Series 10 is rip-roaring along at rocket speed and if you’ve been twiddling your thumbs waiting for the Doctor and Bill to escape the (far from) conventional confines of that planet we call Earth, you really are in for a treat this weekend. They may have been to the edge of the galaxy and survived London’s Great Last Frost Fair of 1814 (as you do!), but this time the tension is notched up to a whole new level when they find themselves fighting to the death in the middle of deep space. It’s just another day in the office then, really.

Apart from the fact that it’s not. While Doctor Who is no stranger to setting a story aboard a doomed space station or five, Oxygen is something very new…  and very exciting. The latest exhilarating episode kicks off with Peter Capaldi’s ever booming voice declaring that space is only referred to as “the final frontier” because it wants to kill us, which pretty much sets the tone for what’s to come, in the show’s traditionally morbid sort of way. The void is always waiting…

After all, space really is a dangerous place to be (or so we’re led to believe, anyway…), so it’s nice to have that sense of ominous, impending threat interjected back into the show’s mythos. Let’s face it, we were kind of getting used to the universe in all its weird and wonderful glory, what with Doctor Who being a sci-fi show and all, but all of a sudden what we thought we knew about the great unknown is flipped upside down as we’re shown just how out of our depth us human beings really are when it comes to extra terrestrial excursions. If you take anything away from Oxygen, it’s that space is bloody scary, man, though rest assured that you’ll take far more away from it than that. Far, far more…

But let’s start at the beginning, shall we? The pre-titles sequence alone is an epic escapade and we’re sure you’ll agree that the stunning scenery wouldn’t look out of place on an IMAX screen in a five and half hour Christopher Nolan movie. The scale of it just goes to show how far Doctor Who’s special effects have progressed over the years and the immersive introduction makes it feel like the series is taking you into space for the first time. It really is the first time for Bill, of course, and her initial reaction is as genuine and infectious as you’d expect. But more on what she gets up to later…

For now, let’s go back to the opening scene which introduces us to two ill-fated characters whose relationship is expertly established in the space (see what we did there?) of three very short – but very eventful – minutes. We don’t learn much about them before it all goes pretty pear-shaped (to put it lightly), but what we do learn is enough to make them instantly believable, likeable and, most importantly, human.

Humanity plays a big part in this episode, just as it has in the four adventures that have proceeded it. Doctor Who has always been rooted in it, of course, but there’s definitely a persistent pattern emerging here. Steven Moffat is seemingly on a mission to shine a light on the morals of mankind in his final year as showrunner, and there’s no finer platform on which to do it than against the breathtaking backdrop of space.

‘Breathtaking’ is another running theme in Oxygen, and we mean that in the literal sense. Time isn’t the only thing that’s running out for the Doctor, Bill and Nardole and what they encounter aboard Chasm Forge is a genuinely terrifying sight to behold. Notice we included Nardole there, as this episode finally marks his first full-length outing of the year. And Matt Lucas continues to smash it. Nobody really knew what to expect when it was announced that he’d be returning as a full time companion, but if your mind hasn’t been put to rest by his brief appearances thus far, this one oughta do the trick. He isn’t just there for the comic relief element either (although Matt provides that perfectly), as his character adopts a much firmer approach to the Doctor’s casual compulsion of breaking the conditions of his Vault-guarding oath. We don’t come any closer to finding out who – or what – lies inside the Vault this week, however we are left with the feeling that the Doctor’s apparent negligence will come back to bite him in a big way later in the series…

By the end of the episode, though, that’s the least of his worries. Amidst the ensuing chaos, something happens to our beloved Time Lord that really gives Peter the chance to shine in a way that he has never been given the opportunity to before. He will probably come close to breaking your heart and the formidable force of this particular performance is more than matched by the one delivered by Pearl Mackie. Her portrayal of Bill is getting stronger and stronger as the weeks go by and it is no exaggeration when we say that she really goes through the mill – and then some – in this one. If you thought Amy Pond had a rough ride, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Basically, we loved it. As expected, writer Jamie Mathieson has returned to the Whoniverse on top form and director Charles Palmer – who last helmed 2007’s Human Nature/The Family of Blood – has added a stellar and stylish space saga to his already reputable résumé of Doctor Who episodes. It only took him 10 years!

As the opening part of what already looks set to be a monumental three-part story, Series 10 is about to take a very dark turn as it reaches its halfway point in Extremis, which is set up as one of the maddest stories yet by its tantalising next time trailer. After this week’s almighty cliffhanger, something tells us that the Doctor is going to need his friends more than ever, but he’ll be sure to keep his enemies even closer. Next time, the bitch is back.

