After months of speculation and rumours, the BBC has finally revealed who will be taking over as the new companion on Doctor Who.
Brixton-born actress Pearl Mackie has been cast as Bill, the eleventh full time companion since the show's reboot in 2005. She will appear alongside Peter Capaldi's Doctor in this year's Christmas special, before joining the series full time next year.
The announcement was made during halftime of the FA cup semi-final with a specially made trailer. The two-minute clip sees The Doctor and Bill running through a corridor chased by Daleks.
The Doctor tries to convince Bill that the Daleks are a threat, but his incredulous new companion bombards him with questions about his oldest enemy, ranging from their shape to their choice of weapons.
"Why do they keep saying 'exterminate'?"
"Because they want to kill us," the Doctor replies.
"Wouldn't it just be quicker to say kill?"
Mackie is currently best known for a supporting role in the West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, with her only other television work being an episode of Doctors. She will be the first full-time minority companion in nearly ten years.
On her new job, Mackie said "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!" She describes Bill as being "cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in".
Speculation has been rife as to who would be joining the TARDIS after Jenna Coleman quit her role as Clara last season. The season nine finale saw her flying off in her own TARDIS as the actress left to star in a new drama about Queen Victoria.
The show's tenth season has been delayed to allow the BBC to focus on the Olympics and other big events happening throughout the year. It will mark the end of Steven Moffat's seven year tenure as showrunner, and he will be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.
- nzherald.co.nz
