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You may wish to consult Series 9 for other, similarly-named pages.

Series 9 of Doctor Who ran from 25 December 2014 to 25 December 2015. It starred Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor, Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald and Alex Kingston as River Song. The regular series was preceded by Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014)., opened with The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)., concluded with Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). and followed by The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015)..

In April 2015, Steven Moffat confirmed that Doctor Who would run for at least another five years, extending the show until 2020.[1]

Overview[]

The season consisted of ten stories and fourteen episodes. The series began filming on 5 January 2015,[2] for an airdate on 19 September 2015. The regular series consisted of 12 episodes. This was Peter Capaldi's second series as the Twelfth Doctor and Jenna Coleman's third as Clara Oswald, whose inclusion in series 9 marked her as the longest running companion of the BBC Wales series to date.

Series 9 was Coleman's last. She said about the matter: "I have left the TARDIS and I've filmed my last scenes. It has been in the works for a very long time, Steven and I sat down a year ago, a year and a half ago and tried to work out the best place to do it and the best place in which to tell a really good story. So hopefully that's what we've done. I think it's really, really cool. Obviously we're not going to give away any details but it will happen at some point this season."[3] Capaldi then revealed that the character of Clara would be leaving during episode 10 Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., adding that "It's a sad one, gripping and very strange." also saying that "[And] it's the end of the line for Clara Oswald played by Jenna Coleman who's been my companion for the last two years. It's the end of her story. I don't want to go into the details of it, but it's sad.", also telling that she wouldn't return, "Sometimes people can't come back. Sometimes things happen that they can't come back from."[4] However, Clara went on to appear as a hallucination in episode 11 and then return alive in episode 12, but her ultimate fate remained unaltered.

Series 8 episodes Dark Water [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). and Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). were shown in cinemas in 3D as a two-night event on the 15th and 16th September as a run-up to prepare for series 9. A prequel scene to this series was shown at the end of this event. This screening was only shown in Russia, Canada, the United States of America and Denmark.[5] The special prequel was entitled The Doctor's Meditation. A Prologue was also released online.

The series saw Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor maintain the new outfit seen in Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014)., wearing a dark blue hoodie over a black jumper, along with his jacket, trousers and shoes from the previous series. The series also featured the Doctor wearing t-shirts in place of his shirt, often with a pair of plaid trousers. Episode 10 onwards saw the Doctor wearing a red velvet jacket with a white shirt and black trousers, resuming a closer look to that of series 8. The series also featured the Doctor replacing his sonic screwdriver with a pair of sonic sunglasses. The last time the Doctor ceased to use the screwdriver was in his fifth incarnation, something which continued up until the final episode of the original series' run. However, in the final moments of the series finale, a brand new, redesigned sonic screwdriver was created by the TARDIS for the Twelfth Doctor.

In DWM 480, Michelle Gomez confirmed that she would return in series 9 as Missy, the latest incarnation of the Master who served as the central villain in series 8. Moffat had previously teased details in DWM 475, stating "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!" On 19 February 2015, it was announced that Gomez would return for the opening episode.[6]

On 17 December 2014, at a press conference for the Christmas special Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014)., Steven Moffat revealed the title of the first episode of the regular series to be The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)..[7] The title was additionally revealed on-screen, at the end of Last Christmas. The second episode was revealed to be titled The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)..[6] The Magician's Apprentice premiered at the Filmhouse Cinema in Edinburgh on 27 August, as a part of the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.[8]

Prior to the airing of Last Christmas, speculation about whether Jenna Coleman would stay on the show prompted her to announce that she would be continuing to appear in the series at the episode's press launch, stating the following: "It's wonderful โ€“ I've got another series of stories with the Doctor. I couldn't walk away with the story being unresolved and there's so much more to do โ€“ I think they've finally just reached a point where they really understand each other!" Steven Moffat later confirmed this, saying: "Jenna is obviously in all of the next series."[9]

On Monday the 30th of March BBC revealed the title of two episodes; Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat's The Girl Who Died [+]Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). and Catherine Tregenna's The Woman Who Lived [+]Catherine Tregenna, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)..[10][11] The two episodes were revealed to be two linked episodes rather than a conventional two-parter, being set in two time periods, the Viking era and 17th century, respectively.[12]

