In less than 12 hours from the time I’m writing this, we will know the identity of Doctor Who’s next companion. Unfortunately I’ll be asleep when it’s all happening because the announcement is being made at 3 or 4 am my time, so I and my fellow Antipodeans will be getting the news hours after everyone else. Oh well, such is life when you live on the other side of the world from the UK.
There have been many names thrown around in speculation about who will play the next companion, but no favourite has really emerged. The only things we know are that it’s (probably) a female—since Peter Capaldi expressed his preference for a female companion, and, honestly, is Doctor Who really going to go with two male leads? Also, based on the picture apparently of the next companion’s shoes tweeted by Doctor Who’s Twitter account, it’s probably a young woman, perhaps even a teenager… I mean, I’m not 100% familiar with female fashion trends, but do any girls over the age of 21 wear shoes like that? Oh, and we also know that it’s not going to be a returning character, as Moffat has confirmed.
With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to do a bit of last minute speculation about the identity of the next companion: some of which are names often tipped for the role, others are my own picks.
Rakhee Thakrar
There have been rumours that Rakhee Thakrar, former EastEnders star, was “in talks” with the Doctor Who producers about becoming the next companion. If they’re true, it would mean Rakhee will become Doctor Who’s first companion of Asian background. Somehow I don’t think they’re true, though, since, if the shoes really are those of the new companion, Rakhee seems a bit old to be wearing them.
Sophie Hopkins
Could we see the new companion in the Doctor Who spinoff Class before we see them in Doctor Who? It’s a definite possibility, and the candidate could be the actress I think is likely going to be the protagonist of Class, Sophie Hopkins. The main character of Class is an alien refugee taken by some mysterious figure (let’s face it, it’s the Doctor) to Earth who tries to adapt to life as an Earth teenager. Class could easily be a sequel or a prequel to the companion’s adventures with the Doctor. Many exciting possibilities here.
Eleanor Tomlinson
High on my personal wish-list is Eleanor Tomlinson, co-star of the romantic period drama Poldark. She also played Jas in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and also a red-skinned alien in an episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures. I think she’s a fine actress whom I’d love to see in the role, although somehow I think her hair colour might work against her after two ginger female companions in recent times.
Holly Earl
Remember that face? Holly Earl played young Lily Arwell in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe, Doctor Who’s 2011 Christmas special. Holly has returned as Lily Arwell in the Big Finish series The Churchill Years alongside Ian McNeice. She’s also played roles in Benidorm and Casualty. If Holly is chosen as the next companion, she would probably be playing a new character, not Lily Arwell, since we know the next companion is not a returning character.
Pearl Mackie
Radio Times are putting their money on Pearl Mackie as the next companion. I don’t know much about her, and she seems relatively unknown (she doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page), but she’s been in the BBC medical drama Doctors, and is currently involved in a National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Pearl has apparently become the odds-on favourite among betters for some reason, which is very intriguing indeed.
Georgina Campbell
Another favourite among betters, Georgina Campbell was the star of the acclaimed BBC drama Murdered by My Boyfriend.
Oona Chaplin
Game of Thrones actress Oona Chaplin has buckets of talent and would be a fantastic choice for the next companion, in my opinion. But she’s probably one of the less likely candidates.
Charlotte Ritchie
I’ve seen Charlotte Ritchie’s name mentioned in more than one place, and I can see why. She plays Barbara in Call the Midwife and also played major roles in Fresh Meat and Siblings. The only thing I could see potentially working against Charlotte is her age (as with many of the actresses I’ve mentioned), as I really think the producers are going for someone quite young this time.
Emma Watson
The idea that Emma Watson might be playing the next companion has gained a surprising amount of currency. Don’t get me wrong, it would be so freaking awesome, but it’s not going to happen. A fan can dream, though.
Sophie Turner
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha. Maybe when/if Sansa dies.
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