The Noel Clarke Diaries

Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith in "Doctor Who") appeared on the Entertainment Today section of GM:TV on Friday. He appeared to talk about Doctor Who (specifically the fate of Mickey in "The Age of Steel", as well as hinting that Mickey might still return...), as well as his film "Kidulthood" which is released on DVD across the UK next week. It really is a fantastic film, so go out and buy it guys and gals, and support Mickey...I mean Noel Clarke, along the way.

Oh, and Noel also mentioned Torchwood (see what I did there...left it to last to add tension). It seems that his script is currently scheduled as episode four and will presumably take place in recording block two (the team are still recording block one now, and will soon move onto block two episodes). Although Noel didn't mntion any details about his episodes he did call the show a mix between "The X Files" and "CSI". Whether being compared to CSI is a good thing or not is entirely up to you to decide.

But one thing looks certain now: Mickey Smith will not be appearing in Torchwood. Which is a shame, because Mickey plays the role of a hero so brilliantly in "The Age of Steel"...

The fifth wheel?

So who is the mysterious fifth member of the Torchwood team? Well read on if you would like a recap of the speculations that have been circulating. It relates to the finale of WHO.

Source: Doctor Who Confidential Screencap

Tracy-Ann Oberman of Eastenders fame will play a villian named Yvonne Hartman in the final two episodes of WHO this season. Elements of these episodes will lead right into the Torchwood series. In the Express newspaper last month Oberman said she will be playing the head of the Torchwood Institute. The speculation is that she will be in charge of a London-based Torchwood who has gone a bit astray, in league with the Cybermen and such.

None of the location reports last week spotted Oberman, so it might be a case of her exit/death leaving a spot for Jack to come in and head up a new reformed Torchwood Institute now based in Cardiff. If you are in Cardiff it looks like you will have a few chances to see the team on the streets in their range rover and look for more clues this week. A few shooting spots that have been mentioned are at the The Hayes, City Centre on Monday and then wednesday evening in the Pen and Wig pub.

No Torchwood references in The Girl in the Fireplace. The commentary features the writer of the episode Steven Moffat and Torchwood writer Noel Clarke, who is now better known as The Tin Dog.

Kidulthood: The Verdict

It's strange, here in Manchester, England, seeing a British film on such a mainstream release. Sure, I've seen the likes of Love Actually, Code 46, Four Weddings, et al at the cinema, but they're not exactly films I'm proud of. Most modern British films (with the exception of anything by Danny Boyle, 'cos the guys a genius) are not good films. They think they are, but we all know the truth. We leave the cinema having watched, say, Love Actually, a little bewildered. We Brits don't know whether or not to like the films or not. Think of them as a guilty pleasure. Anyway, this week I watched my first entirely British film (ie, with no American money/involement). Kidulthood. The much talked about Noel Clarke film. Yes, that Noel Clarke.

Set in Modern London, the film focuses on a group of teenagers, all at the transition stage between childhood and adulthood. An age of confussion and appression, the teenagers have their own style of life, that the adults around them maybe don't like, but are forced to admit to. It's only when the teenagers bully a girl to the extent that she commits suicide that the group are forced to review their lives, and maybe, commit to changing the way they live their lives forever.What I love about Noel's script is his characters. Unlike many other recent attempts at British industry films, his creations never feel forced, and are completely 3D. When one 15 year old girl commits a sex act for an Ectasy table the audience never question her decision, and despite what she does, the audience never lose the respect that they have for this character. She's 100% human, with flaws and all. And that makes the very best type of drama.

I must admit that I was fully prepared to hate this film. Recent headlines in tabloid newspapers suggested that the subject matter was simply playing on controversial issues just to grab the audience's attention. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't. Not once does it feel like Noel Clarke is showing us controversy just for the sake of it. Clarke is showing us a glimpse of real life, and the film has a greater impact because events are based upon Clarke's own life growing up in London. I didn't feel once like the film overstepped its mark. The violence is bold, brash, but most importantly, realistic. The audience question whether what's going on is right or not, and I feel that by the end of the film, its firmly established that this way of life is wrong.

This film is the perfect way to evaluate Noel Clarke's future on Torchwood. Yes, he can write brilliant dialogue (the film has you laughing out loud every few minutes). Yes, he can write black humour (One character is being beaten up, but still, the audience laughs. And everyone in my cinema felt the same). And yes, Noel can write three dimensional characters.

I can't wait to see his next film, Daddies Girl. But most importantly, I've never been more excited about Noel writing for Torchwood. Believe me, we're in for a treat.

Boyz 'n the Torch-hood

Let's just say we got off on the wrong foot with Mickey Smith in the first episode last year. He has since gone on to prove himself as a worthy WHO companion, admitedly he does need to just dump that tramp Rose and move on though. Plus yesterday we learned that the actor behind him, Noel Clarke, will be doing more than just reading other people's lines.

We already knew Noel could act. He started his career by winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer. But can he write? Well he has already written one produced screenplay. That's one more than naysayers like you and me have. His film Kidulthood doesn't have the catchiest title, but he could have done worse, he could have called it Flotsam and Jetsam for example. He is also a good doodler, he put this bit of his dalek artwork up for auction with proceeds going to charity.

