Brief Summary
Katie Manning shares stories and answers questions about her experiences in Doctor Who, Big Finish audio dramas, and her career. She discusses working with various actors, her favorite and least favorite episodes, and her thoughts on the evolution of Doctor Who. Manning also touches on personal anecdotes and reflects on the impact of the show and its community.
- Behind-the-scenes anecdotes about "Doctor Who" and "Big Finish".
- Working with actors and her experiences on set.
- Personal reflections on the show's impact and community.
Introduction
Katie Manning is introduced and welcomed to the stage for a live Q&A session. She jokes about her loud voice and recalls an anecdote from her time working in the West End, where a nearby theater asked her to keep her voice down.
The Five Doctors
Manning reveals that she was originally intended to be in "The Five Doctors" special but was living in Australia at the time. She explains that Tom Baker declined to participate, leading to script changes where her lines as Joe Grant were reassigned to Sarah Jane Smith.
Favorite and Least Favorite Episodes
Manning shares that she doesn't have a least favorite episode but recalls moments in certain episodes where budget restrictions affected the quality of alien portrayals. She mentions the "Planet of the Daleks" and expresses amusement at Unit's persistence in firing guns at metal-based enemies. Manning also shares a piece of useless information: on the day her first Doctor Who episode aired, the Radio Times featured a sports report with her father's name, seemingly upstaging her debut.
The Time Monster Hair
Manning describes her extravagant hairstyle in "The Time Monster," revealing it was three wigs sewn together, making it heavier than her head. She enjoyed the look but found it challenging to manage due to its weight.
The Mind of Evil
Manning expresses her love for "The Mind of Evil," appreciating the opportunity to showcase different sides of her character, Joe Grant. She notes Joe's bravery in offering her life for the Doctor and her rebellious nature. Manning also mentions her discomfort with guns in Doctor Who and recalls wearing an ever-shrinking suit in "The Sea Devils" due to the wool shrinking when wet.
Iris Wildthyme
Manning expresses her enthusiasm for playing Iris Wildthyme in live action, a character who has been floating around in the Multiverse for about 25 years. She jokes about the possibility of an older Granny Joe turning into Iris and embraces the idea of rocking a hot with a lot of feathers.
The Three Doctors
Manning shares her admiration for William Hartnell and how touching it was that he got his last hurrah in the character that he had brought into this extraordinary world. She also shares anecdotes about working with Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton in "The Three Doctors," noting their initial territoriality and eventual camaraderie.
Meeting Jodie Whittaker
Manning recounts meeting Jodie Whittaker and expresses her admiration for Whittaker's performance as the Doctor. She particularly appreciated the moments when Whittaker's character slowed down and became more calm towards the end of her run.
Big Finish Stories
Manning discusses her extensive work with Big Finish, including playing 50 voices in three books and 26 voices in her own play, "Not W Woman." She mentions her roles in "Dorian Gray" and "Dracula," and jokes about Big Finish using her for her versatility and cost-effectiveness. Manning also shares a story about Jason Haigh-Ellery's wedding and her connection to the bride through a musical she directed. She praises Big Finish for its creativity and the opportunities it provides for actors and writers.
The War Master
Manning recounts her experience working with Derek Jacobi in a two-hander for Big Finish, describing it as gut-wrenchingly emotional and traumatizing. She praises Jacobi's extraordinary acting ability and recalls a scene where her character was hypnotized. Manning also mentions working with new Unit and offering her life to save the world in another Big Finish story.
50th Anniversary
Manning recalls a live television interview for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, where the interviewer was critical of the show. She responded by questioning why she was there to celebrate if he didn't appreciate it.
Lisa Bowerman and Iris Wildthyme
Manning discusses her early work with Lisa Bowerman on the Iris Wildthyme stories for Big Finish. She recalls improvising a singing bit at the beginning of one story, which helped establish the character of Iris.
Favorite Master
Manning shares that her favorite Master to work with was Roger Delgado, praising his extraordinary acting ability and gentle nature. She contrasts Delgado's subtle portrayal with John Simm's more manic interpretation, expressing her opinion that Simm's Master was too over-the-top. Manning also mentions her fondness for Missy and acknowledges the new Master.
John Pertwee and the Master Recasting
Manning addresses a rumor that John Pertwee didn't like the idea of recasting the Master after Roger Delgado's death. She explains that Delgado's unexpected death was a shock to the close-knit team, and it may have been too early for Pertwee to deal with a replacement. Manning also shares her opinion that Anthony Ainley's portrayal of the Master was too "mustache-twirling" and pantomime-like compared to Delgado's more credible character.
Someone Else Taking Over Joe
Manning responds to a question about someone else taking over the role of Joe Grant in the future. She jokes about her beautiful twins and expresses uncertainty about who could play the role.
Behind the Sofa
Manning discusses her involvement in the "Behind the Sofa" series, where she watches and comments on Doctor Who episodes. She enjoys the experience but doesn't want to do it for her own seasons, preferring to have someone else provide commentary.
Favorite Memory with John Pertwee
Manning shares a touching anecdote about her favorite memory with John Pertwee. She recalls an incident during the filming of "Terror of the Autons" where she injured her foot while performing a tuck roll out of a moving car. Despite her injury, she continued filming until Christopher Barry informed her that they only had a minute and a half of her on film. Pertwee, upon learning of this, defended Manning and ensured she was taken care of, solidifying her view of him as her champion in life.
Conclusion
Manning expresses her gratitude for the friendships she has made through Doctor Who and offers her support to anyone in the community who needs it. The episode concludes with thanks to Katie Manning, the event organizers, and the audience.
