Tears of terror

http://cuttingsarchive.org/images/f/f4/2021-11-27_TV_%26_Satellite_Week.jpg

Publication: TV & Satellite Week
Date: 2021-11-27
Author:
Page: 8
Language: English

Showrunner Chris Chibnall on bringing the Weeping Angels back to Doctor Who...

Last week's instalment of Doctor Who saw the latest terrifying appearance of one of the Time Lord's most legendary adversaries - the dreaded Weeping Angels.

The statuesque monsters have become fan favourites since their first appearance in the 2007 episode Blink, and last week they more than lived up to their spine-chilling reputation in a thrilling cliffhanger episode that is resolved this week.

'It's an amazing, game-changing cliffhanger that only the Weeping Angels could provide for the Doctor: says showrunner Chris Chibnall, who believes the time was right for the Angels to return.

HORROR INFLUENCE

'Ever since I took over the show, I've been trying to find the best shape for a Weeping Angels story for Jodie's Doctor: says Chibnall, 51. 'The big thing that I wanted to do with it was a sort of Hammer horror movie set in the 1960s creepy Weeping Angels in an English village, strange things going on, and people going missing. I wanted that great mood and a scary story.'

Chibnall was excited by the dramatic possibilities of the Angels' return, but reveals he was given a warning from his predecessor, Steven Moffat, who created them.

'I knew first-hand from Steven telling me how hard the Angels are to write for and how it breaks your brain: he recalls. 'He once said to me, "I'm writing a chase sequence with statues that don't move!" But they are such brilliant creations.

The Angels, who can only move when no other living creature is looking at them, were originally designed by special-effects and prosthetics company Millennium.

'They have become iconic, says Chibnall. 'You can light them in interesting ways, and they look great in any landscape - they are a work of genius:

In practice, the Angels are a combination of statues and human performers - and the night-time setting of their reappearance in this series led to a chilly experience on set for the actors playing them.

'We filmed in the first weeks of January this year, at night: says Chibnall. 'If you ever see any of the Weeping Angel performers, buy them a hot toddy because they will probably still need it!'

The Angels have only been the main antagonists in a handful of episodes

since their first appearance, but they have become a firm favourite with viewers - and Chibnall hopes their latest appearance will win over a new generation.

CREEPY COMEBACK

'The last entirely new Weeping Angels story was The Angels Take Manhattan [a 2012 episode starring Matt Smith as the Doctor]. There are kids who were not born when the last Weeping Angels episode was on television, so for them to have their first story is a really exciting prospect.

'You want to ensure the Weeping Angels are in a story that suits them, doing the things that people love, and add a few little twists as well, so it's familiar and new all at the same time: he adds.

'It's that sense that they could be in your garden, or your churchyard, or your street at night - you just want to feel that sense.'

Caption: Guest star Kevin McNally (Jericho) with John Bishop (Dan) and Mandip Gill (Yaz)

Tears of terror

Navigation menu

Page actions

Page actions

Personal tools

Navigation

Search

External links

Tools