“Blink” was a landmark episode of Doctor Who for many reasons – chief among them being Carey Mulligan’s series debut as Sally Sparrow, a young English woman with a peculiar connection to the infamous Weeping Angels.
First broadcast in 2007, the spooky instalment came by way of Hettie MacDonald, who directed from a script by Steven Moffat (Sherlock). If that name rings a bell, it should; Moffat would later take over as showrunner of the hit BBC series, though his contribution to “Blink” is still remembered fondly among Whovians, given it’s often held up as one of the best episodes in the history of Doctor Who – no mean feat, mind you.
And now, in anticipation of the festive extravaganza, “Twice Upon a Time,” which will soon signal the end of his tenure and that of Peter Capaldi, Steven Moffat has confirmed that Carey Mulligan was approached about a possible recurring role as a companion. History tells us that the Oscar-nominated actress, who is perhaps best known for Suffragette and An Education, ultimately turned down the offer, but it makes for interesting reading nonetheless.
Chatting to Radio Times (with a tip of the hat to Metro), Moffat recalled the moment when Mulligan walked away from the sci-fi series in order to pursue her fledgling film career.
Oh my God, Carey Mulligan! It’s funny but Blink, I say immodestly, is a very famous episode of television and yet Carey Mulligan, who was the star of it, I’m almost certain wouldn’t even remember being in Doctor Who. I don’t think she was much of a fan, or anything. They liked her so much, they said, ‘Do you want to be the next companion?’ but she said no. God, she was amazing.
Carey Mulligan went on to feature in the likes of Shame, Drive, and Inside Llewyn Davis, so we can’t say we’re complaining. Meanwhile, Doctor Who will return to our screens this Christmas with “Twice Upon a Time,” and it appears the BBC have upgraded its arsenal of cameras ahead of the Jodie Whittaker-fronted season 11.
