In a surprise move, Steven Moffat and the BBC have declared that Jenna-Louise Coleman will be portraying the new companion for Matt Smith‘s Eleventh Doctor, beginning with the Doctor Who Christmas Special at the end of 2012.

You can watch an interview Doctor Who TV did with Coleman about the news at the bottom of this post.

Many enthusiasts and speculators had previously believed the announcement would be kept tight-lipped until before the Christmas Special this year, so the BBC news about the new companion came as a big revelation to Whovians across the world.

It’s been a while, but it’s time for another TARDISblend – and now with filming underway for Doctor Who Series 7, the floodgates have opened on the news and rumor mill. During TARDISblend 48, we preview the schedule for Series 7 and 8, as showrunner Steven Moffat begins the lead to the massive 50th Anniversary year in 2013.

We take a look at the confirmed information, as well as the unconfirmed rumors – including one that hints of a main star from Moffat’s Sherlock may be taking on the reins of a familiar long-time Who villain. We also discuss the possibilities of the new companion for the Doctor (Matt Smith) into Series 7 and beyond, as Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) make their “heartbreaking” exit; as well as what is ahead for River Song (Alex Kingston).

After several quiet months of no Whovian-related news, fans of Doctor Who were treated to a surprise with the unveiling of the first official set photo from the filming of Series 7. The seventh season of ‘Nu Who’ began filming this week in Cardiff, Wales, set for a later-than-usual Fall broadcast. You can see the new set photo at the end of this post.

Doctor Who Series 7 will star Matt Smith, reprising his role as the Eleventh Doctor, along with showrunner Steven Moffat continuing the production behind-the-scenes. Companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) are also entering their final series of the show, as the Doctor is to find a new companion this season.

This edition of the TARDISblend is a special one: a commentary track we’ve recorded for one of the episodes from Doctor Who Series 6. Arguably one of the best of the season, the Neil Gaiman-penned The Doctor’s Wife, is what we focus on for this edition. Joining us for the commentary are Jay Fowler, Andy Sorcini, and Anthony Ha.

The commentary sequencing is very simple. Cue up your version of The Doctor’s Wife, press play on the podcast. After the mini-intro, you’ll hear a sequence of four beeps. On the fourth beep, resume the playing of The Doctor’s Wife with the volume down low. We hope you enjoy it!

Doctor Who Series 6
DVD | Blu-Ray
Starring Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Stuart Milligan, Suranne Jones, James Corden
Written by Steven Moffat, Stephen Thompson, Neil Gaiman, Matthew Graham, Mark Gatiss, Tom McRae, Toby Whithouse, Gareth Roberts
Directed by Toby Haynes, Jeremy Webb, Richard Clark, Julian Simpson, Peter Hoar, Richard Senor, Nick Hurran, Steve Hughes
BBC
Release Date: November 22, 2011

The sixth season of the new generation of Doctor Who is propelled by showrunner Steven Moffat into a web of timey wimey twists and turns, chock full of revelations and unveiled secrets of key characters: specifically fan favorite River Song. The series begins with a disastrous development for the Doctor, witnessed by his companions — and sets the tone for the rest of the season.