Jenna Coleman says a Clara Doctor Who spin-off is “best left in the imagination”
And she doesn’t see herself returning to the main series any time soon
New Doctor Who YA series Class is just over a week away from hitting screens, and it’s safe to say that it’s looking pretty exciting. But the imminent premiere has many fans thinking one thing – could there be a spin-off for Jenna Coleman’s ex-companion Clara, whose departure last series seemed to suggest further adventures with immortal half-alien Me (Maisie Williams)?
Well recently we put the question to Jenna herself, and we seemed to get a definitive answer – but it might not be the one fans are hoping for.
“I’ve been asked that question a lot actually,” Coleman told RadioTimes,com.
“Yeah, I think there’s a bit of interest from fans there in particular. I mean it’d be fun to do, but again maybe some things are best left in the imagination.”
So no luck there; but could there still be a door open for a return from Clara do the main series? She’s still out there in the universe, after all…
“Well this is the point,” Coleman replied. “I think the Doctor doesn’t even remember her any more, so I’m not quite sure what story could be told there! Because she’s been wiped from his memory.
“And the things is as well, I loved the exit. I thought [showrunner] Steven [Moffat] did an amazing job. And I like leaving it, in a way, where in the fan’s imagination she’s off in her own Tardis still travelling. I wouldn’t want to unpick that in any way.
“And obviously, the show is regenerating forwards, so… I doubt it would be for a while.”
Still, while Coleman is now more focused on her latest role in ITV historical drama Victoria (now out on DVD, below), she says she is looking forward to watching Class, which is set in Clara’s old workplace Coal Hill School.
“That was part of the story that I loved, I thought it worked really well,” Coleman told us.
“Of having Clara as a teacher and then run away into the stationery cupboard and Narnia, and sometimes by accident bringing along a couple of kids. I thought it had really huge appeal.
“So yeah, I really look forward to seeing that.”
Sounds like Miss Oswald isn’t quite done supervising her students just yet.
Victoria is distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, and is available on DVD and digital download now
Authors
Huw Fullerton is a Commissioning Editor for Radio Times magazine, covering Entertainment, Comedy and Specialist Drama.
