News

This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: mystery box TV, kaiju monsters, new waves and more. Here’s what we’ve been up to…

Illumination Above All

The most anticipated mystery box show on television is back and so is our weekly coverage of it, as hosts Ian Buckley and Sarah Applegate head back to the severed floor to unpack Severance 2×01, ‘Hello, Ms Cobel’, plus don’t miss their final overall Season 2 preview released this week…

Japan on Film

One of the most celebrated Japanese films in recent years, host Perry Constantine and guest Jason Kleeberg explore 2023’s Godzilla Minus One…

Frame to Frame

In one of their most anticipated episodes of the year, Andy Williams and Sean Wilson, joined by guest Bo Nicholson, come together for the second ‘spicy takes’ annual episode, as they unpack their own and listener surprising views on all things cinema. Plus, don’t...

Doctor Who has a rich, extensive history that reaches all the way back to 1963, often making it difficult for new audiences to know exactly where to start. While this long history is usually a great thing, as there are so many classic episodes that audiences can explore and learn about, it also means that certain episodes have either been lost over time or are missing parts. There have been plenty of bumps in the road throughout Doctor Who’s many episodes, and that’s resulted in a handful of frustrating gaps in the story.

One of the most noteworthy omissions from Doctor Who’s catalog is the Second Doctor’s unusual regeneration scene. At the time of filming, the producers didn’t have a replacement in mind for Patrick Troughton and couldn’t reliably film a regeneration as they had for William Hartnell. As such, they merely replaced him in...

Doctor Who executive producer Phil Collinson addresses why Patrick Troughton's final Doctor Who story "The War Games" was selected as the next classic story to be colorized. The 1969 storyline saw the Tardis materialize in a mysterious world whose inhabitants had plotted to abduct various soldiers from throughout human history in hopes of forming a powerful army. Released in ten parts from April 1969 to June 1969, "The War Games" saw the Second Doctor's forced regeneration and exile, bringing Troughton's Doctor Who era to a close.

Recently, Collinson sat down with Doctor Who Magazine to explain why Troughton's final story emerged as the next choice for a remastering. He stated that he held the original stories in great reverence, believing that the goal of the colorizations wasn't to replace the original stories but that they could still stand alongside what the revival had to offer. Ultimately, the goal of these projects is...

Over the years, Doctor Who has introduced countless villains, from Daleks and Cybermen to Sontarans and even the Time Lords. But one antagonist has been quietly lurking in the background for two decades: the Villengard Corporation.

Created by Steven Moffat in the 2005 stories ‘The Empty Child’ and ‘The Doctor Dances,’ this intergalactic weapons manufacturer and tech giant has returned to take center stage in the latest Christmas Special, Joy to the World.

Villengard wasn’t originally planned to be such a big deal. Moffat himself admitted in the latest issue of the Doctor Who Magazine, ‘It was just a throwaway line about bananas.’ The Ninth Doctor casually mentioned that he’d already destroyed Villengard, suggesting it was a long-closed chapter.

Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor revisited the ruins briefly in ‘Twice Upon a Time,’ and the corporation also popped up in Boom with its shady medical schemes. But over time,...

One huge Doctor Who fan theory about the Master has been validated by a recent Doctor Who release. This theory constitutes a bit of a retcon to previous Doctor Who episodes, confirming that a popular fan theory about what was really going on is actually true. This newly proven theory makes the Doctor's long-standing relationship with the dastardly Master even more impressive. Going into Doctor Who season 15, this will be interesting, as the Master returns in a 2025 audiobook story that will sit nicely alongside the season's episodes.

The Master has been at loggerheads with the Doctor since he was originally portrayed by Roger Delgado in the 1970s. First appearing in 1971's "Terror of the Autons," the Master clashed with Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor, who was in the role between 1970 and 1974. This villain has caused the Doctor the most regenerations out of all the series' villains, by far. The success...

Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson addresses how editing decisions in the colorization of Patrick Troughton's final Second Doctor story "The Wars Games" may have established a new incarnation of rival Time Lord The Master. Created by Terrence Dicks and Barry Letts for Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor's era, the rogue villain Time Lord was first portrayed by Anthony Delgado in 1971's "Terror of The Autons". Concluding Troughton's Doctor Who tenure, 1969's "The War Games" saw the Tardis materialize on a mysterious world, where alien masterminds have abducted human soldiers from throughout human history to create a perfect army.

Following the release of "The War Games" colorization, Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson tells Doctor Who Magazine (via RadioTimes) how the use of The Master's musical motif from the revived series implies that the War Chief (Edward Brayshaw) is an earlier incarnation of the Master. For Collinson personally, he reveals that...

