Its that time when interviews are galore for the Doctor Who Christmas Special. The BBC Media Centre has a bunch of interviews and we start it off with guest star Orla Brady who plays Tasha Lem. The Time of The Doctor airs on Christmas Day.
What drew you to the
role of Tasha Lem?
So you're sitting in your
dressing room on an ordinary day (well ordinary for an actress) playing a normal
person who makes breakfast and loses her purse sometimes. Then along comes a
call to play a galactic nun and whizz around the universe with Matt Smith. Now
what girl wouldn't be drawn to that?
Can you tell us anything about
how we first meet your character?
The Doctor goes to see Tasha as
they are old friends. He needs her help and knows he will find it with her.
Although she is fearsomely powerful, she is loyal to her friend.
What can you tell us about your
costume and make-up? Did you work closely with the costume
designer?
The designer Howard Burden
knows the Doctor Who world inside-out and had an image of Tasha that I
loved from the start, so there was very little need for me to suggest anything.
I just climbed into it really. Emma Cowen created a look that was a little
spooky, referencing Blade Runner a little. We both wanted her to look as
she is described in the writing, imposing, human, but with a touch of
alien.
In this special a whole host of
the Doctor’s most famous enemies come together, including Cybermen, The Silence,
Weeping Angels and Daleks - how did you find filming opposite these monsters?
Have you had to do anything similar for previous
roles?
Most of my acting life I have
played ordinary women so obviously monsters haven't factored much. However I did
love getting to face off with one of this lot in The Time of the Doctor.
How did you find working with
departing Doctor, Matt Smith?
Joyous. I had heard through
friends that he was a nice guy (and he is) but what struck me most is how
enthusiastic and engaged he was in his role, in every single scene we played. It
so often happens that someone playing a character for years sits back a bit. He
didn't. He was as full of energy and inventiveness as someone on their first day
and it was truly good to be around.
Did you meet the next Doctor,
Peter Capaldi?
Yes. Peter came to set for the
first time and it was good to see him again as we had briefly played boyfriend
and girlfriend years ago and he was hilarious. He has an air about him that
man....can't wait to see what he will do with his Doctor.
How was it filming in
Cardiff?
Would it be obvious to say
rainy? It was a place I had never been to, I didn't know anyone and was staying
in a hotel which can be a bit glum. However the thing I discovered about Cardiff
is that it is the friendliest place I have ever been. Ever. The Capital of
Friendly. I could live there now I think... but I would buy a new
raincoat.
And finally where will you be
watching the Christmas special?
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