SciFiAndTvTalk

Matt Smith Talks About Doctor Who

The Eleventh Doctor surrounded by some of his enemies. Photo copyright of the BBC.

This is the second of four BBC America press interviews with Doctor Who cast and crew, counting down to the premiere of the show's new season on BBC America, April 17th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST. Enjoy!

IT may be the eleventh time an actor has taken on the iconic role of the Doctor, but Matt Smith hasn't let that stand in his way of creating his very own vision for the character. Here, he explains what it was like to land the role and talks about his dream trip in the TARDIS.

"It was quite weird news to receive," says Matt Smith, the youngest actor the play the title role of the hit show, Doctor Who. "I mean, at that point it was a piece of information I couldn't share with anyone, so it didn't feel tangible, but needless to say I was very pleased.

"I actually ended up walking around London listening to Sinatra on my iPod," laughs the 27-year-old as he tries to explain the moment he found out he had won the much-coveted role of the Doctor. "Funnily enough, my mum had texted me to say she thought I should play the Doctor a week before my agent asked me to audition, so she was delighted I got the part. I was also abroad when it was announced on the BBC and my phone went mad - the bill was enormous!"

Matt Smith as the Doctor in his first adventure, The Eleventh Hour. Photo copyright of the BBC.

Spanning five decades, Doctor Who has been a part of British culture for nearly 50 years. Since its successful return in 2005, both Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant have played the title role and made their own mark on the eccentric Time Lord. Now it's Smith's turn to give his own portrayal of the iconic character; a challenge which some young actors may have shied away from.

"I think these things are only as intimidating as you allow them to be," explains Smith. "It's a real privilege to join such a successful show; it's a bit like joining Manchester United [soccer team]. It's good to be part of something strong and long may it continue. Plus I couldn't have inherited the role from a nicer man. I guess it's like anything really, the more you do something the less daunting and intimidating it becomes."

Smith admits, however, that his first day of filming, which took place on a beach in wet and windy conditions, was both daunting and challenging.

"It was very tough because we were up against the tide and could only film until 3 p.m.," reveals the actor. "It felt like being in a twilight zone because there were so many people watching and dozens of paparazzi around! It was nice that Karen Gillan [who plays the Doctor's new companion, Amy Pond] was there as well, though," he continues, "because we were both going through the same experience. We were also surrounded by Doctor Who fans and every time I had to nip to the toilet they followed me. I've now learnt this is the norm on Doctor Who."

Central to the story is the TARDIS, which transports The Doctor across time and space to a wonderful array of worlds and universes. The TARDIS is a living creature and regenerates along with the Doctor in the opening episode of the new series. The details of the new TARDIS will remain an onscreen surprise for viewers, but Smith confesses he was like a boy in a candy store when he first set foot in it.

"It's like a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche all molded into one!" exclaims the excited actor. "It's so incredible because the TARDIS is an icon of our cultural history and suddenly I'm the one who's flying it. I am quite clumsy, though, so I kept breaking parts of the console and the poor production team had to keep fixing it," chuckles Smith. "But the TARDIS is a magic concept and it provides a constant source of wonderment and adventure for both the Doctor and the viewers."

The Doctor (Matt Smith) meets his new companion, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan). Photo copyright of the BBC.

There have been 10 previous incarnations of the Doctor, each with their own traits and quirks, but what can viewers expect from this bow tie wearing Doctor?

"He's still the same man, but I think my Doctor is a bit more reckless; he's a thrill seeker and addicted to time travel," reveals Smith. "The Doctor is the mad buffoon genius who saves the world because he's got a great heart, spirit and soul, but he also doesn't suffer fools. I hope all of these things come across, but I think I've also injected a bit of my own personality into the role. I also helped choose the Doctor's costume which was great fun. Steven Moffat [series executive producer] is very keen that the outfit isn't seen as the overriding factor of the Doctor's personality, but we still needed to find something that felt right. We tried on lots of things but kept reaching a dead-end. We dismissed a number of items including a long leather coat, a long blue coat and some short punky stuff! But then one day I brought in my braces and a tweed jacket and it went from there. Soon we had the whole outfit, although something still felt like it was missing and I asked if I could try on a bow tie - at that point the execs all bowed their heads in concern, but luckily when I tried it on we agreed it worked and it has sort of become the signature of my Doctor now."

