New guest star and a return to a classic setting? (spoilers!)

[Starkers]

The BBC have posted this press release this morning.

I've always liked Norris so it'll be great to see her in Who, and returning to Lanzarote? Interesting...

Hermione Norris to guest star in Doctor Who opposite Peter Capaldi when Doctor Who returns this Autumn.

Speaking about her casting, Hermione Norris said, ‘It’s exciting to be part of such an iconic show, and one that my kids can watch!!!’

Norris has recently been starring in The Crimson Field on BBC One, and is no stranger to solving mysteries having played Ros Myers in the BAFTA award-winning drama Spooks. Prior to that she starred in comedy-drama Cold Feet.

Steven Moffat, lead writer and Executive Producer, said, ‘It's a testament to the quality of Peter Harness's intense and emotional script, that we've been able to attract an actress of the brilliance of Hermione Norris. And for the first time since 1984, the Doctor Who production team is heading to Lanzarote. The Doctor is returning to the scene of an old adventure - but there have been sinister changes since his last visit.’

The episode is written by Peter Harness (Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Wallander), produced by Peter Bennett and directed by Paul Wilmshurst (Strike Back, Combat Kids). The episode also stars Ellis George, Tony Osoba and Phil Nice.

Other guest stars confirmed to join Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman in the new series, which will TX on BBC One later this year, include Ben Miller, Tom Riley and Keeley Hawes.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Tony Osoba is a returning guest star, having appeared in both Destiny Of The Daleks and Dragonfire, too.

 

[Starkers]

I thought I recognised the name!

 

[Samurai8472]

Lanzorate? Where the doctor met peri? Clara in a bikini then

 

[The Wormhole]

Clara in a bikini then

One can damn well hope so anyway.

 

[Christopher]

Lanzarote was used in "Planet of Fire" to represent not only itself, but also the titular planet Sarn where most of the serial took place. So presumably that's where the Doctor is returning.

 

[Mr Awe]

^ Yeah, I think we got that already. And, that info pales in importance to the bikini scene anway!

But, I'm surprised that they returning to such an obscure story.

Mr Awe

 

[Lonemagpie]

^ Yeah, I think we got that already. And, that info pales in importance to the bikini scene anway!

But, I'm surprised that they returning to such an obscure story.

Mr Awe

A couple of shots for Caves of Androzani were also filmed there...

 

[Christopher]

A couple of shots for Caves of Androzani were also filmed there...

Oh yes, I wondered if that might be the case. I'd much rather revisit Androzani than Sarn. And the system was mentioned in "The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe."

 

[Mr Awe]

^ I didn't know that! Interesting! That story setting seems ripe for a sequel. I hope it's that.

 

[The Wormhole]

Androzani sounds more likely to have a follow-up than Planet of Fire, though an Androzani sequel still seems out of left field.

Still going to hope for a Clara bikini scene though.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

Clara in a bikini then

One can damn well hope so anyway.

While Jenna Coleman has done onscreen nudity before, so a bikini wouldn't be much of a stretch, I think modern Who will keep her in those casual-chic outfits she wears so well.

 

[Starkers]

^ Yeah, I think we got that already. And, that info pales in importance to the bikini scene anway!

But, I'm surprised that they returning to such an obscure story.

Mr Awe

A couple of shots for Caves of Androzani were also filmed there...

Ooh I didn't know that!

 

[diankra]

I douibt that it's really a follow-up to Planet of Fire in any sense other than that the Doctor's been to Lanzarote before (parse the press release and all it says is 'The Doctor is returning to the scene of an old adventure - but there have been sinister changes since his last visit"). I wouldn't expect much of a direct link, just....
"Oh, Lanzarote. That's nice."
"Been here before?"
"Yes, long time ago. Didn't see much of it, had to leave suddenly. But seemed a lot nicer than the next couple of places, I could tell you..."
"Please don't .Only 24 hours in the day..."

 

[Captaindemotion]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've read that in this season there won't be too many references to old adventures and that they want this Doctor to stand on his own merits etc. So I tend to agree with diankra's prediction.

 

[Mr Awe]

I don't see it being reported elsewhere that Lanazarote was used for Caves of Androzani, and the Doctor Who locations website doesn't mention it either.

I'm starting to think it'll be a return to Pompeii. Possibly also used for the moon story.

Mr Awe

 

[Lonemagpie]

I don't see it being reported elsewhere that Lanazarote was used for Caves of Androzani, and the Doctor Who locations website doesn't mention it either.

A couple of unused shots from Planet Of Fire were used as background plates for long shots in Androzani.

 

[Christopher]

A couple of unused shots from Planet Of Fire were used as background plates for long shots in Androzani.

Oh, well, that doesn't really count, then, does it? They didn't shoot there for "Androzani," they shot for "Planet of Fire" and then repurposed their leftovers.

 

[Stevil2001]

I'm starting to think it'll be a return to Pompeii. Possibly also used for the moon story.

Wait, where did you get that from? And what does "Day of the Moon" have to do with anything?

 

[Mr Awe]

I didn't get it from any where, just guessing. And the title is "Kill the Moon" or something like that. The landscape there looks sort of lunar. For the modern Who productions, they seem to use shooting during one trip abroad for 2 different stories and use the locale in very different ways. Like Spain with the Dalek story and the Western. Same with Croatia.

Mr Awe