The new Doctor Who assistant was unveiled as Coronation Street's Millie Gibson. She was announced as the Fifteenth Doctor's side-kick during the live Children in Need event.
The Coronation Street actress, who stepped out of the Tardis on the BBC stage, will star opposite Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, who takes over as the Doctor in 2023. The Doctor’s companion, who will be called Ruby Sunday, will travel alongside him as they embark on a new set of adventures.
Best known for her role as Coronation Street’s Kellie Neelan, 18-year-old Millie was the recipient of the Best Young Performer Award at The British Soap Awards earlier this year. Millie has also appeared in ITV drama Butterfly and Love, Lies and Records on the BBC.
The actor said: "Whilst still being in total disbelief, I am beyond honoured to be cast as the Doctor’s companion. It is a gift of a role, and a dream come true, and I will do everything to try and fill the boots the fellow companions have travelled in before me. And what better way to do that than being by the fabulous Ncuti Gatwa’s side, I just can’t wait to get started."
Ncuti added: "Millie just is the companion. She is full of talent, strength, she has a cheeky sparkle in her eye and is sharp as a razor. From the moment she walked into the room she captured all of our attention with her effervescence and then solidified that attention with the sheer torque of her talent. This adventure is going to be so wild and so fun, I cannot wait to sail the universe with Millie."
The new episodes of Doctor Who will return to screens in November 2023 to coincide with the 60th anniversary. David Tennant will play the Fourteenth Doctor for three specials, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role as the Doctor over the festive season.
Showrunner Russell T Davies added: "It’s the great honour of my job to find the next generation of talent, and Millie shines like a star already. She’s brilliant, dynamic, clever and a wonderful actor. As a Coronation Street fan, I’ve seen Millie survive chases, guns and sieges, but that’s nothing compared to what lies ahead for Ruby Sunday."
