Out on DVD on 31 December, CBBC’s Wizards Vs Aliens is the thrilling new action adventure drama from Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) and Phil Ford (The Sarah Jane Adventures), starring Scott Haran as Tom.
> Order Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.
CultBox caught up with Scott for a chat…
How did you feel when you got the part?
“Over the moon! I still feel so lucky. You wait for something like that for so long to come along; something on such a big scale. And it came from The Sarah Jane Adventures people which made it even more special. Still don’t quite believe it!”
So you were familiar with The Sarah Jane Adventures?
“Oh yeah. Totally aware of how popular it was. I worked on a project with Tommy Knight [Luke in The Sarah Jane Adventures] so I knew all about it. I didn’t know so many people who worked on The Sarah Jane Adventures would be working on Wizards, so that was a real bonus.”
Was that success intimidating?
“I knew everyone had worked on The Sarah Jane Adventures, Being Human and Doctor Who but that just gave me a confidence. You knew you were in good hands, nothing could go wrong. [Laughs] Uh oh, I better not say that now!
“With the cast, I was a little bit intimidated ‘cos I’d seen them on television in so many great and popular things, like Michael [Higgs, who plays his father in the show] and Annette [Badland, who plays his grandmother Ursula] but they were so lovely it made me forget all that and we’ve become good friends.”
Who would you like to see in a future story?
“That’s funny, me and Percy [co-star Percelle Ascott] were talking about this the other day. We had such great people in Series 1. I’d love to have a big star like Leonardo diCaprio in there! [Laughs] But, really, anyone I can learn off of. Annette and Michael were brilliant and gave me so much help and advice. Anyone who can give me an idea or show me a trick or two.”
Perhaps co-creator Russell T Davies?
“Yeah. We spoke a lot and he text me and Percy all the time telling us how great we were doing and how he loved it. To hear that he was happy was enough. I was so happy he was happy.”
Would you like to see Russell T Davies write a story for Wizards?
“Oh yeah, I would love to see one. Everyone says it would be great to see one. He has such a massive input in the show I would love to see how he would write for me and Percy. Hopefully it will happen.”
Any shows or films you’d like to star in?
“Loads! I’ve got a huge list! [Laughs] I’ve always wanted to be in a period drama, like Downton Abbey. When it comes to films I like big, drama adventures like the Harry Potter or the Pirates of the Caribbean films. I’m a massive fan, I love stuff with big scale sets!”
Speaking of sets, do you have a favourite Wizards set?
“Yeah, the Chamber of Mysteries. Such a brilliant set, you really feel like the character. They did such a fantastic job on it.”
Percelle mentioned a friendly rivalry with Doctor Who, who share the same studio complex with you, how does that play out?
“Yeah, me and Percy are very competitive about how well we want the show to do. When we see Matt Smith [The Eleventh Doctor] and Jenna-Louise Coleman [the new companion] in the canteen, we’re like “Oh my god! We should go and talk to them!” And then we’ll say, “No, wait. Why don’t they come and talk to us!” [Laughs]”
How about a Doctor Who crossover or a wizards team-up with Merlin?
“I think that because The Sarah Jane Adventures had a crossover with it [Doctor Who] already then, as we’re not in the same world, it could be difficult as we’re a completely different show. It would be great but dangerous – people might think we’re copying The Sarah Jane Adventures.
“Merlin would be great too. It’s so massively popular and successful but I want Wizards Vs Aliens to be its own show and by doing a crossover it might jeopardise this.”
What would you like to see happen in Series 2?
“A big thing for me would be for Benny to get a girlfriend. Someone geeky and nerdy just like him. That. Also, I like that there’s a whole magical world in the show. I’d like to explore that world and see what’s there – maybe new creatures and aliens.”
Thanks Scott!
“Thank you!”
> Order Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.
What was your favourite episode of Wizards vs Aliens? Let us know below…