Friday, July 04, 2008
Russell T Davies answers your questions
Writer Russell T Davies has been credited as the man responsible for putting Doctor Who back at the heart of Saturday evening TV.
When he revived the popular BBC series in 2005 - after a break of 16 years - it was a commercial and critical success.
Davies was appointed lead writer and executive producer, roles he will hand on to Steven Moffat in 2010.
The 45-year-old spent much of his early career working in children's television, but it was his adult drama Queer as Folk which first put him on the map.
Davies, who was appointed an OBE by the Queen last month, answers some of your questions as the current series comes to an end.
What other Doctor Who monsters would you have brought back if you had continued to produce the programme for the next few years?
Huw Thomas, Swansea
That's a good question. I've used a lot of the classics but the Silurians were always very good.
They were a race of lizard people who were the original owners of the Earth. I always thought it was a very clever idea that there was a civilisation before us.
I'm not bringing them back but they're ripe to be returned one day.
Now that you have handed control to Steven Moffat, do you intend to leave him to it, or will you write the occasional episode in the future?
Ben Parkes, Grimsby; Mickey Bean, London; Rob Stickler, Sedgley; Adam Chamberlain, London; Steve O'Brien, Bath; David Foxen, Austria; Susan Pye, Ayr; Rhys Martin, Bankhurst (and more)
David Tennant (left) has played Doctor Who since 2005
I think Steven's more than his own man. He doesn't need me at all.
I won't write for it in the future. I'm done with it.
It's time to move on and I'd hate to be just a ghost haunting the corridors that I used to walk.
And who needs me? Because Steve's brilliant and they've got a thousand million plans. I'll just be old news and it's about time.
What are you going to miss the most after you step down as executive producer?
Zoe, Bath
To be honest, I'll miss the people. They are genuinely brilliant people, our designers and producers and the crew at BBC Wales.
They are fantastic and they're part of the reason I've stayed for so long.
What line of dialogue are you most proud to have written?
Phil Fenerty, Southport
That's tricky. I like all my dialogue!
I did love Donna, played by Catherine Tate, in a show we did two weeks ago called Turn Left.
She said: "You liar, you told me I was special," to Rose, when she feels her life has been betrayed and lied.
I think she delivers that line with such venom - I love that moment.
What was the biggest compromise you had to make in bringing the series back?
Matt, London
Comic Catherine Tate (right) plays Donna Noble in the series
Well, that's tricky because if you watch it, it's not very compromising.
I thought there'd be a lot of compromise, I thought we'd be compromised on budget.
We could have ended up with no ratings and a Sunday afternoon slot, so absolutely nothing and that really is the honest answer.
We got to make everything that I wanted to make.
How nervous were you before Rose was aired that the show would flop?
Duncan Steele, Aberfoyle
Very nervous. It's hard because I knew what we'd made was good. So I knew I could sleep at night.
I knew even if no one watched it, I could sit there and say I had done a great piece of work.
How frustrating do you find some viewers' appetite for the publication of spoilers?
Tom Murphy, London
Well, it's actually very few people, to be honest. There are some people who like spoilers, and they spoil it for themselves - and they like spoiling it.
It's when they then promote it on a bigger scale and they push those spoilers into the tabloids so the general public get to hear.
I think it's a real shame and I think it undermines all storytelling.
I think the leaking of stories undermines most British drama at the moment. Most soap operas give away their stories months in advance and every soap opera has declining ratings.
Could you please give a hint or two about next year's specials?
Mark Harrison, Middlesbrough
No. Nice try. Not at all.
When you first revived Doctor Who back in 2005 did you imagine having two spin-offs and having such a big fan base?
Rach, Birmingham
No way, none of us ever saw this much success coming.
I didn't even envisage a spin-off would be possible.
We're still getting eight million viewers a week, which is a miracle when everyone else's ratings are still going down.
I'm still gobsmacked by that. I can't even get my head round that. I'm still delighted by that every day.
The last episode in the current series of Doctor Who will be screened in the UK on BBC One at 1840 BST on Saturday, 5 July.
Russell T Davies was talking to BBC News entertainment reporter Fiona Pryor.
When he revived the popular BBC series in 2005 - after a break of 16 years - it was a commercial and critical success.
Davies was appointed lead writer and executive producer, roles he will hand on to Steven Moffat in 2010.
The 45-year-old spent much of his early career working in children's television, but it was his adult drama Queer as Folk which first put him on the map.
Davies, who was appointed an OBE by the Queen last month, answers some of your questions as the current series comes to an end.