A question that had been brought up in series 8 opener Deep Breath [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014). was the reason behind the Doctor's newest face and where he had seen it before. In DWM 486 Steven Moffat confirmed that the truth would be discovered, an event which occurred in Episode 5.[13]

Peter Harness revealed that his two-part story, Episodes 7 & 8, featuring UNIT and the Zygons, would have the key theme "consequences" and would be a sequel to the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, 50th Anniversary Specials (BBC One, 2013)..[14]

For the first time in the show's history, the series included an episode which featured only one non-cameo speaking part for its entirety. Referring to the episode, Minchin said: "Doctor Who has always been about taking risks. It's never sat down and done a normal episode. It's always done something extraordinary. Our audience likes to be challenged."[15]

The TARDIS console room set was modified, with circle-lit roundels becoming a prominent feature.

Series 9 had the most overseas filming in the show's history, with five episodes (The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)., The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)., The Zygon Invasion [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., Heaven Sent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). and Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).) featuring scenes shot on location in the Canary Islands.

Peter Capaldi stated that he thought "the Doctor has realised that, even at two and a half thousand years of age, life is short. And he's in a great position and he should enjoy it. But, at the same time, there's something stalking him that will make life less pleasant for him." He also claimed that there would be a monster that would "make you think carefully about regeneration", and that the series would feature "a couple" of monsters from the original series' run.[16]

Moffat stated in issue 490 of Doctor Who Magazine that the opening story of series 9 would be a "movie-sized" story and a "blockbuster".[17]

Prior to the commencement of the series, Capaldi revealed that the run would not end happily, stating: "The Doctor and Clara are excited about the idea of having adventures this series, but that's a dangerous thing to do. They can't have a good time for too long. They have to pay for it. The Doctor has a profound knowledge of the past and future and he knows how things will come off in the end. He is aware darkness will fall."[15] BBC later confirmed that the series finale would see the Doctor return to his home planet Gallifrey, and face his own race, the Time Lords, having been pushed "to the brink of madness" in Episode 11.[18]

On 21 December 2015, Cult Box revealed both Last Christmas and The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015). Christmas specials would be included on Doctor Who: The Complete Ninth Series boxset.[19] The Husbands of River Song is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Douglas Mackinnon and guest stars Alex Kingston, Greg Davies, and Matt Lucas.

In a rare occurrence, the first teaser (entitled This Fall) was broadcast on BBC America.

Cast[]

Recurring[]

Guest[]

Production[]

Crew[]

Producers[]

This series saw three different people produce for the show. Peter Bennett produced The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)., The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015)., The Zygon Invasion [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., The Zygon Inversion [+]Peter Harness and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., Heaven Sent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). and Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)..

Derek Ritchie produced Under the Lake [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., Before the Flood [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., The Girl Who Died [+]Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., The Woman Who Lived [+]Catherine Tregenna, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)..

Nikki Wilson produced Sleep No More [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). and the Christmas special The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015)..

Writers[]

Toby Whithouse returned to the series, writing Episodes 3 and 4, described by executive producer and showrunner Steven Moffat as "a brilliantly creepy two-parter".[21]

New to Doctor Who, but not the DWU, was Catherine Tregenna; the Torchwood writer penned the sixth episode of the series. Tregenna contributed the first Who story written by a female writer since Helen Raynor's two-parter in Series 4.

Sarah Dollard was the third female writer since 2005 and second under Steven Moffat, penning the tenth episode of the series. It marked the first time more than one woman wrote for the show in the same season or series.

Regular writer Mark Gatiss also contributed an episode, stating in an interview with the Telegraph that he was "in the midst of that right now โ€“ I broke off to come here today, in fact, but I'm hoping to finish the script tonight," and added, โ€œIt has been a tough nut to crack, but I'm delighted with how scary it is. I can't say any more than that."[22] The story was told in an unusual format, featuring only point of view and base camera footage showing the Doctor and Clara join a rescue team in an attempt to defeat a group of monsters. Executive producer Brian Minchin stated "We're considering not even having opening titles and just running the footage", something that did ultimately occur.[15] Instead, the episode was given a title sequence in the form of a code.

