Last week, we learned a lot about Director Rachel Talalay and Writer Steven Moffat. But, seeing as they have so many amazing credits to their names, it’s time to discover even more about these creative artists.
Let’s begin with Rachel Talalay, she grew up in the United States but spent two years living in England. Whilst at university, Rachel started her own film society and made her directorial debut with the film, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991).
Her work on the Freddy Kreuger films allowed her to use her computer skills to find more effective ways of using special effects while keeping the budget of the films low. Already, she was starting to use her creative skills from a different angle.
Steven Moffat graduated from the University of Glasgow and gained an MA in English. His first television work began with drama series, Press Gang, then came two sitcoms, Joking Apart and Coupling. Steven’s first venture into Doctor Who was when he wrote the script for the Comic Relief Parody, The Curse of Fatal Death, in 1999. Anyone else think Joanna Lumley would make a fabulous Doctor?
In 2011, he co-wrote the script for the film The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Steven recently announced he will be collaborating with friend and writer Mark Gatiss on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Wouldn’t it have been great if Dracula had featured in the series as a real undead being?
The Doctor himself Peter Capaldi was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where his family owned an ice cream business. Peter was accepted into the Glasgow School of Art and after graduating, landed his first role in Local Hero (1983). His artistic ability is clear in his performance as the Doctor and his passion as an artist is displayed in an episode of Doctor Who- The Fan Show when Peter drew his favourite Doctors!
Prior to becoming an actor, Peter worked as a graphic designer for BBC Scotland TV. He featured in the series 4 episode The Fires of Pompeii in 2008 alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate, where he played Caecilius.
Not only that, but Peter had a leading role in the third series of spin-off series, Torchwood, where he played civil servant John Frobisher. Peter has been a lifelong fan of Doctor Who and when he was 15, sent a tribute to Roger Delgado, who played the Master opposite John Pertwee in the 1970’s. This is incredibly sweet! We should all sent in a tribute for Peter when the Twelfth Doctor regenerates, I think he would like that.
Fans may also know him as Malcolm Tucker from The Thick of It (2005) and he was the lead singer of punk rock band, Dream Boys, alongside Craig Ferguson. He was hugely influenced by David Bowie and is the only Doctor to have received an Oscar for directorial work on short film Metamorphosis. I would highly recommend watching it as you will soon agree that Peter totally deserved that Oscar.
NOTE – there is VERY STRONG Language in the video below.
Pearl Mackie was born in Brixton in 1987 and recalls she had no recollection of Doctor Who because it was cancelled when she was two-years-old. Pearl starred in the theatre production of the adaptation of the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time before landing the role of Bill.
Companion Bill is the first openly-gay companion in the series which is amazing and brilliant! Hopefully, one day people won’t even need to make a big deal about it just like the Doctor doesn’t!
Actor/Comedian Matt Lucas was born in Paddington, London and raised in Stanmore, Middlesex. He studied Drama at Bristol University and co-wrote comedy series Little Britain with friend David Walliams.
Matt has also starred in the films Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Shaun of the Dead (2004) Bridesmaids (2011). A big Proclaimers fan, he made his directorial debut in 2012 with their single Spinning Around in the Air. Matt is another huge fan of the show, I wonder what his reaction was when he got the part of Nardole? Probably an accumulation of screams, squeals, jumps, leaps and frantic clapping.
Following on from John Simm’s career last week, he is the eighth actor to have played the Master and took on the role because his children were fans of the show. I think this makes John a cool Dad! When training at the Drama Centre in London, John was one of the youngest members between 1989 and 1992.
Queen of Evil Michelle Gomez has not only played Missy in the TV series but she’s also used her vocal talents as Missy in the Lego Dimensions game! Can you imagine if she meets Captain Jack or even Jo Grant in the pixelated reality? What a hoot that would be!
Guest star Samantha Spiro as Hazran was born in Mill Hill, London and is known for her roles in From Hell (2001), Me Before You (2016) and Babs (2017). She has been awarded the Laurence Olivier Award Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Merrily We Roll Along (2001) and the Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Supporting Role in A Little Night Music (2004). She will certainly own her role in this episode although it’s unclear who she is… We’ll soon find out!
