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As Charley Pollard – the Doctor’s longest running companion – nears the end of her association – for now – with the Time Lord, I spoke to an enthusiastic and utterly charming India Fisher on all things Charley, Big Finish and, em, Masterchef!
• How did you end up with the part of Charley?
Jason came to see a show I was in during the Edinburgh Festival and got me in for an audition back in London, from which I got the part of Peril Bellamy in a Peter Davison story called Winter for the Adept. Apparently, I was told later, that they were already thinking of writing a young female companion especially for Big Finish, and luckily they thought I fitted the bill. For which I am eternally grateful.
• What was it like working with Paul and joining such a big franchise?
I was blown away when I got the call asking whether I’d like to play Paul McGann’s companion, I was a huge Withnail & I fan, so to be given the chance to work with one of my heroes was thrilling to say the least. And he didn’t disappoint. We had an instant rapport, which on my part was easy as he was so gorgeous. It just felt right from the very first recording. This was helped by Alan Barnes’ brilliant script, Storm Warning, it immediately set up the tone of their relationship, and everything just seemed to click. As for joining such a “big franchise” I admit I had no idea what I was getting into. I of course knew of Dr Who, but as far as I was concerned it had been off the telly for some time and this was just a little spin off done for fans. It wasn’t until I heard Storm Warning for the first time that I realized what a brilliant and professional job they were doing and what an amazing journey I’d embarked on.
• What’re your favourite memories of the early days with Paul? It must have been exciting as an actress to be developing a new persona, and a new relationship…
The early days we recorded in Bristol, as Paul was living there. So we recorded three or four stories at once and they were cross cast as much as possible, so it felt like a proper company. I remember being picked up by Gary Russell and getting into the back seat of his car next to Michael Sheard! I was sitting next to Mr Bronson and he was talking about how Spielberg had said his death was the best he’d ever seen. I mean Empire Strikes Back and Grange Hill; my 8 year old self was in seventh heaven. I had the time of my life, as you say not only working on a new character, which I adored, she was so strong and resourceful, but also learning about audio technique from some of the greatest audio actors. I had done very little audio work at the beginning and I owe so much to Paul on that front. Watching him work taught me a huge amount.
• Charley’s “history” with the Eighth Doctor is a little, to coin a phrase, timey wimey… do you follow it? What’s your take on it?
“Timey wimey”? Not sure what that means. But I absolutely understand the relationship as far as Charley is concerned. Here’s a young impressionable girl from a fairly sheltered background, she’s desperate to break free and see the world. When we first meet her she’s already a self styled adventuress. On her first adventure she, literally, bumps into this strange intriguing man who fascinates her and ends up fighting aliens and seeing things she never thought possible. When offered the chance to travel with him of course she jumps at it. The point being that for Charley the Doctor becomes everything. He’s her family, her best friend, her mentor and yes she does develop a love for him and probably a bit of a crush. But it’s a messed up platonic love, because she has no frame of reference, she’s never been in a relationship, she’s growing up whilst travelling with him, and he’s an immensely charismatic man. No wonder the poor little thing gets a big confused. But I honestly believe that all the who-ha (excuse the pun!) about her declaring her love, it was never a sexual love. He was literally her everything.
• What’s been the most enjoyable adventure you’ve worked on with Paul?
There were so many it’s really hard to choose. I loved he early stuff, like Invaders from Mars, getting to work with Mark Gattiss. Neverland was a personal high point for me, the character was really developing and being given a chance to play “anti-charley” was great fun, if a trifle schizophrenic talking to yourself a lot (something which I repeat in my final stories with Colin!). I suppose the final few stories with Paul stick in my memory most as it was very moving, the end of an era. Again Alan Barnes did me proud with The Girl Who Never Was. Working with Anna Massey was a huge thrill and the story was so good. It was a fitting end to a brilliant time for me.
• Are there any enemies you enjoy facing off against more than others?