Joining the Doctor on his adventures throughout time and space is new companion Amy Pond, played by redheaded beauty Karen Gillan, and Smith admits the pair of them found it difficult to remain serious when filming scenes together.

"I always used to look forward to us being in make-up together because we would just make each other crack up. I think that's important because it forms part of the energy of the show," explains Smith. "I also think the Doctor and Amy share a sightly mad relationship; she's a handful and he likes the fact that she challenges him and can sometimes act a bit bonkers. The way they are introduced to each other is truly magical and they form a deep affinity for one another."

Throughout this series, Amy and the Doctor go on some truly extraordinary adventures.

"I loved filming the vampire stuff in Croatia, which doubled for Venice," notes Smith. "I had to climb a huge bell tower with a rain machine pummeling water at me. It was freezing cold but I absolutely loved it! I also enjoyed filming part of episode 10 when I was yanked through the air on a harness after being hit by an invisible monster. However, my favorite scene to film was in the first episode when I ate fish fingers and custard with the character of Amelia. Luckily, they were actually breaded cakes so it wasn't quite as bad as it sounds. I had to eat a lot of them, but it was an enchanting scene, so it was worth it."

Young Amy/Amelia (Caitlin Blackwood) and The Doctor (Matt Smith). Photo copyright of the BBC.

As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorzied copying or duplicating of  any kind. Thanks!

Jonathan Ross Welcomes New Doctor Who Matt Smith

Doctor Who's newest Time Lord, actor Matt Smith, chats with Jonathan Ross. Photo copyright of Hot Sauce.

ON the April 2nd episode of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross (10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America), Jonathan Ross welcomes the star of the new era of Doctor Who, Matt Smith, who discusses becoming the Doctor. "My Doctor is clumsy, a little reckless, but becomes more assured as the series develops." Matt reveals that he had to keep the big news of landing the role a secret, "I couldn't tell anyone for three months," and says, "To my mind, it's the best part in British TV history." The actor also discusses the advice he took from David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor), "I spoke to David briefly and he said, 'Enjoy the ride.'"

Matt also reveals exclusive details to Jonathan about the legendary TARDIS, "It's bigger on the inside, has different levels, other rooms including a library, and is a different shade of blue outside." And when asked about his Doctor Who experience, Matt says he's here to stay - "I hope to do at least another year; it's a wonderful part and I want to keep it up." And there's an exclusive sneak preview of the Doctor's encounter with vampires.

To watch the new trailer of Doctor Who, which premieres April 17th on BBC America, visit -http://bbcamerica.com/doctorwho

As noted above, photo copyright of Hot Sauce, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Billie Piper Talks With Jonathan Ross on BBC America

Billie Piper stops by for a chat with Jonathan Ross. Photo copyright of the BBC.

THIS week on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, former Doctor Who companion and Secret Diary of a Call Girl star Billie Piper talks candidly about filming the final Doctor Who specials starring David Tennant. She says she's finally said goodbye to Doctor Who, "I think enough is enough now." And when asked who is a better kisser, David Tennant or the new Doctor, Matt Smith, she admits Tennant wins. Billie also admits that she won't discuss her sex scenes from Secret Diary of a Call Girl with her husband, actor Laurence Fox (Lewis). "We don't talk about it, we don't watch the show together; he seems very relaxed about it, which is slightly alarming sometimes." Friday Night With Jonathan Ross airs @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Matt Smith Is Doctor Who

David Tennant passes his Time Lord mantle on to Matt Smith in Doctor Who. Photo copyright of the BBC.

