Episode: Series Five, Episode Six
Name: The Vampires of Venice
Writer: Toby Whithouse
Director: Jonny Campbell
Producer: Tracie Simpson
Running Time: 45 minutes
Broadcast Date: 8th May 2010, BBC One, BBC HD
Preceded by: Flesh and Stone
Followed by: Amy’s Choice
Starring:

• The Doctor - Matt Smith
• Amy Pond - Karen Gillan
• Rory Williams - Arthur Darvill
• Rosanna Calvierri - Helen McCrory
• Francesco - Alex Price
• Isabella - Alisha Bailey
• Steward - Simon Gregor
• Guido - Lucian Msamati
• Inspector - Michael Percival
• Vampire Girl - Gabriela Montarez
• Vampire - Elizabeth Croft
• Vampire - Gabriella Wylde
• Vampire - Clare Darcy-Bowen

Plot

Dessicated corpses, terror in the canal and a visit to the sinister House of Calvierri – the Doctor takes Amy and Rory for a romantic mini-break, as the Tardis touches down once again. But 17th-century Venice is not as it should be. The city has been sealed to protect it from the Plague, although Rosanna Calvierri may have other plans...

Aliens

Saturnynians

The Saturnynians were an exo-skeletal, insectoidal species of fish from the planet Saturnyne. They were notable for their many limbs and their two curved canines. They constantly needed to either consume or come in contact with water and this included moisture in blood. If ever they used perception filters, their teeth would remain and they would smell vaguely of fish.

They also resemble deep dwelling sea life in the respect that they have a great sensitivity to light and while they are able to travel in daylight exposure to direct sunlight will cause them to explode.

The species used perception filter technology, which they used to blend in with the human population of Venice. However, this camouflage was not perfect and gave rise to vampire-like qualities among those in the school. Since the technology couldn't hide reflections, and the human brain couldn't process the two conflicting pieces of information, anyone who saw a member of the species near a reflective surface saw a human without a reflection. Their fangs would also been seen when they fed due to the human subconscious perceiving danger and attempting to alert the conscious mind.

Some time in the species' history their home-world was besieged by the cracks in the universe, ranging from small cracks to cracks that consume the planet's sky. At first the cracks appeared to pose no real danger and the aliens were able to observe other words through some, and "silence" and the "end of all things" in others. Eventually, however, the true nature of the cracks became apparent and Saturnyne was lost. The species it self was not lost. Deciding to take their chances with the cracks that showed other worlds, the Saturnynians fled to worlds with oceans like their own planet. A colony arrived in Venice though it is unknown if any other members of the race made it to other worlds.

(Source: Tardis Wiki)

Ratings

• Overnight: to be added

• Final: to be added

Confidential: Death in Venice

Doctor Who Confidential travels to Italy with Matt Smith and the writer of The Vampires of Venice, Toby Whithouse. As they travel the Venetian canals we discover why the so-called 'City of Water' works so beautifully as a setting for the Doctor's latest battle and discover there's more to it than striking architecture and famous waterways.

But although the Doctor Who team went abroad to shoot the episode they actually travelled to Trogir, a small medieval town in Croatia that holds a remarkable similarity to the 16th century Venice. Confidential brings you the story of creating such a visually arresting episode and talks to cast and crew about the highs and lows of filming abroad. There are exclusive interviews with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan as well as the inside story of the House of Calvierri...