Tom MacRae has described the first episode of Series 7 as an “absolutely brilliant” opener.

The writer, whose latest contribution to the series was last year’s The Girl Who Waited, recently spoke to Den of Geek about what’s in store in the new series. “There’s a big Dalek story opening it,” he said. “Any expectations you have got, double them. It is that good. It’s so, so brilliant.” He goes on to comment on next year’s 50th anniversary, promising “lots of nostalgia”.

“The 50th is obviously going to be a big hark back to everything that’s gone before,” he teased. “So there’s going to be lots of nostalgia over the next year or two years.”

MacRae has also penned The Crash of the Elysium, which is set to open in Ipswich next month following its successful run in Manchester last year. We’ll bring you more information on that – as well as our exclusive interview with Tom – in the coming weeks.

See the latest Series 7 headlines to discuss all the developments as and when…

Steven Moffat has spoken to Digital Spy about all of the hot topics in the Doctor Who world at the moment.

In March, it was confirmed that 6 episodes of Series 7 will be broadcast this year, and Steven has explained that this decision was made to keep the show fresh and “shake it up”. “You have got to keep people on edge and wondering when it will come back,” he said. “That is what makes it an event piece, because the more it becomes a perennial, the faster it starts to die. I don’t want that to be the case.”

The interview then moves on to discuss Amy and Rory’s exit in the new series, as the showrunner describes it as “incredibly sad”. He commented: “While the audience are losing people that they see on TV for a few months, Karen and Arthur are walking out of something that they’ve been involved with every day for years. The people that you saw every day and have become absolutely part of your de facto family are gone, never to be in that place again. It isn’t just a professional change, it is also a personal upheaval.”

Of course, the Doctor won’t be alone in the TARDIS for long, because this Christmas he’ll be joined by Jenna-Louise Coleman as his new companion. “I’m excited by it,” Steven teased. “I think we are going to do some fun stuff. But do not expect to learn everything! We’ve got a good story and there’s some proper legitimate surprises in it…”

As for the 50th anniversary, he revealed: “I had a meeting about that earlier this week.”

WATCH the Series 7 trailer for a preview of the Doctor’s Wild West adventure!

Doctor Who fans are never stuck for choice when it comes to getting our hands on merchandise – keep on reading for the very latest book news!

In July we will be able to get our hands on the official 2013 Calendar, and there will also be a Collector’s Edition one for all those who want to get a head start on celebrating the Doctor’s 50th anniversary. Anticipation for the landmark year will continue in August too, with the release of the 2013 Annual, featuring comics, stories and activites.

If you are a fan of Where’s Wally? (and aren’t we all!?), When’s the Doctor? is sure to be right up your street, and you will be able to search for the Doctor, Amy, Rory and the TARDIS in places like Ancient Rome, Victorian London and the future from September…

Meanwhile, The Official Doctionary (see what they did there?) is coming in October. It features 176 pages explaining those tricky Time Lord timey-wimey words and phrases…

See the latest Doctor Who products on sale now via our merchandise section!

John Barrowman spoke to MTV Geek during his attendance at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo this weekend.

He talked about what the future holds for Torchwood, saying he’d “be back at the drop of a hat”. “I love Captain Jack, and me and Eve are like brother and sister on set. We have a great time together,” he said. “Jack’s an iconic figure. He’s a hero. Wherever I am, as long as it works out in my schedule, I will come back. At the end of Miracle Day there’s a cliffhanger, so who knows what will happen?”

He went on to discuss his hopes to be involved in Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary next year, admitting: “It would be a shame if Captain Jack wasn’t there. He was such a big figure and presence within the show itself, and also within Torchwood. But it’s not up to me. It’s just one of those things. I guess you’ll have to sit back and watch this space.”

Would you like to see Torchwood back, and should Jack return for the landmark year…?

The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who will culminate with “a very big twist”, according to fresh rumours today.

BBC News has a new video interview with Jenna-Louise Coleman following today’s announcement that she will be joining Doctor Who as the new companion this Christmas.

