Merlin Series 5 Finale Pictures Released

Monday, 26 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The BBC today released a set of four pictures from the 13th and final episode of the current series of Merlin.

The episode, whose title has not yet been announced, is due to be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 29th December, and images are usually released the preceding Tuesday, but the BBC is making this set public more than a month in advance.


Pictures from episode 9 - entitled With All My Heart, which airs on Saturday 1st December at 8pm - will be released tomorrow.





FILTER: - Merlin

Mobile Apps For Primeval Spin-Off

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
Two apps have been produced to bring Primeval: New World to the mobile world.

The North American spin-off of the UK series Primeval is set in modern-day Vancouver and is co-produced by Omnifilm Entertainment.

Gabriela Schonbach, partner at Omnifilm Entertainment and executive producer of the series, said:
The audience for the Primeval: New World brand is very savvy and comfortable with technology. There are already dozens of fan sites popping up, and we're seeing strong buzz in social media. We are delighted to provide this very active fan base with unique new ways to interact with the dinosaurs and the characters across as many platforms as possible.

Primeval: dFX – Dino Movie Maker - out now - is said to be easy to use and ideal for a general audience, including people who don't consider themselves "gamers".

Users can select from a variety of dinosaurs featured in the TV series, record a video clip using their iPhone or iPad camera, and then the app quickly inserts the selected dinosaur into the video clip. All videos can be saved for montages, uploaded to popular social media channels, or e-mailed out to friends and family.

Primeval: New World, which is scheduled to launch on Thursday 22nd November, is described as being more of a traditional platform game.

Players choose which character from the series they want to control. The characters then embark on missions to defend the streets of Vancouver from dinosaur attacks, work to capture creatures, and rescue civilians. As players move up levels and enter into new environments they collect tokens and points to be redeemed for in-app purchases.

The apps were produced by Calgary-based Robots and Pencils.

Thirteen episodes were commissioned for the first series of the TV show, which is currently being broadcast on Canadian channel SPACE on Mondays at 10pm ET, having started on 29th October. A date for it to start on Watch in the UK has yet to be announced. It was originally believed it would be shown here at some point late this year but January 2013 now looks likely to be the series' UK premiere month.

Bill Lundy, senior producer of digital at SPACE, said:
Primeval: New World has the richest and most diverse collection of online and mobile content we have ever launched for a SPACE original series. Not only are we offering our viewers an exciting and engaging website with unique user-generated content, we are also providing them with mobile app game experiences. The cross-promotion of the television series through these different media is a perfect fit for our engaged audience.
  • The first eight episodes of Primeval: New World will be shown in a marathon broadcast on SPACE on Friday 28th December beginning at 6am ET.




FILTER: - Primeval: New World - Gaming

TV Props And Models Going Under The Hammer

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
Models and props from Captain Scarlet, Blake's 7, and the latest series of Red Dwarf are to be auctioned next month in London.

Bonhams' Entertainment Memorabilia sale takes place on Wednesday 12th December at its Knightsbridge showroom, starting at midday, where the following will be available to bid for:

Lot No: 137 - A Captain Brown puppet from Captain Scarlet

Original, restored head with reproduction body and uniform, puppet approx 22in (56cm) high with statement from Terry Curtis regarding the restoration. The character was only in the first episode and in flashback in the second. It was then used for other characters in the series, including Major Reeves and Dr Conrad. The puppet also appeared as Dr Blakemore in the Joe 90 episode Operation McClaine and as Harry Sloane in Double Agent in the same series. In The Secret Service it portrayed several characters, including the spy George Grey and, with grey hair and moustache, General Brompton in the episode Hole In One. Provenance: This head is ex-lot 14, The Sylvia Anderson, Mary Turner and John Read Collection, Phillips, September 1995. Restorer Terry Curtis's statement details the work he undertook on the puppet head, including re-wigging with original mohair, repainting the head to its original colour, replacing missing teeth with a set moulded from the close-up Captain Blue head and using leather from Pittards in the uniform, as was the original leather. The eyes are original.

