An Overview of the Class Panel at New York Comic Con 2016
By Leah Tedesco
The Class panel at New York Comic Con 2016 goes in depth about working on the upcoming Doctor Who spin-off.
New York Comic Con 2016 Class Panel (credit: BBC America)
A few days ago, we discussed the first part of the Doctor Who panel from this year’s New York Comic Con. A week ago, we examined the two trailers for Class that were first seen at the convention during the panel for the upcoming spin-off. Today, to lead into the premiere of Class tomorrow, October 22nd, we will discuss what the panelists had to say about what is sure to be a hit with fans across the globe.
The panel features actors Vivian Oparah (Tanya), Fady Elsayed (Ram), Sophie Hopkins (April), and Greg Austin (Charlie), as well as executive producer Brian Minchin, and creator, writer, and executive producer Patrick Ness. Some of what is said has been heard before, so we will focus mostly on new information.
The first interesting thing to note is that, according to Ness, the fact that Coal Hill School is now Coal Hill Academy is something of a controversy amongst fans. He suggests that the tension surrounding the issue did not make it across the pond. I can attest to this, as, while I had been a bit confused about the switch, it is not something that I have previously seen or heard discussed at all.
As we have previously heard, the cast gives general descriptions of their respective characters. This time, however, Ness adds that it has been “torture” for the actors to stay within certain allowable parameters when it comes to what they are and are not allowed to divulge. In that regard, he gives them credit for a job “well done.”
Ness also talks about how experiencing “pressure” to tell a truthful story presents a challenge, yet is helpful in keeping him honest. For him, the opportunity to examine this relatively small corner of all of time and space — with the infinite possibilities therein — is a “pleasure.”
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The young actors are then asked what it was like to work within the universe of a show with which they grew up. Elsayed admits that, filming in the same studio as Doctor Who, he “got in a lot of trouble” for taking selfies with props on multiple occasions. He describes the general experience as being “exciting,” “overwhelming,” and an honor. Oparah and Hopkins both agree that it is “surreal,” the latter stating that there is “nothing like” sneaking into the props cupboard and standing next to a Dalek.
Oparah’s friend, who is a mega fan of Doctor Who, “almost had a breakdown” when she visited the set, yet wants to be kept away from spoilers. Oparah did, however, tell her mother everything. Hopkins says that, while it was “difficult keeping it quiet” due to the actors’ excitement, even they did not know for a long time what was going to happen because they were only exposed to a couple of episodes at a time. They also had to hide for months the fact that they were even cast.
Vivian Oparah on the Class Panel, New York Comic Con 2016 (credit: BBC America)
Next, when Ness is asked about what it was like creating monsters, he calls it “the best toy box in the world.” He is inspired by China Miéville‘s concept of “engaging with the protocols” to “press” and “shape” the creatures into the things that their creators want and need.
"We’ve got some really, really great, really creepy monsters in there, but we’ve also got some that do unexpected things and play unexpected roles. And also I love the idea, too, of, you know, if you don’t have the Doctor around, sometimes you might face an alien who you’ll never learn the name of, you’ll never learn their motivation. You’ll just have to deal with whatever it is in complete bafflement. And that’s a lot like being a teenager, for one thing.. . .If the worst happens and we only get eight episodes, I’m gonna go out guns blazin’. Think about it this way: if you had the chance to make up brand new Doctor Who monsters, wouldn’t you just run with it?"
The following are the actors’ favorite traits of their respective characters.
"Austin: For me, Charlie is just eyes-wide-open the whole time. He’s learning a lot and I think that’s really sweet. That’s what I love about Charlie.Hopkins: April puts others first and when things are in panic, she’ll kind of bring it back down. She wants everything to be ok. Maybe the root there is foggy.Elsayed: For me, I’d say the passion and the drive and the courage behind Ram is what I would say.Oparah: Tanya sort of has this childlike tendency to just say the truth, but she’s just brutally honest at points. And it’s really cutting, but, like, it’s really unexpected. And I just love how real she is. She’s a realist. I love that about her."
Ness then jokes, “And for my character, Miss Quill, it’s the wigs.”
The panel members also name each of their favorite persons or things in the Whoniverse:
"Elsayed: The TARDIS. Obviously.Oparah: You know Martha, Freema Agyeman? We used to go to the same church back in London. And I remember when I was a kid I wanted to be an actress and then she got on Doctor Who and I was like, “Oh my god! This is amazing!” And, so, her, obviously. I’m just like, “Yeah!” And I followed her. Lol.Hopkins: I’m in total awe of Rose. I love her!Austin: I’m gonna be boring and I’m gonna say David Tennant. I freaking love David Tennant, man! I mean, Peter Capaldi, I love you, as well, but… Oh my god! Just… all of them. [mumbles] Don’t quote me…Ness: I’d say, actually, my favorite: I absolutely love Michelle [Gomez] as the Mistress.Minchin: Um, I’ve got so many favorites, I can’t pick. My favorite new thing in Doctor Who is Pearl Mackie. She’s brilliant."
An audience member invokes a reference from The Sarah Jane Adventures in which two mysteriously unaging teachers are discussed, with the implication that they are Ian and Barbara. The question is whether or not they will make character cameos on Class. Ness only says that,
"I think you’ll notice a few things that you like in the show, but I do want to say this . . . My feeling is, I think cameo appearances are like penises; if you put it in a scene, it’s all anybody’s gonna look at. And, so, you better have a really, really good reason. I prefer to hide Easter eggs in a slightly different way, so I think there’s gonna be real cool stuff you like. But I don’t want anything to take away from the story at all. That’s gonna be my answer. There’s gonna be stuff you like, but I can’t say."
He is excited how fantastic Oparah is in her first job, and he made it a point to acknowledge the presence of various black female actors on the Doctor Who, Class, and Dirk Gently panels.
The producers are cryptic when asked about Clara Oswald’s perceived disappearance from Coal Hill. Minchin says that there will be references to her, and Ness uses a quote from the first episode to give us a sense of the way that this sort of thing is dealt with at the school:
"“Everybody knows students at this school disappear. They just don’t talk about it.” That’s what it feels like to be a teenager; you know, but nobody will tell you the truth. So, let’s leave it at that. And again, Easter eggs, Easter eggs. Keep your eyes peeled."
The full panel can be viewed below:
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