Spin-off – The Bad Wilf Network

Episode 191:Class interview

In which Martyn attends the MCM expo and interviews the cast of Class.

Class was a spin-off of the long-running programme Doctor Who. It was created and written by Patrick Ness, who also produced alongside Doctor Who showrunner and lead writer Steven Moffat, and Brian Minchin.

Two days after this interview, it was announced that Big Finish Productions would produce a series of six Class audio adventures, telling the further adventures of the students at Coal Hill Academy.

Check out our interview with Sylvester McCoy.

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Meet the cast of Doctor Who spin-off, Class

The wait is over, we finally have our first look at the cast of Class.

Class takes place in the same universe as Doctor Who and, is set in contemporary London at Coal Hill School. The eight-part series starts filming in a few weeks.

On the first day of term, BBC Three today announce the stars of the Doctor Who spin-off series Class – exciting young new talents Greg Austin, Fady Elsayed, Sophie Hopkins and Vivian Oparah. They will be joined by Katherine Kelly, as she takes the role of a teacher and powerful new presence at Coal Hill School.

Like all sixth formers, these four Coal Hill School students have hidden secrets and desires. They are facing their own worst fears, navigating a life of friends, parents, school work, sex, sorrow – and possibly the end of existence.

Coal Hill School has been a part of the Doctor Who Universe since the very beginning, but that has come at a price. All the time travelling over the years has caused the very walls of space and time to become thin. There’s something pressing in on the other side, something waiting for its chance to kill everyone and everything, to bring us all into Shadow.

Fear is coming, tragedy is coming, war is coming. Prepare yourselves, Class is coming.

Class creator Patrick Ness, says:

“We searched far and wide for this amazing cast, fantastic actors who understand what we’re aiming for with this show. And how lucky we are to get Katherine Kelly! She’s been stunning in Happy Valley, The Night Manager and Mr Selfridge, just wait until you see her here.”

Steven Moffat, Class and Doctor Who Executive Producer, says:

“There’s nothing more exciting than meeting stars that nobody’s heard of yet. We had the read through of the first few episodes last week, and there was a whole row of them. Coal Hill School has been part of Doctor Who since the very first shoot in 1963, but this new show is anything but history. Class is dark and sexy and right now. I’ve always wondered if there could be a British Buffy – it’s taken the brilliant Patrick Ness to figure out how to make it happen.”

Class is a YA series set in contemporary London. It is scary, funny, and as painful and sharp as youth. It will also shine a light on a whole new corner of the Whoniverse.

Damian Kavanagh, Controller, BBC Three, adds:

“I can’t wait for Class to arrive on BBC Three. BBC Three will always back best young British talent.”

BBC Three announced the cast in a 360 video.

Eddie Redmayne confirmed for Harry Potter spin-off

Rumours have been rife for months about the casting of the first Harry Potter spin-off, at one point Matt Smith was said to have been cast in the lead role. But, today Warner Bros. has made it official: Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne will play Newt Scamander in Fantastic beasts and where to find them.

The film will mark Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling debut as a screenwriter.
Newt is the world’s preeminent magizoologist and author of a book about the creatures of the wizarding world that all pupils at Hogwarts are required to read. The film is set 70-years before we first meet Harry and is set in New York City. David Yates, whom direct the last four instalments in the Harry Potter franchise is returning to direct.
David Yates said:
“Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way.”
I’ve only seen three Harry Potter movies and I don’t know which three, so I’m unfamiliar with Newt Scamander, but Redmayne is a bright and talented actor and I’m sure he will excel in the role. I’m glad that they’re universe building here, it would have been all too easy to make a spin-off about Harry’s parents or one of his Hogwarts friends.

The film is expected for worldwide release on November 18th, 2016.

Josh Trank walks from Star Wars spin-off

Rumours were flying around after Josh Trank failed to appear at Star Wars celebration, at the panel he was meant to attend with the Rogue One director, Gareth Edwards. Trank’s people said he had the flu and was regrettably unable to attend. But it now seems there was more to that story.

Disney/Lucasfilm have confirmed that Trank is no longer involved in the second Star Wars Anthology (that’s spin-off to us laymen’s).

The studio said:

“It was a privilege to collaborate with Josh. We are grateful for the energy and love of Star Wars that he brought to the process, and we wish him all the best”.

Personally, I was excited to see what Trank would bring to the Star Wars universe and I’m sad to see him leave.

Trank added:

“After a year of having the incredible honour of developing with the wonderful and talented people at Lucasfilm, I’m making a personal decision to move forward on a different path. I’ve put a tremendous amount of thought into this, and I know deep down in my heart that I want to pursue some creative opportunities. That said, the Star Wars universe has always been one of my biggest influences, and I couldn’t be more excited to witness its future alongside my millions of fellow Star Wars fans. I want to thank my friends Kathleen Kennedy, Kiri Hart, Simon Kinberg, and everyone at Lucasfilm and Disney for the amazing opportunity to have been a part of this. May the Force be with you all.”