With the First Doctor his body had grown tired, the Fourth Doctor fell from a great height, and Doctor Number Six had a bit of a rough ride inside the TARDIS  - all these were reasons for our favorite Time Lord to regenerate on Doctor Who. From William Hartnell to Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston and, most recently, David Tennant, all these actors put their indelible stamp on the character of The Doctor. In Doctor Who: The End of Time, David Tennant's 10th Doctor passed the baton onto Doctor Number 11, portrayed by Matt Smith. This Spring, audiences get to join him on brand new adventures in his role as the newest incarnation of The Doctor. In the meantime, the BBC has released the following photos of  Smith in the role. Enjoy!

Matt Smith has become the youngest actor ever to take on the role of The Doctor. Photo by the BBC.

The Doctor and his TARDIS. Photo copyright of the BBC.

The newly-regenerated Doctor at the conclusion of Doctor Who: The End of Time. Photo copyright of the BBC.

"I've got hands!" Photo copyright of the BBC.

"And long hair! Am I a girl?" Photo copyright of the BBC.

As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Doctor Who: The End Of Time On BBC America

Wilf Mott (Bernard Cribbins), The Doctor (David Tennant) and The Master (John Simm) in Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One. Photo copyright of the BBC.

THE final two Doctor Who specials, Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One and Part Two, starring David Tennant as The Doctor, will premiere over the holiday season on BBC America. In Part One, it's the Tenth Doctor's final journey, but his psychotic nemesis, The Master (John Simm), has been reborn on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death, the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate. Meanwhile, the alien race Ood, warn of an even greater danger approaching, as a terrible shadow falls across the entire Universe.

It's the beginning of the end for the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). Photo copyright of the BBC.

Guess who's back???? John Simm as The Master! Photo copyright of the BBC.

In Part Two, the Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master's plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf Mott (Bernard Cribbins) must fight alone. But sacrifices have to be made, and the deadly prophecy warns, "He will knock four times."

Bernard Cribbins as Wilf Mott (Donna Noble's grandfather). Photo copyright of the BBC.

This is not Bernard Cribbins' first journey aboard the TARDIS. The veteran British TV, feature film and stage actor played Tom Campbell in the 1966 Doctor Who movie Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D., which starred the legendary Peter Cushing as The Doctor.

Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn, Doctor Who: The End of Time also guest-stars Catherine Tate (as Donna Noble), Timothy Dalton (as The Narrator), David Harewood (as Joshua Naismith) and June Whitfield (as Minnie Hooper). Part One airs Saturday, December 26th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America, with Part Two airing the following week, Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 @ 8:00 p.m. EST/PST.

MASTER FILE - The only other survivor along with the Doctor of a long-dead alien race called the Time Lords, The Master, first played by Roger Delgardo, made his debut in the 1971  Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor) adventure The Terror of the Autons. For three seasons, the two Time Lords matched wits, until the Master's final appearance in the season 10 Doctor Who episode Frontier in Space. Delgardo was scheduled to guest-star in one more story, but, sadly, was killed in a car crash on June 18th, 1973 while working in Turkey on another project.

The Master was not seen again until the 1976 episode The Deadly Assassin. Portrayed under heavy make-up by actor Peter Pratt and in his thirteenth and final regeneration, the now grossly disfigured Time Lord was defeated by the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). In one last bid to save himself, The Master (still a husk of his former self and now played by Geoffrey Beevers) returned five years later in Baker's penultimate story, The Keeper of Traken. Taking over the mind and body of Tremas, a scientist from the world of Traken, The Master was reborn in the guise of actor Anthony Ainley. Following the death and regeneration of Baker's Doctor in Logopolis, The Master carried on with his quest for power and domination of the Universe, his schemes continually thwarted by Doctors Five (Peter Davison), Six (Colin Baker) and Seven (Sylvester McCoy). Ainley's incarnation of the character made his final appearance in the Seventh Doctor's swan song weekly TV adventure, Survival.

Feature film actor Eric Roberts reprised the role of The Master in the 1996 made-for-TV Doctor Who movie, which starred Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. It was in the Tenth Doctor episode Utopia, that our hero crossed paths yet again with his old enemy, played by Sir Derek Jacobi. This incarnation of The Master, however, was unaware of his true identity, and only when prompted by a piece of technology did he recall his past lives as a Time Lord. When mortally wounded, The Master regenerated into a much younger version of his former self (actor John Simm). In what later appeared to be one final battle between him and  The Doctor, The Master refused to regenerate and died... or did he? John Simm is back as The Master to cause more chaos and destruction in Doctor Who: The End of Time.

