Comic Vine News

Doctor Who to Film in America for the First Time

The Doctor is coming to America, but more specifically, Utah.

 11th Doctor
11th Doctor
Sure, the Doctor has been to America in previous episodes, but the show has never filmed on location before, until now. BBC recently announced that Doctor who will begin filming on location in Utah mid-November. The scenes filmed in the States will be in a two-part episode.
 
" Production on episodes one and two of the new season starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston  who reprises her role as River Song."
 
It seems that River will be an even bigger part of this season. Steven Moffat, who currently runs and writes the show, is also very excited over the Doctor visiting America, and he thinks American audiences will be as well: "The  Doctor has visited every weird and wonderful planet you can imagine, so he was bound get round to America eventually!  And of course every  Doctor  Who fan will be jumping up and down and saying he’s been in America before.  But not for real, not on location - and not with a story like this one!" 
 
It's true. Although, over the decades the show has been on the air, the Doctor and crew have visited America many times; however, the show was never actually shot on location. The Doctor Who crew will be traveling to Utah to film the episode which takes place during the 1960s in an adventure that starts in Utah, but ends up in the Oval Office. 
 
Executive Producer of the show, and Head of Drama BBC Wales, Piers Wenger seems positive about this upcoming season and its episodes: "Steven's scripts generally inspire us to go that extra mile - this time we're going that extra four thousand. Thanks to our friends at BBC AMERICA and to the continuing ambition of our lead writer and production team, the first two episodes of Matt Smith's second season as the  Doctor are going global and look set to become  Doctor Who's most action-packed and ambitious season opener yet."
 
Season 5 was a great deal of fun, and it looks as though this season will definitely raise the bar. Last season will be available on DVD & Blu-ray on November 9th. And if you're still clamoring for more of the Doctor, The Coventry Telegraph recently reported that Matt Smith will appear as the Doctor in two episodes on The Sarah Jane Adventures on CBBC, October 25 & 26. (BBC 1 on October 27 and 28) The episodes will team up former Doctor companions Sarah Jane and Jo Grant for the first time, as The Doctor is declared dead and the two women must solve the mystery surrounding them. This story is written by ex-Doctor Who writer Russel T Davies.
jordamaon Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:13 a.m.

How have they never filmed here?
G-Man staff on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:16 a.m.
@jordama: The TARDIS never had enough gas to cross the Atlantic?
haydenclaireheroeson Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.
I do not watch doctor who but I still think that is cool  
LT1085on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:31 a.m.
@haydenclaireheroes said:

" I do not watch doctor who but I still think that is cool   "

inferiorego staff on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
@jordama said:
" How have they never filmed here? "
P.S. I'm not sure if the Paul McGann movie filmed here, but I refuse to accept that it exists.
welshguyon Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:41 a.m.
I always assumed that the BBC was too tight with its cash to consider filming in the states. i mean, why do that when you can use a disused quarry in the british countryside? 
Its also likely to garner more interest in the brand over the pond. Hopefully it will work
Doctor!!!!!on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:49 a.m.

 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! 
Doctor Who in America!! Yes!! Finally!!!!
(Who knew the TARDIS could cross the pond.)
inferiorego staff on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:50 a.m.
@welshguy said:
" I always assumed that the BBC was too tight with its cash to consider filming in the states. i mean, why do that when you can use a disused quarry in the british countryside? Its also likely to garner more interest in the brand over the pond. Hopefully it will work "
I wonder how many times they've used that quarry as an alien planet? My guess is around 30 times
Jothamon Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.
Dang it. I read that as River TAM, not River Song. That would be the best crossover ever.
xerox_kitty moderator on Oct. 11, 2010 at 10:56 a.m.
@inferiorego said:
" @jordama said:
" How have they never filmed here? "
P.S. I'm not sure if the Paul McGann movie filmed here, but I refuse to accept that it exists. "
I'm pretty sure it was...  
 
