Series 8 (Doctor Who)

Series 8 of Doctor Who, consisting of 12 episodes, began airing on 23 August 2014. Filming began on 6 January 2014, and ended on 7 August of the same year. This is the first full series to feature the Twelfth Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi; he is joined by Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald as primary companion throughout the entire run. Executive producer Steven Moffat revealed in DWM 469 that, unlike the previous two series, Series 8 will be broadcast straight, with no series split halfway through it. Moffat also revealed that this will be the normal format for all future series.

Cast
Series 8 saw the debut of Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor. Capaldi was announced in a live television special, Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor, on 4 August 2013. The previous Doctor, Matt Smith, announced he was leaving on 1 June of the same year.

The new Doctor is joined by Series 7, Part 2's companion, Clara Oswald, as played by Jenna Coleman, in her first full series.

Samuel Anderson will join the cast as a new recurring character, Danny Pink, a fellow teacher at Coal Hill School.

The Paternoster Gang return, as well and they each use a sonic device designed in a Blue Peter competition in the series. Kate Stewart, Osgood and UNIT will also appear.

Recurring

 * The Twelfth Doctor - Peter Capaldi
 * Clara Oswald - Jenna Coleman
 * Danny Pink - Samuel Anderson
 * Courtney - Ellis George
 * Vastra - Neve McIntosh
 * Jenny Flint - Catrin Stewart
 * Strax - Dan Starkey
 * Missy - Michelle Gomez
 * Kate Stewart - Jemma Redgrave
 * Osgood - Ingrid Oliver

Guest

 * Half-Face Man - Peter Ferdinando
 * Journey Blue - Zawe Ashton
 * Colonel Morgan Blue - Michael Smiley
 * Gretchen Carlisle - Laura Dos Santos
 * Robin Hood - Tom Riley
 * Reg - Robert Goodman
 * TBA - Jonathan Bailey
 * TBA - Pippa Bennett-Warner
 * Ms Delphox - Keeley Hawes
 * The Sheriff of Nottingham - Ben Miller
 * TBA - Hermione Norris
 * TBA - Tony Osoba
 * TBA - Phil Nice
 * TBA - Frank Skinner
 * TBA - David Bamber
 * TBA - Daisy Beaumont
 * TBA - Janet Henfrey
 * TBA - Christopher Villiers
 * TBA - Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen)
 * TBA - Harley Bird
 * TBA - Abigail Eames
 * TBA - Ashley Foster
 * TBA - Jaydon Harris-Wallace

Production
Brian Minchin, the new producer of the series, explained in the July 2013 issue of Doctor Who Magazine that "I have just spent a very happy few days meeting some scarily clever writers, and we have an incredible set of stories to work on. More adventures ahead!". In a May 2013 interview, Steven Moffat claimed that "the next season is plotted out."

The first readthrough for Series 8 was held on 17 December 2013. This was an unusually long lead time, as actual filming for the first episodes of Series 8 did not commence until 6 January 2014, with Capaldi filming his first scenes the next day. In a break from what was done with Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith, the first episode filmed by Capaldi is also to be the first episode to be broadcast.

Producers
Series 8 is co-executive produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin. (DWM 460) Series 7's producer, Caroline Skinner, officially stepped down on 13 March 2013, and Minchin was announced as her replacement on 30 April.

Producer Marcus Wilson stepped down following production of The Time of the Doctor. His role will be filled by former producers Nikki Wilson and Peter Bennett.

Writers
Steven Moffat has penned both the series opener and episode 4 (DWM 471), Phil Ford wrote episode 2, Mark Gatiss did episode 3, (DWM 472)  Steve Thompson's script is for episode 5, (DWM 471) and Gareth Roberts wrote the the sixth episode of the series. (DWM 472)

Also writing for this series are Peter Harness, Jamie Mathieson (DWM 473) and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Directors
Ben Wheatley directed the first episode of the series, and will direct the second episode as well. Paul Murphy will direct episodes 3 and 6. Douglas Mackinnon is set to direct two episodes of the series as well, as is Paul Wilmshurst. Sheree Folkson will direct an episode.

Episode notes

 * This is the first series of the revived series that does not consist of 13 episodes, although Deep Breath is considered to be "feature length".
 * To date, each episode has featured the mysterious appearance of a character known only as "Missy". This is analogous to the early appearances of Madame Kovarian in series 6, and is thus likely part of an overall arc for the series.

Aliens and enemies

 * Half-Face Man
 * Clockwork Droids
 * Daleks
 * Dalek antibodies

Rumours

 * The Doctor and Clara may return to the planet Sarn, last seen in TV: Planet of Fire.
 * The Master will return.
 * This will be Steven Moffat's final season.
 * Jenna Coleman will leave the show at Christmas.