The Doctor meets up again with a representative of the Ood. Photo copyright of the BBC.

Wilf and The Doctor are on the move! Photo copyright of the BBC.

Into the TARDIS! Photo copyright of the BBC.

Guest-star David Harewood (center) as Joshua Naismith. Photo copyright of the BBC.

Former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) returns. Photo copyright of the BBC.

The Doctor can't quite believe his eyes! Photo copyright of the BBC.

Hello world! Yes, it's me, The Master. Photo copyright of the BBC.

As noted above, all photos from Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One are copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

David Tennant ' s Final Doctor Who Special On BBC America

[caption id="attachment_4657" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="David Tennant at the Doctor in The End of Time. Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption]   BBC America today announced the U.S. premiere of David Tennant's final special as the Tenth Doctor. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, premieres January 2nd, 2010, one week after Part One, on BBC America. The finale to the era of David Tennant is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. Guest-stars include John Simm (Life on Mars) as The Master, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate, Bernard Cribbins and June Whitfield. New synopsis for the final three specials airing on BBC America over the holiday season are as follows:   Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars - Lindsay Duncan (Alice and Wonderland) joins the Doctor as his sharpest and most strong-minded companion yet for the second of four Doctor Who specials. The Waters of Mars is a dark, scary thriller that sees the Doctor land at a base in peril on the planet Mars. A creeping infection beneath the Martian surface threatens not only the human race, but also the Doctor's most fundamental beliefs. Together with Adelaide Brooke (Lindsay Duncan), the base's commander, the Doctor must defeat a seemingly unstoppable menace before it can reach Earth and wipe out mankind. The Doctor must fight not only the water, but destiny itself, whilst also confronting his own existence, when the prophecy about his future begins to resonate. Is his song about to come to an end? The Waters of Mars airs Saturday, December 19th @ 9:00 pm EST/PST on BBC America and was written by Russell T. Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk) and Phil Ford and directed by Graeme Harper. The executive producers are Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner (Torchwood, Life on Mars).   Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One - It's the Tenth Doctor's final journey, but his psychotic nemesis, The Master, has been reborn on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death, the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate. Meanwhile, the alien race, the Ood, warn of an even greater danger approaching, as a terrible shadow falls across the entire universe. The End of Time, Part One airs Saturday, December 26th @ 9:00 p.m. on BBC America and was written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn. The producer is Tracie Simpson.   Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two - The Doctor faces the end of his life as The Master's plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around Earth, the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone. But sacrifices must be made, and the deadly prophecy warns, "He will knock four times." The End of Time, Part Two airs Saturday, January 2nd @ 8:00 p.m. on BBC America and was written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn. The producer is Tracie Simpson.   Regarding the final specials, lead writer and executive producer Russell T. Davies told the Radio Times, "It's personal for the Doctor. The Master (John Simm) is his enemy, his opposite, and yet so tantalizingly close to being his soul mate. There's something epic about their sheer existence - the last two survivors of an ancient race [The Time Lords]. It's a clash of the titans, both of them heading for death, and yet both determined to survive - at any cost."   Davies and Tennant are passing the baton to Steven Moffat and actor Matt Smith, who will play the Eleventh Doctor in a new season of the re-imagined series premiering in 2010 on BBC America.   As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