What other Doctor Who monsters would you have brought back if you had continued to produce the programme for the next few years?
Huw Thomas, Swansea
That's a good question. I've used a lot of the classics but the Silurians were always very good.
They were a race of lizard people who were the original owners of the Earth. I always thought it was a very clever idea that there was a civilisation before us.
I'm not bringing them back but they're ripe to be returned one day.
Now that you have handed control to Steven Moffat, do you intend to leave him to it, or will you write the occasional episode in the future?
Ben Parkes, Grimsby; Mickey Bean, London; Rob Stickler, Sedgley; Adam Chamberlain, London; Steve O'Brien, Bath; David Foxen, Austria; Susan Pye, Ayr; Rhys Martin, Bankhurst (and more)
David Tennant (left) has played Doctor Who since 2005
I think Steven's more than his own man. He doesn't need me at all.
I won't write for it in the future. I'm done with it.
It's time to move on and I'd hate to be just a ghost haunting the corridors that I used to walk.
And who needs me? Because Steve's brilliant and they've got a thousand million plans. I'll just be old news and it's about time.
What are you going to miss the most after you step down as executive producer?
Zoe, Bath
To be honest, I'll miss the people. They are genuinely brilliant people, our designers and producers and the crew at BBC Wales.
They are fantastic and they're part of the reason I've stayed for so long.
What line of dialogue are you most proud to have written?
Phil Fenerty, Southport
That's tricky. I like all my dialogue!
I did love Donna, played by Catherine Tate, in a show we did two weeks ago called Turn Left.
She said: "You liar, you told me I was special," to Rose, when she feels her life has been betrayed and lied.
I think she delivers that line with such venom - I love that moment.
What was the biggest compromise you had to make in bringing the series back?
Matt, London
Comic Catherine Tate (right) plays Donna Noble in the series
Well, that's tricky because if you watch it, it's not very compromising.
I thought there'd be a lot of compromise, I thought we'd be compromised on budget.
We could have ended up with no ratings and a Sunday afternoon slot, so absolutely nothing and that really is the honest answer.
We got to make everything that I wanted to make.
How nervous were you before Rose was aired that the show would flop?
Duncan Steele, Aberfoyle
Very nervous. It's hard because I knew what we'd made was good. So I knew I could sleep at night.
I knew even if no one watched it, I could sit there and say I had done a great piece of work.
How frustrating do you find some viewers' appetite for the publication of spoilers?
Tom Murphy, London
Well, it's actually very few people, to be honest. There are some people who like spoilers, and they spoil it for themselves - and they like spoiling it.
It's when they then promote it on a bigger scale and they push those spoilers into the tabloids so the general public get to hear.
I think it's a real shame and I think it undermines all storytelling.
I think the leaking of stories undermines most British drama at the moment. Most soap operas give away their stories months in advance and every soap opera has declining ratings.
Could you please give a hint or two about next year's specials?
Mark Harrison, Middlesbrough
No. Nice try. Not at all.
When you first revived Doctor Who back in 2005 did you imagine having two spin-offs and having such a big fan base?
Rach, Birmingham
No way, none of us ever saw this much success coming.
I didn't even envisage a spin-off would be possible.
We're still getting eight million viewers a week, which is a miracle when everyone else's ratings are still going down.
I'm still gobsmacked by that. I can't even get my head round that. I'm still delighted by that every day.
The last episode in the current series of Doctor Who will be screened in the UK on BBC One at 1840 BST on Saturday, 5 July.
Russell T Davies was talking to BBC News entertainment reporter Fiona Pryor.
Phil Collinson on 5 live
No big spoilers, although he does state DT WILL be playing the Doctor in the upcoming specials.
Listen HERE......
Listen HERE......
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Send A Message From The 'Time Lord'!
David Tennant is Patron of Headway Essex and has signed 1000 cards to raise funds to support people with brain injury and their families and carers. Your donation to Headway will be explained on the back of the card.
The card will be black and white, A5, high gloss and comes with a white envelope and an authentic signature.
The greeting inside is ‘With Best Wishes’
Maybe you could send a card to say Thank you Happy Birthday Get well or even Congratulations!
You can add your own personal message.
Imagine the fun of opening up a card from David Tennant (DR WHO)!
A great gift and a surprise from someone who cares!
How To Get Your Card
The card will be black and white, A5, high gloss and comes with a white envelope and an authentic signature.
