Doctor Who Series 9: Everything There is to Know So Far

Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor, along with the titles for all twelve episodes of Doctor Who’s ninth Series. (Credit: BBC)

UPDATED OCTOBER 16, 2015

On September 19, 2015, Doctor Who returned to our television screens for the ninth series since its 2005 revival. As the new season progresses, more and more information is being revealed.

We’re going to walk through each story here and share everything we know. Obviously, as episodes air, this guide will be updated to remove rampant speculation and rumors, so check back often for up-to-date information.

First, let’s get some basics out of the way:

Doctor Who Series 9 is broadcast on Saturday evenings in the US/UK
In the United States, the show airs at 9:00 PM (EST) on BBC America
In the United Kingdom, it airs on BBC One (check listings for times)
The new series will be broadcast around the world on the following networks (check listings for dates/times): ABC1 (Australia), BBC HD (Brazil), Space (Canada), BBC First (Europe ), France 4 (France), YLE2 (Finland), Fox (Germany), FX (India), BBC Persian (Iran), yes (Israel), Rai 4 (Italy), BBC Entertainment (Mexico/Asia Pacific), Prime (New Zealand), Syfy (Portugal/Spain), Карусель (Russia), KBS2 (South Korea) and CNBC-e (Turkey)
Like Series 8, the new series is comprised of 12 episodes (plus a Christmas special)
For the first time ever, the entire series is comprised of two-part stories (or at least mostly two-parters — keep reading)

Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and Steven Moffat have described the new series in press interviews as an epic adventure, with no more conflict between the Doctor and Clara, and no firm ties to Earth for the latter. That alone sounds exciting. So let’s get to the details:

Next: 9.1: The Magician's Apprentice

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Michelle Gomez, Peter Capaldi, and Jenna Coleman star in the Doctor Who Series 9 premiere, ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’. (Credit: BBC)

9.1: The Magician’s Apprentice

Written By: Steven Moffat
Directed By: Hettie Macdonald

Guest Cast: Michelle Gomez, Jemma Redgrave, Kelly Hunter, Clare Higgins, Jaye Griffiths, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Aaron Neil, India Ria Amarteifio, Joey Price, Dasharn Anderson, Harki Bhambra, Demi Papaminas, Jonathon Ojinnaka, Benjamin Cawley, Stefan Adegbola, Shin-Fei Chen, Lucy Newman-Williams, Baranby Edwards, Nicholas Pegg, Julian Bleach

Airdate: September 19, 2015

Synopsis: Where is the Doctor? When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from?

As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible.

The series 9 opener featured the returns of both Michelle Gomez as Missy and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, both last seen in the Series 8 finale, ‘Death in Heaven,’ as well as the return of Julian Bleach as Davros. It also featured the return of director Hattie Macdonald, whose only previous Doctor Who contribution was the fan favorite 2007 episode, ‘Blink.’

The story opened with the Doctor inadvertently confronted with a young Davros and a dire choice. Missy returned and teamed with Clara to track down the Doctor, who is missing. The trio is taken prisoner by the mutant Colony Sarff and delivered to his master, Davros. The Daleks proceed to kill both Missy and Clara and seemingly destroy the TARDIS. The episode ends with the Doctor returning to the young Davros, now aiming a Dalek gunstick at his head. For more details, check out our full episode recap.

A short prequel minisode titled ‘The Doctor’s Meditation’ was released prior to the premiere. It was shown in theaters in the US and abroad with 3D screenings of the Series 8 finale, ‘Dark Water’/’Death in Heaven,’ and aired on BBC America the night before ‘The Magician’s Apprentice.’ In the UK, it was released online on various outlets, but hasn’t officially been posted for US viewers. The plot involved the Doctor attempting to meditate before giving himself over to Davros, but finding himself too distracted to do so. The ending led directly into ‘The Magician’s Apprentice.’

