Alexander rose to fame as the frontman of Years & Years. The trio scored huge hits in the United Kingdom with their first two albums 2015’s Communion and 2018’s Palo Santo.

When bandmates Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen departed the band in 2021 the project continued on as a solo venture for Alexander with the 2022 album Night Call.

Last year when Alexander represented the UK at Eurovision he began using his own name, and his latest album Polari followed.

The album came out in February but none of its six singles have been chart smashes. Leading to the news that the record company had opted not to renew their contract with Alexander.

Olly Alexnader’s most recent single When We Kiss have been remix by drag DJ Jodie Harsh who adds a disco shimmer to the tune.

The singer took to social media to address the recent decision, saying he’d actually been on a pretty terrible deal with the company.

“They aren’t dropping me, they just aren’t renewing my contract. It’s okay and honestly for the best. I’ve been on a pretty terrible deal for ten years — it’s time I do something new. But I’ll still make music in the future.” he said.

The singer is currently on a tour across Europe, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The tour will wrap with a show in London on Monday.

Alongside his music career Alexander has also had some acclaimed acting performances, including in the Russell T Davies AIDS Drama It’s a Sin.

When Davies returned to making Doctor Who Alexander was one of the names bandied about as a contender for the lead role. While Ncuti Gatwa was Davies pick to play the time travelling icon, there are rumours the part may soon be available again.

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The Sex Education actor made his debut as The Doctor in last year’s 60th anniversary specials and had his full episode at Christmas which introduced new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.

The new trailer gives more of an insight into the upcoming series and fans of the show will be analysing every little flash of detail included., just like they did for the last trailer.

The arrival of the trailer also came alongside the announcement that Golda Rosheuvel will be appearing in the series first episode playing a character named Jocelyn. Rosheuvel is best known for playing The Queen on the popular series Bridgerton. 

The title of the eight episodes that make up the series have also been revealed. They are called Space Babies, The Devil’s Chord, Boom, 73 Yards, Dot and Bubble, Rogue, The Legend of Ruby Sunday and Empire of Death.

The majority of the episodes are written by show runner Russell T Davies, but Boom is penned by Stephen Moffat, while Rogue is authored by Kate Herron and Briony Redman.

Fans have so many questions from the trailer, what is that big button? Why is there a city in a bubble? Will there be musical numbers?  How come this version of the Doctor changes his clothes? Are there talking space babies? What makes the Doctor cry? Why is there so much snow? Is it snow?       

The new series will release two episodes on May 10th and then new episodes each week released Saturday at Midnight GMT. That means viewers in Perth will be able to see them from 7am each Saturday morning, and east coast viewers will be able to access them from 9am.

OIP Staff

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Perth’s own Doctor Who spin-off author Chris Thomas will be at the first annual Perth Horror Film Festival from August 19 to 21 to sign copies of his latest novel.

Using characters from Doctor Who’s classic era, Lethbridge-Stewart: Blue Blood is an action-packed thriller best described as “sci-fi horror”.

Bodies of missing people around the world start turning up, as if ripped apart by wild animals, seemingly linked to an experiment gone wrong 30 years ago in World War II.

“Given the horror elements in my novel, the Perth Horror Film Festival seemed an ideal place to do a book signing,” Thomas said.

“Many Doctor Who stories themselves have drawn on horror classics such as Frankenstein, Dracula and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde or styles of horror, including Nordic noir.”

“They all have a broody atmosphere that draws you in but add a science-fiction twist along the way.”

On August 20, the Perth Horror Film Festival is having its own night of sci-fi horror with several local short films evoking the theme and the main feature, The Day the Earth Caught Fire.

Thomas’ Lethbridge-Stewart: Blue Blood is a sequel to his earlier short story Vampires of the Night, included as a bonus feature with his novel.

“You don’t need to read the short story to follow what’s going on in the novel but it’s the impetus for everything that occurs,” he said.

“With all the action, horror and science-fiction going on, you’d think there wouldn’t be room for much else – but I’ve also allowed for comedy in certain scenes to maintain a balance.”

The Perth Horror Film Festival is being held at The Backlot, 21 Simpson Street, West Perth. More details at perthhorrorfans.wixsite.com/perthhorrorfans

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Yasmin Finney has been announced as the new companion on the iconic television series Doctor Who. 

The actor is best known for her performance on the Netflix hit Heartstopper where she played Elle Argent, a transgender student trying to fit in at a new all girls school.

The official website for Doctor Who announced she’d joined the cast of Doctor Who playing the character of Rose and is filming scenes that are due to air in 2023 to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary.

There had been speculation that Finney might be in the cast after eagled eyed fans spotted her in a photo on actor Ncuti Gatwa’s Instagram feed. Gatwa will take over the role of the show’s time traveling central character later this year.

Finney shared her excitement about her new part saying she was excited to take on the part of companion Rose.

“If anyone would have told 8 year old Yasmin that one day she’d be part of this iconic show, I would have never in a million years believed them. This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself Russell, has not only made my year, it’s made my life. I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get Ready.”

