Rush hour!
- Publication: TV Times
- Date: 2024-06-22
- Author:
- Page: 11
- Language: English
LENNY RUSH on the Doctor Who finale, and the character he nearly played...
Lenny Rush is thrilled to have joined the Whoniverse as scientific adviser Morris Gibbons. But his adventures in the current series of BBC1's Doctor Who were set to be very different, as he was originally cast in another role!
Here, Lenny, 15, whose career has seen him graduate from CBBC dramas The Dumping Ground and Dodger to win a BAFTA for his performance in BBC1 comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?, shares his story...
So, Lenny, we hear you were initially going to be on board for this season's opening tale, Space Babies. Who were you playing?
I was originally voicing space baby Eric, so no filming was needed. I even did a full read-through [of the script] with the cast and crew, and recorded some of my dialogue.
But, a few days later, I was in my bedroom and my mum came in and said, 'I've had a message from your agent. Unfortunately, you're no longer going to be voicing Eric in Doctor Who...' I was so shocked and sad, and Mum decided to leave a long pause before telling me, '...because they've given you a bigger part!' [The character of Eric, played by Mason McCumskey, went on to be voiced by The Walk-In star Sami Amber.]
How did you react?
I was over the moon! I just wanted to start filming straight away. I had a couple of friends who were massive fans of Doctor Who, and I was itching to tell them, but I was sworn to secrecy.
I've never acted in the sci-fi genre before, so for Doctor Who to be first is an honour.
Were you a Doctor Who fan before landing the role?
I had never seen it, which it pains me to say! However, of course, I knew the premise, a few of the Doctors, the iconic police box and the Daleks. I have now watched a few episodes and I love it.
Morris made his debut last week in The Legend of Ruby Sunday, the first in a two-part finale that concludes this Saturday with Empire of Death. Can you sum up your episodes in three words?
Thrilling, suspenseful and heart-warming!
Your character is a member of fictional intelligence organisation UNIT. Can you reveal any more about him?
He is a child genius - so very different from myself!
How did you find filming your scenes for the show?
I've never worked on a show with so many cool effects! I think the standout difference for me was the sets. They were amazing. I can't believe how much work goes into building them. It was unreal!
Did you enjoy working with Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, who play the Fifteenth Doctor and companion Ruby Sunday?
Ncuti and Millie were lovely, and a joy to work with. They were so welcoming and made me feel at home, as did the rest of the crew.
What was your most-memorable moment?
We were filming an emotional scene and in it we are having pizza. When it was my turn to say my line, I had to ruin the whole emotion of the moment, because I had a mouthful of pizza and I couldn't get my words out!
Finally, why do you think Doctor Who is such a special show?
I think a big part is how long the show has been running. It's been airing since 1963, and it's still going strong. Another part of its special feeling is because of the fan base. People are so passionate about it. I feel so lucky to be a part of it!
DOCTOR WHO is previewed on pages 36-37
Caption: Baby talk: Lenny was originally going to voice Eric
Caption: Winning team: Ruby and the Doctor
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- APA 6th ed.: (2024-06-22). Rush hour!. TV Times p. 11.
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- Chicago 15th ed.: "Rush hour!." TV Times, edition, sec., 2024-06-22
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- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Rush hour! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Rush_hour! | work=TV Times | pages=11 | date=2024-06-22 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 December 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Rush hour! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Rush_hour! | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 December 2025}}</ref>