There was also a two-minute Series 9 prologue online for audiences worldwide. Featuring the Twelfth Doctor and the Sisterhood of Karn’s High Priestess Ohila, it takes place shortly before ‘The Doctor’s Meditation’:

Be sure to check our roundtable review of ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ by the entire Doctor Who Watch staff.

Next: 9.2: The Witch's Familiar

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Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor in a promotional image from ‘The Witch’s Familiar,’ the second episode of Doctor Who’s ninth series.(Credit: BBC)

9.2: The Witch’s Familiar

Written By: Steven Moffat
Directed By: Hettie Macdonald

Guest Cast: Michelle Gomez, Jemma Redgrave, Jaye Griffiths, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Aaron Neil, India Ria Amarteifio, Joey Price, Dasharn Anderson, Harki Bhambra, Demi Papaminas, Julian Bleach

Airdate: September 26, 2015

Synopsis: Trapped and alone in a terrifying Dalek city, the Doctor is at the heart of an evil Empire; no sonic, no TARDIS, nobody to help. With his greatest temptation before him, can the Doctor resist? And will there be mercy?

‘The Witch’s Familiar’ picked up right where ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ left off, revealing that Missy and Clara were saved by Missy’s vortex manipulators (as many fans had guessed). The Doctor angrily confronted Davros and turned the tables — for a time.

Throughout the course of the episode we learned that Daleks don’t die; they simply deteriorate into a brown ooze and are sent down to the sewers. That information would eventually be their undoing, as Davros tricked the Doctor (or did he?) into supplying himself and the Daleks with Time Lord regeneration energy. The angry brown goo rose from the ground and seemingly destroyed Davros and his creations. And Missy was left with a clever idea that we never got to see to fruition. In the end, the Doctor realized the error of his ways and returned to rescue young Davros and walk him home.

You can read our full episode recap here and check out our round table staff review here.

Next: 9.3: Under the Lake

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Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman star in ‘Under the Lake,’ the third episode in Doctor Who’s ninth series. (Credit: BBC)

9.3: Under the Lake

Written By: Toby Whithouse
Directed By: Daniel O’Hara

Guest Cast: Paul Kaye, Arsher Ali, Colin McFarlane, Morven Christie, Zaqi Ismail, Steven Robertson, Sophie Stone

Airdates: October 3

Synopsis: When an underwater base comes under attack, the Doctor and Clara must save the frightened crew and defeat an impossible threat. But what is behind these terrifying events? And can they really be haunted by ghosts?

‘Under the Lake’ was the first chapter in a haunting new two-part story from Being Human creator Toby Whithouse. The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Clara to an underwater mining colony where the crew have just discovered a strange alien spacecraft. Soon thereafter, they find they’re haunted by ghosts — included the spectre of their recently deceased commander.

After capturing the ghosts and determining their message was a set of coordinates pointing to the underwater village they were in, the Doctor, Clara, and the remaining crew members have to race to escape when the ghosts set off an alarm and attempt to flood the base. They’re separated though, with Clara and two crew members on one side and the Doctor with the other two on the opposite side. The Doctor tells Clara he must go back in time in the TARDIS and uncover the secret of the alien spaceship in order to save her. After he leaves, Clara spots a new ghost outside the base window — it’s the Doctor.

For more detail, check out our full episode recap here and our round table staff review here.

Next: 9.4 Before the Flood

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The Doctor comes face-to-face with the Fisher King (Credit: BBC)

9.4: Before the Flood

Written By: Toby Whithouse
Directed By: Daniel O’Hara

Guest Cast: Paul Kaye, Arsher Ali, Colin McFarlane, Morven Christie, Zaqi Ismail, Steven Robertson, Sophie Stone, Neil Fingleton, Peter Serafinowicz, Corey Taylor

Airdate: October 10

Synopsis: On a remote Army outpost, a fearsome alien warlord – the Fisher King – sets in motion a twisted plan to ensure his own survival. The ripples will be felt around the universe. Is this chain of events inevitable? And can the Doctor do the unthinkable?

