The Doctor Who Production Diary: 2016

January
10 Two days after the release of his final album, Blackstar, singer-songwriter David Bowie dies from liver cancer
14 Death of Robert Banks Stewart (bio), writer
22 The BBC announces that, with Season Thirty-Seven, Chris Chibnall will become the executive producer and showrunner of Doctor Who The Thirteenth Doctor

February

March
8 Final auditions are held for the new companion, Bill, after which it's decided that the role will be offered to Pearl Mackie Bill

April
3 The financial involvement of numerous politicians and celebrities in offshore companies is exposed by the publication of the confidential documents known as the Panama Papers
23 During the broadcast of a special mini-episode called Friend From The Future, the BBC announces that Pearl Mackie will play new companion Bill Bill

May
28 At the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio, a western lowland gorilla named Harambe is shot and killed after he approaches a three-year-old boy who climbed into his enclosure

June
14 The BBC announces that Matt Lucas will be reprising the role of Nardole on a regular basis during Season Thirty-Six Nardole
20 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
21 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
22 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
23 The Brexit movement -- which campaigned for the end of the United Kingdom's membership in the European Union -- is the surprise victor in a national referendum, sparking years of political chaos
23 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
24 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
27 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
28 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
29 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
30 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Wales, at Cardiff and Taff's Well The Pilot

July
1 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
4 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios The Pilot
5 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
6 The Pokémon Go augmented reality smartphone game is released, and quickly becomes an international sensation
6 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Ffilm Factory 35 in Pencoed, Wales The Pilot
7 Recording for The Pilot takes place in Wales, at Ffilm Factory 35 in Pencoed and Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff The Pilot
8 Recording for Smile takes place in Flemingston, Wales Smile
11 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
12 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
12 Recording for Smile takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Smile
13 Recording for Smile takes place in Newport, Wales Smile
14 Recording for Smile takes place in Newport, Wales Smile
15 Recording for Smile takes place in Newport, Wales Smile
18 Recording for Smile takes place in Newport, Wales Smile
19 Recording for Smile takes place in Newport, Wales Smile
20 Recording for Smile takes place in Gileston, Wales Smile
21 Recording for Smile takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Smile
22 Recording for Smile takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Smile
25 Recording for Smile takes place in Valencia, Spain Smile
26 Recording for Smile takes place in Valencia, Spain Smile
27 Recording for Smile takes place in Valencia, Spain Smile
28 Recording for Smile takes place in Valencia, Spain Smile

August
1 Recording for Thin Ice takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios Thin Ice
2 Recording for Thin Ice takes place in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
3 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
3 Recording for Knock Knock takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Knock Knock
4 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
5 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil becomes the first venue in South America to host the Summer Olympic Games
5 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
8 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
9 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
10 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
11 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Newport, Wales Knock Knock
12 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Newport, Wales Knock Knock
15 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Newport, Wales Knock Knock
16 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Newport, Wales Knock Knock
17 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Llandenny, Wales Knock Knock
18 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Llandenny, Wales Knock Knock
19 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Llandenny, Wales Knock Knock
22 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Llandenny, Wales Knock Knock
23 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Llandenny, Wales Knock Knock
24 Recording for Knock Knock takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios Knock Knock
25 Recording for Knock Knock takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Knock Knock
26 Recording for Knock Knock takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Knock Knock
29 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
30 Recording for Thin Ice takes place in the city of Bristol Thin Ice
31 Recording for Thin Ice takes place in the city of Bristol Thin Ice

September
1 Recording for Smile takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Smile
1 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
2 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
5 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
5 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
6 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
6 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
6 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
6 Recording for Knock Knock takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Knock Knock
7 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
8 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
9 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
12 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
13 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
14 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
15 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
15 Recording for The Pilot takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pilot
15 Recording for Smile takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Smile
16 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
19 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
20 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
21 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
22 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
22 Recording for Thin Ice takes place at Pinewood Studio Wales in Cardiff, Wales Thin Ice
23 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
26 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
27 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
28 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
29 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
30 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio

October
3 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
4 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
7 American intelligence agencies levy public accusations that the Russian government of Vladimir Putin has employed sophisticated computer hacking in an attempt to interfere in the upcoming presidential election
14 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Ystradfellte, Wales The Eaters Of Light
17 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
18 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
19 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
20 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
21 Recording for Oxygen takes place in West Aberthaw, Wales Oxygen
24 Recording for Oxygen takes place in Wales, at West Aberthaw and Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff Oxygen
25 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
26 Recording for Oxygen takes place in Newport, Wales Oxygen
27 Recording for Oxygen takes place in Wales, at Newport and Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff Oxygen
28 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
31 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen

November
1 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
2 Recording for Oxygen takes place in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
2 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Pant, Wales The Eaters Of Light
3 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Blaengarw, Wales The Eaters Of Light
4 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Blaengarw, Wales The Eaters Of Light
7 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Clearwell, Gloucestershire The Eaters Of Light
8 Riding a wave of populist resentment, Republican Donald Trump is elected President of the United States, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton
8 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Clearwell, Gloucestershire The Eaters Of Light
9 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Penderyn, Wales The Eaters Of Light
10 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Taff's Well, Wales The Eaters Of Light
11 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Taff's Well, Wales The Eaters Of Light
14 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
15 Death of Ken Grieve (bio), director
15 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
16 Recording for The Return Of Doctor Mysterio takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
16 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
17 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
18 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
18 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
21 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
22 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
22 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
23 Recording for Extremis takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Extremis
24 Recording for Extremis takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Extremis
25 Recording for Extremis takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Extremis
28 Recording for Extremis takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Extremis
28 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Pyramid At The End Of The World
29 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Cardiff, Wales, including at Roath Lock Studios The Pyramid At The End Of The World
30 Recording for Oxygen takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales Oxygen
30 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place in Clearwell, Gloucestershire and at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light

December
1 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Swansea, Wales The Pyramid At The End Of The World
2 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Swansea, Wales The Pyramid At The End Of The World
5 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Swansea, Wales The Pyramid At The End Of The World
6 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Swansea, Wales The Pyramid At The End Of The World
7 Recording for Extremis takes place in Cardiff, Wales Extremis
8 Recording for Extremis takes place in Dinas Powys, Wales Extremis
9 Recording for Extremis takes place in Dinas Powys, Wales Extremis
12 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Abades, Tenerife, Spain The Pyramid At The End Of The World
13 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Abades, Tenerife, Spain The Pyramid At The End Of The World
13 Recording for The Eaters Of Light takes place at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales The Eaters Of Light
14 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Abades, Tenerife, Spain The Pyramid At The End Of The World
15 Recording for The Pyramid At The End Of The World takes place in Abades, Tenerife, Spain The Pyramid At The End Of The World
25 Debut broadcast of The Return Of Doctor Mysterio on BBC One and BBC One HD The Return Of Doctor Mysterio