Doctor Who's David Tennant is teaming up with Lena Dunham for her remake of Camping

Doctor Who's David Tennant will collaborate with Lena Dunham for his next major TV series.

Tennant has been cast in a leading role in Dunham and Girls collaborator Jenni Konner's remake of the British comedy series Camping, according to TheWrap.

Jennifer Garner previously signed on to star in Camping as housewife Kathryn Siddell-Bauers, who organises a weekend excursion into nature to celebrate her husband Walt's (Tennant) 45th birthday.

However, the trip goes south when Kathryn's sister and judgy best friend bring along a free-spirited wild child. Before the weekend is over, a crime will have taken place and a marriage will have been tested.

This is the latest of a few US roles for Tennant, who most recently made a brief re-appearance as the mind-controlling super-villain Kilgrave in the second season of Netflix's Jessica Jones.

Tennant also currently voices Scrooge McDuck in Disney's animated reboot of the DuckTales series, and is set for a co-starring role with Michael Sheen and Jon Hamm in Amazon Prime and BBC Two's adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's beloved novel Good Omens.

Camping will be Lena Dunham and writing partner Jenni Konner's comeback to US premium channel HBO, after wrapping their influential dramedy Girls last year.

The original Camping, which was written by and starred Julia Davis, aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK in the spring of 2016. Its US adaptation will comprise eight episodes.

An HBO air date for Camping in the US hasn't been announced yet. No UK broadcast is attached at this stage either.

Source: Digital Spy

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Christopher Eccleston says Doctor Who exit almost destroyed his career

Christopher Eccleston has claimed that his exit from Doctor Who almost destroyed his career in a new interview.

Speaking to The Guardian, Eccleston reflected on his decision to leave the iconic show after just one series and didn't hold back on the BBC's handling of the situation, as well as his role in rebooting the classic show.

"What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career. I gave them a hit show and I left with dignity and then they put me on a blacklist," he alleged.

"I was carrying my own insecurities as it was something I had never done before and then I was abandoned, vilified in the tabloid press and blacklisted. I was told by my agent at the time, 'The BBC regime is against you. You're going to have to get out of the country and wait for regime change.'"

Digital Spy has reached out to the BBC for comment.

Since his Doctor Who exit, Eccleston has appeared in BBC shows like The Shadow Line and The A Word, but famously turned down the chance to appear in Doctor Who's 50th anniversary special, something Steven Moffat spoke about earlier this year.

"Christopher Eccleston said no, and that was awful, that was just awful. I was so depressed that day, because I'd written most of the script and he was in it. I didn't know what to do," he recalled.

Doctor Who series 11 is expected to premiere later this year on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.

Credit: Digital Spy

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Happy Birthday Peter Capaldi!

Happy Birthday to The Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, he is 56 today!

He is best known for taking over the role of The Doctor from Matt Smith at Christmas and will star in his first full series later this year.

He previously starred in Doctor Who as Caecilius in Series 4's episode, 'The Fires Of Pompeii." Capaldi also starred in Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood, he portrayed John Frobisher in Series 3 (Children Of Earth.)

Aside from Doctor Who, he is well known for playing Malcolm Tucker in BBC Series 'The Thick Of It."

He also appeared in the BBC adaptation of The Nativity in 2010 and most recently appeared in The Musketeers.

Capaldi is also the Narrator for the Anchor cheese adverts since 2013.

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‘Da Vinci’s Demons’ star Tom Riley joins ‘Doctor Who’ series 8

32 year-old British actor Tom Riley is set to appear in the upcoming eighth series of Doctor Who in an episode written by veteran Who scribe Mark Gatiss.

Riley has previously appeared in detective dramas Lewis and Monroe, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (alongside former Doctor Who star David Tennant), comedy series Twenty Twelve and STARZ’s Da Vinci’s Demons, in which he plays Leonardo Da Vinci.

On the news, Riley tweeted: “Well, that’s out then. I’ve been a massive fan since I was even smaller than Jenna. Very excited. @MarkGatiss’s script is awesome.”

Just as Riley’s exact role remains a mystery, little is known of his episode as a whole although it has been confirmed that Gatiss is writing two episodes for Capaldi’s Doctor. However, Gatiss has clarified that though he has been commissioned for two episodes, “that doesn’t mean they’ll both necessarily be in this season.”

Facts about the new series are slowly coming together. Besides Mark Gatiss, other confirmed writers include Steven Moffat, Stephen Thompson and Phil Ford, while the other big guest name so far announced to be appearing in the series is Keeley Hawes.

Hawes, known for roles in Ashes to Ashes, Upstairs, Downstairs and more recently Line of Duty, is to appear as the villainous Miss Delphox in Phil Ford’s episode for the series. She will be a tough alien businesswoman, described by the BBC as a “powerful out of this world character with a dark secret.”

Source: Hypable

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Matt Smith for Soccer Aid 2014

Former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith, comedian Jack Whitehall and True Blood star Stephen Moyer have all signed up to take part in Soccer Aid 2014.

The new additions will play for the England team - captained by Robbie Williams - when the charity football event in aid of UNICEF returns on Sunday, June 8 at Old Trafford.

Football legends Jamie Redknapp, Jamie Carragher, Paul Ince, David Seaman and Teddy Sheringham have all signed up for the England Squad, while Edwin van der Sar and Jaap Stam will represent the Rest of the World, with more names expected to be announced soon.

