Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
WhovianNet was recently invited to attend a special screening of CAPTCHA, a new indie short film starring Doctor Who’s very own Arthur Darvill. Here is our review.
“Do you believe in destiny…?”
Arthur Darvill is no stranger to weird and wonderful worlds and it’s safe to say that his exhilarating experiences aboard the TARDIS put him in good stead to take on his latest role in this new short film.
Well, we say ‘latest’. It’s actually taken 3 years for CAPTCHA to see the light of day (that’s the short film industry for you!), but fans of fantasy noir, and sci-fi in general, can rest assured that it’s definitely worth the wait.
The indie thriller stars the Rory Williams actor as Mel, an otherwise carefree character whose entire world is turned upside down – and then some – when he encounters an alluring assassin in the form of Katya, as played with copious amounts of glamorous gusto by Amy Beth Hayes (who eagle eyed Doctor Who fans will recognise as one of the Albino Servants from The Stolen Earth).
Although Darvill himself has noted that he has an ever growing track record of playing “nervous men”, his portrayal of this unassuming government scientist couldn’t be further away from his three year tenure as Rory the Roman if he tried. Or rather, if he were to be unknowingly spiked with a love implant. Which, by the way, he is.
Thus sets the precedent for a whirlwind of captivating chaos and confusion and it’s yet another endearing performance for the actor to add to his already reputable résumé. While the film itself only clocks in at 15 minutes, that’s all Arthur needs to affirm himself as his latest on screen alias and the depth of his characterisation serves to not only establish the mindset of his amicable alter ego, but the wider picture of the dystopian world in which he resides.
The cinematic scope of that world is brought to life by The Mill who have created an immersive VFX backdrop which puts you slap bang in the middle of the sentient 1940s steampunk society. The tangible London landscape is worlds away from the real thing but it’s still recognisable enough to feel disconcertingly familiar – a true testament to their hard work and efforts to bring the scale of the ambitious story to life. The spectacular soundtrack helps, too!
Written by Ed Tracey and Justin Trefgarne, CAPTCHA is an admirable advocate for short filmmaking which should encourage any aspiring creatives to pursue their own projects with the help of a talented team who are just as passionate about the final product. With an intriguing premise and an established ensemble of original characters, the film even comes with a dramatic motorbike chase sequence (it wouldn’t have been complete without one!) and it will leave you with an overriding sense that there’s still so much to explore.
Luckily, a feature-length film is in the early stages of development so it’ll be exciting to see what the future holds. In the meantime, Doctor Who fans should also keep an eye – or ear – out for the voice of Zoë Wanamaker who puppeteers the proceedings as the menacing Rosa, as well as Kayvan Novak (Handles in The Time of the Doctor). Definitely worth checking out as it sets out to explore the age old question, “Could love be used as a weapon?”. Something tells us Mel would say “yes”!
CAPTCHA is available to purchase globally on We Are Colony alongside a host of behind the scenes content including exclusive interviews and documentaries.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
An intriguing new trailer has been revealed for Arthur Darvill’s latest project, CAPTCHA.
The Rory Williams actor stars as Mel in the short film, which has been written and directed by Edward Tracy, and his character has been described as an unassuming government scientist who is unknowingly spiked with a love implant.
The film will receive a private screening – followed by a Q&A with Arthur – at a secret London location next week and you can win tickets for the event here.
The film also stars various other Doctor Who alumni including Zoë Wanamaker, Amy Beth Hayes and Kayvan Novak. It’s released globally on We Are Colony on Sunday 10th May.
Could love be used as a weapon? Are you excited for Arthur’s new role? Let us know below!
We Are Colony are running a competition to win tickets for an upcoming screening of a new film starring Arthur Darvill.
The actor – who Doctor Who fans will know as Rory Williams – stars in CAPTCHA as Mel, an unassuming government scientist who is unknowingly spiked with a love implant. He will be taking part in a live Q&A at the premiere which will be held on Saturday 9th May 2015 at a secret London location.
To enter the draw, RT this competition tweet. You can sign up to We Are Colony here for behind the scenes content.
Winners will be picked at random from those who have registered. Click here for the T&Cs.
The film, written and directed by Edward Tracy, also stars former Doctor Who alumni Zoë Wanamaker, Amy Beth Hayes and Kayvan Novak. It’s released globally on 10th May 2015.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
It has been confirmed that Eve Myles will be starring in the next chapter of Broadchurch which starts filming soon.
The actress, who is known for her portrayal of Gwen Cooper in Torchwood, will join David Tennant and Arthur Darvill in the return of ITV’s acclaimed series which recently won Best Drama at the BAFTA TV Awards.
