Doctor Who stars Matt Smith & Jenna-Louise Coleman participated in a Doctor Who Q&A session on Tumblr Friday & Saturday held by the official BBC account. If you weren’t on the social networking site or missed the chance to see the posts, we’ve gathered all of their answers so you can read them in one place.
Do you have fun with the wardrobe? What, in your opinion, is the best costume you have gotten to wear?
Matt Smith: Yeah. We’ve got this new costume designer called Howard — [Jenna: The Big H!] — who has just really, reinvented the show in an amazing way. For me he’s given me this great purple coat.
Jenna-Louise Coleman: (Wait a sec…) That’s the fandom trying to figure out where I come from? That’s a sneaky little trick! I think just Christmas, the two Victorian ones which Howard handmade from scratch. Oswin was fun, there was a great utility belt that I got to play with.
Matt: I really liked that red costume.
Jenna: Yeah.
What has been the funniest thing to happen on set while filming?
Matt Smith: I try to wind up and annoy my costumer Kat, long-suffering Kat. She’ll come in and she’ll go to check me… [To Jenna] Go on, you be Kat. [Jenna adjusts Matt’s “costume” and Matt suddenly yelps in surprise. They laugh.] You know, I’m just appalling to her.
Jenna-Louise Coleman: I like to hide.
Matt: Yeah, a bit of hiding when they come to check you.
Jenna: (Laughs) Check time! You’re jumping from the costume assistant and I’m hiding underneath the set.
What kind of things do you do on set to pass time between takes?
Jenna-Louise Coleman: [To Matt] We did the whole going around and you have to name a pop star. And at the end of that letter you have to go and name another pop star using that letter… We did that for quite a few days.
Matt: We’re such good friends with the crew that we just hang. Keep it real with the crew, man. That’s it. Listen to music. But you know, generally, you sort of work between takes. There’s always a photo to do or you are catching up with whatever you’re having to do with on your phone…
Jenna: Trying to get ahead on scenes.
Matt: Learning other scenes. There isn’t a great deal of, like, just down time.
Jenna: Lots of changes, like costume changes…There really isn’t a still moment, is there?
What is the first thing you will do when time travel will be invented?
Jenna-Louise Coleman: I’d go to the future, I think.
Matt Smith: Okay, I’d go ride on a Tyrannosaurus Rex and adopt an Agilisaurus.
Jenna: Hmm…
Matt: And then I’d go see the World Cup in 1966. And then I’d go and try and seduce Marilyn Monroe.
Jenna: The Doctor has done that, right?
Please spill the beans on the stuff Karen Gillan told and/or texted you about Matt.
Jenna-Louise Coleman: I’ve been keeping it from Matt for months. Between the girls, I’m afraid.
Matt Smith: I know. She basically said, “Look, try and stay away from him. You don’t want to get too close.”
Jenna: How did you know that?
Matt: Well you know, I sensed it.
Matt, I just wanted to know if your mum still checks your fan mail.
Matt Smith: Yeah, she does all my fan mail. She always gets cross with me because I never… It’s hard, I have to go home and sign as many cards as I can. I’ve got no cards! So to all those fans waiting for fan mail, it will all come back at ya I promise!
Who is the bigger goofball on set?
Matt Smith: Is it me?
Jenna-Louise Coleman: You’re a bigger goofball than me.
Matt: I probably am the bigger goofball.
Jenna: [To Matt]: You like to tease. You like to wind people up. As time’s gone on you can see Matt try to find his way in on what he can tease me about.
Matt: Yeah, I’m still trying to work that out.
Jenna, what’s the best thing about being on Doctor Who?
Jenna: The fact that every single day is something completely new and different. You can literally walk onto a set and be in one world and then the next day it’s ripped down and suddenly you’re like in Victorian Yorkshire. It’s kind of like by locations and casting… I don’t think there’s any other show like it.
Jenna, how are the avocados?
(When Jenna found out that she got the part on Doctor Who, she was in a shop holding an avocado.)
Matt: Dude, she eats avocados, like, every hour. Breakfast this morning: chopped avocado on toast.
