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You may wish to consult Series 8 for other, similarly-named pages.

Series 8 of Doctor Who ran from 23 August 2014 to 8 November 2014. It starred Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor and Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. The series opened with Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). and concluded with Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014)..

Overview[]

It consisted of eleven stories and twelve episodes. The series 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.[1] The previous Doctor, Matt Smith, announced he was leaving on 1 June of the same year.[2]

Filming began on 6 January 2014,[3] and ended on 7 August of the same year.[4] Series 8 was the first series since series 5 in 2010 to be broadcast straight with no series split halfway through it, and the first series of the revival not to consist of 13 episodes (excluding Christmas and other specials), instead running for 12.

The new Doctor was joined by Series 7, Part 2's companion, Clara Oswald, as played by Jenna Coleman, in her first full series.[5]

Samuel Anderson joined the cast as a new recurring character, Danny Pink, a fellow teacher at Coal Hill School.[6] Although initially reported by media as being a new companion for the Doctor, in fact the character never actually took on an official companion role during the course of the season.

The Paternoster Gang returned,[7][8] each using a sonic device designed in a Blue Peter competition in the series.[9] Kate Stewart, Osgood[10] and UNIT also appeared.[11]

This series also saw the return of the Master, now in a female incarnation known as Missy, played by Michelle Gomez, which was the first time a Time Lord had been portrayed in two distinct genders. The overarching story elements revolve around characters who have died in the episode being greeted to 'Heaven,' by Missy, where the heaven is revealed to be a data cloud to store the minds of the deceased, as Missy upgrades the bodies into Cybermen before manipulating the minds to delete their emotions and put them into their old cyber-upgraded bodies as an army. This is a plan to lure the Doctor into a trap so she can get her 'friend back.'

Cast[]

Recurring[]

Guest[]

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."[12]

The first read-through for series 8 was held on 17 December 2013.[13] 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 and several Classic era Doctors, the first episode filmed by Capaldi was also to be the first episode to be broadcast.[14]

Crew[]

Producers[]

Series 8 was co-executive produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin. (DWM 460) Series 7's producer, Caroline Skinner, officially stepped down on 13 March 2013, [15] and Minchin was announced as her replacement on 30 April. [16]

Producer Marcus Wilson stepped down following production of The Time of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 (BBC One, 2013).. His role was filled by former producers Nikki Wilson and Peter Bennett.[17]

Writers[]

Steven Moffat penned both the series opener, episode 4, and the two-part series finale, as well as co-writing on episodes 2, 5 and 6. Phil Ford wrote episode 2, Mark Gatiss wrote episode 3, Steve Thompson's script is for episode 5, and Gareth Roberts wrote episode 6 of the series. Three new writers joined the series: Peter Harness (episode 7), Jamie Mathieson (episodes 8 and 9) and Frank Cottrell-Boyce (episode 10). All three of these new writers returned for further episodes, in later series.

Directors[]

Ben Wheatley directed episodes one and two. Paul Murphy directed episodes 3 and 6, Douglas Mackinnon directed episodes 4, 5 and 9, Paul Wilmshurst directed episodes 7 and 8, Sheree Folkson directed episode 10 and Rachel Talalay directed the two-part finale.

Television stories[]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
1 Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Steven Moffat Ben Wheatley Final televised appearance of the Paternoster Gang. First appearance of Missy and Courtney Woods.
2 Into the Dalek [+]Phil Ford and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Phil Ford & Steven Moffat First appearance of Danny Pink, Mr. Armitage and Rusty.
3 Robot of Sherwood [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Mark Gatiss Paul Murphy
4 Listen [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Steven Moffat Douglas Mackinnon Appearance of a young First Doctor.
5 Time Heist [+]Steve Thompson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Steve Thompson & Steven Moffat
6 The Caretaker [+]Gareth Roberts and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Gareth Roberts & Steven Moffat Paul Murphy First appearance of Seb. Courtney takes her first trip aboard the Doctor's TARDIS. The Doctor finds out that Danny is Clara's boyfriend.
7 Kill the Moon [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Peter Harness Paul Wilmshurst Courtney takes her second trip aboard the Doctor's TARDIS. Clara decides to leave the Doctor's company.
8 Mummy on the Orient Express [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Jamie Mathieson Clara reconsiders her decision and resumes travelling with the Doctor.
9 Flatline [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Douglas Mackinnon Doctor-lite episode. First appearance of Rigsy.
10 In the Forest of the Night [+]Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Frank Cottrell-Boyce Sheree Folkson
11 & 12 Dark Water [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). / Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). Steven Moffat Rachel Talalay Missy is revealed to be the Master. First story to show a Time Lord with a gender different from previously seen. Deaths of Danny, Zygon Osgood and Seb. Posthumous appearance of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, reanimated as a Cyberman. Clara and the Doctor part ways. Conclusion to the "Promised Land" arc. First on-screen appearance of Santa Claus.