The Master may not have been part of Doctor Who from the beginning, but portents of their arrival were present as early as the First Doctor's era. Blessed with many great monsters Doctor Who may be, but few of them can hold a candle to the Master. As an evil Time Lord and the Doctor's personal rival, the Master is arguably - Daleks be damned - Doctor Who's defining nemesis. In official terms, the Master, played by Roger Delgado, first appeared in 1971's "Terror of the Autons," facing off against Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor.

It is remarkable in hindsight how fully-formed the Master was during his debut episode. From the smarmy arrogance to his barely-concealed envy of the Doctor, Delgado immediately laid the foundations of a character that has since been portrayed by a number of different actors. From Anthony Ainley to Sacha Dhawan, all actors to play the...

Despite rumors swirling for decades about a female Doctor happening in Doctor Who, the BBC avoided it until Jodie Whittaker's run as the Thirteenth Doctor. As the first female Doctor, Whittaker was failed by showrunner Chris Chibnall, whose controversial "Timeless Child" storyline drastically changed Doctor Who canon. Still, as the first woman to play the Doctor, Whittaker herself was praised for her fun, fresh take on the Doctor, her warm, lively personality bubbling through as one of the most empowering female TV characters of the decade. So to say the first run of a female Doctor was a mixed bag would be accurate.

That's not to say Doctor Who hasn't come close to a female regeneration - it has, a few times. But it never panned out, for various reasons, though arguably the real reason has never been given publicly. For a show that's as long-running as Doctor Who,...

The Doctor Who season 15 trailer brings back Skaro at the height of its power, promising to show the Daleks at their most dangerous. Ncuti Gatwa is set to return in Doctor Who season 15, now accompanied by newcomer Varada Sethu as his new companion. The trailer promises a lot of thrills and excitement, as the Doctor tries to take his companion home - "the long way round," a very familiar line from the 50th anniversary.

As exciting as that may be, though, the trailer promises something even better. There's a glimpse of a golden city, one with domed spires reaching to the heavens, and spaceships shaped like flying saucers. The design will be very familiar to anyone who's familiar with the TV Century 21 "Daleks" comic strips - this is Skaro, the homeworld of the Daleks.

We've Never Seen Skaro Like This In Doctor Who Before This Is Skaro At The Height...

Doctor Who has completely rewritten the Second Doctor’s regeneration, in the most incredible way. The official launch of the “Whoniverse” was accompanied by an edited, recolorized version of “The Daleks,” a classic William Hartnell story. This time round, it was the turn of the 1969 epic “The War Games,” the final story of Second Doctor Patrick Troughton.

The colorization is absolutely incredible. The edit is a little more debatable; “The War Games” was originally ten episodes long, so a 90-minute cut was always going to be difficult. Still, the most remarkable thing of all is the regeneration - one enforced by the Time Lords. This version has been edited smartly, making it something completely new.

Modern Doctor Who Is Woven Into The Regeneration The scream I let out during Doctor Who: The War Games pic.twitter.com/KEEdU7xLwr— Lucy Crewe 🎬😻✨ (@CreativeCatFX) December 23, 2024

The regeneration sequence begins...

Doctor Who has basically just confirmed one of the franchise's oldest, most popular fan theories. First played by the late Roger Delgado, the Master is one of the Doctor's most terrifying foes. He's the Moriarty to the Doctor's Sherlock Holmes, driven by his ego to prove himself the Doctor's match and to conquer the universe.

The Master first appeared in the 1971 story "Terror of the Autons." Viewers soon learned the Doctor and the Master had studied together at the Time Lord Academy, but there were hints that they'd clashed after they both left Gallifrey, in unseen adventures where they'd gone head-to-head before. All this led to a popular fan theory that the Master was in fact the War Chief, another Renegade Time Lord who made his debut two years earlier. Now, it looks as though that theory has been proven true.

The War Chief Has Always Seemed To Basically Be...

It's not uncommon for TV shows to take huge risks to keep up with the demands and requirements of the ever-changing landscape of television. When a series throws in a character change, plot twist, or unexpected shift in the formula, it can sometimes throw the entire project off balance. However, when executed correctly, these big swings can pay off enormously and serve to cement the show as a classic. While plenty of formulaic shows are popular and high quality, the pieces of TV that will be remembered for years to come are those that weren't afraid to stand out.

While some of these TV shows shocked viewers with great plot twists many times over, there are other ways for series to branch out other than story choices. A common risk that producers and studios are often hesitant to green-light is budget increases or any type of plot point that would alienate or upset audiences.

The lost Doctor Who story The Savages, first aired in 1966 and starring William Hartnell, will be animated for release in 2025.

We’re edging ever closer to a time where we’ll be able to watch every missing Doctor Who story in animated form. The most recent release was 1966 story The Celestial Toymaker, which broke the mould by using a surrealist, 3D animated style befitting the Toymaker’s aesthetic.

