BBC Cult - Printer Friendly Version
Susannah Harker - The talented TV actress playing confused student Claire.
Strange stories
What do you think is the oddest book you've ever read?
Well, I can only think of a children's book which is pretty peculiar called Flat Stanley, which is all about a boy who is flat and uses that to his purposes. He fits inside envelopes and things.
Fantasy acting
What do you find you need to bring to science fiction and fantasy roles that you don't need in straight dramatic roles?
It takes you back to the playground which is usually where actors started.
There's something very liberating about doing fantasy. You're not constrained by the way you behave in the kitchen.
Claire the confused
What has been your favourite part of playing the character?
Claire is basically bewildered throughout the entire thing and very anxious about her lost bike.
That really comes into play with the Professor where she truly is bewildered. The dialogue is very good and very sharp and witty, so I've loved that interaction.
Good companion
Is it true you wanted to be a Doctor Who companion when you were younger?
Yes, this was a childhood ambition, indeed. I would see myself as being [a companion] and indeed played the games in the playground, running around and going into various TARDISes, various cupboards. Yeah, that was a childhood fantasy.
Who was your Doctor at the time and was there a particular companion you liked?
Well it was Tom Baker, and I suppose Lalla Ward was certainly one of them. I can't remember the others I'm afraid, I'm not very literate in that way.
Cartoon chic
How do you envisage your animated character looking?
Well she's slightly preppy, isn't she, nerdy probably, being a science student, and so she's got the real classic student look I should imagine.
She'll probably have a scarf of some kind, maybe even specs. A sort of hippy chick, it being set in the seventies.
What were you doing in 1979?
I was at convent boarding school and so I was locked away somewhere in Sussex. But that's where all the fantasy and imagination developed.He's a great Doctor Who and he's got that wonderful rather otherworldly quality, which I think is always good for Doctor Who. He should have a sort of timelessness about him and I think Paul's got that.
Metallic mutt
Is the old maxim true, never work with children and robot dogs?
I haven't had a chance to work with the robot dog so I can't really speak from experience on that, but he seems very well behaved to me.
What did you make of the photo shoot yesterday when the poor little chap was standing there outside?
He seemed quite happy, very well behaved.