As we promised at the end of September 2012, we’re back in Time Lord mode with the second half of our Sherlock related review of Doctor Who Series 7, examining the episodes that crossover with our favourite detective through their writers and directors (and on occasion, cast members). The latter section of the seventh series features work from the three writers of Sherlock, with Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss handling two episodes apiece and Steve Thompson scripting a single instalment. As before, this isn’t an all encompassing review of the entire series, just these five episodes – The Bells of Saint John, Cold War, Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS, The Crimson Horror and The Name of the Doctor. Please note though we’ll be discussing some spoilers in detail throughout as we examine how these episodes function individually and as contributions to the final episode.

Read the full review on our website.

Doctor Who returns today in the UK at 18:15GMT on BBC One, and in the USA on BBC America at 8pm/7c.

The Bells of Saint John, the opening episode of the second run of episodes in Series Seven, is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Colm McCarthy, who is set to direct one of the upcoming episodes in Sherlock Series Three! The episode is set in modern day London, so also offers up some exciting hints as to how Colm may treat the city in his episode of Sherlock.

In other news, the 50th Anniversary episode of the science fiction series, written by Steven Moffat, has had some rather exciting casting news announced today.

Can you guess Who is returning?

Episode title revealed for the return of Doctor Who, written by Steven Moffat

The Doctor will be joined by new companion Clara in ‘The Bells of St John’, written by Steven Moffat. The episode will debut the second section of Series 7 on BBC One and BBC America on March 30 2013.

Read more about the return of everyone’s favourite Time Lord on the BBC website.

Now we’ve digested our turkey, it’s time to take stock of the annual Doctor Who Christmas Special, once again written by Steven Moffat - and this year featuring a glut of knowing references to the World’s Greatest Detective…

Please note that while this review contains no explicit plot spoilers, there is discussion of characterisation and thematic material.  

Read More

Doctor Who has always fallen under our gaze due to the crossover with the creative crew of Sherlock, but we’ve never actually sat down and reviewed any part of the series. We thought we’d put this right from now on, and simultaneously do something a little different, by focusing on the episodes in each series of Doctor Who that have a direct link to Sherlock. To that end, what follows isn’t an all encompassing review of the first five episodes of Series Seven, but a close look at the two Steven Moffat scripted instalments - The Asylum of the Daleks and The Angels Take Manhattan - as well as Dinosaurs on a Spaceship featuring Rupert Graves. Please note though we’ll be discussing spoilers in detail.

Read More

From the current Doctor Who focused issue of Radio Times, on UK newsagent shelves until Monday 3 September.

Matt, is it true you were nearly in Sherlock?

Well I thought my audition for Watson was very good. But clearly not good enough! Basically they looked at it and went, “He’s not Watson. It’d be like having two Sherlocks in the room.” But Martin Freeman was born to play that part. And rightly so, thank the stars. I wasn’t destined for Watson - but I met Steven Moffat, who said: “He’d be quite a good Doctor Who…”

The first episode of Doctor Who Series 7, The Asylum of the Daleks, is written by Steven Moffat and screens this Saturday - September 1 2012 - in the UK on BBC One at 19:20BST and in the USA on BBC America at 21:00EST/20:00CT.

Just revealed on the San Diego Comic Con website is Sunday’s scheduling, and in addition to Martin Freeman’s appearance for The Hobbit on Saturday July 14, there’s another Sherlock related treat at the world famous event. Doctor Who is taking over the gigantic Hall H in the middle of the Con’s final day on Sunday July 15! Cast and Crew are due to be in attendance, including Steven Moffat himself.

From the Comic Con schedule listing:

12:30-1:30 BBC America’s Doctor Who

The Doctor and the Ponds land in San Diego. BBC America’s Doctor Who stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill join award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock) and award-winning executive producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades) for a Comic-Con panel and Q&A. As fans eagerly await the new season’s premiere, BBC America is making sure Steven Moffat brings new footage to reveal on the big screens in Hall H. Ahead of the new season, BBC America will premiere new Doctor Who specials-The Science of Doctor Who, The Women of Doctor Who, The Timey-Wimey Stuff of Doctor Who, and The Destinations of Doctor Who-as part of the Supernatural Saturday programming block starting Saturday, August 4 at 9pm/8c. For those new to Who, the previous two seasons from Steven Moffat are available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download. Hall H