In an episode of The Graham Norton Show, the cast of Doctor Who, including Matt Smith and Jodie Whittaker, joined the host for a chat about their experiences on the popular sci-fi series. The interview was lively and entertaining, as Norton engaged the cast in a playful banter about their roles on the show.
Smith, who played the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor, discussed his transformation into the iconic character. Norton jokingly pointed out that Smith’s successor, Whittaker, resembled him more than he did. Smith laughed and replied, “I Was Born This Way,” adding that he had a tragic loss of hair. Whittaker chimed in, saying that she hadn’t intentionally made herself look like Smith.
The conversation then shifted to Norton’s past interview with Smith about Doctor Who, where Smith’s eyes glazed over. Smith admitted that he was probably hungover during that interview but was excited for Whittaker’s role as the thirteenth Doctor. He revealed that David Tennant would also be appearing in three specials in November before Whittaker takes on the role at Christmas.
Whittaker’s introduction as the first female Doctor sparked a discussion about the show’s ability to keep reinventing itself. Norton mentioned that his son introduced him to Doctor Who during his time in the UK, and he loved the series. Whittaker jokingly said that Bill and Ted had ripped off Doctor Who, to which Norton agreed.
The secrecy surrounding the casting of the Doctor was also a topic of conversation. Whittaker shared her experience of being confided in by Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall, who is now running Doctor Who. She revealed that her agent called her about auditioning for a role as the new companion and eventually got the part after a series of auditions.
Norton then brought up the popular opinion that Whittaker is the sexiest Doctor Who assistant of all time. Whittaker clarified that her character was a kissogram, not a stripper, although Norton found it amusing that kissograms were similar to strippers. The conversation then shifted to Whittaker and Tennant working together before Doctor Who on other projects. Whittaker mentioned their upcoming Shakespearean romantic comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing.”
The interview took a playful turn when Norton asked Whittaker and Smith about their experiences with terrifying creatures. Whittaker shared how she encountered a sax spider while filming in South Africa, which terrified her. Smith then joked about his fear of hitting marks on set, sharing an anecdote from his early acting days when someone had to physically guide him to his mark.
The discussion also touched on the TARDIS, the Doctor’s time machine. Norton asked about the differences between the TARDIS in Smith’s time and the current one in Whittaker’s era. They discussed the subtle changes that had occurred over the years. Whittaker expressed her love for the retro design of her TARDIS.
The interview concluded with Norton mentioning that both Whittaker and Smith were known for their Christmas specials. Whittaker shared that her family thought there would be a break from Christmas specials this year, only to find out that there would be a Doctor Who Christmas special. This led to a humorous exchange about Whittaker’s frequent appearance in Christmas-themed roles.
Overall, the interview showcased the camaraderie and humor of the Doctor Who cast and provided an entertaining glimpse into the world of the iconic series. Fans of Doctor Who, as well as those who enjoy lively talk shows, will find this episode of The Graham Norton Show highly enjoyable.
