Bonnie Langford and Lenny Rush tease “mystery, adventure, vulnerability, emotion and heartbreak” in two-part finale
The Doctor and UNIT investigate Ruby’s past. But as the Time Window reveals horrifying secrets from Christmas Eve, the mysterious Triad Technology unleash the greatest evil of all.
We caught up with The Legend of Ruby Sunday stars Bonnie Langford and Lennie Rush, to find out more…
Bonnie Langford (Melanie Bush)
How is it being back in the Doctor Who world?
It’s fantastic. I’ve loved every minute of it. To revisit a character that I played so long ago with a fresh perspective, but old understanding, is very exciting. I’m very grateful to be able to bring Mel back. I was so excited when Russell sent me the scripts. It’s funny because I’ve got to work with several Doctors over the years in various ways. It’s a really wonderful thing to be a part of.
How has Mel changed since returning?
She’s definitely grown up. Mel is a lot calmer now and not quite as earnest. She’s more aware of her surroundings and she’s able to use her technical abilities to support UNIT and the Doctor in all of their endeavours.
How did you react to being asked back?
It was a huge surprise. It wasn’t something I expected. Although I had been involved with the Big Finish for quite some time, you never expect them to bring back an old character. I’m really thrilled. She’s been able to come back as a more fully formed character, which is great. She’s able to really contribute and use her skills.
How did you react when you read the scripts for the two-part finale?
I couldn’t believe it. I was very excited. I was taken aback by the fact my approach to it was very different to how it would have been thirty years before. There are things in it that I may have shied away from before. But nowadays, I’m absolutely embracing it with both arms. It’s full of so many twists and a lot of unexpected surprises. It’s written so beautifully.
Can you give us a tease on how Mel is involved?
Mel is still working for UNIT and is on a mission to find out more information about an enterprise they’re a little concerned about. Mel is trying to infiltrate and do a bit of spying. She tries to get all the intel and report back to UNIT and the Doctor. It’s very layered. I was so excited to read the scripts. We also have Ruby’s story unfolding. As we know, she is so desperate to find those missing pieces of the puzzle when it comes to her birth mother. The Doctor is trying to stay away from it because he doesn’t want to mess things up. So there’s a lot happening and a lot of twists and turns for the viewers.
You’ve worked with several Doctors over the years. How is it working with Ncuti?
Working with Ncuti is fantastic. He has this great energy. He has such presence and charisma. He’s also a very generous actor. You really do feel you’re able to invest in the characters with him. It’s interesting because having worked with various Doctors over such a long period of time, you have to remember your interacting with the same person but also not the same person. It’s quite a complex thing to think about. It’s not just a recast. It’s someone who is still intrinsically the Doctor, but has a whole different new approach. It was great to work with Ncuti on that. He’s very instinctive and a real joy to work with.
Can you sum up what fans can expect from the finale?
Let’s just say mystery, adventure, vulnerability, emotion and heartbreak.
If you could travel anywhere in time and space, where would it be?
I think we all want to know the future, but that’s probably not a good thing. I’d like to go back to the Golden Age of Hollywood when they were making all of these big movies. Not necessarily to be there, but to observe how they used technology and film, and to be in the background while they made all of those big Hollywood movies. It would fun to be around that era. Although I expect it’s not all as glamorous as it appeared. But it would be fun to see how it all really worked.
Lenny Rush (Morris)
How did you react when you found out you’d be in Doctor Who?
I was in disbelief when I was given the part! I just wanted to start filming straight away. I remember I had a couple of friends who were massive fans of Doctor Who, and I was itching to tell them I had a part in it, but I was sworn to secrecy.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you got the role?
I was originally given the voice role of Eric, the Space Baby, in the Space Babies episode. As Eric, I would have only had to voice record, so no filming was needed. In fact, I even did a full read through with the cast and crew in the studios and recorded some of my dialogue. A few days after recording some of my dialogue I was in my bedroom at home and my mum came in and said “I’ve had a message from your agent, unfortunately you’re no longer playing Eric in Doctor Who.” I was so shocked and sad. Mum decided to leave a long pause before telling me ‘because they’ve given you a bigger part!’ I was over the moon!
What can you tell us about Morris? Is he different to other characters you’ve played?
Morris is a child genius (so very different to myself *laughs*)! He is also very different to other characters I’ve played. I’ve never acted in the sci-fi genre, so for Doctor Who to be the first sci-fi show I’m in is an honour!
How is Doctor Who different from other projects you’ve worked on?
I’ve never worked on a show with so many cool effects! I think the stand out difference for me were the sets. They were amazing and are exactly how you see them on screen, it was unreal! I can’t believe how much work goes into building them.
What was it like working with Ncuti and Millie?
Ncuti and Millie were lovely and a joy to work with. They were so helpful with welcoming me into the show and making me feel at home, as were the rest of the cast and crew.
Do you have any standout moments from set?
A standout, funny moment for me is when we were filming an emotional scene, and in the scene we are having pizza. It was like an emotional dinner! So when it was my turn to say my line, I couldn’t say it and had to ruin the whole emotion of the scene, because I had a mouthful of pizza and couldn’t get my words out!
What do you think makes Doctor Who so special and iconic?
I think a big part of Doctor Who being so iconic is how long the show has been running. It’s been airing since the 1960s and is still going strong. Another part of its special feeling is because of the fan base. People are so passionate about this show, and you can tell it means so much to them. I’ve never been in a show with such an amazing fan base and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
What was it like filming with so many special effects and stunts?
I loved filming with all the special effects and stunts. It gave me a whole different perspective as to how much work is put into this show.
How would you sum up your episodes in three words?
To describe my episodes in three words, I would say: thrilling, suspense and heart-warming.
Were you a fan of Doctor Who before?
Before being in the show, I had never seen Doctor Who, which pains me to say! However, of course I knew the premise, a few of the Doctors, the iconic police box and of course, the Daleks! Since being in the show, I have watched a few of the episodes, and I love it. I’m currently away filming another show, and when I get time off, I think I’m going to have a massive binge watch!
