'Poirot And The Doctor Would Be Friends'

Guest star David Suchet on finally living out a teenage dream and the delight at discovering his Doctor Who role was created by the writer of Doctor Foster…

 

- Sean Marland

 Ever since his teens, David Suchet has dreamed of being in Doctor Who and the star who won a BAFTA nomination for his role as Agatha Christie’s iconic detective Hercule Poirot is finally fulfilling that ambition this week.

David, 71, plays a sinister rogue who calls himself ‘the Landlord’ in a scary episode of the BBC1 hit, which is set in a house of horror that is full of secrets and strange creatures, including a strange girl who appears to be made of wood.

The episode opens with Bill and her student pals looking for somewhere to live and stumbling upon a rundown mansion owned by a curious gentleman.

Here David, who recently starred in BBC1’s Decline and Fall, reveals more…

What can you tell us about the character you play in Doctor Who?

The Landlord is charming, but, like all charming people, what is lurking beneath the smile? Bill and her friends grow slightly suspicious of him and call the Doctor, and the truth about this strange house starts to emerge.

How pleased are you to be guest starring in Doctor Who?

I said yes before I’d even read the script! I’ve always wanted to be in a Doctor Who. In my 47-year career as a professional actor, it’s the show I’ve wanted to do the most. It’s the most iconic show on TV – and I’m including Poirot in that – so who wouldn’t want to be in it?