# New companion for Doctor Who announced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390 "2012-03-21T10:46:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/61 "2012-03-24T02:24:27Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > There’s an official pic of her here, wearing some fetching knitwear… > > [http://bbcamerica.tumblr.com/post/19790182877/the-first-official-doctor-who-photo-of](http://bbcamerica.tumblr.com/post/19790182877/the-first-official-doctor-who-photo-of) Good heavens - it’s Katie Holmes!! Will they do a Rory number on her husband Tom Cruise and kill him off again & again & again? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/62 "2012-03-24T03:20:07Z")
I’d like to see an American companion (as in, played by an American actor with an American accent, so no, Peri does _not_ count). Or a Canadian. Or an Aussie\* or Kiwi or South African or Indian. Basically, an Anglophone character _not_ from the U.K. Granted, it would be a stretch for as iconicly British a show as _Doctor Who_ , but hey, we had a Cuban character as one of the stars of _I Love Lucy_. Still, if we must have a Brit, I also vote for Sally Sparrow, or Lady Catherine de Souza. \*Yes, I know Tegan was Australian. But I don’t think Janet Fielding was. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/63 "2012-03-24T12:14:10Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Still, if we must have a Brit, I also vote for Sally Sparrow, or Lady Catherine de Souza. That’s Lady _Christina_, and I for one say “Hell Yes!” ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/64 "2012-03-24T14:30:55Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > What is it about the Dr Who clientele that any sort of change is always met with proclaimations of how doooooooooooooom-laden and all round wrong that the new person will be, I wonder. It’s hardly a phenomenon exclusive to Doctor Who. At every new season of every television show, the anguished cries of fanboys and girls shouting [“Ruined FOREVER!”](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuinedFOREVER) are heard across the internet. You think this is bad, you should try being in the Supernatural fandom. Frankly, though, the writers know what they’re doing. I’m not saying Moffat is a genius (I prefer Davies), or that last season was ‘teh best EVAR!!!1!1’ (it was pretty good, in an uneven way), but thus far, the Smith run has been consistently enjoyable. Give the girl a shot. She may surprise everyone. I didn’t much like the idea of Amy when I first saw her, probably as I was still smarting from the loss of Donna, who is my personal all time favorite companion, but she and Rory ended up almost overshadowing the Doctor, they were so good. BTW, do we actually know anything about the character yet? I can’t believe so many people have such strong opinions based only off a photo of a fairly gorgeous woman. Oh, wait, it’s fandom. Yes I can. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/65 "2012-03-24T14:42:22Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Yeah, the first Matt Smith pictures had nothing to do with his costume. Yeah, but bear in mind the new girl is due to come in half way through the next series. Seeing as they will already be shooting it, they must have a pretty good idea of the outfit she will be wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/66 "2012-03-24T15:15:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > That’s Lady _Christina_, and I for one say “Hell Yes!” By crikey, you’re right. I must have gotten her mixed up with Lady Catherine de Bourge from _Pride And Predjudice._ And yeah, wouldn’t she have made an awesome companion? Intelligent, canny, not intimidated by the Doctor - she could potentially been one of the best companions of NuWho. RTD must not have been able to get the actress, for some reason. Shame. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/67 "2012-03-24T15:20:32Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > By crikey, you’re right. I must have gotten her mixed up with Lady Catherine de Bourge from _Pride And Predjudice._ > And yeah, wouldn’t she have made an awesome companion? Intelligent, canny, not intimidated by the Doctor - she could potentially been one of the best companions of NuWho. RTD must not have been able to get the actress, for some reason. Shame. She _was_ a great companion, even if only for a single special. You don’t always have to ride anywhere in the TARDIS to be a companion. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/68 "2012-03-24T22:47:48Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Yeah, but bear in mind the new girl is due to come in half way through the next series. Seeing as they will already be shooting it, they must have a pretty good idea of the outfit she will be wearing. They haven’t started shooting her episode yet, though. They’re only about three episodes in so far, and she doesn’t appear until episode 6 or something. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/69 "2012-03-24T23:17:54Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > She _was_ a great companion, even if only for a single special. You don’t always have to ride anywhere in the TARDIS to be a companion. Nah, you have to travel in the TARDIS. Otherwise there are a billion “companions”. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/70 "2012-03-25T02:42:01Z")
I’d just like to say that I’d be more than happy to take on the role of the Twelfth Doctor if Jenna Louise Coleman and Carey Mulligan will join me as my companions. That’s all. Now please excuse me whilst I write some fan fiction and, um, retire early this evening… ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/71 "2012-03-26T14:11:45Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Yeah, but just because somebody does a good David Tennant impression doesn’t make him a great Doctor. I haven’t seen the most recent season but I have never warmed to Smith. If anything, it’s more of an incredible Patrick Troughton imitation. > [@Candyman74](#): > > Nah, you have to travel in the TARDIS. Otherwise there are a billion “companions”. Which is why no one considers Liz Shaw a companion, and Jo Grant was not a companion for two years. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/72 "2012-03-26T17:36:43Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Which is why no one considers Liz Shaw a companion, and Jo Grant was not a companion for two years. I’ll agree with exceptions for Pertwee, since the premise of the show changed for a while there. But when the TARDIS is functioning, you gotta travel in it. Moreso, I’d say you have to be in more than one episode, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/73 "2012-03-26T18:22:47Z")
Both those points I’d agree with. The UNIT chaps (Liz and Jo excepted) really walked that fine line between recurring character and Companion. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/74 "2012-03-26T18:25:39Z")
[Here is the first promo for the new season, though no sign of the new girl in it.](http://www.aintitcool.com/node/54524) ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/75 "2012-03-26T18:26:16Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Both those points I’d agree with. The UNIT chaps (Liz and Jo excepted) really walked that fine line between recurring character and Companion. See, in my mind The Brigadier isn’t a companion, nor was Kylie Minogue. They were guest stars, sure, and the former was a recurring character, but neither were companions. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/76 "2012-03-26T19:07:52Z")
The Brigadier, however, _did_ travel in the TARDIS, even if he didn’t do so regularly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/77 "2012-03-26T19:15:24Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The Brigadier, however, _did_ travel in the TARDIS, even if he didn’t do so regularly. As did Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/78 "2012-03-26T19:43:22Z")
Well, in that case the criteria for being a companion are even more restrictive than I suggested, not less. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390/79 "2012-03-26T19:57:34Z")
And here I am, surprised that Amy Pond is back, even for a partial season. Since she seems to be tempting fate about continuing her companionship, I’m more than a little worried it will not end well for her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-companion-for-doctor-who-announced/616390.md?page=3)