UNICEF UK Ambassador Williams said: "Soccer Aid returns for the fifth time in June and I admit there are scores to settle. 

"Leading the England team, I will be making sure we defend that trophy against Rest of the World. There's never been a better time for us to show our support for UNICEF, so please dig deep and buy your tickets now!"

UNICEF UK Executive Director David Bull added: "Soccer Aid 2014 will raise vital money to help some of the world's most vulnerable children get life-saving food, medicine and clean water. 

"Every day, children are in serious danger and thousands die needlessly in the struggle against poverty, hunger and disease. It's time for us all to act. Please, buy a ticket to go to Soccer Aid or watch the match on ITV and help us change children's lives."

Dermot O'Leary and Kirsty Gallacher will return to host the match - which will be broadcast live on ITV - while Cat Deeley will present an hour-long show from the player's lounge in the lead-up to the event.

The bi-annual fundraiser was last held in 2012, and helped raise £4.9 million for UNICEF.

Tickets are now on sale for Soccer Aid 2014. You can call 0845 456 2014 or visit manutd.com/socceraid.

Source: Digital Spy

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Arthur Darvill joining the West End cast of Once?

Rumours are swirling that Arthur Darvill is set to join the cast of hit musical Once, taking over the role of 'Guy' when Declan Bennett leaves in March.

Whovians will be excited to hear that Darvill, who played Rory Williams in the television series Doctor Who, will be returning to the West End after playing Parry in the WhatsOnStage Award nominated Our Boys in 2012.

Since then the Midlands born actor has been seen as Reverend Paul Coates in the ITV crime drama Broadchurch and more recently as 'Guy' in the Broadway production of Once.

Once, which is also nominated for a handful of WhatsOnStage Awards, has a book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh. Based on the 2007 motion picture written and directed by John Carney, music and lyrics are by Academy Award-winning Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly".

The production has recently extended at the Phoenix Theatre, where it opened in April last year, until 4 July 2015.

Source: WhatsOnStage

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Happy Birthday Christopher Eccleston!

Many Happy Returns to the 9th Doctor himself, Christopher Eccleston who is 50 today!.

He is best known to us for playing the 9th Doctor for the 1st Series of Doctor Who's return, before leaving at the end of the series to persue other acting roles.

Since leaving Doctor Who he as starred in numerous roles including:

Portraying John Lennon is Lennon Naked alongside Torchwood's Naoko Mori in 2010.

He guest starred in the U.S. TV Show Heroes playing Claude in 2008.

He played Pod Clock in a remake of the film The Borrowers in 2011.

and most recently he starred in Thor: The Dark World playing the movies villain Malekith the Accursed.

Other acting Credits include: Accused in 2010, G.I. Joe: Rise Of  The Cobra in 2009 and Lucan in 2013.

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Happy Birthday John Hurt!

Many happy returns to The War Doctor himself, John Hurt. He is 74 today!

He is best known for playing The war Doctor, in Doctor Who's  series 7 finale: The Name Of The Doctor, mini episode The Night of The Doctor and the 50th anniversary Special, The Day Of The Doctor.

He also provided the Voice of the Great Dragon, Killgarrah in all 5 Series of the BBC series Merlin.

Other credits include: 2011 film Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy and playing Mr Ollivander in The Harry Potter film Series.

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Russell Tovey confirms 'Doctor Who' audition: It would've terrified me

Russell Tovey has revealed that he auditioned for the lead role in Doctor Who.

 The Being Human actor was briefly tipped to replace David Tennant on the BBC sci-fi drama, after appearing in two episodes as the character Midshipman Frame.

The 31-year-old did screen-test for the part of the Eleventh Doctor, according to The Independent, but ultimately lost out to current Who lead Matt Smith.

"It would have terrified me," Tovey is quoted as saying. "I don't know what I would have done with all the attention."

The actor can currently be seen in ITV's new sitcom The Job Lot, which airs on Monday nights at 9.30pm.

Source: Digital Spy

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"Doctor Who" Star Arthur Darvill and Joanna Christie Will Make Music in Broadway's Once

"Doctor Who" star Arthur Darvill and Joanna Christie will take on the soulful leading roles in the Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical Once beginning April 23 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Inspired by the indie film of the same name, the musical about a Dublin street singer and the woman who comes to inspire him opened on Broadway to acclaim March 18, 2012. It has a book by playwright Enda Walsh and utilizes songs from the film by songwriters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.

Darvill is best known for portraying Rory Williams on the BBC series "Doctor Who." He has also appeared on stage in Our Boys, Dr. Faustus, Swimming with Sharks, Marine Parade, Stacy and Terre Haute. He will take on the role of Guy.

Christie, who steps into the role of Girl, co-starred with Daniel Radcliffe in the West End revival of Equus. She has appeared in "Mr. Selfridge" as well as The Ramshackle Heart and One Night In November.

The roles were originated on Broadway by Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, respectively. Ben Hope and Laura Dreyfuss most recently played the roles in the Broadway production. Once is directed by John Tiffany (Black Watch), with movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The cast also features David Abeles, David Patrick Kelly, Jillian Lebling, Eliza Holland Madore, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Carlos Valdes, Erikka Walsh, Claire Wellin, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.

The production has set and costume design by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins). Lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.

Visit oncemusical.com for more information.

Source: Playbill.com

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