The Daleks are always my favourite enemies. Mostly because it’s a chance to hear Nick do the voices. There’s a certain brilliance to being given notes by the director when he sounds like a Dalek!
• How do you think the dynamic changes when a new companion – like C’rizz – is introduced?
I was very glad when they introduced C’rizz, not only because Conrad has become one of my best friends, but it was becoming obvious that something had to give between the 8th Doctor and Charley. Of course the dynamic changed, which people were upset about at the time, but I think it was the right decision, we needed new blood. What I think may have been a problem was choosing that time to also go into the “divergent universe”. This didn’t work so well, in my opinion, it took Dr Who away from what made him Dr Who. There were none of the usual baddies, the rules of our universe didn’t apply. I feel C’rizz as a character was tarred with that brush. I felt that towards the end we gelled extremely well as a three-some. C’rizz’s final story and death scene were the most upsetting and emotional that I’ve done for Big Finish. My tears when C’rizz dies wasn’t acting in any way. Also the Dr’s reaction to C’rizz’s death radically changed Charley’s view of him. The scales fell from her eyes and she realized that even though he was her entire world, she was just one of many companions to him. She grew up that day and that would never have happened if we didn’t have C’rizz.
• Do you think Charley’s original brief as an “Edwardian Adventurer” has changed much? How has she evolved?
Understandably she’s grown up, as I have during the 9 years of playing her. As I said she was a wide eyed innocent when we first meet her. Through her travels and adventures she’s seen enough of the world to understand people better and seen the darker side to people’s characters. But for me her “road to Damascus” moment was seeing how little the Dr cared about C’rizz’s death. She was distraught, she’d lost a friend, but it was just one in a long list of people the Dr had lost over the years. Her hero worshipping of the doctor died that day and then seeing him die, as she thought she had, and being stranded on an island, meant that finally she had to stand on her own two feet and couldn’t rely on anyone else.
• When you heard Charley was being written out of Paul’s continuing story, did you think that was it…?
Yes of course, wouldn’t you? When you’re told we’re writing your character out you tend to think, well that’s it then. I was of course very sad, but I understood. It felt that it had run its course. But I was naturally overjoyed when Nick came to me and said they’d decided not to kill me off but to swap me over to Colin’s Dr. I felt hugely privileged and flattered, but also nervous how the fans would react. Would the dynamic work as well with Charley and 6th Doctor, people were so used to Charley and 8th Dr, would it ruin what had been a superb ride?
• And then you get to work with the legend who is Colin Baker…?
The legend who is Colin Baker indeed! He is an utter star, one of life’s true gentleman. He is a joy to work with. I’d worked with him briefly on Zagreus, and met him at Conventions so I knew we got on as people. How could you not get on with Colin? But it was such a relief when we got into studio, read our first scene together, and it felt like home. I know that sounds massively cheesey – but it really did. Personally I think Charley and 6th Dr work brilliantly together. Charley as a character has evolved, grown up, so she can stand up to him more. I personally love their dynamic.
• I wouldn’t of course ask you to choose a favourite Doctor, but what are the differences between working with the two leading men?
That’s a very mean question. They are very different men and they have very different styles of working in studio. Paul was quite private and tended to keep himself to himself at times. He is an amazing sight reader and so you were never quite sure what you’d get in a take, which kept you on your toes. I learnt a massive amount from just watching Paul in the early days. Colin is someone you instantly take to, he is a true leading man, setting the tone for both work and play. He has the balance exactly right in my opinion. We do joke around between takes, but you know that Colin has done his homework and knows exactly how he wants to play a scene. You feel in very secure hands. And in the green room he is the life and soul. It makes for a very happy recording, which I think reflects in the finished product.
• Is Charley considerably different with the Sixth than with the Eighth?
Yes hugely. In her mind the power has completely shifted. She thinks she has seen how the Dr dies. She never wants him to know this secret, in a way she’s protecting him. The tables have truly turned. She’s also altered her attitude to him, travelling with a previous incarnation of him, she finally truly understands her place in the Dr’s world. How many previous and future companions there will be. She no longer thinks of him as her savior. She’s there as an adult, as an equal, travelling with him for as long as she can.
