Together at Christmas

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Publication: TV Times
Date: 2020-12-19
Author: Sean Marland
Page: 31
Language: English

Jodie Whittaker on how the Doctor's friends, old and new, unite to fight the dreaded Daleks

DOCTOR WHO

NEW NEW YEAR'S DAY/ BBC1/ 6.45PM / DRAMA

With revamped Daleks, the welcome return of a fan favourite and the exit of two much-loved companions, Doctor Who is taking its New Year's Day special to another dimension this year.

The festive episode, Revolution of the Daleks, picks up the action where series 12 left off in March, with Jodie Whittaker's 13th Time Lord locked up in a high-security alien prison.

Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, her friends Graham (Bradley Walsh), Ryan (Tosin Cole) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) soon uncover a disturbing plan involving a Dalek. The trio spring into action, but just how can they fight these metal foes without the Doctor?

Well, a helping hand from the irrepressible Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman - see interview, right) is a good start!

Here, Jodie, 38, tells TVTimes more...

This story sounds action-packed!

It opens with the Doctor in prison, with some time having passed - and obviously time plays out in a certain way for the Doctor. What's interesting about this adventure is how the discoveries and the journeys that we go on aren't necessarily Doctor-led, and that makes it really exciting. It's definitely a team effort throughout.

This episode marks companions Graham and Ryan's final outing in the TARDIS. Was filming their farewell scenes very emotional?

The family of four is no more! I was devastated at the thought of not working with Bradley and Tosin again, and their final episode is a roller coaster of emotion. This journey started in the same way for all of us [when they were cast in 2018] and we clicked like a family. I was heartbroken when we filmed our last scene together. Brad and Tosin had to carry me to my trailer because I was so upset.

As well as John Barrowman, Sex and the City star Chris Noth - who played Jack Robertson in 2018 episode Arachnids in the UK- is also back...

He is! Mandip and I saw Chris at an award ceremony last year and he said he loved filming the show and wanted to do more. Seeing him and Brad in the same scene was amazing - they got on like a house on fire!

Finally, how did you feel GOING TO BE about facing the Daleks?

They're great because they require no prior knowledge of Doctor Who. The Daleks are part of people's vocab whether they've seen the show or not. When the Doctor has scenes with an iconic monster, it feels as if it puts our stamp on our time on the show. They're so creepy and scary, too - you know you're going to be upstaged!

DOCTOR WHO is previewed on pages 178-179

'It's Epic!'

John Barrowman, 53, tells TV Times about the return of his gung-ho hero

How excited are you that Jack is back for the special?

It's the first time Jack has been in a holiday episode and it's an epic adventure - plus he has some history with the Daleks! They always find a way to survive, but this time their plan is very creepy, so Jack knows it has to come to an end.

Will Captain Jack cross paths with the Doctor?

They will meet! I can't tell you how, but they will. There's real joy when they see each other.

He also forms a strong bond with Yaz, doesn't he?

Yes, Jack has a big conversation with her, which becomes a really important moment in the episode. It's basically the explanation of why she's here, what her journey represents and what she can expect from the Doctor.

Finally, what Christmas gift would you buy for Captain Jack and the Doctor?

I would give the Doctor a calendar and say, 'You will meet me on this date!' As for Captain Jack, I have his vortex manipulator here, so I would probably give that back to him!

Together at Christmas

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