The actress will make her debut in the series in this year’s festive special, and described it as “a huge privilege” to be joining the show in time for its 50th anniversary. “I’m so excited that the news is out,” she explained. “The thought that I’m going to be working with Matt and Steven and the whole team day in, day out, it’s just fantastic.”

She continued: “I’m taking it each step at a time and I will take everything as it comes.”

She also reveals where she was when she got the call to say she’d won the part. “I was in Marks and Spencers holding an avocado, having the debate of what goes best in a salmon salad,” she revealed. “After that I went out for a little walk and tried to digest it!”

She finishes by saying she’ll approach it with “total fun”, and, when asked about any monsters she’s keen to encounter, teases: “I’m sure I’ll meet the Daleks at some point.”

If you’ve something to say about Series 7, head on over to our dedicated discussion!

Paul McGann has revealed that he would “love to” return to Doctor Who if the opportunity ever came about.

The actor, who appeared as the Eighth Doctor in the 1996 TV Movie, told Digital Spy: “I would love to do it again, but it’s not really up to me, is it? Being Doctor Who, there is always anniversaries looming large – celebration programmes and episodes. So I am often asked, ‘If they get the five Doctors together, would you do it?’, and, of course, I’d do it. They’ve just got to ring me up!”

He also reveals that his association with the series “only ever seems to get stronger” as more time passes. “I was over in California a few weeks ago, talking to fans,” he said. “Although I was in Doctor Who for just 6 weeks, sixteen years ago, it never goes away.”

Thanks to JC for letting us know!

Bonnie Langford has revealed that she would jump at the opportunity to go back to Doctor Who, describing the series as “a national treasure”.

The actress, who played the Doctor’s companion, Mel, in the 1980s, said: “I would love to come back, because I might get a few lines other than, ‘Oh Doctor!’, because that was what I was always like! The companions today are much more rounded characters, which is always so much more fun to play. But I had a good time doing it.”

Another Classic Series actress, Sophie Aldred, has also said it’d be very nice to return.

Matt Smith can be seen on Daybreak tomorrow morning, and Radio Times has shared a few quotes from his interview for us to ponder over. Because we all love a good ponder!

He firstly comments on the upcoming departure of Amy in the next series, saying Karen Gillan is “a great friend” as well as being his co-star. “Creatively, I have a really interesting relationship with her and Arthur,” he said. “It is sad for me.” He moves onto discuss the series as a whole, revealing that “so much of it is about change”.

“You have to celebrate that,” he explained. “It’s about reinvention. How wonderful that someone invented a concept where a show can change so much. It’s been going in 2013 for 50 years, and it will continue way after I’m gone. The show is bigger than any of us.”

He also responds to the latest 50th anniversary rumours. Yesterday it was claimed by a newspaper that Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is being lined up to play the Master as part of the celebrations. “I’ve not heard anything about it,” he admits. “I know Ben. He’s a bit busy being a Star Trek villain, and he’s Sherlock of course. A busy man!”

As for his own future in the TARDIS, he reveals that he “won’t be leaving anytime soon”. He confirmed: “It’s a thrill playing the part. We’ve got a whole series to make, and a Christmas special as well. I take it all day by day because there’s no other way to do it.”

You can catch Matt’s full interview on Daybreak tomorrow morning from 6:30am, ITV1…

Rumours are circulating today that Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to appear as the Master in the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who next year.

The news surfaced in the Express, who have claimed that the actor, who plays the protagonist in Steven Moffat’s other drama series, Sherlock, is the BBC’s “perfect choice” to step into the shoes of the renegade Time Lord as part of the show’s birthday celebrations. The role was last played by John Simm in Series 3 and The End of Time.

“It’s fitting that the Doctor comes face to face with his ultimate enemy, The Master, for the 50th anniversary, and it’s felt Benedict is the perfect choice if schedules can work,” said a source. “Fans will love the man who’s Sherlock taking on the Doctor.”

What do you think of the speculation? Would Benedict make a good Master? Let us know your thoughts… Steven’s said there are “very big plans” afoot for the landmark year.