Smith and Jo
- Publication: SFX
- Date: issue 197 (summer 2010)
- Author:
- Page: 18
- Language: English
Another former companion hooks up with Sarah Jane
SPOILER THREAT
It starts with a hug, of the sort that makes any interested observer feel like they're sharing in the warmth of the embrace. It's taking place on an April afternoon at the BBC's Upper Boat studios, and it reunites two of Doctor Who's best-loved actresses. Lis Sladen and Katy Manning have met before, at conventions, but never worked together on-screen. That's set to change, as Sarah Jane Smith and fellow companion Jo Grant team-up in series four of The Sarah Jane Adventures. That's a historic event in itself, but they'll also be meeting the new Doctor...
We're gathered in a meeting room for a read-through of the two-parter, scripted by Russell T Davies. It's the first opportunity for the full cast to meet, and a valuable opportunity for key crew like script editor Gary Russell to spot any issues - although the only factor that seems to be taxing people is the difficulty of pronouncing the name of alien race the Shansheeth.
Sadly, Matt Smith is absent. He'd hoped to be here, but then an Icelandic volcano with a name that makes Raxacoricofallapatorius look easy to pronounce erupted, grounding flights and stranding Matt in the USA. It means Katy isn't overshadowed during her time in the limelight, which she grabs with both hands. This is the clumsy, bouncy Jo Grant as a generation of Who fans knew and loved her grown up, but not grown old - and the script provides Katy with opportunities to show all her facets.
The read-through ends as it began, with another affectionate embrace. Afterwards, we grab Katy to see how it went. "It's kinda like, 'Is this really happening, or am I having a flashback?" she beams.
The Sarah Jane Adventures returns to CBBC later this year.
AFTERLIFE The stars of sci-fi past, in the now
#39 Naoko Mori
Toshiko Sato in Torchwood
Since technical whiz Tosh died a heroic death two years ago, Naoko Mori has been "all over the place" hopping between the US, Japan and the UK - "but I really missed England. I was in Sainsbury's for two hours staring at Branston pickle!" She's about to have a Doctor Who reunion, however, playing Yoko Ono opposite Christopher Eccleston's John Lennon in BBC Four drama Lennon Naked, due to air this June.
Would you ever want to go back and play Tosh again?
>> I've always said I'd be open to it, though I am kind of in two minds about it, because bringing characters back to life has been done so much. It really depends on the storyline and how it's done. Also, I don't want to take away from her death in her last episode, "Exit Wounds".
Have you had any strange encounters with fans?
>> Right after they aired "Exit Wounds" on BBC America I was in a shopping mall in LA and this big, big woman came out of nowhere and rugby tackled me. I thought I was being mugged, but basically she was a fan. All that kind of stuff is lovely, but it scared the hell of me.
Did you get any souvenirs from the Torchwood set?
>> They let me take two or three things, but I had to plead: odd objects like a pen, and there was a bundle of coil and metal that was always on her desk frankly I didn't know what it was - and that's on my mantelpiece. I also got one of her leather coats, which was so Tosh, and a couple of pairs of her jeans.
Would you have liked any of Tosh's skills in real life?
>> Her intelligence for one. She's far too intelligent. We have a lot of similarities, but she's extra, extra good with the knowledge. When my computer breaks down I'm straight into the Apple shop, I'm not a super whiz like she is.
What do you think it would say on Tosh's tombstone?
>> I hope I did good...? Her last line in the show!
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- APA 6th ed.: (issue 197 (summer 2010)). Smith and Jo. SFX p. 18.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Smith and Jo." SFX [add city] issue 197 (summer 2010), 18. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Smith and Jo." SFX, edition, sec., issue 197 (summer 2010)
- Turabian: "Smith and Jo." SFX, issue 197 (summer 2010), section, 18 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Smith and Jo | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Smith_and_Jo | work=SFX | pages=18 | date=issue 197 (summer 2010) | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=21 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Smith and Jo | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Smith_and_Jo | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=21 March 2025}}</ref>
