DOCTOR WHO’s Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies on Christmas Special Script Changes and Surprises

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As a writer and a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, I must say that this Christmas special was nothing short of extraordinary. The way the story unfolded, with its blend of humor, emotion, and a touch of mystery, was truly captivating.

Once again, “Doctor Who” graces our screens with another captivating Christmas special titled “Joy to the World”. This episode sees the Fifteenth Doctor embarking on a thrilling journey through time, instigated by his arrival at the Time Hotel. Here, he encounters Nicola Coughlan’s character Joy, whose life takes an extraordinary turn as she checks into the hotel during the holiday season alone. The special reunites former “Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat with current showrunner Russell T Davies to craft a tale that stands independently while also linking to future events. We had the opportunity to interview these talented individuals, discussing the creation of this Christmas special and future plans for “Doctor Who”.

In this episode, we had an amazing journey filled with excitement! We visited numerous breathtaking locations, but the Time Hotel stood out particularly. Could someone provide some insights on the creative process behind that idea and how you collaborated with the team to make it a reality?

As a gamer, I’ve always been captivated by that mysterious locked door in the hotel room. When I was young, it sparked excitement within me, reminding me of Narnia and the possibility that perhaps Narnia lay behind it. And with my love for Doctor Who, a series known for its magical doors, I couldn’t help but wonder. So when the chance came to unravel the mystery and create the Time Hotel, I jumped at it. But then, once the concept was developed, we were faced with a massive challenge – how to bring this incredible idea to life on screen. [laughs]

You’ve got numerous destinations to visit, but it’s not just about the financial cost. The logistics of filming at these places can be challenging as well. One of the major issues we faced in this episode was fitting everything into our production schedule. Initially, we planned to include a submarine scene and travel to ancient Egypt with partially constructed pyramids, but scheduling constraints made it difficult to achieve.

Wow that would have been amazing to see!

Moffat: Indeed, we had an abundance due to Russell [T Davies] informing me upfront that we had a generous budget at our disposal. He mentioned it, and he utilized it effectively… Additionally, director Alex Pillai excelled in his craft, masterfully capturing every scene. The concept of the dinosaur room and the Fifteenth Doctor and Joy sliding towards the colossal dinosaur, which is my personal favorite shot, were all his innovative ideas. Truly impressive work.

Russell T Davies: The design team is put through a massive challenge with Doctor Who. It’s absolutely mad, and they work tirelessly on it. We only use one set each week for about a minute. Everything else has to be created or located. And this particular project was an extraordinary undertaking by any measure.

It is incredible what they are able to do. In “Joy to the World,” we go on this journey with the Doctor. For the first time, Fifteen has this “John Smith” experience where he gets to live like a normal person. How do you think that this experience will affect Ncuti’s Doctor going forward?

When you have such a talented lead character and actor, the aim is to challenge them in various ways. So, why not explore him as John Smith?… You’re considering the series from the same perspective. What haven’t we explored yet? Where haven’t we ventured? What tones or genres haven’t we tackled? It constantly surprises and excels by leaping, shifting, and adapting. This versatility is inherent in its structure. There’s more incredible content on the horizon. I’m confident we’ll discuss it again when that time comes. How about we arrange an interview then?

I’m excited for it! I believe the Doctor and Joy develop a fantastic bond and show great on-screen chemistry. However, what truly captivated me was the smaller relationships, particularly those of Trev and Anita. I can’t wait to delve deeper into their character development.

Moffat: Anita is an intriguing case since she wasn’t initially included much in the first draft. The final episode doesn’t alter significantly, except for that particular scene which was previously planned as a globe-trotting adventure where the Doctor searches for a hotel linked to the Time Hotel. Due to budget constraints and scheduling issues, this idea had to be scrapped. Instead, the Doctor stays at the Sandringham Hotel working as a handyman. I’m glad this change occurred because it allows us to develop a very intimate, affectionate bond with Anita for an entire year while the Doctor is essentially idle. He’s been stationary before, but usually due to engaging in battles or disarming robots. However, here he’s just fixing toilets and surprisingly enjoys it. He wouldn’t stay long under normal circumstances, but he finds pleasure in this routine.

From the Doctor’s perspective, he knows Joy for a very short time and Anita for a year. It’s a very different shape of story from his point of view. It’s a miracle he even remembers Joy’s name by the time he gets back to the hotel. It’s beautiful. It’s heartbreaking. That relationship I love. In between two moments, he has a whole little life. 

Davies: Yes! Obviously [Joy actress] Nicola Coughlan is wonderful but Steph de Whalley plays the most lovely part as Anita. 

Steph initially started with just a few lines, but her talent was so remarkable that her role grew significantly. When she auditioned and landed the part, it was quite small. However, by the end of the episode, she became the main character, having a substantial portion of the script dedicated to her performance. Moreover, I believe the final scene written for her was exceptional.

Absolutely, I found it captivating and her finale is definitely a fantastic catalyst for fan fiction. Let’s delve into Joy’s choice at the end of the episode to accept the star seed and save the world. Can you share the thought process behind your decision on how to conclude her narrative?

Originally, the Doctor intended to throw a case that would detonate outside Bethlehem at some point. However, it was more captivating for Joy, a woman who contained all her love and affection due to the pain it caused her, to explode like a star, spreading love and joy everywhere. Every Christmas since then, this event has recurred. The woman who avoids Christmas ultimately brings it about. It was an idea that was simply impossible to resist. Additionally, this scenario serves as a significant character trait for the Doctor, who tends to view things from a practical scientist’s perspective. He tells Joy, “Stars burn, you don’t want to burn!” To which she replies, “No, they don’t burn. They shine and bring light to people.” In this case, Joy is correct and the Doctor is mistaken. I find it intriguing when the Doctor is wrong…

I agree with you, as even the Doctor isn’t flawless. Often, there are multiple versions of the truth. So, what was the reason for reintroducing Ruby Sunday in this Christmas special, given that these episodes typically stand alone and have self-contained stories?

Moffat: I had a period where we both questioned why the Doctor doesn’t reach out to anyone for a year when he resides in London. After considering this, we concluded that he simply isn’t the type of person who does that. He’s the one we call for help, not vice versa. He doesn’t bother his friends with unnecessary things. Instead, he just takes care of business. So, he allows them to live their lives as he says. However, considering Ruby’s situation, it seemed logical that if a star was shining down, Ruby might also notice it.

We had already arranged for her return since we expected it, and she was contractually bound to us. It wasn’t necessary to ask her if she wanted to appear for just one scene, as amusingly portrayed. Her set, including the kitchen and flat, were still in the studio next to UNIT HQ. Everything was conveniently under one roof, making it too tempting not to bring back the charming Millie [Gibson]. I’m delighted that she wasn’t listed in the billings or credits, ensuring a delightful surprise for fans when they saw her on screen!

It was a lovely surprise for everyone, indeed.

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2024-12-25 21:33