The Untold Revelations: Exclusive Insights from the 5th Doctor on Companion Relationships & Revival Era Transformations

Summary

Doctor Who's fifth Time Lord, Peter Davison, reflects on the evolution of the show's companions, from flat characters to exploratory and amazing individuals.

David Davison commends Rose Tyler, portrayed by Billie Piper, as the most well-written companion due to her exceptional portrayal of the Doctor's character from her perspective.

In the forthcoming season of Doctor Who, audiences will be introduced to a new companion named Ruby Sunday, brilliantly portrayed by Millie Gibson.

Doctor Who’s Fifth Doctor discusses the modern companions in the revival series. Peter Davison played the fifth Time Lord from 1982 to 1984. During his tenure, Davison's Doctor was accompanied by various companions, including Tegan Jovanka, Adric, and Nyssa. As Doctor Who season 14 is set to premiere, a new companion will be introduced.

In an interview with RadioTimes, Davison comments on the development of the companions over time. According to him, the writing for companions during his era was quite one-dimensional. However, he has noticed a shift in the portrayal of companions in the Doctor Who revival, where they are now more dynamic and exploratory characters. This transformation allows them to be celebrated for their individuality. Davison expresses his admiration for this change. See Davison's full statement below:

The Power of the Doctor was a satisfying experience, especially with the inclusion of scenes featuring Tegan [Janet Fielding]. It effectively concluded the relationship between the Doctor and his companion. However, during that time, the writing for companions lacked depth. Tegan, for example, was portrayed as unenthusiastic about her role, which limited her character development. Adric and Nyssa also faced similar challenges, but Nyssa was the exception as she seemed to be more supportive of the Doctor.

Subsequently, there was a shift towards a more exploratory approach with companions. It began with Rose [Tyler, played by Billie Piper], who I believe was the best-written companion thus far. This was because the audience witnessed the Doctor's brilliance through her perspective. Instead of being mere sidekicks, companions allowed us to see the Doctor in a new light and grasp the extent of his extraordinary nature. It felt like there was more depth to be explored. I often imagine having a TARDIS to revisit those stories, to add more nuance and emotion. While we only scratched the surface of it back then, due to time constraints and limitations in the scriptwriting process.

Who Will Doctor Who’s Next Companion Be?

Davison's analysis of the revitalized companions in the Doctor Who revival applies to the show's evolution. While he specifically mentions Billie Piper's Rose Tyler, other companions like Rory Williams, Amy Pond, and eventual companion River Song have also become integral parts of the series. These updated Doctor Who companions are not simply sidekicks, as Davison points out. They possess their own unique personalities and engaging storylines, such as the romantic relationship between Rory and Amy.

Doctor Who fans will soon rejoice as Catherine Tate returns to portray Donna Noble in the upcoming 60th anniversary specials. Additionally, Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor will acquire a new companion named Ruby Sunday, portrayed by talented British newcomer Millie Gibson.

Not much information has been disclosed regarding the character details of Ruby Sunday. However, Gibson's selection for the role stands out because she will be the youngest Doctor Who companion ever. It is worth mentioning that Gibson was only 18 when she was chosen. With Gatwa, who is 30, also being one of the youngest actors to lead in Doctor Who, the upcoming season is set to have a more youthful vibe compared to previous seasons. It is hoped that this youthful energy will be complemented by a captivating companion in Ruby Sunday.