Caroline Quentin Interview

Hi Caroline, thank you for agreeing to talk to us! Could you please tell us a little about the character you’re playing on Doctors, and why she shows up in Howard’s life?

She’s someone from Howard’s past, and he’s not that happy to see her! It’s an intriguing set-up and is going to reveal some of Howard’s history; stuff the audience haven’t seen before. She’s also a Special, but outranks him, which she uses to her advantage.

This episode was written by Ian Kelsey; could you please tell us about your past working relationship / friendship with him?

I’ve known Ian for years. We did Blue Murder together and we’re mates, so it was great to come to Letherbridge and be in his first writing project.

How did you find working with Ian again, in a story he wrote, with a character he created with you in mind?

It’s very flattering of course, but we also have a shorthand, having worked together so much - so although the shoot was extremely fast, it was a very good experience. I could tell reading the script that he’d written it for me; some of my rhythms were there and there were some good gags, which is always important to Ian!

There’s a lot of humour in the episode, but it also delves into a difficult relationship between brother and sister, and mother and son. How challenging is it to create that intimacy between characters in just a few filming days – and how much did working with someone you already know affect that?

Of course it’s so much easier since we know each other so well. But it’s an actor’s job to do just that, create something real and believeable in just a couple of days. That’s what we’re paid to do!

What is your overriding memory of working on Doctors? Is it something you’d do again?

I’d love to – it was fast. I think they work faster than any other show, but it’s a great team and if Ian writes something again, maybe there’s room for a certain Special Inspector?!