Killinchy actor Thaddea stars in hit BBC sci-fi adventure

Killinchy actor Thaddea stars in hit BBC sci-fi adventure

17 November 2021

THADDEA Graham scored yet another acting highlight when she appeared in Dr Who: Flux on Sunday evening.

The locally raised Chinese-born actor is the latest guest star on the series which will feature Jodie Whittaker as Dr Who for the last time before a new Doctor is confirmed.

The 24 year-old former Killinchy Primary School student played newcomer Bel, who is a love interest of the mysterious space traveller Vinder, played by Jacob Anderson.

It appears that Bel and Vinder have been separated at some time across the universe and are desperate to reunite as she is pregnant with a child.

The role in the iconic TV series is the latest major production for Thaddea, who starred as Bea in the Netflix series The Irregulars and Kat the busker in the BBC comedy drama series Us.

Before she joined Doctor Who, which also stars comedian John Bishop as the Doctor’s new companion, Thaddea spoke of her delight of appearing in the new series.

“The whole cast and crew welcomed me with open arms into the iconic Doctor Who family of which it is an absolute privilege to be part of. It’s a real honour to share the magic of this universe with them and, of course, our wonderful audience,” she said.

However, speaking directly to her fans on social media after the broadcast, the singer and musician admitted she couldn’t continue watching Sunday evening’s episode.

“To be honest, I started to watch the episode and five minutes later I had to turn it off as I got too anxious and nervous that I ruined it and I was going to wreck the whole thing,” admitted Thaddea.

“It’s such an iconic show to get to be part of it. You get down to the sets and walk around and you feel this weight of responsibility onto your shoulders of everybody who has come before you, everyone who will come after and everyone who’s watching at home and you think, ‘Oh God I can’t mess  this up’. But it’s exciting thing, not a scary thing, When I was shooting it, I was just absolutely delighted to be there.

“But then reality sunk in last night when I realise you were all going to see it. You forget that when you are shooting, but when you realise that other people are going to be watching, you just think ‘Oh God, I hope I haven’t messed this up’.”

Thaddea thanked Dr Who fans for their kind and positive messages on her appearance on the show.

She also addressed the reaction to her playing Bel in her Co Down accent.

“Reading all of your replies has been really lovely, I can’t thank you all for that as it means the world.

“To get to be able to use my accent on screen in such a big show also means the world. I see a lot of people were saying that it was great to see that  representation and I fully agree.

“Bel’s accent was never a question. I auditioned in my own accent and nobody said anything so that’s something that I really loved the show everyone is accepted no matter wherever you are from. It’s so loved and well respected and I am so delighted to be a tiny part of it.”

Thaddea’s other performances include as Hanmei Collins in the Sky One series Curfew and Iona in another Netflix series, The Letter for the King.

Viewers can see Thaddea in the episode Once, Upon A Time, on BBC iPlayer.