Doctor Who Magazine has spoken to executive producer and head writer, Steven Moffat, to give us a taste of what's in store over the next 12 episodes...
"Why not start with a blockbuster?" says Steven of the two-part opening story, The Magician's Apprentice and The Witch's Familiar. "Why leave it till the last two weeks? So yes, it's like starting with a finale, and having a big, grand, movie-sized story, as opposed to a 45-minute story."
What does Steven like about the longer format? "It allows you to play with certain things," he replies. "There's a kind of scale that you can attain in a two-parter, that you can't have in 45 minutes. It's a scale that we're not used to at the moment, as we haven't done two-parters for quite a while. And in a way, it's sort of advertising the fact that we've got two-parters back this year. We do things in that first episode that I would say are very 'two-parter-y'."
ALSO INSIDE ISSUE 490...
THE SECRET DIARY OF THE MASTER!
He's mad, bad and dangerous to know... and now, DWM has discovered the secret diary of the Master, which reveals the insane thinking behind his... er, her every scheme!
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Why does nearly everyone in Doctor Who speak English? Steve Lyons investigates the mystery of universal translation throughout the history of the series - and comes to some intriguing conclusions...
THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR?
Showrunner Steven Moffat answers more readers' questions - and presents a brand new scene which explores what the Doctor called himself during the Time War...
THE VAMPIRE MUTATIONS
The Fourth Doctor and Romana encounter creatures with a thirst for blood - and an ancient enemy of the Time Lords - as the The Fact of Fiction explores the 1980 story State of Decay.
THE RETURN OF DANNY PINK
Clara has a shocking reunion with her boyfriend in the brand-new comic strip adventure, Spirits of the Jungle, by Jonathan Morris, illustrated by John Ross.
TRAILS AND TRIBULATIONS
Novelist, fan girl, and mum Jacqueline Rayner celebrates the joy of a new Doctor Who trailer in her regular column, Relative Dimensions.
IT'S THE END...
The Time Team embark on a marathon viewing session as they sit down to watch David Tennant's swansong as the Doctor: The End of Time.
THE COMPLETE HISTORY
DWM takes a look at a landmark new series of books, which begins in September: Doctor Who The Complete History.
ON THEIR WAY...
DWM talks to the people involved in the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases, including Dan Starkey, James Goss and Gary Russell.
THE UNEXPLAINED
The Watcher examines some of the many unanswered questions in Doctor Who and celebrates a feisty equine talent in Wotcha!.
PLUS! All the latest official news, reviews, competitions and The DWM Crossword.
