When the 12th Doctor regenerates into the 13th Doctor this Christmas, everything about the show will change, which of course, is as it should be. The proud tradition of Doctor Who is the constant ability to recreate itself as its lead character becomes a totally different person, who is also, in many ways the same. But, even though Jodie Whittaker’s 13th Doctor will be the first female Time Lord in the lead role, the next season will add even more variety than before: the new Doctor won’t have just one companion, she’ll probably have three.
On Sunday, BBC and BBC America revealed the cast of the next season of Doctor Who. In addition to Jodie Witaker as the new Doctor, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill will also be joining as series regulars, presumably, all along for the ride in the TARDIS with the Doctor. According to the official press release: “New head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, who made the decision to cast the first ever woman in the iconic role, is also shaking up who will travel with the Doctor in the TARDIS, with a team of new characters.”
Chibnall himself also added that “The new Doctor is going to need new friends. We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor.”
The new cast of Doctor Who: Mandip Gill , Bradley Walsh, Jodie Wittaker, , and Tosin Cole
Of course, the concept of having an entire squad on the TARDIS isn’t new. Back in during both the Tom Baker and Peter Davison tenures as the 4th and 5th Doctors, it was common for the Doctor to have multiple companions. In the case of the 5th Doctor, this “Team TARDIS” idea totally defined much of his era, starting his very first adventures with Nyssa, Tegan, and Adric by his side.
So, it looks like Doctor Who season 11 is poised to do something new and dynamic, by also doing something that is proven to have worked. Something borrowed, something new, and of course, the TARDIS is still blue.
Doctor Who returns for the Christmas Special “Twice Upon a Time,” featuring the 1st and 12th Doctors in a special team-up. This episode will also see Jodie Whittaker debut in the role following Peter Capaldi’s regeneration.
