Doctor Who: An Interview with Daniel Hoffmann-Gill

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, who played Bors on Doctor Who, graciously granted us our first interview with a Doctor Who alumn.

After my article ‘Doctor Who’s Daniel Hoffmann-Gill to Play Role on First Episode of Season Four of Sherlock‘ posted the other day, I was thrilled to get a tweet from Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, himself:

Naturally, I had to ask for an interview. No Sherlock spoilers, though, of course.

How did you get your start in acting?

"I went to drama school like most actors and trained and then started working in the industry . That was 19 years ago. I knew I wanted to be an actor from the age of 10 after performing in a school play called Oh What A Lovely War."

How did you get the role of Bors?

"I auditioned for it, as is the way in our industry. You get the details from your agent and then you attend and do what you think is right and then wait to see if the director and casting team liked it. They did. Thankfully."

How much did you contribute (mannerisms, appearance, lines, plot) to the role?

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"In terms of the performance then as an actor that is 100% you, I suppose you’d call that mannerisms, the director will chip in of course but as an actor you can’t help but bring yourself to it. Lines and plot are all Moffat’s, it’s a rare TV show where you can improvise and it’s not an actor’s job to mess about with what happens in the show, that is planned out some time in advance. The appearance of the character is a collaborative affair between director, wardrobe team and the actor but I tend to keep my nose out. All that concerns me is, is it comfortable and can I do what I need to do in it?"

How much did you know about your character or the plot going into the role? If you did not know certain things upfront, when did you find out?

"I was aware of everything as soon as I got the part, the whole arc and also the arc for the a few episodes afterwards. Which was cool."

What are your thoughts on Bors’ relationship with the Doctor?

"It was a good one and dare I say it, one of companion level promise. Rapport was strong, it had that slightly father-son feel to it, although Bors is a bit thick so that would perhaps drag on the Doctor’s huge intellect. I would also argue the pair of them had a good comedy double act feel but then again, I would say that."

What are your thoughts on Bors getting turned into a Dalek puppet?

"Wonderfully mixed. Initially I was excited to get to be a Dalek because they are an iconic part of Doctor Who lore but then I realised that it kind of knocks a nail in the coffin of Bors being the Doctor’s companion. Thankfully Moffat responded to fan’s requests and made clear that Bors transformation was a temporary thing. So a bit of hope there for Bors."

Would you like Bors to somehow be brought back on Doctor Who (as a Dalek puppet, in a flashback, through time travel, by some other wibbly wobbly way)? If not, would you like to return as a different character, as is common practice in the Whoniverse?

"I’d like Bors to return and thanks to Moffat clearing up the Dalek thing, the door is open for that so who knows but if not, yes, more than happy to come back as a Krarg."

Do you have a favorite moment working on the show?

"Yes. During the filming for The Doctor’s Meditation I spent a great deal of time staring into Peter Capaldi’s eyes as we worked through our duologue together. I had a moment when it struck me all of the things that the Doctor had seen, in time and space, over the millennia and what a weight that would be on a Time Lord’s shoulders. It was a moving moment during what was a fun but intense shoot."

Do you have any advice for actors who want to be on Doctor Who? (Cliché, I know.)

"No, not really because it’s not possible to just angle your career to being on Doctor Who. Just be a good actor."

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

"Huge thanks to the Doctor Who fanbase for making me feel so welcome and being very cool indeed."

(Article continues below the next post link.)

Next: The Speculation of the Next Doctor

So, it is possible that Bors could return. Good to hear! Thank you to Daniel for taking the time to answer our questions, as well as bearing with my rather green interviewing skills.