Scott Matthewman

The beauty of using my blog to keep track of stuff I’ve written elsewhere is that it allows, when time permits, to reflect on the writer I used to be. As I’ve been explaining on Twitter, I usually think that what I wrote in the past is better than what I write now, whether it’s […]

A couple of weeks ago, in the regular list of notable radio programmes I prepare each week, I plugged Radio 2’s relay of a recent live performance of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds. That mention spurred me to listen once more to the album. This prog rock opera contains some of the most well-known […]

Cross-posted to TV Today

Over on US TV blog Televisionary, Jace has been interviewing Torchwood and Doctor Who writer/producer Russell T. Davies and director Euros Lyn. After all the Comic-Con madness and the ‘Save Ianto’ hubbub, it’s nice to hear them talk about more general matters regarding both series — and for Euros to get some […]

Via Stuart, I’ve spent the last half hour reading a long and eloquent piece about the concept of show ‘canonicity’, with special attention to the concept around a show like Doctor Who:

We’ve moved from a canon which didn’t exist because nobody got round to establishing one, to a canon which doesn’t exist because […]

Spoiler warning: Don’t read further if you have not yet seen episode 4 of Torchwood: Children of Earth. Of course, if you want to watch it, chances are you already have, but still…

Fans of any persuasion can be an odd bunch. I know, I am that person. There are so many huge benefits to be […]

Originally published in The Stage

Costume actor Paul Kasey has played a variety of monsters on Doctor Who, from Autons to Ood. As he prepares to play the Cyberleader in this year’s Christmas special, he tells Scott Matthewman how he got the job

“I do get asked by children if I can go and put my Cyberman […]

As I said back in October, my short story, Tell Me You Love Me is going to be included in the forthcoming anthology, Doctor Who Short Trips: The Ghosts of Christmas.

The Big Finish page for the book now includes an image, as well as a free PDF of one story from the collection — […]

It may be a tough question to answer, but I love Neil Gaiman’s attempt:

The best thing about writing fiction is that moment where the story catches fire and comes to life on the page, and suddenly it all makes sense and you know what it’s about and why you’re doing it and what […]

I’ve mentioned bits and pieces about getting a short story published, without going into further detail. Now, though, my publisher has announced full details, so I can officially go public. My story, Tell Me You Love Me, is going to be published in Big Finish’s forthcoming short story anthology, Short Trips: The Ghosts of […]

As I mention on my About page, I’ve recently been lucky enough to have received a commission for my first professional piece of fiction — a short story for an anthology based around a certain TV show.

The story itself has been approved, is currently being typeset and the (small but historic) cheque has long since […]

If you’re in Edinburgh this weekend — which, sadly, I’m not — and are in any way shape or form into Doctor Who — which, happily, I am — then make sure you go along to a one-off charity event in aid of ACCORD, the hospice where David Tennant’s mother worked and, recently, passed away.

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This was my entry for a recent Big Finish short story open submissions competition. The brief - “Doctor Who changed my life”.

This interview originally appeared in the April 5, 2007 issue of The Stage

Executive producer of Doctor Who Julie Gardner tells Scott Matthewman about the changes being made to the show, in front of and behind the camera, including a welcome move to larger production studios

Julie Gardner spends a lot of time on Doctor Who in […]

Earlier this week, I submitted my entry for Big Finish’s Doctor Who short story competition. The closing date is tomorrow, January 31, and I don’t know how long it’ll be until I hear who beat me (such confidence, I know).

I ditched the original short story I tried writing for the competition, as I realised that […]

Review of Series 2, Episode 10 - with spoilers

As readers may have noticed, I’d fallen out of the habit of writing individual reviews of Doctor Who episodes, mainly because I’ve been blogging a lot more during the week. But Anna requested it, so I guess I’d better get back on with it.

So. Love & Monsters. […]

Review of Series 2, Episode 5 - with spoilers

When Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis needed a new style of Doctor Who monster in 1966, they looked no further than humanity itself. Looking at our species, they identified what it was that set us apart from machines — and got rid of it. And thus, the […]

Review of Series 2, Episode 3 — with spoilers

If there’s one thing you have to remember of the reborn Doctor Who, it’s that the science fiction element is secondary. Far more important is the character interplay, the emotional investment of the Doctor and Rose, and the sundry other characters they meet. Sometimes — as in […]

Review of Series 2, Episode 2 — with spoilers

Jane Tranter, the BBC head of drama, issued the Doctor Who production team an edict before this series. They were, she said, to give the historical episodes a “kick up the arse”. With Tooth and Claw, pretty much the whole of South Wales’ TV talent has taken […]

“Welcome for a third and final time, Doctor. And my secret is…

“I am your father… no, wait, that’s not it, sorry, memory’s not what it was… Soylent Green is people!… er… it’ll come to me in a minute… Laura Palmer’s father is BOB? The Apes’ planet is really Earth? Bruce Willis is a ghost? Your […]

Review of Series 2, Episode 1 — with spoilers

There are many reasons why New Earth, the opening episode of Doctor Who Series 2, is a natural successor to last year’s The End of the World. The return of Lady Cassandra O’Brien Dot Delta Seventeen and the Face of Boe are the most obvious, naturally. Other […]

An interview with producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Gary Russell of Big Finish, makers of audio dramas revolving around cult sci-fi shows such as Doctor Who, Sapphire and Steel and the Tomorrow People. Written for The Stage, September 2005, this version (which originally appeared on The Stage website, from where it is still available) is an extended version of the one which appeared in print the same week.

Have you solved the mystery of Bad Wolf, the cryptic hidden message spread across this season of Doctor Who?

Well, no. You haven’t. At least, not according to Executive Producer Russell T Davies, who has been keeping an eager eye on the various theories about who or what the Bad […]

In this week’s TV & Satellite Week:

I didn’t think people would notice, but I should have known that science fiction fans would spot it blindfolded from 300 miles! All will be revealed next week. A lot of people think it’s a super-villain, though I can’t imagine why he would graffiti his name all […]

15/05/05 updated to cover up to episode 8 (Father’s Day) 18/05/05 updated to cover the first three Ninth Doctor novels 28/05/05 updated to cover up to episode 10 (The Doctor Dances) 08/06/05 updated to cover episode 11 (Boom Town)

Something that’s really setting the Doctor Who fan community alight are continued references, at roughly one per episode, to a […]

Every part of Hazel that wasn’t supported by an underwire sagged visibly as she sat down at the kitchen table.

‘Well, that’s that,’ she said to the toaster in the corner, there being no one else in the house. ‘It’s just you, me and half a loaf of Mother’s Pride from now on. D’you think they’ll […]

“You will wait for me, won’t you?”

The warm squeeze of her shoulder told her everything.

Mel began the walk up the driveway. It had only been a few months since leaving home, yet to her parents she had been away for nearly fifteen years. She wondered what to expect: would Dad have given up […]

This short story has since been revised and republished.

“Where do you keep your heart, love? Is it free and allowed to roam?” The Doctor initiates a long overdue reunion.

Despair had been trying to ensnare her nemesis for aeons. Now she had hit on the perfect plan. A quick manipulation of a backwards little planet (whose inhabitants were far too up themselves for her liking) and the plan was in place. How ironic — that the bringer of hope would trap himself in her […]

“Wheeeee!” squealed Jo as the Magic Roundabout span. “This Land of Fiction is fun!”

“Watch out!” cried the Doctor, as Ermintrude stampeded through the garden.

Her distress’ source was soon apparent. Imhotep and the remainder of the cast of The Mummy ran amok. A eunuch servant jumped piggyback onto Florence, causing her great discomfort.

The Doctor […]