Doctor Who: The End Of Time On BBC America

Wilf Mott (Bernard Cribbins), The Doctor (David Tennant) and The Master (John Simm) in Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One. Photo copyright of the BBC

THE final two Doctor Who specials, Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One and Part Two, starring David Tennant as The Doctor, will premiere over the holiday season on BBC America. In Part One, it’s the Tenth Doctor’s final journey, but his psychotic nemesis, The Master (John Simm), has been reborn on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death, the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate. Meanwhile, the alien race Ood, warn of an even greater danger approaching, as a terrible shadow falls across the entire Universe. 

It's the beginning of the end for the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). Photo copyright of the BBC

Guess who's back???? John Simm as The Master! Photo copyright of the BBC

In Part Two, the Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master’s plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf Mott (Bernard Cribbins) must fight alone. But sacrifices have to be made, and the deadly prophecy warns, “He will knock four times.” 

Bernard Cribbins as Wilf Mott (Donna Noble's grandfather). Photo copyright of the BBC

This is not Bernard Cribbins’ first journey aboard the TARDIS. The veteran British TV, feature film and stage actor played Tom Campbell in the 1966 Doctor Who movie Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D., which starred the legendary Peter Cushing as The Doctor. 

Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn, Doctor Who: The End of Time also guest-stars Catherine Tate (as Donna Noble), Timothy Dalton (as The Narrator), David Harewood (as Joshua Naismith) and June Whitfield (as Minnie Hooper). Part One airs Saturday, December 26th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America, with Part Two airing the following week, Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 @ 8:00 p.m. EST/PST. 

MASTER FILE – The only other survivor along with the Doctor of a long-dead alien race called the Time Lords, The Master, first played by Roger Delgardo, made his debut in the 1971  Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor) adventure The Terror of the Autons. For three seasons, the two Time Lords matched wits, until the Master’s final appearance in the season 10 Doctor Who episode Frontier in Space. Delgardo was scheduled to guest-star in one more story, but, sadly, was killed in a car crash on June 18th, 1973 while working in Turkey on another project. 

The Master was not seen again until the 1976 episode The Deadly Assassin. Portrayed under heavy make-up by actor Peter Pratt and in his thirteenth and final regeneration, the now grossly disfigured Time Lord was defeated by the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). In one last bid to save himself, The Master (still a husk of his former self and now played by Geoffrey Beevers) returned five years later in Baker’s penultimate story, The Keeper of Traken. Taking over the mind and body of Tremas, a scientist from the world of Traken, The Master was reborn in the guise of actor Anthony Ainley. Following the death and regeneration of Baker’s Doctor in Logopolis, The Master carried on with his quest for power and domination of the Universe, his schemes continually thwarted by Doctors Five (Peter Davison), Six (Colin Baker) and Seven (Sylvester McCoy). Ainley’s incarnation of the character made his final appearance in the Seventh Doctor’s swan song weekly TV adventure, Survival. 

Feature film actor Eric Roberts reprised the role of The Master in the 1996 made-for-TV Doctor Who movie, which starred Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. It was in the Tenth Doctor episode Utopia, that our hero crossed paths yet again with his old enemy, played by Sir Derek Jacobi. This incarnation of The Master, however, was unaware of his true identity, and only when prompted by a piece of technology did he recall his past lives as a Time Lord. When mortally wounded, The Master regenerated into a much younger version of his former self (actor John Simm). In what later appeared to be one final battle between him and  The Doctor, The Master refused to regenerate and died… or did he? John Simm is back as The Master to cause more chaos and destruction in Doctor Who: The End of Time. 

