The noughties is renowned as one of the most seminal decades in recent history, ironically for its timing rather than its contributions to culture. While its main claims to fame involve being the first decade of a new millennium and a focal point for technological advancement, however, if we dig a little deeper there are … >
Since the departure of Matt Smith in 2013, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has appeared keen to establish the stories of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor as a new era. Although the Paternoster Gang appeared in ‘Deep Breath’ and the new UNIT gang introduced in the Eleventh Doctor’s era returned in ‘Death in Heaven’, fandom seems divided … >
Cult TV creates memorable scenes and characters, quotes we carry in our head, and lessons on how to deal with certain situations – or not. They also conjure images of style, of clothing from another era that fits the characters’ personalities like…gloves. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t – so here’s five lessons we’ve learned. … >
Downton Abbey returns next month for a final season. With the last ever episode due to air on Christmas Day, following eight episodes this autumn, we had a think about what we’d like the show’s many characters to get up to before they take their final bow. Cue the titles… Tom and Sybbie are off … >
The gaudy cinematic sci-fi zoetrope that is Dr. Who and the Daleks turned 50 this week which, depending on who you are, is either cause for celebration and re-watch, or outright ambivalence and a quick sneer in the comments section. However you feel about the film (love it), it’s a 50-year-old conundrum, clinging like a … >
With more than five decades of history under its belt, Doctor Who is quite a unique piece of television indeed. Its nature is in many ways very much the same as it was when William Hartnell first graced our screens back in 1963, and yet in many other ways, it is a show in continuing … >
We’re all pretty much in agreement that Penny Dreadful saw a marked upswing in quality in its recent second season. This was largely thanks to the boosted role for Helen McCrory – a far better villain than the faceless vampires from Season 1. Whilst Madame Kali will be sorely missed in the upcoming third season, … >
Pitched to the BBC in 1977 by Daleks creator Terry Nation as “the Dirty Dozen in space”, Blake’s 7 ran for four hugely successful seasons on BBC One. As the decades since its shocking series finale have passed, the show may be short on new admirers, but those who remember it do so fondly and … >
Peter Capaldi was unveiled as Matt Smith’s replacement on Doctor Who exactly two years ago today. Here’s how the CultBox team reacted to the announcement just after it was revealed… Malcolm Stewart: “It was the casting announcement I didn’t dare hope would happen. Capaldi is an astonishing actor – just like the Doctor, full … >
The influence of the Quatermass series is manifest throughout the annals of classic British sci-fi. Writer Nigel Kneale is perhaps the most significant constant in the Quatermass legacy and it was when he was a staff writer at the BBC in the early 1950’s that the character of Professor Bernard Quatermass was created. A heroic … >