Jenna Coleman on the Doctor’s Regeneration: It was ‘So Brutal’

Jenna Coleman, who plays “The Impossible Girl,” Clara Oswald, said exactly what most of us fans were thinking about Matt Smith passing the torch to the new star of DOCTOR WHO, Peter Capaldi, calling the emotional transition “brutal.”

It’s easy to imagine that Clara’s fraught face and teary eyes involved no acting whatsoever, and, indeed, if you watch the making-of video I posted yesterday, she had trouble getting through the first table-read of “The Time of the Doctor,” during which Matt actually broke down. Here’s how Jenna described shooting the actual scene:

“I knew it was going to be sad, but it was really traumatic. It was very emotional and overwhelming. It’s a strange thing [but] it’s the nature of the show. Matt leaves, Peter arrives in [Matt’s] costume and the scene carries on. You just keep going — that’s the show.”

I am very interested to learn how her relationship with Capaldi develops when they get into filming series eight — which could begin as soon as next week!

Behind the Scenes: ‘The Time of the Doctor’

Curious to know even more about “The Time of the Doctor” — specifically, how much work went into creating Matt Smith’s memorable Christmas swansong as the 11^th Doctor? Check out this official BBC video!

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! While showing us how the episode was made, significant plot reveals are revealed and spoilers are spoiled, so if you haven’t actually seen “The Time of the Doctor,” well — it’s time for you to see a Doctor! Also, major feels ahead, including sobbing from brokenhearted cast members. Grab some tissues before clicking!

Brave heart, Tegan…

The wait for the 12^th Doctor will be excruciating!

A Look Back: Matt Smith’s Doctor Regenerates

I know this happened just a few days ago, but I am still sad to see Matt Smith leave the title role in DOCTOR WHO, and so I find myself watching his regeneration scene over and over.

Let’s share our grief — and hopes for the future with the next Doctor, Peter Capaldi — with this clip of the 11^th Doctor’s final moments from “The Time of the Doctor.” Oh, the feels…

Capaldi’s first story as the Doctor is not expected to air until August or September, so settle in for a long wait…

BBC America Shares Deleted DOCTOR WHO Scene

If you watched yesterday’s DOCTOR WHO Christmas special, you’re doubtless still recovering from all the feels, so why not take a look at this deleted scene, courtesy of our pals at BBC America. The clip is non-spoilery in terms of story if you haven’t seen the episode, however, the gag won’t quite make sense until you’ve seen it.

MINOR SPOILERISH COMMENT: Though typically charming, I can see why this scene was deleted (if, indeed, there was a reason beyond typical time constraints): It bankrupts the laugh line a few moments later when the Doctor (Matt Smith) tells Clara (Jenna Coleman) that her family cannot see his holographic clothes, so he appears naked to them!

Setting the Stage for ‘The Time of the Doctor’

DOCTOR WHO show-runner and lead writer Steven Moffat promises that our lingering questions about the 11th Doctor’s era will be answered in “The Time of the Doctor,” the final story for the Matt Smith Doctor, whom he created.

“The Time of the Doctor” airs in just a few hours here in the USA, at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America. Geronimo!

Christmas — According to Strax of Sontarr

Everyone’s favorite clone warrior/nurse Strax (Dan Starkey) files his latest field report, this one detailing the human custom of Christmas.

Happy Christmas, everyone, and enjoy the DOCTOR WHO Christmas special tonight at 9 o’clock on BBC America!

A Final Preview of ‘The Time of the Doctor’

Tomorrow is the big day: Matt Smith’s last adventure as the star of DOCTOR WHO. During tomorrow’s Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” the 11^th Doctor will cede the show to the 12^th incarnation of the Time Lord, to be played by Peter Capaldi.

So, just in case you need a little more convincing, here are the big guns of the series — Smith, executive producer Steven Moffat, and co-star Jenna Coleman — with some hints of what to expect from the story, which just happens to be the 800^th episode in the history of the series.

It Doesn’t Do Turkey… Who Knew?

In this adorable exchange from Wednesday’s DOCTOR WHO Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” the Doctor (Matt Smith) discovers that Clara (Jenna Coleman) is having some trouble cooking a turkey for Christmas dinner.

Too bad she can’t call on “Souffle Girl” for some cooking tips…

The Naked Truth About DOCTOR WHO’s Matt Smith

It appears that DOCTOR WHO’s Matt Smith could not resist getting his kit off one last time before his Doctor dies in this week’s Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor” — as these photos attest.

Since show-runner Steven Moffat has been promising that there will be callbacks to all of Matt’s seasons as the Doctor, this is obviously a reference to the Doctor’s shower scene in “The Lodger” from series five. What is Clara (Jenna Coleman) pointing at?

BBC America Has Exclusive DOCTOR WHO Trailer!

Here’s one case in which it’s good to be an American — BBC America have release its own exclusive trailer for the DOCTOR WHO Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” and it has lots of footage that is not in the two BBC video clips released so far.

Enjoy all the Matt Smith/Jenna Coleman Time Lord-y goodness:

Something I was especially pleased to glimpse here: It looks like we will finally get to see what was waiting inside Room 11 for the Doctor back in “The God Complex.” In that story, the Doctor said it was obvious it was “him.” I wonder if it’s the War Doctor or the 12th Doctor? Based on how 11 felt about the War Doctor before “The Day of the Doctor,” I’m guessing it’s the John Hurt version.

“The Time of the Doctor” premieres on BBC America on Dec. 25 at 9 p.m. ET