The greeting inside is ‘With Best Wishes’
Maybe you could send a card to say Thank you Happy Birthday Get well or even Congratulations!
You can add your own personal message.
Imagine the fun of opening up a card from David Tennant (DR WHO)!
A great gift and a surprise from someone who cares!
How To Get Your Card
Put your questions to Russell T Davies
Davies will answer some of your questions as he prepares to step down as the executive producer this weekend.
Go HERE to ask.
Go HERE to ask.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Sylvester mcoy and Peter Davidson in the confidential
Ok can someone tell me why every forum and message board out there is awash with Sylvester Mccoy and PD being in the confidential "friends and foes"? They were in clips from the series that they had starred in that feature davros and the daleks. I saw Syl ranting back at davros over a video line before unleashing the hand of omega and peter running about getting shot at is all. Did i miss something or are a mass majority just that damn thick???? Everyone seems to think they were in the confidential because they will pop up in journeys end for cameos, or are filming for the Prom special......oooo k
Win a Davros Mask!
Go to http://www.radiotimes.com/content/competitions/davros/ and play the game to win, you must be a resident of the UK to enter{bastards} anyway i can't enter to win but i can help you to....hehehehe
Q: Name the Doctor's companion whose genetic material was absorbed by a Dalek.
A: Rose
Q: Which humanoid race were Davros's original Dalek mutants created from?
A: Kaleds
Q: Which of these is not one of the names of the Cult of Skaro?
A: Kast
Q: Which race has not been subjugated by the Daleks?
A: The Time Lords
Q: Which story featured a transparent or "glass" Dalek?
A: Revelation of the Daleks
Q: What name did Henry Van Statten give his Dalek exhibit?
A: Metaltron
Q: Who was credited with creating the original 1975 Davros mask?
A: John Friedlander
Q: Who shot off Davros's hand?
A: Bostock
Q: What were Davros's first words in Genesis of the Daleks?
A: Observe the test closely, my friend.
Q: Name the 1960s episode that ended with a Dalek emerging from a bank of sand.
A: The Executioners
Q: Which was the first story that specifically mentioned a "Dalek Supreme" on screen?
A: The Chase
Q: In which issue of Radio Times did the word "Dalek" first appear in print?
A: 28 Dec 1963-3 Jan 1964
Q: In draft scripts which rare mineral formed the core of the Daleks' Time Destructor?
A: Vitaranium
Q: Who did original Davros actor Michael Wisher base his performance on?
A: Bertrand Russell
Q: When did a Dalek first state: "I cannot see. Vision impaired"?
A: Planet of the Daleks
Good luck!
You must be aged 18 or over and be a resident of the UK. This unique silicone mask is not a children's toy
Q: Name the Doctor's companion whose genetic material was absorbed by a Dalek.
A: Rose
Q: Which humanoid race were Davros's original Dalek mutants created from?
A: Kaleds
Q: Which of these is not one of the names of the Cult of Skaro?
A: Kast
Q: Which race has not been subjugated by the Daleks?
A: The Time Lords
Q: Which story featured a transparent or "glass" Dalek?
A: Revelation of the Daleks
Q: What name did Henry Van Statten give his Dalek exhibit?
A: Metaltron
Q: Who was credited with creating the original 1975 Davros mask?
A: John Friedlander
Q: Who shot off Davros's hand?
A: Bostock
Q: What were Davros's first words in Genesis of the Daleks?
A: Observe the test closely, my friend.
Q: Name the 1960s episode that ended with a Dalek emerging from a bank of sand.
A: The Executioners
Q: Which was the first story that specifically mentioned a "Dalek Supreme" on screen?
A: The Chase
Q: In which issue of Radio Times did the word "Dalek" first appear in print?
A: 28 Dec 1963-3 Jan 1964
Q: In draft scripts which rare mineral formed the core of the Daleks' Time Destructor?
A: Vitaranium
Q: Who did original Davros actor Michael Wisher base his performance on?
A: Bertrand Russell
Q: When did a Dalek first state: "I cannot see. Vision impaired"?
A: Planet of the Daleks
Good luck!
You must be aged 18 or over and be a resident of the UK. This unique silicone mask is not a children's toy
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
OMFG!!!!!!!! Stolen Earth ROCKED!!!!!!!!
OMG Rusty knows how to go out with a bang!!!! Rose toting a BFG, Project Indigo, The shadow Proclamation, Torchwood, Unit, and Sarah Jane coming together to help find the Doctor, Harriet Jones regal til the very bitter end, and then omg and then............
