Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston reveals Billie Piper's fears and "insecurity" ahead of Rose debut
Eccleston and Piper have reunited as the Doctor and Rose for a new series of audio dramas.
After 20 years of waiting, fans are finally getting to hear the Ninth Doctor and Rose back together, as the first of a series of Doctor Who audio dramas starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper has been released.
To mark the release of the new adventure, Big Finish has released a behind-the-scenes video, including interviews with Eccleston, Piper, director Helen Goldwyn and producer Matt Fitton.
In his interview, Eccleston spoke about Piper's fears heading into the first season of the show's revival back in 2005, saying: "She was very nervous at the time - I'm sure she won't mind me talking about that.
"She was not somebody who thought she was great. It was interesting to see her insecurity because we could all see that she just shone, but she didn't assume that."
Piper, who recently made a shock return to Doctor Who on-screen, went on to speak about how much of a fan she had been of Eccleston before being cast in the series, and that she had been "nervous" about auditioning with him because he was such an "authentic, soulful, deep actor".
The synopsis for the first of the audio dramas, Doctor Who: Snare, says: "Kevin left the Powell Estate a long time ago. He wasn’t going to be trapped there. But all these years later, he’s back and clearing out his dad’s old flat. At least his neighbours, the Tylers, are still here.
"But Rose has a strange new man in her life. And this Doctor’s going to show Kevin a world he never knew existed. Unfortunately, something ancient is stirring on the Estate. Perhaps Kevin will be trapped here after all..."
Eccleston previously said of reuniting with Piper: "I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose.
"He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. We've explored him on his own at Big Finish, as a loner. But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other."
You can purchase Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Snare now. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
