The actor is a stand-up comedian in England.
Bishop, who plays a character called Dan on the time travel series, tells EW.
“It’s a gift.
John Bishop.David M. Benett/Getty Images
I can’t talk aboutDoctor Whountil it comes out.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How were you approached about the role?
JOHN BISHOP:Chris Chibnall [Doctor Whoexecutive producer] approached me maybe two years ago.
John Bishop in ‘Doctor Who’.James Pardon/BBC Studios/BBC America
I couldn’t do it, because I was going on a stand-up tour and so we left it.
The global pandemic meant that the tour ended and I could say yes to the opportunity.
And fortunately, they hadn’t cast anybody.
Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan, John Bishop as Dan, and Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor on ‘Doctor Who’.James Pardon/BBC Studios/BBC America
I feel very lucky to have been able to do it.
What was the audition process like?
So I had to go on to the TARDIS and do a number of scenes.
What’s your history withDoctor Who?
I watched it as a child; Jon Pertwee moving in to Tom Baker, that was my Doctor.
And then, teenage years, I went off it a bit.
It came back with the reboot and then I watched it because I had kids of my own.
And it was great.
The reboot gave it new energy.
What can you tell us about your character?
Basically, that he’s a nice guy, but he’s a little bit down on his luck.
He’s unlucky in love.
He ends up with the closest friends that he’s probably ever had in his life.
Is there any sexual tension between your character and the Doctor?
[Laughs] Uh, no!
There isn’t, for reasons that you’ll see when you watch it.
Did Jodie give you any advice?
She was a guiding hand: You don’t need to do that, just do this.
She was very supportive and kind.
There’s just something about her.
You go, whoah, you’re not the person I was talking to twenty seconds ago.
You’ve just finished shooting the season, is that right?
Literally, the day before yesterday.
Was that emotional for you?
But I’m going straight on to doing a stand-up tour.
Doctor Whopremieres on BBC America, Oct. 31.
Watch the new season trailer below.