REGENERATION!!!!!!!!! {i know it will be absorbed by the freaky Doctor hand but ..............................WOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!
Russell T Davies on The Stolen Earth - Radio Times, June 2008
Benjamin Cook talks to Russell T Davies about bringing back Davros and building up to the fourth season's big finale, a two-parter starting with The Stolen Earth.
"The most important thing about the show is the Doctor himself, and the Daleks raise the stakes for him," says Russell T Davies, Doctor Who's showrunner. "He witnessed the Daleks' creation, fought them in ten different bodies. He saw them murder the Time Lords. He lost Rose to a parallel universe because of them. So when the Daleks appear, it gets personal."
This year's two-part series finale boasts a menagerie of different Daleks. "We called it the Dalek Freak Show! We've got the Supreme Dalek, a mighty red metal beast, and he's truly impressive...although everything's in danger of being upstaged by Dalek Caan. Our voice man, Nicholas Briggs, gives an amazing performance. It's the creepiest Dalek yet!"
Also returning - for the first time in 20 years - is Davros, creator of the Dalek race. "I hope older viewers get a shiver of recognition," says Davies, "but I really want kids to love this bizarre half-man, half-Dalek." How come he's waited until series four to resurrect such an iconic adversary? "It's given a chance for the myth to grow. The legend becomes a bit of a game, between us and the viewers, between parents and kids. I'd like to think that mums and dads have been stoking the rumours! The longer you leave it, the more currency it gains. But we've waited long enough. Besides, he's my favourite monster. So I waited to give myself a treat!"
Julian Bleach is the fourth actor to don Davros's latex mask. "Julian has it all - the voice, presence, intelligence, even the physicality. Davros might only have one arm, but Julian makes it incredibly expressive and muscular. And wait till you see him tip Davros into insanity - it's terrifying!"
Is Bleach the best Davros yet, then? "Now, don't be cheeky. I love all those Davroses! But Julian is a rightful successor to the throne, bringing elegance to the part, even a cruel playfulness. Davros is contrary to everything the series stands for: life, survival, optimism, hope and fun. But Davros's world is so twisted and dark, it's like staring into the pit. Yes, he's clever, he's a genius, but all his brilliance has gone into creating the darkest force in the universe."
And as well as Davros, look out for various plot strands drawing together. "There have been fleeting mentions of missing planets," says Davies, "and you're about to discover their fate. Donna keeps mentioning the fact that, back on Earth, the bees are disappearing - that's going to become important. And way back, in our very first episode in 2005, the Ninth Doctor invoked the might of the Shadow Proclamation - well, here it comes!"
And there have been "mysterious hints" about Donna's future, which "will reach a terrible climax. That said, this episode is still a rip-roaring adventure that you can follow without having noticed any of this stuff."
Last month, the BBC announced that this series of Doctor Who (and next year's specials) will be the last in charge for Davies, who was awarded an OBE earlier this month. A tough decision? "Do you know what? It was easy," he says. "I decided way back in 2006, so it was more like keeping a promise - with the satisfaction of a job well done. I'm proud of every single episode we've made, and that's a good time to leave. I know my own mind, and I know for a fact I won't regret it.
"When you choose to be a writer, you choose to be freelance. I've never stayed in a job this long, and I've only stayed because I've enjoyed it so much. I don't even know where I'm going. That's so exciting." He breaks off. "Oh God, I sound like the Doctor!"
"The most important thing about the show is the Doctor himself, and the Daleks raise the stakes for him," says Russell T Davies, Doctor Who's showrunner. "He witnessed the Daleks' creation, fought them in ten different bodies. He saw them murder the Time Lords. He lost Rose to a parallel universe because of them. So when the Daleks appear, it gets personal."
This year's two-part series finale boasts a menagerie of different Daleks. "We called it the Dalek Freak Show! We've got the Supreme Dalek, a mighty red metal beast, and he's truly impressive...although everything's in danger of being upstaged by Dalek Caan. Our voice man, Nicholas Briggs, gives an amazing performance. It's the creepiest Dalek yet!"
Also returning - for the first time in 20 years - is Davros, creator of the Dalek race. "I hope older viewers get a shiver of recognition," says Davies, "but I really want kids to love this bizarre half-man, half-Dalek." How come he's waited until series four to resurrect such an iconic adversary? "It's given a chance for the myth to grow. The legend becomes a bit of a game, between us and the viewers, between parents and kids. I'd like to think that mums and dads have been stoking the rumours! The longer you leave it, the more currency it gains. But we've waited long enough. Besides, he's my favourite monster. So I waited to give myself a treat!"
