Actor announced for Doctor Who Christmas Special and a short look back on those companions who have passed this year.
Richard E Grant, who played the Doctor in both the animated Scream of the Shalka story by Paul Cornell, as well as one of the Doctors in the spoof Curse of the Fatal Death, will be playing the villain in the Christmas Special which will introduce the Doctor's new companion. More information can be found at http://www.kasterborous.com/2012/08/reg-iconic-star-revealed/
Over the past year, four major companions to the Doctor have passed. Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Caroline John (Liz Shaw) and now Mary Tamm (Romana I) have all left us over the past year. As time goes by, more older actors who were on Doctor Who will be passing away in the near term. The fact the Olympics only peripherally covered Doctor Who with the sound of the Tardis at one point in the opening ceremony, and a huge celebration for James Bond's 50th Anniversary currently occurring, one hopes many of the living Doctors and companions can be brought back for the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who next year.
The United States will be celebrating the Doctor's 50th year next February at the Gallifrey One convention. Lagspike.tv currently is planning to be broadcasting live from the convention in Los Angeles on President's Day weekend in 2013.