Doctor Who: The PodKast with a K

Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, David Tennant, Matt Smith... hell, any of them could be considered the definitive Doctor Who. In a world where particular actors are inextricably linked to characters by audiences - Sean Connery as Bond, Christopher Lee as Dracula, Christopher Reeve as Superman - we explore why this happens, and how it affects Doctor Who.Inspired by the return of Hugh Jackman to the role of Wolverine in 2024's Deadpool 3, we also consider how he may cast a shadow over whoever is cast as his eventual replacement. Is something similar happening with David Tennant's return to Doctor Who? Will the short-term revival of his memorable (definitive?) 2005-2010 run cast a shadow over incoming successor Nchuti Gatwa?We finish by establishing some rules on what makes a particular performance of such characters definitive, and how this might be applied to Doctor Who. But do we name the definitive Doctor Who? Well, click play to find out...Shownotes These links should help you get up to speed. Hugh Jackman returns

Some Doctor Who casting is inexplicable. You might call it bizarre, bonkers, barmy, or stunt casting. In this podcast, Christian Cawley and James McLean consider the history of Doctor Who's guest casting ups and downs, highs and lows, covering names such as (but not limited to) Barbara Windsor, John Cleese, Simon Pegg, Ken Dodd, Richard Briers, Stubby Kaye, and that woman in Silver Nemesis who no one under 50 in 1988 actually knew.Get in touchIf you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

House of the Dragon is the new Game of Thrones prequel that has just hit HBO and Sky Atlantic and among the cast is former Doctor Who star Matt Smith. In this podcast, we look at how Matt has faired since leaving Doctor Who in 2013, and his career ups and downs. Interestingly, the ups appear to be largely on TV while the downs invariably occur on the big screen.Also, as we move closer to the BBC's centenary and the regeneration of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor, we once again examing just how David Tennant fits back into the show.Your hosts are Christian Cawley (who has watched House of the Dragon) and James McLean (who has not, which is why this podcast is Dragon-spoilers free).

Recent Doctor Who news concerning the 60th anniversary and Russell T Davies' new series s the topic of this week's show, which takes a short pitstop in the world of Game of Thrones.Shownotes Composer Segun Akinola to Leave Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston Has Recorded "Something Special" for 60th Anniversary Doctor Who to Stream on Disney+? Chris Chibnall Won't Return to Doctor Who Evolution of Chris Chibnall's Doctor Who podcasts 42 The Hungry Earth Cold Blood Get in TouchIf you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

Following the passing of David Warner and Bernard Cribbins, we consider their roles in Doctor Who and beyond.

In one of those episodes where we talk over Doctor Who, James McLean and Christian Cawley revisit 1975's The Android Invasion.Starring Tom Baker and Lis Sladen as the Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith, the serial is a rare 1970s adventure from the hand of Terry Nation - rare, as it doesn't rely on Daleks, Thals, or radiation.Discussing everything from sex dolls to ginger beer (and the figurative recasting of certain characters), this is a podcast that encourages you to watch along with us. So, if you have a copy of The Android Invasion handy, cue it up, hit play above, and listen to our instructions.As ever, we'd love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below or get in touch via email.If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

The crazy Doctor Who casting keeps coming, so this week's podcast has a chat about Neil Patrick Harris before turning attention to Blu-ray boxset promos.Do Mel's Dragon's Den antics count as "real" Doctor Who? Is the Fourth Doctor's chat with a disembodied head between seasons part of your canon? Or, is it fine to dismiss these as little more than promotional fluff?Christian Cawley and James McLean also chat about the current trend for old stars of movies and TV to return to roles long since left behind. Not just David Tennant in Doctor Who, but Ewan MacGregor in Star Wars, Michael Keaton as Batman, and even Kit Harrington reprising Jon Snow.Shownotes Neil Patrick Harris Films Doctor Who More Neil Patrick Harris The TARDIS in Bristol David Tennant and Neil Patrick Harris in Bristol The TARDIS on Teesside trailer The Haunted Generation #7The Haunted Generation is No.1 on Mixcloud Season 22 boxset PDF listing If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new revi

