1. The episode picks up mere moments after the prequel ends...
2. "Did you fall? Where did you fall from?"
3. There's a moment that recalls the 1979 Bond film Moonraker.
4. "I like the bombing - it's exciting!"
5. The Doctor - briefly - has a new catchphrase.
6. "Beware of panthers!"
7. There's a reference to a Peter Davison-era Doctor Who adventure...
8.  "That man is quite ridiculous!"
9. We also get a nod to an early Christopher Eccleston episode.
10. "Eyes on the box!"

It's an imaginary film. David Yates - a very brilliant director - was talking off the cuff and slightly off-message. We're not going to do a film of the nature that he described, which would be rebooting the story and having a different Doctor and being in a different continuity - that would never happen, that would be insane and that would be insulting to the audience. I hope one day we will do a film, maybe even soon, but it will be very much an offshoot of the television series with the same Doctor and all that. (and you doing it?) Yes.

Russell T Davies and then Steven Moffat have done their own transformations, which were fantastic, but we have to put that aside and start from scratch.

There's a slight flavour of Narnia in this one, yes - it's not the same story at all by any means. Last year we pretty much did A Christmas Carol beat-for-beat, but this time it's just a sort of flavouring of that really. The Doctor ends up in debt to someone, his life is saved by someone, and a few years later he returns to save their Christmas because these children have just lost their father - of course being the Doctor he just endangers them terribly, but that's sort of what he'd like. 

"Matt Smith is so much fun, I'm so luck. He's just got so much energy; he always brings out the best in you every take. His energy makes him such a good Doctor. Even in between takes he was so much fun, he was a dream to work with. He was really welcoming."

“I kind of come in as a companion-like character, I wouldn’t go as far as to say I was a companion. We had to create some kind of friendship, which was easy with Matt.”

Who do you play in the Christmas special?
I play a character called Madge Arwell who, first and foremost, is a mother. It just informs everything about her character. What I found attractive about the role is that she’s warm and a thoroughly decent woman, as well as being quite straight down the line. In the episode she gets tested and challenged and it’s interesting to see how she handles different things and adapts to various situations for the sake of her children.

What was it like working with Matt Smith?
Lovely! A really nice experience. He’s thoroughly charming, good fun and has loads of energy.

What about the other guest stars?
I’ve worked with Alexander Armstrong before, so it was great to see him again. We’ve actually been fishing together! Bill Bailey is just completely brilliant; a really nice, natural and funny bloke. And the children as well. Maurice and Holly were just delightful, completely lovely.

Are you a fan of “Doctor Who”?
Yes for several reasons actually. My son watches it, my husband has directed it before and my father in-law was in an episode. It’s a nice connection to have.

How did it feel being cast in such an iconic show?
I was very excited to be in it, both because it’s “Doctor Who” and also a great script. When I got the call I was like “Yay, at last I’m going to be in ‘Doctor Who.’”

How did you find filming on location?
We shot some scenes outside in a public space and it was an unusual experience acting in front of huge crowds of people who had come to watch. I had to drive a car down the road, which took about 500 takes, and they applauded my driving each time. It was lovely, but I hadn’t been quite ready for that.

What do you think is the scariest “Doctor Who” monster of all time?
It’s not exactly a monster, but the creepy people in the gas masks in series one were pretty scary. They definitely freaked both my children out at the time.

What will you be doing on Christmas Day?
I will be with my family and my husband’s family; a traditional Christmas. We’ll of course be watching “Doctor Who.”

What other Christmas TV do you like?
I like traditional comedy; I’m such a fan of “Morecambe and Wise.” We’ve got the box set, so we always get that out at Christmas.