• There’s a huge “this is the end” cloud hanging over these final stories… is it really the end of Charley Pollard?
I’ve no idea.
• How will you feel when it’s over?
Extremely sad, it’s the end of an era.
• Just a quick aside… you‘re the narrator on Masterchef… how did you end up on that?
Not a hugely interesting story, I auditioned for it and got the job. It was one of the first jobs my voice over agent got me, so I feel very lucky. I’m about to start recording the 6th series. I love doing it, I just hope people still love watching it.
• Do you ever meet John and Gregg? It all seems a bit intense…
I’ve met them a few times as transmission parties, but I’ve never been on set whilst they’re recording. I think it’s less intense on set – it’s all in the editing, the music etc. They’re both really lovely people. Recently a few people have said to me that it looks as though they’re not even talking to one another and that they record it at separate times. Which is hilarious – so can I take this opportunity to squash that rumour. They are both actually there, actually tasting the food. Which I’m extremely jealous of when I’m sitting in a darkened recording studio watching it on a telly!
• Back to Who… Charley is probably the longest running continuous companion – ten years or so… with the exception of K9 and Sarah Jane (both of whom have had considerable gaps…) I reckon you hold the record… if you’d been on telly you would have legendary status! The Charley Pollard Adventures maybe? Do you think we could twist Nick’s arm?
I had no idea that was the case. I’m extremely flattered, and yes the idea has been quietly muted. But I’m very unsure, does anyone really want The Charley Pollard Adventures? I do of course love playing Charley and if the story lines were as great as I’ve had on Dr who then…but I tend to believe in the old stage adage – leave em wanting more.
• What do you think of the TV Who?
I think it’s amazing. It totally deserves the stratospheric rise to fame it’s had. It’s opened up whole new generations to the brilliant character that is the Doctor.
• Would you like to perhaps let Charley do a bit of time-flipping… end up as an all encompassing companion and work with Sylv or Peter?
As I say I love playing Charley and would love to continue – so as long as the stories kept being brilliant and she wasn’t crow barred into other Dr’s stories I’d be happy to do anything.
• How about bringing her to the tv screen? Have her meet the Eleventh Doctor?
I think the 11th Doctor has a pretty gorgeous companion from the photos I’ve seen – he doesn’t need Miss Pollard.
• Are you aware of the “canon” debate? Some people don’t consider Big Finish “actual” continuity! Meaning Charley would only be “official” if she appeared on telly!
I know Big Finish will kill me for saying this but I tend to agree. I always feel a charlatan when fans ask me to sign their companion’s books – as I’m not in them!
• So what does Charley have coming up in her future?
I genuinely have no idea.
• And what about India Fisher?
More Masterchef. More Big Finish, Nick has just asked me to be in his adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, which I’m really looking forward to. Several conventions at the end of the year to coincide with my final Colin releases, and a trip to Thailand I hope. Just for a holiday!
• Our new Big Finish promotions on Outpost Skaro have made a lot of non-audio listeners actually decide to give them a go… which adventures would you recommend?
There are so many amazing stories from Big Finish. My advice would be, pick a doctor you love, or a baddie and try a few. From my work I’d recommend, Chimes of Midnight (for Rob Shearman’s writing) Neverland (but you sort of have to know the story arc), Doomwood curse (for a great romp) and Blue Forgotten Planet (for Nick Brigg’s brilliant writing and directing, and for a fitting end to Charley).
• Do you have a message for the fans of Charley and yourself?
Just to say thank you for all your lovely messages, and I’m so sorry I’m so lazy in getting back to you! I’ve had a fabulous time being a Dr Who companion, meeting everyone at Conventions etc. I’ve always been made to feel part of the family and for that I’m truly grateful.
Our thanks to India for taking the time to chat... Patient Zero is available from Big Finish on pre-order now.
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