Source:http://www.viewlondon.co.uk

Kidulthood is a semi-autobiographical film for Noel set in Notting Hill where he himself grew up. There is no sign of Julia Roberts in this controversial film however, it tells the gritty story of a group of delinquent teens. It has had mostly good reviews (BBC, Channel 4, MusicOMH) and hopefully Noel will again draw from some of his own experiences to color his assigned Torchwood episode. Mickey and Jack made a good 'odd couple' in Boomtown last year, so Clarke could insert a nice cameo for his own character in the spinoff.

He is not the first WHO companion to pick up a pen, Ian Marter, who played Harry Sullivan, wrote several story novelizations and worked on the WHO Scratchman movie before his untimely death. Maybe it will be a new tradition among actors on the show. I'm now looking forward to the Billie Piper penned episode titled Honey to the Bee.

PS - Mickey Smith's WhoisDoctorWho website has just been updated with video of Noel and a new interactive game.

News From The Hub

At long, long last I've bought my copy of Doctor Who Magazine, and I think it's about time I shared some of its secrets with you guys. And guess what? We've beaten ever major Doctor Who/Torchwood site to the news of Torchwood writers. A first! We're top of the pile, with the big dogs now...just where we should be! Anyhoo, lets begin, we've a lot of information to get through...

THE WRITERS

NOEL CLARKE AS "MICKEY SMITH"

The big news here is that Noel Clarke, the actor behind the role of Mickey Smith, is writing an episode for the series. Russell T Davies (lets just call him RTD for my aching hands sake!) says of Noel's involement: "Noel's just hit the headlines with his controversial script for the successful UK movie Kidulthood, but we've actually been talking about this for quite some time. The man is bursting with ideas! We have to add half an hour on to script sessions, just to hear him talk. I've also picked up quite a few tips on how to talk to the laydeez, though when I'm gonna use them, I don't know! Noel's a big sci-fi fan, and I think he's going to find some radical ideas to take Torchwood in completely new directions."

There's an interesting development too. Helen Raynor, script editor on both series of Doctor Who, will be penning one episode, although Russell confirms that this wasn't planned! He says "This was a bit of a scary prospect - first of all, it was an over-commission, which means an extra script...but Helen's script was so good - no, in fact it was brilliant - it's one of the best first scripts I've ever read, so it's gone straight into the shooting shedule." Over-commission? Does this mean what I think it does? 14 scripts?!? Unless one episode is dropped, could we have a 14 part series on our hands?

Other confirmed writers include PJ Hammond, Chris Chibnall (who's writing episode two, and at least three other episodes as well) and newcomer Si Spencer (Whose previous work includes work such as Life During Wartime, apparently).

DIRECTORS

The first 'block' of episodes (one of which is episode one) will begin filming in May, under the helm of director Brian Kelly.

EPISODE TITLES

The first episode has the title of "Flotsam and Jetsam". Interestingly RTD notes the series as "Series One". Are more series planned for the show? This is the first indication that it won't be a one-series-wonder!

RUSSELL . T . DAVIES AND CHRIS CHIBNALL

RTD has confirmed that he'll only be writing two scripts for series one (episode one and, maybe, the finale episode 13). Chris Chibnall has now joined Russell in the show's editorial team, overseeing scripts and in RTD's own words has "been helping me plan and shape the entire season". So that'll be Torchwood, "created by Russell .T. Davies and Chris Chibnall" then.

RICHARD STOKES INTERVIEW

Here's some nuggets of information the new producer told the magazine:
+ "We keep talking about a noir style"
+ "Russell and Chris have filled their scripts with great humour"
+ "The show will touch on universal truths in the human condition"
+ "(Jack) is the heroic lead. He requires some subtle changes."

I'll post more specific comments on this interview later in the week.

THE HUB

Buy this month's Doctor Who Magazine just for this fantastic column, written by none other than RTD. Here he tells how the BBC are planning for Doctor Who and Torchwood's futures so much that for Doctor Who Series Three and Torchwood Series One production will move to a "Hollywoodesque" film set 20 miles from the current studios. Here, Doctor Who and Torchwood will film back-to-back. Russell has nick-named the new studio "Camelot". So Camelot it is then! Anyway, the interseting news is that Torchwood's main interior has been named "The Hub". The set has already been designed, and when the column was written at the start of March, construction had started on it. So it should be ready any day now! The Hub is directly next to the TARDIS interior, so a scene in the TARDIS could be filmed one minute, with scenes for Torchwood's Hub immediately after!

DOCTOR WHO AIRDATE (UK VIEWERS)

Sorry to advertise the show's broadcast details here, but RTD has given all fans one simple mission this month: to promote the show's debut whenever possible. So, who am I to argue with the bossman!

Saturday April 15th, BBC One, 7PM

EPISODE GUIDE

Here's the details that are currently confirmed:

Episode 1: "Flotsam and Jetsam" Written by Russell.T.Davies
Episode 2: Untitled Written by Chris Chibnall

OTHER STUFF

Further updates will follow later. Kurly's probably typing away at his Noel Clarke bio as we speak. I'll update you on the Richard Stokes interview very soon, I just want to respect DWM and wait a few days before posting (too heavily) from their work. They've done a fantastic job this month (and every month infact) and I want to say a big thank you to all the guys and gals who made this month's issue possible.

PS

Well done Kurly on the site's new look! Absolutely fantastic. You've outdone yourself yet again!