The BBC’s sticking with the William Hartnell era for its next animated reconstruction, as the corporation has confirmed that the 1966 story The Savages will be the next episode to be animated.

The official description reads as follows:

In The Savages, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his travelling companions, Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo (Jackie Lane), arrive on an unnamed planet where they encounter two distinct people – the Elders and the Savages. They soon discover the Elders are the evil, draining the...

Christmas specials are normally a time for TV shows to spread some holiday cheer, although some festive episodes have leaned into the darkest sides of the season. While beloved classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas have become annual viewing for families around the world, other viewers would much rather watch a Christmas special that doesn’t shy away from the challenges of the holidays. While it can sometimes be jarring to watch a particularly dark Christmas special, it’s also important that TV shows don’t lose their individuality just because Christmas is considered a time of joy and togetherness.

Many of the greatest Christmas specials of all time address dark subject matters and aren’t afraid to tackle terrifying themes or produce stories of sad sentimentality. While hopeful holiday specials have their merit, there’s something enjoyable about a Christmas special that pushes back against the conventions of the...

Stars: Devin Stanfield, Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens, Geoffrey Larder | Written by Alan Seymour | Directed by Renny Rye

When the BBC aired The Box of Delights in December 1984, it captured the imagination of a generation and cemented its place in British Christmas television tradition. Adapted from John Masefield’s 1935 fantasy novel, the series, with its six half-hour episodes, became a benchmark for festive storytelling. Nearly four decades later, it continues to resonate as a cultural touchstone for its rich blend of nostalgia, whimsy, and quintessentially British charm.

Set in the idyllic English countryside during the Christmas season, The Box of Delights follows young Kay Harker as he becomes the custodian of a magical box, pursued by the sinister Abner Brown and his gang. The story weaves elements of fantasy, suspense, and adventure with a heartwarming holiday backdrop. Through the box’s powers, Kay is transported to distant worlds and moments in time,...

The War Games, Patrick Troughton’s swansong as The Doctor, has had a re-edit. The vintage Doctor Who favourite is heading to iPlayer.

One of the most intriguing projects to emerge from Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary celebrations last year was the colourisation of the second ever serial The Daleks, which was re-edited down from six episodes to a 75 minute feature. The show split opinion amongst hardcore fans, but the general consensus seemed to be anything that encourages new and younger viewers to engage with classic Doctor Who should be encouraged.

Here we are at the 61st anniversary, and the BBC has announced that The War Games has been given the same treatment.

Patrick Troughton’s swansong runs to a whopping ten episodes at a total length of 250 minutes, written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks.

The new colourisation has edited the story down to a tight 90 minute feature. The...

A classic Doctor Who serial has been updated for a new era. Prior to 1978, the BBC did not concern itself with maintaining archives of its shows, which meant that many First (William Hartnell) and Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) episodes were missing. Others, still, have poor audio quality and dated special effects. The surviving episodes from these early seasons are also all black-and-white, which can make it difficult to perceive the nuances of the actors' performances. The BBC previously colorized the 75-minute First Doctor serial, "The Daleks", but no other episodes have received that treatment.

Decades after its release, the BBC has announced that the Second Doctor will be receiving a remaster of his own. The updated serial will feature full colorization, recovered footage that has not been seen since 1969, and updated audio. That means a new soundtrack, improved sounds, and better visual effects. The episodes will be released as a 90-minute special on December 23rd.

Doctor Who said goodbye to David Tennant for the first time in 2009 when the Tenth Doctor regenerated, but his iconic departure stands apart from that of his predecessors in a way that the show never openly acknowledges. Of all the actors to play the Doctor, Tennant's Tenth arguably experienced the most drawn-out version of the regeneration process. While preparing to change his face, he managed to hold off the ordeal long enough to visit all his old friends one last time. However, there's another reason beyond Ten's emotional farewell tour that makes his regeneration so unique.

Every Doctor Who regeneration sequence comes with consequences, but the main one is that the long-running sci-fi show's lead actor is replaced. The phenomenon has contributed massively to the franchise's 60-year history, as no single actor is required for the story to continue. That being said, there was a time when the Doctor's...

Over the years, there have been several Doctor Who stories that feature more than one version of the Doctor. Many of the greatest Doctor Who stories of all time focused on the titular character crossing paths with themselves. However, some of these episodes or serials werent primarily concentrated on more than one Doctor together.

Some of these multi-Doctor stories only saw the Doctors overlap for a few scenes or even a brief moment, whereas others consumed the entire plot. While many of Doctor Whos best companions also appeared, the main focus was that there were one or more incarnations of the Doctor.

