Whovians have been patiently waiting for the new season of Doctor Who - and tomorrow, it will finally be here! To celebrate, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan made their way across the pond for the U.S. premiere in New York City last weekend where fans were not only treated to a viewing of the premiere, but a Q and A that followed led by Chris Hardwick of The Nerdist. Prior to the premiere, Smith and Gillan sat down with members of the press to divulge as much as they could about the season and what we can expect this fall. They also were not shy about sharing their love for the city, and Matt Smith said a number of times that he would love to film every single episode of Doctor Who in New York. Hear that, BBC?
As we prepare for Amy’s departure, anticipate the Christmas Special, and wait to meet the Doctor’s new companion, Smith had this to say on the time between: ”I think it gets more dangerous when [The Doctor is] on his own. I think he needs that human moral compass … not even moral compass but that human sensibility.” Gillan on the other hand was questioned about a possible return. She says that she wants her final scene to have the same impact ten years on, so she thinks she is going to rule out a return to the show. “Cut to,” Gillan added immediately and laughed. Yes, yes. You say that now, but who wants to bet this won’t be the last of Amy Pond?
So what can we expect? Straight from Smith’s mouth, we pick up right where we left the Doctor. Smith confirms that the first five episodes of the new season will be about the fall of the Ponds while next year will deal with the arrival of the new companion played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. In episode four, the Doctor and the Ponds encounter a King’s feet. He’s chasing them. That’s all Smith was able to say about it. Gillan added that we’ll see dinosaurs on a spaceship, a western which was shot in Spain, and the weeping angels in New York. But wait, there’s more!
What Karen Gillan Wanted to Portray Playing Amy Pond:
“I hope that she’s quite a relatable, flawed character so that people can relate to that sense of abandonment … and someone who is really strong but is clearly really vulnerable underneath it all.”
Matt Smith on the Daleks:
“Quite simply, I think we’ve got the design of them better. We’ve drawn on every single Dalek that was on its … you can’t say legs can you? On its space wheels. You’ll see in the premiere that the asylum is scary … the design of that, you’re in Dalek land. It’s like a perfect theme park because everything is made for Daleks.” Gillan added, ”We’ve got more Daleks than you’ve ever seen. It’s really epic.” Yes it is. Smith later shared, “The interesting thing about the Daleks is … it’s just alien evil encased in a tank. That’s why the Doctor has had this lifelong war. That’s why they are his greatest foe, because there is nothing redemptive about them. They are only evil.” He also went onto say that the tone and feel of the Daleks in the season premiere is much better than what they’ve done previously and after the advanced screening, I agree completely.
Who Smith Wants the Doctor to Encounter:
“Was Tarzan real? I kind of like the idea of the Doctor swinging from the branches with Tarzan, being really bad at it. I think the Doctor should hang out with Tarzan.”
Executive Producer, Caroline Skinner, on the Most Challenging Episode This Season:
“‘The Angels Take Manhattan,’ Karen and Arthur’s final story, was challenging for so many reasons. Steven has written the most beautiful and heartbreaking exit story for them. There were some scenes in there that were so absolutely emotional and that is not easy to do. It’s an enormous thing to change companions and you absolutely have to get that story right. Then, at the same time … we came here (New York) for a good week and worked incredibly hard to get out and about to get to every New York landmark that we could and also really create that noir-ish atmosphere that shooting in the city is so famous for.
Well, there’s plenty to look forward to this season! By the sounds of it, ”The Angels Take Manhattan” is going to ruin us and leave us in tears. As for the season premiere? It provides an awful lots of surprises. Trust me, it’s heart wrenching, and one of the best episodes since Matt Smith became the Doctor. So what are you looking forward to this season?
Doctor Who premieres Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 9/8c on BBC America (and at 9e/6p on SPACE in Canada).
Photos by Melody Simpson, Copyright © 2012 TheTelevixen.com
Melody Simpson is a New Jersey based freelance writer, covering all things entertainment - television, film, music, literature, and more. She spends more time on Netflix than anyone ever should and more time waiting in lines for panels than actually sitting in on panels at San Diego Comic Con. She can be found at 
