Sacha Dhawan – Doctor Who

By starrymag | March 1, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’ve just finished a new series for Hulu and it’s called “The Great” and it’s written by Tony McNamara who wrote The Favorite. It’s a great ensemble of actors of me, Elle Fanning and a lovely actor named Nicholas Hoult. It’s about the rise of Catherine the Great. I play Count Orlo, who is the Emperor’s financial adviser who then works with Catherine. He will eventually become her right-hand man. So, it’s a really lovely part.

Q) How do you select the projects that you work on?

A) Once I’ve done a project, I feel like the next project the character has to be a part that flips the last project on its head. So, with The Master and playing the villain and someone incredibly chaotic, bold and confident on “The Great” and playing someone who is an absolute nervous wreck – he lacks confidence in himself. He’s very shy, but has huge amounts of potential, which then Catherine draws out of him. So, they are completely different parts. That was different to me and different than what I played last time. Then, I’m like, “Yes, that’s a part I need to do.” I love challenging myself.

Q) Growing up were you a fan of “Doctor Who?”

A) Yeah, a fan in a sense like a lot of people – everyone knows “Doctor Who” and is a part of their upbringing a little bit. Even if they weren’t an avid fan and it was just on in the background or a family member would watch it – that was very much like me. I knew about it, but I didn’t know loads about it. When I got offered the part of The Master by not knowing too much, I felt that it kind of freed me up a little bit and I didn’t get too bogged down by what was done before. I think all I needed really was Chris Chibnall (the writer) and Matt Strevens (the executive producer) to give me their blessing to make it my own and don’t be too worried about the history.

Q) No villain sees themselves as a bad person. They see themselves doing things for the greater good. Do you see the Master as a villain or someone with well intentions that have run amuck?

A) Well, I’ve played a few villains in the past. The reason I love playing the bad guy or the villain is because I never see them as a bad person. I look to understand why they behave in a certain way and that for me makes the character really interesting. With The Master, he’s done some pretty bad things and I’m sure he’ll continue to do those sorts of things. But what you’ll start to uncover is someone pretty damaged and I’m hoping in Episode 10 you’ll start to understand why that is and hopefully you’ll sympathize with him. I don’t think you really understand why he does what he does because it’s pretty horrific, but you’ll get a sense of what is going on underneath. He’s not all bad.

Q) Did you and Jodie Whittaker have a chemistry read before working together?

A) I’ve been asked that a lot and had made me think about it and how fortunate we were. Chris and Matt just brought us together. I worked with Jodi a couple of years ago, but I don’t think that’s why they were like, “Oh, this is perfect.” They just knew that it worked and knew our energy. It did. It was so easy to work with each other and it wasn’t like we sat down and went, “How do we do this?” It just clicked. And as soon we knew that it clicked, we became much bolder and braver sort of with our decision making and how we were going to play things. We didn’t tell anyone about it. We just did it and rolled with that. You’ll see that a lot in Episode 10.

Q) What does it mean to you to play such an iconic character?

A) It’s amazing. It’s amazing in the sense that yes, this is an iconic character. I think I might be the youngest actor to have played it. That’s amazing! Also, being the first British Indian actor to play the role as well is an incredible honor. It’s something that I never thought would happen, but I feel so honored about it that I’m being more vocal about making sure this continues more for other actors like myself – that flip some of the stereotypes on its head. Regardless of your color, if you’re a good actor and audiences enjoy it that’s all that matters.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) I really enjoyed playing O and then the reveal of The Master on the plane. That was a real joy to do because what you saw in that scene that was the first time Jodi had seen me play The Master. We didn’t do any rehearsals together so you’re genuinely seeing a real reaction from her. I really enjoyed doing scenes in Episode 10 with an array of characters, but Jodi as well. You’ll see a different side to each of us, which I don’t think has been seen before and that was a real joy to play.

Q) What can you tease is in store for Episode 10?

A) Going back to that scene on the plane, one of the last statements I said to The Doctor was, “Everything that you think you know is a lie.” So, that statement will carry on through to Episode 10 and some of the questions you all have will hopefully be answered. A lot of “Doctor Who” is that answers always lead to more questions. But it is the start of something that is a game changer.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) I think what I did…We filmed in Cardiff in Wales. I’d go for a swim and then sit in the sauna because I’d actually be a bit achy as well. I really wanted it to be really energetic in certain moments and that was quite draining. In one sense, yes, he is energetic but there is a lot of pain and torture and stuff that I wanted to carry and make it as believable as possible. So, that was quite tricky to kind of shake off after a long shoot. Particularly after Episode 10 I was pretty tired.

Q) So, there was a physicality that you added to the role of The Master.

A) Yes. One of the things, you talk about the physicality – I was very keen on this idea that The Master doesn’t like being on his own because he has to confront himself. The other thing that he does is he’d rather kind of hide other personas and be around other people and not be on his own. And he really embraces that idea of being different people because in a way it kind of hides who he really is. So, in that sense, I really enjoyed playing different people or different traits of people. So, from O to the Nazi to the dude you met during the Victorian time and then to the actual chaotic nature of The Master…Even though, yes, you associate that chaotic playful nature with The Master, I’m also excited by the fact that’s not genuinely who he is either. You’ll start to see more of who he actually is in Episode 10. So, he’s keeping the audience on their toes a little bit.

Q) It is incredible to see that there are no boundaries now for The Master.

A) I like that. There are no boundaries.

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan feedback have you received to your time as The Master?

A) It’s always scary, isn’t it? Social media is exciting in some ways. It can be horrible in others. But I’m really happy about the response I’ve had. It’s been really, really overwhelming and it gives me a chance to speak directly to fans, see what their thinking, get their feedback and see the fan art. But it also allows me to be very vocal about the guy behind The Master and that’s me. One of the things I’ve made the decision to be more vocal about, which I haven’t been in the past, was mental health and anxiety and encouraging people (particularly men) to talk about it. I went on a similar journey and felt embarrassed to talk about anxiety. Actually, being a part of “Doctor Who” has encouraged me about getting support and help. In terms of social media, it’s allowed me to reach out to people and be vocal about mental health.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with our readers going into the season finale of “Doctor Who?”

A) I’m very honored to be playing the part and I’m really happy about the response. It’s just the start of The Master’s journey

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?

A) Thank you. It’s been a joy playing all these different characters and getting such a great response. I just hope that it continues. But at the same time, I hope that I’m able through the work that I do to lead the way for other actors – Indian actors like myself. And like you said, there are no boundaries. It’s important to remember that.