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13 December 2021

Our Tenancy Sustainment Team Leader stars in Doctor Who

Jonny Mathers has thanked LiveWest for helping him to achieve a life-long dream – to appear as a character in Doctor Who.
Jonny, a large, bearded man smiles at the camera, next to a photo of him appearing as Passenger.

Jonny, our Tenancy Sustainment Team Leader, landed the role of Passenger in the new six-part Doctor Who series Flux after a friend alerted him to the role shared on Facebook by Creative Casting, who were on the hunt for someone 6ft 10in or over for a new TV show.

Standing at 7ft 2in and having previously attempted to become the new Chewbacca in the 2013 Stars Wars film, The Force Awakens, Jonny leapt at the opportunity after being given permission from his manager at LiveWest to chase his dream.

Jonny said: “When I approached my manager about the subject, apart from it seeming a little unbelievable, she was really supportive to help me organise my leave and flew some time to allow me to take this opportunity. 

“I’ve been trying for years and finally I’ve done it. Even if it goes nowhere else, I’ve been on Doctor Who and was only able to do that as LiveWest facilitated it.’

“It’s great to work for an organisation who are flexible and allow its people to pursue their ambitions. I am so thankful.”

The new series, currently airing on BBC, follows Doctor Jodie Whittaker and her companions as they navigate a universe-ending anomaly called the “Flux”, while dealing with enemies and secrets from the doctor's past.

Jonny’s character is the sidekick of sinister siblings and revengers Swarm and his sister Azure who are intent on ‘destroying time’.

Fearing he was too tall for the role, Jonny was asked to send over some pictures and videos of himself which were delivered to the casting director ahead of role selection.

Once selected, Jonny was told he was needed for a week but his role developed over the next few months as he made regular trips to Cardiff for costume fittings. 

Jonny started filming in Wales the week before Christmas last year but didn’t have any lines to learn as his character, Passenger, remains silent while still boasting a scary presence.

Jonny, a self-confessed Doctor Who fan ever since watching Tom Baker perform the role during his childhood, added: “It was a fantastic opportunity that I couldn’t refuse. 

“It was a walk on part, but once I sent in my audition video, they wrote me into the script as a named part. 

“It was a strange phone call to take. Sophie, from Creative Casting, said ‘just say yes, this doesn’t happen often’.

“She didn’t tell me the show, so I just said yes and she replied ‘you are going to be Passenger in Doctor Who’. My next question was what’s a passenger?
 
‘The first few days on set were mind blowing. I met the cast and sat with them between takes. I had my own trailer and dresser. They are an amazing cast and made me feel really welcome. 

“There were lots of laughs and discussion between takes. The crew are fantastic, and I got to learn a lot about the effects, props and sets.

“Working alongside Jodie Whittaker and John Bishop has been such an amazing experience,” added Jonny.

“John is such a great character and one of the funniest people I have ever met.

“But they all made me feel very at home on set.”

Filming for the 13th Doctor Who series took place primarily in Wales due to travel restrictions that came into place during lockdown.

Jonny said: “It’s strange watching it all back on the television and completely different from on set.

“Using special effects, it is all brought to life.

“It was an incredible experience and who knows if I will be able to do something like this again.”