The revelation that Finney’s character is named Rose had increased speculation that they show that has been running since the 1960’s is about to undergo a major reset. Executive Producer Russell T Davies is returning to helm the show that he relaunched over a decade ago.

When Davies brough the show back to television screens after a long hiatus he cast Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor and Billie Piper as new companion rose. After years of adventures the character was eventually trapped in an alternative universe. Davies says fans will just have to wait and see how Finney’s alternative version of Rose exists.

“Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose?  You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set. We all fell in love with her in Heartstopper, one of those shows which changes the world – and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!” Davies said.

It’s not known if the character will be transgender, but Finney makes history as the first transgender actor to play a companion on the TV series.

The other big casting announcement from the series if that both David Tennant and Catherine Tate will be making a guest appearance on the show.

Tennant will return to playing the Doctor with his former sidekick Donna Noble, played by Tate.

The Doctor and Donna parted ways when the Doctor had to wipe Donna’s memory, making her forget him, in order to save her life. He left her family with a warning: if ever she remembers, she will die. But with the two coming face to face once more, the big question is, just what brings the Doctor and Donna back together?

Again Russell T Davies wasn’t giving much away about the circumstances that bring the actors back to the story.

“They’re back! And it looks impossible – first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening?  Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”

The next series of Doctor Who will reach our screens in late 2023, but before then there will be one final episode featuring current star Jodie Whittaker.

OIP Staff

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The BBC have confirmed that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will take on the role of the Doctor in it’s iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who. 

Gatwa will replace Jodie Whittaker who has played the role for the last four years. While Whittaker was the first woman to play the role, Gatwa will be the first person of colour to play the adventurous Time Lord.

The actor best known for his award winning performance as queer student Eric Effiong in three series of the Netflix series Sex Education. In that show he plays a teenager trying to balance study, living out and proud, being a good friends and his cultural background.

Speaking of his new role, Ncuti said he was honoured to be stepping onboard the Tardis.

“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my upmost to do the same.

“Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.”

Jodie Whittaker’s final outing in the role will air later this year, and coincide with the centenary celebrations of the BBC. For the next phase of the series producer and writer Russel T Davies is returning to helm the show.

Davies previously relaunched the series in 2005. He brought the series back to life after it has spent 16 years off air, and stayed with the show for it’s first five years of renewed production.

His credits include a string of successes including Queer as Folk, Cucumber and Banana, A Very English Scandal, Years and Years and the highly acclaimed It’s a Sin.

Davies shared his excitement about the decision to cast Ncuti Gatwa in the role.  

“The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”

There’s always hug speculation on who will be the next actor to take on the role of the time traveler who can renew his body through a process of regeneration. Hugh Grant, Kris Marshall, pretty much the entire cast of It’s a Sin, Michael Sheen, Michaela Coel, Ben Wishaw and many others had been tipped for the part.

The long-running series made it’s debut in 1963 and ran through to the late 1980’s before being axed. During it’s first run William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy all played the title role.

In the 1990’s attempts were made to revive the series via a US made TV movie, where Paul McGann took over the part. When Davies brought the show back in 2005 Christopher Eccleston played the role, followed by David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and then Jodie Whittaker.

Gatwa’s fans were alerted to his casting in the role when he posted emojis of two hearts, a plus sign and a blue box to his Instagram account. The character of the doctor, who is an alien, has two hearts, and his time machine is stuck in the shape of a blue British Police Box from the 1960’s.

OIP Staff

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The latest instalment of long running sci-fi show Doctor Who has been praised for including a same-gender attraction storyline between two of its major characters.

The special New Year episode of the show saw The Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, trapped in a time loop with a Dalek in a storage facility just a few minutes before midnight.

The ‘Groundhog Day’ story saw The Doctor and her companions being repetitively killed by a Dalek before being brought back to life at the stroke of midnight when the time loop they are trapped in reset.

During one of the rounds of the life and repetitive death match, companion Dan (John Bishop) urges fellow companion Yaz, played by Mandip Gill, to admit that she has feelings for the Time Lord that they travel alongside through time and space.

The inclusion of a same-sex attraction storyline has been praised by the UK”s leading LGBTIQA+ charity and advocacy group Stonewall.

“It’s fantastic to see a prominent storyline on attraction between two women in the latest episode of Doctor Who,’ Robbie De Santos, Director of Communications and External Affairs at Stonewall told Metro.co.uk.

“There have long been LGBTQ+ themes in the show, and the storyline between Yasmin Khan and the Doctor is one of the most significant examples so far.

“‘We can’t be what we can’t see and seeing same-sex attraction represented in one of our most popular TV shows will delight viewers and mean so much to LGBTQ+ people across the country.” De Santos said.

The sci-fi show made it’s debut in 1963 and next year will celebrate it 60th anniversary. Over the year’s many different actors have played the lead role, the characters changing appearance explained as their ability to regenerate into a new form at the end of each life.

Jodie Whittaker is the first woman to be The Doctor. She’s announced her retirement from the part, and has just two more specials to run later in the year.

Fans are speculating if The Doctor will remain a woman in her next regeneration or revery to be a male character. Who will next take on the role is a closely guarded secret but most of the cast of It’s a Sin have been rumoured contenders including Omari Douglas, Lydia West and Olly Alexander.