Estimate: £12,500-13,500, €16,000-17,000; $20,000-22,000
 
Lot No: 138 - Stardrive prop from Blake's 7

A prop stardrive device from the Blake's 7 episode Stardrive (series 4, episode 4), circa 1981, constructed mainly from metal and plastics, with internal wiring and carrying handle, 30 x 7½ x 5½ inches (76x19x14cm).

Estimate: £500-700, €630-880; $800-1,100
 
Lot No: 141 - Mothership from Red Dwarf X

A detailed model Mothership spaceship designed and made by William 'Bill' Pearson, constructed from plastic and metal. Featured in Red Dwarf X in 2012. Length - 24 inches (61cm). This model was originally built for a proposed science-fiction television series in the 1980s that was not commissioned. The model spaceship remained in Bill Pearson's workshop until this year and featured in episode 4, Entangled, as a space station.

Estimate: £500-700, €630-880; $800-1,100
 
Lot No: 142 - Annihilator from Red Dwarf X

A detailed model Annihilator fantasy spaceship designed and made by William 'Bill' Pearson. Constructed from plastic and metal, and featured in Red Dwarf X in 2012. Length - 22 inches (56cm). Originally made for a Red Dwarf Christmas special more than ten years ago but never used. It then remained in Bill Pearson's workshop until this year when it was called upon for Red Dwarf X and featured in episode 6, The Beginning. Only one model was made, which was duplicated in the episode using visual effects.

Estimate: £500-700, €630-880; $800-1,100
 




FILTER: - Captain Scarlet - Red Dwarf - Blake's 7

The Fall of the Nekross - Pictures

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The BBC today released a set of pictures from The Fall of the Nekross - next week's penultimate Wizards vs Aliens adventure.


In part one, Benny launches an attack on the Nekross ship. The schoolboy genius uses all the computers on Earth against the aliens, and the starship Zarantulus is stricken. But soon the plan runs out of control, with terrifying consequences for both wizards and aliens alike.

In part two, time is running out for the Nekross, while on Earth the wizards fall apart. Ursula plans radical action against Benny, while Tom realises that the solution might lie with the ancient and mysterious Stones of Burnt Hill. But if helping Benny means saving his enemy, what choice will Tom make?

Written by Gareth Roberts and directed by Joss Agnew, part one will air on Monday 26th November and part two on Tuesday 27th November, both at 5.15pm.




FILTER: - CBBC - Wizards Vs Aliens

Merlin: The Hollow Queen

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
A gallery of pictures from episode eight of Merlin - The Hollow Queen - has been released by the BBC today.

The story will air at 8pm on Saturday 24th November on BBC One and will guest-star Alfie Stewart as Daegal, John Shrapnel as Sarrum, Matthew Clancy as Albin, and Mitch Benn as Gerrin.

When Merlin agrees to help a young Druid boy, Daegal, he has no choice but to leave Camelot on a dangerous mission. And with the citadel distracted by the visit of the fearsome Sarrum of Amata, it seems that no-one will notice his absence. But as the sky darkens so do Merlin's suspicions - is there more to Daegal than meets the eye? And can a man as ruthless as the Sarrum ever really be trusted? Before long, the young warlock realises he's made a terrible mistake.






FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin: Episodes 9 And 10 Synopses

Saturday, 17 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
Episode nine of Merlin will air at 8pm on Saturday 1st December on BBC One, it has been confirmed.

Merlin knows he must act fast before Morgana's twisted control over Gwen gets further out of hand. But only the most powerful magic can save the Queen and this will not be easy, even for Merlin. As the High Priestess tightens her grip on Camelot, one thing is clear - she will not give up her puppet without a fight.

Episode 10 is currently scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm on Saturday 8th December and will feature guest stars Gary Lewis as Alator of the Catha and Sorcha Cusack as Finna.

Morgana leads a terrifying manhunt in pursuit of her old foe Alator of the Catha, for she knows without doubt that he can tell her exactly where to find Emrys. Merlin's life has never been in more danger, so when the mysterious Finna offers to help him, is he right to trust her or will he find himself cornered with nowhere to run?

Titles for both episodes are yet to be announced. Pictures from episode 8 - The Hollow Queen - which airs next Saturday will be released by the BBC this coming Tuesday.

UPDATE - 24TH NOVEMBER: Episode 9 will be called With All My Heart.





FILTER: - Merlin