultimate Time Lord on Monday, August 18, 10:00pm ET. Doctor Who marathons will also take over BBC AMERICA beginning Monday, August 18, 8:00am ET.
In addition, BBC AMERICA will premiere a one hour special, Doctor Who: Earth Conquest on Friday, August 22, 9:00pm ET. The special follows stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman on Doctor Who: The World Tour, which sees them visiting seven cities across five continents in 12 days to publicize the upcoming season. The tour launched in Cardiff, Wales on August 7 and hits London (UK), Seoul (South Korea), Sydney (Australia), New York (U.S.), Mexico City (Mexico) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
TV Spot: Doctor Who – Takeover Week
TV Spot: BBC America – New Doctor, New Series Intruders, Plus
The Doctor Who Takeover Week marathon begins Monday, August 18 on BBC America.
Doctor Who: The Ultimate Time Lord airs Monday, August 18 at 10/9c on BBC America.
Doctor Who: Live Pre-Show hosted by Chris Hardwick airs Saturday, August 23 at 7:30/6:30c on BBC America.
Doctor Who, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and Samuel Anderson, premieres Saturday, August 23 at 8/7c on BBC America.
Doctor Who: After Who Live hosted by Chris Hardwick airs Saturday, August 23 at 11/10c on BBC America.