The Doctor meets up again with a representative of the Ood. Photo copyright of the BBC

Wilf and The Doctor are on the move! Photo copyright of the BBC

Into the TARDIS! Photo copyright of the BBC

Guest-star David Harewood (center) as Joshua Naismith. Photo copyright of the BBC

Former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) returns. Photo copyright of the BBC

The Doctor can't quite believe his eyes! Photo copyright of the BBC

Hello world! Yes, it's me, The Master. Photo copyright of the BBC

As noted above, all photos from Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One are copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 11 – 28 – 09

Robin (Jonas Armstrong) strikes an heroic pose! Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

SPOILER ALERT!! – The outlaws intercept a message from Isabella (Lara Pulver) for Prince John (Toby Stephens). King Richard’s return is imminent and Isabella has agreed to supply the Prince with 300 men and supplies to help with his preparations for a battle for the throne. Robin (Jonas Armstrong), Gisborne (Richard Armitage) and Much (Sam Troughton) plan to storm the castle. If they fail to take the castle, Tuck (David Harewood) and Little John (Gordon Kennedy) will try their best to stop the convoy of men and supplies getting to Prince John. They appeal to the Locksley men to help, but to Tuck’s disappointment, they’re too frightened to stand up for what’s right. Thanks to some surprising allies, Robin triumphantly takes the castle. But there is a delivery at the town fates – Allan’s corpse followed by the old Sheriff, who they though was dead, and a huge army. Episode twelve of season three airs Saturday, November 28th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.  

Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) has a contemplative moment. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

As noted above, all photos copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

David Harewood Talks About Robin Hood

David Harewood as the re-imagined Friar Tuck in BBC's Robin Hood. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

Continuing the series of Q & A’s with the stars of Robin Hood, season three of which is currently airing on BBC America. This time around, David Harwood chats about life in Sherwood Forest as Friar Tuck.

What do you think of this modern version of your character, Friar Tuck?

DAVID HAREWOOD – Creating a modern, strong Tuck for a 21st-century audience is a terrific opportunity and a real challenge, because many of us already have a picture of a roly-poly monk who loves his food and drink. But the new Tuck’s heart and mind are elsewhere. He’s a warrior poet, a man of vision and imagination, who has a very hands-on approach when it comes to justice and freedom and, believe me, you want him on your side!

I actually laughed at first and thought it was ridiculous! But they sent me that character breakdown and it was very different from what I expected. It was a welcome change and something I really felt was going to be exciting. Funnily enough, when I first saw Robin Hood, when it started three years ago, I thought they’d missed a trick and that they should have had a black character in it. It turns out that I am the black character, so I think it adds a modern dimension to it as well. I think viewers will really take to it…at least I hope they will.

Tuck is very much is own person. Many times he will go against Robin (Jonas Armstrong), argue with him, talk him into doing things he doesn’t want to do. I think he’s going to be a challenge to the whole group.

What do you think Tuck wants from Robin Hood?

DH – He wants England to be a place of hope, but he comes back to find that the people are slightly broken, much like they are now with the credit crunch! The people need a hero, and that’s what Tuck very much wants – to stand behind a symbol of good. If he did have an ulterior motive, I think it would be to make the country a republic. He’s not necessarily in love with the country at all. He’s very much for the people, by the people and, if it was up to him, he’d get rid of the monarchy and make it a republic. He wants the people to govern and be happy.

What type of training did you do for this role?

DH – My stunt double was a kind of capoeira champion, and there’s quite a lot of martial arts that my character does later on in the series which was really, really fun to do and very physical. It was a very enjoyable good romp. The guys were great fun, it was an amazing setting and the cast and crew were great. The series is fantastic, action-packed and it has something in it for the ladies as well as the guys; it’s just a very entertaining show. There’s a lot of comedy, but the ending is extremely moving.

As noted above, photo is copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 10 – 17 – 09

Isabella (Lara Pulver) and Prince John (Toby Stephens). Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

SPOILER ALERT!! – Prince John (Toby Stephens) arrives in Nottingham. Publicly, he is here to meet his loyal subjects, but privately he wants to put an end to the Sheriff’s (Keith Allen) and Gisborne’s (Richard Armitage) way of running things. The Prince feels there’s only room for one sidekick, but who will it be? In the dead of night he asks Gisborne to kill the Sheriff, and, soon after, he summons the Sheriff and tells him to kill the treacherous Gisborne. The two men finally face each other in an epic duel. Tuck (David Harewood) informs Robin (Jonas Armstrong) that the Prince has been touring England, buying the loyalty of nobles to help him seize King Richard’s throne. Robin decides to steal the Prince’s gold to stop him and recruits the Locksley villagers to help the outlaws ambush the Prince’s retinue as they travel through the forest. However, they succeed only in capturing the Prince’s “double” and a treasure chest of stones. Episode seven of season three airs Saturday, October 17th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

