'Doctor Who': Matt Smith and costume designer Howard Burden on the Doctor's new duds
What does it take to get the Doctor into a new coat?
The garment must be tailored to allow for ease of movement — through time and space, no less — with pockets large enough to hold necessities like a sonic screwdriver, and it has to get the thumbs-up from series producers, network executives and fans.
“When I first came into the series [on Asylum of the Daleks], we had an established look for the Doctor. As subsequent episodes came in, I was told that we could actually change the look,” says season 7 costume designer Howard Burden. “It was quite an intense process to actually make sure everyone was happy.”
Most importantly, the Doctor himself is quite pleased. “I’ve loved every costume, but this one’s the coolest,” says Matt Smith of his character’s new look, which includes a waistcoat and a new pair of boots.
“The Doctor’s getting rather dapper,” agrees Smith’s co-star, Jenna Louise-Coleman. Still, while the Doctor has a natty new signature look, “I get to change every single episode, which is nice,” Coleman says.
Watch the video below to hear more from Smith, Coleman and Burden on the costumes in season 7.
For more on Doctor Who, pick up this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly, on newsstands today.
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