The Game-Changing Twist in Doctor Who Season 15 That Fans Can't Afford to Miss

When Russell T. Davies returns as showrunner, an important change needs to be made in the selection of companions for Doctor Who. Since its inception in 1963, the Doctor has had the privilege of travelling through time and space with a diverse range of companions, numbering over fifty in total. These companions have consistently proved their worth by helping the Doctor solve complex puzzles and save the day. During the original run of Doctor Who, which unfortunately came to an end in 1989, the Doctor often chose companions who hailed from other planets or different points in Earth's history.

The latest addition to the Doctor's companion roster is Millie Gibson, known for her role in Coronation Street, who will be taking on the character of Ruby Sunday. Ruby will accompany Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor in his inaugural full season, set to air in 2024. Gibson's casting follows the tradition established in 2005 when the series was revived, introducing a succession of iconic companions like Rose Tyler, Donna Noble, Amy Pond, and Yazmin Khan. The revival of Doctor Who in 2005, under the helm of Russell T. Davies, injected new energy into the show, and he now has the chance to achieve the same revitalization when he returns for the 60th anniversary specials in 2023.

Why Does The Doctor Only Travel With Present-Day, Human Companions?

Since its 2005 revival, Doctor Who has predominantly featured modern-day human characters as companions to the Doctor. This marks a departure from the classic run of the series, which had a mix of alien characters and humans from various time periods as companions. With the exception of Captain Jack Harkness, River Song, and Nardole, recent seasons of Doctor Who have focused solely on present-day, human companions. These characters serve as relatable figures for the show's modern audience, allowing viewers to imagine themselves embarking on adventures with the Doctor.

The inclusion of companions from different eras of Earth's history posed challenges even during the era of the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell. The Doctor Who writers quickly realized that it was difficult to incorporate companions such as Adrienne Hill's Katarina, a woman from Ancient Troy who joined the TARDIS team in 1965. After just five episodes, Katarina was written out of the series due to the complexities of integrating such an otherworldly character into futuristic adventures. As a result, the inclusion of these characters gradually became less frequent over the years, and there have been no past human companions featured since the show's revival in 2005.

Doctor Who Needs A Better Variety Of Companions

By incorporating a diverse array of companions from various time periods and worlds, Russell T Davies can revitalize the Doctor Who series and captivate the audience in new and exhilarating ways. Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson have already demonstrated their incredible chemistry, promising an exceptional dynamic between the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday. While the use of modern-day companions provides a relatable perspective for viewers, it also risks becoming repetitive and monotonous after almost two decades of the show. Therefore, introducing companions from different time periods and worlds would inject a much-needed dose of variety and intrigue into the TARDIS, exposing viewers to fresh perspectives and fostering a renewed sense of excitement.

Will The Fifteenth Doctor Only Have One Companion?

Only Millie Gibson has been confirmed to appear alongside Gatwa's Doctor in the 2024 season of Doctor Who. This aligns with Davies' approach of returning the series to its core elements. The introduction of a new Doctor with a single companion, embarking on adventures in a brand-new TARDIS, echoes the revival of the show's first season, where Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper's Rose Tyler breathed new life into the series. While only Gibson has been announced, there remains a possibility that the Fifteenth Doctor may travel with more than one companion, following in the footsteps of their predecessors.

While Eccleston and David Tennant primarily had one companion during their respective tenures as the Doctor, with occasional team-up adventures, subsequent Doctors had larger TARDIS teams. Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi, as the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, respectively, had multiple companions at different times, and Jodie Whittaker's Doctor also traveled with more than one companion. Therefore, it may be wise for the Fifteenth Doctor to have a single companion, but considering that Ruby Sunday is another young, contemporary companion, Doctor Who should introduce some variety and maintain a sense of freshness and excitement.