As noted above, photo is copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 10 – 10 – 09

Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong) and Tuck (David Harewood) come to Isabella's (Lara Pulver) aid. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

SPOILER ALERT!! – A beautiful and aristocratic woman, Isabella (Lara Pulver), gallops into the forest, hotly pursued by sinister men on horseback. Just as they are about to pounce, Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong) rescues her, but not before she’s shown herself to be no push-over. There is clearly more to Isabella than meets the eye, but is Robin smitten? And is he right to take her at face value and give her the benefit of the gang’s protection? Elsewhere, Gisborne (Richard Armitage) returns triumphant from the court of Prince John (Toby Stephens). Armed with a formidable troop of elite soldiers and instructions from his new royal master to kill Robin Hood, Gisborne is contemptuous of the Sheriff (Keith Allen) – he does not need the patronage of the mere Sheriff of Nottingham, who is still in Prince John’s bad books for debts unpaid. Before long, skirmishes break out throughout the forest as Gisborne and his men battle with our hooded heroes. When Little John (Gordon Kennedy) is separated from the others, he finds himself going undercover with Bertha of Bath (Denise Black, Queer As Folk), the larger-than-life promoter of a troupe of gladiators on their way to perform in Nottingham, But has Little John bitten off more than he can chew when he poses as a gladiator? Episode five of season three airs Saturday, October 10th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) crosses swords with Isabella (Lara Pulver). Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

As noted above, photos copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 09 – 26 – 09

Much (Sam Troughton) and Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong) plan their next strategy. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

SPOILER ALERT!! – While Gisborne (Richard Armitage) is still in London, the Sheriff (Keith Allen) learns that the Abbot of Kirkless (David Hayman, Trial & Retribution) is guilty of an heretical act. Seeing an opportunity, the Sheriff blackmails the religious dignitary and forces him to help bring down Robin Hood. Robin and the outlaws arrive in Locksley to hear the Abbot demanding that the villagers turn Robin in for stealing from the Church. When Tuck is finally able to confront the Abbot about his deal with the Sheriff, he’s amazed to learn that the Abbot’s heresy is that he’s translating the Bible into English – an act which will change the known world. Episode three of season three airs Saturday, September 26th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Poor Robin finds himself in more hot water. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

 

Tuck (David Harewood) uncovers some interesting facts during his chat with the Abbot of Kirkless (David Hayman). Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

 

Kate (Joanne Froggatt) and Rebecca (Teresa Bonham) end up in the midst of some irate villagers. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect

As noted above, all photos copyright of Tiger Aspect, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 09 – 19 – 2009

(L-R): Kate (Joanne Froggatt), Robin (Jonas Armstrong) and Tuck (David Harewood). Photo by Tiger Aspect Productions

SPOILER ALERT!! –  The Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen) agrees to sell all local men to Finn (William Houston, Elizabeth: The Golden Age), the rightful King of Ireland, who needs them to help liberate Ireland. A village girl, Kate, fights to save her younger brother, Matthew, from consumption, but Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) and his henchmen catch him. She has endangered herself, but she escapes and Robin manages to save her. Kate (Joanne Froggatt) joins the outlaws as they try – and fail – to save the conscripts. Robin is caught, shackled and taken to the Castle, though his identity remains unknown. Kate sneaks inside the Castle and is recognized by Gisborne, who says that her brother will hang as punishment. To save him, Kate tells Gisborne that Robin is with the conscripts. In the ensuing battle, Gisborne kills Kate’s brother and goes for Robin. He is thwarted by the Sheriff, who wants Robin to suffer a slow death and locks him in the vault. While imprisoned, Finn suggests they join forces to destroy Prince John (Toby Stephens). Episode two of season three airs on Saturday, September 19th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

The not-so-nice Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage). Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

As noted above, photos copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Robin Hood – 09 – 12 – 2009

Robin and His Merry Band (L-R) - Much (Sam Troughton), Tuck (David Harewood), Kate (Joanne Froggatt), Robin (Jonas Armstrong), Little John (Gordon Kennedy) and Allan A Dale (Joe Armstrong), Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