Not much is known about Eve’s character in the show but its writer, Chris Chibnall, has described her casting as “a joy”.
“As if we didn’t have enough fabulous actresses already, it’s a huge thrill to be joined by Wales’ finest,” he said. “Having worked together on Torchwood, I’m pleased to welcome her to Broadchurch.” Good luck, Eve! Are you looking forward to seeing her in new role?
Eve has previously reaffirmed she’s got her “fingers crossed” for Torchwood’s return.
It was a big night of success for Doctor Who at the National Television Awards last night as it reigned supreme in both of the categories in which it was nominated!
The celebrations began as the show was named Best Drama with Jenna Coleman taking to the stage to pick up the award on behalf of its cast and crew. “50 years later and still going strong,” the actress proclaimed. “This belongs our team who are busy grafting award in Cardiff as we speak – thank you so much to everybody who voted!”
In addition Matt Smith’s portrayal of the Eleventh Doctor won him the gong for TV’s Best Drama Performance. Matt – who was far too busy being an American Pyscho in the West End – recorded this message to thank fans for voting. Congratulations to Who and Matt!
Luckily for Matt his award is in safe hands until he can pick it up. Enter Rory the Roman…
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Arthur Darvill has given Peter Capaldi his stamp of approval and predicted he will be “brilliant” as the Twelfth Doctor.
The star who bowed out of his popular role as Rory Williams last year told Big Issue that he has high hopes for Capaldi’s incarnation of the Time Lord. “Peter is amazing and it will be very interesting to see what he does with it,” he explained. “If you look at what he’s done in the past, he is so different and he’ll bring a lot to the character. And who better to take over than one of the best actors in the country?”
Peter will have his on screen debut as the Twelfth Doctor in this year’s Christmas special when Matt Smith’s TARDIS tenure reaches its spectacular conclusion. Arthur added: “I’m sad to see Matt go but I think it is the right time. He’ll be a hard act to follow because he really made it his own. It will really open up the show and I can see it going on and on.”
Steven Moffat recently revealed Peter’s Doctor will be “fiercer” than his predecessors.
Arthur Darvill’s currently in America starring as Guy in Once the Musical on Broadway.
‘Amelia’ is currently the most popular baby name in the UK and WalesOnline suggests that Doctor Who is responsible!
It’d seem Karen Gillan’s portrayal of companion Amy Pond has inspired a surge of parents to name their own child after the popular character, who left the series last year.
Meanwhile, ‘Rory’, the name of her on-screen husband, has reentered the top 100 list of baby names for the first time in 15 years. Further proof that Who changes lives…?
Do you/does anybody you know have the same name as a Who character? Let us know!
Last year, Wales saw a significant rise in Doctor Who related names like Matt and River.
We’d just like to wish Arthur Darvill a very happy birthday!
The Rory Williams actor is 31 today, and we hope he enjoys his celebrations. He left the series last year in The Angels Take Manhattan (it still hurts!) and has since been seen getting to grips with a murder in the critically acclaimed ITV series Broadchurch, in which he appeared alongside David Tennant. He is currently on Broadway starring in the musical Once. Feel free to post your own birthday wishes for Arthur in the comments, along with your favourite Rory moments…
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Arthur Darvill has revealed he thinks now is a good time for Matt Smith to hand over the Doctor Who reins.
Last week it was announced the Eleventh Doctor actor is to leave the series in this year’s Christmas Special and Arthur, who starred alongside him as companion Rory Williams, has admitted that he’s known about the plans “for a while”. “He has done his time,” he told Anglophenia. “It’s a hard one. I left a year ago and it was hard to leave but that’s what the show’s about. It’s about change and regeneration.”
He said: “The worst thing you can do is outstay your welcome. It is better to be missed.”
He also comments on his preference for the Twelfth Doctor suggesting “someone older”. “I guess it could be a woman,” he added. “I think it’s a male part but if the actor’s right.”
Do you agree with Rory the Roman when he says it’s Matt’s time to go? Have your say…
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Arthur Darvill’s been talking about the possibility of coming back to Doctor Who for its 50th anniversary.
In an interview with Digital Spy to promote his new drama, Broadchurch, the actor revealed he’d “never say never” to stepping back into the shoes of Rory Williams. “I’m so busy at the moment I don’t know if I’d be able to,” he explained. “But I am very loyal to Doctor Who and I saw Steven Moffat recently and I think he is brilliant – he’s one of those people that if he ever asked me to do anything, I’d do it.”
Arthur stars in the drama, which begins on Monday 4th March at 9pm on ITV1, alongside Tenth Doctor David Tennant. He said: “We have got a couple of great scenes together.”
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