When Matt Smith took over the role of The Doctor from David Tennant, the series was given a complete overhaul, with a new TARDIS and a new supporting cast. History has repeated itself as BBC America has announced three new cast members that will be joining the Jodie Whittaker‘s Thirteenth Doctor when season 11 of Doctor Who premieres in fall of 2018.
From left to right are Mandip Gill as Yasmin, Bradley Walsh as Graham, Whittaker as the Doctor, and Tosin Cole as Ryan. Actress Sharon D. Clarke will also be joining the series in a recurring role. BBC’s announcement carefully steps around using the word companion, but rumors have been swirling that Walsh’s Graham will be in the companion role. But, as Gill, Graham, and Cole are all joining in series regulars roles, maybe this Doctor will travel with a small entourage.
These are not the only big changes in store for the new season. It will have just 10 installments instead of the usual 12, but each episode will have a longer run time of 50 minutes, with the season premiere being a full hour.
New showrunner Chris Chibnall is definitely doing his best to make this version of Doctor Who his own, succeeding Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat. From the first female Doctor to a diverse cast of friends, Chibnall seems to be making sure the Doctor is accessible to anyone who may be watching. So, with a new Doctor and new friends, what other new things can we expect? Will we get the debut of a new iconic villain like the Weeping Angels? Or will we see Whittaker face off against old favorites like the Daleks? We shall find out in about a year’s time.
Are you excited for the new adventures of Doctor Who? Will you be tearing up this Christmas when Peter Capaldi hands the reins over to Whittaker? Let me know on Twitter @donnielederer or make your voice heard in the comments below.
Images: BBC/BBC America
Time travel with more Doctor Who stories!
- See the Doctor Who Christmas special in theaters.
- Dress up in snazzy Doctor Who suits.
- Peter Capaldi reveals how he learned a woman would be the next Doctor.