It's the question on everybody's lips: what does David Tennant's return as Doctor Who actually mean to the show's ongoing story?And what's the deal with that new sonic screwdriver?To get to the bones of it all, we've teamed up with Brian Terranova once again to talk Tenth/Fourteenth (?) Doctors, Catherine Tate, sonic screwdrivers, and new shoes.ShownotesThis week we discuss: Ncuti Gatwa cast as the Doctor David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to Doctor Who Tennant's new sonic Verity Lambert blue plaque re-unveiled Are Doctor Who's missing episodes being held to ransom in the Middle East? Brian Terranova's sonic screwdriver history eBooks If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, 

Prometheus, House of the Dragon, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and many more all have one thing in common: they're all prequels. While it remains to be seen how House of the Dragon will turn out, looking around there aren't many people crying out for a Game of Thrones prequel.But even if they were, would it be any good? Are prequels really necessary, or are they a waste of time? Does the success rate of prequel shows, movies, and even books suggest they're best avoided?After all, the most interesting times for the characters you love are in the shows you remember. That's what makes the story - doesn't it?Christian Cawley and James McLean discuss.Shownotes Matt Smith in Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon Matt Smith cut from The Rise of Skywalker First of the Summer Wine Star Wars: Jedi Fallen order If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twit

As we saw in Survivors of the Flux, the idea of a multiverse has been reawakened in Doctor Who, 52 years after Inferno first introduced the concept to the show.In the post-Spider-Man: No Way Home/Loki/Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cultural landscape, the concept of multiverses has become mainstream. No longer the conceit of forgotten comic strips or ancient TV episodes, the multiverse could in fact be opening up right in front of us in Doctor Who.Recorded before the casting of Ncuti Gatwa and the return of David Tennant to Doctor Who, this week’s Kasterborous podcast explores the possibilities offered by a Doctor Who multiverse.Christian Cawley and James McLean are your hosts.ShownotesThis week we discuss: RTD Era Sonic Screwdrivers guide Classic Series Sonic Screwdrivers guide Build Your Own TARDIS Console – the Pertwee Years Doctor Who Anime If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a

Well, the title says it all! Just a week after the new Doctor was announced, David Tennant and Catherine Tate are confirmed as returning to Doctor Who in 2023.Last week, who could have imagined a David Tennant and Catherine Tate Doctor Who return at all, never mind so swiftly? Christian Cawley and James McLean come to terms with the news and its possible inferences...

Yesterday you probably hadn't heard of Ncuti Gatwa. Today, he's the new Doctor Who.The actor is probably best known for his role in the Netflix show Sex Education, but all that is about to change with his casting as the Fourteenth Doctor.In this podcast, Christian Cawley and James McLean recap the casting, and feature some reaction from Doctor Who fans on Facebook.

With one more episode of Jodie Whitakker's Doctor Who run to go, we review Legend of the Sea Devils, an episode that promises but doesn't quite deliver.Christian Cawley and James McLean explore the episode's high and low points, and discuss the impact of the "Next Time" trailer.They also consider where Doctor Who might go post Chibnall. Will RTD go "full MCU" on the show, and detach it from everything that has happened so far - starting from scratch in a new universe, perhaps - or will it be a more tradition, soft reboot.Click play for in-depth discussion and terrible use of sound effects.