‘Before the Flood’ takes the Doctor and his temporary companions back to the 1980s at the height of the Cold War. It turns out the Scottish military base that eventually ends up at the bottom of the lake is actually a faux-Soviet facade for training purposes. Soon, the Doctor meets Prentis, the original ghost spotted in ‘Under the Lake’ and learns that he is a Tivolian undertaker; the spaceship is his hearse and it contains the body of the Fisher King, a powerful alien warlord.

But the Fisher King is not actually dead and soon rises from the ship to cause havoc. He kills Prentis and then O’Donnell. The Doctor confronts him and tricks him into returning to the ship, only to see that the Doctor has rigged a power cell to explode near the dam and flood the entire village. The TARDIS makes an emergency escape to its last destination and the Doctor hides in the suspended animation chamber meant for the Fisher King. In the end, the Fisher King is killed and the ghosts are contained. Clara and the Doctor makes their exit and contemplate the bootstrap paradox inside the TARDIS.

For more info, read our full episode recap here and be sure to see what we thought by reading our round table review here.

Next: 9.5: The Girl Who Died/9.6: The Woman Who Lived

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Clara (Jenna Coleman), the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), and Ashildr (Maisie Williams) are ready for action in ‘The Girl Who Died’ (Credit: BBC)

9.5: The Girl Who Died/9.6: The Woman Who Lived

Written By: Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat/Catherine Tregenna
Directed By: Ed Bazalgette

Guest Cast: Maisie Williams, David Schofield, Tom Stourton, Ariyon Bakare, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Murray McArthur, Daniel Fearn, Barnaby Kay, John Voce, Struan Rodger, Rufus Hound, Tom Stourton, Karen Seacombe

Airdates: October 17/October 24

Synopsis: Captured by Vikings, the Doctor and Clara must help protect their village from Space Warriors from the future: the Mire. Outnumbered and outgunned, their fate seems inevitable. So why is the Doctor preoccupied with a single Viking girl?

__________

England, 1651. The deadly Highwayman ‘The Nightmare’ and his sidekick stalk the dark streets of London. But when they find loot that’s not of this world, they come face to face with the Doctor. Who is the Nightmare in league with? And can the Doctor avoid the hangman’s noose and protect Earth from a devilish betrayal?

Radio Times Preview: In a backwater of history, in a little Viking village where all the warriors have just been slaughtered, a young girl called Ashildr is about to make a desperate mistake. The Mire are the deadliest mercenaries in the galaxy, famed for being unstoppable and without mercy – and Ashildr has just declared war on them. The Doctor and Clara have twelve hours, to turn a handful of farmers and blacksmiths into a fighting force ready to face down Odin himself. And there’s more – because this is the day when the Doctor remembers where he’s seen his own face before.

__________

England, 1651. The highwayman known as The Nightmare is plaguing the land. But the Nightmare is not all he seems, and his fire-breathing accomplice who lurks in the shadows is clearly more than human… The Doctor, on the trail of an alien artefact, is brought face to the face with the consequences of his own actions. For once he encounters someone who won’t let him turn his back on the things he has done. But will the Nightmare be his friend or foe? It may well take till the end of the universe to be sure…

Quotes: “There’s going to be a war tomorrow. And here’s some news, this just in – we are going to win the hell out it!”

___________

“Ninja, nun, surgeon, scientist, composer, inventor… it’s a fantastic CV.”

Rather than a traditional two-part story, these are two separate stories with a common link — and that link appears to be Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams. In fact, the two episodes even have different writers; ‘The Girl Who Died’ was penned by Steven Moffat and Jamie Mathieson (‘Mummy on the Orient Express,’ ‘Flatline’), and ‘The Woman Who Lived’ is the Doctor Who debut of former Torchwood writer Catherine Tregenna.

