Even though the unspeakable is getting ready to happen with the second series of Downton Abbey set to come to a crashing halt on February 19 on PBS, 2012 is shaping up to be a stellar year for British television on both sides of the pond. In the States, we still have Great Expectations, Birdsong, Endeavor and the second set of Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman to look forward to. In the UK, with all of that behind you, it’s time to lock in on the Fall return of the next set of Doctor Who.

As has been widely reported the last several months, there are lots of questions to be answered. Most everyone on the planet is aware that the Doctor will see the need for a new companion following the coming year with both Amy Pond and husband, Rory, departing the upcoming series, which begins in the UK in Fall 2012.

To that end, showrunner, Steven Moffat has begun his ‘cryptic brilliance’ as he did throughout the production and broadcast of the recent second set of Sherlock episodes. It all started with several tweets leading conspiracy experts to deduce that Sophia Myles will be the next companion. Sophia Myles then began asking via Twitter what were the best sci-fi cons to attend next year. Great fodder for the Twitter universe.

With regards to the upcoming season, pre-production has begun with filming set to begin on 20 February, presumably in Cardiff. Just revealed are three of the writers involved in this years season with Steven Moffat and returning writers, Toby Whithouse (Being Human) and Chris Chibnall (Camelot), being tagged with writing duties. Word is from SFX Magazine that Chibnall’s story will require one of the biggest sets in the history of Doctor Who while Whithouse’s story will come third in the series and be one of the last to feature Amy and Rory. Steven Moffat, understandably, will write their final episode.

Haven’t been watching Doctor Who either for the last several years or ever? If you are feeling like you need to catch up on the last 48 years of Doctor Who before Fall 2012 and, definitely, before the 2013 50th anniversary celebration. Here’s the largest, most comprehensive, timeline graphic known to man that will get you ready for Fall 2012 in no time, after the jump.

Via: CableTV.com