Doctor Who is back this Easter weekend with Legend of the Sea Devils, the penultimte adventure of the 13th Doctor. We check out the trailer, make some observations about what is known (or rumoured) and look forward to the episode.Meanwhile, the reaction to our last podcast (How Much Does it Cost to Meet Doctor Who Actors?) has been excellent. Christian Cawley and James McLean explore some of the comments and discuss the topic further.Shownotes Legend of the Sea Devils trailer Doctor Who anime Comments on our last podcast at Doctor Who Companion Peter Davison protesting David Tennant's popularity Peter Davison recording for Big Finish in cricket whites How to Organize a Doctor Who Convention (with Gareth Kavanagh) If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

Stunned by the price fans pay for a photo, autograph, and meet Doctor Who actors, this podcast looks at encounters the podcast team has had with people from the show. We cover everything here, from youthful encounters with larger-than-life actors to interviewing renowned television directors.We also have some "fantasy guest" chat, in which we try to choose which people we'd like to meet or interview the most.This is quite an introspective chat in places, too, as Christian Cawley and James McLean recall the people they've interviewed over the years (not just for Kasterborous, but beyond) and how some chats and encounters might have gone better.ShownotesHere are some useful links related to this week's podcast. Kasterborous chats to Graeme Harper Jodie Whittaker is the 13th Doctor Who If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkast

Our podcast this week welcomes back Gareth Kavanagh for a longer chat, mainly about Cutaway Comics' latest projects, selling issues in the basement at Gallifrey One, and taking a trip to Aldbourne in honour of 1972 Doctor Who serial The Daemons.Gareth joins Christian Cawley and James McLean in a wide ranging conversation that takes in Brian Blessed, Eric Saward, retro gaming, and much more.ShownotesUseful references for this week's show: Cutaway Comics Gaming Retro UK Fusion Retro Books If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

This week's show is a bit shorter than usual, to let you find out what we think about the Hugh Grant Doctor Who rumour, and have some fun with some possible spin-off ideas.In case you had forgotten, Hugh Grant was approached to lead Doctor Who way back before Christopher Eccleston was cast. He had also appeared in Steven Moffat's Comic Relief special The Curse of Fatal Death as the final male incarnation of the Doctor.To discuss Hugh Grant's Doctor Who potential, Gareth Kavanagh joins Christian Cawley and James McLean, with a few ideas of his own. There is also some Mandalorian and Book of Fett talk, for the sensitive among you.ShownotesUseful references for this week's show: The Mirror claims Hugh Grant is the new Doctor Who The Doctor Who Companion discusses Hugh Grant and "MCU-style" re-imagining of the show If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on T

We've promised and threatened, and this time we deliver: our commentary of Life on Mars episode 1, in which Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973. The episode stars John Simm (Doctor Who's Master 2007-2017) and Philip Glenister.This discussion takes place while watching the episode, and covers all manner of topics, from the show's early inception to fashion and style, logistics of reimagining Manchester in the 1970s over 30 years later, and beyond. There are, unsurprisingly for a show that ended in 2008 (and a sequel that ended in 2012), considerable spoilers in this commentary, so if you're planning to watch Life on Mars for the first time with no prior knowledge of the show, it's best you avoid this podcast.We envy you.On the other hand, if you weren't already convinced to check this show out while Doctor Who is off air, this commentary might just help.Shownotes Life on Mars Series 1 Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer Life on Mars on DVD/Blu-ray Christian Cawley and James McLean are your hosts.If you’ve enjoyed the show, please

With no time travel in a police box to thrill you on TV for most of the year, we recommend you take time travel in a policeman's head as an alternative.Yes, it's Life on Mars, one of the greatest TV shows since the turn of the century. In this podcast, Christian Cawley and James McLean look back at what intrigues them about the adventures of Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt.ShownotesSome useful links related to our discussion. Matthew Graham talks about bringing back Sam Tyler Signal If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.

We take a look at some recent Doctor Who news in this week's show, specifically the return of Phil Collinson to the day-to-day running of the RTD2 era.There is also some chat about archiving old data, and the fate of the older pages from the official Doctor Who website. Where are they?Christian Cawley and James McLean are your hosts. In the vaguest possible sense, of course.Shownotes Phil Collinson returns to Doctor Who What happened to the Doctor Who website? Henry Woolf 1930-2021 If you’ve enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you’ll get a mention.Image credit: Alun Vega via Flickr