Directors[]

Hettie MacDonald directed the two-part series opener, making her the only woman to direct a series opener following Doctor Who's return to television in 2005 and one of only four women to direct Doctor Who television openers in the show's history, the last being Fiona Cumming in 1982. She also directed the prequel minisode, The Doctor's Meditation. MacDonald had not directed an episode since Blink [+]Steven Moffat, adapted from What I Did on My Christmas Holidays by Sally Sparrow (Steven Moffat), Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007)..

Joining her was Daniel O'Hara, who directed the third and fourth episodes of the series.

Music[]

Murray Gold returned as the series' score composer. In the finale episode, TV: Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015)., Gold had the rare experience of seeing his leitmotif for Clara Oswald, "Clara", graduate from soundtrack-only to a part of the diegetic narrative.

Filming[]

Filming for the series began 5 January 2015.[23]

Television stories[]

Christmas special[]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
N/A Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014). Steven Moffat Paul Wilmshurst Clara returns to travelling with the Doctor.

Mini-episodes[]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
N/A Prologue Steven Moffat Hettie MacDonald A prelude to series 9. Return of Ohila.
N/A The Doctor's Meditation Steven Moffat Ed Bazalgette A prelude to series 9, aired at special cinema showings of the series 8 finale.

Regular series[]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
1 & 2 The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015). / The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015). Steven Moffat Hettie MacDonald Return of Davros and Missy. The Doctor abandons the green sonic screwdriver and replaces it with a pair of sonic sunglasses.
3 & 4 Under the Lake [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Before the Flood [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Toby Whithouse Daniel O'Hara The title theme is replaced by a one-off rock edition.
5 The Girl Who Died [+]Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat Ed Bazalgette First appearance of Ashildr. The Doctor realises why he has Lobus Caecilius's face.
6 The Woman Who Lived [+]Catherine Tregenna, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Catherine Tregenna Ed Bazalgette Companion-lite episode.
7 & 8 The Zygon Invasion [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / The Zygon Inversion [+]Peter Harness and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Peter Harness / Peter Harness & Steven Moffat
Daniel Nettheim Last televised appearance by Petronella Osgood.
9 Sleep No More [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Mark Gatiss Justin Molotnikov Told in "found footage" format, and features unique one-off title sequence.
10 Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Sarah Dollard Justin Molotnikov Return of Rigsy. Death of Clara Oswald.
11 & 12 Heaven Sent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). Steven Moffat Rachel Talalay Return of Gallifrey, Rassilon and the General. Functional resurrection of Clara Oswald. The General regenerates in the first regeneration to explicitly depict a Time Lord changing genders on television. Clara is erased from the Doctor's memories. Clara and Ashildr begin travelling in their own stolen TARDIS. The Doctor receives a new sonic screwdriver from his TARDIS.

Christmas special[]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
N/A The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015). Steven Moffat Douglas Mackinnon Guest appearance by River Song, and her final televised appearance. First appearance of Nardole. The Doctor and River have their final night on Darillium.

Aliens/Enemies[]

Adaptations and merchandising[]

Home media[]

DVD / Blu-ray[]

This section's awfully stubby.

This section need 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: Last Christmas
Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014).
1 ร— 60 min. 26 January 2015 28 January 2015 17 February 2015
Doctor Who: Series 9: Part 1
The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015). / The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015).
Under the Lake [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Before the Flood [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / The Girl Who Died [+]Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
The Woman Who Lived [+]Catherine Tregenna, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
4 ร— 45 min.
1 ร— 48 min.
1 x 50 min.
2 November 2015 4 November 2015 3 November 2015
Doctor Who: Series 9: Part 2
The Zygon Invasion [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / The Zygon Inversion [+]Peter Harness and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Sleep No More [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Heaven Sent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
3 x 45 min.
1 x 50 min.
1 x 55 min.
1 x 60 min.
4 January 2016 13 January 2016 26 January 2016
Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song
The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015).
1 x 65 min. 25 January 2016 27 January 2016 23 February 2016
Doctor Who: The Complete Ninth Series
Last Christmas [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2014 (BBC One, 2014).
The Magician's Apprentice [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015). / The Witch's Familiar [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One|BBC One]], 2015).
Under the Lake [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Before the Flood [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
The Girl Who Died [+]Jamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
The Woman Who Lived [+]Catherine Tregenna, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
The Zygon Invasion [+]Peter Harness, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / The Zygon Inversion [+]Peter Harness and Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Sleep No More [+]Mark Gatiss, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
Heaven Sent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015). / Hell Bent [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).
The Husbands of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2015 (BBC One, 2015).
7 ร— 45 min.
1 ร— 48 min.
2 x 50 min.
1 x 55 min.
2 x 60 min.
1 x 65 min.
7 March 2016 9 March 2016 5 April 2016