The brand new issue of Doctor Who Magazine went on sale earlier this week and it’s just in time for them to look ahead to the next four episodes of Series 10.

Inside, Episodes 4 to 7 – that’s Knock Knock, Oxygen, Extremis and The Pyramid at the End of the World – are exclusively previewed as David Suchet spills the beans on his guest stint at the Landlord in tonight’s terrifying adventure.

All of that plus the latest news, interviews, reviews, comics and more! DWM #412 is out now, priced at £5.99.

Browse the latest Doctor Who products on sale now in our merchandise section…

Peter Capaldi’s final series at the helm of the TARDIS (sorry for the reminder!) continues this weekend and it’s third time unlucky for the Doctor and Bill as they find themselves treading on Thin Ice. After you’ve left your mark at the edge of the galaxy lightyears in the future, there’s only one place to go next. Home… the long way round. Get in!

Picking up directly where last week’s episode left off (we see a pattern emerging here…), we rejoin our heroes slap bang in the middle of Regency London where, as expected, not all is as it seems amidst the carnivalesque chaos of a seemingly ordinary frost fair. Or at least, as ordinary as a frost fair can be. As an example, there’s an actual sword swallower among the weird and wonderful festivities, so this episode should definitely come with its own ‘Don’t try this at home’ disclaimer.

It’s the Great Last Frost Fair, to be precise, and the year is 1814. Also as expected, Bill has lots of questions. And no, it isn’t a parallel world…

The bustling backdrop is beautifully established by first time Who director Bill Anderson, and once again Bill’s wide-eyed wonderment is a joy to behold. As she takes in her snow-covered surroundings, Pearl Mackie gets the chance to show off her effortless talent when, in the flip of a coin (and that analogy will become clear when you see the episode), she struggles to comprehend the moral high ground that has been embedded within her 2,000 year old tutor. Basically, he moves on.

Bill’s character is already so well rounded that it’s easy to forget that this is only her third episode, and as such she is still getting to know her mysterious new friend. You don’t even realise – or care – that we’re revisiting aspects of the Doctor’s temperament that have been explored before, such as his apparent emotionless reaction to death, as the story allows it to be portrayed in a fresh and interesting way. Combine that with Bill’s unique perspective and it’s further evidence – not that any was needed – that our new TARDIS duo are a match made in televisual heaven.

Bill doesn’t sugarcoat her feelings, and that’s one of the things we love about her the most. Despite the fact she’s centuries away from the world that she knows, this plucky present day gal fits right in, which is partly thanks to the TARDIS’ ever expansive wardrobe. As they step into the story, the escalating drama evolves around them and it doesn’t take long for their fun at the fair to transpire into inevitable anarchy when a young boy’s tragic encounter with a Thames-dwelling serpent sends them on a mission to discover what really lies beneath. There’s definitely something fishy going on and whatever you do, don’t follow the lights…

Children play a big part in this episode, as the Doctor and Bill enlist the help of a band of pickpocketing street urchins who wouldn’t look out of place alongside the Artful Dodger himself. In fact, we expected him to pop up at any moment, and stranger things certainly happen in this madcap 44 minutes. Although the situation is looking increasingly dire, the impressive young ensemble bring some much needed comic relief to the proceedings, particularly when the Doctor, as he puts it, “gets down with the kids”, much to Bill’s hilarious horror. Even her hair is left cringing.

Back to the matter at hand, though, and their investigation soon leads them to the sinister Sutcliffe (right), as played by this week’s leading guest star Nicholas Burns, who is such an indescribably disgusting human being that, when the Doctor does something completely out of character, you can’t help but cheer along. Kudos to Nicholas Burns, who is largely known for his comedic performances, for bringing to life such a skin-crawling adversary. Needless to say, His Lordship’s motivations are truly terrifying.

Of course, it all comes down to Sarah Dollard’s script. The last time she contributed to the show, she broke our Whovian hearts into pieces by killing off Clara Oswald (we’re still not over it), and this time she takes us back to a London that’s just as unfamiliar as Face the Raven’s trap streets, yet instantly as rich and magical. Even if the Doctor never does find out the secret behind that card trick…

One of the most exciting things to take away from Thin Ice is that there’s still so much of the Doctor and Bill to come. As a standalone story, it ticks all the boxes of a classic Doctor Who adventure. It’s set in the past, there’s an alien creature hidden just out of sight, there’s an awesome underwater sequence and, perhaps most importantly, its poignant resolution will leave you shaking your head in disgust and contempt at the human race. It’s like The Beast Below all over again, but the Doctor does get to wear a top hat so you know, swings and roundabouts.

