The best cast in history - 13 December 2002

Today was wonderful. Today was our first rehearsal. I have to say that we truly have the best cast in the history of the BBC. How we lucked and bribed our way into getting them is another story, but suffice it to say, they rock!

Chris and I could not have asked for a better production team as well. It's like the food brigade around here. We had a whole lunch, breakfast, tea thing going for the duration of the rehearsal. Poor Jelena didn't know whether she was a waitress or a producer - but she does both jobs admirably, especially the producing bit!

I think I scared her because she ended up coming into the room right as I was making everyone go around the room and tell us their name and character/job (so very kindergarten). Poor Jelena had to spout her name and job on the spot!

It was so amazing to hear the script out loud. Chris and I had been toying with it for so long that I think we were both sick of it. After that read through, however, we were both super jazzed and excited. All the jokes played [as they should], and Anthony Daniels was a sweetie. He made sure we were 100 per cent historically accurate and even contributed a few new zingers to Nelson's dialogue.

I have to add in a bit here about how cool it is to work with Chris. He and I really do have the exact same sensibility. I caught us both changing a line during the first read through and then adding it right back during the second! It was kinda funny that we both decided the line didn't work after all, then rethought that decision completely. Hehehe...

It was really neat to watch Jasmine and Rory immediately start a brother/sister relationship. He picked on her and she harassed him right back. And then watching Elliot and Roy as they toyed with all the different baddies - it was amazing. Roy is such a master!

All I have to say about Paterson (who was the first and only choice to play Nigel) is that I could listen to him read the phone book into perpetuity. What a voice... So sexy and charming!

Chris and I both have a crush on Emma. Firstly, she's a wonderful person and an amazing actress. Then there's that little old fact that she completely saved our butts at the last minute. The person we had first approached backed out and we were totally with a Bodecia - yipes. Then our brilliant script editor, Martha, came up with the idea of asking Emma (they had worked together before) and luckily she agreed to come and play with us!

Our producer, Jelena, came up with the idea of Joe for Byron. I wasn't aware of his work, but they gave me a copy of The Crow Road (love Iain Banks) to watch and I must say I see why everyone has crush on him - plus, that lovely Scottish accent! Joe, I really think, has one of the hardest jobs to do in Ghosts of Albion.

Byron has to be, on one hand, flip with his little jibes, but he also has to say the bits of Byronic poetry we incorporated (Martha Stewart word!) into Byron's dialogue without sounding trite. Tough, but I know he can pull it off.

Anthony Daniels - consummate professional, major league talent and... incorrigible sweetheart. Plus, the man knows his history. We were supreme-o lucky that we got him, period.

I have to say that Leslie [Phillips] is a total charmer. I felt so bad that poor Ludlow comes to such a grisly end. Anyhow, Leslie has such a way with words. He infuses them with such meaning and he was great when it came to punching up the jokes. He cracked me up with his confirmation of "being friendly with all the magical creatures". Makes me laugh just thinking of it.

I'm totally doing the rundown, but I just have to do it. Everyone in the cast is too unique and precious not to get a blurb.

Elliot had worked with our production team before. When we realized we needed some more voice power, he was the first one who came to everyone's mind. I just hope that the BBC realizes what a gem they have in Elliot and that he gets to work as much as he deserves. Roy, Roy, Roy... The man has a hit single. Such a rock star!

Everyone in our production office was super excited to meet him - the man comes with a Doctor Who pedigree for goodness sake! So you can imagine how everyone on the Cult team flipped when he came onboard. He's such a sweetie, too. Turns out his grandkids watch Buffy! Isn't that cool?

And last, but definitely not least, are Jasmine and Rory. I know that some of you out there in cyber-land may not know them, but believe me, you will. They both have talent coming out their ears. Seriously, I have been doing this acting thing for ten years (maybe even 11 now, boy, I'm getting old!) and I truly believe that I've picked up a nose for talent. And my nose is twitching at this rehearsal!

I know this entry is mucho long, but this has been the best day of my entire trip. I just hope that the recording goes as well as the rehearsal. Fingers crossed!