Doctor Who Series 13: filming returns to Sully Beach with Jodie Whittaker and John Bishop

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A Doctor Who film crew returned to Sully Beach in Wales on July 15 to film more scenes with the TARDIS, Jodie Whittaker, John Bishop and an unknown Southeast Asian actor.

The props used for filming on the beach included the TARDIS and some boats and fishing equipment.

The first hint of filming was on July 14 with the appearance of the same props used for previous Doctor Who filming at the location on June 25.

During the June 25 filming, Jodie Whittaker was photographed wearing a purple Chinese-style changshan tunic. A fan who went to the July 15 filming reported that John Bishop told him that Jodie Whittaker was present filming at the location earlier in the day. It’s possible Whittaker was present but not identified in earlier photographs. A fan who took an earlier photo didn’t realise that it was John Bishop sitting under the black gazebo speaking with a blonde woman standing to his left who might have been Whittaker.

 

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After Jodie Whittaker left the location, John Bishop filmed some scenes with a Southeast Asian actor in costume consistent with a 19th century Chinese man with a long braid down his back.

John Bishop resembled a pirate while wearing a poet shirt under a colourful waistcoat with breeches and Cavalier boots. His breeches and boots can be seen best in this fan photo.

The fans present took several photos of the filming and of John Bishop.

 

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There have been several Doctor Who casting calls for men of Chinese and Southeast Asian descent to play pirates or sailors and Southeast Asian people to play villagers throughout June an July.

The casting calls, the Asian actor on the beach and Jodie Whittaker’s Chinese-themed tunic leads to speculation about a Doctor Who episode featuring Chinese pirates. One 19th century band of Chinese pirates was famously led by “Pirate Queen” Zheng Yi Sao.

Eight episodes are planned for Doctor Who Series 13 with the filming continuing into July. The clip which introduced John Bishop as companion Dan revealed the series is scheduled to air sometime in 2021, likely late autumn.