Oh, and you’ll also no doubt be pleased to hear that Nardole makes another all too brief but memorable appearance, as the elusive Vault mystery deepens. And when we say that Thin Ice ends with a “knock knock”, we’re not just talking about Episode 4…

WhovianNet was recently invited to attend the press night of Paul McGann’s new play, Gabriel, which transported Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre back to Nazi-occupied Guernsey in 1943 where a mother was doing everything in her power to keep her family safe despite the threat of the surrounding danger.

They say you should never judge a book by its cover (and rightly so!), but if we were to judge Gabriel on its production design, we would’ve guessed that we were about to sit through a domestic drama about an ordinary family adjusting to the struggles of living in a war-torn society. The set was understated – a kitchen on one side while, on the other, a raised platform sported a single bed. Although simple, our eyes were immediately drawn to its attention to detail. As the play started and we were introduced to the ensemble of characters, it soon became clear that a simple domestic drama this was not. This particular family, caught up in the terror of the times, was harbouring secrets of its own, and it didn’t take long for the intrigue to intensify as the story developed.

So, what is the story? We’ve given you the basic overview, but to tell you any more would ultimately ruin the experience. What we will say is that Paul McGann steals the show in his role as the elusive Commander Von Pfunz, who couldn’t be further away from his portrayal of the Eighth Doctor if he tried. We were, of course, already familiar with Paul’s formidable presence on screen, but it was a real joy to see his latest character come to life before our eyes, with his faultless German accent affirming what a versatile actor he is.

While we were initially drawn to the play by Paul’s involvement, the story itself is a real – predominately female – ensemble piece, and his co-stars, Belinda Lang, Jules Melvin, Robin Morrissey, Sarah Schoenbeck and Venice van Someren, all hold their own amidst the escalating drama, with the story giving each of them their respective time to shine. We particularly enjoyed Paul’s interactions with Belinda’s character, Jeanne Becquet, which added a dose of comic relief to the otherwise dark and mysterious proceedings.

While the story never leaves the four – nay, three – walls in which it is confined, Moira Buffini’s script, which is based on real life accounts from Guernsey, helps to create a believable backdrop to establish what life was like on the island during the time of the occupation. It wasn’t something that we knew much about before seeing the play, which didn’t hinder our enjoyment of it in any way, but it’s definitely a fresh take on an era in history that feels so familiar to us having been so heavily featured in works of fiction. At the same time, the play introduces a supernatural undertone, heralded by the youngest character of Estelle Becquet who believes that a young man washed ashore has been sent to them by an otherworldly force.

When we chatted to Paul before seeing the play, he described it as “a proper thriller”, and after seeing it for ourselves, we absolutely agree. It’s been 20 years since its last production in London but its revival will introduce the story to a new generation who are intrigued to discover more about a lesser known aspect of the Second World War. Having said that, the play will appeal to all generations, whether that be for nostalgia purposes or simply for the opportunity to partake in an enjoyable night out at the theatre.

You’ll definitely take something away from the play as it builds up to a climactic conclusion which enables you to make up your own mind about the events you’ve just witnessed. Whether you take it as simply black or white or find a deeper message entwined within its tale of redemption, the play still holds relevance today as the tour kicks off during a time which still sees social and political oppression throughout the world.

But, as the play affirms, in the darkest and most desperate of times, there is always the hope of salvation. Whatever the cost.

Gabriel is touring around the UK until May. You can find your nearest theatre and book your tickets here. Have you seen the play? Share your own reviews below…

With just over a week to go until Doctor Who finally returns to our screens, the first episode of the new series has been let loose to critics, and their initial reviews are in!

Suffice to say, it’s very good news. The Series 10 premiere, The Pilot, “offers a fresh take on an old format” according to Radio Times, who are full of particular praise for the “instantly winning” Pearl Mackie in her official debut as the Doctor’s new “uneducated but not dim” sidekick, Bill Potts. In fact, she might just be “the best companion yet”, say Digital Spy, based on her “cracking opening performance”.

