Saturday 23 April 2016

New Doctor Who Companion Announced


The BBC announced on Thursday that the identity of the actress cast to replace 
 Jenna Coleman when Doctor Who returns to BBC One at Christmas would be revealed today. A photo teaser was issued online yesterday, which showed the
new character's Vans shoes left outside the TARDIS. Then this evening, at half-
time during the Match of the Day coverage of the FA Cup semi-final match at 
Wembley (between Everton and Manchester United), Pearl Mackie was 
unveiled as Peter Capaldi's newest travelling companion, Bill.
The Brixton-born actress, 28, graduated from Bristol Old Vic in 2010, and
appeared in the film Svengali (2013), and an episode of Doctors (2014).
She is currently performing in the National Theatre's West End production
of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Mackie commented on the BBC News site: "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 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." She described the new companion as "wicked, cool, strong, sharp, a bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in."
Her co-star said "It is a genuine delight to welcome Pearl" to the programme,
and added that she was "a fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm."