Behind the Scenes of The Christmas Invasion (Part 30)
Bonus:
Excerpt from Benjamin Cook’s articles in Doctor Who Magazine #365
Christmas Question: Have we forgotten the true meaning of Christmas / Is it just over-commercialised pap?
Billie Piper: I think that’s a load of bull, that we’ve forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. I mean, whoever says that, bah humbug, for a start. I certainly haven’t. It’s about everyone coming together for one day and having a great time. Like your family. Even though some of them do your head in, you just have to put it aside until you’ve had one too many brandies, and then have a row, and then it’s fine.
Camille Coduri: That’s a good question. I think the true meaning of Christmas is definitely to be completely selfless. It’s a time of giving - emotionally particularly. Presents are just a token compared to what you can give emotionally, and I think, yeah, there is a bit of a religious element in Christmas for me. I believe in a higher power. I love all that - hymns and carols and the baby Jesus - although I’m not a practicing Christian or anything.
Russell T. Davies: Years ago, ITV had a slogan that said ‘Christmas means ITV’, and loads of vicars where outraged! Complaints galore. That still makes me laugh. But never mind the Bible: we’d have a Christmas anyway. Nice pause and a hug in the winter. No wonder we invented it.
David Tennant: Well of course it is. But that’s part of the joy, really.
Link to [ part one ] of the Christmas Invasion Behind-the-scenes posts (although [ part two ] appears to be the most popular one in this set…), or click the whoBtsCi tag, or the full episode list [ here ]
"I spent the rest of the summer walking around the garden in the sunshine, learning lines. I would try new things out, see where I could take the character, work on new techniques. I was desperate to talk to Chris [Eccleston] and Russell about all these thoughts that were whizzing around my head, wanting to be in the thick of it right away, but equally I didn’t want them to think I was some mad stalker."
-
Billie Piper, Growing Pains
“I just loved the part and couldn’t wait to get started”