Den of Geek enjoyed the episode, too, summing it up as “good fun”, while Mashable also concur that the story feels “like the beginning of something promising”. Bill’s “cheerful self-assurance” is a perfect match for Matt Lucas’ “comic relief” as Nardole, in what CNET have described as a “lighthearted and (mostly) self-contained” adventure, which SFX Magazine thought was “full of freshness and energy”. Please be aware that the links contain spoilers.

The Telegraph were less impressed by the “understated affair”, however, claiming it was “let down by a flimsy storyline, clunky special effects and an underdeveloped foe”. We don’t have long to wait until we see it for ourselves; it airs on BBC One on 15th April at 7:20pm!

New adventures. New companion. Same Doctor! Read the latest Series 10 news…

Matt Lucas has suggested that Doctor Who will be involved in this year’s Comic Relief.

Red Nose Day will take place next Friday, 24th March, with a night of fundraising festivities on BBC One. Responding to a fan query on Twitter, the actor – who will be returning as Nardole in Series 10 – revealed that his character might “possibly” be making an appearance during the telethon. Whether that’s in the form of a special sketch, trailer or something else entirely is yet to be revealed, but thankfully we haven’t got long to wait to find out.

Doctor Who has a long time association with Comic Relief, including the 2011 mini-episode Space and Time and the iconic Curse of Fatal Death, starring Rowan Atkinson, in 1993.

WhovianNet spent the weekend at MCM Comic Con in Liverpool and it’s safe to say that a great time was had by all!

As always, Doctor Who fans didn’t disappoint with their ever creative cosplaying efforts, and we had a great time chatting to our fellow Whovians who had dressed to impress as their favourite Doctors, companions and villains.

Conventions are always a great place to remind us how fantastic our fandom is, so a huge thanks to everyone who stopped to chat to us and pose for photos.

Special thanks to @TheDogtor, @Grandpa_Pixel and @Ruth_C_AB for the pictures!

Were you also at the event? Let us know below, and tweet us your pics at @WhovianNet!

Class is set to make its official debut in the US next month but fans in the UK have already been there, bought the t-shirt (though perhaps not the DVD) and… well, you get the idea.

It premiered online on BBC Three last year before airing in double bills during BBC One’s ‘graveyard slot’ (which is basically when the entire nation is asleep) in January, and it’s far from overwhelming inception into the mainstream public consciousness has left its fans – affectionally known as the ‘Classmates’ – wondering what, if anything, the future holds for their honourable heroes of Coal Hill Academy…

And let’s face it, it’s not looking good. Rumours are already abound that the show has been axed indefinitely, and even its cast members have been actively encouraging their social media followers to support a fan made petition calling for a second series. Its creator and writer Patrick Ness has persistently falsified claims that Class has officially been dismissed, though it’s likely that they’ll be holding off until after its BBC America broadcast to decide.

Whatever lies ahead for Charlie and the gang (and after that series finale, we’d certainly be intrigued to find out…), let us know if you think Class deserves a second outing in the poll and comments below. Perhaps you think its televisual journey is over but you’d like to see it continue in the form of original audio and comic books? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

POLL: Should Class return for a second series?

• Yes. It's only just getting started. I'd love to see what Patrick Ness has planned next.
• No. It was a nice idea, but it just didn't work. It feels like a "one and done" kinda deal.

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The first episode of Class, For Tonight We Might Die, airs on BBC America on Saturday 15th April 2017 at 10/9c, immediately after the Doctor Who Series 10 premiere at 9/8c.

Rose Tyler actress Billie Piper has joined this year’s Comic Relief campaign by sporting one of its limited edition t-shirts, available now exclusively from TK Maxx.

The range has been created by prolific British photographer Rankin and features nine different quirky animal designs.

They’ve been manufactured in Uganda using Fairtrade cotton and are priced between £6.99 to £9.99, £5 of which will go towards helping people who are living incredibly tough lives in the UK and across Africa.

This year’s Red Nose Day will take place on Friday 24th March. Make your laugh matter!

A brand new issue of Doctor Who Magazine has been released this week to help you get through your January blues.

Inside #508, cast and crew alike, including Katy Manning and Mark Gatiss, share their thoughts on Doctor Who’s “grooviest” decade as they take a trip in the TARDIS back to the 1970s to commemorate the Third Doctor’s era.

Plus, the latest Series 10 news, reviews, competitions and a free Doctor Who & the Daleks comic book. It’s on sale now, at the usual price of £5.99.

Browse the latest Doctor Who products on sale now in our merchandise section…