Carey Mulligan turned down the opportunity to become a companion

During a Radio Times interview covering his final episode (contains light spoilers for the episode itself), Steven Moffat reveals that "they" (presumably the BBC) wanted Carey Mulligan to become a full-time companion as Sally Sparrow but she turned it down.

It was the same with Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow in Blink (the Weeping Angels’ debut and Radio Times readers’ favourite episode).
Oh my God, Carey Mulligan! It’s funny but Blink, I say immodestly, is a very famous episode of television and yet Carey Mulligan, who was the star of it, I’m almost certain wouldn’t even remember being in Doctor Who. I don’t think she was much of a fan, or anything. They liked her so much, they said, “Do you want to be the next companion?” but she said no. God, she was amazing.

So you’ve never tried to get her back in any capacity?
No. I know it’s a no.

What a shame!
I agree. But then does that character become more special because you never see her again? She just passes through the Doctor’s life. It’s surprising the people who do love being part of it. John Hurt loved being the Doctor and was quite insistent, asking, “Am I a real Doctor? Do I really count?” And we said, “Yes, you count. You’re on the poster. It is definitely you.” David Bradley is so thrilled that he is really the Doctor now. Because obviously he was sort of the Doctor in An Adventure in Space and Time [2013]. He’s been a star for ever, but being the Doctor is special, somehow. He’s a bit like Hartnell in a way. He’s got a mean face but he’s the nicest man alive, so sweet and generous.​

Honestly, as much as I love "Blink" and Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow, I never liked the idea of her as a full-time companion, so I'm glad she turned it down.

 

Ha! Typical ending.. Typical Moff..Typical Wank at the end.

 

Do they mean they asked her about being the next companion back in 2007 when she filmed Blink? Because according to The Writer's Tale, when RTD first began developing the companion Penny Carter for season 4, he already had a specific actress in mind (who is not identified in the book) until he learned Catherine Tate's availability and dropped the plans for Penny and brought Donna back. Although the name Penny Carter was used for a guest character in Partners in Crime anyway, she's the journalist who tries to blow the whistle on Miss Foster.

 

Great take away.

Ah, yeah, I had forgotten about that tidbit. I haven't read that book but I do remember reading about somewhere. Moffat isn't clear in the interview but he makes it sound like it was not that long after "Blink." An Education was only two years later, so I can't see it being anytime after series 4.

 

And her career has never recovered from this catastrophic error of judgment

I've had a crush on Carey ever since Blink and I think she's a fab actress, and yes in some ways she's one of the best companions we never had (see also Richard Mace), but she had her story and her interaction with the Doctor and it was all kinda wrapped up in a neat bow at the end so there was no need to revisit Sally Sparrow and I like the idea that most of the people the Doctor crosses paths with have their tiny intersection with the amazing and then get on with their lives. They don't cling to him and expect to travel with him forever, which seems to be the modern trope, and they don't become obsessed with trying to reconnect with that glimpse of the unknown like that LINDA lot.

Sally Sparrow will always be special, but part of what makes her special is the less is more nature of her involvement.

 

It woulda been great if they learned the same lesson with the angels.

 

Every time I watch "The Visitation" I wish the Doctor would leave Adric, Tegan, and (maybe) Nyssa in 1666 and travel instead with Richard Mace. Such a great character.

I'm not sure about this Moffat bit from the interview:

Has Moffat ever seen a multi-Doctor story? Maybe "The Two Doctors" has some comedic moments in its third part, but they're generally not funny stories excepting "Time-Crash."

 

Surely both the Three and Five Doctors have comedic moments. "Dandy and a Clown." "You've redecorated"

 

They have moments, sure, but I don't think of them as "being funny when they get together" and "a laugh."

I was going to say, "I don't even think of 'The Day of the Doctor' that way," but now that I think about it, Moffat weirdly treats the tenth Doctor as a comedic foil/punchline for the other two.

 

I gotta admit, I am having a laugh when seeing past Doctors and present Doctors meet. Maybe he meant it that way?

 

Mulligan was wise to leave Doctor Who behind as just one job. I think a few modern perofrmers realize there's noting to be gained in attaching themselves to nerd franchises, as it does not always lead to career growth. Natalie Portman was always aloof about appearing the Star Wars prequels, and was never defined by it, which allowed her to do subjects on the extreme opposite and leave it all behind. Today, I would say most regular people do not even associate her with SW movies. On that note, Mulligan probably sensed the danger of that early on, which explains why DW was a one-time job.

 

Though, Portman was already a known actor before the Prequels. As was McGregor. They were already well regarded actors, so, they were already "defined." Like Sam Jackson.

Now... Hayden...

Mulligan...at least in the US, wasn't really known. If she has stayed, yeah, I agree, she would've been defined by her time in Who. Like Smith and Tennant have been.

Eccelston was perhaps wisest to leave when he did.

 

One name also... Barty Crouch Junior..

 

I think it's too soon to say that they've been defined by their time on Who. No, they haven't starred in some massive Oscar-winning movie, and yes, it's probably their best-known role, especially in the US. But they've both kept busy with television and stage work since their departure; they're hardly in the same situation as, say, Colin Baker.

 

Tennant has had moderate success since leaving Doctor Who. Matt Smith has so far had a few failed movies, though that Netflix series where he's Prince Phillip seems to be doing alright.

 

Smith is easily the best thing about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, though it does feel like he's reprising the Doctor. Unfortunately, he's not in it that much.

The Netflix series is The Crown. He and Claire Foy left the series after two seasons; the plan is to recast the roles every two years so the characters can age. I don't recall if the new actor for Prince Philip has been named. Olivia Coleman is replacing Foy as Elizabeth.

 

A fairly ironic re-cast, Who--related-wise.

 

They should end the season with Foy and Smith regenerating into their replacement actors.

 

David Tennant has achieved a lot of success with Broadchurch (less so it's Americanized version, Gracepoint) and it's made some impact stateside via PBS, but granted not on the level of Doctor Who. As already discussed, Matt Smith has gotten a lot of praise for his work on The Crown, although Claire Foy (rightfully) has the lion's share of the spotlight. I expect both of their stars to continue to rise.

As far as I know, the actor hasn't been announced yet.

I'm still crossing my fingers for Peter Capaldi to take over the role at some point (it's too early right now).

 

I got an image in my head of the two of them standing in the regeneration pose with the regeneration energy volcanoing out of their bodies and it's making me chuckle.