The BBC announced today that season six of DOCTOR WHO, which delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA earlier this year, will open with a spectacular two-parter set in the U.S. and penned by ‘Who supremo’ Steven Moffat.
In the special two-parter co-produced with BBC AMERICA, key scenes will be filmed in Utah for a story set in the late ’60s in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah— right to the Oval Office itself.
Production on episodes one and two of the new season starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston who reprises her role as River Song. Writer/Producer Steven Moffat
Showrunner and lead writer, Steven 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! Oh, you wait!”
Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Wales and Executive Producer, added: “Steven’s scripts generally inspire us to go that extra mile – this time we’re going that extra four thousand. Thanks to our friends at BBC AMERICA and to the continuing ambition of our lead writer and production team, the first two episodes of Matt Smith’s second season as the Doctor are going global and look set to become Doctor Who’s most action-packed and ambitious season opener yet”.
The new season follows on from the DOCTOR WHO Christmas special guest starring Katherine Jenkins and Michael Gambon which is due to premiere at Christmas. Season six will start airing on BBC AMERICA in spring 2011 and has been split into two blocks, with the second block airing in autumn 2011. By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting DOCTOR WHO cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.
As noted above, earlier DOCTOR WHO episodes from the original and revived series (The Gunfighters, Dalek, Daleks in Manhattan) took place in the United States, and might have even shot second unit footage here. However, it’s the first time the principle actors have been in front of the cameras in America. Dalek was also set in Utah, albeit in an underground complex.
The 1996 FOX Network DOCTOR WHO movie with eighth Doctor Paul McGann was set in San Fransisco, but filmed in Canada (Vancouver, BC).
Amy, The Doctor, and Rory will all be back
From DoctorWhoTv we get this list of DOCTOR WHO Teaser phrases and clues for Season 6 of the revived BBC series.
The Doctor will be on trial – twice!
Who controls the light sculptors?
You won’t believe what’s buried under Wembley Stadium.
Scared of the Eye in Space? You should be.
Take up thy sins and walk – slowly.
There won’t be a pub quiz on Tuesday because there won’t be a pub.
Beau Geste is cool.
Bow Street runners are cool.
Bromley-by-Bow is cool.
August 1982 – Happy Birthday, Ma’am.
Some lies are too much for the psychic paper.
“I won’t take calls from THAT Prime Minister.”
“Marc, where are you?”
The only water in the forest is the river.
What awaits the TARDIS at the zero point?
“72 years on and Rory’s still terrified of Granny Grainger?”
“I was lost in France.”
“How could a fellow Gallifreyan stoop so low?”
Horror of Bangkok.
“Give it up, sweet Korn.”
Argonite? Here?
An ordinary block of flats.
“If I saw them walking down the high street what would I think?” I don’t think you’d think anything at all, Amy.”
Find the lady – before she finds you!
“Margaret! Come back!”
The Doctor defeats the Sahara Desert.
Susannah’s still alive.
Mill Green on fire.
As will River Song
The Doctor will get married – Twice!
What are the dangers of Port Olveron?
502, but never 503.
Beware of the kites.
“A pillar of salt, yes – but not because she looked back. Looking back is good!”
They’ll have to get a new name for Thanksgiving.
Pay attention – It’s not really her.
Treading through the sand – on the one night they come back.
The Shuddering Brethren, they’ll stick in your mind.
“I’m my own Doctor.”
Octavian wasn’t lying.
Mysterious semblance at the the strand of nightmares.
The bones of the TARDIS.
They’re from the Doctor Who: Brilliant Book 2011, now available in the UK from Amazon UK
BBC AMERICA issued this statement today.