The Three Doctors Featuring: The First, Second, & Third Doctors

The Three Doctors was the very first multi-Doctor story in Doctor Who. This serial marked the tenth anniversary of the show, in which the Third Doctors exile to Earth finally came to an end, and he crossed paths with his first two incarnations.

Doctor Who is well-known for its celebratory multi-Doctor stories, but 1985's "The Two Doctors" shows just how not to do this kind of adventure. Most Doctor Who multi-Doctor stories come in anniversary years, a pattern set by 1973's "The Three Doctors" and still followed by the 2005 relaunch. Russell T. Davies went even further with Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, literally bringing back David Tennant as the main Doctor.

1985's "The Two Doctors," which aired during Colin Baker's tenure as the Sixth Doctor, is something of an anomaly. Producer John Nathan-Turner was keen to do another multi-Doctor story after the success of "The Five Doctors," but writer Robert Holmes produced one of the strangest scripts he ever penned for the classic series. A location shoot in Seville, Spain, turned into such a catastrophe that Doctor Who wouldn't film overseas again for decades. But, ultimately, the problems with "The Two Doctors...

Doctor Who's extensive legacy has seen many actors tackle the role of the Doctor, with incredible dialogue to punctuate every new Doctor's time on the Tardis. While the show had humble beginnings in 1963 as a brand-new sci-fi series from the BBC, no one involved at that moment could have predicted how far the time traveling show would extend into the future. Over time, it became essential family viewing for many people throughout the UK, before the general enthusiasm for the show appeared to die down in the late 1980s.

However, because of the influence the show had for more than two decades, there were plenty of lifelong fans who were keen to see it continue. Despite a failed reboot attempt in 1996, another effort was made in 2005 to bring the show back to its former glory. Thanks to the talents of incredible showrunners, and especially the actors who played the Doctor,...

Much-loved BBC drama The Box Of Delights is making its Blu-ray debut for its 40th anniversary. More on the release here.

Fully appreciating that some (younger) people will read this post and have no idea what it’s actually about, The Box Of Delights was a much-loved festive children’s television drama that first aired in 1984.

Based on the book by John Masefield, the BBC adapted it into a six-parter, that it ran in the run-up to Christmas. From its festive theme tune, to Patrick Troughton in a fine beard, wolves running and a wonderfully 1980s visual effects, the programme quickly became hugely popular. So much so that a relatively successful DVD release popped up too.

It’s not been in great shape though in terms of its presentation for some time now. Hence, the really rather excellent news that for its 40th anniversary, the BBC has remastered The Box Of Delights...

The second actor to lead Doctor Who is behind one of the show's silliest tropes, although the gag itself is often wrongly attributed to another Doctor. While every actor to play the Doctor has put their own spin on the character, the fact remains they're all embodying the same persona. As such, there are quite a lot of traits that cross over between Doctors as well as differences that emerge. Earlier Doctors, like Patrick Troughton's Second, helped build a solid foundation on which his successors could stand - even if he isn't correctly credited for all his contributions to the character.

Troughton played the Doctor in some of the greatest Doctor Who stories of all time. His version of the Time Lord was known for being much more lighthearted than his predecessor, as well as his signature unkempt appearance. One of the harsh realities of Doctor Who's classic...

Star Trek and Doctor Who have deep-rooted connections dating back to the 1960s, sharing themes of hope and optimism for the future. Episodes like "Frontier in Space" and "The Aztecs" showcase the parallels between Doctor Who and Star Trek's storytelling and moral dilemmas. Modern Doctor Who episodes like "Dot and Bubble" and "Flux" offer a fresh take on sci-fi themes and are perfect for Star Trek fans looking for new adventures.

With a mobile game crossover and a joint panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Star Trek fans intrigued by Doctor Who may need a handy episode guide to get them started. Although Star Trek and Doctor Who's links have become more pronounced in recent months, the connections between two of the most beloved TV sci-fi franchises actually go back decades. Star Trek: The Original Series debuted on UK screens on July, 12, 1969, in the exact same Saturday evening slot...

David Tennant played the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors in Doctor Who, with his return for the 60th anniversary specials. Sylvester McCoy briefly played the Sixth Doctor in the regeneration scene for Colin Baker's character. Colin Baker didn't film his own regeneration scene due to a disagreement with the BBC over his return to the show.

David Tennant played two different Doctors in Doctor Who, but he wasn't the only one to do so. The first time Tennant was in the series was as the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010. However, Tennant returned briefly in 2023 to play the Fourteenth Doctor for the 60th anniversary specials. During Tennant's lengthy original tenure, he was incredibly popular with critics and fans, and many lauded his fun and vibrant portrayal.

While, according to writer and producer Russell T Davies, there are no plans in the foreseeable future for Tennant to return to Doctor Who, the...

