STACK #166 Aug 2018

DVD & BD

FEATURE

YOU’RE IN FOR THE MOST EXCITING THRILL RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

STACK sat down with 13th Doctor Jodie Whittaker, showrunner Chris Chibnall, and new companions Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, to find out what we can expect from this groundbreaking new era for Doctor Who . DOCTOR WHO

long before I entered. The approach I’ve taken is to be as truthful and openhearted to Chris’s writing as I can.” “[I approach] every single scene and encounter as completely brand new. It felt like the right thing for this Doctor, and really liberating for an actor stepping into a role that has been played before.” Of the Doctor’s new travelling companions, Mandip Gill describes Yaz as having a willingness to learn and a sense of adventure. “She listens to the Doctor, and really believes, she doesn’t challenge that much and goes along with it.” Tosin Cole‘s character, Ryan, also goes with the flow of what he calls a crazy situation. “He’s a bit skeptical at first, but at the end of the day he opens up a bit and finds a new sense of self confidence within the group.” Chibnall reveals that Season 11 will be 10 standalone stories, and that even those who’ve never seen the series can jump right in here. “There’s no barrier to entry with a new Doctor, a new set of friends, new adventures and new monsters. “I hope it’s all the things you love about Doctor Who compressed into 10 episodes. There’s a massive range and variety of stories.”

“Y ou’re in for the most exciting thrill ride of your life,” laughs Chibnall. “If you’ve never seen Doctor Who , you are in for a treat. It’s a rollercoaster of adventures through alien worlds, historical periods, adventures on Earth, with four of your new best friends. And you’re about to meet The Doctor – the single greatest character in the history of drama, although I may be biased.”

Chibnall took a gamble in switching the Doctor’s gender after 55 years, but felt the time was right for a woman at the TARDIS controls. “When I knew Peter [Capaldi] was leaving, it was a very short conversation with the BBC about the way I wanted to go, and it was ‘yep, great, on we go.’ The audience was ready for it, the show was ready for it, it wasn’t a difficult or torturous process at all.” Each new actor has

channeled some of the quirks of former

incarnations, but which Doctor will Whittaker’s 13th resemble? “I haven’t intentionally carried anything through,” she says. “I imagine the energy of that world has been set

Doctor Who Panel

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