The BBC released a video about the creation the Sheffield car chase in the Doctor Who Series 12 episode, Spyfall: Part 1, which premiered on Wednesday, January 1.
The Butetown Tunnel in Cardiff was closed on the evening of to film part of the scene.
#dwsr They’ve been filming some kind of car chase/road scene within the Cardiff Bay Link Road tunnel. There is a whole area set up outside the tunnel by the queensgate roundabout which is where I assume they will move onto next. No cast spotted. pic.twitter.com/88vuG3DToO
— On Location (@DWinCardiff) February 11, 2019
One of the more astonishing things about the production of the episode is that the “light creatures”, the Kasaavin, were achieved in part with creature actors and real effects, according to costume designer Ray Holman and creature actor Samuel Rush.
These were an interesting thing to design and work out. May say more after the second part has been broadcast. It was a fascinating journey and collaboration from different areas. pic.twitter.com/TKyHg0cygv
— Ray Holman (@HolmanRay) January 2, 2020
Absolute honour playing the lead light creature from today’s doctor who episode. Couldn’t be happier with the result #doctorwho @LennyHenry @bbcdoctorwho @JWhittakerUK pic.twitter.com/ZJxYAHfKUo
— Samuel Rush (@retrosling) January 1, 2020
There is also a video short featuring Ray Holman talking about the formal costumes for Spyfall.
Sir Lenny Henry spoke warmly of participating in the production.
“The show that made me hide behind the sofa when I was four!” Sir @LennyHenry tells us about his #DoctorWho journey ✨ pic.twitter.com/upCpITGxJ2
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 3, 2020
Sacha Dhawan posted about his experience. His casting was last minute, apparently, because when his agent called him to offer him the role, he was told, “And you start filming in South Africa next week.” This conversation with his agent happened while Dhawan was participating in a rehearsed reading with Peter Capaldi!
There are several photos in his post. The last one is of himself with Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill in South Africa, where Whittaker, who had worked with him before, made him feel completely welcome and at ease.
Rendition man Ronan Summers shared a photo of filming with Jodie Whittaker.
View this post on Instagram
Brian Law shared some photos from the Cardiff-based filming of his character, a US intelligence operative.
And here is a glimpse behind the scenes from the series composer, Segun Akinola and sound engineer Olga Fitzroy.
Hope everyone enjoyed the #DrWho festive special today. I had so much fun recording band and orchestra for @segunakinola score for this in @AIRStudios Lyndhurst Hall, EXACTLY what this room was made for! 😍😍 https://t.co/yc8UUeZ4yg
— Olga FitzRoy (@OlgaFitzRoy) January 1, 2020
We will continue to bring you news of Doctor Who Series 12 production as we learn more.