Julian Bleach is the fourth actor to don Davros's latex mask. "Julian has it all - the voice, presence, intelligence, even the physicality. Davros might only have one arm, but Julian makes it incredibly expressive and muscular. And wait till you see him tip Davros into insanity - it's terrifying!"
Is Bleach the best Davros yet, then? "Now, don't be cheeky. I love all those Davroses! But Julian is a rightful successor to the throne, bringing elegance to the part, even a cruel playfulness. Davros is contrary to everything the series stands for: life, survival, optimism, hope and fun. But Davros's world is so twisted and dark, it's like staring into the pit. Yes, he's clever, he's a genius, but all his brilliance has gone into creating the darkest force in the universe."
And as well as Davros, look out for various plot strands drawing together. "There have been fleeting mentions of missing planets," says Davies, "and you're about to discover their fate. Donna keeps mentioning the fact that, back on Earth, the bees are disappearing - that's going to become important. And way back, in our very first episode in 2005, the Ninth Doctor invoked the might of the Shadow Proclamation - well, here it comes!"
And there have been "mysterious hints" about Donna's future, which "will reach a terrible climax. That said, this episode is still a rip-roaring adventure that you can follow without having noticed any of this stuff."
Last month, the BBC announced that this series of Doctor Who (and next year's specials) will be the last in charge for Davies, who was awarded an OBE earlier this month. A tough decision? "Do you know what? It was easy," he says. "I decided way back in 2006, so it was more like keeping a promise - with the satisfaction of a job well done. I'm proud of every single episode we've made, and that's a good time to leave. I know my own mind, and I know for a fact I won't regret it.
"When you choose to be a writer, you choose to be freelance. I've never stayed in a job this long, and I've only stayed because I've enjoyed it so much. I don't even know where I'm going. That's so exciting." He breaks off. "Oh God, I sound like the Doctor!"
Friday, June 27, 2008
Nicholas Briggs interview
The darkness is here. In the first part of the Doctor Who finale, the Earth is literally plucked right from under the Doctor's feet and transported to a destination unknown. While the Doctor scratches his head, the mother of all reunions ensues on Earth, as his allies (Captain Jack, Sarah Jane Smith, Martha Jones) come together to help deal with the crisis. Behind the dastardly act are the seemingly-indestructible Daleks, now under the charge of one of the Doctor's old foes. Nicholas Briggs, voice of the metal menaces, previews the final episodes.
What has happened with the Daleks since we last saw them?
"The last survivor of the Cult of Skaro, Dalek Caan, has had a very rough time. Something very odd has happened to him! That's linked up to a load of stuff that I couldn't possibly reveal because unfortunately the Daleks have used a mind probe to erase my brain."
When did you find out that you would be returning for the final two episodes?
"I think those who I know that knew about it, including David Tennant, might have given me hints pretty early on. I think David said to me, 'I'm not cagey but if things go as planned, you'll probably be here in March for the final block.' I'd kind of known it was on the cards for quite some time."
How did you react when you read the script for this week's episode, 'The Stolen Earth'?
"Well first of all, it didn't have a title, so I didn't know what was [going to happen]. It's a great, exciting title, but it does rather give stuff away, doesn't it? The whole build-up was very exciting, bringing together the new mythos of Doctor Who with Torchwood and Sarah Jane. I was quite taken aback about how epic it is - and it really pays off in the final episode, which of course I can't tell you anything about. D'oh! How annoying."
How difficult was it to perfect the voice of the deranged Dalek Caan?
"Well, it was a great challenge, a bit like when we did the Dalek Emperor in the first series. When Russell [T Davies] introduces a character like that, there is a whole chunk of stuff in the script that describes the voice. He did the same for Dalek Caan, which gave me a real key into what I could do. Then I evolved all these different theories about Dalek Caan's neurons firing in the wrong direction in his brain. He can't tell when he's happy or sad, his emphasis is very strange and he finds things funny when things aren't funny. He's a kind of soothsayer really. His mind is almost pure."
Do you ever get to improvise any Dalek dialogue?
"No, although there's some bits in this one where they kind of go a bit crazy, and things go wrong at one point, so they do a few strange noises. I suppose that required improvisation in a scene. Also I remember in 'Parting of the Ways' when they flew into the void, I had hours of fun in the studio [doing Dalek screams]. When I heard it back, it was hilarious, because they'd multitracked it. It sounded like the cat in that old public information film!"
