Interview with Doctor Who actor Jamie Hill

Riley: I’m here with actor Jamie Hill. Whovians would know Jamie from Doctor Who. Jamie played some very memorable characters on the show. Just a few would be The Mummy/The Foretold in the episode “The Mummy on the Orient Express”, he was also the monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land. Not to mention one of the three actors to play the Silence in series 6, an Ice Warrior, and a Mondasian Cyberman. Though Jamie has played some pretty iconic villains in recent Doctor Who history, he was also a manager at the unfortunately now closed Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. My daughter and I were able to fly in from Texas to be able to attend the closing of the Doctor Who Experience and I met and was able to briefly chat with Jamie. 

Riley: Hello Jamie, how are you today? I was wondering if I might be able to ask you just a few questions that will give Doctor Who fans a brief look into the mind of Jamie Hill. 

Jamie: Hi Riley! Great to hear from you again, hope everything is well, I’m great thank you! 

Riley: I’m sure you have many, so I will just narrow it down a little. You have done quite a few episodes of Doctor Who as well as played some pretty cool characters. If you had to choose two of your best memories from your time on set, what would they be?

Jamie: oooo this is a tricky one!

My favourite monster and episode would have to be the Foretold in the Mummy on the Orient Express.

Everybody found the costume extremely creepy and realistic, which is always great when playing any monster/creature character. Then I had a conversation with Daisy Beaumont who played Maisie in the episode about the fish and chips lunch, in full costume - which was quiet funny looking back.

My other favourite time would have to be the filming of the Monk episodes in Series 10, I had the fantastic opportunity to go out to Tenerife to film some of the scenes at an abandoned estate, the scenery was amazing and the whole trip was great fun with all the crew and other actors.

Riley: As I mentioned in the introduction, some Doctor Who fans might not have known that you were also a manager at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff. As you know, I was able to visit the Experience that last day it was open. I personally felt a multitude of emotions that day while visiting. I was just enamored at being able to see all there is to see about Doctor Who. From the props to the costumes to meeting Nicholas Briggs, Russell T. Davies, and yourself. We have nothing like that in Texas. Which is why it will always be an “Experience” that I will never forget. But when my visit was over I was saddened. Saddened that unless they open back up, no one will get to see this collection all together again.

Riley: When you found out the news that the Experience was closing its doors for good in Cardiff Bay, what was your thoughts on it? 

Jamie:

The Doctor Who Experience was a massive part of my life after leaving university. 

I started on a zero hour contract there in the shop, I really enjoyed the job and worked hard throughout my time there and eventually became Duty Manager, a massive reward and great feeling to be recognised.

All staff and visitors there were part of my overall experience throughout the 5 years, and I will always have very fond memories.

When I heard it was closing, it was sad. But, it was always planned to be a 5 year project so I felt like I knew the time would come. 

I learnt many skills from general retail and attraction skills to how to build a TARDIS, a great skill to have that I’m sure many would love!

I have moved on from the experience into a new career, and aim to continue my monster/creature acting when I can (keep an eye on Good Omens next year!) but always have great memories when I walk past the old Doctor Who Experience building.

Riley: Well thank you so much for your time, your hospitality, and your all around generosity. You helped make a great trip even greater. 

Jamie:  No problem at all Riley! It was great to have met you and added to the already great experience that you had. The closing of the Doctor Who Experience was a very busy and sad time, but I think we had a great celebration to see it off. 

Hopefully it wasn’t the last of the Doctor Who Experience, and it comes back again somewhere in the future.

Thank you again Jamie,

Riley

Eddie's American Diner- Cardiff, Wales

           

                 I was saddened when I just found out that Eddie’s American Diner in Cardiff Bay had closed its doors. They have gone out of business. With the closing of the Doctor Who Experience, one of the area’s biggest draw for tourists, it really doesn’t surprise me. It does make me reminisce of my daughter and I’s visit to the diner when we traveled from Dallas, Texas to Cardiff for the closing of the Doctor Who Experience. It truly was a special visit that will always be in my memory and my heart.

             After my daughter and I visited the Doctor Who Experience and had an awesome time doing so, we decided to take up the sites in Cardiff Bay. We had a general idea of a few things we wanted to see. Ianto’s Shrine, Torchwood and Doctor Who filming locations, and Eddie’s Diner, etc. My friend who is from Wales told me that I would absolutely kick myself if I didn’t go to Eddie’s Diner. It was on my list, but even more so now. 

             So after checking a few things out, we started to get a little hungry. So we started making our way to Eddie’s Diner. On the way there, who did we run in to? None other than the awesome Russell T. Davies himself. We chatted with him for a few minutes, took a couple photos with him and then continued to our destination to Eddie’s Diner. Eddie’s was right around the corner from where we were. For those that are unaware, Eddie’s Diner is an “American” Diner in Cardiff Bay. A couple Doctor Who episodes were also filmed there. The first was “The Impossible Astronaut” with Matt Smith as the Doctor and the second was “Hell Bent” with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. 

             As we approached, we noticed that the place was busy, but not too busy. It seemed to be a seat yourself type of place. So we found a table right outside and sat down to wait for a server to come and take our order. After about ten minutes of waiting I walked in and went to the register. A gentleman at the counter told me that we order and pay there and then they bring our food to us. Oh ok, I thought. So I found an open table inside and my daughter and I sat there. After looking at the menu we decided what we wanted and I went to order it. After speaking with the gentleman (He might have been the owner, maybe the manager) and telling him where we came from to visit, he was elated and thanked us for stopping by. We sat and had our burgers and chips. And let me say OMG, these were some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. 

             We had noticed some other “tourists” that were in the diner taking photos and just being downright rude to the waitresses and other customers. We did not want to be “those” people. So as we were getting up to leave, I told the gentleman thank you and that the meal was delicious. At that time another gentleman joined him behind the counter and he told him where we were from. They both said did you take any pictures? This is where so and so was and that is where so and so sat (Which happened to be the booth that we were sitting in eating). The first gentleman said you’ve come so far, take as many pictures as you want. Did you see the Tardis door in the back? So my daughter took some shots of me in a couple spots and we went to the door in the back. Just a fabulous time and experience. The staff and the management (possibly owner) could not have made our visit any greater. For that I thank you. One thing I do wish is that they had “Eddie’s Diner” t-shirts. If they did, I missed them. But that would have been so cool to buy.

            Since our visit I have read many reviews of the diner. There were quite a few that differed from my experience. I’m not sure if it had to do with anything specific. But our time and food was great. I am glad I was able to visit and eat there. Even though I was only able to go once, the positive experience we had makes me sad that it is now closed.