Companions for new season of 'Doctor Who' announced
The companions for the much-awaited new season of Doctor Who have been announced by the BBC. Jodie Whittaker, the first female Doctor in the series' history, will be joined by Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill of "Hollyoaks" fame and Bradley Walsh, host of the British game show "The Chase". Walsh will play the role of Graham while Cole and Gill are set to star as Ryan and Yasmin respectively.
The enigmatic time traveler's companions have often been used both as a means of introducing viewers to the crazy world of the show from a human perspective and as the foil for the Doctor's own eccentric personality. In many ways, the Doctor's companions are the true focus of the show with some of them like Rose, played by Billie Piper, going on to have dedicated fan-followings. The position is one of the most sought-after roles in British television.
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"I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor,” Walsh told the BBC. “Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself. I was petrified, but even though I'd watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole groundbreaking new dawn for the Doctor? Oh yes!”
Cole has prior experience in the sci-fi genre, having acted as a pilot on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" while Gill has established herself as an actress on the Channel 4 show "Hollyoaks" where she worked with Cole.
With new showrunner Chris Chibnall taking over from Steven Moffat whose stint with the series was critically and commercially acclaimed, expectations are high to see what new direction the classic British sci-fi show will take. Reaction to the casting of the new Doctor was not overwhelmingly positive and fans are skeptical about the future of the series after a number of members from the production team, including writer Mark Gatiss, quit the show following Chibnall's takeover.