THIS Saturday’s mid-season Doctor Who finale is nothing short of a milestone episode confirmed BBC Wales head of drama Faith Penhale at a preview screening of The Angels Take Manhattan on Wednesday evening.

Not only does The Angels Take Manhattan features the return of the terrifying Weeping Angels and the departure of long-term companions Amy and Rory (played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill).

It also marks the completion of the first block of episodes to be filmed at the show’s new Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff. Doctor Who is now more home at Cardiff than ever before.

Saturday’s episode, which stars Matt Smith as The Doctor, is a moody, atmospheric affair – cutting between present day Manhattan and the 1930s.

The episode was filmed in both New York and Cardiff and is described by executive producer Carole Skinner as “fun and emotional at the same time”.

“We tried not to shoot it as a film noir, but make it look film noir,” said director Nick Hurran.

The effect, as viewers will see, captures the flair of old movies perfectly.

Nick went on to say the final episode was “very emotional” for the show’s three stars “as they shot many scenes out of order, they said goodbye quite a fewtimes”.

The return of the Weeping Angels and the departure of Amy and Rory proved difficult to write for Doctor Who executive producer Steven Moffatt who found it “particularly hard” to come up with a satisfying conclusion for the Ponds.

However, he feels he’s given them a “definitive ending” with “no question of a return”.

When quizzed about the longevity of The Weeping Angels, Moffatt is mystified about their appeal saying “they were only ever intended as a one-off” but have captured the imagination of youngsters who imitate them in school playgrounds.

On viewing The Angels Take Manhattan , it becomes clear they have an appeal – even producing a scream fromone lady in the audience at one point. When asked whether this makes the showtoo frightening for younger viewers Moffatt says doesn’t think so, adding that “kids grade Doctor Who if it’s sufficiently frightening”.

Its clear Moffatt is excited about been at the helm of the showas it approaches its 50th anniversary next year, but is remaining tight-lipped about any surprises that are in store for fans of the show.

In the meantime, the production team are putting the finishing touches to a Christmas special set in the Victorian era which will introduce the new companion (as yet unnamed) played by Jenna Louise Coleman.

One thing for sure, the worlds of Doctor Who will continue to excite fans old and new for some time into the foreseeable future, despite any outcome of Saturday’s episode.

  • Doctor Who: The Angels Take Manhattan is broadcast on BBC One Wales on Saturday evening at 7.20pm