Series 9 released on 21 November 2023 in a limited edition Blu-ray box set containing every "New Who" series up to Series 13.[24]

Notes[]

  • Originally cast in the role as Odin was Brian Blessed who portrayed Yrcanos in four episodes of the 1986 story The Trial of a Time Lord, but had to pull back due to illness.[25]
  • Bethany Black was the first ever openly transgender actor to be cast in Doctor Who.
  • More than half of the main series' episodes feature the Doctor and Clara separated from one another for an extended period of time.

Stories set during this series[]

Novels[]

Audiobooks[]

Comic books[]

Footnotes[]

  1. โ†‘ https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32202633
  2. โ†‘ http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-01-05/doctor-who-series-9-begins-filming-in-cardiff
  3. โ†‘ http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-09-18/jenna-coleman-confirms-she-is-leaving-doctor-who
  4. โ†‘ http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-11-19/did-peter-capaldi-just-confirm-jenna-colemans-final-episode?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
  5. โ†‘ http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2015/08/dark-water-death-in-heaven-russia-190815233012.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&m=1
  6. โ†‘ 6.0 6.1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/6a78885d-e0b1-49a0-b7e8-cecba867a99f
  7. โ†‘ http://www.kasterborous.com/2014/12/series-9-episode-title-revealed/
  8. โ†‘ http://www.thegallifreytimes.co.uk/2015/07/doctor-who-magicians-apprentice-to.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&m=1
  9. โ†‘ http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/jenna-coleman-confirmed-to-return-for-all-of-season-9
  10. โ†‘ http://www.thegallifreytimes.co.uk/2015/03/two-series-9-episode-titles-revealed.html
  11. โ†‘ http://www.thegallifreytimes.co.uk/2015/03/two-series-9-episode-titles-revealed.html
  12. โ†‘ http://www.kasterborous.com/2015/04/doctor-series-9-set-photos-emerge-instagram/
  13. โ†‘ http://blogtorwho.blogspot.dk/2015/04/series-9-to.html
  14. โ†‘ http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/exclusive-doctor-who-writer-peter-harness-teases-season-9s-zygon-story
  15. โ†‘ 15.0 15.1 15.2 http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/460025/Doctor-Who-surprises-new-series
  16. โ†‘ http://www.kasterborous.com/2015/07/stalking-doctor-series-9/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
  17. โ†‘ http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-writer-moffat-teases-movie-sized-opener-for-season-9
  18. โ†‘ http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/15/doctor-who-series-finale-sees-peter-capaldi-return-to-spoilers-5501972/
  19. โ†‘ Martin, William (21 December 2015). 'Doctor Who' complete Season 9 box set release and extras announced. Cult Box. Retrieved on 21 December 2015.
  20. โ†‘ The story features both Osgoods from Operation Double, the human and the Zygon. In addition, at different times the Zygon identity is assumed by the original Zygon from TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, 50th Anniversary Specials (BBC One, 2013). and by Bonnie.
  21. โ†‘ BBC - Filming begins on Doctor Who Series 9. BBC (January 14th, 2015). Retrieved on January 26th, 2015.
  22. โ†‘ http://www.thegallifreytimes.co.uk/2015/03/mark-gatiss-confirmed-as-writer-for.html
  23. โ†‘ Radio Times
  24. โ†‘ https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-limited-edition-complete-new-who-blu-ray-set-is-up-for-preorder
  25. โ†‘ http://blogtorwho.blogspot.co.il/2015/04/doctor-who-series-9-casting-news.html
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