Jenna: [Laughs] I did!
Matt: She loves avocados. It’s no surprise to me that that’s what you would buy.
Jenna: But I was literally holding it. It was in the palm of my hand as I answered the phone. That’s why I didn’t know what to do.
Matt: Did you eat that avocado?
Jenna: No I had to put it back.
Matt: No way!
Jenna: Because I can’t check out now! I can’t! I was just like “What do I do?” I had a basket full of things and I just left it. I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I went for a walk. And I had no socks on and I got sore feet. I just slipped out of the house to go to the market.
Matt: Classic.
What was your weirdest encounter with a fan?
Matt: I don’t know, many things. One told me I look like a hedgehog.
Jenna: [Laughs] A hedgehog?
Matt: A pet hedgehog. This was in Wales. She said I looked like her pet hedgehog.
Jenna: That is the weirdest.
Matt: One, hedgehogs are flea-ridden. Who has a hedgehog for a pet? And two, that is bordering on insulting.
Jenna: You know it’s funny, because you’d think this would be the weirdest one, but it’s not because it’s true: “So you’re a Dalek?” That’s kind of the question I get asked the most.
What can we expect for the rest of the season?
Matt: Can’t reveal much but there are eight episodes [and the Christmas special] on their way!
What is on your Christmas lists?
Matt: Record player. Old vintage record player.
Jenna: Oh that’s cool! I have not got that far yet. Just lots of nice food with all my family.
Jenna, Has your experience with the show thus far met your expectations?
Jenna: I don’t really know if you can ever really know what to expect. I mean it’s such high energy and it goes so quick. I didn’t know what to expect.
If you could master any one skill instantly, what would it be?
Jenna: [Immediately] Piano!
Matt: Oh yeah. Piano is a big one. That’s a big one.
Jenna: I just, I love it.
Matt: Yeah, piano would be amazing.
What secret hidden talents have you got that we may not necessarily get to see on the show?
Matt: I’ve got quite a few actually.
Jenna: Really?
Matt: The secret super talent? I am telepathic but I just don’t tell anyone.
Which of your characters would win in a snowball fight?
Matt: Pfft, there’s only one winner…
Matt and Jenna: [Simultaneously] Me.
Matt: Are you joking? [Jenna: Are you kidding?]
Matt: Alright, let me tell you the advantages I have. Wisdom, 900 years. Height. Pace.
Jenna: He is clumsier!
Matt: Man, there wouldn’t even be a fight.
Jenna: No, the Doctor would get it wrong. He’d melt it by accident. Like, you’d think you’re gonna do it really, really well and then suddenly something would go wrong. Or you’d get distracted or you’d come up with this incredible, amazing plan and then like stumble over a rock, and then I’d win.
Matt: Definitely not… Agree to disagree? Doctor. Come on, we all know, Doctor.
If you had to choose the first song someone would ever listen to, what would it be?
Matt: I listen to it all the time. Herb Alpert, “This Guy’s in Love with You.” It’s great. Get it in your ears.
Jenna: I’m gonna go for “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 because I used to dance to it in my bedroom and it always makes me happy.
What bands would you recommend?
Matt: Oh yeah. This is an important question to me. Radiohead, Arcade Fire… People need to check out a band called Tribes as well.
Jenna: Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about them. They play in Camden right?
Matt: Yeah.
Jenna: I like Oasis.
Anything you’d like to say to the many Doctor Who cosplayers out there?
Matt: Yeah, I love cosplay. If you go to Comic-Con, all the guys are in bow ties and tweed jackets or David’s old coat. Or they’ll be in an Oswin dress.
Jenna: I saw, the day before I moved to Cardiff to start this job, a little boy, a mini Doctor! A mini Doctor like literally walked past me with a screwdriver and everything. Just walking past me on the street.
Matt: I think it’s brilliant and it makes those events even more exciting for us to see everyone dressed up.
When you were younger did either of you have imaginary friends?
Matt: Yes, I had an imaginary kangaroo friend called Roo.
Jenna: Awww!
