If the Tenth Doctor could be said to be, in many ways, the synthesis of all the Doctors who came before him, the Eleventh Doctor very much marches to the beat of his own drummer. From the outset, he is a man with his own unique vision of the world, one that is undeterred by contrary opinions. Whether it's thinking that bowties are cool, or that fish and custard make an appetising melange, the Eleventh Doctor does things his way. His thought processes, similarly, are quite unlike anything seen before: he is a Doctor prone to unexpected reactions and conclusions, who misses the obvious because he's focussed on the imperceptible. The result is a charming awkwardness, but also a confident and reassuring authority that makes the defiant buckle and the wicked quake.

Matt Smith has played the Doctor since The End Of The Time in January 2010.

Even before her first meeting with the Doctor at age seven, Amy Pond was remarkable: quick-witted, pragmatic and fiercely independent. These characteristics only became more evident as Amy matured, emboldened by the knowledge that, for one night, she had been in the presence of a man like no other on Earth. Despite the protestations and disbelief of those around her, Amy clung to her convictions about that strange encounter with her Raggedy Doctor, and this helped form the singularly self-possessed woman she would become. Having spent most of her life waiting to join the Doctor in the TARDIS, Amy has taken to her travels with an irrepressible joy, an insatiable curiosity, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.

Amy has been played by Karen Gillan since The Eleventh Hour in April 2010.

Even Rory Williams himself would admit that he's nothing like his wife, Amy Pond. She's at home in her skin; he's never quite sure about himself. She's aggressive and extroverted; he's shy and retiring. She travels with the Doctor to witness the wonders of time and space; he travels with the Doctor to be with Amy. But Rory is gradually discovering that he, too, possesses reserves of bravery and cunning that he never would have suspected. He's still driven by his loyalty to, and love for, Amy above all else, but Rory is beginning to find that a vein of heroism runs through him as well.

Arthur Darvill has played Rory regularly since The Eleventh Hour in April 2010.

On March 18th, 2010, at the press screening to launch the new season, Piers Wenger confirmed that Matt Smith's second season had been commissioned by the BBC, to air in 2011. He also noted that there would indeed be a 2010 Christmas special. This will see Doctor Who acquire a new producer in the form of Sanne Wohlenberg, whose previous credits include Funland, The Whistleblowers, Wallander and the telefilm Margaret (with Lindsay Duncan). Filming for the special began on July 12th, 2010. Some reports have indicated that it is called “Father Who?”, but this may simply be the title given to the press release announcing the start of production.

In response to months of rumours, Neil Gaiman (writer of the Sandman graphic novels, books including Stardust, American Gods and Coraline, the feature film Beowulf, as well as episodes of Babylon 5 and the TV miniseries Neverwhere) has acknowledged that he is writing an episode for the 2011 season (one originally intended for Season Thirty-One, and now scheduled to be the third story of Season Thirty-Two). Gaiman's story briefly bore the working title “The House Of Nothing”, but this has since been changed.

Also writing for Season Thirty-Two is Mark Gatiss, who has previously contributed The Unquiet Dead, The Idiot's Lantern and Victory Of The Daleks. He also appeared in the programme as the eponymous villain of The Lazarus Experiment, and has collaborated with Moffat on the BBC's modern-day adaptation of Sherlock.

Known directors for the season include:

• Richard Clark (who directed 2007's Gridlock and The Lazarus Experiment), who will be helming Gatiss' story
• Adam Smith (who directed 2010's The Eleventh Hour and The Time Of Angels / Flesh And Stone)

At the Edinburgh International Television Festival on August 28th, Moffat revealed that the 2011 season will be split in two, at his request. The first seven episodes will air in the spring, ending on a “gamechanging” cliffhanger. The remaining six episodes will then be broadcast in the autumn. Moffat also indicated that there would be a 2011 Christmas special.