It’s almost time to meet the newest incarnation of the Doctor. In one week, the Twelfth Doctor will arrive on our screens. As we count down to the premiere, we present this special series of articles each day, each with a different theme. We’re calling it 7 Days to Series 8. We begin today with an overview of the new series

DOCTOR WHO: 7 DAYS to SERIES 8

DAY 1: SERIES 8 OVERVIEW

Our Special Feature “7 Days to Series 8” begins with an overview of the 12 Episodes that make up the new series. Here is a look at what to expect when the Doctor returns to TV.

DOCTOR WHO RETURNS ON AUGUST 23rd. This year, the show will be a continuous run (NO split) of 12 episodes, with the first one being a “feature length” episode (about 75 minutes) and a two-part finale (Episodes 11 and 12). The series stars Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor and Jenna Coleman as his companion, Clara Oswald. Samuel Anderson will also join the cast as Danny Pink. Here are the episode titles, as they are known and rumored. Known are in bold, rumored in italics

8.01: Deep Breath

8.02: Into the Dalek

8.03: Robots of Sherwood

8.04: Listen

8.05: Time Heist

8.06: The Caretaker

8.07: Kill the Moon

8.08: Mummy on the Orient Express

8.09: Flatline

8.10: Child’s Play

8.11: The Gates of Paradise

8.12: Death in Heaven

These episodes will be followed by a Christmas Special

This series will represent a SERIOUS DEPARTURE for the show, in tone and attitude of the Doctor. The series will be darker, scarier and more serious than ever before. The Doctor’s look is starker and less embellished than it has been in quite a while. And, I believe, one of the most interesting parts of this series will be Clara’s reaction and adjustment to the changes in the Doctor.

Cosmetically, the TARDIS has undergone an upgrade to both the interior and exterior. Externally, the TARDIS is a slightly lighter shade of blue. Internally, the Console Room maintains the same basic configuration, though the lighting is much brighter and has been changed from a green to an amber hue, with the console platform now lit from below. Also, the upper level is covered with bookshelves and chalkboards, speaking to the scientific, “professor-like” nature of the new Doctor.

The premiere episode “Deep Breath” will also feature the return of Madame Vastra, Strax and Jenny, collectively known as the Paternoster Gang. They were last seen in the Series 7 finale, “The Name of the Doctor.” Guest stars for the series will include singer Foxes, and Comedian Frank Skinner and actress Michelle Gomez. The Series will again will again feature Steven Moffat as Showrunner, Executive Producer and Head Writer, assisted by Executive Producer Brian Minchin and Producer Nikki Wilson.

for more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho or www.bbcamerica.com/doctorwho

This special series continues tomorrow with a look at some the upcoming Doctor Who action figures with a for both Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, with a side order of old friends mixed in.