BBC One today announced Pearl Mackie will join the Doctor Who cast as The Doctor’s new companion, Bill. Pearl was exclusively revealed to audiences on BBC One during half time the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday 23^rd April.

On joining the cast in her first major television role, Pearl 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! 

Peter Capaldi 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 throughout time and space. Reading the script at the audition I thought Bill was wicked. Fantastically written, cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in - I can't wait to bring her to life, and to see how she develops through the series.

I always loved stage combat at drama school so I can't wait to get on set and kick some evil monsters into the next dimension! 

Shooting the trailer was absolutely mental, there were pyro technics and smoke and I met my first Dalek! I'm not sure it will ever become ‘the norm’ seeing crazy monsters on set, but I cannot wait to meet some more! The weirder the better, bring it on!”

Peter Capaldi said:

“It is a genuine delight to welcome Pearl Mackie to Doctor Who. A fine, fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm, she’s a refreshing addition to the TARDIS and will bring a universe of exciting new possibilities to The Doctor’s adventures.”

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer adds:

“A new face in the TARDIS, a new voyage about to begin: welcome aboard the amazing Pearl Mackie! This is where the story really starts.”

Charlotte Moore, Acting Director of Television said:

“It's so exciting to be revealing the much anticipated new companion to the nation in such spectacular style. Pearl brings a wonderful energy and lights up the screen. She will captivate Doctor Who fans old and new across the globe.”

Brian Minchin, Executive Producer adds:

“We’re utterly thrilled to have the hugely talented Pearl join Doctor Who and I can't wait to begin her new adventures in time and space!”

Friend from the Future, can be seen on the player, below:

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+ Series 10 of Doctor Who airs in 2017.

BBC Worldwide have announced that the new Doctor Who companion will be revealed LIVE on BBC One on Saturday 23rd April at half time of the FA Cup semi-final MOTD Live: Everton vs Manchester United.

The live reveal echoes the way in which the BBC unveiled the latest incarnation of The Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi.

Rumours have been rife over the past few weeks with speculation as to the identity of the next companion, and fans won't have to wait much further as it is only 2 days away! It is expected the new companion will be introduced in either the 2016 Doctor Who Christmas Special or at the start of Series 10 in 2017.

+ Series 10 of Doctor Who airs in 2017.

Now we're not always keen on posting news of rumours, but word had reached DWO towers that we *may* be finding out the identity of the new Doctor Who companion very shortly!

Of course, the BBC being the BBC could choose to announce the news whenever they like, but going off the back of last week's 'Class' news, it's about time we had something Doctor Who related to get our teeth into.

So who could it be? Well, we know that the companion will be female - Peter Capaldi himself has gone on record, speaking to the Radio Times last December, stating that as his preference of companion:

"With the best will in the world, I don’t want a bloke, because I’m frightened that they’ll give him all the action and I’ll be standing around spouting scientific gobbledygook... ‘Oh, Peter’s not up to chasing those Zygons down the corridor, let the chap do it.’ And that would be awful. I want to chase the Zygons!" 

Then, in a separate interview with LaLata TV, Capaldi seemed to further confirm the gender of the next companion:

“I think the companion has to be someone who’s not so impressed by the Doctor – she’s not an assistant, she’s not a servant, she can’t be that – she has to be someone who really says ‘are you sure that’s the right thing to do? What are you doing?’ and also doesn’t take him seriously.”

There have been several names thrown into the ring as far as who's been cast; Maisie Williams, Rakhee Thakrar, Rose Leslie and Faye Marsay have all been connected in some way by the media, recently. Thakrar in particular has had more traction than most, with the actress addressing the speculation to Leicester Mercury:

“My way of looking at everything is just be here and see what happens. There’s such a vast range of projects and roles, that I’m open to see what comes.”

DWO Verdict:
More often than not, the person highly touted to be the replacement for a companion or Doctor, is most likely not in the ring at all. That being said, we'd love the rumours surrounding Rakhee Thakrar to be true.

If we look at Rakhee's recent Twitter follows, you can see some Doctor Who related people, including: Marcus Wilson (Ex-Doctor Who Producer), Rachel Talalay (Director), Michelle Gomez (Missy) & Patrick Ness (Writer & Creator of Doctor Who Spin-off 'Class').

This observation is most likely coincidence, but arguably could add fuel to the fire. Rakhee is a fine actress with the qualities needed for a companion. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

We'd love to hear from you in the comments box below! Who do you think will be the next companion? What would you like the next companion to be like?

+ Series 10 of Doctor Who airs in 2017.

BBC America have uploaded a promotional picture featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman with the TARDIS.

The image (pictured right) is the first to be released since the announement of Coleman's casting.

Is is still unknown as to what the name of her character will be, but it is expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks and possibly months.

Coleman's first appearance in Doctor Who will be in the 2012 Christmas Special.

[Source: BBC America]

Jenna-Louise Coleman has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to become the new companion to Doctor Who, it was announced today by Steven Moffat.

Twenty-five year old Jenna from Blackpool will star alongside the 11th Time Lord, Matt Smith, to mark the biggest year in the show’s history.

Best known for her roles in Emmerdale (Jasmine Thomas) and Waterloo Road (Lindsay James), Jenna will replace Karen Gillan when she and Arthur Darvill bow out of the show in a heartbreaking departure after one final series of rollercoaster voyages later this year on BBC One.

Jenna says: "I'm beyond excited, I can't wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure."

The Doctor will meet his new friend in a dramatic turn of events as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year - full of thrills, adventures and big surprises. Series seven is currently filming and comprises 14 big, blockbuster-movie episodes - each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you've never seen them before.

Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, says: "It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She's funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS.

"It's not often the Doctor meets someone who can talk even faster than he does, but it's about to happen. Jenna is going to lead him his merriest dance yet. And that's all you're getting for now. Who she's playing, how the Doctor meets her, and even where he finds her, are all part of one of the biggest mysteries the Time Lord ever encounters. Even by the Doctor's standards, this isn't your usual boy meets girl."

Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One, adds "As we approach Doctor Who's 50th anniversary it's great to welcome a new companion to the TARDIS. I feel confident the Doctor will look after her in his own very unique style."

In 2011 Jenna made her big screen debut in Captain America: The First Avenger and is soon to star as Annie Desmond in ITV1’s Titanic. She has just finished filming on Stephen Poliakoff's Dancing On The Edge for BBC Two.

+ Watch the BBC News interview with Jenna on her casting.

[Sources: BBC]