Mickey Smith - Development

Development

In accepting the role Noel Clarke comments that he "had to have a lot of faith" in executive producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner because he felt the series was not of high quality at the time of its previous cancellation. Mickey was created alongside Rose's mother Jackie in order to explore the question of who is left behind after a companion leaves earth to travel with the Doctor. Russell T Davies created the two characters and returned frequently to them in order to make Rose "real" and "give her a life". Whilst Billie Piper, who played Rose, felt that the character of Rose was "ruthless" in abandoning elements from her home life, Clarke commented that he felt anybody would do the same, stating "who can blame her really?" He felt that Rose's relationship with Mickey consisted of her "sitting on the couch, watching him watch football". Retrospectively viewing the episode "Rose" in 2009, Davies identifies Mickey's characterisation as "naturally selfish"—in the same vein he identifies many of his characters—drawing into question his "mysterious emails" and the fact he "abandons Rose for the football down the pub". He suggests that the character "deserved to lose his girlfriend, right from the start". Clarke feels the character of Mickey wasn't widely liked in the first series, admitting that he also saw the part as a "kids’ TV" role.

Following the production of series one, Davies took Clarke and Coduri out for dinner to discuss their contracts for the second series. Davies reveals that Clarke was excited about Mickey's development in the second series, particularly having the chance to carry a large gun and be an action hero. Early on in the series the character joins the Doctor and Rose as companion which Rose initially is upset about; Piper commented that Rose "likes to keep her life separate" and "wants The Doctor to herself because she's selfish like that". Tennant stated that through his actions, Mickey "earns his spot on board the TARDIS". "Rise of the Cybermen" and its online Tardisode prequel featured Mickey's doppelgänger, Ricky Smith, whose tough, decisive, and in control demeanour Mickey would come to adopt. A deleted scene from "The Age of Steel", indicates that Ricky was originally intended to be gay, and in a relationship with his co-fighter Jake. The scene is included in the Series Two DVD Box Set and depicts Mickey telling Jake that he is not intending on trying to replace the deceased Ricky. Jake responds "You never could. I'll never have another boyfriend like him." Following Mickey's appearance in "Journey's End" the production team had intended for Clarke to join spin-off show Torchwood for its third series in 2009, but his career led him elsewhere. Reflecting on his time on Doctor Who in 2010 Clarke stated that he was happy with his character's development during the series. He comments that over the course of his appearances, Mickey develops from "a clown" into "someone with a bit more edge and a bit more stubble."