Here’s how Steven Moffat described the two episodes:

"“[These] two are exceptional! Doctor Who meets Game of Thrones! Well, only because Maisie Williams is in them. The first part features Vikings fighting mercenary robots (and a dragon!) and the second one sees a group of Highwaymen dealing with a Norse god.”"

The first episode is the well-publicized “viking” episode, featuring David Schofield as Odin and those lumbering mechanical creatures seen briefly in both trailers and set photos. The second episode takes place in the 17th century, with actor/comedian Rufus Hound as a character named “Sam Swift.” Maisie Williams appears in both the trailer and set photos dressed suspiciously similar to famed highwayman Dick Turpin, which makes sense given that highwaymen figure largely in the plot.

The second Series 9 trailer features Williams with The Nightmare’s fire-breathing accomplice, who looks suspiciously like the Beast from the classic fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast,” leading to some speculation that we could be seeing a version of that story play out on Doctor Who this year.

Many fans had speculated that Maisie Williams’ character could be from the Doctor’s past, but Steven Moffat has confirmed that she is NOT playing a returning character. Her character’s name has since been revealed as Ashildr.

Next: 9.7: The Zygon Invasion/9.8: The Zygon Inversion

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(Credit: BBC)

9.7: The Zygon Invasion/9.8: The Zygon Inversion

Written By: Peter Harness
Directed By: Daniel Nettheim

Guest Cast: Jemma Redgrave, Ingrid Oliver, Jaye Griffiths, Rebecca Front, Cleopatra Dickens, Sasha Dickens, Abhishek Singh, Todd Kramer, Jill Winternitz, Nicholas Asbury, Jack Parker, Aidan Cook, Shanaya Rafaat, Ben Nash

Airdates: October 31/November 7

Synopsis: The Zygons, a race of shapeshifting aliens, have been living in secret among us on Earth, unknown and unseen – until now!

When Osgood is kidnapped by a rogue gang of Zygons, the Doctor, Clara and UNIT must scatter across the world in a bid to set her free. But will they reach her in time, and can they stop an uprising before it’s too late?

Radio Times Preview: A long time ago, the Doctor made a deal in the Tower Of London. 20 million Zygons walk among us, in human form, living undetected in peace and harmony. But cracks are showing in this delicate peace. Humans and Zygons are disappearing. In city apartment blocks, lifts are going missing, and far below the streets of Britain, alien pods are growing in secret caverns. Unit’s scientific advisor, Osgood, sends a desperate message to the Doctor – but since Osgood is long dead, how is that even possible?

___________

The future of planet Earth is sealed in a box in Unit’s back archive, and only the Doctor knows what’s inside. With Unit under Zygon control, and Clara lost, the Doctor and Osgood find themselves fugitives in a London where no one can be trusted – but the wily old Time Lord knows there is one last hope for peace. Because that box in the black archive isn’t any old box. It’s an Osgood Box!

Quotes: “Operation Double is a covert operation, outside of normal UNIT strictures, to resettle and rehouse an alien race, in secrecy, on planet Earth.”

___________

“Humans cannot accept us the way we really are. If we cannot hide, we must fight. You’re going to be the first. You’re going to be the first to make the humans see.”

This is the big two-parter featuring the return of Ingrid Oliver as fan favorite character Osgood, last seen being vaporized by Missy in the Series 8 finale, ‘Death in Heaven.’ It also features the returns of both Kate Stewart and the Zygons (obviously).

The story was written by Peter Harness, who wrote series low-point ‘Kill the Moon’ last year, but has been winning rave reviews as showrunner on the recently concluded Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Australian director Daniel Nettheim is new to Doctor Who, but directed four episodes of the K9 spin-off show. Peter Capaldi’s former The Thick of It co-star Rebecca Front also has a guest-role as UNIT Colonel Walsh.