Rose Noble's return to Doctor Who as a member of Unit raises questions about her role and connection to Donna and the Fourteenth Doctor. Former companions like Mel Bush and Donna have joined Unit, suggesting a shift in recruitment tactics from the classic series to the modern. Rose's limited involvement in Season 14, Episode 7 highlights her friendship with Ruby and hints at potential future storylines for her character.

Doctor Who's Rose Noble (Yasmin Finney) returned for the penultimate episode of season 14, but it's unclear why she is working for Unit. Doctor Who's Unit organization has been a semi-regular part of the series since the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) first met the man who would become Brigadier Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart, and was especially important during the Third Doctor's (Jon Pertwee) run. Unit is currently run by the Brigadier's daughter, Kate (Jemma Redgrave), and the Doctor visited the headquarters because he needed help identifying a mysterious woman,...

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies explains how the Doctor has forbidden Unit from time travel experiments. Unit's latest time travel innovation sheds light on previously unexplored historical research. The Time Window chamber offers a unique way to look into the past without physically traveling through time.

Russell T Davies explains how Unit's latest attempt at crafting their form of time travel via the Time Window fits into the organization's long-running Doctor Who history. Debuting during the Second Doctor's (Patrick Troughton) era, Unit has safeguarded the Earth from extraterrestrial threat since 1958 and is currently headed by Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) from their London skyscraper HQ. After a brief appearance in "73 Yards'" alternate timeline, the organization returned in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" as Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday use the Time Window to glimpse at the night of Ruby's abandonment.

Recently, Davies broke...

Ncuti Gatwa debuts as the first Black Doctor in Doctor Who, shaking up the show's iconic time traveler role with a fresh and modern twist. Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor is the result of a bi-generation, breaking the traditional regeneration process and introducing a unique new era for the character. With a fabulously fashionable and magically musical portrayal, Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor brings a strikingly modern and enigmatic presence to the long-running sci-fi series.

Doctor Who has remained a staple of British sci-fi TV for six decades, and examining its rotating cast of charismatic Doctor Who doctors in order reveals exactly why. After the likes of Tom Baker, David Tennant, Jon Pertwee, Matt Smith, and many others made the role iconic, Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa has stepped into the role as the Fourteenth Doctor in Doctor Who season 14 and beyond. Starring as the new Doctor after David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor regenerated, Gatwa is...

Warning: contains spoilers for Doctor Who episode “Rogue”.

Just three episodes ago in “Boom”, the Doctor was trapped where he stood while a countdown ticked off the seconds until his death. In “Rogue”, he found himself in the same situation, but this time with the addition of a Kylie soundtrack and some excellent flirting.

Fifteen got out of the “Boom” trap by deactivating a landmine. He got out of the “Rogue” trap by properly introducing himself, both to Jonathan Groff’s bounty hunter, and to any new viewers late to this party. Rogue had mistaken the Doctor for the shape-shifting alien Chuldur he was on 19th century Earth to track down, and was seconds away from pressing the ‘incinerate’ button when the Doctor activated Rogue’s ship scanner and explained:

“I’m not a Chuldur. I’m something much older and far more powerful. I’m a Lord of Time...

*Warning — this review contains some spoilers for 'Boom'*

Ever since Ncuti Gatwa took over the Tardis keys to become Doctor Who’s Fifteenth Doctor, things have been pretty non-stop for everybody’s favourite Time Lord. From playing cosmic catch with Neil Patrick Harris’ Toymaker in 60th anniversary special debut ‘The Giggle’, to scat-battling a goblin king with new companion Ruby Sunday (Gibson) in Christmas outing ‘The Church On Ruby Road’, to run-ins with space babies, bogeymen, Beatles, and the celestial embodiment of music itself in 'Space Babies' and 'The Devil's Chord', there’s barely been a moment for the Doctor — or indeed the show’s viewers — to take a breath. All of that changes with ‘Boom’, a stripped back, slowed down, and cheek-clenchingly suspenseful character study from former Who showrunner — and Weeping Angels creator — Steven Moffat.

After the outré musical spectacle and supernatural Jinkx Monsoon hijinks of last week’s...

Warning: Contains some spoilers for ‘Dot And Bubble’

For anyone who might’ve found last week’s folk horror-inflected episode of Doctor Who, ‘73 Yards’, a little too ambiguous, you’ll have no such quibbles with the series’ follow-up offering, ‘Dot And Bubble’. A candy-coloured cautionary tale about the perils of tech dependency and online echo chambers set in a world where everybody lives in literal social media bubbles, the fifth episode of Russell T. Davies’ Who reboot is about as subtle as a flatulent Slitheen. But unsubtle doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective, and despite the heavy-handedness of its opening throes, Davies’ Black Mirror-riffing latest eventually builds to a flooring sucker punch of a finale that would stop even Charlie Brooker in his tracks.