We know Davros is returning for the finale, but are there any other foes from the classic series you'd like to see come back?
"I do the Doctor Who audio adventures for Big Finish, and we've had the Ice Warriors back in a couple of times. I've rather enjoyed doing those. I can't immediately think of anything else that should come back. I'd be happy for it all to be Daleks, frankly."
What was it like on set with so many former companions returning?
"It was like a really good party, in that people would all be standing around in different groups chatting, and everybody was getting on really well. There was a slight 'end-of-term' feeling, in the best possible way. I suppose you would wonder if there might be some tension, but there wasn't at all. It was lovely to see people back you haven't seen for a while."
How do you feel about Steven Moffat taking over as executive producer?
"Steve's take on Doctor Who is fascinating. His stories have won awards. I'm really excited about it. It'll be interesting to see because he's got such an interesting mind. I don't know what's coming up at all, but I suppose he's going to change a few things."
Finally we know the Cybermen are back for this year's Christmas Special. Are you back doing their voices?
"Well, were the Cybermen to be involved in something, I guess they would get me to do the voices! If that is in fact true. I believe there may have been some pictures of the Cybermen on the internet..."
Doctor Who airs Saturday at 7.10pm on BBC One.
What has happened with the Daleks since we last saw them?
"The last survivor of the Cult of Skaro, Dalek Caan, has had a very rough time. Something very odd has happened to him! That's linked up to a load of stuff that I couldn't possibly reveal because unfortunately the Daleks have used a mind probe to erase my brain."
When did you find out that you would be returning for the final two episodes?
"I think those who I know that knew about it, including David Tennant, might have given me hints pretty early on. I think David said to me, 'I'm not cagey but if things go as planned, you'll probably be here in March for the final block.' I'd kind of known it was on the cards for quite some time."
How did you react when you read the script for this week's episode, 'The Stolen Earth'?
"Well first of all, it didn't have a title, so I didn't know what was [going to happen]. It's a great, exciting title, but it does rather give stuff away, doesn't it? The whole build-up was very exciting, bringing together the new mythos of Doctor Who with Torchwood and Sarah Jane. I was quite taken aback about how epic it is - and it really pays off in the final episode, which of course I can't tell you anything about. D'oh! How annoying."
How difficult was it to perfect the voice of the deranged Dalek Caan?
"Well, it was a great challenge, a bit like when we did the Dalek Emperor in the first series. When Russell [T Davies] introduces a character like that, there is a whole chunk of stuff in the script that describes the voice. He did the same for Dalek Caan, which gave me a real key into what I could do. Then I evolved all these different theories about Dalek Caan's neurons firing in the wrong direction in his brain. He can't tell when he's happy or sad, his emphasis is very strange and he finds things funny when things aren't funny. He's a kind of soothsayer really. His mind is almost pure."
Do you ever get to improvise any Dalek dialogue?
"No, although there's some bits in this one where they kind of go a bit crazy, and things go wrong at one point, so they do a few strange noises. I suppose that required improvisation in a scene. Also I remember in 'Parting of the Ways' when they flew into the void, I had hours of fun in the studio [doing Dalek screams]. When I heard it back, it was hilarious, because they'd multitracked it. It sounded like the cat in that old public information film!"
We know Davros is returning for the finale, but are there any other foes from the classic series you'd like to see come back?
"I do the Doctor Who audio adventures for Big Finish, and we've had the Ice Warriors back in a couple of times. I've rather enjoyed doing those. I can't immediately think of anything else that should come back. I'd be happy for it all to be Daleks, frankly."
What was it like on set with so many former companions returning?
"It was like a really good party, in that people would all be standing around in different groups chatting, and everybody was getting on really well. There was a slight 'end-of-term' feeling, in the best possible way. I suppose you would wonder if there might be some tension, but there wasn't at all. It was lovely to see people back you haven't seen for a while."
How do you feel about Steven Moffat taking over as executive producer?
"Steve's take on Doctor Who is fascinating. His stories have won awards. I'm really excited about it. It'll be interesting to see because he's got such an interesting mind. I don't know what's coming up at all, but I suppose he's going to change a few things."
Finally we know the Cybermen are back for this year's Christmas Special. Are you back doing their voices?
"Well, were the Cybermen to be involved in something, I guess they would get me to do the voices! If that is in fact true. I believe there may have been some pictures of the Cybermen on the internet..."
Doctor Who airs Saturday at 7.10pm on BBC One.
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