Meera Syal praises 'Doctor Who' revival

Actress Meera Syal has discussed her thoughts on the revival of Doctor Who in 2005.

Syal, who appears as Nasreen Chaudhry in the current two-part story 'The Hungry Earth' and 'Cold Blood', explained that she initially had reservations when the show returned to TV screens five years ago.

"I hadn't been optimistic, it really could have gone either way. Part of its quaintness was that it was sometimes slightly amateur... That was part of its charm," she told Doctor Who Magazine.

Syal also praised the programme's current incarnation, noting: "There's great emotion and a really vulnerable Doctor... The old Doctors were all-powerful, all-knowing and a bit enigmatic. There's a frailty in the new breed of Doctor, which is great."

She further revealed that she would be interested in writing an episode of the show.

"It'd be an honour," she explained. "But my God, you'd have to step right up to the plate because the standard's so high. Also, it's been running so long that you'd have to wonder what hasn't been done."

'Cold Blood' is due to air this Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.