After the darkness of ‘Boom’ and the wintry chill of ‘73 Yards’, ‘Dot And Bubble’ sees Davies whisk viewers away to Finetime, a pastel-paletted, domed-in alien idyll populated by rich-kid human colonists.

The First Omen repeats a major casting trick by featuring Ralph Ineson. Ineson previously played a similar character in 2015's The Witch. While The Witch's Ineson role is scarier, both movies offer compelling performances from the actor.

The First Omen has utilized a casting trick that helped a nine-year-old horror movie excel. A prequel to the 1976 classic The Omen, the movie was directed by Arkasha Stevenson and features a cast that includes Servant's Nell Tiger Free, Kiss of the Spider Woman's Snia Braga, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' Bill Nighy. The movie took in $53.7 million at the global box office, becoming the third highest-grossing horror movie of the year so far behind Exhuma ($97 million) and Night Swim ($54 million).

This may not have been enough for the First Omen release to break even theatrically, given its $30 million budget. However, it was well-received on Rotten Tomatoes...

Matt Smith's portrayal of the Eleventh Doctor stood out due to his otherworldly quality and natural eccentricities, says his companion Karen Gillan. Smith faced pressure to prove Doctor Who's longevity after David Tennant's departure, but showcased the Doctor's weariness and bravery. Smith's dedication to the role helped prove BBC executives wrong and ensured the series continued thriving to its 50th anniversary and beyond.

Former Doctor Who companion Karen Gillan breaks down which Time Lord actor stands out the most to her. Gillan first portrayed Amy Pond, the first face the Eleventh Doctor met and his first companion, in 2010, going on to develop a close but somewhat complicated relationship with the Time Lord. While Gillan would depart the series in season 7 partway through Matt Smith's run two years later, she would return in his final story, "The Time of the Doctor," in the fall of 2013 to say farewell to...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 14, episode 3, "Boom."

Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor subtly pays homage to Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor with a musical nod in "Boom." Troughton's Second Doctor often played "The Skye Boat Song" on his recorder, inspiring the Fifteenth Doctor's calming tactic in the episode. The song's origin as a Jacobite lament fleeing war ties in with the episode's themes and reflects the Doctor's journeys in Tardis.

Doctor Who season 14, episode 3, "Boom," pays homage to the sometimes-forgotten Second Doctor with a fitting reference to Patrick Troughton's version of the famous Time Lord. Actors playing the Doctor paying tribute to their predecessors isn't an uncommon occurrence in Doctor Who, but Ncuti Gatwa's callback to the Second Doctor is so subtle that it's easy to miss. However, it's clear that the moment is a clear nod to Troughton's time in the Tardis.

Patrick Troughton was the second...

The Guinness World Records once listed the BBC’s Doctor Who as the “most successful Science Fiction television series in the world,” and, in November 2023, the show turned an impressive 60 years old. Doctor Who originally ran from 1963 to 1989 and was relaunched in 2005.

Despite its grand age, it’s not demonstrating any signs of slowing down.

Former showrunner Russell T Davies (fresh from his success with It’s A Sin) returns to the franchise following last year’s Christmas specials with fan-favorites David Tennant and Catherine Tate. With the 14th season — which, for the first time ever, will premiere simultaneously worldwide thanks to Disney+ (on Friday at 7 p.m.) — Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education and Barbie) officially becomes the newest incarnation of the errant Time Lord.

But, what about those who have already played the role of The Doctor (a.k.a. Doctor Who) over the past seven decades? Below is your 101 to all of the lead actors.

The Master may have been introduced earlier than thought, possibly as the War Chief in "The War Games". The War Chief being a separate entity from the Master is supported by behind-the-scenes details and expanded media. The War Chief serves as a prototype for the Master, setting up a new era for Doctor Who with Unit and Time Lord villains.

It's long been theorized that the Doctor's arch-nemesis, the Master, caused the regeneration of the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton), two years before his official debut in the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who. Although the best known of the Doctor's Time Lord foes, the Master was actually the third villainous Gallifreyan introduced to Doctor Who. The Meddling Monk (Peter Butterworth) appeared opposite William Hartnell's First Doctor in both "The Time Meddler" and "The Daleks' Master Plan", while Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor faced off against the War Chief (Edward Brayshaw...

Last week, we saw the release of The First Omen, which was universally praised. I agree with Chris Bumbray’s review where he said it was “quite provocative, with several images, including a gruesome birthing scene, pushing the limits of the R-rating in a way I didn’t expect from a movie bankrolled by Disney.” And what I was personally most impressed with is how much it creates its own identity. Because if there’s one thing horror franchises have had an issue with, it’s carving its own path.