Steven Moffat described the story as “a sort of global urban thriller”:

"“This one is written by Peter Harness and ‘Day of the Doctor’ acted as a prologue to it. In it, the Zygons made peace with the Humans, but not every Zygon decided it was okay so they’ve been raising an army, silently and now they’re rising against UNIT! We’ve been planning this forever and Osgood is in it! But how is that possible you’d ask? Missy killed her! Who knows? Well, we know.”"

There are scenes set in such disparate locales as New Mexico, Azerbaijan, and London. Peter Capaldi has described filming a scene involving a chase with a Zygon inside a grocery store. On the issue of whether Osgood is really back or a Zygon duplicate, Ingrid Oliver says, “Well… The Doctor asks me that question as well several times and I don’t tell him the answer to that either…” Capaldi says the episodes are “very urban, handheldy and modern. Realistic.”

The story was apparently pitched as a sequel to the 50th anniversary special, ‘The Day of the Doctor.’

Next: 9.9: Sleep No More/9.10: Face the Raven

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(Credit: BBC)

9.9: Sleep No More/9.10: Face the Raven

Written By: Mark Gatiss/Sarah Dollard
Directed By: Justin Molotnikov

Guest Cast: Reece Shearsmith, Elaine Tan, Neet Mohan, Bethany Black, Paul Courtenay Hyu, Joivan Wade, Naomi Ackie, Caroline Boulton, Robin Soans, Simon Manyonda, Angela Clerkin, Jenny Lee

Airdates: November 14/November 21 (estimated)

Radio Times Preview: This is footage collected from a space rescue mission. If you value your life, your sanity, and the future of your species, DO NOT WATCH IT.

__________

Have you ever found yourself in a street you’ve never seen before? The next day, could you not find that street again? You weren’t dreaming. Your memory isn’t playing tricks. Like many lost souls throughout the ages, you have stumbled on an extraordinary secret – be grateful you survived it. The Doctor and Clara, with their old friend Rigsy, find themselves in a secret alien world, folded away among the streets of London. Not all of them will get out alive. One of the three intruders must face the raven…

Quotes: “There have always been rumours. Stories passed from traveller to traveller, mutterings about hidden streets, secret pockets of alien life right here on Earth.”

These two are shrouded in mystery. They may, in fact, be the only two episodes that don’t comprise a two-part story. Steven Moffat’s Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss wrote ‘Sleep No More,’ saying it was “a tough nut to crack, but I’m delighted with how scary it is.” The episode features Gatiss’ old friend from The League of Gentlemen, Reece Shearsmith, in an unspecified guest role.

Moffat describes the Gatiss episode as “unusual”:

"“This is a very unique Doctor Who story from Mark Gatiss. It wasn’t possible to do such an episode ten years ago, when the show came back and Mark has been rewriting it over and over again to make it perfect. It’s a beautiful story, very eerie and special, I think it’s going to be an instant classic.”"

It has since been revealed that this episode is comprised of “found footage,” much like the popular Paranormal Activity film series and other recent horror movies. In fact, the episode may not even include an opening sequence; instead, it would launch directly into the footage.

Being Human writer Sarah Dollard makes her Doctor Who debut with ‘Face the Raven,’ calling it “a dream come true.” ‘Face the Raven’ also features the return of Joivan Wade as graffiti artist Rigsy from Series 8’s ‘Flatline,’ leading to some speculation that he could become the Doctor’s next companion. The story is said to involve “an invasion of invisible streets.”

Moffat calls Dollard’s script a “terrific idea”:

"“An episode which leapt out as ‘why haven’t we done this already? This is so Doctor Who we should be doing this immediately.’ And when Sarah Dollard walked in with the finalised script, it was even better! Really, this is going to be a fan-favorite, everyone will want to rewatch it.”"

Justin Molotnikov (Merlin, Atlantis) directed both episodes, which suggests there may be something tying the two episodes together, despite the presence of different writers and guest-stars.

Next: 9.11: Heaven Sent/9.12: Hell Bent

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Director Rachel Talalay in the director’s chair for the Doctor Who Series 9 two-part finale. (Credit: Den of Geek)

9.11: Heaven Sent/9.12: Hell Bent

Written By: Steven Moffat
Directed By: Rachel Talalay

Guest cast: ?

