" IT'S AN AMAZING FAREWELL GIFT "

MArk GATIss Is THe CAPTAIN

who are you Playing in thiS?

I’m playing Ted. Bill and Ted. It’s a phonebox thing [laughs]. I’m playing the Captain. That’s all I can tell you. I’m a First World War Captain. I finished yesterday and there wasn’t a dry seat in the house. several months ago steven said, “Will you keep June and July free? Because I want you to be there when I go.” I obviously melted. And so here I am. It’s an amazing farewell gift of a part.

have you done everything you wanted to do on doCtor who?

There’s always more. There used to be a cliché about writers being “Who’d out”. When I was a teenager I used to think, “This will never happen! I’ve got a million [ideas]!” But of course it’s true. I’m very excited about what the future may hold.

what do you thinK Peter brought to the doCtor?

I think he’s been wonderful. Particularly this year – he’s completely found his groove. You could have a badge of Peter, with his hair and his triangular face and his cuffs. He looks like something from Irish myth, that’s just appeared out of the fog.

you’re worKing on another ProjeCt with Steven moffat. how far away iS draCula?

[Bela Lugosi voice] About 3000 miles…

nick Setchfield