The BBC has announced that Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor will have three companions when the eleventh series of Doctor Who gets underway in the Autumn of 2018.
As previously rumoured, Bradley Walsh will be joining the series as companion Graham, along with Hollyoaks’ Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole as Yasmin and Ryan.
“The new Doctor is going to need new friends,” states new showrunner Chris Chibnall. “We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor. Alongside them, we’re delighted that Sharon D Clarke is also joining the show.”
“I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor,” added Walsh. “Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself. I was petrified but even though I’d watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. I then queued up for ages to get into the Carlton picture house in Watford to watch the great Peter Cushing appear as the Doctor in a full length feature film made in glorious colour. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole ground breaking new dawn for the Doctor?? Oh yes!”
“I am over the moon to be joining the Doctor Who family,” said Gill. “This is an iconic show with an amazing fanbase and I look forward to everything that brings. Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn’t believe it to be true for the first few weeks. To be working alongside the likes of Jodie, Bradley and my old friend Tosin is thrilling. This show is worlds away from the work I’ve done previously and that’s the part that excites me the most.”
“I’m grateful and excited to be a part of this journey with the team,” stated Cole. “I’m looking forward to jumping in this Doctor Who universe.”
In addition to the cast, it has also been confirmed that the new series will run for ten episodes, running at 50 minutes apiece with an hour-long premiere.