There was an explosive start to what could be four days of filming the classic BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who in Bristol today.
The first scenes shot involved explosions, wreckage, crashed and burning cars and former Doctor David Tennant striding through the chaos. Tennant, who starred as the tenth doctor from 2005 to 2010 in the BBC time travelling hit, is back alongside Catherine Tate for the 60th anniversary Doctor Who special.
The director shouted 'Action!' for the first time just before 9am on a huge and elaborate set that has taken over the Old City area of Bristol, including Marsh Street, Clare Street, Corn Street and St Stephen's Avenue.
Updates: Latest on Doctor Who filming - live
A black cab was parked at a worrying angle at the junction of Marsh Street and Baldwin Street, with a Mini that was repeatedly set on fire. Paper and debris began flying about everywhere, with screams, punch-ups and a huge number of extras running hither and thither - before out of the chaos came Doctor Who, played this time by David Tennant.
With Jodie Whittaker ending her role as the 13th Doctor last year, and the 14th Doctor Ncuti Gatwa not scheduled to be on screen until next year, it appears what is being filmed in Bristol this week is a special episode due to be screened in October to help mark the centenary of the BBC, and 60 years of Doctor Who.
Whether Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa are involved in the special episodes this week is unknown, but David Tennant, who played the tenth Doctor, and his companion at the time, played by Catherine Tate, have both been spotted in Bristol for filming.
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A large crowd gathered in the Old City area to watch, and eagle-eyed Doctor Who fans scanned the set, the pictures and the videos for clues about what's in store when the special episode does air later this year.
It appears that the opening scene (or at least the opening scene to be filmed this morning) involved some kind of apocalyptic event or mass panic, with cars on fire, other vehicles ramming into others, people fighting the police, running away from explosions and a man with a classic 'The End is Nigh' sign in the road.
One scene saw the Doctor striding purposefully through the mayhem around him as people panicked. The episode does appear to be set in the present day, contrary to reports in other Bristol media, with all the extras in modern day clothes and posters on the walls of the streets that have been dressed for the show bearing 2023 calendars.
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