SPOILER ALERT!! – The outlaws return from the Holy Land and are thrown into disarray when Robin (Jonas Armstrong) announces he doesn’t want to be Robin Hood, the hero, any more. He breaks up the gang and goes on a solo mission to kill Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) in order to avenge Marian’s death. The outlaws arrive to see Robin and Gisborne in the heat of battle, and watch as Gisborne throws Robin into the river, far below. Meanwhile, Sir Jasper (Lee Ross, The English Patient) arrives at the castle with a message from Prince John (Toby Stephens). He blames the Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen) for the bungled assassination and demands 1,000 crowns a month and the body of Robin Hood – just as Gisborne enters to announce he was finally killed Hood. But, unknown to Gisborne, a travelling monk, Tuck (David Harewood), has pulled Robin from the river. He knows Robin Hood is the only hope the people of England have left, but all Robin cares about is revenge – even if it means getting killed in the process. But Tuck has a plan to get Robin reunited with his gang and resurrected as England’s protector. Episode one of season three airs Saturday, September 12th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Robin is on the hunt for Sir Guy of Gisborne. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) in action! Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

Sir Guy and Robin Hood battle as the crowd looks on. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

Little John (Gordon Kennedy) and Allan A Dale (Joe Armstrong) search for Robin. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

Tuck (David Harewood) attempts to nurse Robin back to health. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

Allan A Dale, Much and Little John find themselves in a tight spot. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions

As noted above, all photos copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Robin Hood Returns To BBC America

Jonas Armstrong takes aim at the bad guys as Robin Hood. Photo copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions and the BBC

BBC America’s hit revival of Robin Hood returns for a bigger, bolder third season of action adventure. Toby Stephens (Die Another Day, Jane Eyre) and David Harewood (The Vice, The Palace) join the cast of Jonas Armstrong (Teachers, The Ghost Squad), Richard Armitage (MI-5, North & South) and Keith Allen (Bodies, The Others) as Robin continues to outwit the dastardly Sheriff and his forces – but Robin is not the same crusader as he once was. Since the death of Marian, Robin is in a downward spiral fueled by anger and grief – he can think of nothing but revenge. Meanwhile, a wave of corruption and evil has been sweeping the land. Luckily, a mysterious new ally in the form of a traveling monk, Tuck (Harewood) arrives just in time to get the hooded hero back on track. This season holds incredible twists and turns – take nothing for granted!

Season three kicks off when Robin and his gang of outlaws return from the Holy land. But now that he’s back, Robin wastes no time – Marian’s murderer, Guy of Gisborne (Armitage), is a marked man. Robin immediately breaks with his followers and races to Locksley Manor to avenge her death. Once there, he confronts Gisborne, but does Gisborne care if he lives or dies? After all, Marian was the only woman he loved and his only hope.

Jonas Armstrong comments on the darker, tougher Robin Hood, hell bent on avenging his wife’s tragic end, “Robin is back from the Holy Land but without Marian, the beat of his life. He’s questioning everything he ever lived for. Now it’s payback time, and he’s become obsessed with killing Gisborne. It’s great to bring Robin back as a darker, more mature hero, and fans will see that once he’s come to terms with his personal loss, he’s a stronger, more powerful force than ever before.”

Meanwhile, the wickedness of the Sheriff (Allen) continues unabated – he’s sold the local men to fight a foreign war. When a feisty Locksley girl, Kate (Joanne Froggatt, Life on Mars) objects to her brother’s forced conscription, she inadvertently gets caught up in the cause of Robin Hood and becomes an indispensable member of his gang.

The third season also brings an unexpected addition when Gisborne’s little sister Isabella (Lara Pulver) unexpectedly arrives to further complicate the lives of both Robin and Gisborne. And, as the threat of Prince John (Stephens) looms larger, Robin and Gisborne reach an uneasy truce. They soon realize they may have more in common than they thought.

Season three of Robin Hood premieres Saturday, September 12th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. SciFiAndTvTalk will have more coverage of the series closer to that time, along with weekly episode previews, so keep checking back!

As noted above, photo is copyright of Tiger Aspect Productions and the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any form. Thanks!