I still remember when the first trailer came out, and I was shocked to see the response. I felt the teaser was really cool and a unique way to present a film, as each shot was presented in reverse. So, I didn’t understand the hate that was thrown at it. But thinking about it more, I realized it really...

Major spoilers for "Immaculate" and "The First Omen" follow.

There's a history of movies with oddly similar premises premiering within months of each other. "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" both hit theaters in the summer of 1998, much like the Earth-shattering meteors featured in both films. The year before, there was "Volcano" and "Dante's Peak." 2022 gave us not one but two "Pinocchio" movies (with a clean victory for Guillermo del Toro's version).

This past month saw the latest case of dueling movies: "Immaculate," released on March 22, 2024, and "The First Omen," released on April 5, 2024. Both films are about American nuns who fly off to a new life in Italy. Once they arrive at the convent, the young sister discovers a sinister conspiracy at work and becomes pregnant via an unnatural conception. Unlike Mother Mary, the fruits of their wombs are not blessed.

"Immaculate," starring new starlet Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia and directed by Michael Mohan,...

[Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers for “The First Omen.”]

In the IP-mad world of Hollywood, we’ve got remakes and sequels, re-quels and “legacy prequels,” entire cinematic timelines up-ended and rearranged, whole franchises twisted to and fro, so isn’t it refreshing to see something like Arkasha Stevenson’s “The First Omen”? It’s the rare contemporary horror prequel that wears its devotion to the original series on its sleeve, while also cleverly reorienting previous events to chart a potential new storyline.

The basis of Stevenson’s film, which she co-wrote with producers Tim Smith and Keith Thomas, takes a classic subplot from Richard Donner’s 1976 chiller — that not only is young Damien the Antichrist, but that he was the product of a planned spawning between the Devil and a female jackal — and makes it a touch more believable. In “The First Omen,” Damien’s mom isn’t actually a jackal, but young would-be nun Margaret...

Nell Tiger Free in The First Omen Photo: Moris Puccio/20th Century Studios Horror prequels have a tendency to fizzle for a number of reasons, whether they lean too hard on the lore of the original or they start telegraphing all the punches that made the film they’re prequelizing scary to begin with.

Nell Tiger Free in The First OmenPhoto: Moris Puccio/20th Century Studios

Horror prequels have a tendency to fizzle for a number of reasons, whether they lean too hard on the lore of the original or they start telegraphing all the punches that made the film they’re prequelizing scary to begin with.

This article contains spoilers for "The Omen" and "The First Omen."

In Richard Donner's terrifying 1976 horror film "The Omen," American diplomat and presidential hopeful Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) rushes to a hospital in Rome, Italy as his wife Kathy (Lee Remick) has just given birth to their first child. Tragically, Robert is told that the child has died, but Kathy is unaware of the baby's passing. Once he arrives, he is greeted by hospital chaplain Father Spiletto (Martin Benson) who offers him a chance to spare his wife the unfathomable pain. He tells Robert that at the same time Kathy lost their child, a woman in a neighboring hospital room died during childbirth, leaving her baby without a mother. He persuades Robert to accept this baby boy and pass it on as their own biological baby, believing that what Kathy doesn't know won't hurt her.

A nun passes the...

Ncuti Gatwa's first Doctor Who season should be labeled as "season 14" for continuity with the modern era. Calling Gawta's first season "season 1" on Disney+ creates confusion due to the show's long history and previous numbering system. Gatwa's debut continues from the 60th-anniversary specials, aligning more with the label of "season 14" than "season 1."

Ncuti Gatwa's first season as Doctor Who's leading man was oddly labeled "season 1" following the show's move to Disney+, and the fact that the show has a long, rich history confused certain groups. There's no denying that Gatwa's era immediately looked unique, but that's often true whenever a new actor is cast as the famous Time Lord. However, Disney's decision to call Ncuti Gatwa's first full Doctor Who outing "season 1" makes very little sense for a few different reasons.

Before Gatwa was cast, only two figures out of every actor to play the Doctor could have...

This article contains major spoilers for "The First Omen."Hello folks! Welcome back to Nunsploitation 2024: Battle of the Babies.

When last we left the saga of Damien Thorn, it was 1981, and Damien was played by the devilishly handsome Sam Neill in "The Final Conflict." In that film, the Antichrist nearly fulfilled his evil purpose in halting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, but was foiled by his one-time lover, journalist Kate Reynolds (Lisa Harrow), who through the grace of God and her own strength was able to fatally stab Damien with the magical dagger of Megiddo, the weapon that poor Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) failed to use against his adopted son Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens) when he was a child in 1976.

If a 33-year-old Damien in 1981 seems implausible given that the first film sees Damien as merely five years of age and the 1978 sequel, "Damien: Omen II" follows the...

