Dinosaurs and Cyborgs? New 'Doctor Who' trailer delivers action
The new season of "Doctor Who" is almost here and promises non-stop excitement. But what of this rumor that his companion Clara may quit the Tardis?
"Doctor Who" fans have already caught glimpses of actor Peter Capaldi as the newest incarnation of the Doctor being meditative, foreboding, dark, and downright electrifying.
SPOILERS SWEETIES: If you want to steer clear of possible spoilers from actor interviews and trailer breakdowns, click away from here NOW! In fact, just watch this cute fan-made trailer of ""="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="215db7bc-b5cb-4947-82ec-1f5ab321c9ad" slug="fan-creates-adorable-animated-tribute-to-doctor-who" link-text="" section="news" title="Fan creates adorable animated tribute to 'Doctor Who'" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"215db7bc-b5cb-4947-82ec-1f5ab321c9ad","slug":"fan-creates-adorable-animated-tribute-to-doctor-who","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"culture"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Culture","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> instead.
In the latest teaser trailer promoting the upcoming episode "Deep Breath" -- which kicks off season 8 of "Doctor Who" on August 23 -- fans see more dinosaur roars, London under attack (yes, again), the Doctor in his nightshirt on horseback, and a mysterious cyborg-like character.
Also featured in the trailer is Madam Vastra (Neve McIntosh) ready for battle, and the Doctor's companion Clara (Jenna Coleman) with a quick quip about the Tardis' new interior -- "You've redecorated."
Speaking of, Jenna Coleman, the actress who first appeared in "Doctor Who" in 2012 and later became the Doctor's Impossible Girl and companion as Clara Oswald, has been rumored to be leaving the show after its Christmas episode; however no official statement has been made to verify the rumor.
In a BBC interview this week, Coleman said of Clara's feelings about the new Doctor: "It unbalances her and throws everything up in the air. She has gone from feeling safe -- in moments of danger the Doctor would catch her -- and thinking she had it all sussed, then suddenly this new guy has come along who she can't quite access in the same way. He's removed, he's not as patient, and he's much more alien and enigmatic. It's really hard for her. Her best friend is a changed person, and it is a very difficult for her to accept that and move forward."
It's not just Clara who notices a change in this newly regenerated Doctor. Coleman believes the whole tone of the show will change.
"It feels different," Coleman said in the BBC interview this week. "The pace is different, and the tone. It's definitely darker, but again I think it's because the Doctor is much more removed and not as accessible to humans. The show feels complex, and the Doctor is complicated. He's this heroic figure but he can't quite accept he's a hero. It's also the Doctor getting to know himself again as well as the audience, and Clara, getting to know him. There's definitely this element of beginning again as there always is with a regeneration. He's much more of a tough cookie, and there's fierceness to it now. That is really interesting for Clara, because when they go on these adventures -- yes it's fun and it is full of adventure -- but actually it is dangerous as well. The risk-taking is heightened."
While it's not officially confirmed whether Coleman will be leaving the show, it's clear she'll be revealing more about her character in upcoming episodes that could answer a few questions about Clara's double life.
"We see how she lives her life, and how she lives a double life," Coleman told BBC. "Spending time at home, being a teacher and livingyou a normal life, and then very separately sneaking off and having these mad, wonderful, magical adventures with the Doctor. Actually, it is quite exhausting for her. It's a theme throughout the series, lying and why we lie, lying to protect someone you love. It's this web of lies that she gets herself tangled in."
Plus there's a love interest in Clara's future, and he's a teacher.
"She meets a man called Danny Pink (played by Samuel Anderson) -- a teacher -- who's charming and lovely," Coleman revealed in her BBC interview. "He's that perfect boyfriend really and is very supportive, but he doesn't know anything about this double life she lives. She tries to hide it from him whilst at the same time falling in love. She becomes very torn between the two. It's almost as if she's having an affair, without having an affair, but the lying becomes more and more."
Stay tuned on CNET for more "Doctor Who" updates and don't forget to print out a pair of creepy Capaldeyes in time for the episode premiere on August 23 on BBC America in the US, on BBC One in the UK, and on ABC in Australia.