Entertainment
Matt Smith was so panicked during Doctor Who filming he would call his dad in pieces: ‘I can’t do this’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
‘If it doesn’t work then there’s nowhere to hide.’
Matt needed moral support while filming Doctor Who (Picture: Adrian Rogers/UPI/Rex/Shutterstock)
Matt Smith was such a bag of nerves when he was Doctor Who he would break down to his dad on the phone.
The 39-year-old played the Time Lord for three years until 2013, taking over from Scotsman David Tennant, who portrayed the role from 2005 until 2010.
Throughout his tenure, the House of the Dragon star’s time-travelling companions were Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), her husband Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman).
Matt was a relatively unknown actor when he joined the sci-fi drama and it seemed like he felt the pressure.
‘I was turning up to work going, “F**k, I can’t do this,” he explained, “I used to phone my dad, going “I can’t do this.” And he’d be like, “Come on, get your head down, you can.”’
The crux of his anxiety was the fear he would let down fans of the iconic sci-fi drama because it ‘is such a jewel in the BBC crown and has such global appeal.’
‘If it doesn’t work, and you’re at the centre of it, then there’s nowhere to hide,’ he told Rolling Stone. ‘I remember walking down the street around that time and someone shouting, “Don’t break Doctor Who!”’
Matt spoke to Rolling Stone UK about his time on the show (Picture: Rolling Stone UK)
Matt would ring his dad when he was panicked filming the iconic show (Picture: BBC)
Of course, the Last Night in Soho actor went on to win acclaim for his spin as the Time Lord, with some critics claiming he’s the best doctor in the BBC programme’s history.
While Matt’s days in the Tardis are now over, the series has carried on with Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker in the titular role.
The 14th doctor will be Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa, with Matt being among the celebrities to congratulate the 29-year-old on the new gig.
John Hurt, Matt and David Tennant in the 50th anniversary episode (Picture: BBC)
Matt was worried he wouldn’t do the role justice (Picture: BBC)
Matt was the Time Lord for just over three years (Picture: Getty)
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Speaking at Paris Fan Festival in May, the Northampton-born actor said: ‘I think he’s going to be brilliant.
‘I think he’s going to be truly brilliant. I think it’s an inspired piece of casting, and along with Russell, who’s such a great leader of that show.’
Read the full feature in Rolling Stone. Doctor Who returns this autumn on BBC One.
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