Doctor Who's bi-generation twist continues the tradition of breaking the rule book with new ideas. Jodie Whittaker loved the bi-generation twist and praised David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa. The bi-generation twist not only led to a fantastic team-up but also addressed the Doctor's 60-year journey.

Thirteenth Doctor actor Jodie Whittaker shares her reaction to Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary bi-generation twist. Whittaker, who portrayed a groundbreaking, optimistic, and energetic incarnation of the Time Lord from 2017 to 2022, made her final appearance in "The Power of the Doctor," where she regenerated into David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor. Tennant's Doctor regenerated in the third 60th-anniversary special "The Giggle," but rather than the physical change, the Time Lord divided into two beings. The Doctor split between his Fourteenth Incarnation and Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor, which became known as bi-generation in Doctor Who.

With Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary ending shocking audiences in 2023, Whittaker reflected on the pivotal...

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies foresees a gloomy future for the BBC, saying its end is “undoubtedly on its way”.

Russell T Davies knows a thing or two about the inner workings of the BBC, given that he’s worked at the corporation since the start of his career in the mid-1980s.

Now the showrunner on Doctor Who, Davies has some gloomy thoughts to share on the future of the BBC. Talking on the podcast They Like To Watch (as picked up by Deadline), Davies talked about the need to make the latest series of Doctor Who a co-production with Disney+, and added that such a deal was necessary in order to secure the show’s long-term future. The reason being that the BBC itself may be reaching the end of its life.

“I had already said in interviews that I think Doctor Who will have to become...

Doctor Who features actors in multiple roles over its 60-year run, sometimes without any explanation for their doppelgängers. Some actors, like David Tennant, have portrayed different versions of the Doctor, showcasing their versatility and popularity. The show's large cast and time-travel plotlines allow for various actors to play different characters across different episodes.

Doctor Who is no stranger to complicated time-wimey mixups, and over the show's 60-year run, there have been several prominent cast members who have appeared in multiple roles on the show. Doctor Who is a show all about time travel and adventures throughout space, which can end up explaining away a great deal of plot holes and gaps. However, even a show as complex and multi-layered as Doctor Who can't avoid casting actors in multiple roles over the show's record-breaking run.

Since first airing in 1963, Doctor Who has had nearly 1000 episodes, with large casts involved in most adventures.

Always being known as Doctor Who is amazing, says Matt Smith, who initially had fears of being only known for the role. Smith's dedication to the role helped Doctor Who reach new heights. Despite initial apprehensions, Smith fondly remembers his time on Doctor Who and is open to a return to the show.

Matt Smith reflects on his decision to join Doctor Who despite early fears about taking on the role. Following David Tennant's tenure, Smith led the series from 2010 to 2013. Across three seasons and the show's 50th anniversary special, Smith's Eleventh Doctor faced the end of the universe, an elaborate plot to take his life, the mystery of a woman he kept meeting across history, and his darkest hour.

While a new Doctor's adventures are dawning with Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who season 14, Smith opened up to BBC News about the start of his own adventures with the Tardis,...

Right after ‘why two pairs of shoes but only one pair of trousers?’ the question on everybody’s lips after Doctor Who’s surprise bi-generation was: if David’s Tennant’s new Doctor is still around during Ncuti Gatwa’s era, does that make this a job share? Will Fourteen be popping in to audience applause every other episode like a wacky neighbour on a 1970s sitcom?

According to David Tennant, speaking to Radio Times Magazine ahead of his Bafta-hosting gig, the answer’s no. “The door is not any more open than it ever was,” Tennant told the mag, as reported by RadioTimes.com. “It’s very much the end of the story.”

“The Doctor’s happy. He is in a garden in Chiswick, being made mac and cheese by Bonnie Langford!”

What sweeter fate could befall any man?

For anybody who was second-screening 60th anniversary special “The Giggle...

David Tennant confirms that his time as the Fourteenth Doctor is over, as he is retired and content in a peaceful life on Earth. There are endless ways in Doctor Who to bring back characters, but Tennant asserts that his story has come to a definitive end. The upcoming season 14 of Doctor Who will focus on Ncuti Gatwa's new Doctor, with minimal references to Tennant's Doctor.

David Tennant addresses the chances of a Fourteenth Doctor return following Doctor Who's 60th anniversary storyline. After leading the show throughout most of Russell T Davies' initial tenure as showrunner, Tennant returned alongside Catherine Tate to lead the show's 2023 milestone celebrations. The 60th anniversary storyline consisted of three specials that reunited the Doctor and Donna to face aliens, unknown extraterrestrial horrors, and a classic villain's return.

While the Doctor Who 60th anniversary ending left the Fourteenth Doctor on a peaceful note with a Tardis of his own,...