by Xavier Gonne
While we consider the fictional lives of our favorite companions after they step off the TARDIS for the last time (or are left behind), how about sparing a thought for their alter egos: the real actors and actresses who brought these characters to life.
While we consider the fictional lives of our favorite companions after they step off the TARDIS for the last time (or are left behind), how about sparing a thought for their alter egos: the real actors and actresses who brought these characters to life.
For convenience's (and possibly relevance) sake, we’ll limit ourselves to the major companions from the last four Doctors: the Russell T Davis and Steven Moffat years. Most, if not all, of the companions before that were light entertainers (with more than one dancer) which had unremarkable (and for our purposes unrelated) careers before and after. This is understandable, as before the RTD reboot, Doctor Who was viewed somewhat poorly by those who made it.
So, we begin with Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper. For me, Piper’s casting was a remnant of the view of DW from the early years. A product of one of the must-be-famous singing-and-dancing schools, Piper was much better known for her singing than her acting, so her casting felt like an attempt to draw in an audience which may not have tuned in. During (and following) her appearances on DW, she appeared in the lead of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, which allowed her to stretch acting into the soft-core arena and then (after some theater work) followed that up by playing another prostitute; this time in the quite remarkable Penny Dreadful.
So, we begin with Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper. For me, Piper’s casting was a remnant of the view of DW from the early years. A product of one of the must-be-famous singing-and-dancing schools, Piper was much better known for her singing than her acting, so her casting felt like an attempt to draw in an audience which may not have tuned in. During (and following) her appearances on DW, she appeared in the lead of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, which allowed her to stretch acting into the soft-core arena and then (after some theater work) followed that up by playing another prostitute; this time in the quite remarkable Penny Dreadful.
Alongside Tyler was her on-screen boyfriend, Mickey Smith, played by Noel Clarke. Clarke’s career is something of a curiosity. He had some success early on, gaining work in a number of high profile British-made shows and collecting some nice awards, something happened. I can’t really put my finger on it but it might have something to do with his credits on the movies he’s in; there are a lot. Writer, producer, director, co-director… I wouldn’t be surprised if he also does craft services. I tend to be wary of an actor who apparently is most comfortable when he casts himself. For his genre work after DW, check out the abysmal Storage 24 and this years’ truly terrible The Anomaly.
Next we had Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate. A successful comedienne, Tate’s appearance on DW is the most anomalous of the lot. Everyone else on the list was looking for their big break or to revitalize their career. Tate had a multi-BAFTA winning sketch comedy show, which she was still doing when she started in DW. After DW, she would continue to work in TV, film, and on the stage. Indeed, her DW jaunt appears to be something of a vacation, a busman’s holiday, if you will.
Next we had Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate. A successful comedienne, Tate’s appearance on DW is the most anomalous of the lot. Everyone else on the list was looking for their big break or to revitalize their career. Tate had a multi-BAFTA winning sketch comedy show, which she was still doing when she started in DW. After DW, she would continue to work in TV, film, and on the stage. Indeed, her DW jaunt appears to be something of a vacation, a busman’s holiday, if you will.
After Donna, we have Martha Jones, played Freema Agyeman. DW was the big break Freema was looking for, but before and after, there hasn’t been much… until recently. Last year she was cast in the (not her fault) terrible The Carrie Diaries, but this year sees her being cast in Sense8; the Heroes-esque show from J. Michael Straczynski (Hurrah!) and the Wachowski siblings (Booo!).
And then we have our final, former, companion; Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan. I have a thing about models transitioning into acting (yes, I have many, many issues – the psychiatric community thanks me for my contribution to their studies), or actors who are also models. A blurring of the lines happens and their performances can become a thin façade. And this is what I got from Gillan. Lovely as she was, she reminded me I was watching a show aimed at kids. Following her departure from DW, she’s been the most successful of the companions. She’s played the lead in a horror movie (Occulus) and (reportedly) does a very nice turn as Nebula in the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Add to that, she plays the lead in ABC (short-lived?) comedy Selfie, the modernized/Americanized My Fair Lady.
While they have not always lead to bigger and better things, the actors who portrayed the Doctor’s Companions have, for the briefest of times, allowed both a window into the Doctor’s world and gave the Doctor an anchor onto ours.
And then we have our final, former, companion; Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan. I have a thing about models transitioning into acting (yes, I have many, many issues – the psychiatric community thanks me for my contribution to their studies), or actors who are also models. A blurring of the lines happens and their performances can become a thin façade. And this is what I got from Gillan. Lovely as she was, she reminded me I was watching a show aimed at kids. Following her departure from DW, she’s been the most successful of the companions. She’s played the lead in a horror movie (Occulus) and (reportedly) does a very nice turn as Nebula in the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Add to that, she plays the lead in ABC (short-lived?) comedy Selfie, the modernized/Americanized My Fair Lady.
While they have not always lead to bigger and better things, the actors who portrayed the Doctor’s Companions have, for the briefest of times, allowed both a window into the Doctor’s world and gave the Doctor an anchor onto ours.
Have you followed any of the companion's lives after they left the Doctor?
What about some of those we didn't mention?
Let us know in the comments!
What about some of those we didn't mention?
Let us know in the comments!
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