Episode notes[]

Aliens and enemies[]

Adaptations and merchandising[]

Home media[]

DVD / Blu-ray[]

This section's awfully stubby.

This section needs to have images added on the individual sets.

Title Number and duration
of episodes
R2 release date R4 release date R1 release date
Doctor Who: Deep Breath
Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
1 × 76 min. 8 September 2014 10 September 2014 9 September 2014
Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series
Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Into the Dalek [+]Phil Ford and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Robot of Sherwood [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Listen [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Time Heist [+]Steve Thompson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
The Caretaker [+]Gareth Roberts and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Kill the Moon [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Mummy on the Orient Express [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Flatline [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
In the Forest of the Night [+]Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Dark Water [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). / Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
1 × 76 min.
10 × 45 min.
1 x 60 min.
24 November 2014 19 November 2014 9 December 2014
Doctor Who: Series Eight, Part One (DVD Exclusive)

Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Into the Dalek [+]Phil Ford and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Robot of Sherwood [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Listen [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Time Heist [+]Steve Thompson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
The Caretaker [+]Gareth Roberts and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).

1 x 76 min.
5 x 45 min.
TBA TBA 20 September 2016
Doctor Who: Series Eight, Part Two (DVD Exclusive)

Kill the Moon [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Mummy on the Orient Express [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Flatline [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
In the Forest of the Night [+]Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).
Dark Water [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). / Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).

5 x 45 min.
1 x 60 min.
TBA TBA 20 December 2016

Series 8 released on 21 November 2023 in a limited edition Blu-ray box set containing every "New Who" series up to Series 13.[20]

Notes[]

  • The box set was previewed in DWM 480.

Stories set during this series[]

Novels[]

Short Stories[]

Comic books[]

Footnotes[]

  1. The Doctor Who Team (12 March 2013). Peter Capaldi exclusively revealed to the nation as the Twelfth Doctor. BBC. Retrieved on 7 December 2013.
  2. The Doctor Who Team (1 June 2013). Matt Smith announces he is to leave Doctor Who. BBC. Retrieved on 7 December 2013.
  3. Varney, Bertena (6 January 2014). Series 8 of 'Doctor Who' begins filming today. Examiner.com. Retrieved on 6 January 2014.
  4. Interview with Steven Moffat on BBC Radio Wales, 7 August 2014: recording of the event can be found here
  5. Susanna Lazarus (12 March 2013). Doctor Who: Jenna-Louise Coleman confirms her return for series eight. Radio Times. Retrieved on 1 June 2013.
  6. The Doctor Who Team (24 February 2014). Rising Star Joins Doctor Who for Peter Capaldi's First Series. Doctor Who website. Retrieved on 24 February 2014.
  7. Mellor, Louisa (14 October 2013). Doctor Who: returning characters confirmed for series 8. Den of Geek. Retrieved on 2 January 2014.
  8. Martin, William (13 October 2013). 'Doctor Who': Vastra, Jenny and Strax back in series 8. CultBox. Retrieved on 2 January 2014.
  9. Blue Peter: Doctor Who Competition: Design a Sonic Device. CBBC. Retrieved on 2 January 2014.
  10. 10.0 10.1 The story features Osgood from Operation Double but it is not clear whether that is the human or the Zygon.
  11. Williams, Kathryn and Meville-Smith, Alicia (30 June 2014). Doctor Who films in Cardiff city centre as the Cybermen take over. Wales Online. Retrieved on 30 June 2014.
  12. Jordan Zakarin (21 May 2013). Storyline For The Next "Doctor Who" Season Already Written. BuzzFeed. Retrieved on 1 June 2013.
  13. BBC (17 December 2013). Doctor Who Official Twitter announcement. Twitter. Retrieved on 7 January 2014.
  14. BBC (7 January 2014). Peter Capaldi begins filming on Doctor Who. BBC.co.uk. Retrieved on 7 January 2014.
  15. The Doctor Who Team (13 March 2013). Doctor Who: Executive Producer Moves On. BBC - Blogs - Doctor Who. Retrieved on 14 December 2013.
  16. The Doctor Who Team (30 April 2013). Brian Minchin confirmed as New Executive Producer of Doctor Who. BBC - Blogs - Doctor Who. Retrieved on 14 December 2013.
  17. Peter Capaldi begins filming on Doctor Who. BBC Media Centre (7 January 2014). Retrieved on 7 January 2014.
  18. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-beheading-scene-cut-from-robot-of-sherwood-after-steven-sotloff-murder-9712496.html?amp
  19. Australia's Classification website (Doctor Who Series 8) http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?sid=69RopHhhBWvUbT%252fpWbFxFw%253d%253d&ncdctx=CS%2bmGrIk86InRL%2bTUFqPefzY4hRzQs24Ci%2bbEv0WqasqB6llZOIGTxb%252fMQecAI5FChov8be%252f5GGazzHQh2s9jDJkREdcr6K27nDctGfCTEk%253d
  20. https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-limited-edition-complete-new-who-blu-ray-set-is-up-for-preorder
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