Jenna Coleman reveals the best and worst things about being in Doctor Who
Jenna Coleman, who played Clara Oswald on the BBC science fiction show Doctor Who between 2012 and 2015, has revealed the best and worst things about being a regular on the TV programme.
Coleman, whose character travelled as a companion to both Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor and Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor in the series is currently on stage in the play Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons opposite Poldark star Aidan Turner, and was asked by Laura Kuenssberg about her time on Doctor Who.
“Every day was very, very different. In terms of, you were being hung upside down, wires and stunts – running down corridors,” said Coleman, when quizzed about the upsides of being on Doctor Who.
She added: “Every two weeks is a different episode. Amazing actors in and out all of the time… and also the nature of the storytelling was literally like being a kid in a storybook every single day.”
Coleman, who has spoken regularly about her fondness of her time on the show and how she stays in touch with the cast of Doctor Who, was also pressed on what the biggest downside was of being on the show.
“For me, I just love change, and it was a very long time to play one character,” replied Coleman.
She added: “I was yearning, as much as I love Cardiff – I was yearning to leave when I did.”
Many will be hoping that Jenna Coleman (who hasn’t ruled out a return in the past) could be one of the popular Doctor Who alumni that may make an appearance in the show as part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations in November 2023. Returning showrunner Russell T Davies has already brought back David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor for the specials, as well as Catherine Tate as Donna Noble among other characters. Could there be room for more old companions like Jenna Coleman, Karen Gillan or Arthur Darvill? Indeed, could we even see a return of former Doctors like Matt Smith?
In The Power of the Doctor in October 2022, a number of classic Doctors and companions returned for Jodie Whittaker’s final episode which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the BBC. So recent precedent has been set for surprise comebacks!
Around the festive season of 2023, Ncuti Gatwa will begin his tenure as the Fifteenth Doctor on the show, accompanied by his new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. Doctor Who season 14 will play out after this in 2024.
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