Just What the Doctor Ordered (Daily Express)
- Publication: Daily Express
- Date: 2013-03-30
- Author: Catrin Carrucan
- Page: 8
- Language: English
Doctor Who is back — and former Emmerdale actress Jenna-Louise Coleman has given everyone's favourite time-traveller a new lease of life
Time travel. Battling monsters. Visiting alien planets. It's all in a day's work for actress Jenna-Louise Coleman now that she's joined the cast of Doctor Who as the Time Lord's newest companion, Clara Oswald.
Returning after a short break, series seven of Doctor Who continues with eight new episodes. And, more importantly, it's the first opportunity for fans to meet Clara properly.
"I suppose this is 'take three' for Clara," says Jenna-Louise, who has previously starred in Emmerdale, Titanic and Room At The Top.
'Although she has appeared in two earlier episodes in different guises, including the Christmas special, this is when we are introduced to the Clara that will continue throughout the series.
"But the essence of all the different versions of Clara is the same. She's very brave and resourceful, a match for the Doctor and an explorer in her own right. She dreams of travelling and seeing the world and wants more than what's on offer."
Jenna-Louise, 26, says she is extremely grateful to her co-star Matt Smith for helping her to settle into the job so quickly.
"Matt is the most perfect leading man and sets such a lovely tone on set, making the atmosphere so special," she gushes. "There's not much more you could ask for in your co-star.
"Instantly from the first audition, I definitely felt the chemistry between us. I left the audition feeling like I'd been knocked off my feet by a hurricane. I just knew that this is what I wanted to do day in, day out. Especially as every day on set is so different.
"I'm very excited. It will be fantastic to see the final version of the episodes with all the elements put together."
Matt, who has played the Doctor since 2010, is equally enthusiastic about Clara's arrival.
"I think it's great for the Doctor: says Matt, 30. "He's had his time to grieve for Amy and Rory Pond (the Doctor's former assistants) and Clara reignites his curiosity. He gets his mojo back, for want of a better word. Clara gives the Doctor a new lease of life.
'And I just have to say that I think Jenna-Louise has done an absolutely brilliant job. You can see that for yourselves when she appears on the screen. She's a joy to work with. She's kind, charming, thoroughly prepared and very brave as an actress. And most importantly of all, we get on, which is vital on a show like this. I'm so proud of what she has achieved in the last year"
As well as a new co-star, Matt has also had to adjust to a brand new set of the TARDIS, the Doctor's time-travelling spaceship.
"Walking on to the new TARDIS was like the first day of school: he explains. "I actually found it quite difficult as I was so used to the rhythm of acting on the old one, where I used to slide about on the glass floor."
Doctor Who returns with a typically outrageous, action-packed episode called The Bells Of Saint John, which sees the Doctor reunited with Clara and fighting against a menacing presence that travels through Wi-Fi signals.
It also sees the pair racing around London on a motorbike, past iconic landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, the South Bank and The Shard.
"We had such fun on the back of that bike. It was a beautiful day in London and we were looking at each other going, 'Wow, this isn't like a job at all!— laughs Matt.
However, Jenna-Louise says the second episode of the new run, The Rings Of Akhaten, which was set on an alien planet, was her favourite to film.
"That episode is so weird and wonderful and something that only this show can offer," she says. "It shows Clara for the first time what life with the Doctor will be like. It's a complete fantasy and it's great for audiences as the story begins again."
Lead writer and Executive Producer Steven Moffat says fans of the show, or Whovians as they call themselves, won't be disappointed by the new episodes.
"I think this year we have at least three opening episodes. Usually when we come back after a break we ensure that the first episode is a big, fast-paced, mad one, but this time the first three episodes are all like that!" he enthuses. "This series, we've got a haunted house, a submarine, Victorian Yorkshire and we go into the heart of the TARDIS and reveal the Doctor's greatest secret.
"And there are plenty of new monsters! Watch out for the Spoonheads, the Whispermen, and — my favourite — the Vigil."
Matt also reveals that two classic Doctor Who monsters — the Cybermen and the Ice Warriors — will also be making a reappearance in the new episodes.
"I think it's good to pay homage to the classic Doctor Who series, especially for the fans;' he says. "We have modernised some of the monsters for a whole new generation." As well as monsters, the series also boasts guest appearances from stars such as Call The Midwife's Jessica Raine, Celia Imrie, Liam Cunningham and Dougray Scott. Dame Diana Rigg wilt also star alongside her daughter Rachael Stirling on screen together for the first time.
As Doctor Who will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in November, Steven admits that there is a pressure to make this year's series the best yet.
"We try to make every year the biggest possible, but when you see that big, glittering 50 hanging above you, you start trying even harder," Steven says. "I've been a fan all my life and I know we have to deliver."
Matt, who will film the 50th anniversary special next month, promises fans that they are in for a spectacular ride. "You won't be disappointed!" he grins. "As much as I'd love to tell you everything about the anniversary episode, I can't. But when I read the script, I clapped at the end. It's hilarious and fast. I think this year is the most exciting and inventive yet. "To be the incumbent Doctor is a huge privilege and we're upping the scale of it all," Matt concludes. "The special is epic and a real treat for the fans over the past 50 years," agrees Jenna-Louise. "It's such an honour to be a part of it."
Right: Jenna-Louise Coleman plays the Doctor's new companion Clara Oswald
Left: A chilling enemy - the Ice Warriors are back for the new series
Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor, with Jenna-Louise Coleman as new companion Clara Oswald
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- APA 6th ed.: Carrucan, Catrin (2013-03-30). Just What the Doctor Ordered (Daily Express). Daily Express p. 8.
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- Chicago 15th ed.: Carrucan, Catrin. "Just What the Doctor Ordered (Daily Express)." Daily Express, edition, sec., 2013-03-30
- Turabian: Carrucan, Catrin. "Just What the Doctor Ordered (Daily Express)." Daily Express, 2013-03-30, section, 8 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Just What the Doctor Ordered (Daily Express) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Just_What_the_Doctor_Ordered_(Daily_Express) | work=Daily Express | pages=8 | date=2013-03-30 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=15 March 2025 }}</ref>
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