It's almost time to meet Clara in the present on "Doctor Who," and on Sunday, March 17, BBC America released an interview with Jenna-Louise Coleman previewing what to expect from the latest version of her character.
Coleman has already been in two episodes of "Doctor Who"—"Asylum of the Daleks" and the Christmas special, "The Snowmen"—but she's appearing as a different version in "The Bells of Saint John." "We’ve had one introduction to Clara in the Christmas special, but not necessarily the same Clara we will see in this series. But the essence of all the different versions is the same," the actress said, going on to preview what to expect from the present-day version. "She's very brave and resourceful, a match for the Doctor and an explorer in her own right. She dreams of travelling and seeing the world and wants more than what's on offer."
Clara's latest (and this version's first) adventure with the Doctor (Matt Smith) is "The Bells of Saint John," episode 6 of the seventh season, in which they'll be facing a monster in the Wi-Fi when minds are uploaded by the organization run by Miss Kizlet (played by Celia Imrie). Part of that episode included riding a motorbike driven by Smith, about which Coleman said, "I loved shooting in London. It was so much fun. It was one of those moments where I thought 'I'm filming "Doctor Who," on a motorbike, riding across Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament in the background.' …On screen it looks very exciting, but both of us were being very silly as we were so tightly strapped in. I just clung on!"
It's the second episode of the second half of the season, "The Rings of Akhaten," which Coleman called "one of [her] favorite episodes" and "the first proper adventure for the Doctor and Clara." It takes them to an alien planet, allowing the newest companion to really get a feel of what life's like with the Doctor. "It's a complete fantasy, and it's great for audiences as the story begins again and we get to explore all these strange new worlds together, as well as getting to know the Doctor again," the actress said of the episode that will see them present as the pilgrims and natives of the planet Akhaten prepare for a ceremony—and a sacrifice is involved.
In episode 8, "Cold War," the classic Ice Warriors return as Clara and the Doctor end up on a Russian submarine. "I think this is the first time Clara is really scared," Coleman previewed, calling the monsters "terrifying." "The whole set was really realistic and built to size, which wasn’t too much of a problem for me."
"Doctor Who" season 7.5 premieres at 8 p.m. on March 30 on BBC America. Are you looking forward to learning more about Clara Oswald?
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