Daniel Mays tells TV Choice more about his role in Doctor Who as the father of a little boy who’s fearful of the monsters in his bedroom cupboard...

What does it mean to you when your agent rings and says Doctor Who is knocking on your door?
It is a great feeling. I was out in South Africa filming Outcasts when my agent phoned and said you’ve got an offer on the table. I thought, ‘I wonder what time and place it’ll be set in?’ And then I found myself on a council estate in Bristol. I’m always on council estates!

We understand that during the story, you get miniaturised and put into a doll's house.
We shot that in the same house they used in the 1993 film The Remains Of The Day. But, yes, we get miniaturised and chased around by these Peg Dolls, which are quite scary.

Is the episode really frightening?
I think it could be very, very scary. Kids have got such active imaginations and they’re scared of so many different things, it really taps into that, with dolls and everything else. My character, Alex, has a great journey in the story. I was running round like a headless chicken for two weeks, but he does find this strength within – a really heroic quality. Ultimately, it’s quite a moralistic tale about fathers accepting who their kids are, regardless of what fears they have.

The Peg Dolls sound and look creepy…
I wouldn’t say they’re grotesque in any way. They won’t scare you out of your skin, but they kind of just creep towards you. In the end, they will get you.

You’re no stranger to fantasy shows. As well as starring in Outcasts, you were also in the last series of Ashes To Ashes. Did you enjoy that role?
I loved playing Jim Keats – possibly the most enjoyable part I’ve played to date. If I’m being honest, I think the Doctor Who team wouldn’t have offered a part if I hadn’t done Ashes To Ashes.

Is it fun being a guest star?
I did a Hustle guest part not long ago and the beauty of it is that you kind of, in a way, get free rein. They want to see what you can bring to the table. I’ve been acting for 10 years and I think they respected that. And in certain scenes with Matt Smith in Doctor Who we did a bit of improv, or threw in some slapstick in the kitchen. So you just try and bring whatever quality you have.

Was Matt Smith fun?
He was fantastic to work with! I think he’s really wonderful in the part. Matt was an inspired piece of casting – he brings a younger edge to the Doctor. It was always going to be tough following David Tennant, as he did such a good job, but Matt's pulled it off, without a doubt. People seem to really love him. I’ll have to become his agent, won’t I?

Graham Kibble-White