Last 6 Episodes to Air on CBBC...

Simon Brew over at Den of Geek is reporting that the last 6 episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures that were filmed will be aired on CBBC as a tribute to Elisabeth Sladen.

As quoted from Den of Geek:

"Contrary to press reports today we can confirm that no new episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures will be filmed following the tragic death of actress Elisabeth Sladen in April, 2011. As a tribute to Elisabeth the six episodes that were recorded with her last year will be broadcast on CBBC at a date to be confirmed."

This news brings mixed feelings for this fan-sadness and happiness. Although Sarah Jane will no longer be fighting new aliens and monsters in the distant future, she will be gracing our screens with new adventures for one last time.

Of course, for as long as there are fans remembering, she will never truly disappear from our hearts.

( You can read the full article over at Den of Geek)

Telly Addicts

Whoa! It's a busy few weeks for the cast of The Sarah Jane Adventures, as they make a number of guest appearences on some of your favourite television shows.

First up Juliet Cowan appears as a social worker on the 21st April showing of Shameless - Channel 4's Manchester based dramedy that revolves around the fictional working class Chatsworth estate. You know, the show that used to be pretty good when James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff were in it..? (It's actually quite good again now, actually, as the writers seem to have rediscovered the secrets of hard hitting drama).

[Juliet also appeared in the seventh episode of Skins series three - which is available to buy on DVD now.]

Next, the brilliant Joseph Millson appears on the second episode of BBC One's Ashes to Ashes. He plays Doctor Battleford, and here's how the BBC Press Office describes the episode and his role in it:

DCI Gene Hunt, DI Alex Drake, DS Ray Carling and DC Chris Skelton are in hot pursuit of major car thief Jed Wicklow as the new series of the police drama set in the Eighties continues. Gene is determined to catch Wicklow, but the thief's driving becomes more erratic and the chase ends in tragedy.

Gene stands accused of death by dangerous driving. However, Alex is adamant there was something wrong with Jed at the wheel and sets out to prove the crash wasn't Gene's fault.
Jed was a Romany and tensions are running high when his community discover what's happened. A volunteer, Dr Battleford, tries to diffuse the situation but Gene is instantly suspicious of his motives.

The post mortem shows a high level of sedatives in Jed's system. Now dealing with a murder investigation, Gene and the team return to the Romany camp, where they uncover a large quantity of sleeping pills.

As the investigation takes a new direction, Gene is invited by Supermac into the inner sanctum of the ancient order of the Masons. Gene soon realises how deep the corruption runs, but will he succumb? Alex suspects that the only man she trusts in this world may have gone rotten, but could Gene just be playing a careful game?

Alex is still receiving messages about the future from a mysterious, haunting stranger, who appears to be offering her a way home. However, Alex can't help but wonder if he really is the key to getting back to the future.

DCI Gene Hunt is played by Philip Glenister, DI Alex Drake by Keeley Hawes, DS Ray Carling by Dean Andrews, DC Chris Skelton by Marshall Lancaster, Dr Battleford by Joseph Millson and Supermac by Roger Allam.

That's on Monday April 27th @ 9pm, BBC One.

Next up, Sky One broadcast an adaptation of Terry Prachett's Skellig this easter weekend, which co-starred Alexander Armstrong (the voice of Sarah-Jane's sometimes faithful Mr. Smith). No doubt it'll be repeated across the week - and every Christmas and Easter from here until eternity. Oh, and then there's the inevitable DVD release too!

Finally, the fourth series of ITV's Peak Practice - dating back to 1996 - is available at last on DVD. The series is notable for the sole reason that it features Elisabeth Sladen in a four episode arc as Doctor Pat Hewland. It's the first time that the episodes have been released in any format.
Happy television viewing folks!

Remember, if you hear about any of the SJA gang showing up on TV then drop us an email at the usual address to keep us in the loop.

Uber Delux Mega Spoiler!

Look away immediately if you don't want to be spoiled regarding future Doctor Who episodes. I have no idea how much this ruins about the finale to David Tennant's era as the Doctor, so to be on the safe side I advise you only read this if you're really, really sure that you don't mind discovering a plot secret almost eight months ahead of broadcast.

You have been warned.

Elisabeth Sladen and Tommy Knight recorded scenes yesterday for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year's Doctor Who specials - which conclude with the Tenth Doctor regenerating into Matt Smith's Eleventh. David Tennant was present, and had a brief scene with Knight (last time their characters interacted was via computer screen - the actors never met).

John Simm's Master was also thought to be present.

Bear in mind that this adventure airs after The Sarah Jane Adventures' third season has concluded on British TV - if the traditional September through to December slot keeps - so this will likely be set after that. The implication means that Sarah Jane and Luke survive the events of series 3 (as if they wouldn't...)

Master filming spy - and former SJ.tv reporter - Scooty has a collection of images from filming.

Russell T Davies is interviewed in today's Telegraph, and states that "It's not quite as easy to guess what's happening as you think - there's nightmare sequences, and layers of fantasy, because the Doctor's coming to the end of his time. It's quite interesting to watch things being filmed, and think: 'Oh, I can see what that would look like...'" So, is this scene everything it first appears?

(The clapperboard confirms it's for Doctor Who, and definitely not the SJA before you ask...)

More on this exciting story when the news comes in to us.

(Oh, and here's my own little crazy theory about "he will knock four times", if you wanna hear. Go ahead and knock twice in very quick succession on the desk infront of you - sounds uncannily like a human heart beat. Now, imagine four knocks - that'd be twice as many heartbeats; the same as a man with two hearts would produce...)

Pre-Three Production Work

Nikki Wilson, producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, confirms in this month's edition of Doctor Who Magazine that pre-production work has already started on the show's third series - with actual filming due to commence at the end of April. "At the time of writing," she reveals, "We've got six weeks to go until filming on Series Three begins. All the scripts are now in, with all the regular characters returning, and a shock or two in store for viewers - and for Sarah Jane!"

She goes on to add, "And I'm delighted to announce that brilliant directors Joss Agnew and Alice Troughton will be returning to the team."

There's also a chance to vote on all 200 Doctor Who television adventures, so that come summer DWM can reveal fandom's absolute loves - and pet hates!

No doubt Sarah Jane Smith's era aboard the TARDIS will rank quite highly - with the likes of "Genesis of the Daleks", "The Ark in Space" and "Pyramids of Mars" propping up the scoreboard.

DWM issue 407 is out now, at £3.99.

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Meanwhile also released is the latest series companion by BBC Books - this time focusing on the Doctor's "Companions and Allies". The book goes back 46 years to the very beginning and traces every series companion from Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright all the way through to Lady Christina De Souza (who features in this week's Easter special, "Planet of the Dead").

Naturally a large chunk is centred around Elisabeth Sladen's Sarah Jane Smith.

That's "Companions and Allies" - which has an RRP of £7.99 (although Tescos everywhere are selling it for as cheap as £4).

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Finally I've received word that Big Finish productions are trying to put together a "Companion Chronicles" adventure set during Lis Sladen's time on the show - but Sladen being too costly, the team are having to think up a clever way around the problem, and maybe using a secondary character like Benton or Mike Yates to fill the void.

More news when and if it comes in!