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Bonnie Langford begins our interview with an absolute power move. When she’s quizzed about her first TV memories, she promptly asks: “Shows I watched, or shows I appeared on?”
It’s the sort of clarification only a born performer can make. As a toddler, Langford was at home in the theater. At six, she made her first TV appearance on Chance Knocks with Hughie Green. At 12, she landed her breakout role in ITV’s just William.
“I don’t no that I ever [fell in love with performing]because I don’t think I ever understood anything other than that,” Langford tells RT.
“My mum passed away recently and we were going through some of her boxes of things.I found a very old picture of me as a baby. I had a nappy on underneath a tutu, and I was kicking my leg and holding hands with my two sisters, who were looking after me. I think that represented what it meant to me – it was always a safe place for me.
“I think that has always been why I’ve continued for so long, because I didn’t want to lose that environment.What goes on around it can be pretty awful and sometimes that’s quite challenging. But I didn’t want to give up that safe place.”
It’s nothing short of remarkable that Langford, now 61, still sees performing as a safe space considering how she was cruelly torn down in her younger years by the press, the public and even some of her peers. It’s not hard to see the impact that still has on her, but also how she’s classily risen above it.
“It was very serious, much more serious than I had expected,” she recalls. “And I knew that I came into this difficult situation. Colin was fighting for the show as well as John, and there was a lot of angst, and a lot of notes.”
Langford highlighted how quickly things can change, even during filming.”these days, things get cancelled mid-scene.Somebody was telling me the other day that they were filming something in America and the suits walked on the set in the middle of a scene and said, ‘That’s it. We’re not doing any more.’ It’s terrifying. Or you can be in something for years and years.”
As McCoy previously revealed in an interview with RT, it also took some convincing for langford to actually get a proper exit scene.
[Image of Bonnie Langford and Sylvester McCoy](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/08/Sylvester-and-Bonnie-Cropped-bb8f141.jpg?quality=90&webp=true&fit=325,217)
“It felt really comfortable”: Nicola Walker on reuniting with Adrian Lester for new drama The Split
Table of Contents
- “It felt really comfortable”: Nicola Walker on reuniting with Adrian Lester for new drama The Split
- Doctor Who: Bonnie Langford returns as Mel Bush – and things look…wobbly!
- Billie Piper on Working with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor: “He Walks onto a Set and There is Joy”
- Frazer Hines on Navigating Life After Doctor Who
- A Difficult Transition
- Advice for Future Companions
- Frazer Hines: A Career Overview
Nicola Walker and Adrian Lester have a working relationship that stretches back over two decades, and it shows. The pair first captivated audiences with their chemistry in the BBC legal drama Spooks, and now they’re back on screen together in The Split‘s new spin-off, The Split Up.
But this isn’t just a professional reunion. Walker reveals that their shared history made stepping back into a working dynamic surprisingly easy. “We’ve known each other for a long time,obviously,from Spooks,” she explains. “And we just… slotted back in. It was really lovely. I mean, we didn’t really think about it much at the time on Spooks as we were so young, but when I came to do it in the new TV series, it felt really comfortable to be with her.”
[Image of Nicola Walker and Adrian Lester]
Doctor Who: Bonnie Langford returns as Mel Bush – and things look…wobbly!
The Doctor is about to get a blast from the past! Bonnie Langford is returning to Doctor Who as Mel Bush, the companion who travelled with the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) back in the 1980s. And judging by the latest images from the upcoming episode, “Empire of Death,” things are about to get very engaging indeed.
langford reprises her role after nearly four decades, and she’s joined by Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor for a potentially bumpy ride – literally. The pair are pictured looking rather concerned while perched on a bright orange Vespa, both sporting white helmets.
While details about “Empire of Death” are still under wraps, the episode is part of the show’s 60th anniversary celebrations and promises a thrilling adventure. The return of Mel Bush is a notably exciting prospect for long-time fans, offering a nostalgic link to the show’s classic era.
Could Mel hold the key to a new mystery? and what exactly has caught the Doctor’s attention? We’ll have to wait and see when Doctor Who continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
Billie Piper on Working with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor: “He Walks onto a Set and There is Joy”
Billie Piper, who famously played Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant’s Doctors, has shared her experience working with ncuti Gatwa on his first full series as the Fifteenth doctor. Speaking about the Doctor Who star, Piper described Gatwa as a “darling” with “such charisma.”
“He walks onto a set and there is joy and laughter and presence,” Piper said. “He’s such a sweetheart, and he had a lot on his plate. It was very intensive.”
She revealed the filming process was lengthy and technically demanding, but filled with laughter. “We had a long time to shoot, and it was very technical, a lot of it, but we would laugh a lot. I don’t think he had any idea what he was letting himself in for. Nobody does, particularly these days, when there’s such a lot riding on it.”
Piper acknowledged the weight of the role, noting the “history and a legacy” that comes with playing the Doctor. “There has to be that element of eccentricity,of genius mind,which also has a darkness… I think it’s a wonderful job to take on,but it comes with a certain amount of responsibility and irresponsibility to be able to wear that cloak.”
Piper reprised her role as Rose Tyler in the recent episode “The Reality War,” appearing after Gatwa’s regeneration.
Next up, Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw will lead the six-episode spin-off The War Between the Worlds.
Frazer Hines, best known for his iconic role as Jamie McCrimmon, companion to the Second Doctor, recently shared insights into his career transition from child star to seasoned actor. Hines’ reflections highlight the challenges of maintaining a career in the entertainment industry and offer advice to future generations of performers, particularly those stepping into the role of a Doctor Who companion.
A Difficult Transition
Hines acknowledged the difficulties he faced adjusting to life after his initial burst of fame.Discovering boxes of publicity materials from his mother’s collection brought the magnitude of the shift into sharp focus. He described the entertainment world as “quite a tough world,” and admitted to initially choosing to “ignore a lot of it.” Despite these challenges, his passion for acting sustained him. “But I loved doing what I did. I loved the job, and that kept me going,” he stated.
Advice for Future Companions
When asked for advice for actresses – and specifically Doctor Who companions – following in his footsteps, Hines offered a simple yet profound mantra applicable to all aspects of life: “Embrace it, enjoy it and find your version. There is no right or wrong.” This sentiment underscores the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in navigating a demanding profession and life in general.
Frazer Hines: A Career Overview
Frazer Hines began his acting career as a child, appearing in television productions like emergency – Ward 10 in 1957. His breakthrough role came in 1966 with Doctor Who, where he played Jamie McCrimmon alongside Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor. He remained with the series until 1969, becoming a fan favorite.Following Doctor Who,Hines continued to work consistently in television,film,and theatre,demonstrating a remarkable longevity in his career. Notable roles include appearances in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and numerous stage productions. IMDb provides a thorough list of his credits.
Key Takeaways
- The transition from child stardom to a sustained acting career can be challenging.
- Passion for the craft is crucial for overcoming obstacles in the entertainment industry.
- Authenticity and self-acceptance are vital for navigating a career and life.
- hines’ career demonstrates the possibility of a long and varied career beyond a single iconic role.
Frazer Hines’ story serves as an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability in the face of industry pressures. His advice to embrace individuality and enjoy the journey resonates deeply, offering valuable guidance not only to aspiring actors but to anyone pursuing their passions.
Worth a look