It seems that even time-traveling adventurers like to celebrate milestones!
Today is the birthday of not one, but two stars in the geek firmament – John Barrowman, who celebrates his 48th birthday today, and Alex Kingston, who celebrates her 52nd. Clearly, time travel agrees with them, as they both look amazing.
Both actors have extensive resumes, but obviously we know John Barrowman best as Captain Jack Harkness on both Doctor Who and Torchwood, and Alex Kingston as Doctor Who‘s indomitable River Song. Most recently, we’ve seen Barrowman as Arrow’s Malcom Merlyn, and we’ve seen Kingston….also on Arrow as Laurel’s mother, Dinah Lance.
Clearly these two love to follow each other around.
For me, the Barrowman performance I will always cling to is the Captain Jack Harkness of Doctor Who. The fun, flirty one from “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances.” Don’t get me wrong. I love me some Torchwood (well, Seasons 1-3. Ahem.), but the Captain Jack I fell in love with was the one who wasn’t quite so dark. The one that allowed Barrowman’s natural charm to be showcased at full volume.
And listen, I know that there are a lot of River-haters out there, but I’ve gotta say I love Alex Kingston as River Song, particularly in “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead.” Steven Moffat might have gone a bit off the rails writing for the character once he became showrunner, but credit where credit is due. In those Doctor Who episodes, he created an intriguing, nuanced female character who was adventurous and had her own inner life. And the fact that she wasn’t a young, nubile companion (and neither was Donna – that was a great season) was so very refreshing. Kingston created a wonderful character in River Song, and while I hope Moffat stays far away from that character from now on, I do appreciate what we’ve had of the character, mostly because of Kingston’s portrayal.
So let’s wish these two a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY by discussing our favorite Barrowman and Kingston moments in geek entertainment! Do you feel nostalgic about their work in the Whoniverse? Are you digging them more on Arrow? Is there some obscure geek thing either one of them has been in that you wanna call me out for not mentioning? Tell me in the comments below!
(via Doctor Who TV)
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