Eve of the Daleks can be streamed on the ABC’s iView system. 

OIP Staff

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Writer Russell T Davies has been announced as the new head writer and show runner for the long standing sci-fi series Doctor Who. 

Davies, who created the TV series Queer as Folk, was behind the relaunch of Doctor Who in 2005. He brought the series back to life after it has spent 16 years off air, and stayed with the show for it’s first five years of renewed production.

Now after 12 years he’s heading back to pick up the reins and guide the story through it’s next journey, which will include the show’s 60th anniversary in 2023.

In a statement, Davies said he was “beyond excited to be back on my favourite show”, but added that he was “still a viewer for now … there’s a whole series of Jodie Whittaker’s brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm”.

Current show runner Chris Chibnall has guided the show for the last few years, a period which has seen the program’s lead character portrayed by a woman for the first time. Jodie Whittaker’s portrayal of the time travelling alien has been highly praised, but some of the radical story lines developed by Chibnall and his team have left some fans disappointed.

Whittaker has already announced she’ll be leaving the series after three years in the role, so one of Davies first tasks will be to cast an actor into the iconic part. During his previous tenure on the show Christopher Eccleston and David Tennent played The Doctor.

He also expanded the Doctor Who universe launching spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. 

Since leaving the show Davies has had ongoing success in television making the twin series Cucumber and Banana, A Very English Scandal, Years and Years and the highly acclaimed It’s a Sin.

Davies has previously comments that Olly Alexander, who started in It’s a Sin would make an excellent Doctor. After it was announced that Davies would be returning to the show bookies slashed the odds of Alexander getting the part from 7/2 to 2/1.  

Alan Davies who collaborated with Davies on the TV series Bob and Rose has also often been mooted as being suitable for the part. Michael Sheen, David Harewood, Kris Marshall, and Kelly MacDonald are just a few of the names fans have speculated could take over the role in 2022.

OIP Staff

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Rumours are swirling that Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker is ready to pass on the sonic screwdriver and bring a close to her tenure as the police box dwelling Time Lord. Which always leads to the inevitable speculation of who will take over the iconic role.

John Barrowman, who plays omni-sexual Captain Jack Harkness on the show things It’s a Sin star Olly Alexander would be perfect for the role.

“Olly would be amazing, he’s quirky, he’s fun, he’s a lovely actor and I think he would make a wonderful Doctor.” Barrowman said in a recent interview with British TV host Lorraine Kelly.

Barrowman’s not the only one showing support for Alexander taking on the role. TV writer Russell T Davies who wrote It’s a Sin has also given his seal of approval.

“Olly would make a marvellous ‘Doctor Who’.” Davies told SFX Magazine. The writer was behind the relaunch of the series back in 2005, and wrote it’s storylines for the next few years, so he knows what it takes to fill the iconic role.

The sci-fi show first premiered in 1963 and was a staple of British television until the late 1980s. In 1996 a one-off TV movie was made, a co-production with an American television company, but the show didn’t make a full comeback until nine years later.

The central character – The Doctor – is an alien time traveler who is thousands of years old, they also has the ability to regenerate, taking on an entirely new form when their body is damaged. So far thirteen different actors have starred in the show. In 2018 Jodie Whittaker succeed Peter Capaldi in the role, the first time the Doctor has been portrayed by a woman.

James Norton, Kris Marshall, Michael Sheen, Ben Wishaw, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Tom Ellis, and Gillian Anderson have also been touted as possible contenders for the part.

OIP Staff

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Actor Honor Blackman, who played Bond villain Pussy Galore, and starred as Cathy Gale in 60’s TV series The Avengers has died aged 96.

Her family released a statement announcing her passing which was due to natural causes and not related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Honor Blackman, aged 94. She died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Lewes, Sussex, surrounded by her family. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her two children Barnaby and Lottie, and grandchildren Daisy, Oscar, Olive and Toby.

“As well as being a much-adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent; with an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess, along with her unique voice and a dedicated work ethic, she achieved an unparalleled iconic status in the world of film and entertainment and with absolute commitment to her craft and total professionalism in all her endeavours she contributed to some of the great films and theatre productions of our times.”

Blackman appeared in films throughout the 1940’s and 50’s appearing in A Night to Remember, A Boy, a Girl and a Bike, and The Square Peg. 

Later she made appearances in many British series including Doctor Who, Casualty, New Tricks and Minder. In the 1990’s she appeared in the sitcom The Upper Hand, which was a British adaptation of the US show Who’s The Boss. 

A vocal supporter of British political party the Liberal Democrats, Blackman was also a republican and turned down the offer of a CBE.

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San Diego Comic-Con gave sci-fi fans a lot to be excited about over the weekend, including their first good look at the upcoming 11th season of Doctor Who.

The new trailer dropped early at the major fan event, showing Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor along with her three new companions.

Doctor Who fans at the San Diego convention were also treated to an hour long panel of the new cast and crew spilling all the goss on the upcoming season.

Check out the full panel below for your Doctor Who fix ahead of the new episodes later this year.

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