Doctor Who - News and Spoilers

[Perdita]

The BBC has released a full trailer for the next series of Doctor Who.

The 60-second clip has been unveiled exclusively online and will receive its first television airing tonight at 8pm on BBC One. A brief teaser trailer was also previously released online.

The video provides the first official look at guest stars Hugh Bonneville and Lily Cole and also reveals a number of new foes for The Doctor (Matt Smith).

The show's new run will begin in April, kicking off with two-part adventure 'The Impossible Astronaut' and 'Day of the Moon'. A two-minute prequel to the episodes is also available to watch online.

[Perdita]

Doctor Who will not be returning for a full series in 2012, it has been revealed.

The Matt Smith sci-fi drama was recently renewed for 14 new episodes, although it was also suggested that only some of the commissioned episodes would be transmitted in 2012.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen has now confirmed at the Church and Media Conference that Doctor Who will not be back for a full-length series next year.

It was later clarified that some episodes will still go out in 2012 while others will be aired in 2013, potentially as part of a "special run" of anniversary episodes.

"Danny Cohen says there won't be a full series of Doctor Who in 2012, but a special run for the anniversary in 2013," BBC Merseyside's Religious Editor Wayne Clarke tweeted.

BBC reporter Lizo Mzimba later confirmed the news, posting: "The BBC has, of course, commissioned 14 new episodes of Dr Who (hurrah) so looks like some will go in 2012 and remainder in 2013.

"Don't know how many 2012 eps or what time of year they'll be broadcast. No further details about what more's happening in 2013 yet. But it's the 50th anniversary, so of course there will be some great stuff!"

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat recently confessed that he did not know when the 14 new episodes will go out.

[Trinity]

When will they stop messing with Dr Who fans??

[parkerman]

Dr Who?

If anyone knows the answer please do not answer that question as it will bring an end to time as we know it......

[Perdita]

Doctor Who stars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be leaving the show during the next series, it has been confirmed.

The actors will depart their roles as The Doctor's companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams midway through the show's seventh run in 2012 in what was described as a "heartbreaking end".

Showrunner Steven Moffat confirmed at a press screening that Matt Smith's Time Lord will then be joined by "a new friend", who has yet to be cast.

"The final days of the Ponds are coming during the next series," he said. "I'm not telling you when or how, but that story is going to come to a heartbreaking end... Then The Doctor will meet a new friend."

Moffat added that he believes River Song (Alex Kingston) will make a return appearance, though it is unknown if the character will be involved in the couple's exit storyline.

It has been announced on the official Doctor Who Twitter profile that more details will be revealed tomorrow (December 16).

mith stated: "The show will miss the Ponds, brilliantly played by Karen and Arthur, but the great thing about Doctor Who is its ability to change.

"We had the most incredible journey. We took over the show and we've really had to hold hands and help each other through it.

"So it's very disappointing, but one has to remember that this show is about change and regeneration, and that's what galvanizes it and pushes it forwards."

Gillan later tweeted: "I'm so grateful for everything. Honestly. I've met such amazing people who I will definitely keep in touch with & had the time of my life!"

[kayuqtuq]

Shame about Rory, but I'll be glad to see the back of Amy.

[parkerman]

Shame about Rory, but I'll be glad to see the back of Amy.

Glad to see the back of Amy? How dare you!

[Perdita]

Jenna-Louise Coleman is to be named as the new Doctor Who companion, reports have suggested.

The former Emmerdale actress has been linked to the show in a number of press reports. If confirmed, she would appear alongside Matt Smith's Time Lord in the BBC sci-fi's seventh series, replacing Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams).

An official announcement is expected later today (March 21).

Jenna-Louise Coleman in 'Titanic' (left) and BBC One's 'Waterloo Road' (right)

Coleman, who was born in Blackpool, landed the part of Jasmine Thomas in Emmerdale in 2005, and has also appeared in Waterloo Road and Captain America: The First Avenger.

The 25-year-old will soon be seen as cabin steward Annie Desmond in Julian Fellowes's drama Titanic, commissioned to mark the centenary of the ship's sinking.

Gillan was confirmed to be departing Doctor Who along with co-star and on-screen husband Darvill back in December.

It is known that they will leave part way through series seven in a "heartbreaking end", and Gillan has teased that her exit will have a "strong impact".

She also assured fans that her final Doctor Who storyline is "going to be damn good", adding that Amy will go out "on a high".

I liked her in Emmerdale and think she will be very good as the new companion

[Perdita]

The big Doctor Who news today was the unveiling of Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new companion to Matt Smith's Time Lord, but a few other interesting morsels slipped out at this morning's (March 21) press conference...

Showrunner Steven Moffat revealed that current Who stars Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) will exit the sci-fi drama following a final fateful encounter with the terrifying Weeping Angels. "Not everybody gets out alive - and I mean it this time!" he teased.

But how do you think the Ponds should be written out? Will it be Amy or Rory to bite the bullet, or possibly another character altogether? And are you happy that the Weeping Angels are returning to see off Gillan and Darvill?

[lizann]

She is doing well for herself after Emmerdale