David Tennant Says Goodbye To Doctor Who Next Month On BBC America

[caption id="attachment_4492" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="David Tennant as The Doctor in The Waters of Mars. Photo copyright of the BBC/BBC America"][/caption] THE finale to the era of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. As previously announced, the next special, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, premieres Saturday, December 19th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. The final two specials, Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One and Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, will premiere over the holiday season starting December 26th on BBC America. Guest-stars John Simm, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate, Lindsay Duncan and Bernard Cribbins join Tennant on his final journey. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One premieres Saturday, December 26th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America, with the air date for part two to be announced shortly. http://bbcamerica.com/content/123/index.jsp  has exclusive Doctor Who clips, including a sneak peek of The Waters of Mars, which The Times says is "a big-budget, knock-yer-socks-off blockbuster" and the Guardian exclaimed, "it's a belter, a watery nightmare - scary, moving, relevant, believable." [caption id="attachment_4493" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Doctor faces an uncertain future in The End of Time. Photo copyright of the BBC/BBC America"][/caption] The site also has a new world premiere clip from The End of Time, Part One, with never-before seen footage that will keep fans all over the globe wondering what's in store for the Doctor. As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC/BBC America, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Doctor Who Specials Are Landing On BBC America

[caption id="attachment_3953" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="David Tennant (The Doctor) and Lindsay Duncan (Adelaide) in Doctor Who: The Waters Of Mars. Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] THE BBC today announced the imminent arrival of the final Doctor Who episodes starring David Tennant as the Doctor. Television's longest running Science Fiction series, shot in HD, has just three episodes to go before a new Time Lord arrives onscreen in 2010. The next special, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, airs on BBC America, Saturday, December 19th @ 9 p.m. EST/PST. It stars Tennant and British stage and screen actress Lindsay Duncan (Rome, Langford) as Adelaide, his cleverest and most strong-minded companion. [caption id="attachment_3954" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Doctor and Adelaide are on the move! Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3955" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="What is it that The Doctor and Adelaide are on the run from? Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3956" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Could it be this gruesome-looking chap? Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] All will be revealed as the Doctor and his companion Adelaide face terror on the Red Planet in one of the show's scariest adventures yet. Peter O'Brien (Casualty, Neighbors) guest-stars as Ed, Adelaide's second-on-command on the base. The Waters of Mars is written by Russell T. Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk) and Phil Ford and directed by Graeme Harper. The executive producers are Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner (Torchwood, Life on Mars). [caption id="attachment_3957" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Proceed with extreme caution! Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3958" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Adelaide and The Doctor see something strange in the shadows ahead of them. Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3959" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The angry Red Planet takes on a whole new meaning in The Waters of Mars. Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] The remaining episodes starring David Tennant will air over the holiday season as a two-part special. Airdates will be released in early December. The actor shot a total of four specials before exiting the role - Planet of the Dead was the first to air last July on BBC America. As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Doctor Who ' s David Tennant Interviewed

[caption id="attachment_3789" align="aligncenter" width="212" caption="David Tennant as Doctor Who. Photo copyright of the BBC"][/caption] FRESH from his stint as the extraterrestrial time traveler in Doctor Who, actor David Tennant is tackling some fresh challenges on Earth, including the hosting duties for PBS TV's Masterpiece Contemporary. In an exclusive video interview, Tennant talks about his critically-acclaimed run as the Doctor, his early acting aspirations, his role in Masterpiece's Casanova ("...My prolonged audition piece for Doctor Who") and what's coming next in his career. Click on the following link to access David's exclusive video interviews - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/contemporary/tennant.html Video interview link courtesy of and copyright of PBS.org. Also, as noted above, photo of David Tennant as the Doctor copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

BBC Unveils New Logo For New Doctor

A first look at the new Doctor Who logo, which will accompany Matt Smith's debut as The Doctor in Spring 2010, has been unveiled and can be seen at www.bbcamerica.com/doctorwho. The logo is the eleventh to be used onscreen in the show's history. Accompanying the logo at BBCAmerica.com is an animated insignia of the show's initials, which will be used as branding for the new series in conjunction with the logo. About the new logo, Steven Moffat, the show's new Lead Writer and Executive Producer said, "A new logo. The eleventh logo for the eleventh Doctor - those grand old words, Doctor Who, suddenly looking newer than ever. And look at that, something really new - an insignia! DW in TARDIS form! Simple and beautiful, and most important of all, a completely irresistible doodle. I apoligise to school notebooks everywhere, because in 2010 that's what they're going to be wearing." The new series of  Doctor Who will premiere in Spring 2010. The final three episodes featuring David Tennant will be broadcast later this year with the existing logo onscreen.