If it didn't exist, then how can Tennant be the Tenth Doctor? :p
inferiorego staff on Oct. 11, 2010 at 11:10 a.m.
@xerox-kitty said:
" @inferiorego said:
" @jordama said:
" How have they never filmed here? "
P.S. I'm not sure if the Paul McGann movie filmed here, but I refuse to accept that it exists. "
I'm pretty sure it was...   If it didn't exist, then how can Tennant be the Tenth Doctor? :p "
Again, i refuse to believe it exists.
Kamen Rider Kajikion Oct. 11, 2010 at 11:32 a.m.
@xerox-kitty said:

" @inferiorego said:

" @jordama said:
" How have they never filmed here? "
P.S. I'm not sure if the Paul McGann movie filmed here, but I refuse to accept that it exists. "
I'm pretty sure it was...   If it didn't exist, then how can Tennant be the Tenth Doctor? :p "

Rowan's Doctor? lol
-Vigil-on Oct. 11, 2010 at 11:42 a.m.
Whoo, it's coming to my state! *prepares to infiltrate set*    
Deihon Oct. 11, 2010 at 12:56 p.m.
@jordama:  Because the BBC probably never saw a need to fly the entire Doctor Who crew to American soil or they didn't have the cash.
jordamaon Oct. 11, 2010 at 1:56 p.m.

Wow, I got @ by everyone. 
 
It just seems like they would have had to come to the states at one point or another. But then again I can only think of one episode in recent years to officially take place in America, the Doctor and Martha in the 20's episode. They turned Americans into pigs, wonder if there was a hidden message in that? This just seems like one of those "facts" that people wouldn't question and just assume someone else did the fact checking on.
DarthStorm is online on Oct. 11, 2010 at 2:31 p.m.
Sweet! nice to have Doctor Who over here for once.

Dig Deeper into The Doctor

A Time Lord who travels through time and space, adventuring and righting wrongs.

Edit/View the Wiki
Hit the Forums (142 Posts)
Add/View Images (633 Images)
Watch Some Videos (3 Videos)
First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series

We visited the DC Entertainment office to get an early look at all 7 BEFORE WATCHMEN limited series. That's right, we've read all the #1s (and some of the #2s)!

Comic Book Wallpapers for the New iPad

Finding the best wallpapers isn't easy. Here's a bunch and what you need to know to make your own.

Off My Mind: Will the DC Universe Be Rebooted Again After Flashpoint?

Is it really that crazy of an idea?

Off My Mind: Defeating Teen Heroes Through Their Hormones

Why isn't this 'weakness' exploited more often?

Off My Mind: Should Mary Jane Gain Superpowers?

Having powers could help them stay together.

San Diego Comic-Con 2011 Cosplay Gallery

The official Comic Vine cosplay gallery, with 1100+ cosplay photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Enjoy.

Off My Mind: Should Superheroes Keep Trophy Rooms?

It's cool to keep villains' memorabilia but how safe is it?

Off My Mind: What if the Punisher Shot an Innocent?

It's his job to punish the guilty but what if he became guilty himself?

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers]

The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.

First Look At Marvel's CAPTAIN MARVEL #1

Get a peak at Ms. Marvel as the new Captain Marvel in this four-page preview of the upcoming series.

10 Comics to Buy This Week: 5/23/2012

Our recommendations for this week in comics.

Best Comic Book Covers of the Week: 5/18/12

This week Spidey, FABLES, and CONAN THE BARBARIAN make our list; what's on yours?

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D

Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.

Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters

If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.

First Look at AMC's 'The Walking Dead' Season 3

The next season is said to be "harder, darker, faster, deeper."

Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse?

Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers]

The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.

First Look At Marvel's CAPTAIN MARVEL #1

Get a peak at Ms. Marvel as the new Captain Marvel in this four-page preview of the upcoming series.

Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse?

Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?

Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters

If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D

Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.

Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading?

It's a GameSpot-Comic Vine team-up as we get gamers and comic fans to assess titles based on Mass Effect, Gears of War, God of War, Halo, and the NES-era Nintendo lineup.

Awesome Art Picks: Avengers, Thanos, Hawkeye & More

The coolest comic art you won't see in comic books.

New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Poster

The latest Batman movie poster looks cool, and also a little bit familiar...

Recent Reviews
  • Review
    An all-new story told from the perspective of an Imperial Cadet that might even leave you rooting for Darth Vader.
  • Review
    The Voodoo Queen discovers the secrets of her history, the Voodoo Court and more in the latest issue of this Vertigo series.
  • Shock to the System, Part Two
    Shock to the System, Part Two
    Review
    Get ready for some suspense, heavy duty action and not one, but two crazy twists. This is Captain America on a mission. Brubaker and Zircher are unleashing the Captain America action here.
  • Review
    Stryker's Sentinel war against mutants continue but we take a little detour to see what's going on with a couple of other mutants that haven't been seen for some time.

Submissions can take several hours to be approved.

Save ChangesCancel