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Pearl Mackie has been named as the new Doctor Who companion.
Until now, I didn’t know a whole heap else about her, other than the fact she appeared in the enjoyable British comedy Svengali, and also an episode of Doctors back in February 2014.
I watch Doctors religiously, but the tertiary cast change on an almost-daily basis so it’s rare that an episode sticks in my mind, especially two years on.
According to the BBC, she graduated from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2010 and is currently performing at the National Theatre in their West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.
Her character, Bill (really?), will certainly be seen in the next series which won’t air on BBC1 until Spring 2017, but it’s expected that there’ll still be a Christmas 2016 episode. Whether Pearl Mackie (right, with Peter Capaldi) appears in that, they’re not saying. Soon, the job of show runner will also handover to Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall, but in the meantime, we have to suffer one more (that one in Spring 2017) with Steven Moffat at the helm.
On joining the show, Pearl told the BBC: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family. It’s such an extraordinary British institution, I couldn’t be prouder to call the Tardis my home. Peter Capaldi is such a brilliant actor, and his Doctor is such a wacky and wonderful character, I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for him and Bill throughout time and space.”
She also described her character as “wicked, cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in”.
Peter Capaldi added: “It is a genuine delight to welcome Pearl Mackie to Doctor Who. A fine, fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm, she’s a refreshing addition to the Tardis and will bring a universe of exciting new possibilities to The Doctor’s adventures.”
Click on the above image for the full-size version and check out the new “Introducing the New Companion” trailer below:
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.