Dr. Simeon (Richard E. Grant) in Doctor Who: The Snowmen. Photo copyright of the BBC.
Having previously played the Doctor in the 2003 online animated series Scream of the Shalka and during a Comic Relief spoof some years ago, Richard E Grant returns to Doctor Who, but this time as the villainous Doctor Simeon. In this, the fourth of five BBC America press interviews, the actor talks about his role in the Christmas special, Doctor Who: The Snowmen, airing Tuesday, December 25th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.
"I have been told that on pain of death I am not allowed to reveal anything about my role in the Christmas Special," teases Grant, "other than that this character has never been in Doctor Who before…."
Returning to Doctor Who for the third time, the actor explains, "I have had two 'brushes' with the Who phenomenon before, playing the Doctor in the cartoon digital version and the Comic Relief spoof some years ago, before the franchise was re-booted with Christopher Eccleston [the Ninth Doctor]."
Grant is tasked with playing this year’s villain, the mysterious Doctor Simeon who, with a vendetta to settle from childhood, recruits an army of evil and hungry snowmen to bring together his plan. So how did he enjoy playing the villain? "When you're born with a ten foot long face, you don't get hero roles, but I'm not complaining as I have hugely enjoyed the wide variety of parts I've got to play."
Growing up in Swaziland, the actor has had to devote time to catching up on the British institution. "Having grown up in a country without TV, I missed seeing Doctor Who through my childhood, but I have since made up for lost time with box sets [of the series]."
As the Doctor battles to defeat Doctor Simeon and his army, Grantshared many scenes with Matt Smith (the Doctor), so what did he make of working with Smith? "I have really admired Matt from when I first saw him in a play called That Face at the Royal Court Theatre some years ago," says the actor, "and have keenly followed his career progress. He is the perfect fit for Doctor Who. His interpretation is very kinetic and fast talking.
So will the actor be watching this Christmas? "I love Christmas and everything about it. I will be at home and watching TV after lunch, hoping I can stay awake after the feast!"
As noted above, the photo is copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
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