Class: Two Behind the Scenes Featurettes from the BBC
By Leah Tedesco
The BBC recently released two interesting behind the scenes featurette videos for the upcoming Doctor Who spin-off, Class.
Back in July, Patrick Ness spoke to an audience at the Young Adult Literature Con in London about how he got the gig of creator and showrunner of the newest Doctor Who spin-off, Class. In August, we discussed his interviews with both Empire and Radio Times in regards to the premise of the show.
Related Story: Patrick Ness Reiterates that Class is Not for Children
Now, you can watch him discuss these things in a behind the scenes featurette released by the BBC. Other than his telling of the story, you get to witness glimpses of the show’s actors (including Peter Capaldi) and crew at work.
Ness wants audiences to know that “Class is for you,” considering the intergenerational relatability of young adult fiction.
"“Class is funny and moving and exciting and scary and sexy… and it’s true, I hope, to what teenagers feel like their lives are.” – Patrick Ness"
In addition to that video, there is a second featurette, this time with a focus on the character of Miss Quill (played by Katherine Kelly), a teacher at Coal Hill School. From what is described, she seems to be something of a much cooler Dolores Umbridge. Ness describes her as, “sarcastic and sharp-tongued” and some who is “smarter than you and will let you know it.” He also says that she is “a teacher you’d never, ever want to have” who “is harsh in her rules” and “may have an evil streak.”
Playing Miss Quill is “lots of fun” according to Kelly, who notes that she “has some cracking lines.” Kelly goes on to explain that they were careful to make the character “badass” and “cool,” while still being believable as a teacher. She also notes that there is a lot of depth to the character.
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