Michelle Ryan To Feature in New Doctor Who
Ex-EastEnders Star Guests in Planet Of the Dead with Lee Evans
Jan 24, 2009
Michelle, known for her roles as Zoe Slater in EastEnders, Jaime Sommers in the remake of Bionic Woman as well as sporadic guest appearances in the BBC’s Merlin, will play Lady Christina de Souza in Planet Of the Dead, the first of four special episodes to be shown this year. She crosses paths with Doctor during a bus trip which takes an “unexpected detour into danger”.
Michelle said: “I'm a huge fan of Doctor Who and very excited to be joining David Tennant and the Doctor Who team. It is such a fantastic show and I can’t wait to get started.”
She joins David Tennant, in one of his final outings as The Doctor, and Noma Dumezweni, who returns as Captain Erisa Magambo who was last seen in the episode 'Turn Left' helping Rose and Donna to save the Doctor’s life and stop a dark alternative reality from taking over.
Lady Christina is a Woman with a Mysterious Past, says Davies
Commenting on the new guest stars, executive Producer and episode co-writer Russell T Davies said: "Michelle is one of the most sought after young actors in the country and we are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team.
"As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps, however we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor."
Also Starring Hyperactive Comedian Lee Evans
Rubber-limbed comedy star Lee Evans, who has recently finished one of the largest stand-up tours ever, will also be joining the cast as a character called Malcolm whose life suddenly becomes connected to the Doctor's.
Evans is no stranger to acting himself having starred in Mousehunt, The Fifth Element and The Medallion and fronted his own poorly received sitcom So What Now? back in 2001. But Doctor Who marks one of his first major TV appearances in a serious programme.
One of David Tennant’s Last Outings
Planet Of the Dead is one of the last series of specials to star Scottish actor David Tennant before he is replaced by the relatively unknown Matt Smith, who will be taking on the mantle of the iconic role with a new series to be broadcast next year. Although it’s a strange decision to announce one of the show’s biggest surprises maybe that’s to stop the calls of “who he?” when Tennant morphs into Smith.
Smith, currently 26-years-old, will be the youngest actor to portray the Doctor and has described his casting as: "a wonderful privilege and challenge that I hope I will thrive on". His choice as the Eleventh Doctor was revealed during a special episode of Doctor Who Confidential during the Christmas period.
Doctor Who: Planet Of The Dead will be screen on BBC One in Spring 2009.
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