Airdates: November 28/December 5 (estimated)

Radio Times Preview: In a world unlike any other he has seen, the Doctor faces the greatest challenge of his many lives. And he must face it alone.

__________

If you took everything from him, and betrayed him, and trapped him, and broke both his hearts… how far might the Doctor go? It is time, at last, for the Doctor’s confession.

Quotes: “When, at last, you rise to go, there will be another shadow next to yours. And your life will then be over.”

__________

“Is it a sad song?”

“Nothing’s sad till it’s over. Then everything is.”

“What’s it called?”

“I think it’s called Clara.”

“Tell me about her.”

These two just finished production, so we know next to nothing about them, other than Steven Moffat’s been working on the story for over a year, and ‘Heaven Sent’ should feature a pretty epic cliffhanger. Here are some choice quotes from Moffat:

"“I’ve figured out the cliffhanger to the penultimate episode of [Series 9]. And it’s a whopper. Ohh, I don’t think you’ll see this coming!”“I’ve got a script where I’ve set myself a ludicrous challenge. When Episode 11 comes up, you’ll see just how ludicrous a challenge I’ve set myself. I’m in a state of panic about it.”"

American director Rachel Talalay returns after directing last year’s two-part finale, ‘Dark Water’/’Death in Heaven.’ She, too, seems flabbergasted by the story:

"“Episode 11 is one of the most complicated and different episodes that I’ve ever done. I can’t tell you anything about it but it just has my head in spaghetti.”“I can say about [episode] 11, some of the most flummoxing challenges I’ve ever been given as a director.”"

Recently, Moffat gave a very cryptic description of the finale:

"“A challenge. I won’t say anything else because it would be too spoilery, but when you’ll watch it, you’re going to ask how exactly the Doctor and Clara are going to pull it off.”"

It’s been confirmed that ‘Heaven Sent’ will be what’s known as a “one-hander,” meaning it will have only one star for the entire episode — in this case, Peter Capaldi. ‘Hell Bent’ is rumored to be set on Gallifrey, possibly in an underground catacomb. David Tennant was spotted in Cardiff during the filming of the episode (along with previous showrunner Russell T. Davies), leading to speculation that he may have a cameo in the finale. Rumors state that both Tennant and Paul McGann have a presence in the episode, possibly as a result of some sort of “degeneration.” Moffat later denied Tennant and Davies having anything to do with the finale, but… Moffat lies.

Filming at Cardiff Bay saw the return of the American diner last seen in the Series 6 premiere, ‘The Impossible Astronaut,’ set in Utah, with Clara donning a 1950’s-style waitress uniform. Further filming took place at Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, with the sandy backdrop looking astonishingly familiar to the sands of Utah.

Next: 2015 Christmas Special

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Alex Kingston returns as River Song in this promotional image on board the TARDIS for the 2015 Doctor Who Christmas Special. (Credit: BBC)

2015 Christmas Special

Written By: Steven Moffat
Directed By: Douglas Mackinnon

Guest cast: Alex Kingston

Airdates: December 25

This year’s Christmas special is currently in production, and not much is known about it other than the fact that River Song will be returning for her first encounter with the Twelfth Doctor!

BBC America describes the episode thusly:

"It’s Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveler River Song meets her husband’s new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas."

Set reports have indicated that comedian Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Little Britain, Alice in Wonderland) may be making an appearance in the special.

Next: Series 9 Trailers

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(Credit: BBC)

So there you have it! That’s our comprehensive guide to Doctor Who Series 9 so far. And finally, here are the three amazing Series 9 trailers released so far:

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What say you? Are you excited about Doctor Who Series 9? Which episode(s) are you most looking forward to? Sound off in the comments below!

Next: 5 Mind-Blowing Fan Theories About Doctor Who Series 9