The News Roundup: Waiting on the Weeping Angels Edition

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Happy weekend, Telly Visions readers! While you’re waiting for the Doctor Who mid-season finale to air – and let’s face it, isn’t that really what we’re all doing today? – help keep yourself spoiler-free by browsing through the total safety of this weekend’s News Roundup. (I will be forever be grateful for same-day Who airings, don’t get me wrong, but wow, these are the longest five hours ever, every week.)

Anyway, give yourself a clockwatching break and catch up on the latest from around the world of British television, including Merlin, Doctor Who, Primeval, Whitechapel, The Paradise, Hunted, Top Gear, Red Dwarf and more!

So, apopos of nothing, here’s Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch reading a chapter from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, as part of the Big Read project.

The Express: Home of Crazy Internet Rumors Since….Forever. Now they’re reporting that Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to be the next James Bond villain in 2014.

Series 5 of Merlin is officially set to premiere on October 6 on BBC One.

15 British Sitcoms that Americans Have Loved the Most.

Primeval creator Adrian Hodges will adapt Giles Morton’s book White Gold for Channel 4.

Cultbox TV reviews new BBC One period drama The Paradise.

Excellent crime drama Whitechapel is set to return for a fourth series on ITV1.

Good look at the BBC’s upcoming spy thriller Hunted over at the Guardian.

Watch the first trailer for Primeval spin-off series Primeval : New World.

The Red Dwarf cast discusses the new series that starts next week.

Jeremy Clarkson has signed on for three more seasons of Top Gear.

The BBC is set to actually publish the book that plays a significant role in the Doctor Who mid-season finale.

Watch the latest Series 2 trailer for Charlie Brooker’s spoof dram A Touch of Cloth.

Looper director Rian Johnson wants to direct an episode of Doctor Who.

Here’s our first look at Benedict Cumberbatch on the set of his new film August: Osage County.

Skins stars Kaya Scodelario and Joe Dempsie have joined the cast of Channel 4’s new four-part drama Southcilffe.

Get your first look at the new cast members of Made in Chelsea.

Former Saturday Night Live star Andy Samberg apparently loves the BBC because he’s allowed to swear on TV.

Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill says his exit from the TARDIS is “exciting” and “emotional.”

The video clip from the London Olympics featuring Queen Elizabeth and James Bond has been voted the top moment that changed UK TV. (Um…okay?)

Sherlock vs. Elementary: A Comparison

More Arthur Darvill goodness: he talks to the Telegraph about his Doctor Who departure and plans for the future.

Watch Doctor Who companion Karen Gillan on the Conan show.

Channel 4 has commissioned a new drama called Dates from Bryan Elsley, the creator of Skins.

Five things you don’t’ know about Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery.

Elementary star Jonny Lee Miller appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman this week.

More from the Late Show: Letterman also interviewed British Prime Minster David Cameron.

Very interesting read from BBC News – on Britishisms and the Britishisation of American English.

Get a look at Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens in the trailer for Vamps, a new film from Amy Heckerling (of Clueless fame).

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is not ruling out the possibility of writing another novel set in the Potter universe.

Interesting read in the Guardian about new BBC drama The Paradise: Do viewers really need more period drama?

More The Paradise and the BBC’s decision to try and launch a period drama outside of the traditional Sunday night timeslot.

Doctor Who star Alex Kingston talks River Song, Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.

Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch chats with the Huffington Post about Elementary, Star Trek and all those recent misquotes.

BBC America has cast Tatiana Maslany as the lead in Orphan Black, their latest original series.

Rumor has it that singer Adele has secretly recorded the theme song for new James Bond film Skyfall.

In honor of Elementary, Entertainment Weekly’s Weekend Book Pick is Sherlock Holmes-based. I am intrigued.


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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