Matt: I was very clumsy and I used to break things and my mum went, you know, “Who’s done that?” And I would say, “It’s the kangaroo!” I was only three. [Jenna laughs] Honestly, swear to God! I had an imaginary friend called Roo. [To Jenna] Did you have one?
Jenna: Nah, I didn’t but I wish I did.
Matt: Hey, come hang out with Roo anytime.
Jenna: [Laughs] Aw, thanks. You’d share Roo with me?
Matt: Yeah he’s great.
Jenna: I’d like to meet Roo.
Matt: Oh he’s wild!
Do either of you have any ‘fandoms’ you feel passionately about?
Matt: Yeah, Blackburn Rovers. Breaking Bad. Walking Dead. You know, and movies. Movies, movies, movies.
Jenna: Yeah, Breaking Bad. [I’m] just getting back to watching films.
Who would you like to see play a baddie on the show?
Jenna: Oh, that’s a good question! I know who you [Matt] would. Michelle Pfeiffer!
Matt: Yeah, but I don’t know if she’d be my sole baddy. Do you know who I love at the moment? Kevin Bacon.
Jenna: Really?
Matt: Yeah. I love his adverts. [Jenna laughs] I think they are amazing. I kind of love Kevin Bacon.
Jenna: Ah, there are so many people… Who would be a good baddy? Toby Kebbell! He’d be a good baddy!
Dear Jenna: Have you ever successfully baked a soufflé?
Jenna: No I have not, but I feel like maybe I should try.
Can either of you moonwalk?
Jenna: No.
Matt: No but I want to.
Where is you favorite place to shop?
Matt: In New York, I like a place called Opening Ceremony. And I like Acne. And a place called Dover Street Market. [Jenna: Ahh, Dover Street Market!] If any of those shops are on Tumblr…
Jenna: Ehmm, where do I like to shop… Where did I last go when I was in New York? Apparently there’s a place called Number 6 that I’m going to try. Artists and Fleas is really cool. [Points to her blouse] I got this from Artists and Fleas last time I was in New York.
Could you please tell me about the first thing that pops into your head righhhhhhht NOW?
Matt: You’re wearing a lovely blue jumper!
Jenna: You have to say it again and see what happens!
Matt: Please tell me the first thing that pops into your head! Right now!
Jenna: Cold Diet Coke!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received that you still use to this day?
Matt: “Time is an imposition on one’s dignity” — my father.
Do you two have any nicknames for each other?
Matt: Do you have a nickname for me?
Jenna: Matty. [Matt laughs] What do you call me? “J”? “Jen”?
Matt: “J Lo. Coleman.” I’ve actually started calling you “Coleman.”
Jenna: Yeah you have. In fact, you are the only person who does that.
Matt: Hey, that’s what I do with people!
How has being on the show affected your beliefs about the world and the importance of humanity in all of time and space?
Matt: Yeah, it’s really encouraged an interest in science — genuinely — and thinking in a scientific way. I read a lot about Einstein, Richard Dawkins, and all that sort of stuff. And I love the idea and notion of time travel. I think it’s magic! It’s got me thinking about it a lot. And the morality of the Doctor is a great benchmark for anyone.
Matt, in your opinion, who is the greatest football player ever?
Matt: Can I give you my top 5 though? In no particular order: Maradona, Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, there’s two of them; Brazilian and Portuguese, and Messi.
Matt, do you ever get weirded out or overwhelmed by the fan following?
Matt: No! Because it’s what makes the show special and we LOVE the fans.
If you ran a Tumblr, what would the main focus be (e.g., cats, socks, bow ties…)?
Jenna: I’d like to do a photography Tumblr. Or I’d like to do one about anything that inspires you during the day. Like pictures, or a poem, or a little quote or a thought. I do have loads of quote books and things I read.
Matt: My best friend Alex Bond because he is an extraordinary human being.
And the last few words from Matt and Jenna are:
Matt: Thanks for writing in everyone! And this Tumblr is cool. Keep adding to it and making it amazing. And [we’re] going to contribute to it by posting some stuff in the future!
Jenna: Yeah, we’ll come up with some treats!