Jenna Coleman is the “big sister” of the Doctor Who set says Samuel Anderson, the actor who plays the love interest of her companion Clara Oswald.


Anderson, whose character Danny Pink is currently attracting the attentions of the young female assistant, tells this week’s Radio Times that with Peter Capaldi and himself being newcomers to the series, Coleman lived up to her role as the longest-serving lead actor during filming.

“She was like a big sister to me and Peter; the young veteran showing us around the Tardis,” Anderson said. “Jenna actually commented after my first couple of weeks on set: ‘I can’t believe you’ve gone this long without pressing any buttons.’ I was trying to be professional, but now I push all the buttons. I can fly like a demon. I’m like Ayrton Senna on the Tardis.”

Before Doctor Who, Coleman and Anderson were acting colleagues on ITV soap Emmerdale. Coleman played journalist Jasmine Thomas between 2005 and 2009, while Anderson took on the role of policeman Ross Kirk between 2007 and 2009.

Despite rumours that Coleman is set to leave Doctor Who at Christmas, the BBC has since confirmed that she will be involved in the festive special – the third of her tenure.


The new issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale from Tuesday 23rd September in the shops and on Newsstand for iPad or iPhone