December 23, 2021
The upcoming festive Special Eve of the Daleks sees two new faces to Doctor Who – Aisling Bea and Adjani Salmon. Below Adjani tells us more about joining in the Thirteenth Doctor’s adventures.
Tune into Eve of the Daleks on New Year’s Day 2022.
It’s about a shy and lovestruck character who is trying to build up the courage to profess his feelings for Sarah (Aisling Bea), and that gets interrupted by Daleks! They end up in a time loop where he has to do so before time runs out!
How was it working with Jodie, John and Mandip? Did you and Aisling immediately slot into the dynamic?
It felt like we were welcomed into a family. It felt like I was invited to someone’s family barbecue - everyone is welcoming and offering food and wants to show you what’s happening! Immediately before I even met Jodie and the rest of the cast, Jodie reached out and asked for my number to say she was glad I was coming on the show so before I even met her I was already welcomed by her. It was good fun and we had loads of great chats!
We heard there was a music video being created on set?
Yes - Aisling, Mandip and Jodie decided they were the new Girls Aloud and I was the cameraman!
This episode is all about time loops, if you had to repeat any day from your own life on a loop what would it be?
There was a time I went to a friend’s birthday at Dunn’s River Falls – which is a waterfall that falls into the sea. It was waterfalls, beach, rum, music and friends – that would be the day.
What would Nick’s New Year’s resolution be?
After all that he’s been through I think his New Year’s resolution would be to be brave to pursue whatever he wants.
How was it working with the Daleks?
The actors (in the Daleks) are so great – I didn’t even know actors were in there! There are so many things that you don’t know about Doctor Who until you’re doing it. Nick (Briggs) who actually speaks, speaks live and you hear him live as well. The first take we did I think was when the Daleks come and I react to them and when he spoke I couldn’t believe it – that was a real reaction!
Do you have any New Year’s Day traditions?
New Year’s Eve is normally partying with friends and family. The day is very much about reflecting on the past year and setting goals that you want to achieve throughout the year.
What was your biggest surprise filming Doctor Who, apart from actors being inside the Daleks?
One thing I took away is how much easier it is when you have a solid team. The entire Doctor Who clique is like a family and a unit. It feels like a family working together and when we were in high pressure environment it was still this synergy of everyone working and moving and getting it done. As a filmmaker I’m watching it thinking “I want this energy when I’m on set!”
Tune into Eve of the Daleks on New Year’s Day 2022.
