WRITER MARK GATISS
Empress of Mars is writer Mark Gatiss’ ninth Doctor Who episode since the show returned in 2005. Being a super fan himself, Gatiss has achieved what many of us would like to within our geeky existence, to write a huge variety of stories including: The Unquiet Dead which saw the creation of gaseous foes, The Gelth.
The Idiot’s Lantern and Victory of the Daleks which introduced the taller and hugely colourful Paradigm Daleks, Night Terrors and Cold War which followed the return of the Ice Warriors. The Crimson Horror saw an adventure with the Paternoster Gang, Robot of Sherwood gave the legendary Robin Hood a run and most recently the slightly less well-received Sleep No More. He also dedicated himself to writing the biopic drama An Adventure in Space and Time for the 50th anniversary.
He has also acted in the episodes The Lazarus Experiment (2007) as Richard Lazarus, Victory of the Daleks and A Good Man Goes to War as Danny Boy and The Wedding of River Song (2011) as Gantok. And forgetting Sherlock Fans will know him as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft.
DIRECTOR WAYNE YIP
This is Director Wayne Yip’s second episode for Doctor Who but he is no stranger to the Doctor Who universe as he previously directed two episodes of the spin-off series, Class, Detained and The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did. His work on both series are particularly gripping, so there is no doubt he will return in future series. If there is one given Patrick Ness’ recent announcement
GUEST STARS:
ANTHONY CALF – GODSACRE
Guest Star Anthony Calf who played Godsacre is known for his roles in biographical comedy drama The Madness of King George (1994), biographical drama The Man Who Knew Infinity and in the BBC series New Tricks (2003). Even though Calf has worked with the BBC before, coming up against an Ice Warrior queen may be one of his more memorable moments!
FERDINAND KINGSLEY – CATCHLOVE
Ferdinand Kingsley as Catchlove began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He appeared in the action adventure film The Last Legion (2007) and in the TV series Ripper Street (2012) and Poirot (1989-2013). He is also a music producer under the name FK. If only his skills as a music producer could have been incorporated into the episode. Anyone else wondering how an Ice Warrior would react to a music video?
RICHARD ASTON – FRIDAY
Richard Ashton who played Friday is known for work in the TV series The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1997) and Outlander (2013), as well as, the fantasy action film Dracula: The Dark Prince (2013). He’s encountered Robin Hood, Dracula and now the Ice Warriors, that’s a serious privilege!
BAYO GBADAMOSI – VINCEY
Actor Bayo Gbadamosi as Vincey is known for his role in short film The Swarm (2011) and has a guest starred in the well-known BBC medical series Casualty (2017). Ice Warriors or stethoscopes? There’s really no contest.
ADELE LYNCH – IRAXXA
Adele Lynch who played Iraxxa has appeared in three episodes of the long-running ITV crime drama The Bill (1984). Adele’s role as Ice Warrior queen will most likely be a tastier role that she’s taken on.
GLENN SPEERS – MAJOR PEACH
Glenn Speers as Major Peach become working in London as an actor on stage and television. His versatility allowed him to progress into the West End show The Commitments (2013) and later, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man (2016).
IAN BEATTIE – JACKDAW
Ian Beattie who played Jackdaw has starred in the sci-fi adventure comedy film Space Truckers (1996), biographical action adventure Alexander (2004) and crime drama Starred Up (2013). Beattie is certainly no stranger to the sci-fi adventure genre since being involved in films for over twenty years.
