Series 6 to start in Utah

(BBC News)

The sixth series of Doctor Who will open with a two-parter set in the US, the BBC has announced.

Scenes will be filmed in the Utah desert for a story set in the late '60s in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons to the Oval Office.

The episodes have been written by new series boss Steven Moffat and co-produced with BBC America.

Production starts in Cardiff this month with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

Alex Kingston will reprises her role as River Song.

Moffat said: "The Doctor has visited every weird and wonderful planet you can imagine, so he was bound get round to America eventually.

"And of course every Doctor Who fan will be jumping up and down and saying he's been in America before. But not for real, not on location - and not with a story like this one."

It has been announced previously that series six has been split into two blocks, with the first airing on BBC One in spring 2011 and the second block showing in autumn 2011.

More SJA: Promo Pics from 'The Nightmare Man'

Digital Spy have kindly put up some lovely promotional pictures from the series opener, The Nightmare Man. Check them out here.

This one is the most intriguing...

Question: WHO's coming back?

Answer: Hmm... not sure exactly.

Neil Gaiman, however, does. In a recent interview in New York, Gaiman, who has written an episode for the next series, gave some little details away about a certain character who could be returning.

"[Suranne Jones] may be an old friend of the Doctor's with a new face". He hinted.

The Rani? Romana? Astrid? The possibilities are endless...!

Regarding the episode, he added, "At one point, I steal a plot from an old episode called The War Games."

Interesting.

Another SJA Trailer (Updated)

They just keep on giving, don't they? :D



Update - and another one!

Review: The Runaway Train

It's weird hearing Matt Smith's voice at first, but pretty soon, his vocal beauty sinks in and it becomes effortlessly entwined with the story. Fortunately for us, Matt's Texan twang is not as cheesy as one would expect. Amy's accent however... not so good. Thankfully, we don't hear her inconsistent babble as much (which is probably the best for the ears.) As Vin would say, "Docterr, that's completely insane."

All credit to composer Simon Hunt, whose wonderful work makes a delightfully creepy atmosphere to back the story. The quick, ominous thuds of thunderous thunder in tense, Western-esque scenes are very heart-jolting.

Oli Smith's masterful writing brings intrigue, as well as simplicity. The story is not overwritten and heavy, instead, it's light and easily understandable. He characterises the Doctor and Amy very well, and you can't help but just laugh at the awkward, zany comments the Doctor makes at the wrong times. Amy's feisty nature is certainly evident in this story, especially her encounter with a group of aggressive men (Eep.)

The only weakness lies during the fast-paced, action scenes (which are prevalent), where the listener would get a tad confused as to who is speaking. Again, Amy's voice comes into this example. Is she Scottish, Texas, American or Liverpudlian?

All in all, the audiobook is very pleasing and a promising start of what is to come.

PLANET GALLIFREY rates

THE RUNAWAY TRAIN

8/10

Out October 7th · Pre-order here.